Railroad Merger Could Spell More Noise, Congestion

If you live in the communities along the EJ&E; line, you could be in for a lot more noise and congestion if the Surface Transportation Board approves Canadian National’s merger.  I oppose the merger in its current form, and if you do too, you may want to let the STB know your views.  Contact them at 1-800-347-0689 or through the STB website during the next public comment period.  -U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert

Recent EJ&E; News:

September 29, 2008 -- Biggert Tells Regulators to Think Again on CN-EJ&E; Merger
Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13) today sent the Surface Transportation Board (STB) a letter rejecting its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on Canadian National’s (CN) proposed acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E;) line

September 27, 2008 -- U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert Reacts to House Vote on Bill to Restrict Rail Mergers like CN-EJ&E;
Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today issued the following statement after the House failed to pass H.R. 6707, the Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety (TRACS) Act . . .

September 24, 2008 -- U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert Praises Progress on Bill to Restrict Rail Mergers like CN-EJ&E;
Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today issued the following statement after the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved H.R. 6707, the Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety (TRACS) Act . . .

September 18, 2008 -- Reaction of U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert to CN Court Filing on EJ&E; Merger
Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today issued the following statement after Canadian National (CN) petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to order the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to issue an expedited ruling on CN’s proposed acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E;) line. . .

September 8, 2008 -- U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert Applauds STB Decision on CN-EJ&E; Timeline
Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today issued the following statement after the Surface Transportation Board (STB) released a decision denying Canadian National’s (CN) request for an expedited ruling on its proposed acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E;) line. . .

August 15, 2008 -- U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert Urges Rejection of CN Request for Rush Approval
Plainfield, IL – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today issued the following statement after Canadian National (CN) requested that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) issue a ruling on its proposed acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E;) line by October 15th. . .

August 5, 2008 -- Biggert, Illinois Members Hold Hearing on CN-EJ&E; Deal
Chicago, IL – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today joined a bipartisan group of Illinois lawmakers at a field hearing to explore the transportation, economic, and community impacts of Canadian National’s (CN) proposed purchase of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E;) line. . .

July 31, 2008 -- Biggert, Illinois Delegation Introduce Bill to Stop Railroad Abuses
Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today joined lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to introduce legislation protecting the public’s interest in major railroad mergers. . .

July 25, 2008 -- Reaction of U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert to Release of EJ&E; Study
Plainfield, IL – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today issued the following statement after the Surface Transportation Board (STB) released a draft environmental impact statement (EIS), which – upon being finalized after a period of public comment -- will determine whether Canadian National (CN) is permitted to acquire the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E;) line . . .

July 1, 2008 -- Biggert, Aurora Officials Evaluate EJ&E; Impact: Local Leaders Tour Rail Line, Discuss Potential Impact of Railway Merger
Aurora, IL – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13) today joined local officials for a tour of locations in Aurora that would be severely impacted by Canadian National Railway’s (CN) proposed acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E;) line. . .

June 30, 2008 -- Media Advisory: Biggert to Tour EJ&E; with Aurora Leaders
Aurora -- Biggert will join Mayor Weisner and other local officials to tour locations in Aurora that would be most severely impacted by Canadian National Railway’s (CN) acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E;) line. . .

June 17, 2008 -- Rail Gridlock on Plainfield's Mind
PLAINFIELD -- Plainfield officials have enlisted the support of a federal ally in their quest to avoid traffic gridlock if Canadian National is approved to buy the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway. . .

June 17, 2008 -- The Naperville Sun: EJ&E; traffic 'nightmare' predicted
Increased rail freight traffic would create a "nightmare" if Canadian National Railroad acquires the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway, Plainfield officials said Monday. . .

June 16, 2008 -- Biggert Inspects EJ&E; Line: Works with local officials to evaluate impact of potential railway merger
Plainfield, IL – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13) today joined local officials for a tour of locations in Plainfield and Crest Hill that would be severely impacted by Canadian National Railway’s (CN) proposed acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E;) line.

June 13, 2008 -- Biggert to Tour EJ&E; with Plainfield Leaders
Biggert will join Mayor Waldorf and other local officials to tour locations in Plainfield that would be most severely impacted by Canadian National Railway’s (CN) acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E;) line.

May 15, 2008 -- Biggert Calls for Retooling of Chicago Rail Program
Naperville, IL – At a meeting of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today suggested using funds from a regional rail infrastructure program to mitigate the impact of a proposed rail merger. . . 

March 10, 2008 -- Biggert Asks Transportation Board Chair to Tour EJ&E; Line
Willowbrook, IL – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13) sent a letter to Charles Nottingham, Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (STB), inviting him to tour local communities and assess first-hand the potential impact of a pending railway merger currently under consideration by the STB. . .

February, 18 2008 -- Biggert Urges Caution on EJ&E; Merger: Calls on Transportation Board to Consider Local Impact of Proposed Rail Plan
Willowbrook, IL – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13) today sent a letter to Charles Nottingham, Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (STB), urging caution in his agency’s evaluation of a pending railway merger that would dramatically affect suburban residents. . .