Perhaps you’ve noticed some recent buzz about railroad safety in the media. Thank members of La Coalition’s Rail Safety Campaign and their spring letters to the editor (LTE) effort.

An April 6, 2022, LTE in the Daily Herald called out chemical and rail industries for opposing Illinois HB 1542/SB 3496 Hazardous Substances-Schools. The measure would have required emergency response planning officials and school districts to partner to inform residents of safety threats related to the transport and storage of hazardous substances. 

Since then, members of La Coalition have met with McHenry and Lake County emergency management officials. They are optimistic that some of the bill’s language can be modified to better address the needs of those planning for emergency response.  

An April 27, 2022, LTE in the Daily Herald brought attention to the public’s right to know about hazardous substances located nearby. 

A more recent LTE, not yet published, describes BNSF Railroad’s degrading and punitive Hi-Viz attendance policy. The policy forces workers to report for duty without any regard for their well-being or quality of life, further aggravating problems resulting from work fatigue and hindering safe train operations.

Other media efforts

The Daily Herald recently published two guest articles related to rail safety. In one, La Coalition opposed the Canadian Pacific–Kansas City Southern merger. In the other, Canada’s Lac-Mégantic OESF Citizens Coalition sided with La Coalition.