Partnership will Include Advisory Group to Study New Illinois High-Speed Rail Line

CHICAGO - June 2, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced a partnership between the University of Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation and a special advisory group to study the feasibility of 220-mph passenger rail service between Chicago, Urbana-Champaign and beyond. The study will complement the ongoing construction of a regional 110-mph network that will connect Chicago to 40 cities in the Midwest, while supporting Governor Quinn's vision to create jobs, enhance regional mobility and improve the environment by expanding passenger rail in Illinois.

"Illinois is leading the nation with our work to expand high-speed and passenger rail," said Governor Quinn. "This study will provide greater insight into how we can make 220-mph rail service a reality. An expanded and improved rail network will boost our position in the global economy and create thousands of jobs."

The study will explore the potential costs and benefits of establishing 220-mph service between O'Hare International Airport, downtown Chicago, McCormick Place, and Champaign-Urbana. It will also look at extending the corridor in the region to cities south of Champaign-Urbana, including St. Louis and Indianapolis.

Leading the study will be University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign professor Christopher P.L. Barkan, director of the school's railroad engineering program and one of the nation's top rail scholars. Contributing will be University of Illinois at Chicago Urban Transportation Center director Stephen Schlickman, former executive director of the Regional Transportation Authority. Their findings, made possible through a $1.25 million contribution from the Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, is expected to be complete and presented to Governor Quinn in late 2012.

"I'm delighted that the University of Illinois can lend its vast expertise to this crucial study, and I'm grateful to the governor and other leaders in the state for their support of this important work," said University of Illinois President Michael Hogan. "High-speed rail is transformational in its effect on economic development, personal mobility and on our society, in general. It's an idea that is well worth a hard look. The benefits to the University of Illinois alone cannot be overstated."

In addition to offering corridor location recommendations, the study will offer estimated ridership projections, economic impacts, construction costs and financing options. Assisting in the effort will be an advisory group composed of transportation experts, rail advocates, labor leaders, and regional planners who will provide input during the course of the study.

The members of the special advisory group include :

• State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago)
• State Representative Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook)
• Rick Harnish, Midwest High Speed Rail Association
• Kevin Brubaker, Environmental Law & Policy Center
• Joan Murphy, Cook County Commissioner (6th)
• Bob Guy, United Transportation Union
• J.D. Ross, Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors
• MarySue Barrett, Metropolitan Planning Council
• Jack Guthman, Shefsky & Froelich Ltd

          Governor Quinn and IDOT broke ground last year on the state's signature high-speed line between Chicago and St. Louis. Speeds of 110-mph along parts of the corridor will be reached as early as next year.  A completed Midwest network will create over 57,000 jobs, including 24,000 in Illinois. In addition to Chicago-St. Louis, the Obama Administration has provided funding for the Chicago to Iowa City via the Quad Cities and Chicago to Detroit corridors. Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation also awarded additional funding to expand the Midwest's new equipment fleet with modern, domestically-built locomotives and railcars.

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The Pontiac-Oakland Auto Museum will open to the public on July 23, 2011.  However, due to numerous requests by local, state, and national media outlets for access to the new museum prior to the official opening, we are allowing special press-only access to the museum between July 11th and July 16th.

Reporters, film crews, and still photographers are welcome to come to see the museum and meet with Tim Dye, the director of the museum, as well as with city officials, including Pontiac Mayor Robert Russell.

Although the museum will not be 100% complete at that time, we anticipate that over 90% of the artifacts, classic and antique cars, library materials, and other displays will be in place and ready for viewing.  Members of the press will be able to spend time seeing the collection as well as learning more about the Oakland and Pontiac brands, and the genesis of the museum project.

It is expected that the new museum will draw thousands of visitors each year to our city.  Among the thousands of items in the collection to be displayed are:

• 15 classic Oakland and Pontiac cars, and a horse buggy, dating back to the 1890's
• Over 300 linear feet of print materials in a resource library
• Dealer sales training films, pamphlets, and guides
• Over 2,000 gas station road maps from the 1930s, '40s, '50s, and '60s.
• Pontiac Car promotional items - signs, buttons, awards, etc.
• Over 2,000 oil cans and a marvelous collection of gasoline-related artifacts

The new museum joins the growing list of attractions in Pontiac, including the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum, the International Walldog Mural and Sign Art Museum, the Livingston County War Museum, Looking for Lincoln Heritage sites, and the city's 21 colorful, outdoor murals.  Over the last few years, Pontiac has risen to become one of the state's most popular tourist destinations.  The number of visitors who come to our city has been increasing by nearly 20% each of the last three years.  We anticipate that the new museum will help us to continue that trend.

If you are interested in coming to preview the museum and/or interview Tim, Penny, or any of our city officials, please contact us and we will set things up to best meet your needs.  I can be reached by phone at (800) 835-2055, and by email at: tourism@pontiac.org.

Washington, DC - May 10, 2011 -Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) wrote a letter to Governor Terry Branstad urging him to work with the Republican leadership of the State House to stimulate Iowa's economy and create jobs by funding the high-speed passenger rail line from Chicago to Iowa City through the Quad Cities.

Rep. Braley helped secure $230 million in federal funding for the new Amtrak route between Chicago and Iowa City. The project now depends onGovernor Branstad and the State Legislature fulfilling the remainder of Iowa's $20 million-portion of the funding.

"I urge Governor Branstad to work with leaders of the Iowa State House to bring these jobs to Iowa," said Rep. Braley. "Now is not the time for timid policies and small politics. With this historic investment, and under Governor Branstad's leadership, our state can move forward and we can get Iowa's economy back on track."

The project is scheduled for completion in 2015 and would create 588 jobs per year for the first four years of design and construction. Once initiated, the new rail service is expected to increase business activity in the state by $25 million per year.

A copy of Rep. Braley's letter is available here: http://braley.house.gov/images/stories/Documents/Braley%20Letter%20to%20Gov.%20Branstad.pdf

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The fifth annual Red Carpet Corridor Festival happens this coming Saturday and Sunday.  The festival, which celebrates the history of Route 66, will run along the 90-mile stretch of the road from Joliet to Towanda.  Each of the 12 communities along this part of the Mother Road will hold its own series of special events.  Festival travelers are encouraged to pick up a Red Carpet Corridor Passport at their first stop along the road to find a listing of what each town is doing.

Braceville will offer a bake sale, Gardner a 5-K fun run on Sunday, and Dwight will feature garage sales, sidewalk chalk art, and more.   Odell's historic 1932 Standard Oil gas station will serve as its festival center, and Pontiac has an art sale, a sneak peak at the new Pontiac Oakland Automobile Museum & Resource Center, the painting of the Bob Waldmire Memorial Mural, and the opening of the Waldmire School Bus Mobile Home as the highlights of its weekend of events.

Chenoa will stage a carnival and live entertainers, Lexington will host a tractor and motorcycle show on Saturday, and Towanda will hold their 2nd annual lawnmower races along with other entertainments.

Each city has much more going on than can be mentioned here, so festival goers should be sure to pick up a passport for a full schedule of events and hours.

More information on each town's festival events can also be found online at: http://www.il66redcarpetcorridor.org.  Festival flyers are available at each of the Pontiac museum or at City Hall.