One of a Series; Discusses Transportation Issues Vital to Area Businesses
Recognizing that the business community
is uniquely qualified to influence federal transportation policy, Business
Leaders for Transportation is hosting a series of forums that bring together
members of the Illinois congressional delegation and their area business leaders
to rally around key changes to the federal distribution formula and identify
transportation investment priorities.
Today’s breakfast in Evanston featured U.S. Rep. Jan
Schakowsky (D-Evanston). The event was co-sponsored by CenterPoint Properties,
Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry, DevNorth Corp., Edgewater
Development Corporation, Evanston Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Road and
Transportation Builders Association, Transportation Center at Northwestern
University, Transportation for Illinois Coalition, Uptown Chamber of Commerce,
Uptown
Community Development Corporation,
and
West Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
"An investment by the
federal government in Illinois' transportation needs will be critical to
improving quality of life for millions, to the growth of our economy, and to the
success of businesses across the state,” said Rep. Schakowsky. “I am committed
to working with local leaders and my colleagues in Congress to bring Illinois
its fair share of transportation funds for projects that will reduce congestion
and commute times, improve mass transit, and help our state create
jobs."
The facts
about northeastern Illinois’ transportation network are startling. The region
has the second largest transit and third largest interstate networks in the
nation, is the third busiest intermodal hub in the world, and is the fifth most
congested in the country — leaving local commuters to waste an average of 61
hours a year just sitting in traffic. Businesses, which represent individual and
commercial transportation users, have a particular interest in how Illinois
fares under the next federal bill.
“Job growth is happening throughout northeastern
Illinois,” said Bob Gallamore, director of Northwestern University’s
Transportation Center and moderator of today’s forum, “and the Chicago area’s
role as hub of the national intermodal transportation network is more critical
than ever. These forums allow business leaders to voice their concerns about
getting
their people and goods from place
to place, and to share their views on
improvements such as the CREATE plan.”
“I’m glad to see that the business community is
getting involved,” said Paula Thibeault, executive director of the Regional
Transportation Authority. “How Illinois fares in this upcoming bill will have
profound consequences for them because it will undoubtedly affect all
commuters.”
“Service-oriented economies depend on the talents of
people, and people stuck in traffic equals money lost,” said Peter Glick, first
vice president for LaSalle Capital Markets.
Chicago Metropolis 2020, which co-leads Business
Leaders for Transportation with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and
Metropolitan Planning Council, outlined the coalition’s recommendations for
TEA-3. “We strongly support efforts by our congressional leaders to adjust the
federal funding formula to respond to Illinois’ transportation needs and provide
the necessary resources for a better connected, intermodal system for
northeastern Illinois,” said Jim LaBelle, Metropolis 2020 deputy director. “An
informed and active business community is key to ensuring that Illinois’
transportation needs are met.”
This fall, Business Leaders for Transportation is
hosting a series of the forums around the region, including one on Dec. 1, 2003
at the South Holland Community Center with Rep. Jesse Jackson (D-Chicago), and
in mid-December with Reps. Henry Hyde (R-Addison) and Judy Biggert (R-Clarendon
Hills).
Business Leaders for Transportation, a
coalition of 180 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.
For more information, contact Natashia Holmes
at
312.863.6022.