Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Illinois Governor George Ryan have combined their political forces to mount a lobbying effort in Washington for an ambitious city/state agenda. Mayor Daley, a Democrat, joined Republican Governor Ryan on a blitz of Illinois Congressional offices March 11 in the nation’s capital.

The bipartisan push is designed to garner support for specific projects in Illinois. With the new Speaker of the House now in office, both political leaders felt their cause, bolstered by support of J. Dennis Hastert, would get added support.

On their "wish list" were proposals for road and mass transit projects, new aviation money, funds to hire more teachers and construct new schools, and programs in technology, housing, the environment and child care, among others.

In a letter to all members of the Illinois delegation, Daley and Ryan termed their effort "an unprecedented partnership on behalf of the people of Illinois."

Both leaders felt that a fair-share distribution of federal funds left Illinois in a low ranking among states in its share of federal funding.