OmniTrax proposes lease of 90-acre capped landfill in Blue Island for rail-served storage

Representatives from OmniTrax told the Blue Island City Council they are negotiating a lease to use around 90 acres of a capped landfill near 119th Street for rail‑served storage and logistics operations.

A city staff member introducing the item described the site as “very large, about 90 acres of undeveloped property” that is capped and “still requires some environmental remediation.” The staff member said the city and OmniTrax were “very close, on what we think is going to be a good deal for this property to bring it back to life.”

Chris Tuckie, an OmniTrax representative, described OmniTrax as a family‑owned rail and logistics company that operates multiple shortline railroads. “We are here tonight to talk about the 90 acre lease that we are proposing and working toward with city and the council on expanding our operations here in the city of Blue Island,” Tuckie said. He told the council the use would focus on transportation logistics and storage for heavy goods moved by rail, citing lumber, metal coils, roofing shingles and other building materials as examples.

City staff told the council the site presents development constraints because it was formerly a landfill and is capped; some environmental remediation work remains necessary. Staff said OmniTrax’s proposal would use rail access that runs through the site and would be intended to support regional and local jobs tied to rail logistics.

No final lease was voted on at the meeting. City staff said attorneys for both sides had been out of town and that the parties had hoped to finalize a deal before the meeting but had not done so; the council was invited to discuss the proposal further in executive session to review real‑estate and legal details.

Ending: The council received the presentation and moved toward confidential negotiation steps; no formal lease vote or binding commitment was recorded in the public meeting minutes.