Congressman García Leads Letter Asking Governor Pritzker to Use Infrastructure Law Funds to Improve Transportation Equity and Address Climate Change
Congressman García Leads Letter Asking Governor Pritzker to Use Infrastructure Law Funds to Improve Transportation Equity and Address Climate Change
WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and a co-chair of the House Future of Transportation Caucus, led a letter to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker encouraging the Governor use the transportation funds for Illinois from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to advance a progressive, equitable, and sustainable transportation system for all Illinoisians.
"Illinoisans deserve a transportation system in which everyone can affordably, reliably, and safely reach their destinations — a progressive, forward-thinking vision that centers working people's needs including a more equitable, accessible, and sustainable transportation system that leaves no one behind" said the Members of Congress.
"We can improve transportation equity, increase safety, and address climate change, especially in Latino and Black communities harmed by legacy transportation decisions, by investing in the right policies and projects." said Congressman García. "The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) includes the largest federal investment for transportation infrastructure in decades. This funding, complemented by the state's historic Rebuild Illinois Program, presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us to strengthen one of our state's biggest economic advantages – our transportation system. This is our chance to create a better transportation system for all Illinoisians and I look forward to working with the Governor and other elected officials to do just that."
Representative García was joined on the letter by Representatives Bobby Rush (IL-01), Marie Newman (IL-03), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Sean Casten (IL-06), Danny Davis (IL-07), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Brad Schneider (IL-10).
The IIJA provides Illinois with at least $17 billion to improve highways, bridges, public transit, passenger and freight rail assets, pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, as well as improving quality and access to broadband internet. Billions more in funding will be available for Illinois to apply for through competitive federal grant programs.
The letter specifically recommends the Governor to prioritize the following policies when spending the funding Illinois is receiving from the IIJA:
- Choose projects through a transparent, data-driven process
- Prioritize investments that address equity and climate change
- Prioritize transit and active transportation projects
- Invest in maintenance and modernization of roadways, not new capacity
- Develop the diverse workforce and contractors needed to construct transportation projects
- Leverage existing federal and local funds to create a comprehensive investment strategy for housing and transportation improvements
- Coordinate with municipalities and other transportation agencies to advance joint applications for available federal funding
- Utilize modern construction techniques facilitated by IIJA to improve maintenance and construction of road, rail, transit, and aviation projects.
The letter is supported by the Active Transportation Alliance, the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the Chaddick Institute at DePaul University, the Environmental Law & Policy Center, the Illinois Environmental Council, the Metropolitan Planning Commission, the Respiratory Health Association, and the Shared Use Mobility Center.
A full copy of the letter can be found by clicking here.
# # #