The Illinois Senate rejected a construction program pushed by Democrats that would have put $350 million into road repairs next year.

Illinois 173 in Machesney Park was going to be widened with that money. Republicans say the state has no money to pay off the $2 billion Democrats want to borrow for the plan.

The state's road-building fund which is funded with fees from licenses and gas taxes would pay off the loan, but the fund already is paying for the state's regular road improvement program: $1.6 billion in the coming year.

Democrats say the extra work is necessary for economic development and public safety especially after no capital construction plan passed the General Assembly last year.