Belvidere to Host Public Meeting on Chicago-Rockford Passenger Rail

BELVIDERE — The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting Monday, Sept. 29, at the Rivers Edge Recreation Center to share updates on plans to restore passenger rail service between Chicago and Rockford, a project funded through Gov. JB Pritzker’s $275 million Rebuild Illinois program. The meeting will allow residents to view a video presentation, exhibit boards and other project information and ask questions. The service is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2027 with stops in Elgin and Belvidere, two daily round trips and travel time of just under two hours. Planned improvements include track upgrades, enhanced crossing safety, connections between Metra and Union Pacific tracks in Elgin, and new stations in Rockford and Belvidere.