Kirk: "It's Time To Unlock Waukegan's True Potential" Study Finds Waukegan Harbor Cleanup Will Increase Home Values in Lake County

A report by the University of Illinois and the Northeast-Midwest Institute found that residential property values in Waukegan could rise by as much as $250 million if Waukegan Harbor's polluted sediment is cleaned up. Moving forward to clean up Waukegan Harbor, will lift real estate values and investor confidence in Lake County. "According to this study, cleaning up Waukegan Harbor will increase the value of the average Waukegan home by $53,000," said Congressman Kirk. "The Institute concluded that harbor cleanup could add over $800 million to Lake County property values." Kirk continues to work with federal and state officials to facilitate harbor cleanup by obtaining the millions in federal funding needed to complete this project important to the $1.2 billion redevelopment plan for the city's lakefront and downtown business district.

Kirk Secures Federal Funds to Spur Economic Development and Jobs in North Chicago

Congressman Kirk secured $1.1 million in federal help to spark economic growth and bring jobs to now shuttered storefronts along a North Chicago business corridor. The opening of North Chicago's Martin Luther King Drive gate at Great Lakes Naval Training Center will begin the process of revitalizing the city's business district. Congressman Kirk worked with federal, state and local officials to bring about these infrastructure investments that will help reduce unemployment, increase property values, and lay the groundwork for additional economic investment in one of the state's lowest income communities. "The federal government is also investing $700 million to revitalize and upgrade facilities at Great Lakes Naval Training Center," said Congressman Kirk. "And we will continue to work closely with the Navy to assure local contractors and businesses benefit from this economic juggernaut."

Kirk Says New VA-Navy Hospital Will Better Serve Veterans and Active Duty Military While Saving Taxpayer Money

Building a $170 million VA-Navy Hospital in North Chicago will consolidate health care for northern Illinois veterans and active duty Navy personnel while bringing jobs and economic growth to the region. Congressman Kirk pioneered combining the North Chicago VA Medical Center with a new naval hospital to be built at Great Lakes. With approval from Congress, the new facility will ensure that the VA hospital will never close and will also be updated with state-of-the-art equipment. Once approved, the plan will offer better care for veterans and active duty patients while saving the taxpayers' money. "With the war on terror we have new veterans and this new facility will offer care close to home," said Kirk.

Creating Jobs, In his own words…

"I voted in favor of measures to increase retirement savings, foster small business investments and end the marriage tax penalty, because according to a report by the Council of Economic Advisors these laws would help save over one million jobs."

"I support the expansion of O'Hare Airport which will unlock 700,000 new jobs and become an economic engine for Northern Illinois."

"I will continue to back construction of the northwest suburbs' new commuter rail line - Metra's Star Line. This new $1.1 billion transit line will offer service to Mt. Prospect, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, and Inverness. The project will create jobs and reduce traffic on I-90 and Northwest Highway."

"I am pleased to announce that the House as approved $20 million for double-tracking of Metra's North Central Line. I will continue to assure federal funds are appropriated to complete this $135 million rail project which means jobs and economic development by offering commuter rail service to Libertyville, Vernon Hills, Prospect Heights, Mt. Prospect, and Des Plaines."