February 17, 2017

Duckworth Touts “Economic Opportunity” Agenda During Meeting with Chicago Southwest Development Corporation

 

WASHINGTON, DC - In a meeting with Chicago Southwest Development Corporation (CSDC) President Guy Medaglia this week, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) outlined her vision for creating jobs and expanding economic opportunity for hardworking families in communities across Illinois through investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and small business development. Senator Duckworth also discussed the Focal Point Community Campus, a one million square foot multipurpose complex being spearheaded by CSDC at 31st and Kedzie Avenue. When completed, the financially self-sustaining Campus will serve more than 400,000 residents of Chicago's West and Southwest Sides, providing access to retail, recreation, arts, wellness and education services as well as creating hundreds of permanent jobs in traditionally underserved communities. A photo of this week's meeting is available here.

"Everyone deserves access to opportunity and a healthy, happy life-we have so much more to do to get there though," said Senator Duckworth. "We have to invest in communities that have been ignored for too long, to revitalize neighborhoods around our state in ways that help people pick themselves up by their own bootstraps. That's what I'm working to do in the United States Senate and I'm pleased to have this opportunity to discuss projects like CSDC's Focal Point campus that have the potential to transform communities for the better and provide opportunity to hundreds of thousands of hardworking Chicagoans."

Last year, Duckworth proposed her "economic opportunity" agenda to revitalize economies in communities around the state that have been ignored by many for too long. By investing in infrastructure, education programs and minority- and women-owned businesses, Duckworth's economic development plan seeks to support working families across Illinois, increasing access to jobs and opportunity, and helping provide community wealth that will stabilize neighborhoods struggling for a brighter future.

Construction of the Focal Point Community Campus is expected to generate roughly 2,100 jobs, leaving hundreds of permanent jobs once completed. The Campus would serve residents in Chicago's North Lawndale, Little Village, Pilsen, Brighton Park, Back of the Yards, and Archer Heights neighborhoods. It is expected to include dozens of local businesses and family services, including an education center, child care center and access to medical care through Saint Anthony Hospital for all residents.

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