Willis, Lilly Participate in Franklin Park’s Railroad Day Fest

FRANKLIN PARK, Ill. – State Rep. Kathleen Willis, D-Northlake, and state Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Chicago, joined local residents at Franklin Park’s annual Franklin Park Fest for its featured Railroad Day to speak with constituents and answer their questions on issues like the budget, capital projects, the Fair Tax and health care.

“Local events like these encapsulate the rich history of our communities, and the Railroad Day fest is unique to this village,” said Willis. “Franklin Park is Illinois’ fifth largest industrial park, and is also a hub of locomotive transportation for commuters and resources, which serves as a reminder to us all how important trains are to Illinois’ economy.”

Both Willis and Lilly supported a major infrastructure investment bill which will help commuters get to and from work faster and help spur billions in economic activity. Their plan also helps Illinois invest in 500,000 high-wage jobs across the state and was backed by both business and labor organizations. Willis and Lilly voted to invest $1.2 billion for railway expansions across Illinois and fund other critical job-creating projects rebuilding Illinois’ crumbling roads, bridges and railways.

The Franklin Park Fest occurs each year in June to host a number of events and activities. Among the activities are a Jazz Night to begin the festivities, which is then followed by the Railroad Day. On this day, the different train cars are showcased to show the progression of locomotives used over the years for either transporting goods or commuters.

“Trains are still a major mode of travel for commuters in Illinois, and we need to make sure that Illinois has the proper infrastructure in place to maintain that method of travel,” said Lilly. “It is always good for people to enjoy a weekend with friends and family to enjoy local events, and every day is a holiday when you are in Franklin Park.”