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Illinois’ General Assembly has approved legislation that would require the state to assess the freight transportation system and craft a plan to improve the flow of freight by rail, roads, air and water in Illinois, according to business and civic organization Metropolis Strategies.

The Freight Mobility Plan Act (House Bill 1761), which awaits action by Gov. Pat Quinn, calls for a freight mobility component to be added to the state transportation plan. State officials would be required to assess the freight system and identify trends, needs and economic opportunities. In addition, they would need to issue recommendations on operation and management improvements; projects that would eliminate system inefficiencies; project funding methods; and policies that would ensure goods movement, Metropolis Strategies officials said in a prepared statement.

During the next 20 years, the Chicago area’s freight-rail traffic is expected to double and two-thirds of the region’s need for new roads will be driven by increased truck traffic, requiring “a stronger leadership role in planning and guiding the [freight] system as a whole,” they said.

“More than 27 percent of Illinois jobs are in industries closely tied to freight transportation, and many businesses locate in Illinois because of the state's capacity to provide reliable, cost-effective freight services," said Metropolis Strategies President and Chief Executive Officer George Ranney. “Unless the state plans for improvements to the system and helps make sure the movement of goods is efficient, those jobs will be jeopardized by an inefficient system that is even slower than it is today and more costly to businesses.”

Formerly Chicago Metropolis 2020, Metropolis Strategies supports policy initiatives and programs aimed at growing the Chicago region's economy.