Chicago Southland Leaders Urge Gov. Pritzker to Fast-Track South Suburban Airport


Chicago Southland Leaders Urge Gov. Pritzker to Fast-Track South Suburban Airport

They say it needs to be a priority


An outgoing Congresswoman, an incoming Congresswoman, Illinois state representatives, south suburban mayors, business owners, civil rights organizations and residents all turned out for a news conference in support of the South Suburban Airport. More than 50 people gathered in the fellowship hall of New Hope Christian Community Church in Monee, Illinois to ask one question. "If not now, when?"

Richton Park Village President Rick Rinebold said everyone should ask Gov. JB Pritzker that one question.


"It's no longer a situation, if they build it will people come. We already know there are many logistic centers within our region that will use this airport," Rinebold pointed out. "It would literally be in their backyard. They wouldn't have to drive to Rockford."


State Rep. Will Davis, who sponsored legislation for a Request for Qualifications to determine if there was interest in building the South Suburban Airport two years ago, said there are 21 Amazon fulfillment centers in the Chicago Southland and experts in developing airports have shown a ton of interest.


"As a collective body of 700,000 to 1 million voters in the Southland, it has to mean something. So, why in his (Pritzker) infinite wisdom, does he think we're not important," asked Davis. "Why isn't the top acknowledging what the masses want?"

Speaker after speaker made note of the region's location as a logistics hub and the need for the SSA, given the Federal Aviation Administration's recent caps on flights at O'Hare Airport.


"Had we heeded the FAA's warnings more than 30 years ago, we wouldn't be in the position of having the Department of Transportation ordering O'Hare to cap the number of flights coming in and out of the world's busiest airport," explained Democratic congressional nominee Donna Miller.


"Not investing in a fully operational South Suburban Airport--whether cargo, passenger or both--has contributed to our region and state underperforming and underachieving."


A study from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute found that building a cargo-focused airport in the south suburbs would create around 6,300 total jobs, which the Executive Director of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce Jennel Hopper said are needed.


"It represents an opportunity to attract investment, expand the commercial and industrial base and position the south suburbs to compete more effectively in a regional, national and global economy," said Hopper.


Speakers also compared the fast-track development of the Psi Quantum Campus on the old South Works Steel site, which received $500 million from the state, city and county for 150 related jobs. From announcement to groundbreaking took less than a year.


"So today, I'm calling on every resident in the Southland to stand up and say 30 years are long enough--not another decade, not another delay. It's time to fast-track the South Suburban Airport and build a future this region has earned," urged United States Rep. Robin Kelly.


The expansion of Bult Field, near Monee, would make way for the SSA. To date, 90% of the land has been acquired under previous governors. It would be a model for future airports by becoming North America's first net-zero carbon airport--a goal that would be hard to achieve at either O'Hare or Midway.

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