State taking comments on rail service June 1, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Department of Transportation is inviting the public to comment and offer suggestions on a new study assessing the state’s rail system. The goal of the study is to seek input on current conditions, capacity concerns and safety challenges to help identify potential improvements and solutions. Comments will be collected through June 14 via illinoisrailneeds.org, which includes a short video, informational displays and a link to a survey. The information gathered will be used in the development of a statewide rail plan, a requirement of states seeking federal funding under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act. It also will serve to inform IDOT’s ongoing Illinois Long-Range Transportation Plan, providing strategic direction for the development of the state’s transportation system.