SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, is highlighting local projects critical to improving and rebuilding transportation infrastructure in Peoria that are part of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) new Multi-Year Program (MYP) and the Rebuild Illinois infrastructure program.

“This year in my role as Deputy Majority Leader, I was proud to help bring a bipartisan group of legislators together to work with the Pritzker administration to create a roadmap and funding plan for investing in our state’s roads, bridges and overall transportation system after years of mismanagement and neglect by the prior administration,” Gordon-Booth said. “With the announcement of IDOT’s new Multi-Year Program, Peorians can look forward to several critical infrastructure projects that will improve roads and transportation in our community, helping connect communities and create better opportunities for businesses.”

As Deputy Majority Leader in the Illinois House, Gordon-Booth helped lead negotiations for the historic Rebuild Illinois bipartisan infrastructure program, which will invest $45 billion in transportation infrastructure, railways, education facilities and veteran’s facilities over several years. Over $33 billion in the Rebuild Illinois program is dedicated for transportation projects, including over $14 billion for new road and bridge projects and $11 billion dedicated to completing IDOT’s MYP. Nearly $270 million in highway projects will take place in Gordon-Booth’s district.

Two local projects featured in IDOT’s newest MYP are part of the Illinois Major Bridge Program and will invest over $220 million locally for bridge replacements and utility adjustments on Harmon Highway and War Memorial Drive, which will also feature culvert replacement and ramp modifications. Other local construction projects include improvements to Knoxville Avenue and Pioneer Parkway. Additionally, funding will be provided for a comprehensive rail study as a first step to ensuring passenger rail returns to Peoria for the first time in decades.

“This historic investment in local infrastructure will not only improve our roads and bridges, but it will provide good jobs for local residents,” Gordon-Booth said. “Building a stronger Illinois means that we must invest in our state’s role as a national transportation hub that connects communities, creates opportunities for business and provides needed jobs for residents.”

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – To bring together community stakeholders and local businesses, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, will hold an Economic Development Roundtable on Sept. 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Gateway Center in Collinsville. Stuart is teaming up with state Sen. Rachelle Crowe, the Small Business Development Center at SIUe, and the City of Collinsville to host this event. There will also be a representative from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to give details about upcoming capital projects in the Metro East.

“There is a lot of excitement surrounding the capital plan, so I thought it would be great to give business and community leaders an update on what projects the state has coming in the near future,” Stuart said. “This event will also allow attendees to ask questions about other factors that will play a role in development in the Metro East.”

The Economic Development Roundtable will include a short presentation from IDOT, a panel discussion, and the opportunity to ask questions to panel members. Representatives from both Madison and St. Clair County will also be participating as members of the panel. This event is free and open to the public, no registration is required.

“I’ve lived in the Metro East for over 20 years, and I am proud to have fought to ensure that our communities are invested in,” continued Stuart. “I’m excited to hear more about the development in the region and the work we did last Spring to ensure downstate Illinois is a priority for economic investment.”

For more information, contact Rep. Stuart’s Constituent Services Office in Collinsville at 618-365-6650 or at RepKatieStuart@gmail.com. 

CHICAGO – State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, applauded the addition of new high-speed transit options at the ribbon-cutting for Pace’s Pulse service.

“Public buses offer an opportunity for residents to access community resources such as school, work, shopping and medical care while also cutting down on Chicago traffic, which is something we face on a near hourly basis,” said LaPointe. “Commuters need to have quick, easy and reliable transportation to parts of our city, and Pulse will help deliver on that.”

LaPointe joined local leaders and community members to welcome Chicago’s newest transportation system, Pulse, which was designed to provide faster and more frequent bus service throughout suburban Chicagoland. Pulse includes several amenities like limited-stop express service, Wi-Fi access, stations with weather protections and real-time bus arrival signage. More information can be found here: https://pulse.pacebus.com/.

LaPointe represents the 19th District, which covers portions of Chicago’s Big Oaks, Dunning, Gladstone Park, Jefferson Park, Portage Park, Union Ridge and West Portage Park neighborhoods, and River Grove, Elmwood Park, Norridge and Harwood Heights.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, will focus on rebuilding Illinois’ infrastructure and protecting the safety of travelers as the chairperson of the Illinois House Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee. 

“Our transportation infrastructure is the backbone of our economy, and touches on every aspect of our daily lives,” said D’Amico. “After four years of failure by former Governor Bruce Rauner, our infrastructure–from roads and bridges to rails and waterways–has suffered and this has imperiled the safety of travelers in Illinois. Now we have an opportunity and an obligation to rebuild our state.”

In his position as chairperson of the Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee, D’Amico will continue his commitment to bipartisanship stewardship of Illinois’ commuters, drivers and travelers. D’Amico previously led efforts to ban texting while driving in Illinois, worked with Secretary of State Jesse White to create a graduated driver’s license program to make sure new drivers have the proper training and supervision, and passed a law to require drivers to operate mobile phones in hands-free mode.

D’Amico was also named as vice-chairperson of the Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee and as a member of the Veterans’ Affairs and Labor & Commerce committees. 

“I am proud to serve on the Labor & Commerce Committee in order to fight for working families, raise the minimum wage and protect workers’ rights,” D’Amico added. “With the new administration we have a unique opportunity to move our state forward and lift up working families across Illinois.”