The state of Illinois is moving forward with the Chicago to Quad Cities Passenger Rail project. Yesterday, The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce held a news conference with local mayors, legislators and other officials to celebrate the state's renewed commitment to the project and to give media a tour of the work in progress.
Tara Barney, President of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, thanked Governor Rauner.
A federal grant of $177 million was in jeopardy without matching funds from the state of Illinois. Now that Illinois has agreed to fund the rail system, construction can move forward.
Senator Neil Anderson says keeping the project on track was a joint effort, but without a state budget, the future is still uncertain.
The city of Moline has already begun work on the new multi-modal station, which will include a 90-room hotel with a pool, a beer garden, and space for restaurants and retail shops.
Representative Pat Verschoore says the project has been in the works since 2008.
Legislators and city officials at the news conference also urged Governor Bruce Rauner and state lawmakers to compromise and pass a budget to end hardships across the state.