Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
President Obama

Obama Picks Republican Illinois Congressman to Lead USDOT

lahood.jpgPhoto: Wikipedia

(Aaron Naperstek over at NYC Streetsblog carries the news that it's official: Little known Congressman Ray LaHood will be the next Secretary of Transportation.  The post below lists some of the discussion surrounding LaHood from earlier today)

The Hill
is reporting that Illinois Representative Ray LaHood, described as a
centrist Republican, is in talks with the Obama team about taking a
Cabinet post, most likely as Secretary of Transportation. The official
announcement could be made as early as Friday.

If LaHood is chosen, it would come as something of a surprise, as his name has so far escaped widely circulated short lists
for the position. His district includes Peoria and Springfield, and he
did not seek re-election this year. His recent voting record indicates a willingness to buck the party line on transportation measures: This year he supported the Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act and the Passenger Rail Investment Act. We'll have more on this potential selection as the story develops.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

City Committee Approves HLA Minimum Standards, Requests Clarification for Crosswalks

A year after voters approved Measure HLA, the city approved its HLA Standard Elements Table which clarifies what minimum features will be included in bus/bike/walk facilities

April 3, 2025

SGV Connect 135.2 – Memories of El Monte and The People’s Cafe

Last week, Chris visited the mutual aid group Memories of El Monte's bi-weekly food distribution at the Klingerman Apartment projects in South El Monte to interview group members and get an update on the construction of their physical location, The People's Cafe.

SGV Connect 135.1 – An Update on the Foothill Gold Line Construction Timelines

Earlier today, Damien Newton sat down with Gold Line Foothill Construction Authority CEO Habib Balian to discuss how a too-high bid will lead to a delay on Gold Line construction to Montclair

See all posts