Rep. Lipinksi Hopes For Cooperation On Obama's Jobs Plan

WASHINGTON (CBS) -- U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.) says he is optimistic that at least part of President Barack Obama's jobs plan will make it through Washington.

As WBBM Newsradio's John Cody reports, Lipinski says he will know better when he sees details of the $447 billion jobs plan, which would trim payroll taxes, subsidize states to prevent police and teacher layoffs.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's John Cody reports

But he believes there may be some cooperation from both sides of the aisle.

"I saw a change that week in Washington – a great change from July to September," Lipinski said. "There seems to be a real thaw in the gridlock."

Lipinski spoke with two Republican lawmakers, Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.) and Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) in pushing for an extension of surface and aviation transportation programs that are providing jobs for thousands across country – including workers in the Wacker Drive reconstruction project.

The lawmakers say if the programs are allowed to expire on Sept. 30, Illinois could lose more than 65,000 jobs.

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