FRANKFORT, IL - State Senate Majority Leader and Democratic Congressional Nominee Debbie Halvorson, highlighted the concerns of local residents about the proposed acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern (EJ&E) Railway by the Canadian National Railway in Frankfort today. Halvorson was joined by U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Will County Executive Larry Walsh, Frankfort Mayor Jim Holland and members of the Frankfort Village Board.
"Canadian National's acquisition will have a serious impact on the day-to-day lives of Frankfort residents and families across this region," said Halvorson. "On top of traffic congestion and safety concerns, the plan stands to threaten property values of working families who are already being hit hard enough. I will work with Senator Durbin and Mayor Holland to ensure that any plan that moves forward serves the best interests of local residents."
Senator Durbin has been actively involved in negotiations with Canadian Railway since it first submitted a proposal to acquire a major portion of the 198-mile EJ&E, which encircles Chicago and reaches Waukegan, Joliet and South Chicago and Gary, Indiana.
"I think it is essential that we work together to see that each community affected by the deal has its concerns addressed. I look forward to bringing about a workable solution by keeping an open dialogue between Canadian National and community leaders," Senator Durbin said today.
The current proposal would result in up to a 400 percent increase in rail traffic, raising red flags about safety, longer commutes, environmental impacts, and property values.
The proposal also effectively eliminates a rail line critical to the operation of six daily Amtrak trains and squashes plans for future Amtrak expansion as well as the possibility of offering STAR Line passenger service.
"The increase in rail traffic proposed by the Canadian National would have a significant negative impact on Frankfort and other communities along the EJ&E tracks. In addition, it appears that the increase in rail traffic would virtually end the possibility of the STAR Line passenger service along the EJ&E tracks," said Frankfort Mayor Jim Holland.
Halvorson's current state senate district does not include Frankfort, but the town is a part of the Illinois' 11th Congressional District, in which she is currently the Democratic Nominee.
"Local residents will be dealing with the consequences of this proposal for decades," said Halvorson. "I may not technically represent Frankfort residents right now, but there is too much at stake for our communities for me to sit on the sidelines until November."
