Kirk Announces Illinois Priorities in Appropriations Bill

Press Release

U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today supported the Senate Appropriations Committee's passage of the fiscal year 2016 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development funding bill, which includes improvements to Illinois rail, highway, pipeline, and aviation infrastructure, such as the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) modernization project. The bill requires new security measures across aviation facilities to prevent a repeat of disruptions we experienced after the fire at the Air Route Traffic Control Center in Aurora, Ill., last year, which caused the cancellation of nearly 2,000 flights in Chicago and disrupted aviation traffic across the country

"At the crossroads of the nation, Illinois is home to the world's busiest airport, the second-most rail crossings in the nation and the third-largest interstate highway system," Senator Kirk said. "These FAA requirements will prevent a repeat of the security failures and negative economic impact Chicago experienced after the Aurora fire last year."

The FY 2016 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act:

-Supports the CTA's Red and Purple Line Modernization Project.
-Guarantees $154.4 million for the federal Contract Tower Program, including Illinois' six contract towers in Waukegan, Bloomington/Normal, Marion, Decatur, Murphysboro, and East Alton. Rejects the Administration's budget which put the towers in jeopardy.
-Requires Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facilities to ensure operations are restored immediately following incidents like the Aurora fire last September. The bill provides $100.88 million for physical security and personnel improvements within the Office of Security and Hazardous Materials Safety (ASH).
Includes new passenger safety grants for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in the wake of derailments.
-Requires comparative analysis of shipping oil by rail, pipeline or truck in light of recent train derailments involving crude oil spills, including in Galena, Ill.
-Funds the Essential Air Service Program within the FAA, which supports airports in Decatur, Marion, Waukegan and Quincy.

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