GOVERNOR SET DUTIES OF HIS INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today directed his new Infrastructure Task Force to assess the state's repair and modernization needs and to develop a menu of potential funding options that could be considered during the General Assembly's current session.

Ryan appointed additional members to the task force and asked the group to report back to him and legislators by May 1 about his proposed "Fund for Illinois' Future."

"The Infrastructure Task Force is made up of a diverse group of professionals from across Illinois who understand the state's needs and how to develop a plan to meet those needs," Ryan said. "They will evaluate and prioritize Illinois' infrastructure to make sure this state is up to date in all areas -- education, transportation, water and sewer needs, the environment and our quality of life."

The task force will hold three hearings -- in Northern, Central and Southern Illinois -- to engage the public in a dialogue about infrastructure concerns. The task force will investigate the status of roads and bridges, rail, mass transit, air transport, sewers, water supplies and wastewater treatment, threats to the air, land or water and projects that enhance the quality of life in various communities.

The task force will seek the advise of professional associations, state and local officials, and agencies of state government about Illinois' infrastructure needs and study funding options with bonding experts, capital markets, and Illinois' Bureau of the Budget and the Capital Development Board before making any recommendations.

Once the task force has evaluated the state's infrastructure, it will recommend which state or local authorities should or should not take part in various projects. The group will not prioritize individual projects and will recommend efficient funding options for immediate and future infrastructure investments.

The members of the Illinois Infrastructure Task Force are:

Chairman - John E. Glennon of Lake Forest. Glennon is the President of The American Disease Management Group and a former investment banker.

Vice Chairman - Ed Bedore of Springfield. Bedore was the Budget Director for the City of Chicago and is currently President of EB Enterprises, a private consulting firm.

John Buck of Chicago. Buck is the Chairman and CEO of The John Buck Company, which is an international real-estate development company.

Diane Cullinan of Peoria. Cullinan is the Chairman of Prudential Cullinan Properties, Ltd., a fully integrated real-estate company.

Glen Harston of Chicago. Harston is the President of M.G. Harston Construction.

Jim Kenny of Wheeling. Kenny is the Vice President of the Kenny Consulting Company, one of the largest contracting firms in Illinois.

Peter Mesha of Woodridge. Mesha is a civil engineer and the Vice President of URS Greiner Woodward Clyde. He has extensive experience with large scale sewer, water and transportation projects throughout Illinois and the world.

John "Buddy" Ruel of Chicago. Ruel is the President of the Ironworkers District Council.

Kehar Soodan of Chicago. Soodan is an engineer at Soodan & Associates, which specializes in transportation and large scale construction projects.

Donald Zeilenga of Wheaton. Zeilenga is the County Administrator for DuPage County.