One in a series to discuss transportation issues vital to area businesses
Transportation remains one of the region’s economic
assets and challenges — northeastern Illinois reigns as the third largest
intermodal hub in the world, but continually ranks as one of the nation’s five
worst congested regions. As congressional leaders work to find consensus on
funding for the next federal transportation bill — which could have a dramatic
effect on future projects — Business Leaders for Transportation is bringing
together members of the Illinois delegation and their area business leaders to
rally around investment priorities that take into consideration the needs of the
whole region.
On Monday, Dec.
1, 2003,
at the South Holland Community Center, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Chicago) will
be the featured speaker at the fourth of six public forums in late 2003
with members of Congress to address transportation issues important to the local
business community. Co-sponsors of the forum are CenterPoint Properties,
Chicago Southland Chamber of
Commerce, CSX Transportation, Illinois Road and Transportation Builders
Association, MI-JACK Products, Southwest Conference of Mayors, South Suburban
Mayors & Managers Association, Transportation for Illinois Coalition, and
United Transportation Union-Illinois Legislative Board
.
“The Chicago region has one of the best
transit systems in the country, but to keep it that way we need to speak with
one regional voice, and be strategic in what we ask for in Washington, D.C.,”
said Frank Beal, executive director of Chicago Metropolis 2020, which co-leads
Business Leaders with the Metropolitan Planning Council and Chicagoland Chamber
of Commerce.
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.
__________________________________________
WHAT:
Public forum on federal transportation funding
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 1,
2003,
8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: South Holland Community Center,
501
E.
170th St., South Holland
WHO:
- U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Ill.)
- Don DeGraff, President, Village of South Holland;
Member, Calumet Corridor Planning Council
- Jack Lanigan, Chairman of the Board, MI-JACK Products
- Frank Beal, Executive Director, Chicago Metropolis
2020
- Mike Schoelfield, Chairman, Chicago Southland Economic Development
Corporation; Director of Marketing Baxter and Woodman (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.