Will County Gazette

Well, it seems as though the South Suburban Airport Project is rearing its ugly head once again. It is easy, over time, to forget all the smoke and mirrors that seem to be placed before this project. I want to take an opportunity to make my position very clear, as a candidate, and, when elected, a representative of the people who would live the communities directly effected by this airport project.

I stand firmly against the South Suburban Airport (SSA) Project. Plain and simple. The reasoning behind my stance is equally as simple. This project would prove to be a hinderance in the greater picture and, further, a financial drain on the residents of Will County.

While other members of the Illinois legislature stand to support this project in the name of jobs and economic growth, its worth mentioning that many of those legislators do not live, work, and raise families in the areas directly effected by this project. My opponent, who supports the project (seen at the far right of the photo), lives in Cook County. His accompanying Senator, lives in Kankakee County. The Representative most recently named in a Chicago Tribune article dated June 17, 2024, who also stands in support of the project, represents the people of the 30th district. The 30th district is well over 10 miles from the proposed airport site and he does not even represent a single voice of a resident of Will County. The meeting mentioned in the article of June 17th, took place in East Hazel Crest, Illinois, a village entirely within Cook County.

The SSA project, well over a decade old in research and development, is coming closer and closer to fruition because those directly effected are either without proper representation or are kept in the dark all together about the meetings and the project’s progress. For years the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has been buying up land little by little to make this project a reality. If they are able to procure the land, rest assured, this project will happen whether we like it or not. So let me give you a few reasons to do all you can to stand in this project’s way.

As of late, and thanks to Democratic Powerhouse that is the Illinois State Legislature, IDOT has been given a green light to seek interest and proposals for the development of the SSA. It would not shock me or any of us if IDOT was able to produce those documents of interest. Of course any contractor or construction company that stands to benefit from the project would be interested! There is a lot of money to be exchanged in these dealings and contracts. That alone also makes the project ripe for corruption. The most prominent interest to date comes from Paul Ahern, CEO of the Tandem Development Group. Guess where they are based…Chicago (Cook County)! So, that brings us to the main problem that is the big picture. What’s the sustainability of the project and who is on the hook for ensuring that sustainability and the airport’s ongoing operation once complete?

The answer? YOU…you are on the hook for the sustainability. If you reside in Will County, YOU will be on the hook for maintaining this airport! Once built, the contractors and companies like Tandem Development Group (if awarded the project) get to go home back in Cook County. Any outstanding bills for the project are now in the hands of Will County residents! The money to pay for this airport has to come from somewhere and that source will inevitably be your property taxes. This is already happening to our neighbors south of us near St. Louis in St. Clair County.

The MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois has required millions of taxpayer dollars just to remain afloat. As recently as August 2019, the small airport, with only 1 airline operating out of it, has required $104.3 million dollars (since 2002) of taxpayer money to remain open. In 2018, St. Clair County funneled $6.3 million in taxpayer dollars to prop up MidAmerica Airport’s finances. From 2007 to 2017, home values in St. Clair County fell by 23% (adjusted for inflation), however, property taxes grew 5%.

What’s my point? The residents of Will County, whether you live near Keating and Eloa Rd. in Auroraat Will County's far northwestern edge, or a stones throw from the Grundy County line like I do in southwest Will, or you’re at the northwest corner of County Line Rd. and Stateline Rd. to the east, you will be responsible for holding up this airport.

Proponents of the SSA project say it will be welcome base as a cargo airport. The problem is, companies like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS, have already said they are not prospective clients. So, without major anchors or prominent airline commitment, this airport could turn out to be one of, if not, the greatest concrete wastelands among some of Illinois’ most valuable agricultural soils.

Now, opponents of my opinion will say because I am against this project, I am against job creation and economic growth. That’s simply not the case. I am for GOOD jobs, sustainable jobs, and jobs that can lead to a rewarding career. The construction jobs this project would bring would only be temporary. The jobs within the airport would be minimum wage, high turnover, and eventually (when the bills don’t get paid) the easiest to choose when layoffs are needed to balance the finances. There are better alternatives for this area of Will County. There are plenty of agricultural options for the land. Illinois has an economy anchored in agriculture. Why not strengthen that anchor? Why not encourage landowners to seek the investment of those who want to build on that strong agricultural base?

Ladies and gentlemen, if we do not wise up to the plan that is going on under our noses, we are going get taken advantage of. There is a reason this project has taken so long. They want to wait out the opposition. They want you to forget about it and forget why you opposed it. They hold the meetings no where near the site of the development so you don’t know about it. We have to remember that as the electors, we are in charge. We tell those whom we’ve put in office what to say and what to do. If they can’t follow that simple principle, then you vote them out! Get in the race and on the ballot yourself or back the candidate(s) that have your values and priorities at heart. You all have the absolute power to right this ship. As for me. I will stand firmly against this project. I will fight to keep sustainable and well-paying jobs here in Will County. I will fight to keep our farmlands protected and valued sources for food and other marketable goods. I will fight to keep our local skies absent of jet engines and therefore cleaner and quieter. I’ll fight to keep your property taxes low, and I always keep you and your voice at the forefront of my legislative record.