Could Chicago Executive Airport become new Illinois filming location?
If you've seen the movies "Home Alone" or "My Best Friend's Wedding," you know O'Hare International Airport serves as a backdrop for some of the movies' most memorable scenes. Could Chicago Executive Airport be close to making its film debut, too?
Airport Spokesman Rob Mark says over the past month he's gotten requests from a local high-end car dealer, a consultant and a bank to shoot photographs and to film on the airport's grounds.
Mark says he hasn't seen the airport get attention like this before.
"I asked, 'Have we put a sign out on Milwaukee Avenue?'" he said.
And at the end of next week, he says, the Illinois Film Office will tour the airport and decide whether they will add Chicago Executive Airport, co-owned by Wheeling and Prospect Heights, to a suggested list of filming locations in Illinois. Mark said he contacted the office after the local businesses showed interest in using the airport as a backdrop for photographs and filming.
The Illinois Film Office is part of the state's Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, and helps in bringing filming crews to Illinois.
"The state of Illinois always welcomes new film-friendly locations," Film Office Assistant Deputy Director Raul Esparza said Thursday. The office offers expert assistance on film locations for future projects, he said.
Chicago Executive Airport doesn't have a policy on shooting video or photos on the grounds, Mark said, so he'll likely work with airport Executive Director Jamie Abbott to come up with guidelines.
"I do want to make sure we don't make it too difficult to shoot here," Mark said.
He expects the guidelines will require those wishing to shoot video or photos to register with the airport, tell the airport what they plan on doing and provide the airport with a draft of the final product.
As far as a fee to film or take photos, Mark says that's up to the airport board to decide.
Mark adds that this is the first time in a while Chicago Executive Airport has received this kind of attention.
"We had a couple of commercials filmed here a long time ago, but that was at least 10 years ago," he said.