Do the real people of ChicagoLand support the O'Hare Modernization program?

Question

i would love to know the average persons opinion on this? it seems everything i read is biased from some bensenville mayor or a lawyer, or someone who has no idea what going on there..

www.oharemodernization.org

Answer 1

I'm another one who has "no idea what is going on there", sorry..

Answer 2

There are two ways to look at it.

1. I fly out of O'hare pretty frequently. Most of my flights are delayed or spent sitting on the tarmac. Building more runways as a solution to ease congestion is what I like the most. If all goes as planned, and flights run on time, then I am all for it.

2. I don't live near O'hare. However, I do feel sorry for the people of that area that will lose their housing. With that being said, the area makes more money from the travelers than those residents. They should pay them a premium for their land to expand O'hare.

In summary, expand it so air travel will be less stressful, but do it fairly to those residents.

Answer 3

The great Mike Royko described the communities around O'Hare as 'The Land Beyond O'Hare." In other words the area would be full of okies and tumbleweeds had it not been for O'Hare. People that live in the area are under some sort of delusion. They think the area would be just as economically vibrant even if O'Hare wasn't there.

There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of businesses in the area that wouldn't be there if it weren't for the airport. My guess is that most of the people working in these places also live in the areas surrounding the airport.

It's similar to the area surrounding Wrigley Field. Take away the ballpark and you take away the attraction to the area.

Answer 4

I am personally for expanding and improving the Gary Airport first. Gary needs all of the financial help it can get. While that doesn't necessarily benefit Chicago its location does -- it is a 1/2 hour train ride from the Clark Street South Shore line to the Randolph Street Station. It is much closer than Pietone. Like OHare there will be some displacement of homes and people but much of Gary could use the overhaul.

Chicago and the region need the airport. Put ego aside and let Atlanta Hartsfield be the world's busiest. It's not worth the decimation of good neighborhoods for OHare expansion. Chicago needs the airport and it needs it now.

Answer 5

I am one of the average people who live in a town that would be significantly affected by the plan. My personal property is not in danger of going away but my town will lose significant businesses who support our tax base, provide employment, etc. and I would be effected by changing flight paths/additional air traffic.

For the above reasons, I am against the expansion of O'Hare and in favor of using alternative airports such as Gary, Rockford, Milwaukee...not necessarily Peotone.

I am sure of the following:
The cost estimates will be overrun. Probably dramatically.
Mayor Daley is not telling us everything he is planning.
The traffic plan will not work and will be significantly different than the approved existing plan...which is not good news for us neighbors.
The air traffic controllers say there will not be much improvement.

I do not complain about the airport and my proximity to it. O'Hare was here before me..that was my choice. I did not choose to live near O'Hare doubled.

Thanks for asking!