Springfield, IL (KSDK) - The proposal for a high-speed rail across Illinois is one step closer to becoming a reality.

The rail would run around 110 miles per hour, taking passengers between St. Louis and Chicago.

On Thursday afternoon NewsChannel 5 learned transportation officials signed off on the high-speed rail's environmental impact statement. Federal law requires that approval before the project can more forward.

Preliminary plans call for the service to be in place by 2014.

KSDK