SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Bill Cunningham is proposing legislation designed to protect homeowners from smoke and noise pollution produced by idling trains on two local railroad lines.
 
Cunningham's proposal was filed after he and other local elected officials received numerous complaints from constituents who live along the CSX Railroad's Blue Island and Elsdon rail lines about air and noise pollution from trains that are often stopped and idling for hours, dozens of feet their from homes. The legislation would allow local municipal and state agencies to fine railroads for the pollution caused by trains that stop near homes and keep their engines running for extended periods of time.
 
"The residents of these neighborhoods are fully aware that living next to railroad tracks means living with the noise of passing freight trains," Cunningham said. "However, they should not have to live with trains that are parked and idling for hours on end, sometimes blocking traffic and often belching diesel fumes and smoke into their homes."
The two rail lines in question run through the communities of Evergreen Park, Mount Greenwood, West Beverly and Auburn-Gresham, between Western and Kedzie Avenues. During the past two years, area residents have reported a big increase in the number of times trains stop and idle on stretches of track that cut through densely populated neighborhoods. On many occasions, the trains idle for several hours, sometimes throughout the night, before moving again. The trains rarely turn off their engines while stopped, which means smoke, fumes and noise from their roaring diesel engines fill the surrounding neighborhood.   

Cunningham has joined with State Representatives Fran Hurley and Kelly Burke, Chicago Aldermen Matt O'Shea and Lona Lane, and Evergreen Park Mayor James Sexton to pressure CSX address numerous problems associated with increased rail traffic in the area.
 
“We view filing legislation as a last resort because we don't want to restrict the rights of a business, but at the very least we want to start a conversation to reach a compromise to end a potential environmental hazard. I look forward to working both with the rail companies and the effected neighborhoods to achieve the best outcome for our community,” Cunningham said.
 
Cunningham’s proposal would ban diesel locomotives from idling for more than 30 minutes within 1,000 feet of a residence, business, school or hospital. A railway that leaves a train idling in these areas for more than 30 minutes would be fined at least $200, and the amount increases the longer the train is left idling.  
 
Cunningham filed his initial proposal this week and will continue to pursue the issue when the General Assembly convenes next month.

EVERGREEN PARK – State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) and Rep. Kelly Burke (D-Evergreen Park) are hosting a workshop Monday, Sept. 15 to increase awareness about burglaries and educate residents about how to minimize risk.

Local law enforcement officials and a reformed burglar will discuss steps people can take to reduce the chances of burglary.

The seminar will take place at the Evergreen Park Library. It is open to members of the public and the press.

Attendees should RSVP by calling Cunningham’s office at 773-445-8128.

DATE:

Monday, Sept. 15

TIME:

7-8:30 p.m.

LOCATION:

Evergreen Park Library

9400 S. Troy Ave.

Evergreen Park, IL

Cunningham will host a second burglary seminar Oct. 2 at Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences.

EVERGREEN PARK – State Senator Bill Cunningham and Evergreen Park Mayor Jim Sexton announced the Village of Evergreen Park will soon receive $700,000 from state programs aimed at park construction, road work and storm drain upgrades.

The village's new 50-Acre Park at 91st and California Ave. will receive a $500,000 state grant to establish a farm and garden program for children with disabilities, while the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will provide Evergreen Park with $200,000 to improve city infrastructure, patch potholes and install new storm drains.

Cunningham and Sexton were joined at 50-Acre Park during the Labor Day weekend by Governor Pat Quinn to announce the awarding of the grants.

"Quality, well-maintained parks add value to the entire community," Cunningham said. "And that's particularly true when the parks provide us with much needed programs for a vulnerable segment of our population, like students with special needs.” Cunningham said. "Mayor Sexton and the residents of Evergreen Park have a truly inspiring vision for 50-Acre Park, and I'm happy to have secured state funding to help make it a reality."
 
Cunningham said that the additional road improvement funding coming to Evergreen Park is much needed given the weather-related damage to area infrastructure that has occurred after a harsh winter and rainy summer.

“The recent, widespread suburban flooding highlights the need to improve and maintain our storm water systems. This investment will have the added benefit of creating area construction jobs, which is important to note during the Labor Day holiday,” Cunningham said.

Sheriffs and units of local governments will now have a new tool to address blighted properties, create transitional housing and reduce the number of inmates who reoffend under a new law signed by the governor.

State Senator Bill Cunningham (D- Chicago) sponsored the Neighborhood Restoration and Alternative Sentencing Act as a way to improve neighborhoods and train work-release inmates in practical, construction skills giving them a better chance at employment after completing their sentences.

“This is a unique solution that helps solve three separate problems facing communities in Illinois. It reduces the rate that former inmates reoffend because they can’t find lawful work, repurposes blighted properties and gives local governments new housing options,” Cunningham said.

The law authorizes Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart to train county work-release inmates while rehabilitating, demolishing or rebuilding claimed property. The vacant houses targeted by the sheriff's programs are located in poor communities and have been foreclosed on by a bank.

The refurbished buildings can then be used by city and county governments as transitional housing to house the homeless, mentally ill or low income families.

This program, pioneered by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, will apply to counties across the state.

The law takes effect Jan. 1.