NORMAL - U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller joined Twin City leaders Friday to bolster support for Amtrak by emphasizing the passenger rail service's economic impact to Central Illinois.

Standing in the downtown Normal Amtrak station, Weller told reporters he's supported successful efforts in the U.S. House to restore Amtrak funding after the Bush Administration proposed zeroing out funding for next year.

Now he's urging colleagues in the Senate to do the same.

The House included more than $1.3 billion for Amtrak in its fiscal 2007 transportation bill. The bill now must pass the U.S. Senate.

"I'm hopeful the support is there," he said, noting that at the minimum, he hopes the Senate maintains the number the House proposed.

Amtrak today has 3 million riders a year in Illinois alone, said Weller, a Republican from Morris.

"Amtrak means jobs in the state of Illinois," he said.

More than 2,000 Illinoisans work for Amtrak, earning a total of $83 million, said Weller.

In Central Illinois, the Normal station sits about halfway between Chicago and St. Louis. Community leaders say that is a great selling point for prospective businesses, residents and university students.

At the station, Weller was flanked by Normal City Councilwoman Cheryl Gaines; Illinois State University President Al Bowman; and Mike Malone, executive director of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce.

Each took a moment to emphasize their belief the Normal station is good both economically and for quality of life.

The station annually sees a 15 percent increase in ridership, said Gaines, adding that more than 100,000 passengers are expected to board or depart trains in 2006 at the stop.

In the upcoming year, two additional trains running between St. Louis and Chicago are to be added, she said. And downtown redevelopment plans center around a planned downtown transportation center to replace the station.

With more than 40 percent of ISU students coming from the Chicago area, the train is a vital transportation source for ISU, said Bowman.

University leaders urge students, particularly underclassmen, to leave cars at home, he said.

With Normal's geographical setting, people take the train back and forth to St. Louis and Chicago.

Weller noted five Amtrak stations are in his 11th Congressional District: Normal, Dwight, Kankakee, Joliet, Princeton and Mendota.