High-Speed Rail Funded in Illinois
By Ellen Cannon
Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced that Illinois high-speed rail connecting Chicago and St. Louis has received $186 million in funding. The speed trains are expected to cut off 90 minutes in travel time between the two cities making travel less than four hours between the two cities.
Secretary of Transportation LaHood, a longtime resident of Illinois noted the importance of this funding to the entire Midwest. He said, “The Great Lakes-Midwest economic region is the world’s fifth largest economy by gross domestic product, and nearly 100 million people live within 500 miles of each other.” (www.rrstar.com1/5/2012)
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Assistant Majority Leader of the Senate, together with Secretary LaHood have viewed high speed rail as critical to transportation efficiency, reduced energy costs, increased tourism, as well as critical to job creation and economic sustainability and growth. (Ellen Cannon. Examiner.com, “Massive Innovation in IL.Transportation- New Connection between Chicago and Quad Cities,” 12/13/11); Ellen Cannon, Examine. Com. “Illinois Lawmakers Announce $13.8 million Grant for Alton, IL.”12/13/2011)
The Department of Transportation reported a$10.1 billion investment in speed passenger rail networks.
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