Issue Position: Transportation

Issue Position

Transportation

The Second Congressional District of Illinois is a major part of the nation's transportation system. Many interstate highways pass through the area and a number of the nation's major passenger and freight rail lines cross through the south suburbs. There is also a major seaport in the district, which links the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River.

The highway and public transportation systems are extensive, but have some significant challenges - Southland residents endure some of the longest commuting times in the nation. A major reason for this is the wealth of jobs and other economic opportunities farther north and west of my district. I hope to improve this situation by working to bring the Abraham Lincoln National Airport, and the economic growth associated with airport development and operation, to the south suburbs.

As we wait for Governor Quinn to sign the third airport's land lease over to the Abraham Lincoln National Airport Commission to allow construction to begin, I have advocated for increased mass transit options for residents of the 2nd district. Through the Federal Appropriations process I have worked to secure funding for the extension of the CTA Red Line and the preliminary engineering funding for the METRA South East Service. Through the reauthorization of the Transportation and Infrastructure legislation, I have secured funding for major highway project and street construction projects throughout our communities.

Increased resources for and development of transportation methods and infrastructure are critical to the continued success of our nation's economy. Our roads, rails, bridges and harbors are vital to interstate trade, moving the goods, the people, and sometimes even the ideas that help our businesses excel. I've co-sponsored numerous legislative bills to ensure that our transportation systems are the best they can be, including:

* H.R. 402, the National Infrastructure Development Bank Act of 2011, which would establish a bank for the purposes of loans and financing for numerous infrastructure projects;
* H.R. 526, the Our Nation's Trade, Infrastructure, Mobility, and Efficiency Act or ON TIME Act, which would create a National Trade Gateway Corridor Fund to help finance transportation infrastructure improvements;
* And H.R. 2644, the Aviation Jobs and Safety Act of 2011, which would authorize funding for airport improvement projects

I look forward to supporting opportunities to invest in and improve our nation's transportation system.

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