Civic Federation wrong about Port
Your article on the Civic Federation report calling for the dissolution of the Illinois International Port District (IIPD) missed the real story, which is that the Port of Chicago is thriving and continues to function as the nerve center of America's inland shipping system.
We spent many hours with Civic Federation researchers explaining how the maritime industry works and opening our books for their scrutiny, yet their report reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of our business.
It is absurd to suggest spending more money on marketing will somehow boost shipping activity.
Our location and facilities are not a secret to shippers. Our tonnage figures are subject to global economic trends, not marketing dollars. The fact is, we spent over $160,000 last year on marketing and the results speak for themselves.
Shipping-related revenues at the Port are up 9 percent since 2002.
Today, we have more tenants, more space leased, and we are moving more cargo than in 2002.
Today, all Port District warehouses are rented, all dockage space is currently active and all but one of our grain elevators is being used.
The Port District gets no tax money from the city or the state yet generates over $40 million dollars in tax revenues for the city and state each year.
In four of the last five years, the Port District has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation for its role in expanding shipping and has also won several environmental awards for its restoration of a landfill into a golf course.
Claiming that the golf course diverts us from our primary mission is off-base. Thanks to our diverse revenue streams, including the golf course, we can better handle global economic fluctuations and continue to support Chicago's role as the nation's transportation center for road, rail, air and shipping.
The Port of Chicago is doing very well, but you don't have to take our word for it. Our tenants have invested over $20 million dollars in port facilities since 1981 and have steadily expanded operations.
The Civic Federation should do its homework before drawing conclusions.
Anthony Ianello
Executive Director
Illinois International Port District
Chicago