Public meeting in Belvidere to share information on Chicago-Rockford passenger rail service 

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting a public meeting in Belvidere to provide updates on plans to reestablish passenger rail service between Chicago and Rockford, a project made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker's historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. The meeting will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, at the Rivers Edge Recreation Center, 1151 W. Locust St. in Belvidere. 

At the meeting, the public will have the opportunity to learn about the project and provide feedback. The event will be held in an open-house format, with a video presentation, exhibit boards and other project information available. Staff also will be on hand to answer questions. 

A public meeting that was scheduled to be held Oct. 2 in Huntley has been canceled. ​ 

Tentatively scheduled to begin in 2027, the new service will connect Chicago and Rockford, with stops anticipated in Elgin and Belvidere. Travel time between Chicago and Rockford is anticipated to be slightly less than two hours, with two round trips a day. A fare structure and schedule are still to be determined. Other project components include connection between Metra and Union Pacific tracks in Elgin, track improvements to increase speeds for passenger trains, and crossing safety enhancements. ​ Stations also will be built in Rockford and Belvidere. 

For more information, visit www.chicagotorockfordrail.org. 

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