Business Leaders for Transportation to Host Forum with Rep. Jerry Weller on Oct. 14, 2003

First in a series to discuss transportation issues vital to area businesses

October 9, 2003

Federal funding for surface transportation is simmering on the legislative burners. TEA-21 expired on Sept. 30, 2003, and Congress authorized a five-month extension. To turn up the heat, in a continuing effort to ensure a strong federal commitment to transportation funding, Business Leaders for Transportation is hosting a series of congressional forums, beginning next week, that will bring together members of the Illinois delegation and their area business leaders to rally around key changes to the distribution formula, and identify transportation investment priorities.

On Tuesday, Oct. 14, U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller (R-Ill.) will be the featured speaker at the first of five public forums with members of Congress to address transportation issues important to the local business community. Co-sponsors of the first forum are Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, CenterPoint Properties, Harrah's Joliet Casino and Hotel, Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association, Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Transportation for Illinois Coalition, and Will County Center for Economic Development.

“Business Leaders for Transportation strongly feels that the federal government needs to fund a better connected, intermodal system for northeastern Illinois, and an informed and active business community is key to ensuring that Illinois’ transportation needs are met. The forum series is meant to spark and inform public discussion on the critical importance of federal transportation funding and the reauthorization of TEA-21,” said MarySue Barrett, president of Metropolitan Planning Council, which co-leads Business Leaders with Chicago Metropolis 2020 and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

Business Leaders for Transportation, a coalition of nearly 150 members representing more than 12,000 regional employers, provides a collective voice for Chicago-area businesses on surface transportation issues. Of central importance to the coalition is increased state and federal transportation funding for northeastern Illinois, supported by coordinated planning to achieve the most efficient and desirable return on transportation system investments.

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WHAT: Public forum on federal transportation funding

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Harrah’s Joliet Casino and Hotel, 151 N. Joliet St., Joliet

WHO:

U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller (R-Ill.)
John Greuling, Will County Center for Economic Development
Paul Nowicki, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway
James Roolf, First Midwest Bank
Jerry Roper, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

The forum is free to members of the working media, but pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact Karyn Romano at 312.863.6005.