Ill. Senate Approves Economic Measure, Includes Fertilizer Plant

The Illinois Senate has passed a measure allowing for intiatives to lure a fertlizer plan to Tuscola, as well as a third Chicago-area airport at Peotone

Senators voted 38-17 on Friday. It moves to Gov. Pat Quinn's desk. He's in favor.

The plan allows the Illinois Department of Transportation to enter into a public-private partnership to develop the South Suburban Airport in Peotone.  

Democratic Sen. Toi Hutchinson of Olympia Fields is a bill sponsor. She says it's about "jobs, jobs, jobs.''

Champaign Republican Rep. Adam Brown said Cronus Chemicals would have a 90-day window after Gov. Quinn signs the measure to determine whether to accept the state’s tax incentive package of more than $30-million.
Illinois is in a bidding war with Iowa over the Cronus plant.

The plant is expected to provide 1,500 construction jobs and 300 permanent ones.

The measure also authorizes financing for a DePaul University basketball arena near Chicago's McCormick Place.

But Republican opponents questioned the way the bill came together and the cost.