HR1022

LRB093 15184 KEF 51774 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The extension of Interstate 355 was approved by 
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the General Assembly in 1993; and

 
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    WHEREAS, 99% of the land required to build the extension 
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has been acquired, and 98% of the utilities have been 
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relocated; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The extension of I-355 will serve Will County, 
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which is one of the fastest growing counties in Illinois; 
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growth projections over the next 20 years for the county 
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include 400,000 more residents and double the number of jobs; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, Without major improvements to the transportation 
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system serving Will County, travel times are expected to 
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increase by up to 50 percent; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Interstate 294 serves local, regional, and 
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interstate traffic and is a vital link in the transportation 
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network for the Chicago Metropolitan Area and Northwest 
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Indiana; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The widening of I-294 is compatible with the 
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adjacent Illinois and Indiana Department of Transportation 
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widening and reconstruction projects from I-94/IL 394 to U.S. 
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Route 41 in Indiana; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Traffic volumes along I-294 have continued to 
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increase, with the interstate carrying 615,000 vehicles daily, 
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accounting for 46% of the total number of vehicles on the 
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tollway system; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Traffic growth along I-294 is expected to continue 
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due to the anticipated growth in population, influx of new 
 


 






HR1022
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LRB093 15184 KEF 51774 r




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business, and the development associated with the proposed 
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South Suburban Airport; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The traffic congestion in Lake County continues to 
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be of great concern to many of its residents and local 
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government officials; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
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Interstate 294 should be widened to the specifications put 
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forth by the Illinois Toll Highway Authority, that Interstate 
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355 should be extended to Interstate 80, as also specified by 
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the Illinois Toll Highway Authority, and that the Illinois Toll 
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Highway Authority should continue to work with Lake County to 
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develop a stronger consensus regarding their transportation 
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needs, including the construction and funding of the north 
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extension of Route 53.