Senator DeWitte Encourages Public Participation in Upcoming Meetings to Re-Establish Chicago to Rockford Rail Line
As a reminder, I want to personally invite residents of northern Kane and southern McHenry Counties to attend one of two upcoming public meetings where residents can learn about and provide feedback into a proposal to re-establish intercity passenger rail service from Chicago to Rockford with intermediate stops planned in Elgin, Huntley, and Belvidere.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is partnering with Union Pacific Railroad and Metra to provide expanded service that will connect Elgin, Huntley, and Belvidere to Chicago and Rockford. Especially for those who commute to Chicago or want to visit the new Hard Rock Casino or other venues in Rockford, this line will save riders a great deal of time since they will have a much shorter drive to their closest train station.
Meetings are scheduled on the following dates:
Elgin: September 17
4:00 – 7:00 PM
The Centre of Elgin
100 Symphony Way, Elgin
Huntley: September 18
4:00 – 7:00 PM
Huntley Park District
12015 Mill Street, Huntley
While early in the process, a current proposal calls for two round trips per day on the line, with an expected trip time of about two hours. The project timeline calls for a 2027 date for the start of service on the re-established line.
I hope to see large turnouts at both of these public meetings and would encourage those who would use the service to help keep the project timeline on track by voicing their support and expressing the need for the service. Additional information about the project can be found at: https://chicagotorockfordrail.org/.
Events, Events, Events!
Thank you to everyone who came out to my IPASS on Demand event in Algonquin last week. About 120 people met with members of the mobile team from the Illinois Tollway to switch out their IPASS transponders to the new sticker technology.
This week I have a Senior Expo in St. Charles and a free Document Shredding event in Pingree Grove. Please mark your calendars for these and other upcoming events:
- September 17: Senior Expo: St. Charles Pottawatomie Park (Community Center), 8 North Avenue, St. Charles, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- September 21: Shred Event: 1865 Andrew Blvd, Pingree Grove, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- September 24: I-CASH Unclaimed Property Day: Algonquin Village Hall, 2200 Harnish Drive, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- September 30- October 16: Coat Drive: Drop-off at DeWitte Offices (641 South 8th Street, West Dundee, and 406 Surrey Woods Drive, Unit A, St. Charles) offices open M-F from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- October 15: Senior Expo: Crystal Lake Park District Grand Oaks Building, 1401 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- October 28: IPASS on Demand: Algonquin Township Building, 3702 U.S. Route 14, Crystal Lake
Please visit the Events Page on my website to learn more about these and other events.
New Study Shows Illinois Losing Young, High-Earning Professionals
Young professionals are rapidly becoming one of Illinois’ top exports according to new data from SmartAsset, which ranks Illinois among the top states losing millennials to more tax-friendly states.
The report ranked states based on how many young households earning $200,000 or more left in 2022. Illinois came in second, with 1,323 households between the ages of 26 and 35 choosing to move to more tax-friendly states.
Illinois’ high tax burden has long been cited as a major factor in driving residents out of state and compounding Illinois’ outmigration problem. Just this spring, Governor Pritzker signed nearly $1 billion in new taxes into law, primarily to fund spending on the migrant crisis he invited to the state.
As long as the Governor and his allies continue pushing their misplaced priorities at the expense of working families, residents will continue to seek genuine relief elsewhere. They stress that state leaders need to recognize these trends and do more to protect families working daily just to make ends meet.
Registering to Vote
With the general election just around the corner, now is the time for Illinois residents to learn more about the voting process and how to register. Whether you’re a first-time voter or need to update your information, voting is a way to make your voice heard in government.
Voter requirements in Illinois include:
- Being a U.S. citizen
- Living in your election precinct for at least 30 days prior to Election Day
- Being at least 18 years old by the date of the general election
Individuals serving a sentence in a penal institution are not permitted to vote, and voters may only claim the right to vote in one location.
For those who need to check their registration status or want to register to vote, visit the Illinois Online Voter Registration Application Website.