It's October and yet it feels like early June outside. Who says 2020 is all bad? Whatever your weekend plans entail, I hope you're able to spend some time outdoors. I'll be busy in my backyard supervising two little girls in their brand new pink and turquois bounce house- thanks mom and dad, I think...
Veto/Spring Session Proposals
We are rapidly closing in on one month until legislative session resumes in Springfield on November 17th. While I'll continue to monitor for new legislation filed that impacts the committee. In the meantime, I'd like to hear from you. Do you have any legislative initiatives you'd like to advance either in Veto or in the Spring legislative session? If so, reach out to me so we can discuss and formulate a plan.
Draft Illinois Marine Transportation System Plan
I am pleased to sit as the Illinois Chamber's representative on the Illinois Marine Transportation System Plan Steering Committee. WSP and IDOT have been hard at work for over a year to develop a plan for Illinois Marine Transportation System as IDOT continues to increase its involvement with this crucial sector. They have recently released the draft plan and are looking for feedback.
Please note that the plan is a working document and not yet ready for public consumption. If you have any feedback to share with the committee, please send me your thoughts by October 13th.
Congress Extends Surface Transportation Authorization Act
Last week, Congress and the Trump administration avoided a government shutdown and extended the surface transportation authorization act with the enactment of HR 8337. This will provide $3.2 billion for the Highway Trust Fund and $12.6 billion for transit.
Multiple Projects Planned for the Metro East in 2020
Yesterday, IDOT announced eight projects in my home area of the Metro East for 2021. The eight projects represent more than $161 million in spending.
One of the eight projects is ongoing, with seven planned to start in 2021:
* Interstate 255 is closed for a resurfacing and rehabilitation project between Illinois 15 and Interstate 64 until November. The section between I-64 and Collinsville Road was completed in June. In order to complete the project, faster, safer and cheaper, the I-255 work zone was completely closed to traffic. Click
here for more information about the project.
* Interstate 70 resurfacing, bridge repairs and painting from Interstate 55/70 to east of Interstate 55/70/270 as well as I-55/70 ultra-thin bonded wearing surface paving from east of Illinois 159 to north of Interstate 270 starts next year. Single-lane closures are planned on I-55/70, I-55, I-70 and I-270, along with weekend closures of the I-70 entrance and exit ramps.
* Poplar Street Bridge eastbound collector-distributor ramps patching, concrete overlay, deck and expansion joint replacement start next year. Closure of the eastbound I-55/64 collector-distributor lanes, along with closures of the southbound and northbound-to-eastbound Illinois 3, Piggott and Tudor Avenue approach structures, will be necessary for one to six months. Illinois 3 and Piggott Avenue northbound-to-westbound approach ramps will remain open.
* Illinois 111/3 resurfacing and patching from Alby Street to Broadway in Alton starts next year. Single-lane closures on Illinois 111/3 will be required.
* Illinois 3 resurfacing from north of Monsanto Avenue to south of Ruby Street in Cahokia starts next year. Single lane closures on Illinois 3 will be required.
* Illinois 157 resurfacing from north of Chain of Rocks Road to north of Horseshoe Lake Road starts next year. Single-lane closures on Illinois 157 required.
* I-270 at Illinois 111 interchange reconstruction starts next year. Single-lane closures on Illinois 111 required.
* Illinois 157 resurfacing from State Street in East St. Louis to Petroff Drive in Caseyville starts next year. Single-lane closures on Illinois 157 required.
Join Us for the Illinois Chamber Virtual Tech Conference
Join the Illinois Chamber for our first ever virtual Tech Council Meeting next Thursday, October 15
th. Assistant Minority Leader Keith Wheeler will provide a legislative update and his predictions for tech legislation next session. Melissa Seibert of Shook, Hardy & Bacon will give the latest legal update on Illinois' controversial BIPA law. Finally, experts Lana Skelo and Jordan Crenshaw from the US Chamber will highlight legislation across the country that will likely soon be filed in Illinois. Continuing education credits will be offered for attendees. You can sign up here:
https://ilchamber.org/featured-events/technology-conference-2020
Articles of Interest
