Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–October 17,k 2013.  U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today released the following statement regarding the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Committee vote in support of the Illiana Expressway:

“We will never meet the infrastructure demands of our state if we only rely on currently available funding,” Senator Kirk said. “Today’s vote shows there is value in pursuing public-private partnerships like the Illiana Expressway to tap private markets for public investment. As we move forward on this important economic development project, I encourage the Illinois Department of Transportation to pursue a process that is transparent and innovative. Any potential deal should safeguard taxpayer funds as well as attract private investors.”

Background information: On Oct. 2 Senators Mark Kirk and Dan Coats (R-Ind.) sent a letter to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning in support of the Illiana Expressway. A copy of the letter can be found here. Senator Kirk also wrote an Op-Ed in the Southtown Star describing his support for Illiana.

Source: kirk.senate.gov