Mayfield Champions Legislation to Increase Passenger Rail Service Across the Midwest

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Committed to increasing passenger rail services for residents across the Midwest, state Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, has introduced the Passenger Rail Planning Act to require the Illinois Department of Transportation to incorporate service frequency goals into the Illinois State Rail Plan. 

“A question that I’ve been constantly asking myself, is why don’t we have more passenger rail running throughout the Midwest,” said Mayfield. “Chicago is one of the major rail hubs of the country, and it’s time that we took further advantage of our positioning. This measure would encourage the development of high-frequency passenger rail services with Chicago acting as the anchor.”

House Bill 4279, The Passenger Rail Planning Act, would help lay the groundwork for trains to more frequently visit communities across Illinois. It would direct state planners to include target service frequencies for trains originating from Chicago to destinations in Illinois, other Midwestern locations and the broader country.

Communities across the state, from East St. Louis to Rockford, would be targeted for hourly passenger services, along with additional trains to out-of-state destinations including Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis and Madison, among others.

“By calling for more frequent passenger rail services, we can boost the entire region’s economic growth,” said Mayfield. “People will be able to move across the region with greater access, allowing for further job opportunities, community development and regional cooperation. When we develop our rail systems, we’re promoting dynamic, interconnected communities that can better support the people of Illinois.”

For more information, please contact 60thdistrict@gmail.com.