As a member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, I recognize the importance of a dependable transportation infrastructure to a strong national economy. Moreover, I understand that Illinois operates as the nation's transportation hub. Chicago's O'Hare International consistently ranks as one of the world's busiest airports, all of the nation's freight rail carriers converge in Illinois, the state's highway system serves as the crossroads of America and we are home to the second largest mass transit system in the country.

To maintain the state's status as the nation's transportation epicenter, I have worked to make sure federal transportation policy recognizes Illinois’ transportation network and the role it plays in the nation’s economic well being and future.

I have also worked to make sure every region of Illinois receives its fair share of federal transportation funds. For every $1 billion spent on transportation infrastructure, it is estimated that 24,000 new jobs are supported. These are good jobs, building transportation infrastructure that will help economies in rural Illinois and metropolitan Chicago. Through continued efforts to increase federal transportation funding for Illinois, I am committed to the creation of thousands of new jobs for Illinois families.

I have recently fought to protect Illinois’ federal share of highway formula funds. These funds are critical to Illinois maintaining and expanding our vast road network. The last surface transportation bill included formula and project specific funding that helped build major highway, road and bridge infrastructure throughout the state, including a rebuilt Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago, new Mississippi River bridges being built near St. Louis and the Quad Cities, and an expansion of roadways in the suburbs of Chicago. I will work to make sure Illinois receives the funding it needs to keep our road network in a state of good repair and handle the traffic of the future.

• Read More

• Downstate Air Service
• O'Hare Modernization
• Amtrak
• Commercial Rail
• Public Transit
• Congestion on the Roadways