Community Leaders Invite Governor to Eastern Will County

Current headlines scream "economic decline." The airline industry reports projected losses at $4.7 billion this year. They face losses greater than what was experienced after Sept. 11, 2001. Less people and goods are filling Chicago airport terminals.

So why then, would Gov. Patrick Quinn choose to pour another $100 million into buying land for a new airport in eastern Will County near Peotone? The state has spent tens of millions of Illinois tax dollars already for public relations work, coercing local governments into diluting their opposition, and cherry-picking information in the name of a planning process in an attempt to justify a need that doesn't exist and isn't proven.

"We refuse to sell," says Will Township Supervisor Brian Cann, the township that contains the entire airport footprint. Cann promises a fight if the state tries to condemn land. The consensus from eastern Will County governments and organizations is that land should not be purchased until nd if  new airport receives federal approval, s was done with O'Hare expansion plans.

"We demand no less than what was afforded O'Hare neighbors by the City of Chicago," Cann said. "Local governments have signed a resolution calling for the state to cease and desist all land acquisition and threats of eminent domain in eastern Will County until after the Federal Aviation Administration issues a final record of decision on the necessity and viability of the proposed Peotone Airport.

"Those of us who live in eastern Will County demand to know why the state persists in this folly," Cann said. "For decades, our lives have been disrupted. We have undergone harassment and intimidation by the state and its agents. Nearly every governor since Richard Ogilvie in 1968 has chattered about building a new airport south of Chicago. But it hasn't happened because it just isn't a good idea."

"Enough is enough. It is time for Gov. Pat Quinn to finally Shut This Airport Nightmare Down," says George Ochsenfeld, president of an organized group of the same name, consisting of 5000 members. Ochsenfeld and Cann have written to Gov. Quinn inviting him to visit eastern Will County. They want Quinn to see and hear why building another airport is a bad idea. They would like to show Quinn that an airport just doesn't fit into eastern Will County's rural landscape.

In his recent budget address, Gov. Quinn uttered support for a new airport, but he also told his audience, "Saying no is not enough... unless you are willing to speak the truth and offer real alternatives."