Illinois

Illinois High-Speed Rail Project Progresses With ‘Major Step’

Published

9 months ago

June 3, 2025

Illinois High-Speed Rail Project Progresses With ‘Major Step’

Plans for a high-speed rail route between Chicago and East St. Louis have moved forward after Illinois officials issued an update to a feasibility study into the project.

In a May update, the Illinois High-Speed Rail Commission said it was on track to publish the report by 2026—which includes a survey of over 6,000 residents in the state.

Newsweek contacted the commission via email for more information on the study’s progress.

The Context

A high-speed rail route connecting the largest city in Illinois to East St. Louis has been pitched by lawmakers for years, as it would provide huge levels of connectivity for the Midwest. The idea took a step toward reality when Illinois Governor JB Pritzker created the Illinois High Speed Rail Commission in 2021, to plan out what the route would need in order to work.

Amtrak’s California Zephyr passenger train departs Chicago Union Station on March 2, 2022.

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What To Know

The proposed route would go from Chicago to East St. Louis, a distance of around 300 miles, with trains running at a speed of 186 miles per hour.

The route currently being studied is split into three segments. The first, the Downtown Chicago area, connects to University Park and Joliet.

The middle stage of the potential route, the Chicago-Springfield Gateway, features stops at Peoria and Bloomington via Joliet, and Decatur and Champaign via University Park, before connecting all the stops to Springfield.

The final part of the route is a straight connection to East St. Louis from Springfield. Not all stops featured in the study may make it into the final design for the route, as the commission is still determining how much demand there might be for services in different parts of the state.

The commission said that it had held online meetings—which had been viewed by more than 7,500 people—and that the full verdict would be delivered to Illinois lawmakers in 2026.

According to the report update, a trip from Springfield to University Park on the proposed route would take around two and a half hours.

What People Are Saying

In a 2023 statement on the importance of high-speed rail, Governor JB Pritzker said: “Illinois is the only state where all seven of the nation’s largest railroads operate. That’s a unique economic advantage recognized by employers across the globe, helping our state attract and maintain quality jobs.

“By upgrading to higher-speed service on Illinois’ largest passenger rail line, we are solidifying our status as the transportation hub of North America. Investments like these do more than just connect cities—they allow our residents to access opportunities beyond their immediate neighborhoods, streamline regional collaborations, and open doors for new jobs and new businesses.”

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin said: “This transformative endeavor, decades in the making, symbolizes our commitment to improving mobility, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable growth. From local communities to federal officials, countless individuals have contributed to its success, leaving an indelible mark on the Midwest and our nation’s rail operations.”

What Happens Next

Lawmakers are awaiting the results of the feasibility study before the next stage of planning can begin.

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Illinois

Illinois GOP governor primary debate: Submit your questions for candidates

Published

1 hour ago

February 14, 2026

Press Room

Illinois GOP governor primary debate: Submit your questions for candidates

CHICAGO – Multiple Republican candidates are competing for the chance to take on Gov. JB Pritzker in this year’s gubernatorial election.

Former state lawmaker Darren Bailey, who lost to Pritzker in the 2022 general election, is the frontrunner for this year’s GOP primary as well. He and conservative entrepreneur and researcher Tom Dabrowski are slated to participate in a debate on Fox Chicago on Tuesday, Feb. 24, to discuss the major issues facing the state.

Darren Bailey and Tom Dabrowski are running in the Republican primary for Illinois governor. (Getty Images, Dabrowski campaign)

Election Day is March 17, but early voting begins this month across the state.

Illinois governor’s race: Who is running to challenge JB Pritzker?

How to watch the debate

The debate will air live on Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. and you can watch on Fox Chicago, Fox32Chicago.com, and on the FOX LOCAL app.

The debate will be moderated by Fox Chicago’s Political Editor Paris Schutz.

Viewers can have their voices heard and help shape the conversation by submitting questions to ask the candidates. Select questions may be answered live on air during the debate.

Submit your questions to Parisonpolitics@fox.com.

NewsElectionIllinois Politics

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Illinois

Man shot inside Springfield Mall, suspect in custody – WTOP News

Published

13 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Press Room

Man shot inside Springfield Mall, suspect in custody – WTOP News

A man was shot inside Springfield Mall in Springfield, Virginia, on Friday evening, and a suspect is in custody, according to police.

A man was shot inside Springfield Mall in Springfield, Virginia, Friday evening and a suspect is in custody, according to police.

The shooting happened around 5:30 p.m., Fairfax County police told WTOP. Responding officers found a man inside the mall who’d been shot in the upper body. He was taken to a local hospital with injuries police said were not life-threatening.

Police said they have recovered a gun and that a suspect is in custody.

The scene is secure and there is no ongoing threat to the public, police said.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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Illinois

Will it snow on Valentine’s Day? An Illinois forecast

Published

1 day ago

February 13, 2026

Press Room

Will it snow on Valentine’s Day? An Illinois forecast

Couples across Illinois will set out tomorrow for dinner dates and romantic excursions to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

But as we near the end of winter and the beginning of spring, the weather is becoming increasingly finnicky, with rain and cold one day followed by sunshine and warmth the next.

So what will the weather be like Saturday, Feb. 14? Here’s the forecast.

Chicago Valentine’s Day forecast

Saturday will be partly cloudy in Chicago with a high of 48-53 degrees during the day and low 40s near the lakeshore. The low will drop to around 32-37 at night with a chance of rain south of I-80.

Peoria Valentine’s Day forecast

Saturday will be partly cloudy in Peoria with a high of 51 degrees and a low of 31.

Springfield Valentine’s Day forecast

Saturday in Springfield will bring a high of 50 degrees and a low of 35. Sunshine will give way to increasing clouds and periods of rainfall in the afternoon.

Bloomington Valentine’s Day forecast

Sun will give way to clouds Saturday in Bloomington, with a high of 49 degrees and a low of 32.

Champaign Valentine’s Day forecast

Sun will give way to clouds Saturday in Champaign, with a high of 46 degrees and a low of 34.

Rockford Valentine’s Day forecast

Rockford will start off sunny and warm Saturday, with increasing clouds as the day goes on. The high of 55 degrees will near the city’s 2006 record of 59, with a low of 29 at night.

Galesburg Valentine’s Day forecast

Sun will give way to clouds Saturday in Galesburg, with a high of 52 degrees and a low of 28.

Carbondale Valentine’s Day forecast

Saturday will be cool with occasional rain in Carbondale, giving way to possible localized flooding. The high will be around 49 degrees and the low will be 42.

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