Wheeling approves $50,000 gala, then takes it away

For a second, Chicago Executive Airport officials had a $50,000 party to plan.

Then they just had a party.

With only Village President Judy Abruscato dissenting, the Wheeling village board first approved a resolution on Monday allowing the airport to spend up to $50,000 on an open house and gala to celebrate its 25th anniversary of being owned by Wheeling and Prospect Heights. The money would’ve come from the airport’s reserve account, not either village’s general fund.

However, after the resolution passed, Trustee Dean Argiris, who is also on the airport board, changed his mind. He persuaded Trustees Ray Lang, Ken Brady and Robert Heer to reconsider the motion, and eventually the board tabled the idea. Trustees still supported the party but did want to attach a dollar figure.

Abruscato also voted in favor of rescinding the motion saying she voted against the $50,000 in the first place.

Trustees Bill Hein and Dave Vogel stuck by their vote to approve the gala, funds included.

“We’re all for doing something, we’re behind this 100 percent, but the perception is going to be that we gave the green light to spent $50,000,” Argiris said. “Our partners will say, Wheeling voted to do this.”

Prospect Heights also tabled the $50,000 gala without discussion on Monday.

Dave Kolssak, vice chairman of the Chicago Executive Board, was fine with the board backing the party but dropping the money portion.

“This resolution may be premature,” Kolssak said. “I just wanted to get an idea what you’d like to do. If you want something small or grand.”

Kolssak said the airport board was thinking of planning an open house in June for the public and a formal event in September for local, state and federal government officials. The event would include about 300 people and be held at the airport, Kolssak said.

“You guys are the decision makers,” he told Wheeling officials.

Argiris said the airport deserves a party and some recognition.

“Once the municipalities took it over, it was night and day,” he said. “I’ve seen the before and after pictures.”

The airport, formally known as Palwaukee Airport, became municipally owned on Dec. 26, 1986. It consists of three active runways and covers more than 412 acres. It’s home to 325 aircraft, including 57 corporate jets.

Millions of state and federal dollars have been spent to upgrade the airport in recent years, Argiris added.

Ÿ Daily Herald staff writer Ashok Selvam contributed to this report.