Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert and SIU President Glenn Poshard named Co-Chairs to capital program coalition by Governor Blagojevich
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich yesterday named two of the state’s most respected leaders, former Speaker of the U.S. House Dennis Hastert and Southern Illinois University (SIU) President and former U.S. Congressman Glenn Poshard as co-chairs of the newly created Illinois Works Coalition.
The Illinois Works Coalition is a bipartisan, statewide working group drawing expertise from business, labor and local leaders across the state. The Coalition is charged with communicating the state’s urgent need for a minimum $25 billion capital program. Coalition members will travel to every corner of the state to speak with citizens, businesses and community organizations, and will ask them to join in support of the Illinois Works capital program.
We ask that you express your belief in the urgent need of a capital program and join in support of Illinois Works. Please visit www.IllinoisWorksCoalition.com to sign up today.
The need for a capital program is real and is urgent. Illinois schools report a need for over 13,000 repair, renovation and expansion projects. Seventy-five percent of state highways are more than 40 years old and are near the end of their original design life. New roadways need to be built to handle our growing population and increasing gridlock.
The Coalition is looking for organizations that can act as hosts for local town hall meetings, lectures, board meetings, and community organization meetings.
If you or your organization would like to take an active role in support of the Illinois Works capital program, please contact 866.308.1369 or email info@IllinoisWorksCoalition.com.
Thank you for your support,
The Illinois Works Coalition
Illinois Works by the Numbers
Nine years have passed since Illinois passed a capital program. The Illinois Works capital program benefits every part of our state, and funds much needed infrastructure in the following areas:
The State is doing its part
$4.9 billion for schools, including higher education
$14.4 billion for road and bridge programs
$3.2 billion for public transit, passenger rail and airports
$1.1 billion for environment, energy and technology
$1 billion for economic development and housing
$600 million for improved and expanded state facilities
Members of the Coalition’s steering committee include:
Michael Carrigan – President of the Illinois AFL-CIO
Jerry Roper - President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
Tom Villanova – President of the Chicago & Cook County Building Trades Council
Edward Smith - Midwest Regional Manager of the Laborer's International Union of North America
Tod Faerber – President of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association
Bob Schillerstrom – Chairman of the DuPage County Board
Larry Ivory – Chairman and CEO of the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce
Omar Duque – President and CEO of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Florence Cox – Executive Director of the Black Contractors United
Tim Davlin – Mayor of the City of Springfield
Kim Robinson - Executive Director of the Illinois Construction Industry Council
Allan Reyhan Jr. - President of the Associated General Contractors of Illinois
Karen McConnaughay - Chairwoman of the Kane County Board
Clayton Harris III – Executive Director of the Illinois Works Coalition and Chief of Staff of the Illinois Department of Transportation
Sincerely,
Rod R. Blagojevich
Governor |
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