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Amtrak, Labor Leaders Seek to Address Residents’ Concerns...

The $900 million project would move the Midwest Maintenance Facility to a dormant railyard along South Canal Street from 33rd to 35th streets, next to Rate Field. Amtrak officials have been met with p

Labor backs Amtrak project near Rate Field as City Hall fights it
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/real-estate/commercial/ccb-amtrak-bridgeport-labor-20260924/

Edited yesterday at 02:35 AM1 day by 77 Hitmen

Outside of the NIMBY crowd I wonder if this story resonates with the public? Organized Labor is making public statements in support of Amtrak. There is excitement for the new stadium, the local taxpayer isn't on the hook, and Ishbia isn't a bumbling fool like McCaskey.

15 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

I won't say done, but the fact remains that there are zero local approvals required for the railroad project.

And why wouldn't a commissioner or alderman be against this with this reality? Once it starts being built those officials can say "we were against it but it was out of our hands". Government officials love political cover like this! They know it is going to happen regardless so they can kiss up to the locals by taking a popular position knowing it doesn't change a thing.

4 minutes ago, BrittBurnsFan said:

And why wouldn't a commissioner or alderman be against this with this reality? Once it starts being built those officials can say "we were against it but it was out of our hands". Government officials love political cover like this! They know it is going to happen regardless so they can kiss up to the locals by taking a popular position knowing it doesn't change a thing.

Yeah, it's modern day vote counting. You can be strategically "against" something if the rest of its outcome is assured. I was mildly surprised to see the Unions come out very vocally for this project. That might actually make opposition harder, as it will allow someone to run against these guys in the future for being anti-union.

3 hours ago, Falstaff said:

Outside of the NIMBY crowd I wonder if this story resonates with the public? Organized Labor is making public statements in support of Amtrak. There is excitement for the new stadium, the local taxpayer isn't on the hook, and Ishbia isn't a bumbling fool like McCaskey.

3 hours ago, Falstaff said:

Outside of the NIMBY crowd I wonder if this story resonates with the public? Organized Labor is making public statements in support of Amtrak. There is excitement for the new stadium, the local taxpayer isn't on the hook, and Ishbia isn't a bumbling fool like McCaskey.

Its sure been quiet about the new Bears Stadium.

17 hours ago, WBWSF said:

The Cook County Board of Commisioners approved a resolution today stating they don't want the Amtrack facility in Bridgeport. What happens now?

17 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

Nothing. Their vote is symbolic.

16 hours ago, Lip Man 1 said:

It's not done but frankly given what the government has already given to Amtrak financially and the exemptions, the local neighborhood and county board have nothing to say in the matter. They have no leverage.

And no...the Sox aren't moving to Nashville.

I don't know about the County Board, but I suppose theoretically the City Council could threaten to withhold any infrastructure funding to redevelop the 14th St. site if Amtrak really came in and pissed everyone off by basically giving the middle finger to city officials with their federal exemption. But, as far as I can tell, Amtrak has been saying they want to be transparent and a good neighbor on this project, so I don't see them burning any bridges so far.

In one of the Crain's article, Amtrak said they'd welcome an invitation to meet with City Council members to discuss their project and answer questions. I suspect that would be a lot more productive than just getting shouted down at a public hearing by angry residents who will never accept anything other than this site remaining an abandoned rail yard forever.

1 hour ago, WBWSF said:

Its sure been quiet about the new Bears Stadium.

Because they don't seem to have any clue about what they're doing.

28 minutes ago, Sleepy Harold said:

Because they don't seem to have any clue about what they're doing.

Seems they really want to be in IL and are using IN as leverage. Shovels would probably be in the ground already if they really want to build in IN.

4 hours ago, Falstaff said:

Outside of the NIMBY crowd I wonder if this story resonates with the public? Organized Labor is making public statements in support of Amtrak. There is excitement for the new stadium, the local taxpayer isn't on the hook, and Ishbia isn't a bumbling fool like McCaskey.

That's a good question. The local news outlets love covering public meetings like this where angry residents shout down a developer's presentation. But, I don't know if halting Amtrak's proposal to upgrade their Chicago operations (w/ $900M in federal and private funding) and blocking a privately-financed new Sox stadium would be popular with the public outside the NIMBY zone around the site.

As you point out, if elected officials really do find a way to stop this, they risk losing the support of organized labor.

Edited 13 hours ago13 hr by 77 Hitmen

14 minutes ago, HoosierSox said:

Seems they really want to be in IL and are using IN as leverage. Shovels would probably be in the ground already if they really want to build in IN.

It was the plan all along, the Bears are just the literal worst pokerface in the business.

11 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

That's a good question. The local news outlets love covering public meetings like this were angry residents shout down a developer's presentation. But, I don't know if halting Amtrak's proposal to upgrade their Chicago operations (w/ $900M in federal and private funding) and blocking a privately-financed new Sox stadium would be popular with the public outside the NIMBY zone around the site.

As you point out, if elected officials really do find a way to stop this, they risk losing the support of organized labor.

Yes. The Unions didn't just quietly get behind this, they are loudly out in front of it.