Transportation & Infrastructure Archives - Congresswoman Cheri Bustos

Investing In our Infrastructure to Create Jobs in our Community

Studies have shown that investments in our infrastructure lead to new economic activity and job creation – that’s why I’m proud to help lead the fight to invest in Illinois’ roads, bridges, rail lines and airports. From working across the aisle in Congress to meeting with a Republican White House, I stand ready to collaborate in a bipartisan nature to reinvest in our infrastructure.

The 17th district is home to three international airports (Quad-City International Airport, Peoria International Airport and Chicago Rockford International Airport), in addition to several smaller regional airports. I’ve fought hard to bring home federal support for these airports. Additionally, after seeing how the Chicago Rockford International Airport’s cargo operation has helped to drive the local economy, I founded the bipartisan Air Cargo Caucus to raise awareness to lawmakers and their staff about the importance of supporting this critical industry.

Our district is defined by its connections. Our highways span thousands of miles that connect east to west and north to south. The Mississippi River, our district’s western border, and the Illinois Waterway move millions of tons of goods every year through aging locks and dams. The agricultural products, along with other products and goods, moved through these highways and waterway systems are key to commerce in the region. I was proud to push the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP) and help secure $4.5 million for funding to update our locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi and provide critical ecosystem restoration. And with critical rail projects like the Quad-City to Chicago rail line still being developed, I am optimistic about the potential for new economic development opportunities in the future.

In 2015, I was proud to help lead a bipartisan effort to pass the first long-term highway bill in a decade. This legislation was projected to provide Illinois with over $7.5 billion in funding for highway, transit and transportation safety programs through fiscal year 2020. As Congress considers a new highway bill, I will continue to fight for the infrastructure needs of Illinois.

If we want to attract new employers to our region and create more good-paying jobs, we must strengthen our infrastructure system. Our parents left us with a world-class transportation system. We owe it to the next generation to carry on this promise.

More on Transportation & Infrastructure

Press Release

September 13, 2021

Bustos Helps Advance Build Back Better Act through Agriculture Committee

With Bustos Priorities, Package Heads to House Floor for Final Passage WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, helped pass the Build Back Better Act out of committee – sending it to the House Floor for final passage. Congresswoman Bustos secured sweeping wins for hardworking Illinoisans in the package, […]

Press Release

August 26, 2021

Bustos Introduces “Bold and Innovative” Legislation to Reduce Vehicle Emissions, Limit Harmful Aromatics and Increase Biofuels Demand

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Next Generation Fuels Act, legislation that leverages greater fuel octane to reduce carbon emissions from transportation, improve air quality by reducing the use of harmful aromatics and increase demand for biofuels. Fuels with greater levels of octane are more stable and have […]

Press Release

August 24, 2021

Bustos Votes to Advance Build Back Better Agenda

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) cast her vote in support of a budget resolution that will pave the way for President Biden’s Build Back Better Act and the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill. This is the first step to advance the Build Back Better Agenda, which will deliver transformative, life-changing benefits for […]

Press Release

February 21, 2020

BUSTOS, DURBIN, DUCKWORTH ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $2.6 MILLION FOR CHICAGO ROCKFORD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), along with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $2,699,192 in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) grant funding to reconstruct a deicing containment facility at Chicago Rockford International Airport in Rockford. “Chicago Rockford International Airport contributes a great deal to the economic strength of […]