Durbin, Kirk laud delay in O'Hare airline lawsuit

Illinois' two U.S. senators have issued a joint statement praising the temporary delay in a lawsuit involving the expansion of O'Hare International Airport.

Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk say they hope a compromise can be reached between the city of Chicago and United and American airlines. The companies say in a lawsuit that the city needs their approval to issue $1 billion in bonds for O'Hare expansion.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley met Wednesday with airline executives under the mediation of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

And on Thursday, a Cook County judge granted a request by the transportation department for a five-day delay in the court proceedings.

The judge scheduled a March 1 hearing on the airlines' request for an injunction to stop the bond sale.