Congressman backs CN takeover of EJ&E
After weeks of low-profile support and high-profile opposition to its plan to buy the EJ&E railroad, the Canadian National Railway has found a new ally willing to make a little noise on its behalf.
Third Dist. U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski Tuesday came out in favor of the merger and is expected to make an official announcement Thursday.
The Western Springs Democrat is the only local congressman on the powerful House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which oversees the Surface Transportation Board, the agency that has the power to rule on CN's request.
If CN gets approval, it would move freight trains from its lines in Chicago and nearby suburbs onto the EJ&E, which has tracks stretching in a semicircle from Gary, Ind., to Waukegan.
The plan would ease congestion in Chicago and help freight traffic move more quickly through the region, supporters say.
But for communities such as Aurora, Barrington, Lake Zurich and West Chicago that would see more freights rumbling through their borders, the merger is a potential nightmare.
Affected towns are lobbying hard against the acquisition with help from congressional leaders including Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Reps. Melissa Bean, Peter Roskam, Judy Biggert and Don Manzullo.
Recently, those lawmakers criticized the STB's environmental assessment of the merger and are pushing for changes to the way the agency evaluates such transactions to reflect community concerns.
Until now, Lipinski, whose district covers the area around Midway Airport and suburbs south and west of Chicago, has stayed neutral although the Transportation Committee's Chairman, Minnesota Democrat James Oberstar, opposes the deal.
But a news release today by Lipinski noted that the merger could benefit many suburbs that would see a reduction of CN train traffic with fewer blocked crossings, idling trains and whistles.
Barrington Mayor Karen Darch said she was encouraged Oberstar is backing legislation to require the STB to consider environmental factors when deciding on railroad mergers.
Regarding Lipinski, "with the communities he represents, there's no assurances freight traffic will stay off" CN tracks, Darch said.
Lipinski will be joined Thursday by a diverse group of mayors and village presidents supporting the CN deal including officials from Des Plaines, Crete, Buffalo Grove and South Holland.