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Orland Park staff brief trustees on Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger and potential effects of 'People Over Parking' law

Village of Orland Park Committee of the Whole · December 12, 2025

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Summary

Village planners told the committee the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger is unlikely, by itself, to bring freight through Orland Park without new interconnections; trustees also discussed annexation interest near rail corridors and the implications of Illinois' People Over Parking Act (SB 2111) for local land control.

Orland Park planning staff briefed the Committee of the Whole on Dec. 1 about the announced Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger and local steps the village is taking to evaluate related railroad and transit land issues.

Planner Sangeeta said both railroads’ boards and shareholders had approved the transaction and that the merger application will be filed with the Surface Transportation Board with a target completion in early 2027. She told trustees that the village’s line is currently commuter-only (leased to Metra) and that freight service through Orland Park is unlikely to resume unless a new interconnection is built; staff noted cross-jurisdictional and competitive obstacles to such a connection.

Sangeeta also flagged several parcels near the rail corridor (including the corner of 179th and the tracks, parcels between 151st and 159th, and a parcel at 143rd and Beacon) that the village is monitoring for annexation or lease discussions. She said the village is particularly focused on land that could support transit facilities or connections should opportunities arise.

Trustees raised concerns about the People Over Parking Act (SB 2111), enacted at the state level, which creates a new transit authority and new land-development authorities with powers that could include eminent domain near stations. Trustees asked legal and planning staff for a diagnostic summary and requested that staff discuss implications with state legislators and counsel. Staff committed to preparing a written summary and to continuing engagement with regional partners and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.