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High Speed Rail Commission

The High-Speed Railway Commission Act created the High Speed Railway Commission to create a statewide plan for a high-speed rail line and feeder network connecting St. Louis, Missouri and Chicago, Illinois that includes current existing Amtrak and Metra services, connects the cities of Rockford, Moline, Peoria, and Decatur, and uses inter-city bus service to coordinate with the rail line. The Commission shall conduct a ridership study and shall make findings and recommendations concerning a governance structure, the frequency of service, and implementation of the plan.

20 ILCS 4102/  High-Speed Railway Commission Act. (ilga.gov)

Mission Statement

High Speed Rail Feasibility Study

Amended By Laws 9.23.2024

By Laws

Annual Reports

Governance

The Act establishes that the Illinois Department of Transportation shall provide administrative and other support to the Commission.  The Commission shall report to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than December 31 of each year and be dissolved on January 1, 2027.

The Act states the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Commission shall be elected from the Commission's membership by a simple majority vote of the total membership. Appointments have been made by the Governor. Vacancies in Commission membership shall be filled in the same manner. Total membership of the Commission consists of the number of members serving on the Commission, not including any vacant positions. A quorum consists of a simple majority of total membership and shall be sufficient to conduct the business of the Commission, unless stipulated otherwise in the bylaws of the Commission.

The Commission shall meet at least quarterly.  Members of the Commission shall receive no compensation for service as members.  The current list of appointments can be found here: Office of Executive Appointments - Appointments - Boards and Commissions Detail View.

The meetings are open to the public.

2025 Meeting Dates

November 19, 2025 Meeting

September 10, 2025 Meeting

July 14, 2025 Meeting

May 19, 2025 Meeting

April 14, 2025 Meeting

March 10, 2025 Meeting

February 10, 2025 Meeting

January 15, 2025 Meeting

December 16, 2024 Meeting

October 21, 2024 Meeting

September 23, 2024 Meeting

August 26, 2024 Meeting

July 25, 2024 Meeting

May 30, 2024 Meeting

March 18, 2024 Meeting

January 25, 2024 Meeting

November 29, 2023 Meeting

October 12, 2023 Meeting

August 24, 2023 Meeting

July 12, 2023 Meeting

May 30, 2023 Meeting

The second meeting of the High Speed Railway Commission will be held May 30, 2023 at 10am at IDOT Headquarters at 2300 S Dirksen Parkway, Auditorium.  Public attendees may register to join at this link: https://illinois.webex.com/weblink/register/r562ae9dccd31adeec74d77549cfd6601

April 11, 2023 Meeting

The inaugural meeting of the High Speed Railway Commission was held April 11, 2023 at 10am at IDOT Headquarters at 2300 S Dirksen Parkway, Room 347, Executive Conference Room.

Need Help?

For more information on the Illinois High-Speed Railway commissions or to attend a meeting please contact

DOT.HighSpeedRailwayCommission@Illinois.gov