Andrew Cunningham l Executive Director, Infrastructure Council l 217-520-2345

Railroad Incident Response Training Demonstration 

On Tuesday, CSX hosted a Railroad Incident Response Training Demonstration at Barr Yard in Riverdale, Illinois showing how CSX works with first responders on hazardous materials in the most critical moments. It was a pleasure to attend the training and be further shown CSX's diligence and commitment to safety.

While I was able to take part in Tuesday's session, CSX has been training first responders at this site alone for the past two weeks. Reiterated throughout the program was the company's desire to educate as many first responders and community leaders as possible on their hazmat processes.

A special thank you to Tom Livingston at CSX for organizing this opportunity. Another special thank you to Tim Butler and the Illinois Railroad Association for also taking part in the demonstration and all their work on behalf of the industry.

Over $67 Million From the RAISE Discretionary Grant Program Awarded to Infrastructure Projects Across Illinois

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced that the Biden-Harris Administration has awarded $67,683,587 from the RAISE discretionary grant program to three different infrastructure projects across Illinois.

• $25,000,000 for the 95th Street Terminal Electric Bus Improvements project to install bus charging equipment at the 95th Street Terminal with associated electrical upgrades at the 95th Street rail traction power substation to support the equipment. The project will also provide the infrastructure to support an electric bike station. The project will allow for the accommodation of all-electric buses, significantly reducing the greenhouse gas emissions along the corridor, improve access to daily destinations, and reduce physical barriers to transportation, while improving public health by adding electric bike infrastructure.
• $22,683,587 for the Curtis Road Grade Separation and Complete Streets Project to create a new railroad grade separation and approximately two miles of railroad improvements by relocating the railroad track and embankment. Additionally, the project includes two additional vehicular lanes, new on-street bicycle lanes, modernized traffic signals with pedestrian countdown signals, drainage improvements, enhanced transit stops, and construction of a railroad bridge. This project also incorporates solar lighting, automated pedestrian detection, and a conduit for future fiber optic broadband deployment.
• $20,000,000 for the Pace Pulse Halsted Line project to implement a bus rapid transit (BRT) service, serving four Chicago South Side neighborhoods and three south suburban communities. The project will construct approximately 14 intermediate stations, bus lanes, queue jumps, enhanced pedestrian ADA access, and new buses, thereby improving bus speed and reliability. These improvements will reduce mobility barriers and will offer significant improvements, thus having a significant impact on the ability to attract employees and business development in the area. In addition, the modal shift and new right-of-way infrastructure, curb extensions, and improved signage will increase the safety of motorized and non-motorized travelers.

Session Update

The General Assembly adjourned last month in the early morning of Saturday, May 27th. Per SJR 42, the House and Senate have adjourned until the call of the Speaker and the Senate President. The 2023 fall veto session has been announced for October 24th-26th and November 7th-9th. View the calendar here.

Bills of Interest Signed into Law:

No bills of interest were signed into law in the past week.

Rulemaking

There was no proposed or adopted rulemaking of note for this Council in the June 30th edition of the Illinois Register.

Annual Meeting pre-luncheon reception sponsors needed

The Illinois Chamber 2023 annual luncheon will be held on September 28 at the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Brook. We are seeking sponsors for the reception preceding the event. Please see the attached document for reception sponsorship information.

Annual Luncheon Sponsors

The Illinois Chamber is now seeking sponsors for our 2023 annual luncheon. Please reach out to me for sponsorship details.

Illinois Chamber and Illinois National Guard Event

On behalf of the 13,000 members of the Illinois National Guard, you are cordially invited to celebrate the establishment of Camp Lincoln with us as well as attend a presentation on how local businesses can compete for millions of federal dollars in supplies and services purchased in Illinois by the Illinois National Guard each year. 

The presentation will be led by the United States Property and Fiscal Office for Illinois' Supervisory Contract Specialist Lt. Col. Mark Williams and will be held on July 6 at 10 a.m. in the Illinois Military Academy auditorium on Camp Lincoln, 1301 North MacArthur Boulevard, Springfield, IL 62702. 



On July 6, 1886, by order of Governor Richard J. Oglesby, Adjutant General Joseph W. Vance issued General Order 14. It read, “The permanent camp and rifle range established for the Illinois National Guard, near Springfield, is hereby designated and will be known as Camp Lincoln.” The camp consisted of 160 acres, is a mile long and a quarter mile wide and is just a half mile from President Abraham Lincoln’s tomb. The land originally cost $18,100. 

Throughout 2023 the Illinois National Guard is celebrating its 300^th Birthday by marking significant dates in the history it shares with communities across Illinois. Among those communities are Greater Springfield business leaders. Camp Lincoln is the headquarters of the Illinois National Guard and one of its key training and maintenance facilities. Camp Lincoln and the 183^rd Wing bring in millions of federal dollars to Springfield each year and the Illinois National Guard is among the city’s largest employers.  

Interested participants can RSVP to the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office by e-mail: ng.il.ilarng.list.staff-pao@army.mil or by calling 217-761-3569.

Articles of Interest  

CPKC raises merger-related growth expectations to $5 billion in new revenue

Virgin Galactic to Launch First Commercial Spaceflight After Setbacks, Delays

New York City drivers to pay extra tolls as part of first-in-the-nation effort to reduce congestion

At Caterpillar, Autonomous, Intelligent Machinery Isn’t the Future — It’s Here and Now

Good timing! CTA announces big grant for electric buses

East Coast Ports Hit Speed Bump in Fast-Track Labor Talks