End in sight to Chicago-Bensenville O'Hare feud?

For years, tiny Bensenville has bucked the city of Chicago in its plans to expand O'Hare International Airport.

But after extensive litigation, the two sides appear close to resolving issues holding up the massive project, which would create six parallel runways and build a western terminal.

Bensenville Village President Frank Soto said Wednesday the municipality is working to finalize an agreement with Chicago involving demolition of 600 homes and businesses in the northeast part of town. The city owns most of the properties and wants to raze them to make way for a bigger O'Hare.

Bensenville sued Chicago over the environmental impact of the demolitions, a case that went to the appellate court. Now, Soto said the city is showing "good faith" in coming to terms with Bensenville's concerns, which include limiting construction hours, monitoring the demolition site and restricting what streets crews can use.

"Our main concerns is to ensure we have the highest possible level of scrutiny on the project," Soto said. "We want to make darn sure when it occurs, it is with the utmost and highest precautions in place for our residents."

Both sides updated DuPage Judge Kenneth Popejoy on the progress of a settlement Wednesday. The next court date is Nov. 4. "We want to make sure every T is crossed," Soto said.

Chicago Department of Aviation official Eve Rodriguez said the city was excited about working collaboratively with Bensenville but it needed time to review proposals received on Wednesday.

Chicago and Bensenville had been locked in a bitter fight over airport expansion led by former Village President John Geils, a staunch airport expansion foe. Soto defeated Geils in the spring elections, pledging to reopen negotiations with Chicago.

Bensenville and Chicago also are negotiating a possible settlement of a lawsuit against the city concerning village-owned streets, a park and about 30 homes in the demolition area. "We still have a distance to go," Soto said, citing issues such as property values, green space and beautification around the demolition area.

Soto said negotiations have been cordial and he has respect for Chicago officials. "But we have got to be careful and deliberate with every step we take. We want to make sure we control our future and our destiny and have the best outcome possible."

The village's demolition lawsuit contended that razing the 600 structures posed a health risk. Popejoy in August 2008 lifted a ban on demolitions, which Bensenville took to the 2nd District Appellate Court. The appeals court in January reversed that decision and sent the case back to Popejoy for further consideration.