Durbin, Duckworth Meet With Illinois AFL-CIO Leaders On Infrastructure
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met virtually with Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea and Secretary-Treasurer Pat Devaney in addition to members of the labor organization’s Executive Board and Building Trades presidents from across the state. During their meeting, the Senators provided an update about funding included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), including the $17 billion in direct and guaranteed funding Illinois will receive. The Senators heard from the union leaders about their priorities for the IIJA funding and fielded questions on how the funding will be distributed to projects already set in motion by the REBUILD Illinois legislation passed in Springfield.
“The Illinois AFL-CIO has been a tried-and-true friend in pursuing a progressive, historic reinvestment in our nation’s infrastructure. Now that President Biden has signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law, the real work can begin,” said Durbin. “I appreciate the perspective Illinois’ union leaders shared with me today, and I hope that as we begin to allocate funding that we prioritize the voices of those on the job site.”
“I enjoyed speaking with Illinois labor leaders today about rebuilding our state's infrastructure and creating good paying, local union jobs for working Illinoisans,” said Duckworth. “I was especially glad to join Senator Durbin and labor groups including AFL-CIO to detail how the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will help move Illinois into a more equitable and economically-stable future.”
“A new era of infrastructure is on the horizon now that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has passed. As working people begin the hard work of rebuilding our roads, highways, bridges, waterways, and more, we’re glad to have strong federal partners who are willing to invest in American works too,” said Drea.
A photo of the virtual meeting is available here.
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