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Beginning Oct. 30, the state of Illinois will more than double state-funded Amtrak service to the southern portion of the Land of Lincoln.

Daily train service between Chicago and Carbondale will increase from two round trips to three — two of which are state sponsored — when the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) launches a new Saluki train.

IDOT and Amtrak also will increase daily service between Chicago and St. Louis from three round trips to five, three of which are state sponsored, and increase service between Chicago and Quincy from one round trip to two, both of which will be state funded.

In fiscal-year 2006, all state-funded Amtrak routes posted record ridership. In spring, Illinois increased Amtrak funding from $12.1 million to $24 million.