State Representative Gregg Johnson from Rock Island says the bill urges Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation to make a formal request to the Surface Transportation Board. The goal is to "compel the Iowa Interstate Railroad to enter into an agreement on the Quad Cities passenger rail project."
Johnson says "this project has been discussed and planned for over a decade, and the Iowa Interstate Railroad is the biggest – and hopefully final – obstacle we face."
In March, Iowa Interstate posted a statement on its website saying it continues to be -- quote -- "committed to working with the Illinois DOT to bring our 50 miles of freight railroad in line with the higher safety requirements required for passenger railroad infrastructure." The railroad also says it's waiting for a response to its "latest submission."