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.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has removed a regulation meant to force trains carrying crude oil or other flammable liquids to adopt electronic braking technology by 2020. Electronically Controlled Pneumatic brakes — or ECP brakes — are meant to stop train cars and keep them from slamming into each other when a train derails.

An Amtrak passenger train has derailed on an overpass in Washington state, falling partly onto an interstate freeway east of Olympia. The Pierce County sheriff's office has confirmed that "injuries and casualties" have been reported on site, where at least one train car is dangling onto the major roadway.