Mayor Mike Chamberlain gathers new ideas for the Belvidere community

By Anne Eickstadt

SUBMITTED PHOTO Belvidere Daily Republican
Mayor Mike with a group of Illinois mayors outside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington D.CBy Anne Eickstadt

Editor

On Thursday, Feb. 22, 45 mayors from throughout Illinois and representatives of the Illinois Municipal League gathered in Washington, D.C. to attend a “Mayors of Illinois White House Conference” and discuss issues of importance to municipalities.

The purpose of the conference was to build working relationships between mayors and high-ranking officials within the federal government. Mayor Mike, along with other Illinois mayors, met with senior administration officials from the White House and agency liaisons from the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Housing and Urban Development.

“The White House Conference was an important opportunity for local elected officials from Illinois to make connections in Washington and articulate the needs and concerns of their communities,” said Brad Cole, Illinois Municipal League Executive Director. “The relationships we are building ensure that we have a strong, unified voice at the federal level.”

The group discussed issues on the Illinois Municipal League (IML) Federal Legislative Agenda, which is available online at legislative.iml.org, including the federal infrastructure plan that was released earlier in February. Mayor Mike was able to obtain valuable information and returned with new contacts and new ideas for Belvidere.

The “Mayors of Illinois White House Conference” proved to be a successful opportunity to meet with administration officials and hear directly from federal agency liaisons. Feedback received from the White House has been very positive.

On another occasion, Mayor Mike attended …

For complete article, pick up the March 25 Belvidere Daily Republican.