Metra named as operator of Chicago-Rockford passenger rail
State Senator Steve Stadelman was joined Thursday by Governor JB Pritzker and other state and local officials to announce a partnership with Metra to restore passenger rail service between Rockford and Chicago, discontinued since 1981. Trains are expected to start running again in 2027.
Metra will use Union Pacific Railroad tracks to extend its existing service from Elgin to Rockford with stops in Huntley and Belvidere. Trains are projected to travel as fast as 79 mph with a 95-minute estimated travel time between Rockford and Chicago. Two daily round trips are anticipated, seven days a week.
"Restoring passenger rail service to Chicago will be a game-changer for Rockford and Belvidere, spurring economic development across northern Illinois. Today’s announcement," Stadelman said during a news conference at Davis Park with a Metra train parked on the rail crossing over the Rock River, "is an important step in passenger becoming a reality again, making the Rockford region a more attractive place to work and live."
Metra will use Union Pacific Railroad tracks to extend its existing service from Elgin to Rockford with stops in Huntley and Belvidere. Trains are projected to travel as fast as 79 mph with a 95-minute estimated travel time between Rockford and Chicago. Two daily round trips are anticipated, seven days a week.
"Restoring passenger rail service to Chicago will be a game-changer for Rockford and Belvidere, spurring economic development across northern Illinois. Today’s announcement," Stadelman said during a news conference at Davis Park with a Metra train parked on the rail crossing over the Rock River, "is an important step in passenger becoming a reality again, making the Rockford region a more attractive place to work and live."
The project, including track upgrades and construction of depots in downtown Rockford and downtown Belvidere, is being funded with $275 million that Stadelman secured in the Rebuild Illinois capital plan approved in 2019.
"I'm proud that this rail project is on track and moving forward ... in large part due to Gov. Pritzker's and Sen. Stadelman's staunch advocacy," Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said.
Since its founding in 1984, Metra has become one of the largest and most comprehensive passenger rail systems in North America. The system includes nearly 500 miles of track with 242 stations on 11 routes.
A new website -- chicagotorockfordrail.org -- offers an overview of the project. Status updates will be provided in the coming months, and public informational meetings will be scheduled.
"Bringing back passenger rail has been one of my priorities," Stadelman said. "A lot of people have been working on this for a long, long time. Let’s get this project across the finish line and get the trains moving."
Click on the pic below to watch video from the news conference:
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Steve Stadelman
July 7th at 12:50 PM
Congratulations to Jefferson High School students Sara Carter and Mikara Rogers who were among 8,000 students from 42 high schools who participated statewide in this year's Poetry Out Loud program. Sara and Mikara emerged from a regional contest hosted by the RAAC Rockford Area Arts Council to compete at the Illinois State Contest in Springfield. Here's a video of their performances recently released by the Springfield Area Arts Council:
Steve Stadelman
July 4th at 11:53 PM
As always, one of the best July 4th celebrations in the state! Thanks to the Rockford 4th of July Celebration Committee and volunteers for making it all happen!
