Amtrak Funds Try To Stay on Track With Possible Cut

amtrak_logoAt the tourism council meeting yesterday, council members discussed the importance of keeping Amtrak funding for Galesburg.

Amtrak funding is passed through the Illinois Department of Transportation road fund, but Governor Bruce Rauner is thinking of cutting Amtrak expenses and moving that money into a general fund.

Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing, Bill Morris tells WGIL, that Amtrak funding reached $42 million last year and cutting the funds for this year is proposed to be reduced by 40%.

“If that happens, we will probably see some trains get cut, and most likely we will see something happen in our area,” says Morris. “We’ve been trying very hard to convince them not to cut one of our round trip trains, but we think none of the trains across the state should be cut. In stead they should be growing Amtrak.”

Morris says funding cannot afford to take a step backwards.

“If we do need trains in the future, and we need as many possibilities to bring people into town as possible, it’s going to be more difficult.”

Morris adds that not keeping the current amount of funding for Amtrak, would be detrimental to both citizens in Galesburg and across the state.

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