21st Century Transportation
Two stars of the hit show Mad Men teamed up with Illinois PIRG and the humor website Funny or Die to produce a video, Mad Fast Trains, pitching high-speed rail.
MOVING ILLINOIS FORWARD
Illinois PIRG has strongly criticized our state’s transportation spending, which has historically directed millions of dollars to building unnecessary new or wider highways while existing roads and bridges crumble and transit services face cuts to service.
According to our research, there are more than 2,200 structurally deficient bridges in Illinois.
The state has started to get it right — with the groundbreaking of a high-speed rail route between Chicago, Ill., and St. Louis, Mo. — but we still have a ways to go.
According to our “Connecting the Midwest” report, as a hub for high-speed rail, Illinois would have better access than any other state; it would boost the regional economy, reduce highway and airport congestion, and decrease dependence on oil.
Illinois PIRG is promoting innovative ways to invest in Illinois’ transportation system and teaming up with business leaders, local officials, and the public to persuade lawmakers on the merits of improving rail service and road repair over new and wider highways.
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