New Lenox Rail Sense

December 24, 2008 / By Marni Pyke and Nadia Malik / Daily Herald Staff

The sale of a train line that will affect rail traffic levels throughout the Chicago region got the final green light from federal regulators Wednesday - but suburban opponents vow to keep fighting it.

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board unanimously approved the acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway line - which runs in an arc through around Chicago, from Waukegan to Gary, Ind. - by the Canadian National Railway Co.

Read the complete article / Read the decision transcript

September 14, 2008 / By Richard Wronski / Chicago Tribune

The Canadian National Railway Co.’s plan to reroute freight train traffic through Chicago’s outlying suburbs has generated a locomotive-size controversy.

Opponents say the plan raises concerns about safety, traffic and pollution, while CN and experts say diverting freight trains around Chicago’s congested rail corridor will benefit business and the economy.

Here’s a look at some who favor the deal or oppose it-and why.

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September 9, 2008 / By CHARLES BERMAN / Niles Spectator-Pioneer Press

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board denied Canadian National Railway’s attempt Monday (Sept. to speed up the process to approve its purchase of the Elgin Joliet & Eastern Railroad by Oct. 15.

While the transportation board continues to study the environmental impact of the proposed deal, towns along the EJ&E are celebrating the latest decision. If the transaction goes through, freight traffic would be shifted off the CN line to the west through EJ&E municipalities.

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August 20, 2008 / By Gerry Smith / Chicago Tribune reporter

Canadian National Railway’s bid to buy the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway gained momentum this week as a key congressman joined a coalition of suburban leaders throwing their support behind the controversial deal.

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) and the alliance of mayors and village presidents from Buffalo Grove, Crete, Des Plaines, North Riverside, Riverside and South Holland say the proposed purchase could reduce or eliminate CN train traffic in certain corridors, leading to fewer blocked crossings, idling trains and middle-of-the-night train whistles.

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July 21 / Letter to the Editor / Daily Herald

Congressman Kirk has again demonstrated his commitment to principled decision-making regarding the interests of his District. The position taken by our Congressman and the other supportive members of the Illinois Congressional delegation on this issue is both commendable and greatly appreciated.

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April 22, 2008 / By Richard Wronski / Chicago Tribune reporter

Suburbs join forces and ask Congress to help stop bid to re-route train traffic

Suburban leaders fighting the Canadian National Railway’s plan to boost freight train traffic through their communities bolstered their ranks Tuesday and called on Congress to force the railroad to pay to lessen the trains’ impact or else help stop the deal. Several more suburbs, including Aurora, Naperville and Plainfield, joined a coalition of Barrington-area communities to fight Canadian National’s plans to divert freight trains through the outlying suburbs.

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