Lake County Pledges Millions to South Shore

The Lake County Council has approved spending up to $2 million per year toward the expansion of the South Shore commuter train. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report the funding will support the proposed $571 million, eight-mile line between Hammond and Dyer. Three Democrats and one Republican voted in favor of the ordinance. One Republican and one Democrat voted against it.

The measure caps the county's contribution to 25 percent in income tax revenue devoted to economic development each year for 30 years. U.S. Congressman Pete Visclosky (D-1) asked the council to contribue 34 percent, but was not present for Tuesday's vote.

Opponents at the meeting argued operating the train would become a burden on taxpayers and would not result in promised economic development.

Source: The Times of Northwest Indiana