Real Estate & Property Law

Competition for O'Hare?

By Alan Ackerman

DC Velocity

State and county officials are banking on continuing growth in commerce and population—Will County is Illinois' fastest-growing county—as well as the multimodal nature of the project to carry the day. They also point to the success of Rockford, Ill., about 70 miles from Chicago, where UPS operates a thriving regional air-cargo facility. Rockford demonstrates that the greater Chicago market is big enough for more than one cargo airport, officials say.

The South Suburban project is still in the early stages. According to Shea of IDOT, the state has purchased roughly half the land needed to construct the first runway and terminal. It has also begun condemnation proceedings to acquire raw land for further expansion. The state has started filing the necessary paperwork with the Federal Aviation Administration and has solicited the support of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a former Illinois congressman.

Shea declined to specify a target date for completion   

Generally, a public body uses eminent domain to acquire necessary property for a public project.  Apparently, Illinois has reversed this procedure.  They have bought half the land for a new Peotone airport and filed the first three condemnation cases last month. However, according to IDOT, "the state has started filing the necessary paperwork with the FAA."

What happens if the FAA doesn't approve it?  The owners who have hired Bill Ryan will have to wait and see.

Full post as published by National Eminent Domain Blog on September 19, 2009 (boomark / email).