Infrastructure vote shows state serious about the future

Policymakers in Springfield sent a strong positive signal this spring with the passage of a historic infrastructure investment program that will begin to stabilize the state's economic base and improve the quality of life for all Illinoisans. As the Chief Executive Officer of an Engineering News Record Top 500 engineering and design firm and a local resident, I have experienced firsthand the difficulties faced by businesses in Illinois over the past 10 years who have lost talented and highly skilled employees to other states where they can find work.

It's ironic that until this spring, the transportation system on which people and businesses rely for their daily needs has been left to crumble, while elected officials have continued to use this same, formerly world-class, system as the main selling point for attracting business and jobs to the state.

With their approval of a sustainable and constitutionally protected funding program to allow Illinois to rebuild its world-class infrastructure to meet today's demands, policymakers have sent the message that they do believe in our future.

Thank you to area Reps. Carroll, Conroy, D'Amico, Didech, Edley-Allen, Martwick, Mazzochi, McAuliffe, Moylan, Mussman, Walker and Willis and Senators Tom Cullerton, Harmon, Gillespie, Link, McConchi, Morrison, Mulroe, Murphy and Villivalam for their support.

John L. Carrato

Arlington Heights