It must be spring. All the signs are there, including the latest version of gotta-have-an-airport and gotta-have-it now.

A new season sparks a renewed interest in promoting an airport near Peotone. It is almost a habit, much like the annual proclamation from Punxatawny Phil. But, when the rodent proclaims six more weeks of winter, it happens. That hasn’t been the case with a Peotone airport. But, there are several initiatives underway heralding this spring.

— The state has finally delivered a newly-massaged airport layout plan to the Federal Aviation Administration. The changes seem minor, and simply begs more questions, like how to pay for a new airport and its needed infrastructure, including a new interchange on Interstate 57 and bridge across Route 50. There are no details about how the state will acquire the remainder of the property needed, including Bult Field. Nor is it clear how the state will pay for condemnation suits, if that is the route it takes.

— The Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce has issued a press release proclaiming support for the construction of the airport and Will County’s efforts to control it. According to Chamber President Lisa Zeigler, the organization’s Will County support might be the best chance to put the airport on the fast track.

— State Sen. Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson hopes her colleagues will help her revive the South Suburban Airport Authority Act, which has been revived and is moving through the legislative process.

— There is also airport activity in the legislative committee of the Will County Board. The committee has requested $450,000 in planning funds from the Federal Aviation Administration for the creation of a multi-jurisdictional land use plan around the eventual footprint of the proposed airport.

Will County considers the airport planning project a priority and is part of it’s annual resolution to identify inclusion in the county’s 2008 federal agenda.

According to County Board Member John Anderson, this is a package sent to Will County’s lobbyist who receives a similar one every year. The airport is just one of the many priorities in it.

Will County refers to planning designed to continue the work of the five communities, known as the iron ring, who aimed a few years ago to establish a development district around the airport.

But there is little left of the iron ring. It has all but rusted to oblivion. Most of the mayors in those communities no longer have meetings to discuss their similar interests. In some cases, it has been months since they have even spoken to each other. Beecher and Crete officials are feuding over ultimate planning jurisdictions in their respective communities. University Park has its own interest in controlling a new airport. They favor the airport authority created by U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., which would give a large say to northwest suburbs like Bensenville who see building a new airport at Peotone as a solution to expansion at O’Hare. This is despite the project moving forward.

The others communities favor Will County control. This situation leaves little room for cooperation on a multi-jurisdictional development district.

“The county’s efforts are just a waste of time and resources, says George Ochsenfeld, president of STAND (Shut This Airport Nightmare Down).

“They (county board members) lack the courage to use zoning and other county powers to do the right thing,” he said, referring to moving past what he called a failed plan to build an airport.

Ochsenfeld is critical of county officials looking to continue their bad habits, such as trying to capitalize on development.”

It is clear that Will County has developed too much too quickly, evidenced by officials scurrying to find the money needed to repair the roads and other infrastructure,” he said. “It is also obvious by the high number of foreclosures in Will County.”

Last December, the Eastern Will County Regional Cooperation and Planning Act, legislation sponsored by State Sen. Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete in February 2007, made it to a third reading, but in December, it got stuck in committee where it remains – languishing in the Springfield bureaucracy.

With a new airport in eastern Will County in the planning phase since about 1968 – forty years — what’s another season?