Governor Pat Quinn announced yesterday a 233 million dollar plan to restore rail service between Chicago and Rockford.
The Amtrak route will use Metra's Milwakuee District West Line. This will connect to the Union Pacific Railroad in Elgin.
There will be 1 round trip everyday between Rockford and Chicago's Union Station. Work is scheduled to begin this summer and rail service for area residents some time in 2015.
The last time Rockford had rail service was in 1981. There will also be stops in Elgin, Huntley, and Belvidere.
Governor Quinn said that he hopes to extend the rail service to Freeport, Galena, and Dubuque, Iowa in the future.
The rail station in Rockford would temporarily be located on 7th street. A permanent Main Street station will be built along with Rock River.