Last night, I had the privilege of attending an Intermodal Association of Chicago meeting. Matt Hart, Executive Director of the Illinois Trucking Association, provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities facing the intermodal industry. Intermodal, whether domestic or at the beginning or end of an international ocean movement, is a critical component of supply chains.
Knowledge is key for our clients. When they can quickly provide that knowledge, it helps their businesses with client retention and new customer acquisition. Position : Global’s participation and attendance at educational and networking events like this and WESCCON demonstrate our commitment to the logistics and supply chain industries and remaining up-to-date and aware of those issues, translating them into actionable language and opportunities for our customers.
One of the most pressing issues Hart addressed was the potential adoption of California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions standards in Illinois. “Illinois is the only major Democrat-led state that has not either passed legislation to adopt CARB or administratively adopted CARB,” Hart explained, highlighting the ongoing battle between industry interests and environmental initiatives.
The industry’s environmental progress shouldn’t be overlooked. As Hart noted, “We’ve reduced emissions by 98.5 percent in the last 30 years. A truck today on the highway emits the same amount of pollution as 66 trucks 30 years ago.”
On the financial front, Hart shared concerns about Illinois’s approaching fiscal challenges. “The state of Illinois is looking at a $3 billion deficit” going into the next fiscal year, he warned, highlighting potential implications for transportation funding and infrastructure maintenance.
When I asked him where this $3 billion shortfall fell in relation to other states, given that the expiration of COVID-era federal funds is the cause of many deficits, he said as a percentage of the overall budget, it is in line with what other states are seeing and feeling as well.
The presentation also covered federal initiatives, including efforts to streamline redundant background checks for HAZMAT, TWIC, and TSA pre-check certifications, as well as ongoing attempts to repeal the Federal Excise Tax on new trucks and trailers, which dates back to a time when the cost of such items was in the hundreds of dollars, not the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars they are today.
Whether it’s an industry meeting in Chicago or a conference in Shanghai, you’ll find us there, learning, connecting, and gathering insights to better serve our clients’ needs. This hands-on approach allows us to develop more effective, informed strategies for our transportation and logistics clients.
Want to learn how our approach to industry understanding can benefit your business? Connect with us today to discover how Position : Global can help you differentiate yourself and solve your marketing challenges with our focus on education and industry knowledge.
