Cory Martin
Illinois State Legislative Board Chairman
Robert Primus
This photo was taken in DC when I and other state board Chairman were there lobbying on the hill. Robert Primus who was chairman of the STB at the time, took the time to come and join us for dinner to hear our concerns and learn about the problems occurring with the class one carriers. He has continued to join us at other subsequent visits. He is a true friend and ally to our union and I can’t overstate how much of a loss it is if his illegal firing is allowed to stand. This administration is...
Illinois BLET Members at 2025 Western Regional Meeting in Seattle
2024 Illinois Primaries
Brothers and Sisters, it is Primary season in Illinois and we need to get out and vote. 2024 is shaping up to be a big year from the top of ticket to the very bottom, and sometimes the local races are the most vital. You recently received our list of suggested candidates, please contact me if you have any questions about certain candidates or how we came to a decision on those who are on the list. I have had the opportunity to meet several of our lawmakers in recent months and attend a few...
Brother Chris Falaney
Brothers and sisters, as we move forward with this new chapter of the ISLB I want to continue to express my sincerest condolences to the Falaney family. Chris was a wonderful Husband, Father and Union man. He was an example of what we represent and something we should strive to be. I am greatly thankful to the members of this board, other State Legislative Board Chairman and the BLET organization as a whole for their support and assistance during this transition. I am grateful for the trust...
I toured the BRC Clearing yard in Chicago today with Illinois Congressman, Sean Casten and other Rail Labor leadership.
The short lines – doing their part in fighting against our safety…
Rail safety legislation: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has continued to speak publicly about his desire to move forward the Brown-Vance rail safety bill (S. 576). The bill would need 60 votes to clear a procedural hurdle and be considered on the floor. On the House side, the ASLRRA’s Legislative Policy Committee members and ASLRRA’s Government Affairs team continue to engage with offices to show concern about the Senate measure should it pass the Senate and move to the House – or...
Chairman, Chris Falaney and Vice Chairman, Corey Martin with STB member Robert Primus
Chairman, Chris Falaney and Vice Chairman, Corey Martin with STB member Robert Primus at the 2023 BLET Regional Meeting in Milwaukee.
2023 recipients of the BLET ISLB Don Little Scholarships
The 2023 BLET ISLB Don Little Scholarships have been awarded! Dylan Hawbaker (Div. 155) Sarah Molitor (Div. 131) Morgan Toedebusch (Div. 444) Congratulations, and best of luck on your future endeavors!
17,807
Grain carloads carried by U.S. railroads in the week ending May 20, down 12.7% from a year ago and leaving the commodity traffic down 7.1% so far this year, according to the Association of American Railroads.
Meeting National President Eddie Hall
I got a chance to chat with our new National President Eddie Hall at the NASLBC meeting in Kansas City. (pic)
Rail industry marks 45th anniversary of Staggers Act
Rail industry marks 45th anniversary of Staggers Act Today marks 45 years since President Jimmy Carter signed the Staggers Rail Act of 1980, which saved the freight-rail industry from near total collapse. By 1980, the railroad industry was on the brink of collapse...
Lawmakers ‘ready to move’ on transit reform, but funding agreement remains elusive
Lawmakers ‘ready to move’ on transit reform, but funding agreement remains elusive Illinois lawmakers will return to Springfield next week hoping to resolve a major unchecked box from the spring: Keep the trains in Chicago running. As the spring legislative session...
BNSF: UP+NS ‘Costly, Unnecessary, Anti-Competitive, Bad for the U.S. Economy’
BNSF: UP+NS ‘Costly, Unnecessary, Anti-Competitive, Bad for the U.S. Economy’ Following Warren Buffett’s pronouncement that Berkshire Hathaway, parent company of BNSF Railway, is not interested in merging with CSX (a development that contributed to CSX President and...
Primus challenges his dismissal from the Surface Transportation Board
Primus challenges his dismissal from the Surface Transportation Board WASHINGTON — Robert E. Primus filed a federal lawsuit today challenging his dismissal from the Surface Transportation Board. President Donald Trump fired Primus on Aug. 27 without giving a reason...
CN and CSX tout railroad collaboration
CN and CSX tout railroad collaboration LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — Canadian National and CSX executives today touted cooperation — not combination — as the best way to convert freight from highway to rail. While Union Pacific has proposed an $85 billion acquisition of...
Norfolk Southern rolls out automated system to measure track conditions
Norfolk Southern rolls out automated system to measure track conditions Norfolk Southern Railway recently developed and rolled out its new automated track geometry measurement system (ATGMS), the Class I announced yesterday on social media. The ATGMS uses NS...
Rail Customer Coalition warns regulators of potential impacts of UP-NS merger
Rail Customer Coalition warns regulators of potential impacts of UP-NS merger WASHINGTON — The Rail Customer Coalition, which represents the manufacturing, agriculture, and energy industries, has told federal regulators that Union Pacific’s proposed acquisition of...
Aging U.S. railroad bridges are self-inspected and their findings are kept secret
Aging U.S. railroad bridges are self-inspected and their findings are kept secre CORVALLIS, Ore. — The fire burned for about nine hours, billowing smoke and scorching the wooden trestles of a nearly 75-year-old railroad bridge that spans the Marys River in Corvallis,...
CTA budget crisis eased by $74M from Metra, Pace
CTA budget crisis eased by $74M from Metra, Pace CHICAGO - The Chicago Transit Authority avoided immediate service cuts and fare hikes Thursday after regional transportation officials approved a plan to shift suburban transit funds to help cover the city agency’s...
Trump is trying to fire a railroad regulator who protects Iowa interests
Robert Primus has proven himself a good man who has refused to be bought and has consistently used his power as a public servant to stand on the side of everyday Iowans and Americans.