End of Week Summary October 19, 2012 Candidate Debate for 17th Congressional District Congressman Bobby Schilling and Cheri Bustos, candidates for the 17th Congressional District, participated in a debate on October 17th. Steve Nailor attended the debate and reported he turned in questions on behalf of TFIC asking "What will you do to help identify and approve new revenue sources for transportation infrastructure investment for waterways immediately and for highways and transit before the current authorization expires?" Neither candidate directly addressed the question during the debate, but Congressman Schilling did discuss transportation. Candidate Bustos did not. Thanks to Steve for taking the initiative to attend the debate, ask about transportation and report back to TFIC! Metra's Strategic Plan Public Open Houses Metra is holding a series of public open houses and soliciting feedback online for its new strategic plan. November open houses will be held in conjunction with Metra's annual budget hearings. All of the information regarding these upcoming public open house meetings and opportunities for public feedback can be found at www.metrarail.com/strategicplan. The materials for open house meetings, including a link to provide feedback, will be on this webpage by Oct. 29 and feedback will be accepted through Nov. 12. Committee Work The Public Outreach Committee met yesterday to discuss plans for next year. The committee agreed to a plan that will incorporate up to 15 local/regional meetings, a survey to determine local infrastructure needs and earned media coverage. The specific plans will be presented to the Steering Committee in November. Both the State House and Federal Affairs Committees chose to move their November meetings to after the election. They will both be held on November 8th with the usual call-in number (call: 1-877-402-9753, 6359508) and at Filson/Gordon Associates in Springfield. Federal Update Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has made comments indicating he may stay on as head of the DOT if President Obama is reelected. LaHood was expected to step down at the end of Obama's first term after an interview with the Tribune in which he said he would not seek public office again. Recently, LaHood told POLITICO he would ask Congress to pass a national ban on texting while driving if he is still Secretary of Transportation next year. DC transportation leaders have all indicated they do not know LaHood's plans. Other Transportation News Governor Quinn Dedicates Transportation Modernization Project in DuPage County ENews Park Forest http://www.enewspf.com/latest-news/latest-local/37519-governor-quinn-dedicates-transportation- modernization-project-in-dupage-county-.html Illinois Tollway Seeking Independent Review Chicago Tribune http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-illinois-tollway-seeking-independent-review- 20121013,0,622665.story Rockford Airport's Economic Impact: $1 Billion Rockford Register Star http://www.rrstar.com/blogs/brianleaf/x1826354697/Rockford-airports-economic-impact-1-billion Transportation Group Has Plans to Solve Chicago's Gridlock, But It'll Cost You WBEZ 91.5 Chicago http://www.wbez.org/news/transportation-group-has-plan-solve-chicagos-gridlock-%E2%80%93-itll-cost- you-103145 Illinois Drops One Proposed Illiana Route Post-Tribune http://posttrib.suntimes.com/15804387-537/illinois-drops-one-proposed-illiana-route.html Missouri, Illinois Consider Widening Mississippi River Bridge at St. Louis The Republic http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/137b8b7471f94b8eb9543d6a5fe58c32/IL--St-Louis-River-Bridge .