Senator Don Harmon on job creation and economic development.

"I sponsored the amendment to the bill authorizing the modernization of O'Hare International Airport.  This project will create 195,000 new jobs in the region, particularly in the 39th Legislative District.  Infrastructure improvements in the communities surrounding the airport will bring new business and increase opportunities for our existing small businesses and small manufacturers who depend on O'Hare airport for their products and services.

I amended an antiquated employment law to create new job-training grants to community organizations in Chicago and the Cook County suburbs.  Thanks to that effort, Eyes on Austin , right here in the district established the Austin Job Center .  In addition to traditional career counseling and resume development services, the Austin Job Center provides innovative job-training opportunities through its own in-house copy service, coffee shop, and bookstore.  Currently, the  Austin Job   Center is partnering with private corporations to move trainees directly into private-sector employment.

Working with Mayor Daniel Pritchett, Representative Skip Saviano and other local officials, we created a bi-partisan effort to ensure that after over fifty years of waiting, the Grand Avenue overpass is becoming a reality.  For far too long the people and the commerce of this region have been stifled by a relatively easy problem to fix.  I’m pleased to say we’re on our way to completion.  Working with Senator Durbin, we were able to secure an additional $5 million of federal funding for the Grand Avenue project, along with an additional $1 million in transportation funding for communities in the suburban portion of my district.  This funding will be used to improve streets, streetscapes and alleys.  I also recognize that my role in government includes giving our citizens a voice in local development projects, and making sure government doesn’t move too quickly to promote development the neighbors don't support.  Sometimes we need to apply the brakes until consensus can be reached"

-Senator Don Harmon