I plan to attend and invite my colleagues in the transportation community to join me for this Sept. 28 event, hosted by Transportation Management Association Lake Cook. Here's the invitation:
Two major transportation funding initiatives were approved at the federal and state level this summer: After years of limited funding extensions, Congress approved and President Obama signed the MAP-21 legislation. While not a “perfect bill,” according to Sen. Durbin, because it does not provide long-term funding, the bill provides funding streams for highway and transit projects, streamlines bureaucratic procedures, eliminates earmarks, and requires performance standards. Illinois should receive $4.1 billion in highway funding and $1.4 billion for transit projects according to Gov. Quinn. In addition, the Illinois Legislature approved bonding expansion of $14 billion for Illinois Jobs Now.
Join us for a meeting on Friday, Sept. 28, 2012, at Baxter Healthcare, One Baxter Parkway, Deerfield, IL, in the Auditorium. Cong. Dold and Secretary Schneider will discuss the federal legislation and impact on Illinois projects and programs with particular emphasis on the metro Chicago area including Lake and Cook counties. Finally, Secretary Schneider will discuss the extensive state transportation program and priorities.
If you have any questions, please contact bill_baltutis@baxter.com. Please RSVP to lynn_stailey@baxter.com by Sept. 26, 2012.