Duckworth’s ‘Don’t Miss Your Flight’ bill aims to fix last-minute delays en route to airports

There’s a special kind of angst that comes from being within sight of O’Hare International Airport, only to run smack into traffic or transit dysfunction.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth hopes to reduce that stress. The Hoffman Estates Democrat introduced the “Don’t Miss Your Flight Act” Thursday with co-sponsor Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. It seeks to upgrade ground transportation in and out of airports.

“It’s that final bit that makes it difficult for passengers to connect, especially when they’ve got all their luggage with them,” Duckworth said.

The bill proposes using Highway Trust Fund revenues to create a grant program for road, bridge, tunnel and public transit improvements within five miles of an airport. Eligible projects would cut congestion, add lanes, expand access or rebuild infrastructure.

Typically, smaller projects lose out to major airport construction work when it comes to grants and the new law could level the playing field, Duckworth noted.

“It could be a big help for O’Hare because you could expand rail service” at Metra’s O’Hare Transfer Station on the North Central Service Line, Duckworth said.

“You could also improve I-190,” she added.

Asked about support in Congress, Duckworth said, “we have Republican buy-in on this. It’s a big problem in places like Texas and Alabama.”

From Tea Party to Democrat

Former Mundelein resident and Republican congressman Joe Walsh has been many things — Barrington High School senior class president, Tea Party activist, conservative talk show host, primary challenger to President Donald Trump.

Tuesday marked another moment in his evolution.

“Yesterday I joined the Democratic Party and I couldn’t be more excited,” Walsh said in a post on X. “I love this country and my former political party is a real and direct threat right now to everything we hold dear in this country.

“Hey Democrats, we got to fight,” Walsh added. “Get up off the mat. We’re the only party on the side of democracy, freedom and the rule of law. We’re the decent party. They’re the cruel party.”

Walsh, who now lives in Washington D.C., said Thursday he may run for office again, but didn’t give specifics.

Suburban Dems peel away on transit bill

There are 59 members of the Illinois Senate, 40 Democrats and 19 Republicans. On May 31, just before the session ended, 32 Democrats voted on a bill to rescue Metra, Pace and the CTA from a $771 million budget shortfall in 2026. The measure included some controversial revenue increases, like a $1.50 tax on online home deliveries.

Three downstate Democrats voted no, as did every Republican. And five suburban Democrats didn’t vote: Sens. Laura Fine of Glenview, Suzy Glowiak Hilton of Western Springs, Kimberly Lightford of Maywood, Meg Loughran Cappel of Shorewood, and Julie Morrison of Lake Forest.

Ultimately, the bill wasn’t taken up in the House.

8th District race gets hotter

The latest Democrat to announce their candidacy for the 8th Congressional District is Junaid Ahmed of Barrington.

Ahmed is married with four children and owns a tech firm. He studied computer science at DePaul University and has an MBA from the University of Chicago.

“I’m running for Congress to fight for you,” he said in a campaign video. “I am the son of immigrants who came here chasing the American dream. Illinois gave us a home but life wasn’t easy. My parents worked long hours, sacrificing everything to give us a real chance.

“It’s time we sent a progressive fighter to Washington,” he added. “We need an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few. Let’s make it easier to get a job and start a small business. Affordable child care should not be a luxury, it’s a necessity. No family should chose between paying the rent and seeing a doctor.”

Other Democrats seeking U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi’s seat are Hanover Park Trustee Yasmeen Bankole, Des Plaines executive Sanjyot Dunung and Cook County Board 15th District Commissioner Kevin Morrison of Mount Prospect.

Chicago business owner Mark Rice is running as a Republican.

Krishnamoorthi isn’t seeking reelection to the House. He’ll instead campaign for the U.S. Senate seat of retiring Democrat Dick Durbin.

· Political roundabout is an occasional column on campaign, legislative and political news with a suburban focus.