Proposed cuts to Amtrak in next year's budget could mean less public transportation for Illinois.
Dan Johnson is a representative for the High Speed Rail Association. He blames the lack of funding on the rollback of the temporary income tax hike at the end of last year.
Johnson says the state needs the additional revenue from higher taxes.
"While it wasn't so clear six months ago that in fact we are going to lose buses, we are going to lose trains, we are going to lose people's opportunity to get to work," Johnson said. "That's going to reduce--that's going to slow down our economy."
Laura Calderon, The director of the Illinois Public Transportation Association, says that means about six million trips will be eliminated downstate.
"This impact is not just on transit," Calderon said. "It has a much broader impact on the economy, on the schools, on the universities. It really does hit everyone."
Governor Bruce Rauner's proposed budget would cut Amtrak funding nearly in half. Critics say fewer trips could mean more people driving to work or school, which can cause road congestion and lead to the state paying more for road repairs.
