IL HJR0078

Supports U.S. Department of Transportation designation of M-35 corridor (St. Louis to St. Paul) and M-55 corridor (Chicago to New Orleans) as Marine Highway Corridors for inland waterway commerce.

Encourages support for local drainage sponsors and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Upper Mississippi River Comprehensive Plan for systemic flood control planning and implementation.

Pledges to streamline the State Levee Permitting process to facilitate flood control and navigation improvements to Illinois levee systems.

Recognizes that 60% of U.S. grain exports travel by barge on inland waterways, with projected 40% trade growth over 20 years on the Mississippi River.

Notes that Illinois levees protect over 750,000 acres of farmland, 31 river ports, 139 miles of highways/interstates, and 770 miles of railroads.