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

News

November 4, 2022

TODAY: Bustos Joins Ribbon-Cutting in East Moline; Holds Final Cheri-on-Shift at Blaum Bros. Distilling Company in Galena

WASHINGTON — TODAY, FRIDAY, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) will join the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Grand Illinois Trail Connector in East Moline before traveling to Galena to complete her final Cheri-on-Shift at the Blaum Bros. Distilling Company. At 10:00am CST in East Moline, Congresswoman Bustos will join Mayors Reggie Freeman and Matt Carter, as well as […]

Press Release

October 13, 2022

Bustos: $2.25 Billion From Infrastructure Bill Headed to Illinois for Roads & Bridges

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced that Illinois will receive more than $2.25 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law to improve roads, bridges and tunnels across the state. “Thanks to President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law, we’re making historic investments to build safer, stronger and smarter roadways right here in Illinois,” said Congresswoman Bustos. […]

Press Release

August 31, 2022

ROCKFORD: Bustos, Durbin & Duckworth Announce Nearly $6.8 Million in Infrastructure Funding for Rockford Airport Authority

ROCKFORD — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, joined Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth to announce that nearly $6.8 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation has been awarded to the Rockford Airport Authority for infrastructure improvements. The grants will be used to construct a taxiway and install taxiway lighting at Chicago Rockford International […]

Press Release

August 25, 2022

Bustos Applauds USDA’s $100 Million Investment in Biofuels Infrastructure

WASHINGTON — This week, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement that $100 million in grants will be made available to increase the sale and use of homegrown biofuels. Bustos is Chair of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. USDA is making the funding available through the Higher Blends Infrastructure […]