Illinois High-Speed Railway Commission Extended Until 2030

Thank you to everyone who contacted their Illinois representatives, senator, and Gov. Pritzker this session supporting high-speed and regional rail.

Gov. Pritzker has signed HB4442 into law, which extends the life of the Illinois High-Speed Railway Commission until January 1, 2030.

Now, the Commission can take a more thorough approach to its recommendations.

As your Commissioner, I am working for a plan that will connect every community in Illinois and surrounding states with an integrated network of passenger trains, regional buses, and local transit.

The Commission’s work so far includes developing the first true analysis of possible routings for a dedicated high-speed line from Chicago to St. Louis. We have also conducted a very conservative ridership estimate.

But much more work remains to be done. Key items on our agenda include:

• Making recommendations regarding the specific route and the station in Chicago.
• Debating complex challenges, like how to get high-speed trains through Chicago to O’Hare.
• Coming to terms with station locations in the intermediate cities.
• Offering recommendations regarding governance.
• Explaining how the connecting routes will feed passengers to the high-speed line—and vice versa.
• Describing how communities across the state will benefit.

Additionally, we need to build on this momentum to get others states engaged in the process.

Success in Illinois will push other states to follow.

Thank you to the representatives and senators who voted to allow this critical work to continue. We are thrilled that Gov. Pritzker’s has signed this bill. Illinois now has a prime opportunity to take the lead in developing the integrated passenger rail networks this country urgently needs.