SENATOR DURBIN ADDRESSES FORUM IN SAUK VILLAGE

US Senator Dick Durbin arrives

By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE | Sauk Village played host Friday, January 24th to the quarterly meeting of the Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation’s Winter Forum.  Never before has a United States Senator attended a function in Sauk Village, however, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) was not there to address the residents, he was the guests of honor along with Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL2nd).  Both were introduced by the organization’s Executive Board Chairman Michael Scholefield who served as master of ceremonies for the event.

About 200 were in attendance at the Quarterly Forum which generally draws from 150 to 250 people on average according to Scholefield.

Durbin was greeted by a standing ovation as he came to the podium.  “I’m not going to forget this turnout in Sauk Village, Mayor Hanks congratulations, you have a beautiful Village Hall.  It took a little investigation to figure out the key to his political success, but I’ve got it!  10 Kids” Durbin quipped. 

Durbin talked about Congress’ budget success.  “Something happened that was just miraculous in Washington last week.  We passed a budget” Durbin said to a round of applause.

“The Speaker of the House John Boenher said I’m going to support this bi-partisan budget and I thought praise the Lord.   I hope this is the beginning of the efforts on some bipartisan developments” Durbin said.

Durbin spoke about the Marketplace Fairness act that sales tax will be collected on internet sales which will come back to the local municipalities   Durbin supports sales tax on internet sales so that the revenues are not lost.  When someone makes a purchase online the local communities will get the revenues Durbin said.  Durbin feels that this will level the playing field with local businesses and online businesses.

“Something that is critically important to the state of Illinois.  We are smack dab in the middle of this nation” Durbin said.   Durbin spoke about the Transportation bill that the government needs to develop ways in which we need to increase revenues for improving infrastructure for roads.

Durbin said that Amazon wants to build logistic centers all across the state of Illinois once the Marketplace Fairness Act passed.

“I never ask what your political affiliation is.  I work with mayors from both political parties and we treat everyone professionally and I hope they feel they have been treated professionally in my office” Durbin said.  “When it comes to creating jobs and moving our state forward party is second.  The first obligation that we have is doing the very best for our state” Durbin said.

Gene Williams Mayor of Lynwood & Robin Kelly

Other speakers included Congresswoman Kelly, David Hanks, Mayor of Sauk Village the host community  Brian Quigley of Dermody Partners who spoke about the success of the LogistiCenter of Sauk Village, Mike Wojick, Senior Vice President of the Horton Group who spoke on the Affordable Care Act, Rusty Winchel who told the organization about the advantages of the South Suburban Mayors and Manager Broadband Networking offering to businesses in the Southland .  Finally, Michael Jasso addressed the group and discussed strategic planning coordination with Cook County. 

who discussed the history of the Village and the business environment.

Anthony Deluca & Robin Kelly

Local mayors from other communities were in attendance including neighboring Lynwood, Richton Park, Olympia Fields, Lansing, Country Club Hills, Mokena and many other elected officials and representatives from communities in the South Suburban area.  Illinois State Representative Anthony Deluca, representing the Southland was in attendance. “These typically have a good turnout and it is good to see Senator Durbin here in Sauk Village” Gene Williams, Mayor of Lynwood said.

“We’re glad he (Senator Durbin) and (Congresswoman) Robin Kelly could make it” Ed Paesel, Executive Director of South Suburban Mayors and Managers said following the forum.



Village officials in attendance included Village Clerk Debbie Williams and Village Trustees Derrick Burgess, Lynda Washington, Rosie Williams, John Poskin and Ed Myers.

"This was a good thing for Sauk Village.  I've been to many of these and they always have good turnout" Burgess said following the event.  

Original material, including photos, copyright 2014 Sauk Villager News; all rights reserved. 

U.S. Rep. Kelly Supports MPO's Support for Illiana Expressway

by Joseph Wiszowaty

CHICAGO |  U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL2nd) applauded members of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for today’s affirmative vote in support of the Illiana Expressway, a 47-mile expressway connecting I-55 in Illinois to I-65 in Indiana.

 

“I'd like to thank the MPO members for having the foresight to approve the Illiana Expressway project. Today's vote is a validation of what we in the Southland have been saying all along—that our region has tremendous growth potential and that the Illiana is vital to that growth," Kelly said. “I applaud the board for putting facts above politics in supporting this project, which will create tens of thousands of much needed jobs in the Southland and promote the expansion of regional economic development throughout South Cook, Will, and Kankakee counties."

 

The congresswoman told the board before the vote “Chicago’s Southland is America’s ground zero for transportation innovation. The Illiana Expressway is a visionary and necessary project that will alleviate congestion and bring tens of thousands of jobs to the Southland." Kelly said.

 

“There’s been a lot of debate about the Illiana over the past year, some of it enlightening and constructive and some of it, quite frankly, disrespectful and utterly unproductive. At its core, the opposition to the Illiana is based on a longstanding bias against the Southland when it comes to infrastructure investment,” Kelly said. “But the Southland is just as worthy of development, just as deserving of improved infrastructure as any other area of the region. We have the people and the businesses to not only support the Illiana, but who make the roadway a vital conduit to economic development in the area.

 

The Illiana Expressway has long been supported by the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association along with many South Suburban Mayors who feel the project will provide economic development opportunity in conjunction with the Third Chicago Airport.

Lynwood Mayor Eugene Williams, in attendance at the Illinois Municipal League Conference in Chicago this evening, is one of many local the Mayors who supports the project.

 

The Illiana Expressway has been on the drawing board for many years now.

Congresswoman Robin Kelly

Strassburg gets visit from Congresswoman Kelly and some Computers too

by Joseph Wiszowaty- The Sauk Villager News
SAUK VILLAGE |  Strassburg School 4th grade teacher Cherri Moore and her students will get to use 5 refurubished computers donated courtesy of PC Rebuilders & Recyclers of Chicago.

Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-2nd Illinois) and State Representative Elgie Sims (D-34th District) were on hand for the presentation who helped faciliate the donation from PC Rebuilders & Recyclers' CEO Willie Cade, who was also on hand.

Superintendent of Schools Al Travaglini and School Board President Sharon Davenport were on hand along with Strassburg School Principal Lynda Johnson to accept the donated computers.

"This is a good thing for Sauk Village's schools and I'm happy to have been a part of it" Kelly said.

"We're very pleased for the donation.  Any time we can save the taxpayers money and provide more money for the education of our children the better we are as a community" Davenport said following the presentation.

Also on hand were Sauk Village Trustee Derrick Burgess and Mayor David Hanks as well as other school officials and staff.  Community Activist Bernice Houston also attended the presentation.

"I'm very happy that Congresswoman Kelly and Representative Sims could come out today" Burgess said following the presentation.

Kelly spent some time speaking with the students who asked her questions.  "The students were very well behaved" Traveligni said.

Superintendent Al Travaglini examines Computer Equipment

School Board President Sharon Davenport greets Congresswoman Robin Kelly

Superintendent Al Travaglini, Board President Sharon Davenport, David Hanks-Mayor and State Representative Elgie Sims

4th Grade Teacher Cherri Moore and her students along with Willie Cade, CEO of PCRR, Congresswoman Kelly and Representative Sims

Sauk Village Trustee Derrick Burgess and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-1st Illinois)

Strassburg's 4th Grade Teacher Cherri Moore and Congresswoman Kelly

Congresswoman Kelly receives a gift of appreciation from District 168 from Superintendent of District 168 Schools Al Travaglini

Congresswoman Robin Kelly speaks with students of Strassburg's 4th Grade Cherri Moore's class