[ Search ] [ Legislation ]
[ Home ] [ Back ] [ Bottom ]
91_SR0295
LRB9113315DHmb
1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, Rail transportation is an essential part of the
3 economy of the State of Illinois; and
4 WHEREAS, The freight railroad industry continues to
5 struggle with the implementation of recent mergers in the
6 western and eastern United States; and
7 WHEREAS, The freight railroad industry remains very
8 unsettled and requires time to stabilize and provide the
9 promised benefits to shippers; and
10 WHEREAS, The Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Canadian
11 National railroads have announced their intentions to combine
12 their operations; and
13 WHEREAS, The timing of this merger proposal is not only
14 premature but will likely trigger the final round of railroad
15 industry consolidation at the most inopportune time; and
16 WHEREAS, A new round of premature industry consolidation
17 could threaten the future viability of the U.S. rail system;
18 and
19 WHEREAS, A new wave of railroad industry consolidation
20 could divert management attention and resources from
21 successful execution of recent rail mergers; and
22 WHEREAS, Another wave of railroad industry consolidation
23 before shippers are convinced they have received the benefits
24 of the most recent mergers is almost certain to result in
25 calls for increased federal regulations of the industry; and
26 WHEREAS, A significant portion of America's freight rail
27 system could be Canadian-controlled should this transaction
28 be approved; and
29 WHEREAS, Approval of the Burlington Northern Santa
-2- LRB9113315DHmb
1 Fe-Canadian National merger could have a detrimental effect
2 on the United States' defense transportation network; and
3 WHEREAS, Several organizations including the United
4 Transportation Union, Canadian Pacific Railway, CSX, Norfolk
5 Southern, Union Pacific Railroad, and Chemical Manufacturers
6 Association have either announced their opposition to the
7 proposed Burlington Northern Santa Fe-Canadian National
8 merger or have asked the Surface Transportation Board to take
9 a cautious and deliberative approach; and
10 WHEREAS, Jobs, industries, and agriculture throughout the
11 State of Illinois could be negatively affected by the
12 Burlington Northern Santa Fe-Canadian National proposal;
13 therefore be it
14 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIRST GENERAL
15 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we have grave
16 concerns about the proposed combination of the Burlington
17 Northern Santa Fe-Canadian National (CN) rail systems and the
18 resulting effect on interstate commerce and the impact on the
19 Chicago area's commuter rail service; and be it further
20 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be formally
21 transmitted to the federal Surface Transportation Board and
22 to the Illinois Congressional Delegation.