W. Chicago takes stand on rail sale

The West Chicago City Council spoke out Monday against a proposal by Canadian National Railway to purchase the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Co.

The city council unanimously passed a resolution formally objecting to the $300 million sale, which would bring anywhere from 15 to more than 26 additional freight trains a day through several Chicago suburbs located along the rail line.

"If nothing else, this voices our concern to the railroad companies," West Chicago Mayor Michael Kwasman said. "We're planning on fighting this."

The rail line, which runs through several DuPage County communities, arcs around the Chicago metro area from Wauconda to Gary, Ind. Canadian National Railway officials said they would use the acquired EJ&E railroad lines as a Chicago bypass route for all current and future freight traffic from its Canadian and U.S. rail network.

The pending sale depends on approval by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, which is conducting an environmental review of the project to see what kind of impact the additional freight traffic will have on the area. Officials said the review could take up to a year to complete.

Several DuPage County mayors are expected to meet with county officials on Wednesday to help formalize a position on the pending sale.

Last week, more than 200 residents attended an open forum hosted at St. Andrew's Golf and Country Club in West Chicago to learn more about the pending sale and voice their opinion.