Wilhelmi a pro-jobs leader

As a member of the Joliet and Will County business community, thanks to state Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi for leading a number of pro-business and pro-jobs initiatives this past legislative session and since taking office in 2005.

Under Wilhelmi’s leadership, a third lane was added on Interstate 55 from Weber Road to Interstate 80, and a $31 billion capital infrastructure bill passed last year that will result in two new schools in Joliet and a $131 million new interchange at I-55 and Weber Road, one of the most dangerous intersections in Illinois. He sponsored a bill ensuring construction of the Joliet intermodal, a $2 billion private equity investment in our community that will create 15,000 jobs. Wilhelmi has worked with Mayor Roger Claar and Republican state Sen. Kirk Dillard to bring a manufacturing facility to Bolingbrook with about 100 new jobs, and led another bipartisan coalition of legislators to twice stop the closing of Stateville Correctional Center, saving hundreds of jobs and keeping millions of dollars in his district.

Those qualities of leadership and innovation are what led to Wilhelmi earning 70 percent of the vote in 2006.

Wilhelmi should be proud of his pro-business, pro-jobs record. We should thank him for his leading role in making Will County an economic development epicenter and state standard bearer for job creation and retention.

Thank you, Senator, for a job well done.

Michael W. Hansen

Joliet