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IL Governor wants to cut Amtrak service


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#1 CNJRoss

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Posted 20 February 2015 - 07:45 PM

The Southern Illinoisian, Carbondale, IL, 2/18:
 

Rauner wants to cut Amtrak service

 

SPRINGFIELD — Amtrak riders could see fewer trains rolling through Illinois under Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposed budget.

 

As part of the spending plan unveiled Wednesday by the Republican businessman, funding that helps pay for trains serving downstate Illinois would be rolled back to 2013 levels.

 

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#2 CNJRoss

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Posted 08 March 2015 - 01:42 PM

Thee Southern "Business Journal," Carbondale, IL, 3/8:
 

Amtrak service could be cut 40 percent

 

Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposed state budget is calling for a 40 percent cut in funding for Amtrak, which could have significant impact on all of Southern Illinois.

 

Currently, the Amtrak station in Carbondale has three daily trains taking passengers to Chicago.

 

The 58 City of New Orleans leaves at 3:16 a.m., the 390 Saluki at 7:30 a.m., and 392 Illini at 4:15 p.m. They're the times SIU students, business leaders and residents have come to rely on.

 

According to The Associated Press, ridership on the Illini-Saluki line between Chicago and Carbondale has gone up 22 percent to about 316,000 riders in the past five years.

 

The governor’s budget proposed a drop in funding from $42 million to $26 million. The final amount of funding for the train service will not be decided until the Legislature approves the budget, but Amtrak officials say the budget would likely lead to service reductions.

 

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#3 CNJRoss

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Posted 12 April 2015 - 07:13 PM

The Southern Illinoisian, 4/12:
 

 

Editorial

Duncan: Keep all Amtrak service in Carbondale

 

Transportation in Southern Illinois could be facing some serious challenges in the near future.

 

If Gov. Bruce Rauner’s budget passes with his current proposal, Amtrak would lose about $16 million, or 40 percent, in state funding. The scary part of that number for Southern Illinois is train service could be reduced dramatically.

 

SNIP

 

Not only would reduced service impact the ability of those individuals to travel, Carbondale also loses out on more revenue because those same travelers stop at Thai Taste or Pagliai’s for a bite while waiting on the train, which in turn, brings in tax dollars.

 

The cancellation of two routes in Carbondale would have a domino effect throughout the region, and it would be terrible for the entire area.

 

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#4 CNJRoss

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Posted 15 April 2015 - 05:27 AM

The Southern Illinoisian, Carbondale, IL, 4/14:
 

Lawmakers rally around Amtrak service, protest cuts

 

CARBONDALE – Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposed state budget is calling for a 40 percent cut in funding for Amtrak, from $42 million to $26 million, and advocates for rail service aren't going to let go quietly.

 

At a news conference Monday, a representative with the Midwest High Speed Rail Association and Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, urged Southern Illinois residents to contact their legislators and the governor and let them know Amtrak is a vital factor in economic development in the southern part of the state.

 

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#5 CNJRoss

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Posted 22 April 2015 - 07:25 PM

Milwaukee Business Journal, 4/22:
 

Amtrak's Hiawatha route may be hit by proposed Illinois budget cut

 

It is unclear whether a proposal to cut Illinois’ funding for Amtrak service would affect the popular Hiawatha passenger rail route between Milwaukee and Chicago.

 

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed budget would cut the state’s support for Amtrak passenger rail service from $42 million to $26 million in 2016. The Hiawatha line is among routes in Illinois that collect a portion of that money.   .   .   .

 

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#6 CNJRoss

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Posted 13 May 2015 - 04:14 PM

The Pantagraph,  Bloomington, IL 5/13:
 

Top Amtrak official to testify on state cuts

 

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner's attempt to cut funding for passenger rail service in Illinois has drawn the head of the nation's railroad to the Statehouse.

 

Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman is scheduled to testify before a House committee on Wednesday in reaction to Rauner's plan to reduce the state's subsidy for train service by $16 million.

 

Boardman, who has overseen management of Amtrak since 2008, is expected to discuss the value of Amtrak service to the state and the impact of Rauner's cuts to the service.

 

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#7 KevinKorell

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Posted 12 June 2015 - 10:30 PM

St. Louis, MO Post-Dispatch, 6/12/15:


Rauner announces more planned cuts if no Illinois budget deal

 

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday announced additional plans to cut spending if Illinois lawmakers are unable to reach a deal on a new state budget.

(snip)

• Reduce funding for Amtrak

 

Story



Kevin Korell


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#8 CNJRoss

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Posted 15 June 2015 - 07:33 AM

The Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL 6/12:
 

Governor threatens cuts to Amtrak, ISU, shooting complex

 

SPRINGFIELD — Hoping to ratchet up pressure on his Democratic foes, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner announced a new round of threatened cuts to state services on Friday.

 

Included in a laundry list of reductions designed to save an estimated $420 million are cuts in state payments to Amtrak;  .  .  .

 

SNIP

 

The impasse has left the state without a budget agreement and facing a potential shutdown when the new fiscal year begins July 1.

 

In a statement, Rauner described Friday's action as a way to "responsibly manage the state's finances" in preparation of having no budget deal in two weeks.

 

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#9 KevinKorell

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Posted 17 June 2015 - 09:09 PM

St. Louis, MO Post-Dispatch, 6/17/15:

 


Amtrak unsure whether Gov. Rauner will cut state funding

 

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has said that he wants to reduce Amtrak service in the state starting July 1, but an Amtrak spokesman says the state Department of Transportation hasn't informed the national rail line about any cuts.

This one



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#10 KevinKorell

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Posted 27 June 2015 - 07:43 PM

CBS Chicago, 6/27/15:

 


Amtrak Not Planning On Service Cuts Heading Into New Fiscal Year

 

If you’re ticketed on an Amtrak train to or from downstate points over the July 4 weekend, don’t worry — your train will be running, despite the state’s fiscal crisis and impending funding cuts.

Update



Kevin Korell


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