Airport Master Plan
In 2008, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich will submit the state’s master plan for the third airport to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for review. The master plan is basically the layout of airport facilities. Approval of the master plan will launch the final FAA environmental assessment. Approval of that document clears the way, from the FAA’s perspective, for construction to begin. The master plan and environmental reviews could take 18 months.

The CED’s Airport Task Force is chaired by Jim Roolf. The primary goal of the task force is to initiate a study to validate market demand, i.e. what the mix of business, personal travel and cargo flights will be on opening day. The task force will also monitor all airport developments and make policy and program recommendations to the board of directors.

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Coalition Members

• Will County Chamber of Commerce
• Kankakee River Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Buildings Trades Council Will & Grundy Counties
• Kankakee Building & Construction Trades Council
• Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council
• Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce

Business Labor Coalition
Airport Authority Governing Board
Local County Control with Regional Representation

Airport Authority - 9 Members

• 6 from Will County (Iron Ring Communities)
• 1 from Kankakee County
• 2 from Southwest Cook County
• 2 Ex-Officio Members: Governor and IDOT Sec

County Board & County Exec.
Will County Approves Resolution to Support Coalition’s Airport Authority…

Illinois Attorney General Opinion
12/16/05 Illinois Attorney General Madigan Issues Opinion on Airport Land Transfer and Procurement

County Exec Larry Walsh Sends Letter to the Governor Supporting Coalition…
All Future Discussions/Negotiations Should be Held Under the Auspices of the Regional Business Labor Coalition.

Regional Business Labor Coalition Next Steps…

• Introduction of Airport Legislation S.B. 2978 and 2981
• Meetings with Leadership Will be Held to Discuss Airport Legislation

"This airport project is critical not only to the region, but to the state and the nation," said U.S. Rep. John Mica, Chairman of the U.S. House Aviation Subcommittee.
1/17/06

Comments made in Will County by U.S. Congressman John Mica, Chairman Aviation Subcommittee 01/17/06…

• “Pledges support and commitment to the airport”
• “You have no idea of the potential economic impact it will have”
• “This airport is a wise investment of taxpayers money”
• “It’s a doorway to the region, the nation, the world”

Major Projects 2007

Transportation Blueprint

South Suburban Airport

I-355 Extension