The Rockford area has been neglected for too long, area officials testified Wednesday, and the long-promised project to bring Amtrak passenger rail service to the state’s third-largest city should be reinstated.
More than 150 people crammed into the lower-level auditorium of the Giorgi State Office building to hear testimony supporting restoration of the service.
Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey said the city has made major commitments to downtown development, some of which are already under way, that will attract visitors and businesses to the area.
Scott Christiansen, Winnebago County Board Chairman, said the Chicago-Rockford International Airport would benefit from the complementary rail service, enabling passengers to move easily between the Rockford facility and Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.
“There’s a very simple way to pay for it,” Christiansen said. “Forget about Peotone.”
That comment drew applause and laughter after Christiansen listed the virtues of Rockford’s airport and the pending arrival of a massive aircraft maintenance-repair-overhaul facility with an estimated 500 high-paying jobs.
Peotone, a Will County community south of Chicago, is the site of a proposed third Chicago-area airport on which has been supported by several previous Illinois governors. The state already has spent millions on land acquisition.
Huntley Mayor Charles Sass noted that his community had invested in upgrades and improvements to greet the new passenger service through the downtown area, and Machesney Park Administrator Tim Savage echoed the needs expressed by Morrisey and emphasized the benefits to his village.
Business representatives said the advent of passenger rail service would support industry, commerce, tourism, housing and more. They added that the lack of rail service was preventing the Rockford area from competing with Wisconsin and other states for businesses that want to locate in the upper Midwest.
State Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford, Vice Chairman of the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee, said that getting Amtrak service restored in Rockford has been a priority for him since he took office.
“Many people have worked to bring us where we are today," Stadelman said. "For too long, the Rockford community's needs were ignored. No longer. Our growing, vibrant city boasts tremendous transportation opportunities, and the addition of passenger rail service to and from Chicago enhances the amenities our community needs."
Republican State Sen. Dave Syverson, who also took part in the hearing, said he supports the proposed service. But, he told the Rockford Register Star, "Somebody's got to ask the adult questions. How is it going to be paid for, and is there funding for ongoing operations?"
Syverson says the best way for a Rockford train to get funded is for lawmakers to enact a new, pay-as-you-go capital plan.
"We've been meeting in Springfield every week to come up with that capital plan, so there will be a much better opportunity for the rail to be funded," he said.
Former Gov. Pat Quinn announced a $223 million state capital investment to restart Amtrak service between Rockford and Chicago beginning in 2015. That project, along with many other capital expenditures by the state, was put on hold by new Gov. Bruce Rauner.