Newman to serve on House transportation committee

U.S. Rep.-elect Marie Newman announced her appointment to the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

The committee has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation, critical aspects of the nation’s infrastructure system and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Amtrak and the U.S. Coast Guard, according to a news release.

“Illinois’ Third District is home to Midway International Airport, thousands of acres of intermodal rail yard and warehousing, and critical ground transportation and rail arteries that carry millions of pounds of freight and hundreds of thousands of commuters each day,” Newman, D-La Grange, said in the release. “This appointment will put my office in the best possible position to serve my constituents and effectively represent the Third District’s unique and historic transportation footprint.”

Newman added that the significant challenges transportation systems in her district, which includes Crest Hill, Homer Glen, Lockport and Romeoville, will be her “top legislative priority” when the new Congress convenes next month.

“After years of disinvestment and a lack of collaboration between local, state, and federal transportation agencies, short- and long-term planning has failed to meet the needs of Illinois’ Third District,” Newman said in the release.

Newman was elected last month to the House of Representatives after defeating Republican Mike Fricilone and incumbent Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-Western Springs, in the March primary election.