Amtrak finally extended the "Illini" to Decatur on July 2, 1981. Decatur had last seen service in 1971 from the Norfolk & Western's "City of Decatur" (Chicago–Decatur) and the Wabash's "Wabash Cannon Ball" (Detroit–St. Louis). Neither train had been retained by Amtrak. The new Amtrak service used the old Wabash station, which still stands and has become an antique store. Poor ridership prompted Illinois to withdraw its support for the Decatur stop, and Amtrak cut the "Illini" back to Champaign on July 10, 1983.