New Lenox Residents Voice Concerns at Town Meeting
March 1, 2008–A capacity crowd attended a two-hour town meeting in New Lenox today to express concern and ask questions about the pending acquisition of the EJ&E Railway by the Canadian National Railway.
If approved by the Surface Transportation Board, the transaction will result in a dramatic increase in freight train traffic through the village and residents expressed fears about pollution and safety.
Sale Likely to be Approved
New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann assured citizens that the village board and the administration are doing all that they can to make sure that the village is treated fairly (download the slide show: PowerPoint/1 mb PDF/320k).
“We need to be realistic,” said Baldermann, noting that of 251 petitions filed by railroads, the Surface Transportation Board approved 250. “But if it is approved, we are insisting that the (Canadian National) railroad address our concerns at the railroad’s expense.” (Read about possible solutions…)
Summer Hearings
The board will likely hold environmental hearings over the summer and Illinois State Senator Christine Radogno (R-41-Lemont) said she will press for one to be held in the New Lenox region. State Representative Renee Kosel (R-81-New Lenox) discussed a resolution she filed in the Illinois House asking that the railroad be required to meet the most stringent mitigation standards.
What can I do?
“What can the individual citizen do?” asked a member of the audience. Write legislators, attend public hearings, sign up for home delivery of a newsletter and check this Web site frequently for updates, Baldermann responded. (Sign up for RSS feed at the top of this page, or subscribe to our newsletter using the signup box at right.)
Resource
Download the slide show: PowerPoint slide show format (file size: 1 mb) or Adobe PDF (file size: 320k)
