CN plans to come to Des Plaines meeting

Canadian National Railway representatives plan to attend a council meeting in a suburb that has served as one of its staunchest supporters.

Des Plaines Mayor Tony Arredia asked CN officials to attend next week's Des Plaines city council meeting and give a brief presentation on the plan to buy the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Co. He made the request Tuesday when he arrived early to a Mundelein meeting about the proposed sale.

Two CN public affairs officials plan to attend the council meeting Tuesday at city hall, 1420 Miner St., Arredia said.

The mayor asked for a 5-minute presentation, so the railroad seized the opportunity, CN spokesman Jim Kvedaras said.

"We're happy to oblige," he said.

Arredia backs the deal that he says will bring relief to his suburb, which has more than 30 railroad crossings.

The constant trains rolling through Des Plaines "cause havoc among our police, fire and ambulance services," Arredia said.

The plan is expected to decrease freight train traffic on the existing CN tracks and shift trains to the EJ&E line that loops through the outer suburbs. Barrington opposes the deal because it would mean more train traffic.