News Archive

Reprieve for Meigs Airport: Courts issue temporary stays preventing demolition

Two appellate courts have issued stays stopping Chicago from demolishing or altering Merrill C. Meigs Field airport. AOPA and other plaintiffs had filed suit in federal court to stop Chicago from closing the airport and converting the lakefront property into a park. The state of Illinois filed similar actions in state court.

After three days of hearings, federal Judge Joan B. Gottschall September 27 turned down the request of AOPA and others for a preliminary injunction that would have kept Meigs Field airport operating past September 30. Chicago closed the airport October 1.

AOPA immediately appealed her decision, and the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an indefinite stay preventing Meig’s demolition until the court can rule on AOPA’s motion.

Following the federal judge’s decision, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Dorothy Kinnaird also declined to issue an injunction in a suit filed by the state of Illinois. Upon the state’s appeal, the Illinois Appellate Court issued a stay effective until October 25.

“Clearly, both appellate courts recognized that there would be irreparable harm if Chicago were permitted to destroy Meigs before the suits could be tried,” said AOPA President Phil Boyer. “This may be a short-term reprieve for Meigs, but AOPA will never give up in its fight for reliever and general aviation airports nationwide.”

No trial dates have been set yet for either of the suits to keep Meigs airport operating.

Meanwhile, a federal appeals court will hear oral arguments beginning November 1.

Write to the mayor at: Mayor Richard M. Daley, City Hall, 121 North Lasalle St., Chicago, IL 60602.

96-4-002

October 7, 1996