Hi, all --
The Acting Secretary of Illinois Dept. of Transportation (Randy Blankenhorn) is hosting listening sessions in more than 20 cities around Illinois over the next month.
The purpose of the sessions is to gauge local issues and priorities regarding transportation infrastructure -- roads, bridges, transit systems (bus and rail), railroads, airports, and waterways. According to the website, This dialogue, emphasizing quality of life and economic
growth, will establish priorities for future investment in our
transportation system. (my boldface)
This would be a great opportunity for food-and-farm advocates to make their concerns heard. Issues might be:
-- farmers bringing food to farmers markets: condition of roads, connectivity, congestion
-- location of food hubs
-- access to food shipping alternatives (rail, air, water): refrigeration
-- food served at transportation depots, truck stops, in transit: local, healthy
-- agri-tourism
-- signage: billboards, navigation
-- other
This would also be a good opportunity for bicyclists, pedestrians, and wheelchair users to bring up their issues:
-- access: roads, paths, bus, rail
-- safety
-- share-the-road
-- other
See dates in attached email.
If anyone attends one of these listening sessions, I hope you'll report to the list-servs. Based on my experience with Mr. Blankenhorn's previous leadership role (Exec. Dir. of Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, CMAP), there is still a lot of learning to be done regarding "local foods", healthy socio-economic-political relationships among rural, suburban, and urban communities.
-- Debbie
Debbie Hillman
Evanston, Illinois
D. Hillman Strategies: Food Policy for Voters
...water is a generous visitation from the Holy Female without whom all life would cease. She is the greatest possible gift and could easily take herself away.
-- Martin Prechtel, The Disobedience of the Daughter of the Sun
Begin forwarded message:
Date: April 26, 2015 8:41:22 PM CDT
Subject: IDOT listening sessions start this week!
The Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting a series of "listening sessions" throughout the state starting with Champaign on Monday.
We need to increase visibility for high-speed rail, Amtrak and transit by having members speak at every meeting.
Please attend and speak at one of the events. You get get more information at:
http://www.idot.illinois.gov/about-idot/stay-connected/events/Infrastructure-Investment
Champaign - April 27, 1:00 PM
Macomb - April 28, 10:00 AM
Springfield - April 28, 2:30 PM
Ottawa - April 29, 8:30 AM
Dixon - April 29, 11:00 AM
Bloomington/Normal - April 30, 2:00 PM
Lake County - May 1, 8:00 AM
McHenry County - May 1, 2:00 PM
Mt. Vernon - May 4, 10:30 AM
Peoria - May 4, 1:00 PM
Collinsville - May 5, 9:00 AM
Carbondale - May 5, 1:00 PM
Alton - May 5, 2:00 PM
Quincy - May 6, 10:00 AM
Effingham - May 6, 4:00 PM
North Cook County - May 7, 9:00 AM
Danville - May 7, 9:30 AM
Taylorville - May 7, 1:30 PM
South Cook County - May 7, 4:00 PM
DuPage County - May 11, 10:00 AM
Decatur - May 11, 3:00 PM
Chicago - May 13, 8:00 AM
Rockford - May 14, 3:00 PM
DeKalb - May 18, 2:00 PM
Quad Cities (Moline) - May 19, 11:00 AM
Will County - May 21, 11:30 AM
Kankakee - May 21, 2:30 PM
Galena - May 22, 1:00 PM
Rick Harnish
Executive Director
Midwest High Speed Rail Association
4765 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
Join us at MidwestHSR.org/Join
