The Illinois Department of Transportation will submit revised plans for the proposed Peotone airport to the Federal Aviation Administration. Whether Chicago needs a third major airport is still up for debate.
Officials in far south suburban Will County say a revised plan to build the airport on existing farmland is more environmentally friendly than one submitted by Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. Under the Will County plan, a terminal will be built away from an existing creek. The plan is preferred by the state transportation department.
A rival plan, submitted by Congressman Jackson, calls for the terminal to be built on top of the creek. Will County Executive Lawrence Walsh says Jackson’s plan violates environmental laws.
Department officials say they will submit both plans to the FAA, but will note their preference is the plan backed by Will County officials.