Proposed rail line seeks grant for environmental study

 
OGLESBY- The North Central Illinois Council of Governments gave updates on a proposed rail line connecting Peoria and Chicago Thursday night in a committee meeting. The line would be operated by Amtrak and run from Peoria to Chicago’s Union Station with stops in Lasalle-Peru, Utica, Ottawa, Morris, & Joliet. The district applied for a grant with the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program, with a request of $2 million for further environmental study. There is $500,000 match required which the district said the Illinois Department of Transportation is willing to pay half of.