(Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., and leaders from the south suburban region convened a news conference Monday to recognize legislative work designed to guide the next stage in the development of the South Suburban Airport.
State Rep. Will Davis, D-Homewood, and State Sen. Napoleon Harris, D-Harvey, each sponsored bills in the Illinois legislature in 2023. It took effect Jan. 1, 2024. The legislation directs the Illinois Department of Transportation to issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) from potential partners in developing a cargo airport at Bult Field southeast of Monee, a little less than 15 miles from Homewood and Flossmoor.
HB 2531 included several amendments to the South Suburban Airport Act, Davis noted, including replacing “may” with “shall” in the passage referring to the issuance of the RFQ.
The bill also requires IDOT to issue the RFQ within six months. Time is running out; the bill went into effect Jan. 1, so the agency has until the end of June to comply, according to the bill text.
Earlier this year, at a Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee meeting, Davis expressed some concern that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration would not take the RFQ process as seriously as south suburban leaders had expected. The bill was an attempt to underscore the urgency Davis thought was needed.
“This is a time when we’re not playing games,” Davis said. “This is serious business, and we are talking about the viability of the Southland. We need something that sparks growth and opportunity in all of our communities.”
Kelly started the news conference by noting the economic impact and innovation the airport is expected to bring to the region.
“The RFQ must be fair and positive to investors, so it encourages world class innovation as the first airport built in this country in 30 years,” she said. “It must also include local businesses in every component of this project to bring economic opportunity to the South Suburbs.”
She said Illinois Secretary of Transportation Omer Osman has expressed support for the project, quoting him calling it a “no brainer.”
Davis noted a second key bill, HB 5496, requires IDOT to accept unsolicited bids to participate in public-private partnerships in developing the airport. The bill has passed both houses of the Illinois legislature.
He said the airport could further the state’s environmental sustainability and innovation goals.
“Illinois likes the boast that it is the first in a lot of things,” he said. “Wouldn’t it be great if we were the first state to build this kind of airport to continue along the governor’s mantra of turning Illinois into a carbon free state?”
Other speakers included Hazel Crest Mayor Vernard Alsberry, representing the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce; Reggie Greenwood, executive director of the Chicago Southland Economic Development Corp.; Richton Park Mayor Rick Reinbold, representing the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association; Manteno Mayor Tim Nugent, representing the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County; Irma Holloway, representing Black Contractors, Owners and Executives; Patrick Young, representing the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150; and Rev. James Hunt, senior pastor of New Hope Christian Community Church and past president of the South Suburban Action Conference.
Alsberry said the airport would bolster the finances of many south suburban communities that are struggling and would provide opportunities for minority-owned businesses and for young people to learn about aviation.
Holloway, who represents minority contractors, said her organization is behind the effort and will advocate for practices that will help the project succeed: transparency, social responsibility and accountability.
“Let us not lose sight of how far we have come,” she said. “We must create a standard in construction that supports not just some of us, but all of us. And let us not forget that together we can create something great for the south suburban region.”
