Huntley Trustee Ronda Goldman told me that a train in Huntley would never happen. Was the evening that plans for the outlet mall property were being showcased at Village Hall on about 6 easels. I was stunned. I asked her why she said this. She commented something about Quinn retiring. I said oh you mean Rauner’s freezing of the state budget? I talked to Daniel Biss and Litesa Wallace at the NIU Gubernatorial forum in October of 2017. (This BTW was the first time I met Lauren Underwood in person at a table in the hallway) I brought up the train as Wallace is from Rockford. I also talked to Biss about the ICE contract and the Trust Act. Both issues were daunting things to discuss with Rauner in office. Rauner is out. JB is in. Move on it Huntley. Get your train!

TRAIN-IL The Rail Alliance Initiative for Northern Illinois

Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
317 Market Street, Rockford, Illinois 61107
Join us for a fun evening of information and networking! Be a part of the movement that will bring Passenger Rail back to our community! Ask your questions and get direct answers! Learn how you can help!
Our special guest speakers will include Derrick James, Amtrak’s Senior Of Government Affairs!

***UPDATE Seems Goldman’s comment may have been lost in translation. She approached me at a Village Board meeting om 1/10/2019 to tell me all the Trustees supported the Amtrak to Huntley.

On Facebook, TRAIN describes its objectives:

“This is a Grassroots Action Group with the sole purpose of using the VOICE OF THE PEOPLE to persuade elected and appointed officials to “Get On Board” and bring passenger rail from Chicago to Rockford and Northern Illinois via Belvidere, Marengo, and Huntley. Our goal is to extend service to Freeport, Galena and East Dubuque with this line once we have service out to Rockford. THIS is what the advisory referendum on the November 6, 2018 ballot in Boone and Winnebago Counties was all about, and it got 80% approval!”

As a resident of Huntley, I think it is a very good thing that there is renewed interest in this train line at this VERY moment.

One reason: In 2018, I was told by 2 Village of Huntley Trustees that an Amtrak line to Huntley “will never happen”. I wonder why? Nothing has changed since Quinn approved the line to now, save for who was Governor, and Rauner did not support funding the Amtrak line. For Village of Huntley Trustees to take this position is deeply concerning to me.

Huntley has an opportunity here that few communities have.

Municipal elections are coming up in March 2019. There are 2 Trustee positions available in Huntley. I was ready to throw my hat into the ring to run for Trustee simply to push this issue, instead I am happy to push the issue in this manner. For Trustees to say “never” is unacceptable. It was already once a go! It was named The Black Hawk! (1)

Another reason: There is a parcel of land that has been hotly debated and is a few hundred feet from the intersection of Main and 47. This is one of McHenry County’s most congested intersections. (2)

A grass roots group, Citizens for Altering the Old School Site, has been fighting the development tooth and nail, in part, due the traffic problems it will create. (3)

I see this development becoming an issue with a train that may run through that intersection on a regular schedule. I have voiced my concern to a Trustee and the Citizens group. I am doing so now here as well. That development is currently on hold.

It is time to get the discussion of a train back on track. Huntley residents wanted it. (4)

1) https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20141120/news/141129744/

2) https://www.nwherald.com/…/huntley-plan-commission…/afv9y3p/

3) https://www.mysundaynews.com/…/political-place-citizens-fo…/

4) https://www.chicagotribune.com/…/ct-ecn-rockford-amtrak-st-…