Advocates grow hopeful for new Illinois passenger trains

CHICAGO (AP) - Transportation advocates hope that the new incoming Illinois governor will be able to help establish two new train routes connecting Chicago to the Quad Cities and Rockford.

The Chicago Tribune reports groups hope Democrat J.B. Pritzker will be able to revive the two projects, which have stalled in recent years.

Ray Forsythe is planning and development director with the city of Moline, which is part of the Quad Cities along the Illinois and Iowa border. Forsythe says he hopes Pritzker's administration will emphasize passenger rail.

Democratic Illinois Sen. Steve Stadelman says the Rockford line is a popular idea in the northern part of the state. He says moving the project forward will depend on gaining political support and financial contributions.