Governor Quinn Named to National Governors Association Economic Development and Commerce Committee

CHICAGO – September 6, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn was named to the National Governors Association (NGA) Economic Development and Commerce Committee by NGA Chair Delaware Governor Jack Markell and NGA Vice Chair Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin. The committee of economic leaders from throughout the country will help shape federal policies to grow the nation’s economy.

“In Illinois, we are always working on new ways to create jobs and grow our economy,” Governor Quinn said. “I look forward to serving on the NGA Economic Development and Commerce Committee with other governors to develop policies and initiatives that will create good-paying jobs in Illinois and across America."

The Economic Development and Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over a broad range of issues in the areas of transportation infrastructure, telecommunications, international trade promotion, financial services regulation, science and technology development and affordable housing. Members of the committee ensure that the governors’ views are represented in the shaping of federal policy.

Governor Quinn will serve alongside Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, chair of the committee, and Kentucky Gov. Steven Beshear the committee’s vice chair.

In Illinois, Governor Quinn spearheaded the state’s first capital construction program in a decade. The $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program is the largest in Illinois history, supporting an estimated 439,000 construction jobs. The program includes $1.5 billion for higher education, including $788 million for public universities and $400 million for community colleges. Of the $14 billion in the program dedicated for transportation needs, $11 billion has been spent on projects that have improved 6,900 miles of roads and 990 bridges. In addition, more than $1.7 billion in road construction projects are scheduled for 2013.

Founded in 1908, the NGA is the collective voice of the nation’s governors and one of Washington, D.C.’s most respected public policy organizations. Its members are the governors of the 55 states, territories and commonwealths. The NGA provides governors and their senior staff members with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the administration on key federal issues to developing and implementing innovative solutions to public policy challenges through the NGA Center for Best Practices. For more information, visit www.nga.org.