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Legislation that calls on the state to seek a partner to build an air cargo airport in the south suburbs was signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker after a major push by area legislators and development groups.
Envisioned for decades and initially viewed as serving commercial airlines transporting people, the facility has morphed into one that aims to take advantage of the ever-growing logistics operations in the south and southwest suburbs.
The measure, signed last week, requires the state to establish a prequalification process to find partners in the construction of an airport. The measure also adds domestic and global freight cargo transfer development to the stated goals.
“This is a big step,” said Reggie Greenwood, executive director of the Chicago Southland Economic Development Corp. “The state is now committed to doing a process to develop a relationship with a private-sector partner.”
The state has spent $100 million to buy some 5,000 acres for the proposed airport near Monee, and Greenwood said that acreage represents about 90% of the needed land.
The concept calls for expanding a small general aviation airport known as Bult Field. Construction, proponents say, would could create 10,000 jobs and, initially, 15,000 jobs could be created once an airport opens for cargo traffic.
Opponents have said the airport would waste public money and rich agricultural land, encourage urban sprawl and cause environmental issues.
They also contend there is adequate air cargo capacity at existing Chicago-area airports, and that building an airport isn’t needed.
In a July 10 letter to Pritzker, the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association said a third regional airport would complement, rather than compete with, existing airports.
“We are the center of logistics, with rail and highway assets,” Greenwood said Tuesday.
Millions of square feet of warehouses have cropped up in the Southland in recent years, with more space, such as in Glenwood and Oak Forest, planned or underway. Also, Amazon opened fulfillment centers in Markham, Matteson and University Park.
Daily Southtown
Supporters say along with roads and rail, an airport would support movement of goods into the area.
Last week, before the governor signed the bill, the Mayors and Managers Association along with Greenwood’s organization and the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce briefed legislators and other officials to tout what they hope could be a “green” carbon-neutral airport.
The airport would employ existing and emerging environmentally friendly technology including solar lighting, geothermal heating and electric vehicles, according to supporters.
Pritzker earlier this year said before any substantive progress on an airport is made by the state, there needs to be a commitment from a private developer, and not just building it and “hoping that people will show up to essentially pay for the airport having been built.”
Greenwood said this law may answer the question.
“Now we get to find out if there is private-sector interest in the airport,” Greenwood said.
mnolan@tribpub.com