{{Short description|Proposed Metra inter-city rail service}} {{use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox rail service | box_width = | name = Rockford Intercity Passenger Rail | color = | logo = | logo_width = | image = | image_width = | alt = | caption = | type = [[Inter-city rail]] | status = Planning | locale = | predecessor = ''[[Black Hawk (Amtrak train)|Black Hawk]]'' | first = {{Start date|2027|df=y}} | last = <!--{{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}}--> | successor = | operator = [[Metra]] | formeroperator = | ridership = | ridership2 = | website = https://chicagotorockfordrail.org/ | start = [[Chicago Union Station]] | stops = 4 (2 existing, 2 proposed) | end = [[Rockford, Illinois|Rockford]] | distance = {{Convert|86.8|mi}} | journeytime = 95 minutes<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 July 2023 |title=Metra to provide service between Rockford, Chicago for first time in over 40 years |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/metra-rockford-chicago-service/ |access-date=2 November 2024 |work=[[CBS News]]}}</ref> | frequency = Two daily roundtrips | trainnumber = | line_used = [[Milwaukee District West Line|Elgin Subdivision]], Belvidere Subdivision | class = | access = | seating = | sleeping = | autorack = | catering = | observation = | entertainment = | baggage = | otherfacilities = | stock = | gauge = {{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}} | el = | speed = {{Convert|79|mph|abbr=on}} ({{Tooltip|top|top speed}}) | trainlength = | owners = [[Metra]], [[Canadian Pacific Kansas City|CPKC]], [[Union Pacific Railroad]] | routenumber = | maintenance = | sharing = | map = {{Rockford Intercity Passenger Rail}} | map_state = | module = }}
The '''Rockford Intercity Passenger Rail''' is a proposed [[Metra]] [[inter-city rail]] service between [[Chicago]] and [[Rockford, Illinois]]. The project is being led by the [[Illinois Department of Transportation]] (IDOT) funded with $275 million through the Rebuild Illinois capital plan. The route is expected to begin by 2027, reinstating rail service to Rockford for the first time in over 40 years after the discontinuation of [[Amtrak]]'s ''[[Black Hawk (Amtrak train)|Black Hawk]]'' in 1981.<ref name="now boarding">{{cite news |last1=Kolkey |first1=Jeff |title=Now boarding: Everything you need to know about Rockford's new Metra line to Chicago |url=https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/state/2023/07/07/everything-you-need-to-know-rockfords-new-metra-train-line/70388574007/ |access-date=7 September 2023 |work=Rockford Register Star}}</ref>
The service will operate without stops along the [[Milwaukee District West Line]] between [[Chicago Union Station]] and [[Elgin, Illinois|Elgin]], with a stop at one of the three existing Metra stations. The route will continue west beyond [[Big Timber Road station]] on a new connection to the [[Union Pacific Railroad]]'s Belvidere Subdivision. The service will have an intermediate stop in [[Belvidere, Illinois|Belvidere]] before terminating in downtown Rockford.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Studenkov |first1=Igor |title=I want you to want commuter rail: Pritzker announces $275M award to Metra to restore Rockford-Chicago train service |url=https://chi.streetsblog.org/2023/07/06/i-want-you-to-want-commuter-rail-pritzker-announces-275m-award-to-metra-to-restore-rockford-chicago-train-service |access-date=7 September 2023 |work=Streetsblog Chicago |date=6 July 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
The route has yet to receive an official name, with Metra interested in branding the service to distinguish it from its existing [[commuter rail]] network.<ref name="draw riders">{{cite news |last1=Freishtat |first1=Sarah |title=IL: Metra was chosen to operate service to Rockford. That could help the commuter rail as it struggles to bring back riders |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/news/53066471/il-metra-was-chosen-to-operate-service-to-rockford-that-could-help-the-commuter-rail-as-it-struggles-to-bring-back-riders |access-date=7 September 2023 |work=Chicago Tribune |agency=Mass Transit |date=19 July 2023}}</ref>
In a late 2025 update, the project administrators confirmed the necessary construction/track upgrades were slated to begin in Spring 2026, with passenger service still set for 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Alyssa |date=2025-09-19 |title=Despite community doubts, officials say Rockford passenger rail is full steam ahead |url=https://www.wifr.com/2025/09/19/despite-community-doubts-officials-say-rockford-passenger-rail-is-full-steam-ahead/ |access-date=2026-01-23 |website= |language=en}}</ref>
==Stations and fares== The route will service five stations at two existing and three new facilities. Existing stations will be located at Chicago Union Station, the line's east terminal, and at an existing station in Elgin, either [[National Street station|National Street]], [[Elgin station (Illinois)|downtown Elgin]], or [[Big Timber Road station|Big Timber Road]]. Station locations and designs in Huntley, Belvidere, and Rockford need to be determined, with preliminary plans expected by November 1, 2023.<ref name="july meeting">{{cite news |last1=Studenkov |first1=Igor |title=Metra Board of Directors officially signs off on planning Rockford service via Memorandum of Understanding with IDOT |url=https://chi.streetsblog.org/2023/07/21/metra-board-of-directors-officially-signs-off-on-planning-rockford-service-via-memorandum-of-understanding-with-idot |access-date=7 September 2023 |work=Streetsblog Chicago |date=21 July 2023 |language=en}}</ref> The station at Chicago Street in downtown Elgin is presented as the preferred choice, offering a connection to [[Pace (transit)|Pace]]'s Elgin Transportation Center.<ref>{{cite web |title=Issue II February 2024 |url=https://www.chicagotorockfordrail.org/media/agjbghhd/issue-iii-chicagotorockford-newsletter.pdf |publisher=Illinois Department of Transportation |access-date=28 September 2024}}</ref> The village of Huntley withdrew its support of the project in October 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=Huntley backs out of planned Metra station for new passenger train service between Rockford and Chicago |url=https://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2025/10/04/huntley-backs-out-of-planned-metra-station-for-new-passenger-train-service-between-rockford-and-chicago/ |access-date=7 October 2025 |agency=Lake and McHenry County Scanner |date=October 4, 2025}}</ref> The city of [[Marengo, Illinois|Marengo]] has proposed that the station be opened there instead.<ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Brien |first1=Claire |title=The planned Chicago-to-Rockford train line runs through Marengo. Can the city get a stop on the route? |url=https://www.shawlocal.com/northwest-herald/2025/01/09/the-proposed-chicago-to-rockford-train-line-runs-through-marengo-can-the-city-get-a-stop-on-the-route/ |website=Shaw Local |access-date=25 March 2026 |language=en |date=10 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Brien |first1=Claire |title=With Huntley declining stop on Chicago-to-Rockford train line, Marengo explores its own chance |url=https://www.shawlocal.com/northwest-herald/2025/11/19/with-huntley-declining-stop-on-chicago-to-rockford-train-line-marengo-explores-its-own-chance/ |website=Shaw Local |access-date=25 March 2026 |language=en |date=19 November 2025}}</ref>
Fares are yet to be determined, and are expected to be structured differently than existing commuter rail fares. IDOT and Metra are working together to determine appropriate pricing. One reason Metra was selected as an operator over Amtrak was existing fare integration with other Chicago area transit authorities.<ref name="12 questions">{{cite news |last1=Haas |first1=Kevin |title=Rail Q & A: Answers to 12 key questions about passenger rail between Rockford and Chicago |url=https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2023/07/06/rail-q-a-answers-to-12-key-questions-about-passenger-rail-between-rockford-and-chicago/ |access-date=7 September 2023 |work=Rock River Current |date=6 July 2023}}</ref> {|class=wikitable !County !Location !Station !Connections !Notes |-bgcolor=dfdfdf |[[Winnebago County, Illinois|Winnebago]] |[[Rockford, Illinois|Rockford]] |{{stl|Metra|Rockford}} |Proposed station; to open by 2027 |Station to be located downtown, west of Main Street on or near the site of the previous [[Chicago & North Western|CNW]] station<ref name="12 questions" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnston |first1=Bob |title=Illinois chooses Metra to operate Chicago-Rockford service |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/illinois-chooses-metra-to-operate-chicago-rockford-service/ |access-date=7 September 2023 |work=Trains |date=9 July 2023}}</ref>
|-bgcolor=dfdfdf |[[Boone County, Illinois|Boone]] |[[Belvidere, Illinois|Belvidere]] |{{stl|Metra|Belvidere}} |Proposed station; to open by 2027 |Station to be located downtown, east of State Street near the [[Boone County Museum of History]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Haas |first1=Kevin |title='It's going to be really dynamic': Belvidere primed for new downtown train station after Metra pick |url=https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2023/07/10/its-going-to-be-really-dynamic-belvidere-primed-for-new-downtown-train-station-after-metra-pick/ |access-date=7 September 2023 |work=Rock River Current |date=10 July 2023}}</ref> |-bgcolor=dfdfdf |[[McHenry County, Illinois|McHenry]] |[[Marengo, Illinois|Marengo]] |Marengo |Potential future station, proposed by the city of Marengo. | |- |[[Kane County, Illinois|Kane]] |[[Elgin, Illinois|Elgin]] |{{stl|Metra|Elgin}} |{{plainlist}} * {{rint|chicago|metra}} [[Metra]]: {{ric|Metra|mdw|name=y}} * {{rint|bus|1}} [[Pace Suburban Bus|Pace Bus]] {{end plainlist}} |Existing station to be determined; also considering {{stl|Metra|National Street}} and {{stl|Metra|Big Timber Road}}
|- |[[Cook County, Illinois|Cook]] |[[Chicago]] |{{stl|Metra|Union Station}} |{{indented plainlist}} * {{ric|Amtrak|name=y}} (long-distance): {{lnl|Amtrak|California Zephyr}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Cardinal}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|City of New Orleans}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Empire Builder}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Floridian}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Lake Shore Limited}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Southwest Chief}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Texas Eagle}} * {{ric|Amtrak}} Amtrak (intercity): {{lnl|Amtrak|Blue Water}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Borealis}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Hiawatha}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Illini and Saluki}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Illinois Zephyr and Carl Sandburg}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Lincoln Service}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Pere Marquette}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Wolverine}} * {{ric|Metra|name=y}}: {{ric|Metra|bnsf|name=y}}, {{ric|Metra|hc|name=y}}, {{ric|Metra|mdn|name=y}}, {{ric|Metra|mdw|name=y}}, {{ric|Metra|nc|name=y}}, {{ric|Metra|sw|name=y}} * {{rint|chicago|l}} [[Chicago "L"]]: {{rcb|CTA|Blue|inline=route}} <small>(at {{cta|Clinton|Blue}})</small>, {{rcb|CTA|Brown|inline=route}} {{rcb|CTA|Orange|inline=route}} {{rcb|CTA|Pink|inline=route}} {{rcb|CTA|Purple|inline=route}} <small>(at {{cta|Quincy}})</small> * {{rint|bus|1}} [[Chicago Transit Authority bus services|CTA buses]]: {{rint|chicago|bus|1}} {{rint|chicago|bus|7}} {{rint|chicago|bus|J14}} {{rint|chicago|bus|19}} {{rint|chicago|bus|28}} {{rint|chicago|bus|56}} {{rint|chicago|bus|60}} {{rint|chicago|bus|120}} {{rint|chicago|bus|121}} {{rint|chicago|bus|124}} {{rint|chicago|bus|125}} {{rint|chicago|bus|126}} {{rint|chicago|bus|128}} {{rint|chicago|bus|130}} {{rint|chicago|bus|151}} {{rint|chicago|bus|156}} {{rint|chicago|bus|157}} {{rint|chicago|bus|192}} * {{rint|bus|1}} [[Pace (transit)|Pace Bus]]: 755 * {{rint|bus}} [[Amtrak Thruway]]: to Madison and Rockford ([[Van Galder Bus Company|Van Galder]]), and to Louisville ([[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]]) {{end plainlist}} | |}
==See also== * ''[[Quad Cities (train)|Quad Cities]]'', an under construction Amtrak service funded through Rebuild Illinois * [[Black Hawk (Amtrak train)|Amtrak ''Black Hawk'']], the last intercity train to serve Rockford (1974–1981)
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://chicagotorockfordrail.org/ Project website]
{{Metra}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:Metra lines]] [[Category:Passenger rail transportation in Illinois]] [[Category:Proposed railway lines in Illinois]] [[Category:2027 in rail transport]] [[Category:Chicago and North Western Railway]] [[Category:Rockford, Illinois]] [[Category:Belvidere, Illinois]]