Wed, May 14, 2003
AOPA Emphatically Reminds IL Senate of Daley's Vandalism,
Emphasizes Need for Lakefront Runway
AOPA Vice President of Regional Affairs Bill Dunn told an
Illinois Senate panel Monday evening that they cannot ignore Meigs
Field as the legislature contemplates changes to the Chicago-area
system of airports.
"Operations that used to be accommodated at Meigs Field already
constrain other nearby airports," Dunn told the members of the
Illinois Senate Executive Committee. (The committee is working on a
bill to allow for the expansion of O'Hare International
Airport.)
"Chicago's airports are not independent; they operate as a
system," Dunn continued. "When considering the future of Chicago's
air transportation system, you must not ignore the need to reopen
Meigs Field."
Earlier in the day Dunn met with key state senators and their
staff to argue for the reopening of Meigs. Chicago Mayor Richard M.
Daley (below, right) closed Merrill C. Meigs Field in late
March by ordering demolition crews to dig trenches across the
airport's 3,900-foot runway in the dead of night. The move forced
16 stranded aircraft to use the parallel taxiway to depart.
Neighbors of Chicago's Midway Airport have already
begun complaining to city officials about what they say is
increased noise due to a higher volume of general aviation traffic
since Meigs was closed. "Meigs Field is an obvious part of the
solution to perceived noise problems at Chicago's other airports
and congestion in Chicago's airspace," said AOPA President Phil
Boyer. "And the extra sets of air traffic controllers' eyes
watching over Chicago's downtown from the Meigs tower could help
ease the workload of other controllers."
At the committee hearing, Dunn concluded by telling the panel
members, "We strongly encourage the legislature to address the
Meigs Field issue and to allow for the airport's reopening. AOPA
and the entire aviation community look forward to working with you
to undo this atrocity and to identify ways in which operations can
be restored to Meigs Field."
Following Monday evening's testimony, Dunn and AOPA Regional
Representative Bill Blake planned to spend much of Tuesday seeking
sponsors in the Illinois House and Senate for an amendment stating
that it is the intent of the Illinois Legislature that Meigs Field
be reopened.
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