Uber to launch in 4 more Illinois cities

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WLS) -- The ride-sharing service Uber has expanded in Illinois to Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington-Normal, Rockford and Aurora in addition to its Chicago and Springfield operations.

Gov. Bruce Rauner attended the launch in Champaign along with Uber's Illinois general manager Chris Taylor. Taylor says the service has 200 drivers in it six new Illinois cities and expects rapid growth. He says Uber started with 50 drivers in Springfield three weeks ago and now has 150 drivers in the capital city.

Riders find drivers via Uber's smartphone app. In Rockford, Mayor Larry Morrisey was Uber's first rider.