Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – For lack of a better term, there may be no shame in Senator Dick Durbin‘s game.

Durbin this week announced a $900,000 grant for water main replacement in downtown Springfield, and a $450,000 grant for work to be done at the Lincoln Home Visitor Center.

And Durbin doesn’t mind telling you how he got that money.

“This is an earmark,” said Durbin.  “You’ve heard a lot about earmarks.  There are critics of earmarks.  I’m not one of them.  During the time I’ve been in Congress, I’ve served in the House and the Senate Appropriations Committee.  They set aside a small amount relatively — one percent or so — for individual members of Congress to highlight projects.”

Durbin says the city told him the water main replacement on South 7th between Capital and Allen was a “priority”, so he knew he needed to get the money.

“Aging water mains is what this $900,000 is going to be used for,” said Mayor Misty Buscher.  “For a very old water main that needs to be replaced that breaks often and has had repairs done, so that we and our downtown can have cleaner and safer water.”

The main in question is on South 7th Street between Capital Ave. and East Allen Street.  A timeframe has yet to be established, but with road replacement, the project is expected to take three months.  City officials and Durbin say it will still be great and done in time for the America 250th anniversary, and 100th anniversary of Route 66 celebrations expected to take place in the city.

Durbin’s office says “earmarks” are in the FY 2026 spending plan, and are technically referred to as “Congressionally Directed Spending.”