Monday March 20, 2023

2023-2024 ILLBA Board of Directors - Nominations Now Open

There are five (5) open board seats (including one vendor/supplier seat) for the upcoming board of directors election.

Nomination qualifications per the ILLBA Bylaws:

• ILLBA member (operator or vendor) in good standing for two (2) consecutive years prior to election  (for exception consideration, please contact Lynn Kafkes, Nominating Committee Chair)
• Timely payment of dues prior to submission of the Slate of Candidates by the Nominating Committee
• Terms are for two years

If you (or someone you know) has a desire to get involved and give back to the industry, please contact Lynn Kafkes for nomination details.

Deadline for nominations is Friday March 31st, 5PM.

Reminder: Interstate 90 (I-90)/Kennedy Expressway Bridge Rehabilitation Study

Construction Begins March 20th

The Illinois Department of Transportation will be rehabilitating the Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94), from the Edens Expressway (Interstate 94) junction to Ohio Street. The estimated $150 million project consists of rehabilitating 36 bridge structures and the Reversible Lane Access Control (REVLAC) system, replacing overhead sign-structures, installing new signage and modernized LED lights, pavement patching and structural painting. Additionally, Hubbard’s Cave, from Grand Avenue to Wayman Street, will be painted and new LED lighting installed.

An FAQ about the project can be found by clicking here.

The work will take place over three consecutive construction seasons, broken down into the following stages:

• Stage 1 – Inbound Kennedy: Click here for stage 1 fact sheet.
• Stage 2 – Reversible Express Lanes: Click here for stage 2 fact sheet.
• Stage 3 – Outbound Kennedy: Click here for stage 3 fact sheet.

The Kennedy Expressway officially opened in November 1960, with the last major rehabilitation completed in 1994. The project will improve safety, traffic flow and reliability for the more than 275,000 motorists who use the expressway each day.

For a full list of closures in each stage of construction, email kennedyrehab@illinois.gov

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IDOT Construction Projects

For a list of the construction projects around Illinois by district, click here

News You Can Use

Taste of Chicago Moved To September Amid Backlash Over NASCAR Street Race Planned For Same Weekend

The Taste of Chicago 2023 will now be held on Sept. 8 to 10. The NASCAR street race takes place the first weekend in July.

Learn More

Nearly 2 Million Unfilled Jobs In Travel & Tourism Threaten Industry’s Growth

The U.S. travel and tourism industry is lacking 1.7 million workers to keep it running ahead of the busy season to come.

Read more

Data Request From The NLA Public Relations Committee

Your Feedback Is Requested

The NLA’s PR agency, Evins Communications, is currently working with a New York Times reporter on a story about how business is going for the limo industry and how it has changed over the years.

To support the story, we are seeking any data on the number of stretch limos over the years and shifts to other types of vehicles as a result of customer demand or other travel trends and factors impacting the industry.

If you’re able to provide any data, please reply and include:

1.   Any numbers on historical vehicle inventory, specifically stretch limos

2.   What has replaced stretch limos over time and current inventory

3.   What any shift is attributed to, if available

Click the link below to provide this information by EOD Tuesday, March 21.

Thank you,

Jason Kaplan & Rick Versace

NLA Public Relations Committee

"Success in management requires learning as fast as the world is changing."

– Warren Bennis