July 22, 2002

Des Plaines…Congress attempted to pass legislation this week to allow the expansion of O’Hare International Airport. HR 3479, the National Aviation Capacity Expansion Act, was defeated by a vote of 247-143 and State Representative Rosemary Mulligan (R-Des Plaines) expressed gratitude to her colleagues Congressman Henry Hyde (R- Addison) and Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D- Homewood) for expressing their strong opposition and being the voice in Washington of concerned Illinoisans who live and work around O’Hare Airport.

“Some members of Congress thought this vote would mark a done deal,” stated Representative Mulligan, “With the strong voices of opposition at all government levels, I will continue to fight until the end and it’s not over yet.”

As a long time leader of opposition to O’Hare airport expansion, Representative Mulligan has held several events and composed numerous letters for elected officials on the local, state and federal levels in attempt to stop the City of Chicago from inflicting harm to the constituents she has represented in the Illinois General Assembly since 1992. She also has initiated legislation in Springfield calling for environmental impact studies and for the soundproofing of area homes. Last week, in a personal attempt to inform Washington lawmakers of the serious hazards expansion will bring to surrounding communities, Mulligan sent a letter to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives, personally delivered by Congressmen Hyde and Jackson.

“I am urging all concerned citizens surrounding O’Hare airport to continue making their opinions known and voices heard,” said Mulligan. “It is imperative to call your elected officials in Washington to prevent the passage of this bill when it is recalled in the next few weeks.”

Below is the letter composed by State Representative Rosemary Mulligan (R-Des Plaines) to the United States House of Representatives:

July 5, 2002

The Honorable Henry Hyde
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

SUBJECT: Vote “No” on HR 3479

Dear Representative Hyde:

As an Illinois state legislator, I would like to use this opportunity to express my concern and opposition to the National Aviation Capacity Act. The issue of expansion of Chicago O’Hare Airport is so important and has been so totally misrepresented that I believe it is imperative to make a personal plea on behalf of my local residents to each member of the House of Representatives. This plan in the form it has been presented to you contains gross misrepresentations of fact and will inflict harm on the over 100,000 constituents I have taken an oath to protect.

You may not realize that “Chicago” O’Hare Airport is virtually an outcropping of land annexed by the City of Chicago that is over 90 percent surrounded by suburban municipalities. It is the only major city airport where the people directly impacted by airport activity do not elect the mayor or city officials that make decisions about the airport. Therefore, we have had little control or recourse over what happens at the airport. This plan represents a “deal” between two men and has never been debated or voted on by the Illinois General Assembly!

My family moved to Park Ridge in 1955, long before anyone had an idea of what an overpowering presence O’Hare would become. Unfortunately, the amount of land dedicated to the airport set its fate long before the current crisis. Plainly speaking, there isn’t enough room to expand.

For the past several years, I and other legislators have introduced nearly a dozen measures in the Illinois General Assembly to conduct environmental studies, provide tax relief for soundproofing, defend suburban neighborhoods from unfair “land grabs”, require state legislative approval of any airport expansion and to generally protect the people we represent whose residences abut airport property. Because of the political make-up of our body and the great influence of Chicago’s mayor, we have been unsuccessful. Our efforts and the health and safety of our constituents are ignored because of politics.

Please, before you vote on HR 3479, consider the following facts:

1. If the people who surround this airport could vote for the mayor of the City of Chicago, an agreement to expand O’Hare could not have been made.

2. Thorough environmental studies are being blocked. There are many documented health concerns related to current pollution levels. 800,000 additional flights will nearly double the environmental hazard.

3. The State of Illinois’ rights are being trampled. The House of Representatives vote is setting a precedent that may impact your home state at some later date.

4. The safety of this plan has been questioned, particularly with its inadequate FAA Safety Zones. The lack of land does not allow for significant changes. It jeopardizes surrounding schools, homes and businesses.

5. No matter what configuration or expansion moves forward, O’Hare’s Midwest location means it will always be impacted by weather from many directions.

6. Proponents claim a 79 percent decline in delays with reconfiguration of runways. However, when the increase of 800,000 flights is factored in, delays will increase to above their current levels.

Notwithstanding the economic benefits proponents subscribe to this project, the responsibility of elected officials must be first to the health, welfare and public safety of the people we represent.

Lastly, there exists a glaring discrepancy between the legislation before you and what has been told to Illinoisans. A simpler answer to all of the O’Hare congestion problems exists in the development of a third regional airport. The legislation has downgraded the priority of this solution and will further delay any true relief for our nation’s transportation woes. This fact is omitted from news reports and official proponent propaganda.

With all due respect, I ask that you vote “no” on HR 3479. Let this remain a state’s rights issue. Please feel free to contact me anytime if you have any questions at (847) 297-6533. Thank you for your time.

Respectfully,

Rosemary Mulligan
Illinois State Representative
55th District

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