Schakowsky Highlights Guide Designed to Help Communities Access Investments from Biden Infrastructure Law
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chairwoman of Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, touted a comprehensive new guidebook from the Biden Administration intended to help communities in Illinois navigate the historic infrastructure and transit investments made possible by the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
"After decades of underinvestment, the roads, bridges, and transit systems in our community are declining, negatively impacting our economy and leaving behind our most vulnerable populations," said Schakowsky. "I was proud to join my Democratic colleagues in the House of Representatives in voting for President Biden's historic Infrastructure Law. This law will invest directly in our local communities, creating good-paying union jobs and positioning our state for the future. I am looking forward to working with our local leaders in the 9th Congressional District to ensure that these funds are put to work in Illinois as soon as possible, helping to repair our CTA system, fix our shoreline, reinforce our bridges and so much more. The Biden Administration's new guidebook will go a long way in ensuring our communities get quick access to the more than 350 distinct programs created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act."
Illinois received a C- grade on its Infrastructure Report Card from the American Society of Civil Engineers. Illinois' roadways were ranked third worst nationally for travel delay, excess fuel consumed, truck congestion cost, and total congestion cost. Of the 26,775 bridges in the state, 8.6% are classified as structurally deficient.
"Illinois' infrastructure needs immediate attention," Schakowsky added. "This guidebook will help bring home our share of these transformational investments and continue building on the past year's historic economic recovery."
The full guide from Rep. Schakowsky and the Biden Administration is available here.
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