I would be the last person to rail against mass-transit service, but the 110mph high-speed rail signed into law by Illinois Gov. Quinn and its 11 stops will unfortunately fall flat. The biggest problem facing rail transit in Illinois is that freight traffic has priority over passenger service. Being a regular rider from Chicago, I have watched as the Amtrak train stops to allow car after car of slow-moving freight trains to pass it. It’s not about improving the engine speed, Gov. Quinn, it’s about giving passengers the same type of service industry receives on the tracks.

Brian Larson
Naperville, Ill.