Press Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local candidates to address the EJ&E sale

Contact: Tony Michelassi
Tel: (630) 788-8338
E-mail: tonymichelassi@gmail.com

Candidates for County Board pledge to help fund mitigation

AURORA, Ill. (September 22nd, 2008) — On Saturday, September 27th, five candidates for County Board in DuPage and Will Counties will give statements about the impending EJ&E Railroad sale. The press conference will be held at the intersection of the EJ&E tracks and State Route 34 (Ogden Avenue) in Aurora.

Tony Michelassi, candidate for DuPage County Board in District 5, which encompasses the Ogden Avenue crossing, will begin the conference with a speech addressing the debate over the sale and his opinions on how its mitigation should be funded. One of Mr. Michelassi's opponents, Board Member Jim Healy, has been fighting the sale vigorously since its announcement. Michelassi will be followed by remarks from Dan Bailey, candidate for DuPage County Board, District 4, a former railroad engineer. Mr. Bailey will provide remarks on the sale that include his experience as a railroad worker. Also in attendance will be three candidates for Will County Board, District 4: Karen Gonzalez, Jackie Traynere, and Martha Nicosia. Each of them will also be providing remarks.

Unable to attend the conference, but expressing solidarity with the speakers, are the following candidates for local office: Stephanie Kifowit, Aurora Alderman for Ward 3, and candidate for Mayor of Aurora; Dennis Grosskopf, candidate for State Representative in the 84th District; Rita Gonzalez, candidate for DuPage County Board District 1; and Max Havlick, candidate for DuPage County Board District 2.

The Canadian National Railway is preparing to finalize its purchase of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E) from U.S. Steel-Transtar. The EJ&E line runs from Waukegan, Illinois to Gary, Indiana, crossing through Lake, Cook, DuPage, and Will Counties in Illinois. Emotions are running high over the sale, which has spawned a local opposition group, The Regional Answer to Canadian National (TRAC), and a group of inner-city supporters, START (Solutions To Area Rail Traffic).