DC Fly-In 2010
JOBS JOBS JOBS!
16% overall unemployment, 35% of trade jobs are gone and tack 10% onto that number for under-employed trade positions; Kankakee County and the surrounding region desperately need job creation in the private sector, which is the story that the group of eleven, organized by the Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce, took to Capitol Hill March 17-19th with a very simple theme: Jobs Jobs Jobs!
From left to right: Joda Crabtree, Carole Franke, Ray Smith, John Quinn, and Jerry Pierce
stopped in front of the US Capitol on their way to meet with Debbie Halvorson.
The group pushed the importance of the reauthorization of SAFTEA LU funding, which is an investment by the federal government into the infrastructure of this country. “There is a line that can be drawn to delineate government spending and government investment, and SAFTEA-LU funding is categorized as an investment”, explained David Hinderliter the Chamber President. “Once we get a long-term reauthorization plan, rather than wondering where funding will come from next month, we will actually be able to plan projects and contract out that work”, added Rob Hoffmann, the managing director of River Valley Metro. The two went on to explain that this reinvestment is an opportunity to create the foundation of economic development in the region.
With representatives from River Valley Metro, the Chamber, Nucor Steel, AT&T, Robinson Engineering, J and J Contracting and Development and Kankakee County Board Chairman Mike Bossert, the group of eleven told the story of horrendous unemployment rates in meetings with staffers working for Senators Dick Durbin and Roland Burris, and Representatives Debbie Halvorson, Tim Johnson, and Aaron Schock. The over arching message the group got in return had two parts: One, everything is on hold for health care; two, it is unclear where payment for that program would come from.
From left to right: David Hinderliter and Mike Bossert standing outside
of the Nucor Steel office looking down on the White House.
The group heard different solutions to the second road block for SAFETEA LU from office to office. Senator Durbin has thrown out the idea of a gas tax that was largely shut down by his colleagues, while staffers from Rep Schock’s office voiced a seemingly logical proposal to fund reauthorization through stimulus funds.
The Chamber will continue to pursue this initiative over the coming months. The theme, as always will focus on jobs; getting jobs for the Kankakee Region, growing an appropriate climate for free enterprise development and building our community for the future.
2010 DC Fly-In Attendees
Robert Hoffmann, Managing Director, River Valley Metro -- www.rivervalleymetro.com
Ray Smith, Environmental Manager, Nucor Steel -- www.nucor.com
Michael Bossert, Kankakee County Chairman of the Board -- www.co.kankakee.il.us
John Quinn, Government Liaison, AT&T -- www.att.com
Russ Prekwas, CEO, Robinson Engineering -- www.reltd.com
Joda Crabtree, CEO, J and J Contracting and Development – (815) 432-5322
Mark Regel, River Valley Metro -- www.rivervalleymetro.com
Carole Franke, Kankakee River Valley Metro -- www.rivervalleymetro.com
Jerry Pierce, Manteno River Valley Metro -- www.rivervalleymetro.com
David Hinderliter, President & CEO, Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce-- www.kankakee.org; www.rivervalleyvoice.org
Andrew Ollis, Business Development Representative, Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce -- www.kankakee.org; www.rivervalleyvoice.org
While in Washington DC, the Chamber group met with:
- US Chamber of Commerce
- Nucor Steel government liaison
- Senator Dick Durbin
- Senator Dick Durbin legislative staff
- Federal Transit Administration
- Senator Roland Burris legislative staff
- Representative Tim Johnson legislative staff
- Representative Debbie Halvorson and legislative staff
- Representative Aaron Schock legislative staff
- Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation legislative staff
- Senate Committee on Environment and Public Work legislative staff
The group in a briefing at the US Chamber. Thank you to Jessica Heilwell, James Galfand,
Giovanni Coratolo and Andrew Brady from the US Chamber for helping us set up the trip and delivering very informative briefings.
Top: Rob Hoffmann, Mike Bossert, Joda Crabtree, Carole Franke, Ray Smith, Eileen Bradner, Russ Prekwas, Mark Regel
Bottom: Andrew Ollis, Jerry Pierce, John Quinn, David Hinderliter at the Nucor Steel office overlooking the White House.
A very special thanks to Eileen and Ray; Nucor Steel treated us very well!
The Chamber group with Senator Dick Durbin
The Chamber group with Corey Tellez at the Office of Representative Debbie Halvorson
Testimonials
“The Washington DC trip was a way for Chamber members to broaden their scope of influence and provide a strong voice to lawmakers on issues that impact the community and our business. It was an effective way to stress to these these lawmakers that jobs, jobs, jobs, are needed in Kankakee County.”
“The trip was a very educational and productive experience. It was beneficial to have Dave's leadership with the business community and Andrew's experience with DC.”
“The trip was great and I think we were able to make our points, unfortunately with the focus on healthcare, I didn't think we had the attention or interest we hoped for. I especially liked the team effort, we all chimed in to help get our points accross, it was truly a team effort! Thanks to the rest of the team!”
Plan Ahead!
If this is a trip that could benefit your business/organization in the future, contact Andrew Ollis, Chamber Government Liaison:
Phone: 815-933-7721
E-mail: andrew@kankakee.org