IL SR0147

Proposed Quad Cities passenger rail route between Chicago and downtown Moline was originally scheduled to begin service in 2014 but remains stalled due to lack of agreement between IDOT and Iowa Interstate Railroad on infrastructure upgrades.

Federal funding of $177 million was secured in 2010 by Senator Richard J. Durbin, with Governor JB Pritzker providing an additional $225 million in state funding in 2019, and a five-year federal funding extension granted in 2019.

Project is projected to generate $25 million in annual economic impact and create up to 825 permanent jobs in the Quad City region once service begins.

Illinois Senate urges Governor Pritzker and IDOT to request the National Surface Transportation Board compel Iowa Interstate Railroad to negotiate a good faith agreement on converting existing freight tracks for passenger service.

Resolution asserts Iowa Interstate Railroad is demanding hundreds of millions in additional taxpayer dollars for infrastructure improvements while continuing to transport potentially harmful chemicals on the same tracks.