Elmhurst Mayor Tom Marcucci this week applauded the governor’s recent push for a south suburban airport and urged residents to attend a federal hearing on the proposed redevelopment of O’Hare International Airport.
Marcucci is a fierce critic of what he calls “unbridled expansion” plans at O’Hare, which he has long contended would have hurt the region, particularly in light of the economic challenges facing air carriers such as United Airlines.
“It’s not about what Elmhurst wants … it’s about what’s best for the state,” Marcucci said at a City Council meeting Monday.
In his State of the State address on Feb. 3, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich said he wanted to submit a plan for the Peotone airport to the Federal Aviation Administration by this spring. Even if that happens, it would be years before significant construction began or significant costs were incurred.
Marcucci said after a recent visit to the Illinois General Assembly that he had an inkling the governor would come forward with a stronger position advocating an airport in Peotone.
“It seemed to me pretty clear … that something was up,” Marcucci said.
He said that on Feb. 23, residents should express their views on a draft environmental-impact statement related to the O’Hare plan. The public hearing, held by the FAA, will be in the Waterford Conference Center, 933 S. Riverside Drive, from 2 to 9 p.m.
Ald. Michael Regan noted that the location of the hearing is in a part of Elmhurst where air traffic noise is not as extensive as it is in other parts of the community. For years, the noise created by planes going to and from O’Hare has been among Elmhurst residents’ top concerns.
FAA hearings also will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. Feb. 22 in Elk Grove Village, in Avalon Banquets, 1905 E. Higgins Road; and from 2 to 9 p.m. Feb. 24 in Niles, in White Eagle, 6839 N. Milwaukee Ave.
