South Suburban Airport Project History
This page provides information on the airport's history since its beginning in 1984.
1984
In its Record of Decision for the Chicago-O‟Hare International Airport Master Plan, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledged that several studies had already considered a new air carrier airport in the Chicago vicinity. There was, however, no agreement on a site. The FAA decision stated that the Illinois Department of Transportation would address the issue through the state planning process.
1986
The Chicago Airport Capacity Study, sponsored by the states of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, with participation from the city of Chicago and the FAA, commenced. The study was to evaluate aviation capacity issues in the Chicago region.
1988
The Chicago Airport Capacity Study concluded that neither Midway nor O‟Hare could be expanded to meet Chicago‟s long-term aviation demands and that a new “supplemental” airport was needed. Four sites were selected for study: Bi-State (Illinois and Indiana), Gary (Indiana), and Kankakee and Peotone in Illinois. The Joliet Arsenal site was also examined, but this did not happen until 1992.
1989
The Illinois-Indiana Regional Airport Study (I-IRAP), sponsored jointly by Illinois, Indiana and the city of Chicago, with FAA participation, began. The Lake Calumet site located in southeast Chicago was included as one of the sites for study for locating a third airport.
1990
With City of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley supporting the building of a third airport, the city submitted a study to the FAA suggesting that an air carrier airport was technically feasible in the Lake Calumet area.
1991
The Chicago Delay Task Force, which studied flight delay reduction, reiterated the urgency of providing additional airport improvements in the Chicago Metropolitan area. One recommendation included the building of two new runways at O‟Hare. Study sponsors included the city of Chicago, the FAA, and Commercial / General Aviation Aircraft Operators at O‟Hare and Midway Airports.
1992
The Policy Committee of I-IRAP recommended Lake Calumet as the preferred site of the new airport. The Illinois Legislature failed to support development of an airport at that site. Mayor Daley then withdrew his support of the Lake Calumet site. Governor Jim Edgar selected Peotone as the preferred site for further study.
1993
In January, FAA made a tentative allocation for preparation of an airport master plan and Environmental Assessment for construction of a two runway supplemental commercial airport. In September, FAA withdrew the allocation.
1994
The state of Illinois initiated Phase I Engineering to prepare a master plan, an Environmental Assessment, an airport layout plan and a financial feasibility analysis for the development of the South Suburban Airport.
1995
The state of Illinois initiated the Market Survey Research program to determine the demand for service at the new airport. The initial airport marketing program also began. State funding was also provided to communities surrounding the Peotone airport site for updating of local municipal long-range planning documents.
1997
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) instigated a Private Financing Initiative to determine the level of interest in private equity markets for participation in construction of the new airport.
1998
IDOT/FAA completes the Environmental Assessment.
1999
On March 3, IDOT submitted to FAA a revised plan for an “Inaugural Airport” at the Peotone site which included additional data on the initial demand levels for a one runway airport. In May, $75 million was included in the Illinois FIRST program to allow IDOT to begin acquiring land for the airport project.
On March 3, IDOT submitted to FAA a revised plan for an “Inaugural Airport” at the Peotone site which included additional data on the initial demand levels for a one runway airport. In May, $75 million was included in the Illinois FIRST program to allow IDOT to begin acquiring land for the airport project.
2000
On January 27, the state of Illinois submitted to the FAA a proposal to begin a „tiered‟ Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the purpose of beginning land acquisition.
On May 23, the FAA agreed to begin the preparation of a „Tiered‟ EIS document for the purchase of land.
On August 30, the Federal Aviation Administration held a Scoping Meeting at Governors State University to allow for the public and governmental agencies to comment on FAA‟s intent to prepare the tiered EIS.
2001
On February 21, an announcement was made that IDOT would begin land acquisition at the Will County airport site.
On March 7, the IDOT began advertising for consultants to handle land acquisition from willing sellers.
On April 4, IDOT opened the interim Matteson project office for the purpose of beginning the land acquisition process for willing sellers and hardship cases.
On July 2, IDOT awarded a contract to Hanson Engineers to begin the Inaugural site land acquisition process.
On August 6, IDOT moved the project office from 310 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago to Matteson, Illinois.
On October 4, The Federal Aviation Administration held a public comment and Workshop/Meeting on the Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (for site approval and purchase of land by the state of Illinois) at the Matteson Holiday Inn.
On October 18, the Illinois SAFE Airport Program was announced for building the South Suburban Airport and for improvements to other regional airport facilities.
On December 5, Governor Ryan and Mayor Daley announced agreement on O‟Hare expansion and building the South Suburban Airport. The agreement also included building a western entrance to O‟Hare, soundproofing of affected homes and schools around O‟Hare, and Meigs Field in Chicago will remain in operation until at least January 1, 2006.
In December, the State acquired the first parcel for the South Suburban Airport.
2002
On January 16, IDOT announced the purchase of the first parcel of land for SSA. The Earl property, a hardship acquisition, was purchased for $47K.
On March 6, Congressional (House Aviation Subcommittee) hearings began in Washington to discuss pending SSA/ORD/Meigs legislation. Senate hearings were scheduled for March 21.
On April 22, FAA‟s Chicago Airport District Office released the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).
On May 13, FAA transmitted copies of the Tier 1 FEIS to designated recipients.
On May 24, the Environmental Protection Agency published the SSA Final EIS for „Notice of Availability‟ for EIS statements in the Federal Register (Vol. 67, No. 101, Page 36592). The „Wait Period‟ ends June 24.
On July 12, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a Record of Decision on the Tier 1 EIS.
On July 15, the SSA/ORD/Meigs legislation was defeated in the US House of Representatives.
On July 23, the SSA/ORD/Meigs legislation (H.R. 3479) was passed in the US House of Representatives (vote total: 343-87).
On July 31, the grant application for Tier 2 funding had been submitted to the FAA and an Advisory Committee of local officials would be formed.
On September 26, FAA approved the Tier 2 grant application to conduct the Master Plan Study and Tier 2 EIS – Phase 1 planning work.
On October 18, IDOT submitted a Project Nomination form to the FAA for expedited environmental review – „Project Streamlining.‟
2003
On August 26, FAA approved the Tier 2 – Phase 2 grant application.
On December 3, FAA held a Public Scoping Meeting for Tier 2 at Governors State University.
2004
On May 10, IDOT submitted the draft Inaugural Airport Program (IAP) Forecast Report to the FAA Chicago ADO.
On May 13, IDOT announced with Governor Blagojevich and State Senator Halvorson that Heatherbrook Estates and the East-West connector road were removed from the SSA footprint.
On May 24, the first Local Advisory Group meeting was held at Governors State University.
On June 4, FAA approved the IAP Forecast Report.
On June 16, the second Local Advisory Group meeting was held at Governors State University.
On August 24, FAA approved the Tier 2 – Phase 3 grant application.
On September 9, the third Local Advisory Group meeting was held at Governors State University.
On October 27, FAA extended airspace protection and will keep the SSA Airport Layout Plan on file until May 3, 2006.
On November 15, Letters were sent to land owners in the Inaugural Airport Site by Secretary Tim Martin providing notification of IDOT‟s intent to purchase the remaining inaugural airport property. Additionally, on this date, letters were also sent to Heatherbrook Estates landowners detailing the department‟s Request for Information process for the release of parcels purchased under the land acquisition program.
2005
On January 31, the Transfer of Certificate from Sanger to Bult Field was executed.
On February 3, Governor Blagojevich announced support for the South Suburban Airport during the State of the State address.
In March, IDOT finalized and submitted a Draft Demand/Capacity Analysis & Facility Requirements report for the Inaugural Airport Program.
On April 26, Governor Blagojevich, Congressman Jackson, and State Senator Halvorson announced release of the Concept Alternatives Analysis Report for the Inaugural Airport Program to the FAA. This report is a portion of the Master Plan.
On September 21, the completed preliminary draft Concept Alternatives Analysis Report was submitted to the FAA. Also, an announcement was made that the Ultimate airport footprint was reduced, allowing the Peotone-Beecher Road to remain open.
In October, IDOT submitted a Draft Existing Conditions report for the new airport to FAA for their review.
December 16, In response to legislative inquiry, Attorney General Lisa Madigan issues an opinion stating that State-owned property at SSA cannot be given to ALNAC for less than fair market value.
2006
In August, Aeronautics established the SSA Field Office in Peotone, Illinois.
In October, Aeronautics prepared and submitted a Draft Baseline User, Wildlife and Habitat Study for the Forest Preserve District of Will County properties in the vicinity of the proposed airport.
On December 19, Aeronautics held a public meeting in Beecher, Illinois. This meeting was held to solicit comments from the general public regarding proposed airfield configurations under consideration in the South Suburban Airport Master Plan. Drawings representing two alternative airfields were discussed in the public meeting, the Illinois Department of Transportation Inaugural Airport Layout Plan and the ALNAC Inaugural Airport Layout Plan.
2007
On January 26, both Aeronautics‟ Inaugural Plan and the ALNAC plan were submitted to FAA for review. The FAA declined reviewing two concepts for the Inaugural Airport and returned the plans to IDOT for further consideration and refinement. The FAA recommended that only one preferred plan be submitted for review. In the light of these developments Aeronautics re-examined all alternatives with the goal of refining and optimizing the airfield configuration in relation to the previously described concepts.
In December, Aeronautics undertook the evaluation of additional concept alternatives for the Inaugural Airport. The primary goal was to evaluate alternative locations for the Inaugural Runway and select the most environmentally friendly, economically feasible alternative.
2008
In the first week of March, the Director Shea briefed federal, state, county, local elected officials, and ALNAC on the new alternative.
On March 7, Aeronautics submitted its Preferred Inaugural Airport Configuration to FAA for their review.
In Summer, Aeronautics begins wetland and floodplain surveys for the Master Plan & Environmental Impact Statement.
Based on guidance from the FAA, Aeronautics began updating the previously-approved (2004) Forecasts of Aeronautical Activities for SSA.
2009
On April 22, IDOT submitted Regional Demographic and Economic Characteristics to the FAA for review. This is an important component of the Master Plan that details the socio-economic conditions in the area.
In August, with the assistance of the Attorney General, IDOT filed for condemnation on 3 parcels (300 acres).
2010
In January, with the assistance of the Attorney General, IDOT filed for condemnation on 1 parcel (202 acres).
In May, Aeronautics submitted the Revised Forecasts to the FAA.
In June, the project‟s website, www.SouthSuburbanAirport.com was substantially updated and re-launched.
In July, detailed floodplain surveys were initiated for the project site.
On September 1, 2010, the SSA Wetland Delineation Report was submitted to the FAA for review.
In October, the SSA Property Inventory Map was submitted to the FAA.
In November, the SSA Existing Conditions Report was submitted to the FAA for review.
In December, the SSA Facility Requirements Report was submitted to the FAA for review.
2011
In January, the SSA Alternatives Development and Evaluation Report was submitted to the FAA for review.
On March 24, the FAA Approved the SSA Aeronautical Forecasts.
In May, the FAA concurred with the Wetlands Delineation Report.
On May 6, the SSA Wetlands Delineation Report was submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for their Jurisdictional Determination.
In May, the SSA Floodplain Report was submitted to the FAA for review.
In July, Aeronautics hired a Project Coordinator, a dedicated technical staff member for the South Suburban Airport Project.
On August 31, the Existing Conditions Report, revised based on FAA comments, was submitted to FAA for review & approval.
On October 5, the Facility Requirements Report, revised based on FAA comments, was submitted to FAA for review & approval.
On November 10, the FAA accepted the SSA Facility Requirements Report.
In November, with the assistance of the Attorney General, IDOT filed for condemnation on one parcel (10 acres).
In November, with the assistance of the Attorney General, IDOT filed for condemnation on 2 parcels (90 acres).
On December 15, the FAA accepted the SSA Existing Conditions Report.
2012
On June 27, the FAA accepted the SSA Alternatives Development and Evaluation Report.
In July, the SSA Airport Access Plan was submitted to the FAA for review.
In July, with the assistance of the Attorney General, IDOT filed for condemnation on 1 parcel (10 acres).
In September, the SSA Airport Layout Plan and the SSA Airport Plans Report were submitted to the FAA for review.
In November, with the assistance of the Attorney General, IDOT filed for condemnation on 1 parcel (10 acres).
In November & December, the SSA Wetlands Report received concurrence from the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, respectively.
In December, the Environmental Considerations Report was submitted to the FAA for review.
2013
In March, a Will County judge issued a court ruling that affirmed IDOT‟s authority to utilize eminent domain (condemnation) for SSA.
In May, with the assistance of the Attorney General, IDOT filed for condemnation on 3 parcels (45 acres).
In May, the SSA Facilities Implementation Plan and the SSA Financial Feasibility Report were submitted to FAA for review.
July 22, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics, that it had accepted the Floodplain Report.
July 22, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued an approved Jurisdictional Determination for the SSA Wetland Delineation Report.
July 25, Governor Pat Quinn today signed a law that will give the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) the authority to build the South Suburban Airport.
