Illinois: Don’t Cut Funding for Amtrak

Governor Rauner’s proposed budget for the year beginning July 1 slashes the Amtrak line item from $42 million to $26 million a year, a 40% cut. [1] This would likely mean service reductions on three downstate Amtrak routes, including the Illini and Saluki trains that serve Champaign-Urbana and Carbondale, two cities with huge college student populations from the Chicago area, many of whom use Amtrak service. These trains are often at capacity.

Some Democratic lawmakers have suggested avoiding the cuts by continuing to use the state road fund to pay for Amtrak services, rather than general revenue. Amtrak keeps autos off the roads, reducing wear and tear on the roads and saving lives. Amtrak protects the environment, by using less fossil fuels. And Amtrak saves time, because unlike driving, you can safely do other things while you ride the train.

Urge Governor Rauner and your state legislators to protect full funding for Amtrak by signing our petition.

References:
1. http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2015-05-20/budget-fix-proposed-amtrak-use-idot-road-fund.html