Visit Quad Cities Backs Passenger Rail Progress with Statement on Major Milestone 

QUAD CITIES, IA/IL (October 31, 2025) —  Visit Quad Cities applauds today’s press conference with the City of Moline and regional leaders celebrating the passage of the State of Illinois Passenger Transit Bill. 

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, this is a tremendous win for the Quad Cities and another critical step in getting us that much closer to the reality of passenger rail,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities. “Passenger rail from the Chicagoland area to Moline is a transformative opportunity that will add significant value and community benefit as we continue to position the Quad Cities region for the future. Passenger rail will strengthen tourism, drive our visitor economy, stimulate economic development, and enhance quality of life. Bolstering our connectivity to the leading source market for visitation helps us further leverage this market but has broader implications for mobility options in a 21st century economy. We are deeply grateful to all our local, state, and federal elected leaders and to everyone involved with advocating for this vital regional priority.”   

With the Illinois General Assembly's approval of the state transit bill, critical funding is now in place to move forward with the long-awaited passenger rail line running from Moline to Chicago.  

Media Contact 
Kayla Morath, CTA 
PR, Communications, and Content Coordinator 
Visit Quad Cities 
[email protected] | Direct: 309.736.6820 | Cell: 309.628.9222 

About Visit Quad Cities 
Founded in 1990, Visit Quad Cities is the region's official destination marketing organization (DMO). Visit Quad Cities is a private 501(c)(6) non-profit engine that drives economic opportunity through tourism, builds our authentic brand, tells and sells the Quad Cities story, and enhances Quad Citizens’ quality of life and place.