The controversy over the proposed sale of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern (EJ&E) Railway to Canadian National Railway (CN) has been brewing in the Chicago suburbs for months.  A bipartisan group of suburban members of Congress -- including Reps. Melissa Bean, Peter Roskam, Bill Foster, Judy Biggert, and Dan Manzullo -- have voiced strong objections to the plan, most recently in a hearing before the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday.  Apart from some suburban mayors, the only prominent Illinois politician to support the idea is Rep. Dan Lipinski.  However, Debbie Halvorson's 11th District congressional campaign released documents yesterday suggesting that her Republican rival, Marty Ozinga, backs the proposal, which is extremely unpopular with many suburban residents.

As a candidate, Ozinga has so far been mum on the sale. But his concrete company is a different story.  In a Nov. 1, 2007 letter to the federal Surface Transportation Board, one of Ozinga Bros.' subsidiaries -- Ozinga Transportation -- explicitly endorsed the plan. Here's an excerpt:

We understand that CN is requesting authority to acquire and operate the EJ&E West Company. We strongly support this application, as the combined company would offer improved efficiency into, out and around the Chicago market. [...]

We at Ozinga believe that the proposed acquisition will provide a significant benefit to both shippers and consignees in the Chicago area.  Efficient, faster, and reliable rail service will assist in growing our business. Our company supports the application.

Meanwhile, Halvorson expressed her opposition to the sale at a south suburban public hearing last week, where she was joined by hundreds of residents who oppose the CN takeover because it is expected to triple train traffic along the line, causing increased traffic congestion and noise pollution.  According to a press release from the campaign, Halvorson stated: "Canadian National's acquisition will have a serious impact on the day-to-day lives of local residents and families across this region ... On top of traffic congestion and safety concerns, the plan stands to threaten property values of working families who are already being hit hard enough.” An earlier public hearing in Barrington provoked a protest and march from 500 local residents.