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State lawmakers, others lobby for rail funds

Posted August 07, 2007 11:00 pm

Illinois needs to continue to invest in passenger trains to assist tourism, the environment and the economy, several state lawmakers and local officials said at the Statehouse Tuesday.

"I think we honor our past and build on our future by building more rail in Illinois," said Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, at a news conference called to push for $1.3 billion in state capital spending on passenger rail projects over the next five years, and $28 million in operating money in the fiscal year that began July 1.

While Jacobs said he's been working with Japanese railway officials to discuss eventual high-speed rail in Illinois, first Amtrak service needs to be extended to cities including Rock Island and Rockford.

Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin thanked lawmakers for added state money last year that allowed increased Amtrak service between Chicago and St. Louis - added service he said has greatly increased ridership from Springfield.

Davlin said, however, that continued investment is needed, as just a few years ago, in comparison to Europe, Illinois was really in "cavemen days" concerning passenger rail.

"Illinois is still a long, long way ahead of the rest of the country, but we're still a century or two behind when we compare ourselves to our peers overseas," Davlin added. "I think they get it and we're just starting to get that right now."

Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Northbrook, who chairs the House railroad safety committee, said ridership has "exploded" on four rail lines that received more state operating money last year. Those routes all have one end point in Chicago and go to Quincy, St. Louis, Carbondale and Milwaukee.

"We are at risk of losing the increased service if we don't make some capital investment," Nekritz said, adding that more train equipment will also need to be purchased to serve new areas.

Rep. Don Moffitt of Gilson, Republican spokesman on the railroad committee, said the more widespread rail service becomes, the better a transportation option it is. He also noted it relieves road congestion and is environmentally friendly.

Mayors of Macomb, Alton and Medota and an official from East St. Louis were among those on hand to push the investment.

Asked if lawmakers at the news conference would back establishment of a Chicago casino to fund a capital program - one option being discussed by lawmakers - Jacobs said, "I'll push the button."

"We want to see the final package," said Rep. Dave Winters, R-Shirland, "but we're willing to consider (it), absolutely."

Officials at the news conference, staged by the Midwest High Speed Rail Association, said the increase in state operating money from $12 million to $24 million in the fiscal year that ended June 30 was for the extra service on three routes and sustained service on the Chicago-to-Milwaukee route. While it was expected that more than $30 million would be needed in the current fiscal year to maintain that service, the number has dropped to $28 million because of revenue from increased ticket sales.

Proposed new Amtrak service sought by the group includes a line from south of Princeton through Geneseo and the Quad Cities; and an extension of a line from Chicago so it goes through Rockford, Freeport and Galena.

Bernard Schoenburg can be reached at (217) 788-1540 or bernard.schoenburg@sj-r.com.

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