[CHAMPAIGN, IL] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted a statewide passenger rail summit with recently appointed Amtrak President Alex Kummant and mayors from over 30 communities statewide to discuss Illinois Amtrak expansion set to begin at the end of the month, as well as the need for future Amtrak expansion in northwest and north central Illinois.

“On October 30th, the $24 million commitment from the State and four new train sets provided by Amtrak will result in the first Midwest Amtrak expansion in almost 20 years,” said Durbin. “I want to commend the State of Illinois for entering into a historic partnership with Amtrak to provide new jobs and new service for riders from Chicago to Quincy to Carbondale.”

“Senator Durbin’s effort to expand passenger rail service in Illinois has been crucial to where we are today,” Kummant said. “Illinois is leading the Midwest in the funding of state-supported Amtrak passenger trains and we look forward to exploring ways to continue expanding service in the state."

Durbin recently helped secure a commitment from Amtrak to supply four new trains for additional round - trip service on the three Illinois routes. The 2007 Illinois budget committed to finance the service for these trains by doubling their Amtrak funding to $24.3 million. As result of this state and federal cooperation, beginning this October, there will be new service on the Carbondale, Quincy and St. Louis lines. Durbin is a member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee.

“The $24 million commitment from the State of Illinois and four new trains from Amtrak have put Illinois Amtrak expansion on the right track,” said Durbin. “It’s time to take advantage of this momentum, bring northern Illinois on board and Amtrak service to growing regions of our state. Today, Amtrak provides quick, cost-effective, and reliable public ground transportation to 30 communities and more than 3 million people in Illinois. We need to add the communities in northwest and north central Illinois to that list.”

In August, Durbin sent a letter to Governor Rod Blagojevich, urging the State of Illinois to request that Amtrak add new passenger rail service along the corridor that spans from Chicago to Dubuque and includes stops in Rockford and Galena. The State of Illinois responded by requesting that Amtrak conduct a study on the feasibility and costs of extending Amtrak service to Rockford and the northwest region of Illinois. Amtrak has given completion of the study priority consideration.

On May 17th, Durbin wrote to the Acting President of Amtrak, David Hughes, requesting a meeting between Amtrak officials and Rockford community leaders to discuss restoring Amtrak service to Rockford. As a result of this letter, a meeting was held at the Rockford Airport Administrative Building, on July 3rd. Senator Durbin was joined by Amtrak representatives, Congressman Manzullo, IDOT Secretary Tim Martin, labor officials, and community leaders from Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson, Jo Daviess, DeKalb and Ogle Counties.