By IL Radio Network
Chicago, IL – Illinois politicians are seeing federal money as a means to pay for better train service.
The economic stimulus bill makes $8 billion available for high-speed rail routes, and Illinois is making a pitch for the 285-mile St. Louis to Chicago route to get some of that money.
Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin says it will have to compete with proposals from around the country, but it is a promising entry, given the increases in ridership when Illinois committed state funds to increase the frequency of service, and when gasoline prices went up last year.
Durbin and Gov. Pat Quinn announced their support for the proposal Monday at Chicago's Union Station.
Trains on this route now travel at a maximum of 79 mph. The proposal envisions 110 mph.
The goal is to make the 285-mile trip in less than four hours by 2014.
