Home      Login

Abstract: 

Local governments have long relied on their ability to issue public debt to fund long-term public works projects. In Illinois, increasing fiscal stress within local and state government has hampered many communities’ ability to take on additional credit obligations. As a result, municipalities are increasingly looking to their federal legislators for financial assistance with their public works projects. This study uses federal appropriations legislation and earmark reports, supplemented by survey data and personal interviews with federal, state and local elected officials and agency executives, to explore Illinois’ municipal governments’ use of federal earmarks to finance local infrastructure needs.

Keywords: Public Debt; Alternative Funding Mechanisms; Infrastructure Earmarks; Capital Spending

Affiliations:  1: West Virginia University.