Western Illinois Officials are on board with Amtrak - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Western Illinois Officials are on board with Amtrak

By: Jillian Wilson

jwilson@cbs4qc.com

Many western Illinois Mayors and Legislators are all aboard when it comes to the power of Amtrak.

Illinois State Senator John Sullivan says the railroad is a lifeline for this entire region.

"Whether we're talking about moving those goods and services and people or whether we are talking about the jobs that it creates," said John Sullivan, Illinois state senator.

Representatives from Galesburg, Princeton, Kewanee, Macomb, and Quincy all say Amtrak is vital to their communities.

It all started in 1973 with just one passenger train… Flash forward to today, Amtrak is now boosting the economy.

"In 2006, with another round trip it changed the dynamic from just riding the train to be able to really use the train as an economic development," said Tom Carper, Chairman of the Amtrak Board of Directors.

That economic boost, will soon be rolling into the Quad Cities.

It's all thanks to a government grant which helped Amtrak fix damaged equipment and put out of service cars back on track.

"In 2015, you'll have new cars coming in. we'll be able to move those cars, and some to the quad city service, we'll be able to handle it that way," said Carper.

The new Quad City line will connect all the way to Chicago. By that time all Amtrak trains will have wifi.