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

IDOT 2023 Fall Planning Conference

This week I had the privilege to attend the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) 2023 Fall Planning Conference. This was the 38th year for the conference and was held locally in Springfield. The agenda for the Conference included an electric vehicle workshop as well an update from the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus on their work with the EV readiness program.

As part of the program, I was able to attend some informative breakout sessions on aviation and ports, active transportation, and environmental justice. There was also a time for every attendee to provide input on IDOT's long-term planning and current transportation issues. On the second day, Secretary Osman took time to address those in attendance.

It's important that the voice of business is heard in our state's transportation planning efforts and it was great to see members of the Infrastructure Council in attendance as well.

Illinois EPA Announces Funding Opportunity for Water Quality Management Program Projects

The Illinois EPA announced $750,000 in funding through the release of a Section 604(b) Water Quality Management Program Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). This grant program is used to implement the Illinois Water Quality Management Program and Illinois’ Nonpoint Source Management Program through water quality projects and activities. The NOFO has been posted here.

Grant funds under this program can be used to determine the nature, extent and causes of point and nonpoint source water pollution, develop watershed-based plans, and develop technical and administrative tools to support development and implementation of water pollution control projects and programs. In addition, projects can develop designs for best management practices to address water quality problems, implement administrative water pollution controls, and educate the public about the impact and importance of water pollution control.

Public Input: Wolf Road Corridor Study

The Village of Indian Head Park has had the objective of providing pedestrian and bicycle accommodations along Wolf Road since the Village’s Plan Commission approved the Wolf Road Pathway Study in the 1990’s. The Wolf Road Phase I Study website and survey was recently launched by the Village and the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways.

If this project is relevant to your interests, please click the survey here

Bills of Interest

No bills of interest were filed in the past week.

Rulemaking

There was no proposed or adopted rulemaking of note for this Council in the October 6th edition of the Illinois Register.

Session Update

The General Assembly adjourned 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.

Save the Date: 10th Annual Illinois Chamber New Laws Forum

The New Laws Forum focuses on the new laws and legal developments that will affect ALL Illinois employers in 2024 and beyond. The forum features Illinois attorneys and experts speaking about Illinois laws – as well as representatives from government agencies talking about the latest changes and your peers, a panel of Senior HR professionals discussing how the laws have and will affect their businesses. It's already been a busy year, and more regulation is coming.

When: December 5, 2023 | 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Where: Doubletree Hilton l 3003 Corporate West Drive

Lisle, IL 60532

Register Here.

Articles of Interest  

UPS to Acquire MNX in Bid to Bolster Healthcare Business

Panama Canal reduces the maximum number of ships travelling the waterway to 31 per day

UAW Strike Hurts Demand for Steel

Hiring Surge Keeps Door Open for Fed to Increase Rates

Not a member and want to learn more about the Illinois Chamber - click here to contact Danielle Blake. Click here to contact Jack Bernhardt.