5/20/2008 9:01:00 PM
Taking issues on the road
Local officials meet one-on-one with state leaders
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| A key issue officials hoped state legislators would address: the four-lane U.S. 20 project. To better illustrate the need for a four-lane U.S. 20, the Galena Chamber had a display of accidents over the past few years, including a crashed cattle trailer and a jet-fuel tanker that overturned. Displaying it in the capitol are Chamber Director Ed Schmit and Galena Mayor Tom Brusch. |
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| Rep. Jim Sacia stepped out of the House chambers to speak with the local officials, including Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Betsy Eaton. Shortly after, on the House floor, Sacia acknowledged the group in open session. He called northwest Illinois the most beautiful part of Illinois, and invited his fellow representatives to visit Jo Daviess County. |
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by Jay Dickerson
SPRINGFIELD-It's all about the capital bill.
On May 7, 15 representatives from the Galena Area Chamber of Commerce and the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce traveled to Springfield to speak with state legislators, and express concerns relative to northwest Illinois. They heard one answer, over and over: the state needs to approve a capital bill.
Armed with cell phones, and a post board full of photos from vehicle accidents, the group flooded the capitol with the expansion of U.S. 20 to a four lane as their key issue. The group also expressed the need for reinstatement of rail passenger service from Chicago to Galena, and the benefits it would bring in terms of increased tourism and economic development.
The first stop was to the governor's office. Gov. Blagojevich, however, wasn't in at 11 a.m. The group was told to wait until the afternoon, when the governor would surely be in.
"You're doing the right thing. Go around and talk to everybody," said Sen. Majority Leader Debbie Halverson, encouraging the group. Galena Mayor Tom Brusch spoke to Halverson briefly, and explained the need for a four-lane U.S. 20. Halverson's response marked the first-and certainly not last-time the group would hear, it's all about the capital bill.
A meeting after lunch with IDOT Chief of Operations Brice Sheriff, George Ryan, also of IDOT, and Kristin Richards, deputy chief of staff for the governor's office, explained the need for the capital bill even further.
If there's funding in the capital bill for the four-lane, or for expanded rail service, there is the possibility of matching federal grants. But the capital bill itself is stalled.
"We need to pass a capital bill," agreed Sen. Tim Bivins, who met with the group in the afternoon. Richards noted the possibility of a lottery; funds could go to capital needs.
Bivins agreed that a lottery is a possibility, but the main question is how the state would distribute the revenue. He also wondered whether revenue would go straight to Chicago, completely bypassing downstate needs.
The group split up at points to better represent northwest Illinois needs. Galena businessman Andy Blankenbaker, Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitor's Bureau Director Betsy Eaton and Galena Territory resident Bill Cormack attended a meeting with House Republican Leader Tom Cross, Rep. Brent Hassert, and Colleen Atterbury, deputy director of education and human services. Rep. Jim Sacia also attended that meeting.
A shout-out from Sacia
Sacia provided the group perhaps the warmest welcome. He met with the group outside the House chambers that morning, shortly before House went into session. After the House resumed session, the group watched from the balcony seats. In open session, Sacia acknowledged the visitors from northwest Illinois, and invited his fellow legislators to visit Jo Daviess County.
Several in the group met Sen. Tony Munoz, the chair of the transportation committee. He suggested procuring letters of support for the issue, which the group had on hand. He also repeated the familiar refrain: the capital bill needs to be approved.
Echoing that sentiment was William Houlihan, the downstate director for U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin. "We need to pass this capital bill," he agreed. Houlihan also affirmed, that rail service is top on Durbin's agenda.
And while that was the last representative the group met with, there were at least two other attempts to contact the governor at his office. By 4 p.m., however, Gov. Blagojevich had not yet been in.
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