Full Text of SR1191 103rd General Assembly
SR1191 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY | | | SR1191 | | LRB103 42340 ECR 75564 r |
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| 1 | | SENATE RESOLUTION | 2 | | WHEREAS, The railroad industry plays a critical role in | 3 | | the transportation of goods across the nation; however, | 4 | | certain practices and conditions associated with train | 5 | | operations have raised concerns regarding environmental | 6 | | impact, public safety, and community well-being; and | 7 | | WHEREAS, Idling freight trains contribute to air pollution | 8 | | and adversely affect the air quality in nearby communities, | 9 | | and the routing of hazardous materials throughout the country | 10 | | creates significant risks to public safety and the | 11 | | environment; and | 12 | | WHEREAS, Additionally, the operation of long freight | 13 | | trains can divide communities, impede emergency response | 14 | | times, and increase the risk of derailments, posing threats to | 15 | | both residents and infrastructure; and | 16 | | WHEREAS, Immediate action is needed to address delays that | 17 | | result in idling freight trains, which have harmful | 18 | | environmental impacts on our local communities and create | 19 | | blocked at-grade crossings, which adversely impact public | 20 | | safety and harm economic development; and | 21 | | WHEREAS, The placement of grade separations would increase |
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| 1 | | the capacity by allowing constant flow in all directions, | 2 | | thereby removing crossing traffic from intersections and | 3 | | improving the safety of our roadways through reducing | 4 | | vehicle-vehicle and vehicle-pedestrian conflicts and | 5 | | collisions; and | 6 | | WHEREAS, The long-term benefits of reduced air pollution, | 7 | | enhanced public safety, and minimized risks of derailments can | 8 | | result in significant cost savings for both the government and | 9 | | affected communities; and | 10 | | WHEREAS, By addressing these critical concerns and | 11 | | implementing proposed policy measures, we can protect the | 12 | | environment from air pollution, ensure train safety, reduce | 13 | | risks associated with the transportation of hazardous | 14 | | materials, and promote the well-being of communities across | 15 | | the State; therefore, be it | 16 | | RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL | 17 | | ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge Congress and | 18 | | the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), in collaboration | 19 | | with local and other relevant stakeholders, to take immediate | 20 | | action to address delays that result in idling freight trains | 21 | | by installing additional tracks or other measures in order to | 22 | | reduce environmental impacts and blocked at-grade crossings; | 23 | | and be it further |
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| 1 | | RESOLVED, That we urge the FRA to create recommendations | 2 | | on the strategic placement of grade separations and mandate | 3 | | reasonable lengths of freight trains as determined by | 4 | | comprehensive federal studies and assessments that identify | 5 | | risks associated with long freight trains and encourage the | 6 | | reduction of the length of trains, including public safety | 7 | | impacts and any increased risks of derailment; and be it | 8 | | further | 9 | | RESOLVED, That we urge the FRA, in order to enhance public | 10 | | safety and minimize the risks associated with the | 11 | | transportation of hazardous materials, to undertake a study to | 12 | | determine safer, innovative methods of routing these materials | 13 | | through the country, with the study incorporating a full | 14 | | assessment of railways in relation to critical infrastructure | 15 | | and explosive materials, including fueling stations and gas | 16 | | lines, an assessment of community communication with an | 17 | | emphasis on first responders, a review of safety standards for | 18 | | rail cars, a consideration of the use of advanced technology | 19 | | and risk assessment tools to determine the safest and most | 20 | | efficient routing options for hazardous materials, and a | 21 | | current assessment of track conditions; and be it further | 22 | | RESOLVED, That we support funding for impacted counties | 23 | | for research, development, and collaboration efforts. |
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