Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Signs 'Protection' Bill

The Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich (D), yesterday signed the bill that's designed to keep the O'Hare expansion going. His press office's statement said, in part, "The modernization of O'Hare will help to spur our state's economy, create nearly 200,000 jobs, reduce travel delays and retain Illinois' pre-eminence as a world-class transportation center."

The Illinois bill was Mayor Daley's second choice -- he tried, unsuccessfully, to get the O'Hare project into federal law, in fears that some future governor might not play ball. If a future governor wants to change the plans, he'll need to get the legislature to amend the statute, first.

Once the FAA approves the project, the Mayor can start his expansion of his city, and award fat contracts to his best friends and supporters. The FAA approval is required, as part of a settlement of a previous federal-court lawsuit.

Chicago is all set to sell the first nearly-billion dollas' worth of bonds, to get the project going. The first phase alone, of the $6+ billion program, is budgeted at about $2.9 billion.

When it's complete, O'Hare will have a new runway, improved existing runways, a new terminal, and (something the Mayor doesn't want) access to the west.

Some suburbs are still upset about the plans, saying the construction will disturb cemeteries and bulldoze significant parts of their tax base. Eminent domain will no doubt win those arguments.

FMI: www.ohare.com