Travel Update 06-04

The Governor's Travel Control Board has negotiated a State of Illinois fare with Amtrak for two routes in addition to the $17 fare for the Springfield – Chicago route. Employees traveling between Chicago and Bloomington-Normal may purchase an Amtrak ticket for $11 each way and an employee traveling between Chicago and Macomb may purchase a ticket for $18. Reservations are required on all Amtrak trains in Illinois and tickets can be purchased from an Amtrak Ticket Agent or on the train from the Conductor.  In all cases, state ID must be presented. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL and speaking to a customer service representative.   Although train information is available at www.amtrak.com, reservations for state travel cannot be made on their internet site. Amtrak has a staffed station in Normal, Illinois.  The station in Macomb is unstaffed so reservations must be made via phone and tickets purchased on board from the conductor.  Again a reservation number would be needed and state ID required at all times for travel. 

As the appointed Travel Coordinator for your agency, it is your responsibility to disseminate this information to all appropriate personnel within your agency. If you have any questions, please contact Kelley Shaw, State Travel Coordinator at (217) 782-4705 or by e-mail at Kelley.Shaw@illinois.gov .