US Rep. Robin Kelly: South Suburban Airport is one step closer to reality
East Hazel Crest, Ill. – Today, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) urged the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to release a fair Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking interested developers of the South Suburban Airport. She was joined at a press conference by several Southland leaders who support the new airport, including State Representative Will Davis and State Senator Napoleon Harris.
“The Illinois Department of Transportation's impending RFQ release represents a watershed moment for the South Suburban Airport and the economic prosperity of the Southland," said Congresswoman Robin Kelly. "Today's event reiterated the Southland's support and enthusiasm for the South Suburban Airport, which will create tens of thousands of jobs, and serve as an infrastructure project that will reenergize our region.”
Last month, the Illinois state legislature passed a bill that now allows the South Suburban Airport to be funded both publicly and privately. IDOT has until June 30 to publish an RFQ to ascertain the aviation industry’s capacity to finance and build a new cargo airport, which would bring economic opportunity to Chicago’s suburbs and Illinois as a whole.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly was joined by the following Southland leaders at today’s press conference:
- State Representative Will Davis
- Mayor Rick Reinbold, Past Board President of the South Suburban Mayors & Managers and Mayor of Richton Park
- Mayor Vernard Alsberry, Board President of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce and Mayor of Hazel Crest
- Reggie Greenwood, Executive Director of the Chicago Southland Economic Development Corp.
- Mayor Tim Nugent, Executive Director of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County and Mayor of Manteno
- Irma Holloway, Executive Director of the Black Contractors, Owners and Executives
- Patrick Young, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150
- Rev. James Hunt, Senior Pastor of New Hope Christian Community Church and Past President of the South Suburban Action Conference
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