Transportation coalition holds summit in Mt. Vernon | Transportation

MOUNT VERNON, IL (KFVS) – Leaders of the Transportation for Illinois Coalition brought together local, state and federal officials Wednesday in Mt. Vernon to talk about the state's transportation needs.

TFIC is an umbrella organization of labor, business and construction groups who are  advocates for meaningful investment in roads, bridges and transit at the state and federal levels.

The second of three regional summits in August was held Wednesday, Aug. 15 in Mt. Vernon to further that conversation.

The Mt. Vernon summit at the Mt. Vernon airport featured:

• A federal transportation update from Associated General Contractors of America official Sean O’Neill.
• An update on the state transportation program from Illinois Department of Transportation official Jeff South.
• A panel discussion on the economic impact of transportation investment featuring Mary Ellen Bechtel of the Jefferson County Development Corporation.

• Remarks from area state Sens. John O. Jones and Dave Luechtefeld.
• Remarks from Mt. Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.

“It can be easy to overlook just how important a role a healthy transportation system plays in our everyday lives,” said TFIC co-chair Doug Whitley, president of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. Whitley offered opening remarks at the Mt. Vernon summit. “But we must be ever mindful that if we want to put people to work and get our economy on track, transportation is a critical component. We hope these summits send that message loud and clear."

The first summit was Aug. 7 in Elgin in Chicago’s suburbs. The final summit is set for Wednesday, Aug. 22, in Macomb in western Illinois.

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