The Quad Cities region urges the State of Illinois to let the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) know that Illinois will honor its commitment to the Quad Cities to Chicago passenger rail line. The U.S. DOT has committed $177 million in federal funds to bring the Quad Cities to Chicago passenger rail line. In order to utilize these funds the State of Illinois must affirm its commitment to the project by June 30 or we risk losing these valuable infrastructure investment dollars.

The $177 million in federal dollars will pay for necessary upgrades to the rail line. The State of Illinois committed to match funding toward this project in 2010. While budget challenges have contributed to the lack of overall investment in infrastructure, both parties’ budgets in the legislature include funding for passenger rail.

Passenger rail service from Chicago to the Quad Cities has long been a priority for our region. It will provide a recruitment tool for attracting students to our universities, gives greater access and convenience for business travel, and provides a convenient mode of transportation for visitors.

Other partners in this project have already shown their commitment. The City of Moline has committed nearly $4.6 million for property acquisition and clean-up for the multi-modal station. This was then leveraged to secure an additional $10 million in Federal TIGER II funds, $4.6 million in state DOT matching funds, and $13 million in private funding to construct a hotel.

This is a true public private partnership. It is already a national model for walkable and livable communities. The Quad Cities needs the administration to let U.S. DOT know now that Illinois will honor its commitment to the Quad Cities to Chicago passenger rail project. Without this reassurance the already obligated, federal rail monies may go to another project that will not be spent in the Quad Cities.

This petition is organized by the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce.