THE Illinois Department of Transportation has run out of money for fuel and, as a result, all but eliminated routine maintenance on state routes.

IDOT soon may be forced to bring most road and bridge construction projects to a halt as well, unless additional money is provided.

Illinois' political leaders must act quickly to provide the needed funds and avert the disastrous economic consequences that would result from a near-shutdown of construction and maintenance operations.

In an encouraging development, Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Collinsville, and Sen. Dale Risinger, R-Peoria, introduced legislation this week that would accomplish that goal.

Lawmakers must not fail, whether through the Hoffman and Risinger proposals or some other means, to close this critical funding gap.

Unless additional funds are forthcoming, IDOT engineers, inspectors and others will not be able to travel to construction sites and work will stop. IDOT road crews and equipment used to mow, stripe and patch state routes already have been idled.

Christine Reed, chief engineer and director of highways, said IDOT has no choice since, by law, agencies cannot spend money that has not been appropriated and can transfer only a limited amount of money from one fund to another, which has been done.

Reed blames the shortfall on rising fuel costs and a hard winter that kept vehicles on the road and also drained money earmarked for overtime, supplies and other operations.

IDOT saw this problem developing and, early this year, asked the Legislature for additional funding.

Ultimately, that request was included in a wide-ranging budget and appropriations package approved by the Senate April 3. That measure, supported by the governor, has stalled in the House.

The Hoffman and Risinger proposals would provide IDOT with about $20 million, including about $7.3 million for vehicle operation and other money to bolster funds where transfers had occurred.

Major highway projects and maintenance cannot be delayed for untold months, and another construction season lost, while the state's political leaders try to resolve their deep differences over the broader budget package.

The solution is to enact new, separate legislation such as the Hoffman or Risinger proposals that focus exclusively on providing supplemental funds for IDOT.

All should be able to agree on the paramount importance of ensuring that vital construction and maintenance work continues.

A shutdown now would deal a body blow to the state's economy, immediately impacting private contractors, material suppliers and their employees and affecting many other sectors the longer it continues.

This additional burden should not be imposed on people and businesses in Illinois at a time when many already are struggling.

Furthermore, a shutdown now would push the state even further behind in meeting infrastructure needs that are vital for economic development.

Illinois has not adopted a capital plan since 1999, and those funds were exhausted by 2003. As a result, billions of dollars worth of vital road projects statewide already are on hold.

The last capital proposal, approved by the Senate in September but never voted on in the House, earmarked more than $242 million for Western Illinois, including $74 million for four-lane construction of U.S. 34 between Monmouth and Burlington, Iowa, $51 million for construction of the Macomb bypass and $42 million for U.S. 67 construction between Macomb and Jacksonville.

With every passing year, costs will increase, more work will need to be done and more money will need to be appropriated.

It is essential that a capital plan be enacted this year. Rebuilding and expanding the state's deteriorating transportation infrastructure will provide jobs and an economic stimulus in the immediate future while ensuring growth and prosperity over the long term.

First, however, the state's leaders must be sure to provide funding that will enable work to continue on projects already funded and under way.

The General Assembly and administration must quickly agree on a supplemental appropriation that will provide IDOT with sufficient operating funds to sustain the construction and maintenance projects planned for this year.