State, local, transportation leaders announce coalition in support of Chicago Union Station Access Project

A broad coalition of federal, state and local leaders gathered at Chicago Union Station to voice their support of the Chicago Union Station Access Project, which will transform passenger rail in the region. 

U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, and regional transportation leaders were among those in attendance. 

“Chicago Union Station has long been the hub of our passenger rail network in Illinois and the Midwest,” said Durbin. “But it’s time for a new and transformational vision that will improve and expand passenger rail. The $418 million Chicago Union Station Access Project will significantly enhance the passenger rail experience in and out of Chicago and provide a range of improvements to passenger rail service in Illinois and throughout our region. I’m glad to join Mayor Lightfoot and regional leaders in pushing to get this essential project across the finish line.” 

The $418 million project is a joint effort by Amtrak, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the city of Chicago, Metra, Cook County and Michigan’s Department of Transportation. The project is supported by a broad coalition of regional leaders including labor, business and environmental groups.  The project partners recently applied for $251 million in federal funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s new MEGA grant program, which provides federal funding for large projects of regional significance. 

“Chicago is grateful to be a part of one of the most robust transportation systems in the country,” said Lightfoot. “This transformational project for a passenger rail will strengthen this system, as well as deepen our regional partnership with other transportation stakeholders. I thank Sen. Durbin for working to secure federal funding for this effort and look forward to seeing it become a reality in the near future.” 

Sen. Durbin and Lightfoot were joined by Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-4), Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, IDOT Secretary Omer Osman, Metra CEO Jim Derwinski and Cook County DOT Superintendent Sis Killen. Representatives from the Regional Transit Authority, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, the Chicago Department of Transportation, the Chicago Federation of Labor, the Environmental Law and Policy Center and the Commercial Club of Chicago also joined to show their support.    

“We’ve been working on these ideas and bringing the partners together for years. We can’t be sure we will get all the funding we’re seeking, but our goals line-up exactly with the USDOT’s Mega project goals. While these are big-ticket items, there are big needs here in Chicago. We certainly have reason to be optimistic because of the support of Senator Durbin and so many others, including Senator Duckworth, Congressman Garcia, Governor Pritzker, President Preckwinkle, Mayor Lightfoot, the RTA and Metra, and our Michigan partners,” said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner.  

“The improvements to Union Station will build upon the investments being made in passenger rail across the state through Gov. Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Working together, as local, state and federal partners, we are strengthening our status as the transportation hub of North America.” 

The Chicago Union Station Access Project will create a new way for passenger trains to access Union Station from the South, which will significantly improve on-time performance for both Amtrak and Metra trains; provide the increased capacity needed for the new routes and increased frequencies that Amtrak has planned for the Midwest; provide faster connectivity between the region’s largest job hubs; improve on-time performance by more than 15 minutes on the Chicago to Carbondale route; transition Amtrak’s southbound passenger service off of Canadian National’s tracks between Chicago and Joliet, which will further improve on-time performance; transform the inside of Union Station, improving the passenger experience by modernizing concourses and platforms to improve passenger flow and providing cleaner air by updating the station’s ventilation system; and allow for future direct rail service between O’Hare and McCormick Place via Union Station. 

“We appreciate Senator Durbin’s continued advocacy and commitment to bringing our region together to improve passenger railroad service throughout the Midwest,” said Jim Derwinski, CEO/Executive Director, Metra. “The improvements discussed today to Chicago Union Station would benefit Metra and Amtrak riders alike by providing a modern passenger experience at the station and would help pave the way for an expansion of Metra’s service and the opportunity to consider through-running between our north and south corridors. I look forward to working with Senator Durbin, the City of Chicago, Amtrak and our regional partners to advocate for these critical federal funds to improve service.”    

Michigan State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba added, “The Michigan Department of Transportation supports Amtrak and our partners in applying for the federal MEGA grant application. Improvements to Chicago Union Station and the final design of double tracking on the Amtrak-owned line from Niles through and beyond Dowagiac, Mich., will be a huge benefit for rail travelers.”