Post by title1parent on Apr 16, 2008 5:59:56 GMT -5
Opponents unite against EJ&E sale
April 16, 2008
By KATHY CICHON Sun-Times News Group
The coalition of various governmental entities banding together to fight the purchase of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway by the Canadian National Railway now has a name: TRAC.
It stands for The Regional Answer to Canadian National and consists of more than 50 municipalities in multiple counties, including DuPage, Will, Lake and Cook in Illinois as well as Lake County, Ind.
More than 100 representatives from those governing bodies gathered in Barrington last week to discuss strategies and make plans. Aurora and Naperville both are members of the consortium.
"It's kind of a historic situation to have the collar counties around Chicago get together for the first time to talk about an issue," said Naperville City Councilwoman Darlene Senger.
"Everybody was on the same wavelength, which is phenomenal," said DuPage County Board member Jim Healy, R-Naperville, who also attended the meeting.
In the fall, Canadian National announced plans to buy the EJ&E line for $300 million, pending approval from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board. The Montreal-based company wants to buy the 198-mile EJ&E so it can reroute rail traffic around congested tracks in Chicago.
"It's a good thing for the railroad. It's a good thing for Chicago," Senger said. "But we're going to be the ones paying the price."
If the sale is approved, train traffic on the EJ&E line, which stretches through the far East Side of Aurora, is expected to double.
Senger said TRAC has adopted its mission statement, noting the group's opposition to the sale, which TRAC says will negatively impact the quality of life.
April 16, 2008
By KATHY CICHON Sun-Times News Group
The coalition of various governmental entities banding together to fight the purchase of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway by the Canadian National Railway now has a name: TRAC.
It stands for The Regional Answer to Canadian National and consists of more than 50 municipalities in multiple counties, including DuPage, Will, Lake and Cook in Illinois as well as Lake County, Ind.
More than 100 representatives from those governing bodies gathered in Barrington last week to discuss strategies and make plans. Aurora and Naperville both are members of the consortium.
"It's kind of a historic situation to have the collar counties around Chicago get together for the first time to talk about an issue," said Naperville City Councilwoman Darlene Senger.
"Everybody was on the same wavelength, which is phenomenal," said DuPage County Board member Jim Healy, R-Naperville, who also attended the meeting.
In the fall, Canadian National announced plans to buy the EJ&E line for $300 million, pending approval from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board. The Montreal-based company wants to buy the 198-mile EJ&E so it can reroute rail traffic around congested tracks in Chicago.
"It's a good thing for the railroad. It's a good thing for Chicago," Senger said. "But we're going to be the ones paying the price."
If the sale is approved, train traffic on the EJ&E line, which stretches through the far East Side of Aurora, is expected to double.
Senger said TRAC has adopted its mission statement, noting the group's opposition to the sale, which TRAC says will negatively impact the quality of life.
