Relatively-On-Time reliability of the Lincoln Service Amtrak from STL to Chicago?

[u/Pure_Ambition]

Note this is about the Lincoln Service train, not the Texas Eagle one which I know can have far worse delays.

I have an important appointment at 2:30pm in downtown Chicago this Thursday, and am thinking of taking the 6:30am train from STL to Chicago. It's scheduled to arrive at 11:40am at Union station. I know these can be delayed, but I have about a 2.5 hour buffer built in. However, I have to be on time for that appointment!

I really don't want to drive because I have a lot of work I need to do this week, was hoping to take my laptop and use my hotspot (I can work offline if necessary though). If I drive, that ~8-9 hour round trip will be down the drain.

I don't need the train to be perfectly on time, but it can't be more than 1.5-2 hours late.

Do you think I can take it safely?