March 04, 2022

Duckworth Speaks with Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary, Highlights Historic Benefits of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

 

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this week met with Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secretary Omer Osman, IDOT Office of Planning and Programming Director Holly Bieneman and IDOT Deputy Director of Rail John Oimoen to discuss transportation infrastructure support to Illinois made possible through the Democrat-backed American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as well as the ways these federal laws are already and will continue benefitting Illinoisans, including by retaining and creating local jobs. Duckworth and the group also discussed the state’s Rebuild Illinois initiative, passenger rail projects and ADA-accessible public transit. A photo of the meeting is available here.

“Because of the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Illinoisans are already witnessing and will continue to benefit from good-paying local jobs, safer and modernized roads and bridges and more accessible public transit,” Duckworth said. “I enjoyed meeting with Illinois Department of Transportation leadership to discuss the scope and impact of these federal initiatives and I’m proud of the work they’re doing on the state level to rebuild Illinois.”

Duckworth secured multiple provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will help Illinois rebuild roads and bridges, improve public transportation systems, expand broadband and support the expansion of an electric vehicle (EV) charging network. Several provisions of the law are already helping Illinois.

The Law included a modified version of Duckworth’s All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP Act), which will help make public transit stations across the country accessible to all Americans and accelerate the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) implementation of its ASAP Strategic Plan and provide Illinoisans living with disabilities greater independence and access to employment. As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Duckworth also helped establish a permanent disability advocate seat on the Amtrak Board of Directors for an individual with a disability who has a demonstrated history or experience with accessibility, mobility and inclusive transportation in passenger rail or commuter rail.

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