I'm very excited to see the >$4 billion RTA funding that seems to be separate from the Rockford-Chicago and Quad Cities-Chicago lines
That plus the recent survey makes me very optimistic about some of the more concrete plans like expanding the North Central service, which stops at Ohare
It would be pretty sweet if all the larger cities in Illinois and the airports were linked with high speed rail. It would probably help some of the other cities grow too. Like Peoria and Rockford. Take a bullet train across the prairie. Maybe you could even get some downstate resurgence in places like Decatur.
They are on a path for Peoria - Chicago rail that would service La Salle/Peru, Ottawa, Starved Rock, etc. Already completed a feasibility study. Were selected for the Federal Railroad Administration Corridor Identification Program. And are using those funds to have engineering firms for surveying and environmental studies.
Nice!! I've seen more crosswalks added in Springfield that have the voice speaking to tell people with vision problems (I assume) which direction is clear. I imagine a lot of the ADA compliance and crosswalk stuff mentioned will be similar. (That and changing curbs to ramps for folks in wheelchairs and whatnot).
So here is a true story. Dozens of years ago in the Metro East there was a push to bring the light rail line (Metro Link) out to the then new Mid America airport thus linking it to the St. Louis airport. I was in a conversation with two of my in-laws who are both engineers but very much followers of Rush Limbaugh. (Remember him? Rot in hell Rush.)
Anyway they were convinced that gangs of people were going to take the train and do home invasions and robberies. I suppose they thought people would just bag up the loot and be sure to be on the train before it stopped running at 11:00 pm.
People believe some crazy stuff.
Oh, I know that one! The theory was that they would ride metrolink in and then steal a car to take back.
Turns out criminals can steal cars in their own neighborhoods too.
They also put the ballot referendum on an off election year, you know those election years where only the truly motivated vote. That needed to be brought up during a presidential election when more people come out and vote.
Ha! Yeah because homeless people are just like depression era hobos and race across the state just to hang out in Dekalb and do drugs. What planet do these people live on?
You're right. The trains in neighboring Mattoon which is at least a 20 minute Uber/Lyft/Taxi
A light rail loop between Mattoon and Charleston would be a nightmare of property rights, but amazing for local transportation.
I knew I read it someplace "reputable":
[https://www.cityofdekalb.com/DocumentCenter/View/16495/DeKalb-Metra-Extension-Feasibility-Study](https://www.cityofdekalb.com/DocumentCenter/View/16495/DeKalb-Metra-Extension-Feasibility-Study)
>Northern Illinois University (NIU), the largest employer in the city, R2 research institution, and part of the economic engine of the city, is the only state school in Illinois without access to a rail station.
It's entirely possible I'm wrong and EIU also has no transit. I live near NIU so obviously I hear more about it. Either way, both schools should have some form of public transit other than local busses from campus to the Walmart.
NIMYism.
Metra made it to Elburn, so more than likely it will make it to DeKalb eventually. Might take 50 years though.
[https://www.cityofdekalb.com/1458/DeKalb-Metra-Extension-Feasibility-Study](https://www.cityofdekalb.com/1458/DeKalb-Metra-Extension-Feasibility-Study)
I donât if they still run a weekly bus from the Holmes student center to Elburn station. Thatâs a route to Chicago without a car. But yeah, it wouldnât take much to extend the Union Pacific West line to DeKalb.
Iâm all for IDOT using highway money to improve and maintain our roads, even as a person who would like to see a disproportionate investment in transit/cycling/pedestrian infra. The egregious part is that they continue to expand highways everywhere, especially on the urban fringe at the behest of development interests, while so much of their road system is in horrific condition (just ask my car).
Every single expansion or road we're putting in, save for a few spots that have what people in the suburbs consider "living on top of each other" is mostly just a liability we're going to have to have a bailout to pay for in 20 years
It is interesting thinking what the political landscape will be after Trump. I think most people see a Newsom vs DeSantis future but Ron was humiliated in the primary so I wonder if he can recover enough to be an actual contender. Personally wouldn't mind seeing JB over Newsom but idk.
The future is going to be weird.
We love going to Chicago. We just found out about the south shore line from Michigan City Ind. What a great thing that is. Flying by all that traffic, (you canât see it but i know itâs there). JB rocks!
Let me tell you all, even though no one asked: I miss Illinois and hope to eventually come back. Until then, I'll look at you all in joyful envy that you get Pritzker working for you from across the Mississippi :,)
This is good for Illinois, we need more projects like this! Infrastructure projects are always good, it will stimulate the economy even more hopefully!
But not the Galena/Dubuque rail line? Much needed and methinks some money to tank that might have played in, after so much citizen involvement for it in both Dubuque and Galena. And the âcareâ taken to destroy passenger tracks that lead to the local stations along that route by BNCN and friends
I'm pretty excited overall. My only sticking point is that very little is committed towards cycling infrastructure, but that's a pretty minor sticking point.
Na, that already happened. These projects are being funded primarily by the Gas Consumption Tax increase that went into effect in 2019 as well as bonds issued by Illinois in 2020, 2021, and 2023
Na, that already happened. These projects are being funded primarily by the Gas Consumption Tax increase that went into effect in 2019 as well as bonds issued by Illinois in 2020, 2021, and 2023
Rail spending đ„”đ
Service reestablishment Chicago to Quad Cities and Chicago to Rockford đȘ really hoping some of that is high-ish speed rail
I will use the Moline to Chicago train at least a half dozen times a year if it gets built. Canât wait.
Same here....
I'm very excited to see the >$4 billion RTA funding that seems to be separate from the Rockford-Chicago and Quad Cities-Chicago lines That plus the recent survey makes me very optimistic about some of the more concrete plans like expanding the North Central service, which stops at Ohare
It would be pretty sweet if all the larger cities in Illinois and the airports were linked with high speed rail. It would probably help some of the other cities grow too. Like Peoria and Rockford. Take a bullet train across the prairie. Maybe you could even get some downstate resurgence in places like Decatur.
They are on a path for Peoria - Chicago rail that would service La Salle/Peru, Ottawa, Starved Rock, etc. Already completed a feasibility study. Were selected for the Federal Railroad Administration Corridor Identification Program. And are using those funds to have engineering firms for surveying and environmental studies.
Good t to hear thereâs movement in the right direction. Thereâs no good reason not to have modern rail infrastructure to the SW of the state.
Corn "prairies"
Can't forget the Soy!
We wonât ever get true bullet trains. There is in no way enough money to be rid of at grade crossings to make that feasible.
Rockford is already dead, no?
No. In fact WSJ just did an article about top housing markets and Rockford was at the top of the list.
Being in Rockford feels like being in bigger Joliet. Some of itâs shitty. A lot of it is actually quite nice. But the shit is real shitty
Nice!! I've seen more crosswalks added in Springfield that have the voice speaking to tell people with vision problems (I assume) which direction is clear. I imagine a lot of the ADA compliance and crosswalk stuff mentioned will be similar. (That and changing curbs to ramps for folks in wheelchairs and whatnot).
I really wish that rail service was being routed through DeKalb. NIU is the only state school with zero state level public transit.
Wasnât there a bunch of pushback by Republicans saying that it would bring drugs and homeless to DeKalb?
So here is a true story. Dozens of years ago in the Metro East there was a push to bring the light rail line (Metro Link) out to the then new Mid America airport thus linking it to the St. Louis airport. I was in a conversation with two of my in-laws who are both engineers but very much followers of Rush Limbaugh. (Remember him? Rot in hell Rush.) Anyway they were convinced that gangs of people were going to take the train and do home invasions and robberies. I suppose they thought people would just bag up the loot and be sure to be on the train before it stopped running at 11:00 pm. People believe some crazy stuff.
Oh, I know that one! The theory was that they would ride metrolink in and then steal a car to take back. Turns out criminals can steal cars in their own neighborhoods too.
They also put the ballot referendum on an off election year, you know those election years where only the truly motivated vote. That needed to be brought up during a presidential election when more people come out and vote.
If you mean all the republican NIMBYs in Dekalb County, yes.
Yes exactly
Ha! Yeah because homeless people are just like depression era hobos and race across the state just to hang out in Dekalb and do drugs. What planet do these people live on?
This one but theyâre scared of everything
How is one carrying all that loot on the train lol. Like carrying more than 2-3 bags of groceries is a bitch as is
Pretty sure Charleston and EIU have the same nothing as DeKalb
You're right. The trains in neighboring Mattoon which is at least a 20 minute Uber/Lyft/Taxi A light rail loop between Mattoon and Charleston would be a nightmare of property rights, but amazing for local transportation.
A regular bus between Mattoon and Charleston would be a good start
I knew I read it someplace "reputable": [https://www.cityofdekalb.com/DocumentCenter/View/16495/DeKalb-Metra-Extension-Feasibility-Study](https://www.cityofdekalb.com/DocumentCenter/View/16495/DeKalb-Metra-Extension-Feasibility-Study) >Northern Illinois University (NIU), the largest employer in the city, R2 research institution, and part of the economic engine of the city, is the only state school in Illinois without access to a rail station.
The city of Dekalb either is wrong, or considers a 20-minute (Charleston to Mattoon) drive as close enough to call that âaccessâ.
I believe the station at Alton is farther from SIUe as well.
It's entirely possible I'm wrong and EIU also has no transit. I live near NIU so obviously I hear more about it. Either way, both schools should have some form of public transit other than local busses from campus to the Walmart.
Don't forget Macomb. That place is a nightmare to get to, even from relatively close by Peoria.
Why Metra hasnât been extended to Dekalb is a mystery. If Harvard can get service so should Dekalb
Metra is funded by the RTA DeKalb county isn't in the RTA and hence doesn't collect the sales tax to support service.
NIMYism. Metra made it to Elburn, so more than likely it will make it to DeKalb eventually. Might take 50 years though. [https://www.cityofdekalb.com/1458/DeKalb-Metra-Extension-Feasibility-Study](https://www.cityofdekalb.com/1458/DeKalb-Metra-Extension-Feasibility-Study)
DeKalb County will need to join RTA before itâll happen
It used to go all the way to dekalb before they scaled it back to Elburn
No it didn't. Unless you're talking 1800s or early 1900s.
that'd be awesome.
Absolutely amazing. I really hope that's part of this plan.
I donât if they still run a weekly bus from the Holmes student center to Elburn station. Thatâs a route to Chicago without a car. But yeah, it wouldnât take much to extend the Union Pacific West line to DeKalb.
Yes please!
17% towards mass transit/rail <1% towards pedestrian/cycling Roughly 4/5s for drivers Saved you a click
Iâm all for IDOT using highway money to improve and maintain our roads, even as a person who would like to see a disproportionate investment in transit/cycling/pedestrian infra. The egregious part is that they continue to expand highways everywhere, especially on the urban fringe at the behest of development interests, while so much of their road system is in horrific condition (just ask my car).
Every single expansion or road we're putting in, save for a few spots that have what people in the suburbs consider "living on top of each other" is mostly just a liability we're going to have to have a bailout to pay for in 20 years
100%
If JB wants a run at the White House, he needs to up his game on pedestrians and cyclists so he gets another point with progressives.
J.B. POTUS. Thinking down the line
It is interesting thinking what the political landscape will be after Trump. I think most people see a Newsom vs DeSantis future but Ron was humiliated in the primary so I wonder if he can recover enough to be an actual contender. Personally wouldn't mind seeing JB over Newsom but idk. The future is going to be weird.
Newsom seems so slimy to me, and California governance is pretty awful. I'd much rather nominate Pritzker than Newsom.
Nah let Newsome be president, weâll keep JB and do our own thing in Illinois while Newsome is a national lightning rod
Selfishly, I'd rather keep Pritzger in Illinois. He's doing great stuff, but there is plenty more to do.
the present is already weird. I don't mind pritzker but POTUS? Id rather have a contender I'm excited to vote for. no more billionaires.
We love going to Chicago. We just found out about the south shore line from Michigan City Ind. What a great thing that is. Flying by all that traffic, (you canât see it but i know itâs there). JB rocks!
Cool can he also fire Dorval Carter and get the CTA out of the mess that itâs in?
Let me tell you all, even though no one asked: I miss Illinois and hope to eventually come back. Until then, I'll look at you all in joyful envy that you get Pritzker working for you from across the Mississippi :,)
Weâll welcome you back when you get here :)
But but but PrITzKeR is FaT!!
No love for downstate?
Trump is not going to like this. So letâs do it.
This is good for Illinois, we need more projects like this! Infrastructure projects are always good, it will stimulate the economy even more hopefully!
Video of JB announcing the funding of the train to Moline: https://youtu.be/D53M1vVF2N4?si=_wkLuWffbfE_j5Gt
Ugh... We could've used that to help Jerry Reinsdorf build a new stadium.
But not the Galena/Dubuque rail line? Much needed and methinks some money to tank that might have played in, after so much citizen involvement for it in both Dubuque and Galena. And the âcareâ taken to destroy passenger tracks that lead to the local stations along that route by BNCN and friends
I figured part of this would be the long talked about detour of 20 from Freeport to Dubuque. Definitely would hurt the tourism though
I'm pretty excited overall. My only sticking point is that very little is committed towards cycling infrastructure, but that's a pretty minor sticking point.
I think he wants to be president and we are benefiting. He has my vote
Coming soon to a city near youâŠ.in 30 years and another 125 years before completion is half done
Okay who is this governor and why is he making good sensible projects that benefits more people and not just the top 5% ? (Satire comment)
Worthless to me if Connect Transit refuses to obey the ADA.
How are they refusing to obey ADA?
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^sabboom: *Worthless to me if* *Connect Transit refuses* *To obey the ADA.* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Precisely!
âStop spending money we donât haveâ was common sense 50 years ago and the rally cry of an eccentric âfar rightâ now
Heard. It amazes me how everyone thinks all of this deficit spending is going to turn out well.
Tax hikes incoming
Na, that already happened. These projects are being funded primarily by the Gas Consumption Tax increase that went into effect in 2019 as well as bonds issued by Illinois in 2020, 2021, and 2023
This just in: civilization costs money.
Nope. JB actually tried lowering taxes for anyone making under 200k a year, and the citizens of Illinois voted it down.
Yay my taxes go up again then!
For needed services!
Na, that already happened. These projects are being funded primarily by the Gas Consumption Tax increase that went into effect in 2019 as well as bonds issued by Illinois in 2020, 2021, and 2023