Caterpillar is trying to blackmail Illinois, such a patriotic bunch. Here is a way they can make more money and help their home base. Maybe, they would prefer to move to Beijing.
Rails to Prosperity
Peoria has all the pieces to make our next decade an economic boom. The question is: do we still have the resolve and confidence to coordinate our resources for the good of our region?
Why Amtrak sucks
Amtrak is an anachronism held over by our nineteenth century railroad explosion. Freight companies own the tracks; government owns the Amtrak trains. A freight company’s primary function is commerce the need to operate the rails to make profits. Amtrak is a nuisance to the railroads. Our passenger rail model is reversed from all other types of transportation. Our highway system relies on government to build infrastructure; private companies to sell cars and trucks, private companies to carry the goods of commerce. On the water, government builds our locks, improves our harbors. Private companies build the ships and barges; private companies transport our exports and imports. Again in the air, government builds the airports. Private companies build the planes; private companies carry passengers and light freight. The problem with the Amtrak model should be obvious. Government must build the rails and lease their use to private carriers like our airports do now. Private companies need to manufacture and sell the trains. Amtrak is at odds with the successful economic model that exists in all other forms of transportation.
Almost any business trip will involve travel by car, air, and mass transportation. (Drive to an airport, fly to a destination, then ride in a cab to a hotel) Our existing passenger transportation system is not an integrated system. Train depots are located in the old sections of our cities. Links between train stations and airports often do not exist or are not adequate. We no longer need trains to travel from California to Illinois. We need quick links from the Peoria airport to O’Hare airport. There are many flights to California from O’Hare that are much shorter in duration than the 51.5 hours of the California Zephyr. How many hours are wasted in Peoria or Moline waiting to board the puddle jumpers to O’Hare? PIA travelers have longer waits for luggage than the actual flight time. High-speed rail from regional airport to hub would allow fuel efficiency, fewer delays, and improved security. Integrated links to downtowns and other important destinations would totally transform the economy of a city like Peoria. Peoria could grow to once again be Illinois’ second city like it was for over a hundred years.
Peoria and Illinois have all the pieces.
The puzzle pieces are government, manufacturing expertise, engineering knowledge, and a practical ability to solve problems. Our country needs to start a system that like the Interstate Highway System will not be completed for decades, but will transform our society. Our government both federal and state support high-speed rail. The governments already have the Interstate right of ways to use in adding rails between O’Hare and Peoria. Using the existing Interstate right of ways means we could also develop this project in conjunction with the Quad Cities. Secretary of Transportation Ray La Hood is a Peoria resident, Governor Pat Quinn supports high-speed rail, and other states are refusing federal money. Our region has two great manufacturing companies Caterpillar and John Deere. Employees from both of these companies are tired of the hassle and added cost of puddle jumping to O’Hare. Illinois and Iowa have great research universities with engineering departments, as well as Fermilab. Secretary LaHood and Governor Quinn could get all the needed elements in one room. A practical plan could be developed. Government could start building the roadbed, Caterpillar and John Deere could start designing and building the engines and cars, airlines and other carriers could place orders. A private public venture just like the successful models in existence.
This project could get started in under two years; the technology exists it is designing the best system. A successful system should include these features: fuel efficiency, environmental soundness, constant Internet access for productive travel, short travel times, enhanced security, and convenience. I know our region has all the necessary pieces. I know it is simply a matter of will. The United States used to do projects that were public-private partnerships. Lincoln was certainly a proponent of such projects. We could make this work for Illinois and Iowa and then continue to sell it to other regions of the country for decades. The players need to have the gumption and commitment to our future generations to get together and initiate a plan. Caterpillar needs to make profits, not lobby for special treatment.
Highest quality of life in the world
The highest quality of life anywhere in the world is available to us if we have the commitment and confidence. This project adds many opportunities to improve profits for our entire region. More revenue for the airports, airlines, and carriers, more jobs for our manufacturing and construction sectors, and more people actually able to live here, while commuting to Chicago and its suburbs. It would be possible to attend a performance or sports event in Chicago and be home the same night. Also it opens our Peoria attractions and events to all of the Chicago area. Just as the railroads in the nineteenth century and Interstate Highways in the 20th century, an integrated transportation system in the 21st century will transform our lives. An integrated transportation system means links to downtowns and other business centers. It means making travel to a city’s jobs, entertainment, and lodging a safe convenient trip. It will make living in Peoria and working in Chicago more convenient than doing the same from Downers Grove (just an example).
The quality of life our region offers is more than increased economic opportunity. It is sensible communities. It is our region’s family friendly living environments. Our region is one of agriculture, able to provide healthy food choices. Our region is one where our children have great educational and developmental opportunities in a clean and healthy environment. An integrated transportation system will help build Peoria and the surrounding communities. For those not ready to seek the more sedate family friendly lifestyle, then a link to the Peoria Downtown will boost urban development. Once called yuppies, (these pyuppies?) will reinvigorate Peoria. Peoria’s young urban professionals would make the riverfront an exciting place to live, even if working far away from the Peoria Downtown. The improved economy will allow local governments to continue to plan and expand healthy, less stressful, culturally rich communities. Have you fought the traffic in our suburbs to simply buy milk? People are seeking the lifestyles our area offers. An integrated transportation system designed and built by our own people is a project for our entire region. Who wouldn’t be in favor of doing that? It just takes the commitment and confidence to believe in a better future, while putting our abilities to work.
Under the new tax package, the current 4.8 percent corporate rate would go to 7 percent until 2015, when it would drop to 5.25 percent. And in 2025, it would return to the current 4.8 percent.
Corporations also pay a 2.5 percent tax on income, called the personal property replacement tax, which is collected by the state and flows to local governments.