Senator joins rail commission

SPRINGFIELD, Jan. 22 — State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) has been appointed to serve on the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission, a key organization that advocates for passenger rail expansion throughout the region.

“This is a great opportunity to continue advocating on behalf of one of my biggest priorities, bringing Amtrak to Rockford. Once it is completed, the new rail will be a tremendous boost to our economy, and I look forward to the resources and guidance this organization can provide to help get the job done,” said Stadelman.

The commission, originally formed in 2000, is made up of state legislators and gubernatorial appointments from Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

Stadelman was chosen for the appointment by the Illinois Senate because of his continued commitment to expanding Amtrak to Rockford.

The two-year appointment ends in January 2017.

Stadelman will join Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) as one of two newly appointed representatives from the Illinois Senate on the commission.

See WREX-13’s coverage.