Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is the host of what he’s calling the Midwest High Speed Rail Summit.

The goal is for states to coordinate plans in hopes of winning a share of $8 billion in federal stimulus money set aside for high-speed trains.

Rich Harnish is the executive director of the Midwest High-Speed Rail Association, an advocacy group.

He says Illinois and Wisconsin are especially well-positioned to win federal money.

HARNISH: The Federal Railroad Administration has said that they criteria they’re looking for is public support; plans that are ready to go, which the two states have; and multi-state cooperation certainly helps.

A spokeswoman for Quinn says the Midwest governors may finally pick leaders to head up the region’s high-speed rail efforts. 

That’s something U.S. Transportation Sec.Ray LaHood has been recommending.