Fed grants for Ill. hazardous materials training

Associated Press
(AP) – 10-20-09

CHICAGO — Illinois will get a slice of $21 million in federal grants to improve responses to transportation accidents involving hazardous materials.

The U.S. Department of Transportation says Illinois will get more than $1 million. Some money will go toward training first responders.

The issue of transporting hazardous substances came to the fore in Illinois this summer when train cars carrying ethanol derailed and burst into flames in Rockford. One person died in the fiery derailment, and ethanol leaked into surrounding soil and water.

Read the full story