Commission Meets at PUSH to Discuss Airport

Maasai Amewa |

On this past Saturday, The Rainbow PUSH forum featured a discussion with the members of the Abraham Lincoln National Airport Commission (ALNAC). The commission consists of several Illinois municipal corporations, as well as the Villages of University Park, Park Forest, Elk Grove, Calumet Park, and South Holland. Also in attendance were the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., and Johnathan Jackson.

During the panel, ALNAC laid out a plan for the Abraham Lincoln National Airport that included three phases of development.

According to ALNAC, the first phase of the development plan could generate 15,000 permanent jobs for Illinoisans, which includes initial construction and infrastructure operations. Each successive phase would then generate in excess of 70,000 jobs.

The fork in the road for ALNAC is Governor Pat Quinn. The building of Abraham Lincoln National Airport is dependent on the Governor leasing land to the commission. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. noted during the panel discussion that the Governor has made a verbal promise to support the Airport but has yet to actually follow through on that promise. The congressman believes with the resources of ALNAC and the leadership of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, the people of Chicago and the South Chicago Land areas can foster their own economic development. The struggle is one of accountability and persistence, he states. We the people who want the jobs will now stand up seek and demand of our politicians to honor your promises, Congressman Jackson stated.

Calls were made to Governor Pat Quinns office for a response, however, phone calls went unreturned by press time.

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