IL HR0548

Urges Governor Rauner and the Illinois Department of Transportation to prepare an investment-grade ridership analysis for a high-speed rail line connecting O'Hare Airport, Union Station, Champaign, Springfield, and St. Louis with a branch to Indianapolis.

Requests concurrent preparation of a Tier One Environmental Impact Statement to qualify the project for federal funding and seeks federal planning grants to support this study.

Notes a 2013 University of Illinois study found the proposed high-speed rail line would generate an operating surplus requiring no annual subsidy.

Calls on Congress to appropriate $2.5 billion annually for high-speed rail capital grants to states, matching Fiscal Year 2010 funding levels.

Directs state agencies to provide assistance to Chicago for implementing high-speed train service between O'Hare and downtown Chicago and commends regional leaders' commitment to the project.