House Approves $650,000 in FY08 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations

HOUSE APPROVES $650,000 IN FY08 TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS

Washington, D.C.–Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives approved $650,000 for two projects in the 9th Congressional District of Illinois. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) requested these funds as part of the FY 2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations. This bill now moves to the Senate for consideration before it can become law.

"We should be looking for ways to expand and improve transportation options for Chicagoland residents,... said U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky. "I am proud that I was able to help secure $500,000 in this bill to expand the Yellow Line in Skokie. This project would help reduce traffic congestion and improve our environment. I hope that the Senate will move quickly to pass this bill and maintain the current funding levels....

"The Black Ensemble Theatre has been providing African-American artists with a place to showcase their talents for more than 30 years,... said U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky. "This funding will help the Black Ensemble Theatre construct a new theatre so they can continue to foster the development of African-American artists in the Chicagoland area enriching our entire community....

The following projects were included in the House-passed version of the FY 2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations.

$500,000 CTA Yellow Line Extension, Skokie, IL.
The funding would be used to extend of the CTA's Yellow Line public transit train from Dempster Street to Old Orchard Road in Skokie, IL. The expansion was authorized in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) bill. The project received $1 million from Section 5309 in FY 2006.

$150,000 Black Ensemble Theatre, Chicago, IL.
The funding would be used to construct a new 300 seat theater to further professional development, employment opportunities, and entertainment for a diverse field of communities. The Black Ensemble Theater is a nationally recognized organization, producing over 100 professional productions and providing employment for over 3,000 African American artists.

The FY08 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations must still pass the U.S. Senate and be signed into law by the President.