Durbin, Duckworth, Sorensen Call For Extension Of Federal Funding For Chicago-Quad Cities Passenger Rail Project

December 18, 2024

Durbin, Duckworth, Sorensen Call For Extension Of Federal Funding For Chicago-Quad Cities Passenger Rail Project

The lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg asking him to extend federal funding, which will expire on December 31, for the rail project

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg urging him to grant an extension for the federal funding secured for the proposed Chicago-Quad Cities passenger rail project, an Amtrak route between Chicago and Moline, Illinois. In their letter, the lawmakers emphasized that progress has been made in the planning phase of the project but that, in order to move the project forward, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) must extend the availability of previously granted federal funds beyond December 31.

"We write to express our continued support for the proposed state-supported Amtrak route between Chicago and Moline, Illinois. We also urge the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue an extension for the federal funding previously secured for project, which is set to expire on December 31, 2024," the lawmakers began their letter.

In 2019, then-Secretary of Transportation Elain Chao granted the Chicago-Quad Cities passenger rail project a five-year extension because a previous Illinois governor had caused delays. However, under Governor JB Pritzker, the state has renewed its financial commitment to the proposed route and provided $225 million in state funding for the project in the state's capital bill in 2019.

"Over the past year, the Illinois Department of Transportation and Iowa Interstate Railroad have made long-awaited progress in the design phase of the project and agreeing upon its scope. In December 2023, we were pleased to see the Federal Railroad Administration further invest in this project by selecting the Chicago-Quad Cities passenger rail project for a Corridor Identification and Development Grant of $500,000 to develop details about the scope, schedule, and cost for such passenger service," the lawmakers wrote.

"We respectfully request that DOT build upon this momentum by issuing another five-year extension for the remaining federal funds from the original $177 million grant secured for the project in Fiscal Year 2010. This timeline would allow the project to continue its recent progress and provide certainty for the project partners, as the project maintains strong support and commitment at both the state and local level," the lawmakers concluded their letter.

Durbin secured $177 million in federal funding for the rail project in 2010. The project was delayed for years because former Governor Rauner refused to provide state funding for it. Governor Pritzker renewed the state's commitment to the project by providing $225 million in state funding in 2019. Durbin has repeatedly secured extensions of the federal funding, but the current funding extension is set to expire on December 31, without another extension. The proposed Quad Cities passenger rail route, running between Chicago and the Quad Cities, was initially slated to begin service in 2014.

In April, Durbin met with Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose to receive an update on the rail project and to urge Administrator Bose to prioritize the project by ensuring an extension for the federal funding allocated to the project.

A copy of the letter is available here and below:

December 17, 2024

Dear Secretary Buttigieg:

We write to express our continued support for the proposed state-supported Amtrak route between Chicago and Moline, Illinois. We also urge the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue an extension for the federal funding previously secured for project, which is set to expire on December 31, 2024.

In 2019, then-Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao granted the project a five-year extension. Prior to this, the project had experienced delays brought on by a previous Illinois governor. However, under Illinois' present Governor, JB Pritzker, the state renewed its financial commitment to the proposed route and provided $225 million in state funding for the project in the state's capital bill in 2019.

Over the past year, the Illinois Department of Transportation and Iowa Interstate Railroad have made long-awaited progress in the design phase of the project and agreeing upon its scope. In December 2023, we were pleased to see the Federal Railroad Administration further invest in this project by selecting the Chicago-Quad Cities passenger rail project for a Corridor Identification and Development Grant of $500,000 to develop details about the scope, schedule, and cost for such passenger service.

We respectfully request that DOT build upon this momentum by issuing another five-year extension for the remaining federal funds from the original $177 million grant secured for the project in Fiscal Year 2010. This timeline would allow the project to continue its recent progress and provide certainty for the project partners, as the project maintains strong support and commitment at both the state and local level.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please reach out to our offices if you need any other information.

Sincerely,

-30-

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