IDOT Announces FY 2026-2031 Multimodal Infrastructure Program, $2.9B for Rail

IDOT

CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced a multi-year program centered around infrastructure, focusing on $50.6 billion over a period of six years.

According to Governor JB Pritzker’s office, this program touches all modes of transportation with $400 million supporting 223 projects. The program is multimodal and includes freight and passenger rail investments. The Fiscal Year 2026-2031 Proposed Highway and Multimodal Improvement program (below) will invest $2.9 billion for freight and passenger rail.

As part of this program, the Proposed Rail Improvement Program seeks to “improve and maintain rail infrastructure” in the state and includes $2.9 billion in total funding between FY 2026 and FY 2031. Of this, $675 million comes from federal funds, $1,9 billion comes from state funding, and $136.9 million comes from local funds. Additionally, $216.5 million comes from private railroad funds. Over the course of five years, the capital program elements include:

Rail Freight Program

This is designed to provide “capital assistance” to communities in order to improve rail freight service throughout the state. The program facilitates investments “by serving as a link between interested parties and channeling government funds to projects” statewide. $14.9 million has been allocated for these improvements. Supported by the Rail Freight Loan Repayment Fund and the State Rail Freight Loan Repayment Fund, the Rail Freight Program provides low-interest loans that can possibly improve market access, create jobs, and/or “maintain cost savings.” The program was designed to provide financial support for economic development projects that have been “coordinated through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.”

Passenger Rail Program

This program as a budget to support an intercity passenger rail marketing program to raise the awareness of public transit, according to the Proposed Rail Improvement Program. The FY 2026-2031 Proposed Highway & Multimodal Improvement Program outlines a proposed $1.6 billion in maintenance, repairs, and improvements for this program.

High-Speed Rail

This project seeks to bring improved, faster travel between Chicago and St. Louis. As of reporting, the program states IDOT and Union Pacific have “upgraded the Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail corridor for much-improved safety with four-quadrant gates at grade crossings and positive train control with increased top speeds of 110 mph.” Of the $1.95 billion cost, $1.65 billion in federal funding has been paid. As part of the project, officials seek to install a double track segment between Elwood and Braidwood in the northern part of the corridor.

For Major Capital projects, IDOT says it continues to review and evaluate projects as necessary in the effort of improving the state’s rail infrastructure. Selection of projects focuses mainly “on the construction of the Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail corridor and the CREATE Program.” However, the program also lists out other projects that are at “varying levels of completion or are still in the planning stages.” These projects include Springfield – 10th Street Corridor Consolidation (passenger and freight rail), CREATE Project GS1 65th Street and Belt Railway of Chicago Grade Separation, and the CREATE 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project among others.

The Rebuild Illinois plan includes $617 million remaining in the FY 2026-2031 plan for rail improvements and an additional $400 million for the CREATE Program. The IDOT says the funding for these capital projects totals $2.9 billion with “a funding shortfall of approximately $1.2 billion to complete all projects listed in the FY 2026-2031 capital projects list.” The funding listed is “reasonably available” but it does not cover the total buildout cost of said projects.

FY 2026-31 Highway & Multimodal Improvement Program