FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2006

Contact:
Matt Vanover (IDOT)
217/558-0517

IDOT Moves Forward with Major Purchase
at South Suburban Airport

Momentum moving forward on land acquisition

CHICAGO—Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Timothy W. Martin announced today that the Illinois Department of Transportation has closed on a major land purchase at the site of the South Suburban Airport. The 172-acre property between I-57 and IL 50 is strategically located on the entrance road to the airport.

“We’re moving forward in all aspects of developing the airport both in land acquisition and getting the necessary approvals from the FAA for a positive record of decision,” Secretary Martin said. “Our preference is to buy all of the property through negotiations, and as long as we have willing sellers, that’s what we will continue to do. I think this purchase shows that there are willing sellers out there and progress is being made.”

The Illinois Department of Transportation purchased the 172-acre site for approximately $2.4 million. The department believes that this is one of the most important pieces of property needed for the inaugural footprint and will set the upper limit of what property owners will likely receive.

This latest purchase of 172 acres brings the total acreage within the inaugural footprint to 1,899, nearly half of what is needed for the initial phase. Initially, plans call for one east-west runway, a 127,000 square-foot terminal building and five gates.

Last year the IDOT submitted the Concept Alternative Analysis to the FAA, which is the third of five documents used as “building blocks” for the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement. Once it is approved, IDOT will prepare and submit to the FAA a Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan based on the preferred alternative.

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