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Last week, Illinois' House of Representatives passed a bill (H.B. 5340) that would amend the Illinois Vehicle Code and mandate regulations ensuring railroad workers a safe walkway, according to a news item on United Transportation Union's Web site.

The bill would require railroads to provide ground workers a reasonably uniform surface that's safely maintained, and free of obstacles, debris and other hazards.

The bill now will be considered by the Illinois Senate, which is expected to vote on the legislation in late April.

Norfolk Southern Railway and Canadian National Railway Co. oppose the bill, and "those railroads will fight hard to derail the House measure," said UTU Illinois State Legislative Director Joe Szabo.

"We moved so fast in the House that NS and CN had little time to react," he said. "We won't have that luxury in the Senate."