ROCKFORD — U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, East Moline, joined Rockford-area officials on Thursday in a virtual news conference to tout a $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill that would seek to invest in broadband, water infrastructure, rail, transit, roads, bridges and health care.

The moving forward act was approved by the House of Representative on Wednesday. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.

"Infrastructure is really about making connections," Bustos said. "Whether it’s people or products or information, these connections make our community stronger. We cannot make those connections without rebuilding our nation’s crumbling highways, improving our rail, our airports, investing in clean drinking water, and insuring our communities have access to broadband."

Check back later for more on this story.

Jeff Kolkey: jkolkey@rrstar.com; @jeffkolkey