(Source: Press release from the office of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), April 29, 2015)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation to include several Illinois priorities in their Passenger Rail Reauthorization legislation. Durbin also raised several significant concerns regarding related legislation passed by the House of Representatives earlier this year that would have a significant impact on Illinois’ passenger rail system.
Illinois is home to the second largest rail network in the country, with nearly 10,000 miles of railroad track and 7,737 public at-grade crossings. Noting that Amtrak has achieved record ridership levels for the past several years, Durbin advocated for increased funding for passenger rail which would expand the network, improve on-time performance, and increase safety.
“Five million people boarded or exited Amtrak trains in Illinois last year, with over 31 million passengers annually passing through Chicago’s Union Station,” Durbin wrote. “Amtrak needs federal assistance to maintain and build on these recent achievements, yet the House bill reduces Amtrak’s authorized funding levels by 40 percent. I am concerned that the authorization levels in the House bill are insufficient and limit the potential investment in Amtrak in future years. I encourage you to include robust authorization levels to ensure Amtrak can grow and expand across the country, especially in Illinois.”
In today’s letter, Durbin also raised alarm regarding a controversial proposal that would separate the Northeast Corridor from the rest of Amtrak’s nationwide rail network.
“Severing the Northeast Corridor from the rest of America’s passenger rail network would put the popular corridor service in the Midwest, especially in Illinois, in jeopardy,” Durbin wrote. “Taxpayer funds in Illinois and other Midwest states throughout the years have helped make the NEC successful and profitable. I am deeply concerned about this proposal and look forward to working with the Committee on a solution that ensures the health and growth of a nation-wide system.”
Text of Senator Durbin’s letter can be found at the link above.