On Monday morning, Amtrak and Canal Edge released a joint statement supporting the Federal Railroad Administration’s decision to conduct a new environmental assessment of the Canal Street rail yard. Eleventh Ward Ald. Nicole Lee wrote on the Ward’s Facebook page, “The FRA’s decision is a positive step - and one that only was made possible by our relentless organizing and advocacy in this community.”
While the battle over Amtrak’s new maintenance facility wages on, with both sides at least outwardly showing support for the new assessment, another battleground is forming behind the scenes. Multiple labor unions that have publicly supported Amtrak moving to Bridgeport have used their political donations to boost the war chest of current Chicago mayoral frontrunner Alexi Giannoulias.
Details of the new environmental assessment
In the coming months, the federal agency NEPA will conduct a new environmental assessment of the rail yard in Bridgeport and Chinatown. The process includes providing a full scope of the project, collecting data on existing conditions, conducting an impact analysis, and allowing public comment after the assessment is completed. Although the project previously received a federal categorical exclusion, this assessment will gather data on air, water, and soil quality within the rail yard.
Transparency of previous environmental assessments has been a sticking point between Amtrak and city officials. At a public hearing held hours before the Chicago White Sox played Game 3 of the American League Division Series, multiple aldermen chastised Amtrak and Canal Edge representatives for failing to properly address concerns.
Now that the full scope includes Amtrak moving out of 14th Street and building a new maintenance facility project priced at more than $900 million, local officials believe this new environmental assessment is needed. They hope an updated federal impact analysis will show that building a new Amtrak maintenance facility in a heavily residential area like Bridgeport is not safe.
NEPA has created a public dashboard and has given an estimated completion date of Dec. 31. The final result will be one of two determinations: Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
A FONSI would clear Amtrak to move forward with its project with multiple federal clearances (NEPA Environmental Assessment and Categorical Exclusion). That's why Amtrak is welcoming this new environmental assessment. If it passes, they hope that will alleviate any remaining concerns from local residents and city officials.
In its released statement, Amtrak wrote, “We believe a deeper public review process will help stakeholders better understand the need for the new facility and associated viaduct repair work, as well as the environmental impact of the project.”
If an EIS is issued, NEPA and FRA will need to conduct a more extensive investigation to address how the project will significantly affect the environment and local residents. This will likely cause significant delays that affect not only Amtrak’s timeline but also Justin Ishbia’s planned commercial development named The Railyards, which could feature a new Chicago White Sox stadium.
Even if NEPA grants a FONSI for Amtrak’s maintenance facility, Lee still plans to fight the project by any means necessary. As she wrote on the 11th Ward’s Facebook page, “No matter what this environmental study produces, our concerns about noise pollution, economic impact and other issues remain unaddressed.”
Rail Passengers Association President Jim Matthews shared his support for the new environmental assessment.
“We’ve said from the beginning that Amtrak needs modern maintenance facilities in Chicago. That hasn’t changed. But how and where we build those facilities matters, too. Communities deserve to understand what is being proposed, how decisions were reached, and what the consequences will be for the people who live nearby.”
The association has created a public survey and hopes local residents will participate and provide feedback to the FRA. In the survey, the Rail Passengers Association explains why it is participating in the environmental assessment process, which includes the White Sox's home.
“Your feedback will provide the hard data we need to demand legally enforceable mitigation measures should this project move forward - including 100 percent electric shore power, strict noise and air quality controls, smart construction routing, lasting community investments, and what to do to keep the Sox in the neighborhood.”
Federation of Labor, other labor unions voice support for Amtrak, Canal Edge
One item that Lee will not have to worry about is the Chicago elections on Feb. 23. The deadline to file for Chicago’s general election leaves Lee unopposed in the 11th Ward and will assure her as alderman for four more years.
Her ally on the city council against Amtrak, 3rd Ward Ald. Pat Dowell, will run against two opponents: Raheem Uqdah and Qushona Harris.
Ald. Jason Ervin, who represents the 28th Ward, will become a bigger player in the White Sox stadium effort, as The Railyards proposed development falls under his jurisdiction. He’ll be running against Precious Joy Frasier.
But in local politics, most attention will go to Chicago’s mayoral race. Current Mayor Brandon Johnson announced his reelection bid but is facing poor approval ratings and just lost a key supporter in the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
The SEIU is now showing its voting and political-donation support for Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. It is not the only union backing Giannoulias. Several labor unions, including the Federation of Labor, IBEW, Pipefitters, and Teamsters, have helped raise over $9 million for Giannoulias’ mayoral campaign. According to the Institute for the Public Good, Giannoulias has over $19 million on hand for his election campaign. Second is John Kelly, a longtime lobbyist who has represented the Chicago White Sox. Kelly has raised roughly $2.5 million, reflecting a gigantic gap in campaign spending power.
It’s hard not to focus attention on money raised. The war chest Giannoulias has assembled, along with strong support from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, makes him a strong favorite to become Chicago’s next mayor.
James Sweeney is the President of the International Union of Operating Engineers from local union 150. On Sept. 9, Sweeney wrote a letter to Lee in an effort to sway her support for Amtrak’s maintenance facility project.
Chicago Federation of Labor President Robert Reiter wrote a letter to the Chicago City Council on October 6 before their open hearing with Amtrak. Reiter wrote to the council, “Our purpose in writing is not to dismiss community concerns, but to ensure that the project’s labor, transportation, and economic benefits are also part of the public discussion.”
In a separate letter to Amtrak’s interim president Byl Herrmann (with U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth CC’d on), Reiter wrote, “Chicago should not have to choose between protecting its neighborhoods, supporting working people, and building a stronger transportation system. The Chicago Federation of Labor supports moving the Midwest Maintenance Facility forward, and we are ready to work with Amtrak, its union workforce, community stakeholders, and public officials to deliver a project that benefits workers, passengers, and the surrounding community.”
With both the Amtrak maintenance facility project and the proposed The Railyards, labor unions in Chicago have plenty to gain from projects worth billions of dollars in new development. With their voting base and political donations, labor unions are strong allies for both Amtrak and Justin Ishbia.
That draws attention back to Giannoulias and his current stance on the proposed maintenance project. Speaking with CBS Chicago anchor Chris Tye on The Angle, Giannoulias was asked whether Bridgeport residents will support his efforts to keep Amtrak out of their neighborhood.
“I think we need more transparency in the process. I understand the concerns of this community. My heart breaks for their lives that will be altered,” said Giannoulias.
“Again, I’m pro-economic development. We have to do whatever we can to grow the city and make sure that our sports teams are staying in Chicago.”
When Tye pressed again on whether Bridgeport residents have his support against Amtrak, Giannoulias remained non-committal, saying he supports the community's push for “transparency and having questions answered.”
Once NEPA completes its assessment, another round of public meetings hosted by the FRA will be posted, and a 30-day period for public comments from concerned parties. The request for more transparency and answers is coming.
