CBP Events

Presentations, comments and videos are now posted for each day.  Refer to the below Day to view and download presentations as necessary. 

LINK

Green Marine Highway Initiative (GMHI). The purpose of the one
day event is to collaborate to attract increased investment for our modern, sustainable rural, regional, multi-modal, inland ports, and support them in becoming economic development and decarbonization engines, and Maritime Prosperity Zones. The goal is to begin implementing a common, shared vision and regional strategy to reduce transportation costs and risks. secure needed infrastructure investment, and deliver a cleaner, greener, sustainable, resilient, and heathier economic and natural system for the Illinois River (part of Marine Highway 55) and the Upper Mississippi River (Marine Highway 35). This effort to create port-aligned regional decarbonization engines supports the Blue Sky Maritime Coalition’s “Road Map to Net Zero Emissions.”

____________________________________________________________

NOTE: A link to the presenters’ (PRESENTATION) is provided below as appropriate. 

____________________________________________________________

Green Marine Highway Initiative (GMHI) Meeting Agenda
____________________________________________________________
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
The Gateway Building, 200 NE Water St., Peoria, IL
________________________________________
8:30 – 9:30 AM – Check-in and Networking Breakfast
Hosted by Corn Belt Ports and the Illinois Waterway Ports Commission
________________________________________
9:15 – 9:35 AM – Welcome & Opening Remarks

– Mayor Rita Ali, City of Peoria (Host)

– Green Marine Highway Initiative Overview by Dr. Anshu Singh and Bob Sinkler  (PRESENTATION)
________________________________________
9:35 – 10:05 AM – Building a Sustainable Future – Todd Main, Director of Market Development, Illinois Soybean Association Exploring sustainability-driven innovation and market opportunities in inland waterway logistics.  (PRESENTATION)
________________________________________
10:05 – 10:30 AM – Keynote Update: Blue Sky Maritime Coalition – Road Map to Net Zero Emissions

– Megan O’Leary, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Blue Sky Maritime Coalition Strategic insights on maritime decarbonization and its relevance for inland ports and waterways.  (PRESENTATION)
________________________________________
10:30 – 11:00 AM – Building Sustainable Trade Routes: Lessons from the Green Shipping Corridor Network (GSCN)

– Adam Tindall-Schlicht, Former Administrator, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS), Biden-Harris Administration
Perspectives on developing green corridor networks and advancing regional competitiveness.  (PRESENTATION)
________________________________________
11:00 – 11:15 AM – Break
________________________________________
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM – Panel 1: Technology and Innovation to Reduce Energy & Transportation Costs Moderator: Chris Anderson, Director, Climate Services, EA Engineering, Science, and
Technology, Inc. Panelists:

– Aymeric Rousseau, Transportation Program Director, Argonne National Laboratory  (PRESENTATION)

– Susan Olson, Founder, Action Intel LLC  (PRESENTATION)

– Gareth McDonald, Director, Worley Consulting – Lower Energy, Lower Water Dust Control in Bulk Handling Focus: Reducing energy and transportation costs through clean innovation, vehicle electrification, and industrial process improvements.  (PRESENTATION)
________________________________________
12:15 – 1:15 PM – Networking Lunch
Hosted by Illinois Waterway Ports Commission (IWPC)

_____________________________________
1:15 – 2:15 PM – Advancing Clean Energy in the Inland Region

– Kevin Minnick, Electric Operations Manager, Peru Hydro-Electric Plant, Peru, IL  (PRESENTATION)

– Katy Glynn, Senior Business Development Manager, OPTERRA Energy  (PRESENTATION)

-Priya Swamy, Senior Director, Aether Fuels
Focus: Deployment of solar, wind, hydro, and hydrogen energy in inland and riverfront communities.  (PRESENTATION)
________________________________________
2:15 – 2:45 PM – Presentations on Ecosystem Restoration & Climate Resilience

– Randy Smith, Illinois River Project Director, The Nature Conservancy
Focus: Wetlands as carbon sinks, habitat restoration, flood resilience, and alignment with decarbonization goals.  (PRESENTATION)
________________________________________
2:45 – 3:15 PM – Spotlight Presentation: Detroit Port Decarbonization Plan – A Success Story

– Emily Alexander, Senior Associate Scientist, Tunley Environmental
Showcasing effective strategies and results from port decarbonization and emission reduction programs.  (PRESENTATION)
________________________________________
3:15 – 3:45 PM – Inspirational Session: Decarbonization and the Green Marine
Future – Dr. Timothy C. Lindsey, President, Highlander Innovation Inc.
Exploring pathways to innovation, collaboration, and leadership for a sustainable maritime future.  (PRESENTATION)
________________________________________
3:45 – 4:00 PM – Closing Remarks & Call for Regional Coordination – Bob Sinkler, Executive Director, Corn Belt Ports Aligning local projects with the Green Marine Highway goals and charting next steps for collaboration.  (PRESENTATION)

First Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative (IRCTI) Annual Meeting. The IRCTI, inspired by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, unites over 15 Mayor-led communities along the Illinois River to strengthen the North American Freshwater Community team. Our mission is to advocate for the region’s economic, infrastructure, and environmental interests at both state and national levels, and get results. Be part of the conversation as mayors lead the way in riverfront development, resilience planning, sustainable growth, and economic revitalization. This conference is a unique opportunity to collaborate, share ideas, and shape solutions that result in action and delivery to improve Illinois Riverfront communities.

________________________________________

NOTE: A link to the presenters’ (PRESENTATION) and (VIDEO) are provided below as appropriate. 

________________________________________

Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative (IRCTI)
Inaugural Conference Agenda
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
The Gateway Building, 200 NE Water St., Peoria, IL

________________________________________
6:00 – 8:30 PM – Opening Reception  

-Welcome & Opening Remarks
Mayor Rita Ali, City of Peoria & Co-Chair, Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative (IRCTI)

-Video Message:  Congressman Eric Sorensen, U.S. House of Representatives (IL-17)  (VIDEO)

-Special Guest Remarks: Colin Wellenkamp, Executive Director, Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI)

– MOU Signing:  Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative (IRCTI) & Illinois River Biological Station (IRBS)
________________________________________

Thursday, November 6, 2025

8:30 – 9:00 AM – Mayor’s Press Conference
Join mayors and regional leaders as they share their vision and priorities for Illinois River communities in the years ahead at Riverfront at the Gateway Building, 200 NE Water St., Peoria, IL  (VIDEO)
________________________________________
8:30 – 9:15 AM – Registration & Networking Breakfast
Light breakfast and networking opportunities with peers and partners.
________________________________________
9:15 AM – Opening Remarks – Travis McGlasson, Chairperson, Illinois Waterway Ports Commission  (PRESENTATION) – Mayor Rita Ali, City of Peoria
________________________________________
9:30 AM – IRCTI: Origins, Vision & Progress – Dr. Anshu Singh, Executive Director, IRCTI  (1. PRESENTATION)  (2. PRESENTATION)
________________________________________
9:45 AM – Collaborating Across Watersheds: Aligning with Mississippi River
Cities and Town Initiative (MRCTI) & Great Lakes and St. Lawrance Cities
Initiative (GLSLCI) Preserving Regional Prosperity & Protecting Freshwater Resources

– Mayor Bob Gallagher, Bettendorf, IA – Lessons from MRCTI: Building Collective River Leadership

– Jack Knizhnik, Development Coordinator, GLSLCI – Economic Transformation Action Plan  (PRESENTATION)
________________________________________
10:30 AM – Federal Partnerships for the Illinois River and Riverfront
Development Introduction: Mayor John Kahl, East Peoria, IL –

Tom Heinold, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Rock Island District
________________________________________
10:45 AM – Building a Sustainable Future: Monitoring, Restoration & Nature Based Solutions
Presentations on science-based restoration and resilience efforts.
Introduction: Mayor Missey Schumacher, Village of Channahon, IL

– Jim Lamer, Illinois River Biological Station (IRBS)  (PRESENTATION)

– Michelle Platz, LimnoTech – Nature-Based Engineering Solutions  (PRESENTATION)

-Jason Smith, Program Manager, USACE, Rock Island District – Brandon Road Project Update

________________________________________
11:30 AM – Scaling Up Riverfront Planning: Local Models with Regional Impact Presentation on available grant opportunities and lessons learned from past projects that can help cities in obtaining infrastructure grants.
Introduction: Mayor Mary Burress, Pekin, IL

– Bob Brettell , Prosody Consulting  (PRESENTATION)
________________________________________
12:00 PM – Lunch Service Opens
________________________________________
1:00 PM – Lunchtime Spotlight: Workforce Development in Inland Waterways Introduction: Mayor Rita Ali, Peoria, IL

– Pam Maxwell, We Work The Waterways – Emerging opportunities for skilled labor, training, and careers  (PRESENTATION)
________________________________________
1:30 PM – Economic Opportunity in the Illinois River Corridor
Perspectives from local and State agencies
Moderator: Chris Setti, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council (GPEDC)
Speakers: – Andrew Cunningham, Executive Director, Infrastructure Council, IL Chamber of Commerce – Kyla Karten, Intersect Illinois – Aly Grady, Deputy Director of Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
________________________________________
2:15 PM – Building Resilient, Sustainable Riverfronts: Insights from Corporate and Nonprofit Changemakers
Introduction: Mayor Matt Wigginton, Peoria Heights, IL

– David Heinzmann, Veolia  (PRESENTATION)

– Joseph Sutkowi, Chief Waterfront Design Officer, Waterfront Alliance  (PRESENTATION)
________________________________________
3:00 PM – Break
________________________________________
3:15 PM – Building Resilient, Sustainable Riverfronts: Insights from Corporate and Nonprofit Changemakers
Introduction: Mayor Michael Hughes, Chillicothe, IL

– Katy Glynn, Opterra Energy  (PRESENTATION)

– Bill Murchison, Geosyntec   (PRESENTATION)
________________________________________
4:00 PM – Riverfront Revitalization & Resilience: Success Stories from Illinois River Communities Featuring Innovative Projects, Economic Development, and Climate-Smart Solutions Led by Local  Governments
Introduction: Mayor Chris Brown, Morris, IL

– Stan Knudson, Community Affairs Director, City of Morris – “Building a Stronger Morris: The Impact of Grants on Our Community”  (PRESENTATION)

– Amy Wilson, Farnsworth Group – “Havana Sustainable Streetscape”  (PRESENTATION)

– Grace E. Mott, Director of Parks & Recreation, Havana Park District  (PRESENTATION)
________________________________________
4:45 PM – Closing Session – Reflections from Mayor Robert Hasty, City of Ottawa – Announcement of 2026 Annual Meeting Host City  (VIDEO)
________________________________________
Evening Program
6:00 – 8:30 PM – Reception & Networking Dinner

Celebrate progress and partnership with IRCTI mayors, partners, and guests.

The Illinois Waterway (ILWW) Ports Commission Annual Meeting.  The ILWW Port Commission applies its powers and authorities to support regional port operations and garner regional multi-modal transportation and other investment from a variety of sources (federal, state, nonprofit and industry) for improvement of public and private infrastructure, facilities and operations. 

________________________________________

NOTE: A link to the presenters’ (PRESENTATION) and (COMMENTS) are provided below as appropriate. 

________________________________________

Purpose: The purpose of the meeting was to share information amongst stakeholders, network and help build a common unified regional vision for the Illinois Waterway Ports Commission inclusive of the five port operating organizations.

________________________________________

–  Congressman Eric Sorensen, U.S. House of Representatives (IL-17)  (VIDEO)

 –  Mayor’s Press Conference.  (VIDEO)

________________________________________

8:30-9:00 Registration

________________________________________

9:00-9:05 Administrative Remarks – Heart of Illinois Regional Port District Staff (Host)

________________________________________

9:05-9:10 Welcome, Travis McGlasson, Illinois Waterway Ports Commission Chair (Host)

________________________________________

9:10-9:20 Welcome and IRCTI Update – Rita Ali, Mayor, Peoria, Illinois (Host)

________________________________________

9:20-9:25 Welcome – John Kahl, Mayor, East Peoria, Illinois (Host)

________________________________________

9:25-9:45 Keynote Speaker Illinois State Senator David Koehler, Assistant Majority Leader, 46^th Senate District  (COMMENTS)

________________________________________

9:45-10:00 ILWW Ports Commission, Corn Belt Ports and Green Marine Highway Initiative Update  (PRESENTATION)

________________________________________

10:00-10:15 Rodney Knittel, Associate Director of Transportation, Illinois Farm Bureau  (COMMENTS)

________________________________________

10:15-10:30 Jim Tarmann, Field Services Director, Illinois Corn Marketing Board / Illinois Corn Growers Association  (PRESENTATION)

________________________________________

10:30-10:45 Networking Break

________________________________________

10:45-11:45 Panel 1 (Leveraging our Ports as Economic Enablers) – Moderator Dr. Chris Merrett (IIRA)

– Greater Peoria Economic Development [Chris Setti CEO];

– North Central Illinois Council of Governments [Kevin Lindeman Executive Director];

– Western Illinois Regional Council [Stacy Nimo CEO];

– Grundy County Economic Development [Aindrea Hogan VP of Development],

– Tri-County Regional Planning Commission [Eric Miller Executive Director];

– Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs [Dr. Chris Merrett, Dean of Innovation and Economic Development and Director of Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs]  (COMMENTS)

________________________________________

11:45-12:05 Holly Bieneman, Director of the Office of Planning and Programming, Illinois Department of Transportation  (PRESENTATION)

________________________________________

12:05-1:05 Networking Lunch

________________________________________

12:35 – 12:50 Leah Thill, Director Midwest Regional Office, CALSTART, Update: Illinois EPA Clean Ports Grant  (PRESENTATION)

________________________________________

12:50-1:00  Paul Rohde, Vice President – Midwest Area, Waterways Council Inc.  (PRESENTATION)

________________________________________

1:05-1:35 Panel 2 (Public Private Partnership) – Moderator Bob Brettell

– Havana Regional Port District [Bob Martin Chair],

– Heart of Illinois Regional Port District [Dan Silverthorn Chair],

– GROWMARK [Kirby Wagner Manager GROWMARK];

– Prosody Consulting [Bob Brettell Managing Partner]  (PRESENTATION)

________________________________________

1:35-1:55 Julie Ufner, President and CEO, National Waterways Conference  (PRESENTATION)

________________________________________

1:55-2:25 Deb Barnett, Executive Director, Update on SI Now and Overview on Southern Illinois Regional Port Commission, Southern Illinois Now  (PRESENTATION)

________________________________________

2:25-2:40 Dr. Honey Zimmerman, Regional Ports as Business Clusters Update, Western Illinois University  (PRESENTATION)

________________________________________

2:40-2:55 Networking Break

________________________________________

State Update

2:55-3:10 Brian McCoy, Transportation Program Planning Specialist, Marine Transportation Program Planning, Illinois Department of Transportation, Office of Planning & Programming  (PRESENTATION)