Illinois Commerce Commission Approves $210M Chicago Commuter Rail Modernization Grant

CHICAGO, IL — The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and Governor JB Pritzker finalized a $210-million state capital authorization on Saturday to accelerate the zero-emission modernization of Chicago's regional commuter rail network, Metra.

Rolling Stock Electrification and Federal Matching

The funding commitment leverages federal grants under the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Capital Investment Grants program to procure 16 zero-emission battery-electric multiple units (BEMUs) and install high-voltage rapid charging infrastructure at suburban terminal stations along the Rock Island and Metra Electric lines.

The project marks a major milestone in Illinois' Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) transportation mandate, which requires the regional transit authority to transition 100% of its passenger locomotive fleet away from legacy diesel power by 2040.

Commuter Benefits and Environmental Justice

The deployment of battery-electric trains will substantially reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and fine particulate emissions in densely populated South Side Chicago neighborhoods and southern Cook County suburbs that have historically experienced elevated rates of childhood asthma and transit air pollution.

Metra leadership confirmed that the battery-electric trainsets provide faster acceleration and quieter operation, enabling the agency to introduce 20-minute off-peak frequency across high-ridership urban corridors.

Procurement and Delivery Schedule

Metra will award final manufacturing contracts to rolling stock builders in late 2026, with prototype battery trainsets scheduled for testing in late 2027 and revenue passenger service commencing in 2028.