Gov. Jim Edgar signed the special appropriations bill Sunday that provides $2.5 million to continue Amtrak service of four train routes, including the Chicago to Carbondale route, through June 30.

Edgar’s plan calls for a 10-percent fare increase and a loss of one daily round trip which would generate $800,000 for Amtrak.

According to the bill, communities that receive Amtrak service are required to maintain and operate the train stations along the route. The bill calls for local communities to contribute a total of $400,000 for 1997.

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Carbondale’s contribution is unknown at this time. Carbondale officials said they are concerned about the amount of the money they will have to spend on Amtrak.

The City Council turned down a $58,000 request Tuesday from the Carbondale Public Library because the council said they could not give them the money because of the uncertainty of the Amtrak funding. Library officials said they need the money or they will have to cut services and jobs.

Amtrak was forced to ask Illinois legislators in November for a $2.5-million subsidy to continue funding through June 30. At the time, Edgar said he had not heard from Southern Illinois citizens about the possible cut of the Chicago to Carbondale route.

The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce and city officials had petitions signed by those supporting the train and then faxed the petitions to the governor’s office. They also encouraged supporters to write letters to legislators and the governor.

David Klaproth, owner of Mail Boxes Etc., organized the Save the Rails signature and letter writing campaign. He said that his store faxed 3,000 signatures to the governor. The SIUC Undergraduate Student Government also conducted a letter writing campaign in support of the route.

I am glad we were able to influence his decision, he said. Now we I mean Carbondale and Southern Illinois need to find a long-term solution for the railroads. Something that will create jobs.

Marc Magliari, Amtrak’s public affairs manager, said he has not yet been approached with any long-term plans other than what has been laid out in the bill.

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The governor’s office should call us later this week, he said. We are pleased with the development because customers will be guaranteed the current level of service.

Gov. Edgar’s office could not be reached Monday because the office was closed in observance of Lincoln’s Birthday.