U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL,2) issued a letter to Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, asking the new governor to support Chicago Southland projects, including a third airport and the Illiana expressway. The letter is signed by 36 bipartisan leaders in Chicago and Cook, Will and Kankakee counties.
"This letter shows a united Southland working together to improve opportunities not only for the region but for the state as a whole. These projects would be largely funded with private dollars and yet pay huge dividends for the state," Kelly said. "Many of these are well along in the planning process. We could begin all of them in the next few years, and even complete some of them by then. I urge the Governor to lend his support to this process and to be a partner in our progress."
Upon taking his gubernatorial post, Rauner stopped progress on several projects, including the airport and expressway, for further review. According to a press release, the letter "outlines the tremendous economic development potential of the Third Airport and the Illiana Expressway, and urges the Governor to support their development. It also highlights the boon that the Obama Presidential Library and a national park in the Pullman community would be for the region and the state."