Sunday rally planned against railway takeover

Opponents of Canadian National's purchase of the Elgin Joliet & Eastern railway are holding the first in a series of public rallies Sunday.

Members of Barrington Communities Against CN Rail Congestion and The Regional Answer to Canadian National will gather in Barrington to give residents an update on the proposed sale.

More than 25 towns have joined TRAC, including Naperville, Aurora and Bartlett.

"We will be updating the community on what is going on and what the next steps are," said Barrington Village President Karen Darch.

CN has proposed a $300 million purchase of the EJ&E line, which runs in an arc around Chicago from Waukegan to Gary, Ind.

CN plans to use the EJ&E lines as a bypass for freight traffic around Chicago.

But some local communities are concerned about the potential impact of having several dozen additional trains running through their towns in a daily basis. Others towns in the region would likely see less freight train traffic if the sale goes through.

"I think it is important that the issue is front and center in our minds, not just in Barrington, but up and down the line," Darch said.

CN spokesman Jim Kvedaras said having the public weigh in on the issue at such events at Sunday's rally is all part of the process.

U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, a Barrington Democrat, opposes the sale but said she won't be able to attend Sunday's rally.

"But I look forward to meeting with (Darch) further as we continue to work together to stop this transaction," Bean said.

Darch said future rallies will be scheduled throughout the summer in other towns potentially affected by the proposed sale.

Despite the rally and public outcry, Kvedaras said CN still expects the U.S. Surface Transportation Board to give the deal full consideration. The board has final say over the sale.

Before a final decision is made, surface transportation officials will review the results of an environmental impact currently under way. The study will focus on 15 factors, including safety and quality of life issues.

A draft is expected sometime this summer.

If you go

What: Rail Rally hosted by Barrington Area Communities Against CN Rail Congestion and The Regional Answer to Canadian National

Where: Barrington Memorial Park, corner of Hough and Lincoln streets

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

Info: fightrailcongestion.com