Following the train derailment and chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio, several Illinois federal, state and county elected officials and municipal leaders have renewed calls for the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to reevaluate the impact the proposed Canadian Pacific–Kansas City rail merger will have on communities along the Metra Milwaukee West line.

Village Administrator Jason Bielawski represented Roselle at the Coalition to Stop CPKC’s press conference on Monday, February 27, where the Coalition shared their response to the STB’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Coalition’s full statement is available on their website.

The final EIS suggests the merger’s environmental impact on our region would be minimal; however, the EIS relies primarily on data provided by Canadian Pacific and does not consider data submitted by Coalition communities and Metra. Coalition members assert that a deeper analysis of the merger’s impact on affected communities is necessary before the STB issues their final decision.

The Village of Roselle remains opposed to the merger and will continue to advocate for our community while awaiting the official decision from the STB.