Rep. Hultgren receives Municipal Public Service Award
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) has been awarded the Illinois Municipal Utilities Association's 2015 IMUA Public Service Award for his efforts to protect tax-exempt municipal financing, a critical infrastructure tool that helps local and state governments finance new roads, schools, hospitals, fire stations and more.
"Congressman Hultgren has pursued this issue with his characteristic energy," IMUA President and CEO Kevin Gaden said at the annual IMUA Conference in Springfield. "He fully understands the vital role such financing plays in the continued development and construction of numerous infrastructure improvements, including utility systems, hospitals and health care facilities, libraries, roads, water and wastewater treatment systems, and many other investments which municipalities here in Illinois so desperately need and which are critical to their ongoing development and overall success."
The award came with special praise for the bipartisan work of Rep. Hultgren and Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) who are both strong advocates for municipal tax-exempt financing in Congress and led a bipartisan letter asking House leadership to protect its tax-free status.
"I'm excited to be recognized for this award and will continue to defend affordable financing for our state and local governments to upgrade and expand based on their infrastructure needs," Rep. Hultgren said. "Tax-exempt financing is vital for municipalities and residents throughout the 14th District and Illinois."
About the IMUA
Organized in 1948, the Illinois Municipal Utilities Association is a nonprofit corporation representing the unified interests of 57 municipally-owned and operated electric, natural gas, cable, water, wastewater treatment and telecommunications utilities throughout Illinois. In addition, the association has six affiliate members and 67 associate members/vendors, which range from consultants, engineering firms and electric supply/sales contractors to manufacturers, construction companies and businesses providing environmental, billing and utility rate-design services.