Illinois legislators, QC Chamber push for passenger rail in the QC
The future of the long-awaited passenger rail connection between Chicago and Moline is at a pivotal crossroads. With federal funds extended only through July 2026 and uncertainty over federal funding in Washington, Illinois legislators and the Quad Cities Chamber see this as a “now or never” moment. Meanwhile, Chicago is seeking to bail out its struggling transit agencies—raising questions about how transportation funding priorities will be set.
"We believe the only way downstate communities can reasonably support Chicago's request for funding is with the inclusion of that funding plan to support downstate projects and lines," said Peter Tokar, III, President and CEO of the Chamber. "We are calling for the state to invest everywhere in Illinois - including the Chicago-Moline direct rail connection. With federal funds set to sunset in 2026, we are at a critical junction point," he said. Tokar added that bringing passenger rail to the region would have an economic impact of more than $250 million over 10 years, creating 825+ local jobs.
"We need to explore additional options that don't necessarily rely on the federal government or Amtrak to make this project happen," said Illinois Senator Mike Halpin. "We are going to be working with our state partners in the Chicago region and throughout the state of Illinois to see what other possibilities we have to bring passenger rail service here at long last," he said, adding, "I know it's been such a long time, and I know that there have been lots of folks out there that have somewhat given up hope. But these types of programs, these types of visions take many years to come to fruition and once it is done, the Quad City community will be greater for it. I'm excited to be a part of this," he said.
Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati was pleased with the support from the community and other local mayors. "We should be focused on zero stagnation, zero isolation," she said, adding that the region is better off when educational institutions here have better ways of getting students to and from their campuses, and when visitors have easier access to traveling to the Quad Cities. "We know we are better off when we are not isolated from economic activity in the rest of the state and this region of the country," she said.
The Quad Cities Chamber is traveling to Springfield with a group of 20 business and community leaders March 5-6, to advocate directly to legislative leaders and state departments on the importance of delivering funding for Quad Cities-Chicago rail.