HR1597

LRB095 22993 AJO 53465 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is the oldest partner with 
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Amtrak in state-sponsored intercity passenger rail service in 
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the nation; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois passenger rail program is 
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the second largest state-sponsored Amtrak program in the 
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nation; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois invests more than $28.7 
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million each year in payments to Amtrak to provide citizens 
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with state-sponsored service; and

 
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    WHEREAS, For decades Amtrak had a crew base in Galesburg, 
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Illinois that employed 35 citizens of the State of Illinois; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, Rail workers in Galesburg are recognized as some 
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of the finest in the nation; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Amtrak closed the Galesburg crew base in 2000 and 
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transferred a majority of the assignments out of state, with 
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some transferring to Chicago; and

 
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    WHEREAS, This cost the State of Illinois more than 20 good 
 


 






HR1597
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LRB095 22993 AJO 53465 r




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paying jobs and negatively affected the  livelihood of its rail 
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workers; and

 
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    WHEREAS, This loss of 35 good paying jobs also harmed the 
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local economy of Galesburg, Illinois; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
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Amtrak perform a cost and operational analysis to determine the 
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benefits of reopening the Galesburg crew base; and be it 
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further

 
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    RESOLVED, That Amtrak share this analysis with IDOT and, if 
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appropriate, take the steps necessary to reopen the Galesburg 
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crew base and return these jobs from out of state; and be it 
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further

 
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    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this Resolution be 
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provided to the President of Amtrak and each member of the 
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Illinois congressional delegation.