(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – If a big, expensive project is in a political opponent’s district, it’s pork. If it’s in your district, it’s economic development or important infrastructure.

News that $40 million in state money – from the just-signed budget – will build a regional sports complex at Proviso West High School is not going down well with Illinois Republicans. The school is House Speaker Chris Welch‘s (pictured) (D-Hillside) alma mater and in the district he previously served as school board president.

Asked about it at Monday’s ceremony at which Gov. JB Pritzker signed the budget into law, Welch recounted a story about a dinner he had with House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna). He said he asked McCombie how House Democrats could help House Republicans and quoted her response: “Don’t expect us to vote for the budget. Don’t expect us to get primaried.”

Welch disdained such a political attitude.

“I vote for the budget because I want to help my community. I don’t do something because I am worried about the next election. If helping Proviso and the region that I grew up in is going to cost me an election, I’m willing to do that. I’m fine with that.”

Welch described the project as “regional” and an engine for economic development.

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