DAVENPORT, IOWA (October 27, 2025) — The Quad Cities Passenger Rail Committee, in collaboration with the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, continues to advocate for full funding of the long-awaited passenger-rail connection between Chicago and the Quad Cities. During the first week of the Illinois legislative veto session, community leaders traveled to the Capitol to emphasize the importance of this transformational infrastructure project.
With only three days remaining for legislative action, a comprehensive transit package which potentially includes major capital investments across Illinois is under active debate.
“Quad Citizens have a unique opportunity to make their voices heard and help bring this decades-long project to fruition,” said Peter Tokar III, President and CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber and Grow Quad Cities. “If the legislature follows through and funds the Chicago — Quad Cities rail connection, we can expect hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact and the creation of more than 800 jobs.”
“We urge Quad Citizens to contact their Illinois legislators and encourage them to include funding for passenger rail between Chicago and the Quad Cities in a transit bill,” said Tokar.
The easiest way to do that is to join our campaign and contact legislators here: quadcitieschamber.quorum.us/campaign/GoRail/. Individuals can also access the campaign by texting “PassRail” to 877.806.1507.
“We have never been closer to securing funding for construction of the Chicago-to-Quad Cities Passenger Rail project. We are now at an all-hands-on-deck moment, it's time for the big push. If Quad Citizens want to see this project happen, now is the time for them to let Illinois legislators know that they need to join Senator Mike Halpin and Representative Gregg Johnson and support the Transit Bill with the Chicago-to-Quad Cities Passenger Rail included,” said Richard ‘Quijas’ Brunk, Chair of the Quad Cities Passenger Rail Committee and Rock Island County Board Chair.
Background
The looming fiscal cliff facing Chicago transit has dominated discussions in Springfield over the past year.
With federal COVID-era funding nearing expiration, the Illinois legislature must act to prevent a significant shortfall for transit riders in the Chicago region.
The Quad Cities Passenger Rail Committee has been a strong advocate for including the Chicago — Quad Cities rail connection in any statewide transit funding package. Their efforts aim to ensure that the final deal delivers broad, statewide benefits and transformational investment.
Local legislators, including Senator Mike Halpin and Representative Gregg Johnson, have played key roles in championing the Quad Cities rail project within the legislature. Earlier this year, with the help of Sen Halpin, the Senate passed a transit reform package which included funding for the rail project. It now sits in the House of Representatives where members have different ideas on how to fund transit. The outcome of rail this fall will depend in part on the general assembly’s ability to come to a consensus on transit funding.
