The group, The Regional Answer to Canadian National or TRAC, reported this week that over six thousands residents have attended the first week of meetings set up by the United States Surface Transportation Board, to object to the acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company by Canada’s Canadian National Railway.

With the next set of meetings scheduled to commence on September eight, TRAC is urging all residents in affected communities to turn out to the meetings to register their objections to the acquisition.  Canadian National having petitioned the Surface Transportation Board to decide by September 15 whether it will modify its schedule to provide for a decision on the transportation merits of the acquisition by October fifteen.

TRAC has also urged residents affected by the proposed acquisition to make contact with congressional representatives in the next week to urge them to support House Resolution, H.R. 6707.  Co-sponsor of the resolution, representative Bill Foster, a Democrat from Illinois’ 14th Congressional District said recently regarding the issue that "I have found no benefit for the people of the 14th District in this proposed merger.  And I am not alone."

In an email distributed to supporters and interest parties, TRAC has said that through concerted action such as attending STB public hearings and supporting congressional efforts, the community has an opportunity to "defeat a private business deal that is harmful to the region."

Source: The Regional Answer to Canadian National and Bill Foster for Congress

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