About Us: History

July 2009 – Illinois Department of Transportation submitted pre-applications for several routes in Illinois, including a request to study a 220-mph line linking St. Louis and Chicago.

June 2009 – Illinois General Assembly appropriated $850 million for railroad infrastructure investment, including $150 million for Amtrak expansion and $400 million for high-speed rail, largest state legislative appropriation for railroads in nation's history.

June 2009 – The Midwest High Speed Rail Association announced the first ever transportation engineering study of a 220-mph rail corridor in the Midwest. The report is the first step in building the case for 220-mph lines connecting all the major cities in the Midwest.

2008-2009 – Conducted email-based grassroots campaign to increase expectations for high-speed rail funding in Recovery Act, generating over 22,000 emails to the President and members of Congress.

2008 – Conducted "Tell your California Friend to Vote for High-Speed Rail" campaign providing critical margin of victory.

2008 – Conducted an online petition drive with our Transit Riders' Alliance brand to gauge public desire to use credit cards to purchase Metra tickets. Due to positive response, grassroots campaign to persuade Metra to take credit cards was launched. In Spring 2009, Metra announced that credit cards will be accepted for ticket purchases. Illinois General Assembly passed law requiring Metra to accept credit cards soon after.

2007-2008 – Launched Transit Riders' Alliance project www.transitridersalliance.org to conduct grass-roots campaign supporting funding increase for transit agencies throughout Illinois. Campaign generated more than 400,000 emails to Governor and members of Illinois General Assembly.

2006 – Lead successful campaign to remove legal restriction barring State of Illinois from owning railroad rolling stock. Illinois General Assembly voted to double yearly Amtrak appropriation, doubling frequencies on three Illinois routes. Trains began running in October 2006.

2005 – Illinois General Assembly created the "Intercity Passenger Rail Fund." The Association assisted local leaders in promoting additional service on the Chicago - Springfield - St. Louis corridor.

2004 – Launched "Abe Lincoln Express" educational campaign. Campaign was designed to break stalemate in passenger rail policy by creating a state-based project that can be implemented quickly. This campaign lead to the doubling of Amtrak service in Illinois in 2006.

2003 – Membership surpassed 1,000.

2002 – Hosted summit of nationwide passenger train advocates to establish the American Passenger Rail Agreement.

2001 – Hired first full-time executive director in partnership with the National Association of Railroad Passengers.

1999 – Grew membership from roughly 60 members to more than 600 in just one year.

1993 – The Association was founded with roughly 20 members.