SPRINGFIELD - If Illinois gets money from the federal government to help jumpstart the ailing economy, officials plan to spend it on road, bridge and transit projects.

The idea: A public works program will put people back to work.

In all, the state has identified nearly 300 highway, railway and airport projects that could get underway immediately should there be an infusion of federal cash.

Projects include adding Amtrak service to the Quad-Cities, improving Interstate 57 in Southern Illinois, extending airport runways around the state and completing the long-awaited Alton bypass in the St. Louis Metro East area.

In all, the projects are worth about $2.4 billion and would create more than 90,000 jobs, according to a briefing paper being distributed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich's office.

The potential for a federal bailout remains in limbo. Governors from across the nation met with President-elect Barack Obama earlier this week to outline their needs.

But, it remains unknown whether any of the money will be coming, leaving state officials unsure what their next step should be.

"We have not yet gotten a clear message from the federal government about the details of the process, but they have said that they would like to listen to states' input," said Blagojevich spokeswoman Katherine Ridgway. "We want to make to sure that the projects are appropriate and could be started quickly."

Also unclear is whether the Illinois General Assembly would have to get a long-sought statewide construction plan on the books in order to qualify for federal assistance.

"If a state match is needed, we will make sure to find dollars so that we can start the projects quickly," said Ridgway.

In a statement released after the meeting in Philadelphia, Blagojevich said federal dollars could put people to work, as well as help shorten the wait by hospitals, nursing homes and pharmacies for reimbursements.

"Today, I reinforced our message that Illinois needs federal assistance that stimulates consumer spending, invests in infrastructure projects that create jobs, and protects our state services with an increase in the federal reimbursement rate for Medicaid," Blagojevich said.

State Rep. John Bradley, a Marion Democrat, said he supports spending money on projects in his district, such as improvements to Interstate 57 near Marion.

He said the state could get immediate access to $8 billion in federal funds if the federal government were to eliminate the need for Illinois to provide matching funds. That money, he said, is already in the federal budget.

"It wouldn't cost taxpayers a dime because the money is already there. It could be done with the stroke of a pen. It seems like a simple remedy," Bradley said.

kurt.erickson@lee.net / (217) 789-0865