CHICAGO – Illinois officials are poised to launch $1 billion in statewide projects to improve water quality and fix outdated infrastructure such as wastewater treatment plants and sewers.

The initiative, which Gov. Pat Quinn previewed earlier this year in his State of the State address, is estimated to create about 28,500 jobs in Illinois, officials announced Thursday.

The money will be distributed through low-interest and long-term loans to local governments and comes from a state program backed by federal money.