HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT

Urges Governor Rauner and the Illinois Department of Transportation to immediately task their existing consultants to prepare an investment-grade ridership analysis for distribution to interested parties around the world and to prepare as expeditiously as possible the Tier One Environmental Impact Statement to qualify the high speed rail project for federal funds and to seek federal planning funds to help pay for this study. Commends Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel for his commitment to building high speed train service between O'Hare International Airport and downtown Chicago and urges all State agencies to provide any and all assistance to the City of Chicago in implementing this crucial transportation project. Commends the Mayors and Village Presidents, Council of Governments, Chambers of Commerce, and south suburban legislators for their planning and foresight with projects like the proposed SouthEast Service Line and their commitment to high speed rail as a necessary part of their regional development plan. Calls upon Congress to return to their previous practice in Fiscal Year 2010 of appropriating $2.5 billion in the annual federal budget for capital grants to states for high speed rail projects in order to help fund this high speed rail project.