ILA Heads to Springfield for Day on the Hill

(L to R): Brian Whitaker of Chicagoland Transportation Solutions, ILA Director Travis Latham of Fellowship Fleet Limousine and Bus Company, Muhammad Bhatti of Limo Corp of Chicago, Andrew Armitage of Vintage Chauffeuring, Julian Enescu of Inter-Continental Limo Services, and ILA Vice President Greg Eggan of O’Hare-Midway Limousine Service Springfield, Ill. — On April 21, six members of the Illinois Limousine Association (ILA) headed to the state capital in Springfield for its first-ever Day on the Hill—which, according to ILA member Brian Whitaker of Chicagoland Transportation Solutions, was a success and had members speaking with “more than 10 representatives and several people in the Secretary of State’s office.”

Those attending the legislative event rode together in a Sprinter supplied by Julian Enescu of Inter-Continental Limo Services, which gave them the opportunity to plan the day and prioritize the representatives they would arrange meetings with.

“The main purpose of this visit was to make introductions to (the representatives) we have not met with in person at their local offices and to refresh our relationships with the ones we had met in office,” Whitaker said. “This was a chance to introduce them to the Illinois Limousine Association, talk about the size of our membership, ask them to use us as a resource tool in deciding on future passenger transportation legislation, and if they asked, make them aware of our stance on TNCs. We succeeded in doing just that.”

ILA members were able to attend both Transportation Committee meetings held during the day and a Tour and Convention Committee meeting, as well as the House General Session that afternoon.

“This was more of an educational trip than anything,” said Whitaker. “We wanted to experience firsthand how our state government operates in Springfield and to make them aware that we are there for them if they have questions about our industry. In this aspect, I feel that we accomplished our goal and we will continue to enhance these relationships as time goes on.”

On the heels of a successful inaugural event, ILA’s plans are to continue making longer visits with legislators at their district offices.

The next ILA event will be its annual spring meeting, which is scheduled for May 20. The meeting will include updates on wage and hour issues, Department of Transportation audits, the Olive-Harvey College chauffeur training program, the operational considerations of employee and independent contractor models, updates from Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, and a presentation from CD’s Publisher Chris Weiss. 

Visit illinoislimousineassociation.com for more information.

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