03.12.14

Durbin Meets With Springfield and Sangamon County Officials to Discuss Regional Priorities

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Springfield and Sangamon County Community Partnership to discuss local priorities including economic development and transportation improvements. A photo of today’s meeting is available here.

“I want to thank the Springfield and Sangamon County Community Partnership for their work to improve the community around them and spur local job creation,” Durbin said. “I will continue to look for opportunities in Washington to support their efforts in Springfield.”

 

The group also discussed the 183rd Fighter Wing’s current operations and capacity for future missions. The 183rd Air Guard repairs F-16 jet engines and its Air Operations Group (AOG) provides Air Force “surge capacity” to help manage complex air campaigns. As chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Durbin has advocated directly to the National Guard Bureau Chief that the 183rd is perfectly positioned to take on a new cyber or intelligence-support mission because of its extra classified operations space.

Attendees at today’s meeting include: Springfield Mayor Mike Houston; Sangamon County President Andy Van Meter; Springfield Chamber of Commerce Chairman Tom Fitch; Assistant Adjunct General of the Illinois National Guard Gen. Willy Cobetto; and Springfield Airport Director Mark Hanna.