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Chicago's Meigs Field to remain open! Pilots can overcome long odds to save airports, says AOPA's Boyer
Chicago's lakefront airport, Meigs Field, will remain open for another 25 years. Illinois Governor George Ryan and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley inked the deal December 5. And some members of the Illinois and Iowa congressional delegations announced December 7 that they would introduce federal legislation to set the agreement in concrete.
"This historic political deal should send a message to pilots everywhere about saving airports," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "A strong local coalition, Friends of Meigs, with the support of national organizations like AOPA can succeed in overcoming unbelievable odds in favor of closing an airport. As Gov. Ryan said, 'This is bigger than the both of us.' Saving Meigs Field was bigger than any one organization.
"AOPA is proud to have been the national lead in this very important airport issue," Boyer continued. "The association has devoted significant time and resources because of the symbol this downtown airport holds for all pilots, wherever they fly in the United States. If an airport as well located to major business and commerce like Meigs can be closed, then any airport is in jeopardy."
AOPA has waged a six-year battle to save Meigs. The association has participated in lawsuits, lobbied both the Illinois legislature and Congress, produced television commercials and newspaper ads to gain legislative and public support for the airport, and mounted an extensive behind-the-scenes effort.
AOPA's experience with Meigs led to the formation of the association's Airport Support Network, to help build strong, local resources to work with AOPA in defending general aviation airports everywhere.
The deal to keep Meigs open is part of the larger agreement between the city and state to expand O'Hare International Airport and to build a new airport south of Chicago at Peotone. Meigs will stay open until at least 2026, but the Illinois legislature can vote to close it after 2006. Meig's operating deficit will be covered by the two largest airlines operating out of O'Hare—United Airlines and American Airlines.
Senator Dick Durbin and Representative William Lipinski of Illinois, along with Senators Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley of Iowa, told a Capitol Hill press conference December 7 that they would offer an amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill (H.R.3338) that would make sure that future Illinois governors and Chicago mayors continue to honor the agreement to maintain Meigs Field.
"AOPA will continue to monitor the finalization of the agreement," said Boyer, and make sure that the airport receives support in the legislature when the 2006 clause might be implemented."
Boyer personally thanked the governor and the mayor for putting aside their differences for the greater good of Chicago, Illinois, and the national aviation transportation system, including both airlines and general aviation.
He praised Gov. Ryan for his tenacity and willingness to make Meigs a key part of the deal. "You stood by what you believed was the right thing to do and for that, our members are grateful," Boyer wrote Ryan.
Boyer told Mayor Daley, "Your leadership and willingness to reach compromise with Governor Ryan on key transportation issues within the state is vital to the continued economic growth of not only Illinois, but Chicago as well.... Your compromise with the governor is indeed one of the most significant agreements ever reached between a Chicago mayor and an Illinois governor."
The AOPA president also acknowledged the efforts of Senator Dick Durbin and Representative William Lapinski of Illinois. "Chicago and GA pilots everywhere are in their debt for Meigs," Boyer said.
The 378,000-member Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is the world's largest civil aviation organization.
01-4-202
December 7, 2001
