Chicagoland business leaders urge candidates for governor to fund biking and walking projects

Chicago, Ill: October 15, 2018 — Business leaders from across the Chicago region urged the next Illinois Governor to spend a “fair share” of state transportation dollars for a new, dedicated Bike Walk Fund.

The group of 27 CEOs recently sent a letter to Gov. Rauner and J.B. Pritzker asking the candidates to commit to spending at least $50 million annually on biking and walking projects if elected. Currently, the state spends very little of its own money on biking and walking projects that “enhance the safety, health, sustainability and equity of Illinois communities.”

The leaders say more investment in biking, walking and public transit is needed for their companies to continue to attract top talent to Chicago from around the world.

Despite recent progress, peer regions that compete with Chicago for jobs move a larger share of people without cars via walking, biking and transit. In Chicago, only 37% of residents commute to work on foot, bike, train, or bus, as compared to 49% of commuters in Boston and San Francisco and 54% of D.C. residents. Other regions, like Denver and L.A., threaten to surpass metro Chicago with major new investments in public transit expansion.

The Active Transportation Alliance, a not-for-profit advocacy organization for better biking, walking and public transit in the Chicago region, has been building support for an Illinois Bike Walk Fund among legislators, business and community leaders throughout the year.

Eight community leaders recently endorsed the fund, saying it should be used for new biking and walking projects on corridors where the most crashes occur, many of which are in low-income communities and communities of color. The leaders say historically disinvested communities with the greatest barriers to biking and walking must be prioritized with any new funding.

Nearly 400 Illinois residents have signed Active Trans’ petition to the next governor and general assembly in Illinois. Advocates are planning to work with legislators on a bill to establish the fund in the next legislative session in January 2019.

Below is a full list of business and community leaders who support an Illinois Bike Walk Fund:

John Bucksbaum-CEO of Bucksbaum Retail Properties

Rex Burgdorfer-Vice President of Juniper Advisory

John Clark-Founding partner of Cordogan Clark & Associates Architects/Engineers

Todd Connor-CEO of Bunker Labs@1871

Tony Davis-President and Managing Partner of Linden Capital Partners

Stan Day-Chairman & CEO of SRAM International Corporation

Jaime di Paulo-Executive Director of Little Village Chamber of Commerce

Harry Drucker-Managing Partner of NorthShore Realty Partners

Michael Edgar-President of Greater Waukegan Development Corporation

Mike Evans-Co-Founder of GrubHub, CEO of Fixer.com

Adam Gerchen-CEO of Keller Lenkner LLC

Chris Gladwin-CEO and Co-Founder of Ocient

Carolyn Grisko-President & CEO of Grisko LLC

Troy Henikoff-Managing Director of MATH Venture Partners

Justin Ishbia-Managing Partner of Shore Capital Partners

Gerri Kahnweiler-Founder and General Partner of InvestHER Ventures

Michael Krasny-President of Sawdust Investment Mngt. Corp. Retired Chairman /CEO of CDW

Bret Maxwell-Managing General Partner of MK Capital

Christina Ochs-President of The Corporation for Interest Rate Management

Quintin Primo III-Chairman & CEO of Capri Investment Group

Jai Shekhawat-Founder and Former CEO, SAP Fieldglass

Andy Stephens-Chairman of Tangent Technologies LLCIra Weiss-Clinical Professor at University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Don Wilson-Founder & CEO of DRW Holdings

Community and Neighborhood Improvement Project

Garfield Park Community Council

Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce

Grow Greater Englewood

Major Taylor Cycling Club

Northwest Side Housing Center

Pilsen Alliance

Coalition to Reduce Recidivism

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About the Active Transportation Alliance
The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that advocates for walking, bicycling, and public transit to create healthy, sustainable and equitable communities. The organization works to build a movement around active transportation, encourage physical activity, increase safety and build a world-class transportation network. The Active Transportation Alliance has more than 20,0000 members and supporters in the Chicago region. For more information about the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.