Huntley has officially backed out of obtaining a Metra train stop on the planned Chicago-to-Rockford passenger line, village officials confirmed Friday.
Huntley Village Manager David Johnson said Friday via email that village officials notified the Illinois Department of Transportation that they are no longer interested in having a stop on the planned railway project.
Johnson said the primary reasons for the decision to pull out center around concerns about how the stop will affect downtown traffic and parking.
In addition, Johnson said the village also felt there was a great deal of uncertainty around the ridership numbers and future village financial commitments.
Huntley, Elgin, and Belvidere were expected to be three stops added to the Rockford-to-Chicago route.
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) spokeswoman Maria Castaneda said they were informed by Huntley officials that they no longer wish to be considered for a station as part of the Chicago-to-Rockford passenger rail project.
She added that the service to Rockford will not be impacted by Huntley’s decision.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced in 2023 that new funding allows Metra to restore train service from Rockford to Chicago, resulting in the train station being built in Huntley.
Pritzker said a partnership between IDOT and Metra providing passenger rail between Chicago and Rockford will restore service that was discontinued in 1981.
The first trains are anticipated to start running by late 2027, the governor’s office said.
The project is funded by $275 million from Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program.
“With this new service, we’re connecting more communities and creating greater opportunities for people across the state line region,” Pritzker said.
Metra will use its Milwaukee District West line and relationships with the Union Pacific Railroad to extend service beyond Elgin to reach Rockford.
Other project components include improved grade crossings, upgraded bridges, and double-tracking at various locations.
Travel time from Chicago to Rockford is anticipated to be less than two hours. Two round-trips per day are planned for the train line.
Boarding locations in Chicago and Rockford, as well as a fare structure and schedule, are still to be determined.