IL SR0616

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, Union Station, Champaign, Springfield, and St. Louis with a branch to Indianapolis.

Requests the concurrent preparation of a Tier One Environmental Impact Statement to qualify the project for federal funding and to seek federal planning funds for the study.

Commends Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's commitment to develop high-speed train service between O'Hare International Airport and downtown Chicago and urges state agencies to assist the City of Chicago with this project.

Calls on Congress to restore $2.5 billion in annual federal appropriations for high-speed rail capital grants to states, as was provided in Fiscal Year 2010.

Highlights economic benefits including reduced travel time between regions, enhanced convention business attractiveness at McCormick Place, connection of University of Illinois research to Chicago's financial markets, and economic development opportunities for downstate Illinois and East St. Louis.