CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says the state is committed to moving ahead with plans to connect Chicago to cities throughout the Midwest using high-speed rail.
Quinn spoke Saturday at a National Train Day event in Chicago.
He says work has already started on a route linking Chicago to the Quad Cities.
There are also plans for new routes to Rockford and Dubuque, Iowa, as well as Milwaukee and Madison, Wis.
And the route from Chicago to St. Louis will get updated tracks.
Quinn says the state’s budget crisis won’t affect the plans because of “ample revenues” in the capital fund, which is separate from the general revenue fund.
He didn’t discuss a timeline for the plans.
The White House has announced federal stimulus money for high-speed rail.
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