One Airport, Two Demonstrations: Which Side Do You Support?
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. held a symbolic groundbreaking Saturday in Peotone, while protesters against a proposed third Chicago-area airport gathered a mile away, the AP reported.
Both sides surrounding a controversial third Chicagoland airport in Will County figuratively stood their ground against one another over the weekend, according to an Associated Press report in the Chicago Tribune.
READ: Should Will County Have Control Over Third Airport?
On one side was U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who held a symbolic groundbreaking on the project's proposed site in Peotone. Accompanied by pastors who blessed the land, Jackson, wearing a hardhat and standing on the back of a flatbed truck, made his case for the airport, claiming it will stimulate the economy in the south suburbs, the report stated.
On the other side were project protesters, including farmers who brought their tractors, who gathered a mile away, according to the report. They countered that the airport is unnecessary and would jeopardize family farms in the area, the report continued.
READ: Board Resolution Asks Gov. to Work With Will County on New Airport
In the past few months, the project also has been facing renewed opposition from Will County officials, such as county board President Jim Moustis, county Executive Larry Walsh and board member and Republican county executive candidate Cory Singer, who say the airport needs to be under county control.
In March, candidates for the Will County Board were surveyed regarding the airport. Here's a sampling of what they said:
- Margo McDermed, District 12: "Appointments by those not actual stakeholders, the type of appointments in place now are completely inappropriate and illustrative of the power grab at work here." Read her full response.
- Dave Izzo, District 2: "Having voiced my opposition to the airport, if an airport is going to be built, I agree with (Will County Board) Chairman Jim Moustis that it should be controlled locally by Will County." Read his full response.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Is an airport outside of Peotone a good idea? Or should it be nixed? And if you support the airport, do you think it should be under county control? Take the poll and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Chris
8:38 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
For the life of me I can't understand why these Chicago Democrats think they can come down to Will County and be in control. Is any part of the Peotone area part of their legislative district?
Alan Perkaus
11:58 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
It's not that they are delusional! They or their friends are going to make $$$$ on this some how. The airlines have stated that there isn't enough passenger volume to justify the expense of another airport. So what are they thinking? Another hub for freight? Naw! its about the $$$$. Atleast the county is trying to keep it under their control and away from the Chicago crew.
William
9:21 am on Thursday, April 26, 2012
because the Daley's and their 1960's cronies own(ed) the land...
So now it gets to be "Roads/Rails/ & RUNWAYS" for the O'bama International Airport!
Gary
4:15 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
There is no way that this airport should be built! This will become the biggest white elephant in the state! If any airlines wanted to move out of Midway, they would go to O'hare, Gary, or even Milwaukee. Gary is a very nice, viable airport, much closer to downtown Chicago, and it can't seem to keep any airlines there. Bult Airport (formerly Sanger Airport) is a beautiful, small airport has recently been rebuilt, and air traffic there is very light (and it's in the footprint of this proposed Peotone Airport!). All this sham is a burden on the property owners in this area and a pure political fiasco! "Build it and they WON'T come" Our taxes will just be used to maintain the empty white elephant forever.
Christopher Nunn
1:53 pm on Saturday, June 9, 2012
I agree with you Gary. It doesn't make sense to spend so much money to build an airport that the major airlines have already said that they will not use when we have so many alternatives already available. Since we already have at least 3 underutilized international airports at our disposal, it seems like it would make more sense to make them more accessible. It would cost a lot less and utilize less space to build high speed rail lines connecting the Will County area to other airports. Gary, IN has an international airport where flights could land tomorrow, and it already has interstate and rail access to Chicago. Rockford, IL has an international airport that has active flights. And Milwaukee, WI has an international airport that is already unofficially being called Chicago's third airport. And it also has rail access to Chicago and through Chicago to Will County. If we utilize what we already have then Peotone would really be Chicago's sixth airport.
DJ
7:49 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
Illinois already has one white elephant airport. The infamous Mid America Airport down by St. Louis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmbK1cObmts
Born Here
9:07 am on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
I did not know that. I am sure a lot of others do not either. My statement to this whole mess
is that the only reason that they split the districts around is so Jackson could get his mits
involved i the airport!
Nick.
8:22 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
i'm in favor of the airport.. it allows travelers in the area a shorter commute when they need to fly. makes perfect sense.
Gary
9:17 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
Sure it would be convenient, but unless you have thousands in the area that will fly every day, it just ain't gonna happen. Look at other airports in the state in rural areas and small cities, airlines are pulling out and the airports are like ghost towns, Kankakee is a huge airport close to Peotone, check out their traffic (or lack of).
nick
9:15 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
I'm NOT in favor of a Peotone airport! It makes no sense at all.
An underused airport is just a few miles away, in Gary, Indiana. Why not put the Gary airport to use? Besides the longest runway at Gary is longer than any at Midway.
Tony
7:01 am on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Someone must want the airport or Jackson would not be hanging around, he doesn't do anything for nothing. If the airport is used only for frieght it will still create jobs which would pay more in taxes to the state and county.If you had to drive to Ohara or Midway on a regular basis you would appreciate a 3rd airport a lot more. I am sure the airport would bring money to Will County.If Blago starts singing now that he is in prison I am sure Jackson will be sharing a cell with him and possibly a few more of the crook county crooks will be leaving town.As for our local Republicans They aren't much better than Jackson, they just want some of the lobbyist money to fill up their pockets. As I have mentioned before, we don't need any leadership from Crook County and even less from Quin who will tax it to death before it even gets built.
Tyrone
8:44 am on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Jesse Jackson, Jr has demonstrated through his strong leadership skills that he has the integrity and experience to build a third airport. JJ Jr will be the architect of the machine that will see black labor unify and rise up against the tyranny of the white man. We shall proffer ourselves and the almighty lord himself will bestow upon us our kingdom of riches.
I strongly urge you in joining my voice in clamoring for a Great Chicago Third Airport that will be built, staffed and patronized exclusively by the young black men and women of the greater Illinois metropolitan region.
JP
9:16 am on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Tyrone -
First off, JJ Jr. is a politician, they ALL make deals to get their way, stay in office, etc. So, politician and integrity in the same sentence is hard to swallow. Tyranny of the white man? Please. The vast majority of white people don't care about skin color, and I am one of those people. Comments like yours work against what you're fighting for as it only fuels the disdain of those who do not think like me and other non-racists. Last but not least, we flat-out don't need a 3rd airport, not in Peotone nor anywhere else in the area. That is a fact, and, if you do some homework, exhaust all resources and possibilities, I think you would agree.
Mike
3:17 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Jackson is an idiot.
Rob Piorkowski
3:24 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Biggest use for local airports is business, then vacationers.
No business folks will fly there, then drive over an hour to get downtown.
Also, if it is built, can you guess the law office that will be in charge of handling the airport?
Just so happens the office will be owned by Jesse-Jr himself.
Isn't that a helpful motivation to get this project completed.
Operational or not, empty of full, his law office will be in the $..
Second scam is all the land buying that went on at the start of this project.
Many properties were bought up via a business in hopes of cashing in on the sale of the land to build the airport.
If it doesn't get built, they will probably walk away from the property with no loss.
If it goes through, they will be lined up to sell, probably many that were involved with the project in the first place..
Major point is that none of the major airlines have agreed to open a hub there.
With fuel costs, they are stretched thin with margins.
Open gates at a new place, 50 miles away from a major city??
Why, when there already is access, public transportation and routes in place.
Rob Piorkowski
3:25 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
ALSO..One big selling point is Ohare and midway are too crowded.
Fly at either one morning, or dinner time and yes there will be long lines and big waits.
BUT go after rush hour to either one, and you walk right up to security.
Hardly a wait.
What they sell is the image of huge lines 24 hours a day.
Thats the farce.
Despite all residents saying NO this might still be built.
Only when those involved make sure their pockets get lined..
No public money will be used to build the airport....
thats the new claim.
Sure, but then all the land grab buyers will be selling to themselves.
Lots of money to be made in bulding this airport, not necessarily running it..
And please don't tell me 1000's of jobs will be created.
The construction companies might hire some new folks, but it will basically be their crews.
Only new jobs will be actually working at the airport, and many of those will be transferred from an older facility.
If it was such a great idea, it would have been built years ago, with all the airlines onboard. Now its about $ and getting contracts for friends..
Oh Illinois politicians....you never fail to amaze me!
Born Here
9:36 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
We don't need this airport. What we need is to find out where all the money goes.
Why is Illinois broke, Madigan stating to raise suburban taxes for Chicago teachers. NO
our taxes are high enough. Figure out what fat to cut out in your budget, as for a raise of 30% are you out of your mind????? Have you looked around at our economy. WI teachers did not do that. What are we the selfish state. Get a grip, we need to find out where every penny is going....be a politician, then get rich.