On this date, the City of Macomb officially named the Macomb passenger rail station in honor of
Thomas C. Carper.
Carper, originally from Buda, Bureau County, Illinois was honored for his unwavering dedication to
public service and commitment to the City of Macomb, the State of Illinois, and the nation’s rail
infrastructure.
Carper served in the United States Army, during the Vietnam War, from 1967 to 1970 at which time he
came to Macomb and Western Illinois University. Carper was a local business owner and entrepreneur.
Carper and his wife Gayle both graduated from Western Illinois University. In 1991, Carper was elected
to his first of three terms as Mayor of Macomb, ending in 2003.
In 2008 Carper was appointed by President George Bush to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors. In
2009, Carper became Chair of the Amtrak Board of Directors. That same year, Carper was also honored
by his Alma Mater with an Alumni Achievement Award.
Carper was subsequently appointed by President’s Obama and Trump to become the longest serving
Amtrak Board member in the Corporation’s history.
Dedicated this 16th day of May, 2024.
***Courtesy of the City of Macomb, Photo Courtesy of Tristates Public Radio***
