Lipinski named to panel on freight transportation

Illinois Congressman Dan Lipinski will take part in an effort in Congress to improve the country’s freight transportation network.

The Democrat representing parts of Chicago and its southwest suburbs was named Tuesday to serve on a U.S. House panel that will examine the movement of goods on highways, rail lines, inland waterways, planes and through ports.

The panel will begin work April 24 on its six-month review and produce recommendations for making the system more efficient.

The idea, Lipinski says, is to ultimately help position the United States to better compete in the global economy.

Of the 11 members on the panel, Lipinski will be the only one from the Midwest.

Northeast Illinois is considered an important crossroads in the nation’s transportation system.