What are Illinois officials doing to prevent train derailments?
This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed on Feb. 3, 2023 in East Palestine, Ohio are still on fire at mid-day Saturday, Feb. 4. Gene J. Puskar/AP
Efforts are still underway to clean up the chemical disaster that occurred in East Palestine, Ohio, following a train derailment that spilled hazardous chemicals in the small town of 4,000 people. The response to the East Palestine train derailment has prompted concerns here in Illinois about what a state response to a chemical spill prompted by a train derailment could look like, especially given Illinois’ position in the U.S.’s rail network.
To talk about Illinois' track record with train derailments and chemicals, what officials are doing to keep residents and the environment safe, and more, The 21st was joined by a journalist who's been following the story and two Illinois emergency management representatives.
GUESTS:
Jared Rutecki
Investigative Reporter and Producer, WTTW and Chicago Tonight
Cathy Beck
Director, McLean County Emergency Management Agency
John Dwyer
Coordinator, Champaign County Emergency Management Agency
Prepared for web by Owen Henderson
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