Showing posts with label transportation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label transportation. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Indiana did what Illinois couldn't get done
To Indiana legislators, building the Illiana Expressway is a jobs-creator. It would do that on the Illinois side and so much more.
Instead of it merely connecting Interstate 57 and I-65, as proposed, the legislation refers to the extention of the Illiana west to I-55 near Joliet.
The Indiana legislation is a dream come true for Illinois officials who have long envisioned building a southern leg to I-355, passing by the proposed Peotone airport which would then connect it to intermodal traffic at Elwood and Joliet.
Illiana Expressway was once the South Suburban Expressway
The Illiana has been talked about in Illinois for as long as the proposed Peotone-area airport – since around 1968.
Indiana became involved two years ago when Gov. Mitch Daniels decided to fast-track an ambitious road-building plan. Daniels proposed the Illiana run north and east into Lake and Porter counties. He withdrew the extension plan, however, because of public opposition.
Daniels' predecessors – the late Gov. Frank O'Bannon and former Gov. Evan Bayh – opposed the Illiana Expressway. They recognized the new roadway as a way to bolster Illinois' efforts to gain support for a new South Suburban Airport, (SSA) near Peotone, which was in a direct competition with the existing Gary/Chicago Regional Airport.
The Illiana Expressway, at one time was part of the airport layout plan. The plan included the location of the northernmost connector road to the facility. Since the airport has been downsized, the expressway is no longer part of the plan, however, its association remains.
Illiana Expressway, Peotone airport; both mired in politics
Just a few months ago Gov. Pat Quinn, who received an endorsement in his bid for re-election by organized labor, voiced strong support for the Illiana. He even referred to it as his future "legacy."
Kirk Dillard, a Hinsdale Republican who is still fighting to become the Republican nominee to challenge Quinn for Governor, also endorsed the project at a recent gathering at the operating engineers' local headquarters in Wilmington.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete has weighed in with strong support of the plan. Will County officials support it too.
Locally, the battle for governance over the airport, which has yet to receive FAA approval, between Chicago's south suburbs and Will County, is well-documented.
But dreams to build the Illiana is not without sticking points. Quinn's potential legacy may not enjoy smooth sailing. His most recent endorsement has come from U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., who initially was critical of Quinn's interest in the Illiana.
Jackson favors the airport over the roadway. On his congressional website he noted that progress in planning for the road lags far behind what has already been accomplished with the airport.
"There will be no groundbreaking for the Illiana Expressway under a Quinn administration," Jackson said, "no matter how many terms he wins."
Monday, June 30, 2008
Will County State's Attorney sued for doing his job
Attorneys for Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow will return to federal court Monday, June 30 to defend him against charges of malicious prosecution.
A suit was filed this spring by former airport contractor Rocquin VanGuilder following an acquittal of him and his son Lee on charges of misdemeanor criminal trespassing and criminal damage to property. VanGuilder, the ex-vice president of Hanson Professional Services, which is contracted by the State of Illinois to manage the state-owned property purchased for the proposed Peotone airport, is asking for $200,000 in compensatory damages and $1,000 in punitive damages.
Glasgow’s attorney Martin W. McMannaman of Lowis & Gellen LLP, Chicago, filed a motion last Friday to dismiss the case because as a public official and a prosecutor, Glasgow is immune from prosecution.
It is Glasgow’s duty as the Will County State’s Attorney to meet with witnesses and to prosecute violators of the law.
Glasgow charged the VanGuilders after the Dec. 1, 2006 incident when, in defiance of landowner Mark Baugh, a subcontractor for the State of Illinois hired by Hanson, drove heavy equipment across Baugh’s farm field.
VanGuilder claims that Glasgow publicly stated there was insufficient evidence against him, until after meeting with representatives of the Will County Board, Will Township, and the organization STAND (Shut This Airport Nightmare Down), which caused Glasgow to have a “change of heart.”
VanGuilder claims that Glasgow initiated the charges against him and his son for political motives and for public relations purposes so as to bolster his standing with his constituents.
But this isn’t the first time that VanGuilder has been taken to task on behalf of local landowners in the proposed airport site.
In June 2003, members of STAND met with Timothy Martin, the former transportation secretary. Also in attendance were VanGuilder and Christine Cochrane, ex-airport project manager. Residents confronted the two about what they considered unfair treatment. And they complained to Martin about the treatment they had received at the hands of Hanson employees. Particularly at issue were letters threatening condemnation of their property through eminent domain.
Judy Ogalla, whose family owns a 160-acre farm in the airport site, told Martin that she was appalled that Hansen would call her the day before Christmas Eve. Ogalla said a message was left on her answering machine, so that her three young children could hear it, stating that this is her last chance to sell before the state takes their home.
Martin told the landowners that condemnation would be a last resort. He was visibly angry as he looked directly at Cochrane and VanGuilder. He scolded them as he ordered them to refrain from contact with landowners for 60 days. Further, he said that all issues related to the project must cross his desk.
A July 27, 2005 headline in the Joliet Herald News told a similar story. It read, State to address Peotone airport complaints – Footprint residents: Agents use deception, threats, intimidation to get owners to sell land.
VanGuilder was also at the center of the controversy that erupted in Aug. 7, 2006 when 14 structures were demolished in Will Township. Even State Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson suggested there was a conflict of interest when one company was expected to negotiate and buy properties, rent them, maintain them, and want to destroy them to make way for an airport.
VanGuilder was roundly criticized to the point that his firing was discussed, as he attempted to defend the decision to demolish houses he claimed were not cost effective to rent.
The case in point was the demolition of the Krygsheld house at Eagle Lake and Kedzie roads which was purchased by IDOT for $416,000, just two years after it was built. Two years later, the four-year old house was deemed uninhabitable and torn down. Such demolition flies in the face of statutes governing IDOT’s land acquisition for future rights of way, which states land acquired should be rented.
State Rep. Lisa Dugan was also incensed when VanGuilder attempted to discuss deficient electrical problems with the house. As a former licensed electrician she bristled at his comments. She said the Will County Building Department, with its tough building inspection codes, would not have approved the house for occupancy, had it not been up to code.
Prior to VanGuilder’s employment with Hanson, he was the Project Manager for TAMS, the consultant almost solely responsible for 20 years of airport study. Controversial reports produced by TAMS have been under scrutiny since the project began in 1985.
A suit was filed this spring by former airport contractor Rocquin VanGuilder following an acquittal of him and his son Lee on charges of misdemeanor criminal trespassing and criminal damage to property. VanGuilder, the ex-vice president of Hanson Professional Services, which is contracted by the State of Illinois to manage the state-owned property purchased for the proposed Peotone airport, is asking for $200,000 in compensatory damages and $1,000 in punitive damages.
Glasgow’s attorney Martin W. McMannaman of Lowis & Gellen LLP, Chicago, filed a motion last Friday to dismiss the case because as a public official and a prosecutor, Glasgow is immune from prosecution.
It is Glasgow’s duty as the Will County State’s Attorney to meet with witnesses and to prosecute violators of the law.
Glasgow charged the VanGuilders after the Dec. 1, 2006 incident when, in defiance of landowner Mark Baugh, a subcontractor for the State of Illinois hired by Hanson, drove heavy equipment across Baugh’s farm field.
VanGuilder claims that Glasgow publicly stated there was insufficient evidence against him, until after meeting with representatives of the Will County Board, Will Township, and the organization STAND (Shut This Airport Nightmare Down), which caused Glasgow to have a “change of heart.”
VanGuilder claims that Glasgow initiated the charges against him and his son for political motives and for public relations purposes so as to bolster his standing with his constituents.
But this isn’t the first time that VanGuilder has been taken to task on behalf of local landowners in the proposed airport site.
In June 2003, members of STAND met with Timothy Martin, the former transportation secretary. Also in attendance were VanGuilder and Christine Cochrane, ex-airport project manager. Residents confronted the two about what they considered unfair treatment. And they complained to Martin about the treatment they had received at the hands of Hanson employees. Particularly at issue were letters threatening condemnation of their property through eminent domain.
Judy Ogalla, whose family owns a 160-acre farm in the airport site, told Martin that she was appalled that Hansen would call her the day before Christmas Eve. Ogalla said a message was left on her answering machine, so that her three young children could hear it, stating that this is her last chance to sell before the state takes their home.
Martin told the landowners that condemnation would be a last resort. He was visibly angry as he looked directly at Cochrane and VanGuilder. He scolded them as he ordered them to refrain from contact with landowners for 60 days. Further, he said that all issues related to the project must cross his desk.
A July 27, 2005 headline in the Joliet Herald News told a similar story. It read, State to address Peotone airport complaints – Footprint residents: Agents use deception, threats, intimidation to get owners to sell land.
VanGuilder was also at the center of the controversy that erupted in Aug. 7, 2006 when 14 structures were demolished in Will Township. Even State Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson suggested there was a conflict of interest when one company was expected to negotiate and buy properties, rent them, maintain them, and want to destroy them to make way for an airport.
VanGuilder was roundly criticized to the point that his firing was discussed, as he attempted to defend the decision to demolish houses he claimed were not cost effective to rent.
The case in point was the demolition of the Krygsheld house at Eagle Lake and Kedzie roads which was purchased by IDOT for $416,000, just two years after it was built. Two years later, the four-year old house was deemed uninhabitable and torn down. Such demolition flies in the face of statutes governing IDOT’s land acquisition for future rights of way, which states land acquired should be rented.
State Rep. Lisa Dugan was also incensed when VanGuilder attempted to discuss deficient electrical problems with the house. As a former licensed electrician she bristled at his comments. She said the Will County Building Department, with its tough building inspection codes, would not have approved the house for occupancy, had it not been up to code.
Prior to VanGuilder’s employment with Hanson, he was the Project Manager for TAMS, the consultant almost solely responsible for 20 years of airport study. Controversial reports produced by TAMS have been under scrutiny since the project began in 1985.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Holiday traditions good & bad evident at Christmas
Holiday traditions generally revolve around parties with family and friends, sending greeting cards, shopping, giving gifts, and offering well-wishes.
The tradition was upheld as STAND (Shut This Airport Nightmare Down) held its annual Christmas party. About 70 people attended Thursday, Dec. 13 at the Peotone American Legion, where a delicious meal was catered by Scrementi’s. Although George Ochsenfeld, president of STAND had expected to offer good news at the party - that no news is good news - his intentions were sidetracked by what seems to have become another holiday tradition. This one, however, lacks the usual merriment of the season. It seems that every year just before Christmas time, a new development related to the long-running Peotone airport saga, makes headlines. This year was no different.
While this year’s headlines aren’t considered a huge threat to hearths and homes of families who have endured this project far too long, it was enough to cause a bit of heartburn for party-goers.
On the very day of the party, the news broke that U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. inserted language into the Defense Authorization Bill to repeal the "Weller Amendment," the provision that became law in 2006 to protect Will County from Jackson and his south Cook County and DuPage County airport developer friends.
The Weller Amendment is far from what STAND members would have preferred. They favor, and have for 20 years, a no airport declaration. But at the very least, the Weller Amendment did offer a bit of common sense into what STAND members consider a completely nonsensical project.
The Weller Amendment basically said that if an airport were built wholly in Will County, it should be run by those who live in Will County.
Jackson’s action repealed the law. Instead, the law now says that ALNAC, Jackson’s self-proclaimed airport authority, does not need certification by the FAA. Jackson wants the airport in the fields of eastern Will County built and controlled by his authority, even though the project would be located outside his second congressional district and far from the controlling authority of members in Cook and DuPage counties.
George Ochsenfeld, president of STAND said he didn’t think Jackson’s action would do little to moving the project forward, since there were still many hurdles to be overcome before that could happen.
Ochsenfeld questioned Jackson’s obsession with the proposed Peotone airport, noting that it raises questions about Jackson’s motivation. "Is it ego? Is it an attempt to create a patronage empire?" Ochsenfeld asks.
"His (Jackson’s) stated purpose, to create 15,000 jobs for people in his district is clearly absurd.
"I believe the governor and IDOT are holding off on pursuing the project because they know it would be a white-elephant disaster," Ochsenfeld added.
Judy Ogalla, STAND’s second-in-command, who would lose her home and farm if an airport were built, considers the latest headlines to be, "our yearly Christmas gift from the elected officials."
"For some reason they feel compelled to drag out this beaten up Mid-America II airport boondoggle that they have been pining away over, for over 30 years," she said.
She is saddened that they refuse to recognize the reality that another airport isn’t needed. But, what is needed, she said, "is to preserve the open space in this rural community to protect the farmland for the production of crops and animal products, like eggs, cheese, milk, herbs, vegetables, and countless other products." She would rather they looked toward finding grants to develop urban edge ag-development, since so many people are looking for organic products and farm fresh produce for sale or use in local farmers’ markets and restaurants.
Sadly, however, she said, they just see dollar signs in their eyes with the promise of campaign contributions from developers and contractors as well as votes from labor unions who might get the contracts.
The speaker at this year’s party was 96-year old Anthony Rudis, who has long been interested in politics. He ran for congress in the early 1950’s and was a friend of Richard J. Daley, who would often dine at the Rudis’ home.
Rudis spoke beyond the airport issue. He quoted Leo Tolstoy, the Russian novelist and reformer who in 1909 said, "America Also is Tending to the Rule of Force" — "The Greatest Illusions is that Which Supposes That Society Can Be Improved By Law" — "America Surpasses Europe is in its Personal Liberty, Which is the Heritage of a Race of Heroes. But This is Doomed To Be Extinguished By the Legislatures of a Time-Serving Generations," according to an article in the New York World.
Rudis used the work to illustrate his point that elected officials should be representing the people. We should demand they represent us.
Rudis has long believed that public officials who support the airport are not being forthright because they are not representing the people.
He urged those in attendance to keep up the fight and not be afraid to confront elected officials.
The tradition was upheld as STAND (Shut This Airport Nightmare Down) held its annual Christmas party. About 70 people attended Thursday, Dec. 13 at the Peotone American Legion, where a delicious meal was catered by Scrementi’s. Although George Ochsenfeld, president of STAND had expected to offer good news at the party - that no news is good news - his intentions were sidetracked by what seems to have become another holiday tradition. This one, however, lacks the usual merriment of the season. It seems that every year just before Christmas time, a new development related to the long-running Peotone airport saga, makes headlines. This year was no different.
While this year’s headlines aren’t considered a huge threat to hearths and homes of families who have endured this project far too long, it was enough to cause a bit of heartburn for party-goers.
On the very day of the party, the news broke that U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. inserted language into the Defense Authorization Bill to repeal the "Weller Amendment," the provision that became law in 2006 to protect Will County from Jackson and his south Cook County and DuPage County airport developer friends.
The Weller Amendment is far from what STAND members would have preferred. They favor, and have for 20 years, a no airport declaration. But at the very least, the Weller Amendment did offer a bit of common sense into what STAND members consider a completely nonsensical project.
The Weller Amendment basically said that if an airport were built wholly in Will County, it should be run by those who live in Will County.
Jackson’s action repealed the law. Instead, the law now says that ALNAC, Jackson’s self-proclaimed airport authority, does not need certification by the FAA. Jackson wants the airport in the fields of eastern Will County built and controlled by his authority, even though the project would be located outside his second congressional district and far from the controlling authority of members in Cook and DuPage counties.
George Ochsenfeld, president of STAND said he didn’t think Jackson’s action would do little to moving the project forward, since there were still many hurdles to be overcome before that could happen.
Ochsenfeld questioned Jackson’s obsession with the proposed Peotone airport, noting that it raises questions about Jackson’s motivation. "Is it ego? Is it an attempt to create a patronage empire?" Ochsenfeld asks.
"His (Jackson’s) stated purpose, to create 15,000 jobs for people in his district is clearly absurd.
"I believe the governor and IDOT are holding off on pursuing the project because they know it would be a white-elephant disaster," Ochsenfeld added.
Judy Ogalla, STAND’s second-in-command, who would lose her home and farm if an airport were built, considers the latest headlines to be, "our yearly Christmas gift from the elected officials."
"For some reason they feel compelled to drag out this beaten up Mid-America II airport boondoggle that they have been pining away over, for over 30 years," she said.
She is saddened that they refuse to recognize the reality that another airport isn’t needed. But, what is needed, she said, "is to preserve the open space in this rural community to protect the farmland for the production of crops and animal products, like eggs, cheese, milk, herbs, vegetables, and countless other products." She would rather they looked toward finding grants to develop urban edge ag-development, since so many people are looking for organic products and farm fresh produce for sale or use in local farmers’ markets and restaurants.
Sadly, however, she said, they just see dollar signs in their eyes with the promise of campaign contributions from developers and contractors as well as votes from labor unions who might get the contracts.
The speaker at this year’s party was 96-year old Anthony Rudis, who has long been interested in politics. He ran for congress in the early 1950’s and was a friend of Richard J. Daley, who would often dine at the Rudis’ home.
Rudis spoke beyond the airport issue. He quoted Leo Tolstoy, the Russian novelist and reformer who in 1909 said, "America Also is Tending to the Rule of Force" — "The Greatest Illusions is that Which Supposes That Society Can Be Improved By Law" — "America Surpasses Europe is in its Personal Liberty, Which is the Heritage of a Race of Heroes. But This is Doomed To Be Extinguished By the Legislatures of a Time-Serving Generations," according to an article in the New York World.
Rudis used the work to illustrate his point that elected officials should be representing the people. We should demand they represent us.
Rudis has long believed that public officials who support the airport are not being forthright because they are not representing the people.
He urged those in attendance to keep up the fight and not be afraid to confront elected officials.
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