16th District Congressman Don Manzullo is calling on former colleague Ray LaHood, for a favor.
LaHood is now Barack Obama’s Department of Transportation Secretary, to earmark high speed rail money for a new Amtrak route to Rockford and beyond.
Here’s Manzullo’s press release:
Manzullo Urges U.S. Transportation Secretary to Prioritize N. Illinois Amtrak Route for Funding
New Amtrak line would run from Chicago to Rockford to Dubuque
[WASHINGTON] U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) is asking U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to set aside a small portion of the $8 billion targeted for high-speed rail this year to help fund track improvements needed to restart the Amtrak line running from Chicago to Rockford and beyond to Freeport, Galena and Dubuque, Iowa.
Manzullo teamed up with Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) in seeking the federal funds to help pay for the minimum $32 million in track upgrades needed to allow Amtrak trains to run 182 miles from Chicago to Dubuque. The request is outlined in a letter Manzullo and Braley sent to Secretary LaHood on Monday.
“One of the most promising additions to the Midwest’s Chicago Hub Network is the Chicago-Dubuque Intercity Passenger Rail Corridor via Rockford, Freeport, Lena and Galena,” the letter states. “We frequently hear from constituents who look forward to the benefits of passenger rail for business, tourism and commuter travel as well as the associated impact on regional commerce and quality of life.”
Manzullo has been a strong supporter of Amtrak and commuter rail and has worked with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to encourage Amtrak to re-start the Chicago-to-Dubuque line through Rockford. In 2005, Manzullo and Durbin secured $2.6 million for a study to determine the feasibility of extending commuter rail from Chicago to Belvidere and Rockford.
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On top you see the possible routes for an Amtrak route to take from Chicago to Rockford. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is seen with Congressman Don Manzullo at the March, 2007, hearing on the subject at Rockford College. The three possible routes can be seen on the map. As far as I know, the recommended one is blue one. You will notice it does not go through McHenry County.