Bean letter criticizes Canadian National Rwy.

U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean wrote the federal Surface Transportation Board on Tuesday criticizing Canadian National Railway for failing to comply with a 2008 deal with Hoffman Estates meant to offset the impact of CN's acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad.

Bean, a Barrington Democrat, said the village agreed not to oppose the merger in exchange for funding to install sound barriers, safety fencing and other measures to mitigate the acquisition's effects. Particularly alarming, she said, is CN's effort to relinquish legal liability for property along the Shoe Factory Road crossing, part of which is in unincorporated Cook County.

She wants the STB chairman to review the matter. CN has said it's not reneging on the deal. Bean is seeking a fourth term as the 8th Congressional District representative. Challenging her are Republican Joe Walsh and Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer.