Jackson rips Metra chief on 'White Line'

Chicago Sun-Times (is 'sun' a code word for white?) ^ | 2/6/03 | LUCIO GUERRERO

[Diddle E. Squat]

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. called Wednesday for the resignation of Metra Chairman Jeff Ladd, accusing him of being biased against the south suburbs and catering instead to affluent, largely white communities in the west and northwest.

Metra's latest plan--for a $1.1 billion line that would link Joliet to the northwest suburbs via O'Hare Airport --should be called the "White Line," said Jackson, echoing complaints in recent days from several south suburban legislators.

"Metra has spent more than a billion dollars to build new service to the far reaches of the north, west and southwest suburbs in recent years," said the congressman, whose district includes parts of the South Side and south suburbs.

"Meanwhile, riders on the South Side still use dilapidated platforms that were built as temporary stations 80 years ago."

Metra's proposed 55-mile Suburban Transit Access Route, or STAR Line, would serve 1.6 million residents in the west and northwest suburbs.

The line--which Metra said was proposed in response to "peak congestion periods of almost eight hours a day" along parts of the route--would be the commuter rail system's first new line since 1986.

"For 10 years, Metra has advised Southland officials to 'be patient, your day will come next,' " Jackson said. "Metra needs a new vision and a renewed sense of public service."

Metra's response came in a written statement: "We're disappointed that the racial connotation 'White Line' has been brought into this argument and completely deny that the STAR Line route proposed had anything whatsoever to do with demographics."

A group of south suburban legislators plans to meet Friday with Metra officials to discuss their concerns about the proposed rail expansion.

[rickmichaels]

Like father, like son.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Any truth to the rumor that Jackson wants a line built to the casino at the Hi Mi Town Indian Reservation?

[ohiobushman]

There should be a law against any of the jackASSson's producing more choldren!!

[Chi-townChief]

Does that mean we should call the Dan Ryan L "The Black Line?"

[Mr. Wright]

With the Jackson's every thing is black and white!