Mayor asks residents for support of capital improvement bill

I am proud to announce that I have been appointed to the steering committee of the Illinois Works Coalition, a new bipartisan public/private partnership made up of business, labor and government leaders throughout Illinois. We all share a common goal - passage of an at least $25 billion capital improvement bill during the current legislative session in Springfield.

Recently several of us Illinois mayors were in Sen. Dick Durbin's office, and he shared with us that there is federal money in Washington - up to $10 billion - to be used as matching funds if Illinois passes a capital bill. However, there's a time limit to how long those funds will be available, so that's why we need to get moving on this. If we don't pass a capital bill, the money will go away and we won't see it again.

It's been nine years since Illinois legislators approved a capital bill. We need to catch up on maintenance of our roads, bridges and other public places that have been put on hold because of a lack of capital funding. As an added bonus, the Illinois Works plan will also be a boost to the economy by stimulating job growth and supporting 700,000 jobs. In Naperville, a capital program will help fund the expansion of Route 59 and regional highways as well as the proposed STAR Line.

The steering committee cannot do this alone. We need the support and help of residents throughout Naperville and the state to help make Illinois Works a success! There are three easy steps you can take. First, visit www.illinoisworkscoalition.com. Sign up as a member of the coalition.

Second, contact your legislator about why you support Illinois Works. The Illinois Works Web site provides all the needed information and Web links to do so. Take the time to write a personal e-mail explaining how you are affected by the current condition of Illinois' infrastructure and add any creative ideas you have as to how to fund the capital bill.

Third, attend a listening session where you can share your thoughts with members of the coalition. A full calendar of events is provided on the Illinois Works Web site. Locally, a breakfast is planned for April 23, 2008, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Select, 1801 N. Naper Blvd., which will feature Illinois Works members. More information about that event is available on the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce's Web site, www.naperville.net and the city's site at www.naperville.il.us.

Thank you for your help in this matter as we continue to make Naperville the best place to live!