IL HR0068

Surface Transportation Board approved Canadian National's purchase of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern (EJ&E) rail line on December 24, 2008; EJ&E stretches from Waukegan to Gary, Indiana.

Communities along the EJ&E experienced negative impacts from increased train traffic including traffic congestion, grade crossing safety concerns, noise pollution, decreased property values, and increased taxes for infrastructure mitigation.

Illinois House encourages the 111th Congress to enact legislation reviewing the Surface Transportation Board and providing federal support to compensate impacted communities for infrastructure upgrades caused by shifts in track usage.

Federal government should help fund infrastructure improvements for communities affected by railroad mergers, including upgrades to streets, grade crossings, and commuter rail systems.

Illinois House supports H.R. 693 (Reaching the Star Act) to create the STAR Line inter-suburban commuter rail from Joliet to O'Hare International Airport serving approximately 1.6 million residents in 100 communities.