With the 2006 congressional elections only a year away, AED members are already focusing on what’s at stake.

At its meeting at the Marriott Oak Brook Hotel on Oct. 12, the Illinois Equipment Distributors (IED) met with Illinois State Senator Peter Roskam, R, the all-but-certain GOP nominee for the House seat being vacated by Rep. Henry Hyde, R-IL. Eighteen years ago he served with Hyde’s staff and has received the retiring Congressman’s endorsement.

Roskam told the IED that he was committed to strong infrastructure programs and pro-growth regulatory and tax policies.

The candidate also spoke about the “death tax” on private business, which he is in favor of ending, and whether hurricane disaster costs should be taken out of the Highway Bill, a measure he said he would avoid taking.

Roskam said that because of the problems with disaster planning for Hurricane Katrina, the Federal role in such cases will grow, and questioned the concept of “guaranteeing the recovery costs.”

On a lighter note, Roskam’s opening remarks described how he came to meet one of the IED’s longtime members.

In the Illinois Senate, Peter Roskam is the Republican Whip and the Floor Leader.

The centerpiece of AED’s election year activities is the ImPACt local group fundraiser program, through which AED encourages its members to support pro-growth House and Senate candidates and matches individual contributions to candidates.

Today's top stories

Depreciation Bonus Begins Phase-Out

California's I-80 Pavement Rehab Project Moving Along

VIDEO: Vermeer Unveils D24 Horizontal Directional Drill, Marking New Era in Utility Installation

ConExpo-Con/AGG Releases Essential Guide for Hiring, Retaining Top Construction Talent

Ole Miss Progressing Toward Construction of $125M Accountancy School

Boston, MBTA Officials Reveal New Designs for Future Blue Hill Avenue Transit Project

National Attachments Celebrates Its 35th Anniversary

CEG Speaks With New President of Chadwick-BaRoss, Thompson Equipment