The region’s infrastructure appears to be falling apart. 

Thanks to days of rain last week, a street in downtown buckled. On Tuesday a man was seen on video running from the street to the sidewalk to escape a large crack opening up on Jefferson Street, which the Chicago Department of Transportation closed from Adams to Monroe streets later that day for repairs.

And remember back in February when Lake Shore Drive was closed because steel beams that support it cracked?

And let’s not get started on the potholes.

Illinois’ roads and bridges are not looking too good. More than 2,000 bridges across the state are considered structurally deficient.

Discussion of infrastructure spending is in the air in Springfield as the spring legislative session gets underway, but with an already hefty to-do list to tackle, will lawmakers be able to come up with the comprehensive investment plan the state needs before they adjourn on May 31?

Chicago Tribune transportation reporter Mary Wisniewski, and Audrey Wennink of the Metropolitan Planning Council join the Morning Shift to take a look at the state of Illinois’ infrastructure.

GUEST: Mary Wisniewski, transportation reporter and columnist at the Chicago Tribune

Audrey Wennink, Director of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Council

Illinois Riddled with Political – and Literal – Potholes (WTTW 4/29)

Campaign Looks To Fix Chicago’s Crumbling Infrastructure | WBEZ (Morning Shift 3/28/18)

Concrete pieces fall on tracks at Union Station, impacting Metra trains and injuring a man (WLS 1/22)