There are plans for two new Illinois Service routes:
Chicago–
RockfordBlack Hawk: based on a former service to Dubuque that ran from 1974 to 1981, the route will use
Metra and
Union Pacific lines west from Chicago via
Elgin
Chicago–
MolineQuad Cities: uses the existing Chicago–Quincy route between Chicago and Princeton, branching from it west of
Wyanet to serve the
Quad Cities via
Geneseo
The routes were to have been added in late 2015[3] but were put on hold by then-Governor
Bruce Rauner.[4] They were resurrected and funded in 2019 as part of a transportation bill supported by
Governor J.B. Pritzker.[5]
In addition to the two new routes, a committee was formed in late 2021 to study and promote extending the Chicago–Quincy route to
Hannibal, Missouri.[6]
In early 2022, studies are underway to reinstate Amtrak service to
Peoria from Chicago.[7]