My 2020 Position

In 2020 I said that I wanted to secure additional funding for expansion of our airport facilities; including building new hangars, repairing outdated facilities, and other relevant infrastructure projects.

I vowed to support the Rockford casino, because I believed it would bring in much needed jobs and revenue to the area that would in turn provide the funding needed to help support our local infrastructure and initiatives.

I recognized that our local roads were not able to handle the economic growth predicted. I planned to work with IDOT and other relevant agencies to make sure our state roads are being expanded and well maintained.

What I’ve Accomplished 

I worked with State and Federal lawmakers to bring in $2.6 million in grants from I.D.O.T. to upgrade aircraft parking lots, as well as $4.5 million in state investment funding for maintenance and upgrading of airport facilities. 

The Rockford Casino is now a reality! The Hard Rock: an Opening Act, temporary casino location is up and running, with the ground-breaking of the permanent facility scheduled for later this year.

I sponsored HR0207-”Rebuild Illinois Support Resolution”, which urges the General Assembly and the Governor's Administration to invest transportation and infrastructure dollars as promised under Rebuild Illinois to make good on our collective commitment to fix our roads, bridges, and schools while creating jobs and opportunities for all residents of Illinois.

Future Plans

Although recent developments at the Rockford Airport concerning the protection of the Bell Bowl Prairie wildlife area have hindered some proposed construction projects, I believe that a common sense approach to this situation can achieve reasonable solutions that both the business sector as well as conservationists will be happy with.

I will continue to make sure that to see that The Rockford Casino is completed on time and that the jobs created there are good and well paying. I will also work to expand other business ventures in the area surrounding the Rockford Casino. 

I will continue to sponsor and support legislation that invests tax payer money back into our transportation and infrastructure systems, such as road work, highways, and commuter rail projects that will make commerce more convenient for our citizens and local businesses.