ST. LOUIS -- The governors of Missouri and Illinois are teaming up to promote a high-speed rail initiative.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn are to hold a joint news conference this afternoon in St. Louis to discuss planning efforts for a high-speed rail line between St. Louis and Chicago.

The two governors also are to meet privately about the potential rail line with St. Louis-area business and community leaders.

The federal stimulus act includes $8 billion to construct high-speed rail lines around the country. Eight Midwestern states are cooperating to promote a network -- with Chicago as the hub -- that would join 12 metropolitan areas within 400 miles.