Coalition Continues To Fight Implementation Of New O'Hare Flight Pattern
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Members of a grassroots coalition say they were told Tuesday that the City Department of Aviation would not postpone implementation of new approach and take-off patterns at O'Hare International Airport.
Members of the "Fair Allocation in Runways" (FAiR) Coalition say Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie Andolino rejected the coalition's plea to agree to a one-year postponement in the new patterns, scheduled to take effect next month, to allow more community input.
FAiR spokesman Jac Charlier said the coalition is far from finished. He said U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) agreed to meet again with the coalition Sunday, despite an unwillingness to voice support for the community residents. He also hopes to meet again with Andolino and Federal Aviation Administration officials.
Supporters of FAiR picketed outside of the meeting, at an Aviation Department facility on O'Hare Airport property.
The group said the plan scheduled to go into effect next month, reached without community input, would greatly increase the amount of air traffic over the northwest side and adjacent suburbs, with an increase of as much as 500 percent during late-night hours.
The Aviation Department declined comment. WBBM has asked Quigley for comment.
