OK, which government is going to be first to put an improved Amtrak schedule in Illinois on the fast track, or derail it - state or federal?

Pending in the Legislature is a proposal to add $18 million to $23 million annually to the $12 million Illinois already pays to subsidize Amtrak passenger train service in this state.

Now, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Springfield, has asked Amtrak's acting president, David Hughes, to commit money for expansion of the Illinois Amtrak routes.

The proposal would add two trains per day between Chicago and Springfield: one additional train per day between Chicago and Carbondale; and one more between Chicago and Quincy. That would mean five trains daily between Chicago and Springfield instead of three.

"The equation is simple," Durbin said. "If Amtrak covers the cost of four new trains, the state will cover the cost of operating them."

There is a hitch. Neither Amtrak's budget nor the state's budget has been approved.

President Bush has included only $900 million for Amtrak's operations in fiscal 2007, about $400 million less than Amtrak received this year and about $700 million less than what Amtrak has requested for next year. Congress has consistently given Amtrak more than Bush budgets, but nothing is firm yet.

The clock is ticking because the Illinois Legislature has plans to adjourn Friday, although acknowledging the closing may be pushed back a week. And there haven't been any serious budget discussions involving the governor, House and Senate yet.