Ill. reaches high speed rail deal

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois officials have reached an agreement with Springfield-area authorities that they hope will bolster the effort to bring high-speed trains to Illinois.

Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig announced Wednesday a pact in which Springfield and Sangamon County allow the state to seek federal funds for fast trains to run through the center of the capital city on its St. Louis to Chicago route.

Local officials had opposed that. In return for their agreement, Transportation will also provide funds for a study of putting the trains on rails that run through the city's east side, away from downtown.

Illinois has sought $550 in federal economic stimulus money to improve rail beds along the St. Louis, Milwaukee and Detroit corridors.