Genoa and Belvidere are both competing for an Amtrak stop on the Chicago to Rockford route. The debate was re-started after the Stateline lost out on stimulus funds tied to the Genoa route. Now there is once again hope for Belvidere.

"All the studies that were done, until they decided to run it down to Genoa were all done and paid for and things from up here. That's always been the direct route." says Steve Nailor, chairman of the Winnebago County Better Roads Association.

Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig would like to see local leaders reach an agreement as to which route is best for everybody. He wants this decision to be made by the Stateline, not the State.

"Well we hope that by 2012 we can actually see trains running up and down the line so clearly the sooner the better and that means the sooner we can get a consensus the sooner we can start moving forward." says Hannig.

Hannig received a signed document that all local legislators were in favor of the Belvidere route. He says he will take it to Governor Quinn. Money has already been appropriated for the project in the state capital plan, but for now this train is still at the station.

Genoa City Manager Joe Misurelli says according to a 2007 Amtrak study, the route through his city has lower operating costs, is quicker, is the easiest to implement, and would have the most passengers. He says Belvidere riders are close enough to catch the train in Rockford.

The Belvidere route would also go through Marengo while the Genoa one would pass through southern Elgin. The train would also pass through Freeport, Lena and Galena on it's way to East Dubuque.