SPRINGFIELD - Millions of dollars in projects could come to Central Illinois as part of a statewide construction program, state Sen. Bill Brady said in a two-page news release Monday.

Nowhere in the release, however, does the former gubernatorial candidate explain that he voted against a way to pay for many of the projects.

The Bloomington Republican was among 15 senators who voted "no" last week on a plan to expand gambling in Illinois to generate the billions of dollars that will fund the statewide construction program.

Brady did vote in favor of two components of the proposal, which is now awaiting action in the House. He supported provisions that outline how the money will be spent and on which projects, but he voted "no" when it came to the gambling expansion idea.

"I can understand somehow this looking hypocritical, but yet its decisions we're faced with every day," Brady said.

He contends some of the projects he supports could be financed regardless of whether the casino plan moves forward.

Under that plan, which received support from nine of Brady's GOP colleagues, Chicago would get a new casino and two others would be allowed to open in undetermined locations. The state's nine existing casinos also would be allowed to expand their positions.

The money generated by the massive gambling expansion would pay for the loans the state will take out to launch the $13 billion program.

The proposal faces dubious prospects in the House, where leaders on both sides of the aisle have expressed doubts about that chamber approving such a large expansion.

In Brady's 44th Senate District, money would go to the Bloomington airport, Illinois State University and for a variety of road construction projects, Brady said.

But, in the release, Brady also mentions money for projects that aren't in his district, including improvements at the Decatur Civic Center and the Decatur Airport.

State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, said he is concerned that his constituents might get excited about the prospect of new projects coming to their hometowns when the proposal remains in limbo in the House.

House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, and Gov. Rod Blagojevich have been at odds over budget issues for months. Madigan said he is unsure whether there is support for gambling expansion in the chamber.

"The drama is not played out yet," Mitchell said.

Kurt Erickson can be reached at kurt.erickson@lee.net or 789-0865.