03/21/2025
Support Integrated Railway Legislation in Springfield / Ask your Senator and Representative to help move these bills forward
(Senate Bill 1901 / House Bill 3285)
(Senate Bill 1863 / House Bill 2938)
https://www.hsrail.org/blog/support-integrated-railway-program-bills-in-springfield/?
Two exciting bills are under consideration now in the Illinois General Assembly that could dramatically expand and improve train service in our state. One would fund a growing and dynamic state railway program. The second would provide for initial design and engineering for high-speed and regional rail.
The first piece of legislation (Senate Bill 1901 / House Bill 3285) would lay the foundation for a robust statewide railway program, by financing major components of the system. This includes planning capacity, to ensure Illinois has the expertise and resources to develop new routes, improve existing service, and advance electrified high-speed rail.
It would make investments in new bridges, additional tracks, and upgraded grade crossings to enhance safety, reduce delays, and increase system capacity. It would replace Metra’s aging fleet with faster, more efficient equipment. And it would support frequent departures, maintain affordability, and accommodate growing ridership.
The second measure (Senate Bill 1863 / House Bill 2938) addresses the need for detailed engineering and design work that must happen before any shovel hits the ground: pre-construction planning, and expanded, accelerated planning, for the five lines that Illinois already has in the federal Corridor Identification and Development Program, as well as four others that deserve investment.
