Illinois lawmaker calls on Amtrak to give up control of Chicago's Union Station after series of safety issues

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Thursday, November 14, 2019
Illinois lawmaker calls on Amtrak to give up control of Chicago's Union Station after series of safety incidents
An Illinois congressman is calling on Amtrak to hand over control of Chicago's Union Station to Metra after a series of safety incidents at the busy train hub.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- An Illinois congressman is calling on Amtrak to hand over control of Chicago's Union Station to Metra after a series of safety incidents at the busy train hub.

During a House Transportation Committee hearing, Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski noted an accident last February where a worker fell on a circuit board, causing a computer outage that delayed trains through several rush hours.

Lipinski also cited an incident where a chunk of concrete fell from the ceiling, hitting a Metra train.

Amtrak owns the building. The train company said it has no plans to give up control.