Several weeks ago, the FAA issued an 80-page report on the O'Hare expansion plan. While the media reported that this was the FAA's preliminary approval of the plan, it was actually the first, low level, technical review of the plan, and the first step of a review process that takes years to complete. This first stage of engineering review answers basic questions such as "is a control tower included in the plan?" and "are the runway lights correctly located?" It does not consider whether the plan would work from an operational perspective, nor does it consider costs vs. benefits or environmental impacts. The flaws of the plan have yet to be reported by the FAA.

The first "white paper" issued by our consultants is titled "The O'Hare Modernization Plan (OMP): A Flawed Concept with Adverse Consequences for Chicago and the National Air Transportation System". The following is a summary of the concerns raised in their review, and the arguments that will be made before the FAA to ensure that OMP is not approved

PLANNING AND COST PROBLEMS

Construction of the OMP would be a logistical nightmare. Construction of the Chicago plan would take place while the airport is still operating. The construction timeline would be 10 to 15 years, disrupting operations for more than a decade. Furthermore, the hundreds of trucks and workers accessing an active airport on a daily basis would create massive security concerns.

Despite Chicago's claim that the project can be completed for a mere $6.6 billion, project costs will likely approach $20 billion and will far exceed projected economic benefits and thus will not be eligible for significant Federal funding. Chicago has failed to disclose either the true costs of the O'Hare expansion or a viable financing plan.

Chicago's claimed economic benefits are illusory and unattainable. Chicago's plan will actually increase delays and congestion, therefore the OMP will drive jobs and economic development out of the region.

The OMP will devastate the environment and local communities by creating far more air and noise pollution, destroying homes and businesses, cutting into tax bases and clogging highways.

Chicago is attempting to undercut federal review processes by rushing to implement the OMP before the Master Planning and National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process has been completed.

DESIGN PROBLEMS

The OMP Runways are too closely spaced and cannot be safely operated together at full capacity during periods of bad weather with low visibility and low clouds - resulting in massive air traffic delays

The OMP will not be able to handle multiple, simultaneous operations in all weather conditions.

In bad weather conditions, when additional runways are needed the most, the OMP's additional runways will not be useable.

Delays during bad weather conditions will be much worse due to the higher number of flights that will be scheduled based on the expanded OMP and the greater number of flights waiting to depart.

The large number of required runway crossings, coupled with the huge increase in volume of operations at O'Hare, creates a significant runway incursion potential and a serious safety concern.

The loss of the existing crosswind runway capability, which is particularly important during winter when there are strong northwest winds, adversely impacts safety under crosswind conditions.

By attempting to cram too many flights in too little space, the OMP will result in dramatically increased congestion and delays.

The OMP will not be able to accommodate projected regional demand.

This newsletter is published by
The Village of Elk Grove Village
901 Wellington Avenue
Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007
Telephone: (847) 439-3900
TDD: (847) 357-4088

Craig B. Johnson, Mayor
Ann I. Walsh, Village Clerk
Gary E. Parrin, Village Manager

TRUSTEES

Nancy J. Czarnik
Samuel L. Lissner
Bart K. Dill
James P. Petri
Patton L. Feichter
Chris Prochno

The Village Hall is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for payment of water bills, local fines, pet licenses, vehicle licenses, and general Village information. In addition, the Finance Department counter will be open on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m, - noon. The Engineering & Community Development counter will be open on the first Saturday of the months of May through September from 9 a.m. - noon.

Village Board meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 8:00 p.m. The floor is opened to the public at 9:00 p.m. for comments and questions.