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IL Senate Votes to Create High Speed Rail Commission
Illinois is working to increase the speed of passenger trains from 79 to 110 miles per hour, but one state senator wants even faster trains.

The Senate has passed legislation sponsored by State Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) to create the High Speed Rail Commission. The 15-member group would study the possibility of bullet trains in Illinois, which travel up to 220 miles per hour.

Sandoval says President Obama has promised to invest $8 billion in high speed rail, and the senator believes Illinois could be awarded more of that money if the state pursues bullet trains. Sandoval says creating the commission is the first step in planning for bullet trains and shows the Illinois is serious about developing the new infrastructure.

The commission would be appointed by the governor and would include the secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Tollway Authority. Sandoval says members would issue a report within one year, but members will not be reimbursed, so there is no cost attached to the new commission.

S.B. 2571 passed the Senate and now heads to the House.

Illinois has already received a promise of $1.2 billion from the federal government for high-speed rail passenger trains.

(Illinois Radio Network)
04 05 10 by Newsroom
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