Support Mass Transit

By Amy Lardner

I want to see Illinois Republicans come out in favor of mass transit and a cross-state high speed rail corridor and reduce our reliance on hopelessly over-congested roads and highways. It took me over four hours to drive to the Quad Cities two weeks ago. Nearly two and a half merely to reach DeKalb, in bumper to bumper traffic on the Eisenhower to I-88.

Sure ways to reduce our dependence on foreign oil include boosting gas taxes, encourage transit-oriented development, and make mass transit a viable first choice for IL state residents. I would much rather take the train to visit my parents in the Quad Cities from Chicago than drive.

Corn-based ethanol production is not the answer to reducing our dependence on foreign oil and never will be. Its contribution will be minimal and the economics don't make sense. Its net environmental impact is negative.

It is the opposite of what we need to improve quality of life in this state. Corn-based ethanol is destroying decades of environmental advances and wildlife friendly practices.

Illinois Republicans have more to answer for than politics. The current impasse in Springfield is appalling. We need transit funding back to a 2 to 1 or at least a 1 to 1 ratio in the capital bill, and we need the current operating bill passed now.

We need all of our elected officials back in Springfield now tonight, and as long as it takes, to pass this budget and make things happen that start making sense. All of our elected officials should be ashamed of themselves and out of work for letting this ridiculous impasse come to pass.