High schools near O’Hare get cash to curb noise

High schools near O’Hare get cash to curb noise

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Two high schools near Chicago’s O’Hare airport will get funding to insulate their buildings from screeching airplanes.

The Federal Aviation Administration says Ridgewood and Elk Grove High School will receive between 20 and 30 million dollars for noise mitigation.

Brendan McLaughlin directs the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission. “Ridgewood High School on some days when theres takeoffs on that runway they can get a flight literally every minute, every minute and a half. They’re so close that the noise really makes a difference,” McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin says preliminary design plans for the schools will take close to six months.

The FAA says it will pay roughly 80 percent of the insulation cost and the city of Chicago will cover the rest.