Quinn Announces $10.5 Million for Cook County Construction Projects

Submitted by the Office of the Governor Pat Quinn

Governor Pat Quinn today announced investments of $10.5 million for a new Route 64 bridge over the Des Plaines River and for a roof replacement project at South Suburban College in South Holland. 

Funded by his Illinois Jobs Now! construction program, the projects are part of Governor Quinn’s commitment to creating jobs and driving Illinois’ economy forward.

“Travel in River Forest, Elmwood Park and Melrose Park will be safer and more efficient with this new North Avenue Bridge,” Governor Quinn said. “South Suburban College is an educational hub for Chicago Southland, and this roof replacement will help keep the campus in shape to continue offering students training for in-demand careers.”

A bridge will be replaced on Illinois Route 64, or North Avenue, where it crosses the Des Plaines River. Intersection improvements will also be made on North and Thatcher Avenues. 

The work will take place in River Forest, Elmwood Park and Melrose Park. James McHugh Construction Co. of Chicago was the lowest of six bidders at $9,827,547. The project will be managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“North Avenue is one of the most important roadways in the western suburbs,” State Representative Camille Lilly (D-Chicago) said. “The improvements to the bridge will help improve safety and make traveling easier for people going to and from work and school. I will continue to support projects that invest in Illinois’ infrastructure and help create and retain jobs in our community." 

“Investing in a new Route 64 bridge will help alleviate traffic and provide safer travel for drivers,” State Representative Emanuel Chris Welch (D-Hillside) said. “Improving our local infrastructure will appeal to new businesses and attract new residents, which can help boost our economy. This project will also bring tax dollars back to our communities and help create needed jobs in our area.”

South Suburban College in South Holland will have its campus roofing systems replaced for $755,000 by Chicago Heights Construction Company, the lowest of six bidders. 

The work will include new roofing material, roof deck repairs, gutters, painting and metal siding. The Illinois Capital Development Board will manage the project.

More than 17,000 students, on average, are enrolled at South Suburban College in South Holland during a typical year. 

The college offers a wide selection of career education and college transfer credit programs. Additionally, South Suburban College’s Business & Career Institute offers non-credit customized training, short-term instruction for business, and dozens of special interest classes. 

The college has a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center, and will continue to provide educational opportunities to the community in traditional areas, as well as in new and emerging fields.

The projects are part of Governor Quinn’s $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.