August 03, 2017

Duckworth Tours Mississippi River, Highlights Importance of Waterways Infrastructure for Illinois Agriculture

 

[DAVENPORT, IA] -Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) toured waterways infrastructure along the Mississippi River with U.S. Representatives Rod Blum (IA-1) and Dave Loebsack (IA-2) as well as members of the Illinois and Iowa Corn Growers Associations, where she highlighted the importance of water infrastructure to support economic growth in Illinois. Duckworth, who serves on the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, discussed her goals to support infrastructure projects in Moline and across the state to grow the economy. A photo of the tour is attached.

"Today's tour was a great way to showcase the inland waterways system that Illinois's economy depends on. Infrastructure investments give Illinois farmers and small businesses a competitive edge by getting their products to market faster and cheaper," said Duckworth. "That's why it's critical that we make serious investments in our locks, dams and intermodal connections to create jobs, grow the economy and bolster Illinois' status as a world-class transportation hub."

One of Duckworth's top priorities in Congress is improving Illinois's infrastructure. Shortly after being sworn into her first Senate term in January, Duckworth worked with her colleagues across the aisle to enact a bipartisan law in record time repealing a misguided regulation that threatened to stifle vital infrastructure projects in Illinois. When she was in the U.S. House of Representatives, she helped secure federal funding to improve highways, bridges and waterways, creating quality jobs in Illinois.