Issue Position: Mapping our Future

Issue Position

We need to focus on the basics of state government and improve our roads, bridges, and other important infrastructure. If we improve these areas, we will be better equipped to be a competitive business recruiter.

The greater Winnebago-Boone-Northern DeKalb County community is growing in positive ways that will draw people to our region. These recent improvements include the following:

1. Wanxiang, a Chinese solar-panel manufacturer, is building a facility near the Chicago-Rockford International Airport. This project will bring nearly 200 jobs to the region and bring green energy technology that will hopefully spur other growth in this sector.

2. Swedish American recently made a multi-million dollar investment to bring hospital-based care back to the Boone, Western McHenry, and Northern DeKalb County.

3. Our region is seeing significant state highway rehabilitation projects, I-90 interstate expansion projects, including a new off-ramp at Irene Road in Boone County. We are also in line to have more infrastructure improvements through the State of Illinois' capital plan.

In addition to these improvements, we need renewed focus on our downtown areas, particularly in Rockford and Belvidere, through our region's efforts to bring Amtrak and Metra to our area. Passenger service will help redefine our region for decades to come and help our city centers to become residential, entertainment, and business destinations.

We need to work together throughout the region to create a common direction, lobby for regional economic development, work to consolidate similar services to save taxpayer dollars, and build on our inherent strengths.

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