The Ann Rutledge: Chicago to Kansas City, Missouri Each line provides train service more than once each day. Some trains do not stop at every station. Except for the Ann Rutledge, the Illinois Service is funded primarily by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
The track used by the Illinois Service lines is also used by other Amtrak routes: the California Zephyr, the Southwest Chief, the Texas Eagle, and the City of New Orleans all travel on the track used by one or another of the Illinois Service trains. Generally, the Illinois Service trains stop at more stations than the corresponding national Amtrak routes.
Names of the lines
The State House is named in recognition of the train's passing through Illinois' capital, Springfield. The building in which the Illinois General Assembly meets is properly called the State Capitol, but Amtrak uses this name anyway. The Illini is named in recognition of the train's passing through Champaign-Urbana, home of the largest University of Illinois. The university's sports teams are called the Fighting Illini. The name ultimately comes from the Illiniwek, a Native American confederacy.
The Ann Rutledge is named for Ann Rutledge, a New Salem, Illinois woman who, according to legend, was the first love of future United States President Abraham Lincoln.
Stations served
Illinois Zephyr
