Both sides to EJ&E sale have their say at meeting
By Russell Liseau
More than 100 people packed a Mundelein hotel's banquet room Tuesday night to sound off about the proposed Canadian National purchase of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern railroad - but the comments weren't one-sided.
People opposed to the deal - which is expected to relieve freight-train traffic on the existing Canadian National tracks in the area but would lead to increased freight travel on the EJ&E line that loops through the suburbs - outnumbered supporters, but supporters were present and vocal.
Among the high-profile backers who spoke at the Crowne Plaza Chicago North Shore was state Rep. Elaine Nekritz, who said freight traffic is a fact of life. "The CN proposal deserves a fair review," the Northbrook Democrat said.
The political heavy-hitters who opposed the deal were in much greater number, however, led by U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, who flew in from the Democratic National Convention in Denver for the session.
Bean, of Barrington, criticized the proposed purchase as a move by a private, foreign company that would force local communities to pay for relieving any problems that arise from the extra traffic on the EJ&E line.
She also criticized Canadian National's statements that train traffic would decrease on its current tracks, saying the company has made no long-term promises.
"The so-called benefits are clearly a sham," Bean said.
Other politicians and community leaders who spoke against the deal included Hawthorn Woods Mayor Keith Hunt, Mundelein Village Administrator John Lobaito, Countryside Fire Protection District Chief Jeff Steingart and Mundelein Fire Chief Tim Sashko.
Plenty of local residents shared opinions about the proposal, too.
Most shared the sentiments of Mundelein resident Michael Fisher, who was concerned about Canadian National's safety record and the potential freight traffic on the EJ&E line.
"An overnight increase ... is a recipe for disaster," he said.
The meeting was arranged by the Surface Transportation Board, a three-member federal panel with final say on the deal.
Representatives from the board, Canadian National and other interested groups were present.
The transportation board has said it will work the comments given at the meeting and at other gatherings throughout the Chicago area into an environmental impact study that's scheduled to be released in December or January.
A final decision on the proposed deal will follow.
Similar meetings are scheduled for this afternoon at Barrington High School, Thursday at Bartlett High School and Sept. 9 at West Aurora High School.
Metra is starting to improve the parking lot on the NE corner of the train lots which will add quite a few parking spaces later this year. Unfortunately this is a Metra project on Metra land so we are at the mercy of the schedules and contractors chosen by Metra. We also will be losing parking spaces during the duration of the project so bear with us.
