Vice President Visits Chicago to Discuss New Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Vice President Kamala Harris visits Chicago on January 4, 2023 after announcing $2 billion to upgrade our nation’s bridges, including four on Chicago’s Calumet River. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson).

Kamala Harris spoke at the 95th Street bridge on the Calumet River, one of many that will be receiving the funding from the law.

Article by Tommy Lynch, Junior White House Correspondent

CHICAGO - Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage on the south side of Chicago on Wednesday to celebrate the passing of the new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

On a podium set up at Crowley’s Yacht Yard in front of the 95th Street bridge, Vice President Harris spoke with local leaders about the importance of this Law and what it means for the Chicagoland area.

The new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is investing $40 million in the nation’s bridges. This law is the largest investment in America’s roads and bridges in seventy years, since President Eisenhower.

Jerome Prince, mayor of Gary, Indiana, took the stage first, emphasizing how important it is to keep our country’s infrastructure maintained.

“When we strengthen the bridges that we have that connect Indiana to Illinois… we’ll improve the way traffic flows between these two cities… and we will be able to provide more economic development not only for our city but for this entire Midwest region,” said Mayor Prince.

Gary, Indiana is home to Gary Works, the United States’ largest steel manufacturing plant. The plant has the capability to make 7.5 million net tons of raw steel every year, which it ships across the country. Gary, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois ship products through the Calumet River, a river system that connects the two cities. Calumet Harbor is an integral part of the Illinois International Port District.

Following Mayor Prince was Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Lightfoot praised the Biden-Harris administration for being able to pass this bill and emphasized how it will help create jobs in Chicago.

“This funding will support the rehabilitation of the Calumet River bridges at the Illinois International Port District, another important economic driver for the south-east side of Chicago,” Lightfoot said.

Bridges on the Calumet River have about 40,000 vehicles cross them every day and lift over 5,000 times a year for boats.

“Rehabilitating these bridges will undoubtedly reap massive local, regional, and national benefits, as well as reinforce our city’s many competitive advantages… and did I mention this means jobs, jobs, jobs,” Lightfoot said.

President of Cook County Board of Commissioners Tony Preckwinkle and Illinois Senator Dick Durban were also in attendance, giving their thanks to the Biden administration before Chris Penna, President of United Auto Workers Local 551 introduced Vice President Harris.

“When President Biden and I took office, we made a promise,” Harris said, “We vowed to fight for every person in our nation.”

Harris discussed believing in America’s greatness, and how that greatness comes from the American people.

“We see, as Americans, opportunity where others might see obstacles,” Harris said.

The Vice President then turned her focus to the 95th Street bridge behind her, emphasizing the role it has on an international level.

“Millions of Americans who have never heard of this bridge and will never cross it rely on products… that cargo ships bring across it.” Harris said.

Harris talked about all the ways this bill will impact Americans, from building sidewalks and bike lanes to improving the bridge-raise process, which will allow more products to flow through the Calumet River.

“When we invest in our infrastructure, we invest in our economy. We invest in America’s future. A better future for workers, businesses, families, and communities,” Harris said.

The Vice President ended her speech outlying what the future holds for American infrastructure, from increased electric vehicle charging stations across America to new wind turbines and solar panels that allow for cleaner energy.

“President Joe Biden and I are making this better, brighter future real, and everyone here is an integral part of that,” the Vice President said.

This is the Vice President’s sixth visit to Illinois since taking office, with her last visit to Chicago being in early November.