Rockford transit station gets nearly $2M federal boost

SPRINGFIELD – A $1.95 million federal grant will go toward building a transit station in Rockford.

Officials announced the grant Thursday for the $12 million project. It will also get a $3 million state grant.

The station will be a stop for an Amtrak line running daily from Chicago to Dubuque, Iowa. It will also stop in South Elgin, Genoa, Freeport and Galena.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Gov. Pat Quinn say the new station will be more accessible to the public and result in reduced transit emissions.

Officials expect to complete the facility by the end of 2014.