Illinois Residents Protest Planned Sale Of Rail System To Canadian Transit Company

Chicago, IL (AHN) - Despite the $300 million agreement for the majority purchase by Canadian National Railway Company of Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company, Illinois residents aired their dislike of the deal.

To express their sentiments, 500 Illinois residents marched on Wednesday to Barrington High School to air their opposition to the sale.

The gathering was one of several public meetings being conducted throughout Chicago to tackle a draft environment impact report on the railroad sale prepared by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board. Up to 40 suburban communities would be affected by the proposed rail ownership transfer, which critics of the deal said would mainly financially benefit Canadian shareholders of CNRC.

Other concerns of residents include a possible dip in home values of 100,000 homeowners along the EJ and E route.

It was not all opposition to the rail project. About 20 communities said they favor the CNRC buy-in because it will cut freight traffic and boost Chicago's economy. The 20 neighborhoods formed the Solution to Area Rail Traffic Coalition to support the rail purchase.

Several public hearings on the draft environment report are still slated in the coming days.