Unanswered questions define Illinois leadership
Leadership in Illinois seems to miss a point or two as the harping continues about an ill-fated proposal to control a new airport near Peotone.
An editorial by County Executive Larry Walsh recently hit the papers proclaiming that the airport won’t fly with Chicago-like tactics. His words answer the original charge leveled by Rick Bryant, aide to U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., that congressional candidate; State Sen. Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson modeled an airport authority bill after a plan conceived by political fundraiser Anthony Rezko. Rezko was convicted on 16 counts of fraud and bribery earlier this year.
Instead of creating a picture of good government where representatives manage the state’s business, the Peotone airport story conjures up an old Bogart movie set on a dark and rainy night – a street scene where a small group of people wearing dark trench coats and broad-rimmed hats convene on a corner as if in a huddle.
The notion that Halvorson could push legislation through the Illinois Senate with broad powers for controlling thousands of acres of Illinois land and the ability to simply take it from its owners makes pay-to-play politics pale in comparison.
“This proposed legislation is consistent with similar airport authorities that have been successful in the design, construction and operation of other successful airports and includes the use of private partners who must adhere to the highest ethical standards,” Walsh writes.
How can Walsh, a former legislator, refer to the Peotone proposal and other successful airports in the same breath? In baseball terms, the Peotone airport has never made it past first base.
Walsh goes on to say, “It is obvious that Illinois Senate Bill 2063 provides the statutory authority that will be required to see this airport through to fruition. Can good faith negotiations over the structure of SB 2063 still occur? Absolutely.”
How is airport control going to satisfy all the unanswered questions about building an airport at Peotone? And if good faith negotiations over the structure of the legislation can still occur, doesn’t that simply translate into let’s make a deal?
Walsh and Will County bicker with Bryant and Jackson. They act like mortal enemies. But you can rest assured that when election time comes around, they will find their way back together – to walk through the halls of government arm-in-arm, courting anyone and everyone who will finance their campaigns so they can keep pushing this ill-fated proposal.
They have and will continue to receive handsome sums from contractors, concrete workers, union officials concession operators, lobbyists, and everyone who has something to gain by building a new airport, whether it is good for the region or not. Isn’t pay to play?
Perhaps the conviction of Rezko and others like him, including the state’s past governor should send a message to the leadership in Illinois. There is accountability. Isn’t it time Illinois was accountable to the people it is meant to serve?
Since it began, the ‘study’ for a new airport has had little accountability. Assumptions have skewed an examination of whether a new airport is really needed. Some of the most basic of questions have gone unanswered – literally for years. Lies have been told to manufacture support. People’s lives have been destroyed.
A debate about who will control an airport modeled after a 1960’s proposal that was renewed in the mid-80’s is an absurdity. Isn’t it time to look honestly at this proposal and the motive behind it? Over the years, it has gone from real estate investment to creation of jobs and controlling concessions and political deals.
Shouldn’t transportation need enter the equation? Wouldn’t an honest look consider all the changes that have occurred in the last four decades, underscoring the last several years, with the downward spiral of the economy, a struggling airline industry, the cost of fuel, and an uncertain business future? Is it wise to continue the bickering about controlling an airport that will never be built?
Wouldn’t it be refreshing to see real leadership in Illinois – a voice that calls attention to the reality of the Peotone airport – proclaiming that it isn’t needed, or its time has come and gone, or even there is a better way? Or are these just more questions that will remain unanswered in the legacy of the Peotone airport?
Categories: South Suburban Airport, Illinois, Larry Walsh, Debbie Halvorson, Jackson, Peotone, pay-to-play politics
Does your "BEYOND STUPIDITY..." post refer to map reading, meaning "outside Springfield, IL"?
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Of course not, Springfield is most certainly included, though I do see your point.
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Barak Obama during the Democratic National Convention, told us we needed Change in our government if we are going to regain our rights as Americans. Perhaps that means a change in elected Will County officials.
There is no more time left to waste deciding on this issue of an airport. Enough is enough. And that is what we need to relate to officials who have the power and the right to finally say NO to this airport. It's a dead horse, and its time to bury it.
Illinois has wasted well beyond 45 million dollars on this WRONGFULLY purchased property. When do these so called elected officials put it to rest and invest in Illinois real needs? Schools, health care, roads,etc. I think it is time that someone look at the way in which this airport deal was handled from start to present. Someone has to have the nerve to finally open Pandora's box. WE want answers and cannot accept this bickering over an airport we don't need. We cannot afford to waste precious farmland on what will become another airport on a downward spiral. Airlines are going under, and some are now cutting flights. Why? The ECONOMY. This airport issue is a no brainer, its never belonged in Peotone. SO LET IT GO, SO WE CAN GO FORWARD...... Possibly it is time that Lisa Madigan get involved.
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Barbara you should speak to right person.You can do anything buy showing these facts : You need to do something on National level.By just putting your view to us to ordinary people, You can't do anything.Though I liked what you said.
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Leadership in Il. is a tough issue.
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I guess some things don't change.
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You've brought up some good points.
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Some of the most basic of questions have gone unanswered – literally for years. Lies have been told to manufacture support. People’s lives have been destroyed.
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This proposed legislation is consistent with similar airport authorities that have been successful in the design, construction and operation of other successful airports and includes the use of private partners who must adhere to the highest ethical standards.....
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Of course it is consistent with other legislation. New legislation is often a copy of something else that has been done before. That notwithstanding, there has been nothing 'successful' about the Peotone proposal since it was introduced in 1985.
Early on, senators, governors, and other officials said if the people didn't want it, it wouldn't be built. The majority of people of the region, in Will County, and in the State of Illinois don't want it.
Then it was stated that if the airlines don't want it, it won't be built. The airlines have demonstrated, through letters to two different governors, that they won't use an airport at Peotone. Just a thought--I wonder how many of those 16 signatories have gone out of business.
Bottom line--there is no need for an airport authority when there is no need for an airport.
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I think it is time that someone look at the way in which this airport deal was handled from start to present. Someone has to have the nerve to finally open Pandora's box. WE want answers and cannot accept this bickering over an airport we don't need. We cannot afford to waste precious farmland on what will become another airport on a downward spiral.
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While it would be nice to investigate the goings on, it would be even better if this project just ended and the land already owned by the state sold.
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Very nice site.
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Perhaps the conviction of Rezko and others like him, including the state’s past governor should send a message to the leadership in Illinois.
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I agree with the above statement it has clear mentioned the idea.
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There is accountability. Isn’t it time Illinois was accountable to the people it is meant to serve?
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I agree. It is definitely time people held their feet to the fire. Thanks for your comment.
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You can do anything buy showing these facts : You need to do something on National level.By just putting your view to us to ordinary people, You can't do anything.Though I liked what you said.
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Over the years, it has gone from real estate investment to creation of jobs and controlling concessions and political deals.
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Thanks for the (politically) correct comment.
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