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Chamber, SSGA go to Washington

Chamber, SSGA go to Washington

Members of Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance and the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce recently made a trip to Washington, D.C. Photo: Shutterstock


Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The CEO Of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Mike Murphy, was on the WTAX Morning NewsWatch to discuss the Community Fly-in to Washington DC and other tops in the community.

“Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance and the chamber, partnered together to do a community fly in and this year we had 20 community members go out, and we were able to talk with all five members of our congressional delegation. Senator Durbin, Senator Duckworth and Representatives LaHood, Miller, and Budzinski, and we really had a great meeting with all of them and one of the things I like about this, well, it gives us an opportunity to meet with engage with staff”

Were there any issues with political parties and the chamber during discussions?

“The things we asked for on this trip, I would say that’s the case because we’re asking for things that the federal government can help with funding on, you know, the great examples are rail relocation project. That’s been bipartisan, and we had great meetings with Congressman Lahood and that was brought up that his dad was part of at the very beginning, then Senator Durbin, you know, a Democrat, has been a huge part of that. And so, we’ve had Republicans and Democrats help.”

What are some things you are excited about for Springfield and the upcoming projects?

What I’m excited about moving out of downtown is, you know, one of the noises for the people around there, but also, it’s going to free up the medical district for the development. You know, it’s not conducive to have multiple trains going right through your medical district when we’re trying to bring a different new industry that will help support our tremendous medical community here. 
We have in Springfield. I think that’s going to be the biggest growth we have in the next couple decades.”

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