Transit agencies across the state have been targeted multiple times by patent trolls — shell companies that purchase patents with no intention of innovating, but rather suing those who do.
The procurement is being done on behalf of the DOTs from five states: Illinois, California, Michigan, Washington and Missouri.
The Illinois DOT's Jeff Waxman discusses industry regulations at BusCon 2013.
Alex Clifford, testifying before the Regional Transportation Authority board for his severance deal Wednesday, alleges he was pushed out by the Metra board because he resisted pressure from politicians seeking pay raises for pals and patronage hires, according to an AP report.
Supporters of a rail system that would connect Chicago to Iowa City, Des Moines and Omaha, Neb., pushed for plans to make the infrastructure improvements needed to start the service. While Illinois DOT offered funds to support the system, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad opposes the project and the state match needed to obtain federal funding.
Charles “Steve” McClarty brings with him 39 years of railroad safety and operations experience in the rail industry. He held various positions with Amtrak in the Midwest and most recently, while at the Illinois DOT, he served as the Bureau Chief.
The Illinois DOT will invest the funds in the Englewood Flyover, a grade separation project south of Chicago Union Station that eliminates one of the most delay-prone intersections in the entire Amtrak system. It separates Rock Island District Metra commuter trains from Amtrak passenger trains traveling on the Norfolk Southern corridor.
The vehicles, manufactured by Gillig, were funded through a series of federal grants, and feature automated voice annunciation with interior display; enhanced on-board video surveillance systems; an enhanced wheelchair restraint system; LED lighting; and fuel-fired heaters.
Legislative leaders agree that the benefit may be restricted to the financially needy. Elected officials are debating whether voters will support increasing the state motor fuel tax to help public transit.
The resolution creating the Commission, Senate Resolution 806, defines the group's mission as "recommending the best governmental structure for a public-private partnership to design, build, operate, maintain and finance a high-speed rail system for Illinois and the Midwest."
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