One of a series to discuss transportation issues vital to area businesses
As
Congress works to find consensus on funding for the next federal transportation
bill, Business Leaders for Transportation is rallying local leaders to prepare
for complementary state action. In a continuing effort to ensure a strong
federal commitment to transportation funding, the group is hosting a series of
forums among members of the Illinois congressional delegation and their area
business leaders to gather support for key changes to the federal distribution
formula and identify transportation investment priorities.
On
Tuesday, Oct. 28, at NIU Hoffman Estates, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Deerfield) will
be the featured speaker at the second of five public forums with members of
Congress to address transportation issues important to the local business
community. Other speakers include Metra Executive Director Phil Pagano, talking
about the proposed STAR line; Sears Director of Asset Utilization Jim Terrell,
on transportation as an employee benefit; and Consultant Stan Pepper of Pepper
Construction on the work of Business Leaders for Transportation. Kathy Gilmer,
director of outreach services for Northeastern Illinois University, will
moderate. Co-sponsors of the forum are the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce,
CenterPoint Properties, Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Road and
Transportation Builders Association, Motorola, NIU Hoffman Estates, Prairie
Stone TMA, Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce, SBC, Sears Roebuck and Co., and
Transportation for Illinois Coalition.
“Illinois
receives $.93 for every dollar it sends to Washington, D.C. Given our population
concentration and complex transportation network, Business Leaders for
Transportation members are pushing for a fairer share of federal dollars in
TEA-3,” said MarySue Barrett, president of Metropolitan Planning Council, which
co-leads Business Leaders with Chicago Metropolis 2020 and the Chicagoland
Chamber of Commerce. “Better funding will be critical to meeting all
transportation needs — roads, transit, and freight.”
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.
WHAT
Public forum on federal transportation funding
WHEN
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003, 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
WHERE
Northern Illinois University Hoffman Estates, 5555 Trillium Blvd., Hoffman
Estates, Ill.
WHO
- U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.)
- Phil Pagano, executive director, Metra
- Stan Pepper, consultant, Pepper Construction
- Jim Terrell, director of asset utilization, Sears
Roebuck and Co.
- Kathy Gilmer, director of outreach services, NIU (moderator)
The forum is free to members of the working media, but
pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Karyn Romano
at
312.863.6005.