I am a strong supporter of improving our nation’s infrastructure and understand the importance of robust, long-term funding for transportation. A strong transportation and infrastructure network is vital to promoting commerce in the United States, especially in the Chicagoland area.

We have so many natural advantages in the Tenth Congressional District – great communities in which to raise a family, quality schools, a highly-skilled and diversified workforce and a transportation hub that sits right at our nation’s crossroads. We can be the economic engine that drives the entire Midwest and revitalizes all of our communities, but we can’t accomplish anything unless we come together to support transportation infrastructure.

When people from the suburbs commute into Chicago, outdated train switches create congestion, slowing down commutes by at least 15 minutes on some lines. Over the course of a month, that adds up to an entire workday. That is time that could be spent much more efficiently.

Infrastructure is also very, very important to creating a business environment where companies can thrive. Six of the nation’s seven major railroad lines pass through Chicago. Right now it takes 48 hours for a freight train to get from LA to Chicago, but it can take 30 hours for a freight train to simply get from one side of Chicago to the other.

In order to attract more businesses to our area, we need infrastructure that is going to support them. I stand ready to work on this important issue and to provide much-needed certainty for local governments, businesses, families and everyone who relies on our transportation system.