The picture of our region’s transportation system can’t seem to get any worse, but it will - unless decision makers put an end to the business-as-usual approach to planning and funding transportation investments. Listen in as decision makers connect with global, national and regional transportation experts as part of “Moving the Region in a New Direction: the Inaugural William O. Lipinski Symposium on Transportation Policy,” a day-long forum, co-sponsored by McCormick Tribune Foundation, Metropolitan Planning Council, and Northwestern University.

Participants aimed to build consensus on new ways to plan, manage and finance metropolitan Chicago’s transportation network in the coming decades, and finished off the day with a panel discussion that brought everything home.  Given the recent challenges to enact a state budget and capital plan, plus a federal surface transportation package awaiting action in 2009, this panel discusses best approaches for the region and state to come together around a compelling agenda to build more attractive communities supported by a range of travel options and backed by state, federal, and private revenues.

Panelists include: Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston), Illinois House of Representatives and Chair of the House Mass Transit Committee; Randy Blankenhorn, Executive Director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning; Dorval R. Carter with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA); Robert J. Schillerstrom, Chair of the DuPage County Board; and Suzi Schmidt, Chair of the Lake County Board. Moderated by Christopher Robling.

Events recorded as part of this symposium include:
Moving the Region in a New Direction: Opening Remarks
Moving the Region in a New Direction: Dimensions of the Problem
Moving the Region in a New Direction: Best Practices
Moving the Region in a New Direction: James Oberstar
Moving the Region in a New Direction: Innovations & Solutions
Moving the Region in a New Direction: Making It Work in Chicagoland

Recorded Monday, October 15, 2007 at W Hotel.