Public Meeting Planned On Chicago To Rockford Passenger Rail Project

ROCKFORD — The Illinois Department of Transportation will host a public meeting Thursday, Sept. 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the RPL Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., to share updates on plans to restore passenger rail service between Chicago and Rockford. The project, funded with $275 million from Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois program, is expected to begin service in 2027 with stops in Elgin, Huntley and Belvidere. Travel time is projected at under two hours with two round trips daily, and additional improvements will include upgraded crossings, bridges and new stations in Rockford, Huntley and Belvidere.