05.07.13

Durbin Meets with Champaign County Officials to Discuss Local Priorities

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with leaders from Champaign County First who were in Washington, D.C. for their annual fly-in to discuss local economic development and transportation priorities, including job-creating high speed rail and road construction projects. A photo from today’s meeting is available here.

Attendees at today’s meeting included: Champaign Mayor Don Gerard, Champaign County Board President Alan Kurtz, Champaign Councilman Tom Bruno, Village of Mahomet Village Administrator Mell Smigielski, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation President Mike Kirchhoff, City of Urbana Public Works Director Bill Gray, Champaign County Chamber of Commerce President Laura Weis, and Vice President of the University of Illinois Alumni Association Amy Eichhorst.

“Champaign Chamber First brings together business and community leaders from across Champaign County, and serves as an important voice for the interests of its members and the entire region,” said Durbin. “I was happy to meet with members of the group today and look forward to working with them in the future.”

Champaign County First is a collaboration between the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation that has brought together local elected officials and business leaders from throughout the county. The group advocates on behalf of all the communities of Champaign County to build support for regional transportation, infrastructure, and economic development priorities.