Open letter to Rep. Julie Hamos

Dear State Representative Hamos:

On behalf of the 650 member companies of The Evanston Chamber of Commerce and their 25,000 employees, I want to personally thank you for your tremendous leadership, perseverance, and courage in forging a financial solution for the Regional Transportation Agency and its operating agencies.  The legislative road was strewn with broken ties, tired engines, and third rails but you remained stationed in your principals and goals.

Over 18 months ago, representatives from The Evanston Chamber met with you and encouraged you to seek a long-term regional solution for mass transit funding.  Although there were many times during the long and convoluted process where you could have accepted just a short-term fix, you had the tenacity to keep your sights on a permanent funding stream, a reformed benefit package for transit employees, and changes in organizational structure which will have long-lasting benefits.

As a transit-oriented city whose workforce, residents, future development, and economy are so dependent on public transportation, we are proud of your efforts and your political leadership.  Thanks to your support and your ability to build key coalitions, Evanston and the region can be assured that its transit system will be reliable and will have the capacity to make needed investments.

Again, thank you for your guidance and heroic efforts.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Perman
Executive Director
Evanston Chamber of Commerce