U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) welcomed acting Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secretary Randy Blankenhorn to kick off an infrastructure listening tour in the state, his office announced on Monday.
Davis also serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and has proposed H.R. 1393, the Innovation in Surface Transportation Act. This would establish competitive grant programs at the state level where federal funding could be determined by a panel of state and local transportation departments.
"Our local leaders understand the transportation needs of their community better than anyone,” Davis said. “I applaud Secretary Blankenhorn for launching this listening tour to gather input from local officials, stakeholders, and the public on the transportation needs and priorities in their area. Investing in transportation projects in communities like Champaign supports economic growth and good-paying jobs.”
The panel consisted of state Sen. Scott Bennett (D-Champaign), state Reps. Chad Hays (R-Catlin) and Adam Brown (R-Champaign), Associate Chancellor of the University of Illinois Michael DeLorenzo, and Clarke Dietz Inc. Executive Vice President Chip Haddock. Meetings will take place in towns and cities throughout the state, with the final one scheduled to take place in Galena in May 22 at the DeSoto House Hotel on Main Street.
Feedback and information from this tour will be presented to Gov. Bruce Rauner and the general assembly.
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