It was with great interest that I read “The Rockford Files” (Voice, Dec. 6). Although Rockford Airport does service United Parcel Service extensively, research has proven that Chicago’s “third airport” really is Mitchell International Airport, 50 minutes north of the Illinois Tollway’s Lake Forest Oasis.
Mitchell, with more than 200 daily flight departures on 17 airlines and serving 5.5 million passengers annually, is second only to O’Hare in use among northern Illinois (Lake and McHenry Counties) travelers. In addition, for many northern Illinois residents, Mitchell is closer and more convenient than O’Hare and Midway, especially during rush hour.
The Chicago area does not need to build a questionable fourth airport at great expense to residents. What officials need to recognize is that the Metro Chicago/Kenosha/Racine/Milwaukee region is quickly blending into one. Because of this, it makes great economic sense for northern Illinois residents to continue using Mitchell.
