Chuck Sweeny: Don't hide behind Amtrak's skirts GOP - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

• Despite what Rep. John Cabello said Wednesday about the future of passenger trains coming to Rockford — that Amtrak told him no at a House Transportation Committee meeting — this is not Amtrak's call. Anyone who went to the Feb. 25 hearing of the Senate Transportation Committee in Rockford knows that.

  And the facts have not changed. This is a matter that legislators, including Cabello, R-Machesney Park, must decide. The ball is in Cabello's court, not Amtrak's.

  As Marc Magliari, Amtrak's Midwest spokesman, told me late Wednesday night to set the record straight:

  "The incoming governor has halted several projects pending further review. This is not a new fact. As we testified in Rockford on Feb. 25 and in Springfield this afternoon, the budget proposed by the governor does not contain sufficient funds for the current service levels elsewhere in the state. The state will decide how much service it will contract with Amtrak to provide. The decision about this route to Rockford rests with the state of Illinois, not Amtrak. That is what we have always said."

  This project is in two phases. First, before any passenger service can be considered, the Union Pacific's track and bridges across the Fox and Rock rivers must be improved and a connecting track built near Elgin to connect the Rockford track with Metra's line. That will cost north of $200 million. That's an Illinois Department of Transportation responsibility that has absolutely nothing to do with Amtrak. It would also enable the UP to add freight customers in Rockford, something the railroad is interested in doing.

  The second phase would be operating the train. That, too, is the state's responsibility. Illinois operates passenger trains on three lines: Chicago to Quincy, Chicago to Carbondale, Chicago to Springfield and St. Louis.

  Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposed budget would cut the $41 million state subsidy for those trains to $26 million, meaning the number of trains will have to be reduced. There's no money for new services, needless to say.

  Again, that depends on the budget that legislators actually approve. At this point, Rauner's budget amounts to a series of suggestions. None of it has been passed by the Legislature.

  I talked to Mayor Larry Morrissey on Friday morning, and he emphasized that what's important is for our legislative team to agitate together for continuation of the track and bridge upgrades — 15 to 20 percent of the engineering has been done — so that we will eventually have good track to connect Rockford, Belvidere and Huntley to Elgin. Oh, and despite a rumor going around, the trip to downtown Chicago will take no more than two hours, not three. The eventual goal is to have fast, frequent commuter trains operating between Chicago and Rockford, bypassing the multiple stops between Chicago and Elgin.

  Page 2 of 2 - This project was part of then-Gov. Pat Quinn's re-election campaign. When Quinn came to Rockford to announce it last April, Republican legislators were caught off guard. I am not convinced that they really supported it, but no one has said so to this point.

  However, this isn't really just a partisan project. Locally, we've been developing plans for rail service since the 1990s, and it was started by leaders in Boone County. Last time I checked, they were Republicans.

  If Republican legislators from the area do not support the train project they need to come out and say so. Have a joint press conference and tell us why this is a bad idea that needs to be scrapped.

  It's a valid position. I don't agree with it, but hey, that's politics. I respect people who are honest with me about their beliefs and positions on issues. I'm sure you do, too.

  Amtrak will run trains if they're compensated for the service. Trains that run 750 miles or less are the responsibility of the states.

  I remind you that all passenger transportation, as well as road and water-borne freight, is heavily subsidized by government, which owns the roads, airports, and locks and dams. Taxes and fees maintain these assets. None dare call it socialism, but that's what it is and always has been. Only the nation's freight railroads build, own and maintain their rights of way. They pay taxes on it, too.

  So, how about it, Republicans. Take responsibility. Show your cards. Tell us where you really stand. Because this project's future depends on YOU, not Amtrak. Are we clear?

  Chuck Sweeny: 815-987-1366; csweeny@rrstar.com; @chucksweeny

• By Chuck Sweeny
  Rockford Register Star

Chuck Sweeny: Don't hide behind Amtrak's skirts GOP - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL