Chicago Could Benefit from Amtrak Service to Iowa

By Katie Wiedemann, Reporter

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By Katie Wiedemann

Story Created: Apr 23, 2009 at 3:38 PM CST

Story Updated: Apr 23, 2009 at 4:30 PM CST

Dubuque - During his visit to Iowa yesterday, President Obama talked about his support for more Amtrak rail service in Iowa.
One proposed line would connect Chicago to Dubuque, and then possibly go on to Waterloo and or Des Moines.
If you can't tell by looking at his outfit, Jack Paisley is pretty excited about riding the rails.

Paisley said, "I think it’s an alternative means of transportation that I want to provide for the next generation."

Paisley says the benefits for people living in Dubuque are obvious.
But he says there are also reasons for people in Chicago to hop on the train towards Iowa.

30 percent of the student body at Dubuque's Loras College is from the Chicago area.

Loras College Admissions Counselor Troy Rabbett said, "For them to access to a train where they could just jump on a train for the afternoon head over to Dubuque, do a visit and then head back."

Rabbett says the train would be a huge selling point for Dubuque's Colleges.

And a spokesperson for the High Speed Rail Association of Chicago says business people living in Chicago will be able to ride the train to Iowa to sells their products in this area.

Paisley said, "The interstate, the toll way, from Rockford to Chicago is almost bumper to bumper traffic these days."

Paisley hopes, if the rail service happens, some of those businesses trips will inspire a family train ride to visit Dubuque's tourism spots.
And he says he'd be happy to welcome them.

President Obama's economic recovery act included eight billion dollars for passenger rail service.
Lawmakers in both Iowa and Illinois are working to ear mark some of those dollars for the Dubuque to Chicago route.

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