SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a bill creating a state high speed rail commission. House Bill 399, sponsored by Rep. Martin Moylan (D-Des Plaines) will require the commission to create a statewide plan for a high speed rail line connecting Chicago and St. Louis. [see “Digest: Delays add $300 million to cost of Gateway project,” Trains News Wire, March 9, 2021].
WIFR-TV reports the commission will create a report on a high speed system that will offer connections to Rockford, Moline, Peoria, and Decatur.
The bill establishes a 21-member commission to conduct a ridership study and make decisions about a governance structure, service frequency, and implementation of the plan. It calls for use of existing Amtrak and Metra service as part of a feeder network that will also coordinate with intercity bus service.
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