BELLWOOD, IL - A bill signed into law says Illinois can move forward with $1.6 billion in transportation projects aimed at creating more than 18,000 jobs.

The money includes more than $817 million in new highway projects in the 2013 fiscal year.

Local grants were awarded in the following amounts: Alexander County - $10,491.60, Carbondale - $20,286.54, Centralia - $4,062.70, Du Quoin - $16,246.83, Gallatin County - $16,140.71, Hardin County - $11,675.00, Johnson County - $9,061.74, Massac County - $16,814.84, Metropolis - $16,334.19, Saline County - $20,084.70, Union County - $9,995.00, Williamson County - $28,543.34.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed the bill Tuesday in the Chicago suburb of Bellwood and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood attended.

The projects are the next phase of a capital projects program that began in 2009. Illinois will pay for the projects by selling bonds.