Lawmakers in Springfield moved one step closer toward a statewide capital program Wednesday when the Illinois House voted 75-38 to approve leasing the Illinois lottery.

The plan, which calls for leasing the lottery for as long as 60-years, would free up cash needed to leverage matching federal construction funds.  Combined, the two sources of revenue would finance what lawmakers hope will be a $25 billion investment in schools, roads and bridges throughout the state.

The proposal received bi-partisan support from lawmakers eager to jump-start local economies and put people back to work.  For every $1 billion in infrastructure investment, 47,000 good-paying jobs are created.

The measure must be considered by the Senate before it goes to the Governor's desk for his signature.