http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-railfreight,0,382959.story

CHICAGO - An Illinois congressman has thrown his support behind Canadian National Railway's bid to buy the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway.

Democratic Representative Dan Lipinski and an alliance of mayors and village presidents say the proposed purchase could reduce or eliminate CN train traffic in certain corridors.

CN says its purchase of the EJ&E line would enable its trains to avoid congested tracks in Chicago. Now, it can take more than a day for freight trains to wind through Chicago.

But roughly 30 communities along the EJ&E oppose the sale, saying the number of freight trains using the line would sharply increase and disrupt the lives of area residents.

Lipinski said he understood all the problems and inconveniences caused by rail traffic. But he added he can't say no more freight trains are going to run through northeastern Illinois.