Illinois Lawmakers Look To Have State Cover Bike Path Costs

Smaller and low-income communities in Illinois could soon no longer be on the hook for bike paths and new sidewalks. An Illinois House committee yesterday forwarded a plan that would have the state pick-up the costs for bike lanes and new sidewalks when those communities use state dollars for new roads. Currently, there’s a required 20-percent match for state projects. Many communities say they can’t afford the cost, so they don’t ask for state money.