Cory Martin
Illinois State Legislative Board Chairman
Legislative Update
Yesterday the Illinois House of Representatives convened in Springfield to pass the rules that will govern the house chamber for the next two years. These rules passed the House on a partisan vote of 70-44, and they are very similar to the rules that have been in place since they were adopted when Rep. Lee A. Daniels, R-Elmhurst, was Speaker of the House. The House also unanimously passed a resolution requiring Governor Bruce Rauner to give his State of the State address before a joint session...
Quadrennial Meeting in St. Louis
The BLET Illinois State Legislative Board will be holding its 14th Quadrennial Meeting at the St Louis Ballpark Hilton on September 8 & 9
December 2010 / January 2011
The 96th Illinois General Assembly fall veto session ran into the first two days of December. In four days that last week, the Illinois General Assembly was able to push through legislation that has typically been a lightening rod for controversy, none of the issues being rail related. Over the Christmas holidays I visited with my daughter who is teaching at a school in the London. We took the Eurostar train from London to Paris. I was afforded the opportunity to ride in the cab of that...
October / November 2010
The month of October had been very active leading up to the November 2, elections. The State of Illinois General Assembly was for the most part was uneventful. The Governor’s office remains unchanged Democrat Pat Quinn retaining office. The Illinois Senate and Illinois House of Representatives remains in the control of the Democrats. The US Senate a different story Republican Mark Kirk defeated Democrat candidate Alexi Gianoluois. On the bright side Senator elect Mark Kirk is a proponent of...
September 2010
First of all I would like to congratulate all the members elected to the ISLB Executive Board at the 13th Quadrennial Meeting in Schaumburg on the 24th of September, 2010. 1st Vice-Chairman James McGovern, 2nd Vice-Chairman David Hiligoss, 3rd Vice-Chairman Tony Belscamper, Secretary/Treasurer- Tim Dunn, 1st Alt Vice Chairman-Pat Randolph, 2nd Alt. Vice Chairman- Norm Eisengart, 3rd Alt. Vice Chairman-Chris Falaney and Alt. S/T Secretary/Treasurer Dan Theilmen. I would also like to thank all...
November 2009
Attended fundraiser for State Representative 4th Dist Cynthia Soto (D), Mass Transit and Transportation Committees BNSF Cicero Yard safety meeting discussed walkway issues with carrier along with Division 32 L/R Marilee Taylor. Attended fundraiser for Representative 57th Dist Elaine Nekritz (D) Railroad Industry (Chair) Union Pacific Proviso safety meeting. Illinois Chamber of Commerce meeting Hi Speed Rail Funding. BNSF 14th Street Metra crew room inspection with Div 32 L/R Marilee Taylor....
October 2009
Met with government affairs officers from BNSF Paul Novicki, UP Tom Zapler and Mike Payette, CSXT Tom Livingston, Illinois Railroads Assoc. Joe Ciaccio discussed CREATE projects. Attended Midwest Hi Speed Rail Association annual meeting. Attended CRLA (Chicago Railroad Labor Association) quarterly meeting. Metra L/M (Labor/Management) meeting. Springfield for 2 day Fall Veto Session NASLBC (National Association State Legislative Board Chairmen) meeting in StLouis. Joint meeting in St Louis...
September 2009
Meeting in Chicago with Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis also was attended by John Tolman BLET National Legislative VP, Marcus Ruff BLET National VP, and Jerome Schlitner FELA Attorney. Groundbreaking in Joliet at Union Pacific’s new Elwood Intermodal Site. Spoke with CEO Jim Young and VP Bob Tuner and was reassured that BLET members would be working at that facility. Attended a rally at historic Pullman celebrating the 115th anniversary of Labor Day. Sponsored by Illinois AFL-CIO and CFL. BLET...
Chairman’s Welcome Post – We’ve Launched our new site!
BLET ISLB has a new website, please feel free to explore.
US Transportation Secretary Buttigieg wants train bridge inspection records made public
US Transportation Secretary Buttigieg wants train bridge inspection records made public CINCINNATI (WKRC) - United States Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told Local 12 in an exclusive interview that train bridge inspection records should be made more...
US rail workers take action against crashes
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One Size Truly Doesn’t Fit All
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NTSB to release East Palestine report in spring, early summer
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ICC Approves Highway-Rail Safety Upgrades for Adams County Crossing Projects
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Senate to schedule vote on Railway Safety Act: media report
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APTA urges THUD Appropriations Committee leaders to provide funding to improve public transit, passenger rail and infrastructure
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McConnell stands in way of Brown, Vance victory on Rail Safety Act
The legislation would enhance safety procedures for trains carrying hazardous materials, requiring emergency response plans and stricter regulations to prevent wheel bearing failures. The failure of a sensor to alert the crew to an overheating wheel bearing was blamed for the disaster.
The legislation would require two-person crews for freight trains and would substantially increase fines for safety violations.
It would require the Federal Railroad Administration to oversee infrastructure improvements to railside defect detectors and prohibit issuing caps on inspection times to inspectors.
Union coalition asks federal regulators to improve Class I railroad safety and service
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