Tagged: Gov. Pat Quinn

Most of those running for governor in 2014 have already expressed their interest in the job. Only a few have made it official. Congressman Aaron Schock is not running for governor. State Treasurer Dan Rutherford is.

“I sense the citizens of Illinois are in depression and frustration with their government," Rutherford said at a Chicago event at the restaurant Harry Caray's downtown.

Rutherford toured the state Sunday as part of his announcement. 

One area of state government that's not facing cuts under Illinois's worst-ever budget is its support for passenger rail service.

Gov. Pat Quinn is seeking to increase spending on Amtrak service in the state by $12 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

The Bloomington Pantagraph reports  that the 46 percent increase would bring total spending to $38 million for routes from Chicago to St. Louis, Carbondale and Galesburg.

A 2008 federal law requires states to start picking up a larger part of the tab for rail service on routes shorter than 750 miles.