(Chicago)….. The Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) is
pleased to welcome Michael McLaughlin, 35, as director of MPC’s transportation
program, which promotes policies
and
efforts that balance regional and statewide economic development and sensible
growth goals.
McLaughlin’s prior work
experience and extensive knowledge of national and state transportation issues
have primed him to guide and grow MPC’s Transportation program. McLaughlin most
recently advised U.S. Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) on transportation and
labor issues. McLaughlin also worked for eight years in the
Washington
D.C.
office of U.S. Congressman William O.
Lipinski (D-Ill.), serving a variety of capacities, including as Lipinski’s
chief of staff. In D.C., McLaughlin gained an insider’s perspective on federal
appropriations for transportation; as well as on national transportation
concerns, including Amtrak, transit, highway and aviation policy. In 2002,
McLaughlin coordinated the Transportation Transition Team for
then-Governor-Elect Rod R. Blagojevich.
“We’re thrilled to have Michael McLaughlin on board to lead our
Transportation program,” said MPC
President
MarySue
Barrett. “Too often, plans to improve transportation funding
and planning in metropolitan
Chicago
and statewide break down over
misinformation and political wrangling. We are confident that Michael’s deep
knowledge of transportation issues and political savvy will help MPC elevate the
discussion, so that our transportation system will be adequately funded, and
every dollar spent will have the highest impact.”
McLaughlin, who
earned his master’s degree in public
affairs
from
Indiana University and his bachelor’s degree
from
the
University
of Iowa , is a
native
of
LaGrange,
Ill. He
recently relocated from D.C.
to
Chicago with his wife
and is looking forward to continuing to serve the public from the nonprofit
sector in his hometown
of
Chicago.
“I’m eager to come
back home to
the
Chicago area and apply what
I’ve learned
in
Washington to the local level,”
said McLaughlin. “I’ve worked at the federal level on various Chicago-area
projects such as O’Hare modernization and the CREATE freight rail program, and I
would like to tackle these and other important transportation issues from a
local perspective on the ground here in
metropolitan
Chicago.”
Founded in 1934, the Metropolitan Planning Council
(MPC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group of business and civic leaders committed
to serving the public interest through the promotion and implementation of
sensible planning and development policies necessary for an economically
competitive Chicago region. MPC researches and develops policy recommendations
and conducts outreach and advocacy in partnership with public officials and
community leaders to enhance equity of opportunity and quality of life
throughout metropolitan Chicago.