Bensenville drops opposition to O'Hare expansion

Years of turbulence between Bensenville and Chicago over O'Hare International Airport ended in a peace treaty Monday with the village dropping litigation in exchange for $16 million from the city as part of a settlement agreement.

The pact removes a major block to Chicago's plans to redesign O'Hare by building six parallel runways intended to relieve congestion at one of the world's busiest airports.

Despite some criticism, officials called the agreement historical during a news conference.

"This is good news for the traveling public and the aviation industry," Chicago Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie Andolino said. "As the O'Hare Modernization Program moves forward, O'Hare will be a more efficient airport."

Bensenville Village President Frank Soto said the deal will compensate the municipality for properties, help replace depleted reserves and allow for economic development.

"This is a victory for Bensenville," he said. "Resolving these cases gives Bensenville control over the demolition process and allows us to safeguard our residents."

At the heart of the issue was condemnation of about 600 homes and businesses in the northeast corner of Bensenville that Chicago wanted for expansion.

For years, former Village President John Geils fought against modernization plans and delayed the project. Soto defeated Geils in a spring election, campaigning on the need to negotiate with Chicago.

"It's time to look forward to our future," he said. "This protracted litigation depleted our financial resources and continued long after it was prudent."

The village is settling lawsuits involving municipal property and environmental concerns about demolition.

The agreement gives the village the right to have an environmental expert at the demolition site and limits the roads Chicago can use and construction hours. The city will also partner with Bensenville on economic development projects.

Attorney Joseph Karaganis, who fought O'Hare expansion with Geils, doubted the detente will produce success. "You can engage in all the hype in the world. I expect to visit there 10 years from now and when I visit I will see empty lots," he said.

Former Village Trustee Ray Basso called the agreement a terrible one. "They said they were going to keep fighting and I don't think they did it," Basso said.

Soto countered that his predecessors ignored realities and saddled Bensenville with $55 million in debt fighting an unwinnable battle. Now opportunities exist to generate revenue from facilities such as parking lots, he said. Moreover, one assessed value for the properties was around $6 million, so the $16 million is a significant gain, Soto noted.

Bensenville Trustee Oronzo Peconio added, "our residents spoke in April and told us they wanted to end all litigation. ... This is a new bright shiny day in Bensenville."

The price tag of the O'Hare Modernization has raised concerns. Costs for six runways and a western terminal have escalated and now stand at more than $8 billion. In addition, the economic slump has hit the aviation industry hard, and the number of passengers and flights going through O'Hare has decreased.

As for paying for the work, Chicago would continue to rely on funding sources such as ticket fees and federal grants, Andolino said. Volume at O'Hare has seen an increase lately.

The O'Hare project adds more than 195,000 jobs and $18 billion a year to the region, Andolino said.

United officials were lukewarm about the western terminal. "We support runway expansion at O'Hare but capital resources are scarce and all investments should be reviewed carefully so there is a return," United spokesman Michael Trevino said.

But two experts said the expansion is viable.

"I think the mayor of Chicago should be able to bring it to completion - although they'll still need some luck," DePaul University transportation professor Joseph Schwieterman said.

Daniel McMillen, a University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign economics professor with the Institute of Government and Public Affairs, said. "you don't want to put plans on hold that will bring benefits in 10 to 20 years because of a recession."

Razing the properties should take nine to 12 months, but it will take time to prepare the site. Soto said he doubted demolitions will occur before Christmas.

The city has completed one new runway, opened a new air traffic control tower and extended an existing runway.

Workers now are paving both sides of a runway that is bisected by St. Johannes Cemetery, but its owners and family members of people buried there are fighting condemnation efforts by Chicago.

"We've got tons of supporters and everyone is hanging in there," said the Rev. Michael Kirchoff, who has relatives buried in St. Johannes.

Bensenville used to be backed by allies such as Elk Grove Village, U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde and former Senate President James "Pate" Philip. But the pool of opposition shrunk with a final blow coming this spring when Elk Grove backed out of the fight after the state announced it would not construct a western bypass around the airport through its industrial park.

bull; Daily Herald reporter Justin Kmitch contributed to this report.

<p class="factboxheadblack">Making peace</p> <p class="News">The deal reached between Bensenville and the city of Chicago removes an impediment to the city's plans to build six parallel runways and a western terminal to relieve congestion at O'Hare. Here's a look at what happens now:</p> <p class="leadin">The city of Chicago:</p> <p class="News">• can begin razing about 600 homes and businesses in the northeast corner of Bensenville;</p> <p class="News">• will begin demolition probably early next year, with completion likely to take nine months to a year.</p> <p class="leadin">Bensenville gets:</p> <p class="News">• $16 million for an area Village President Frank Soto says was valued at $6 million;</p> <p class="News">• an environmental expert on site to watch the demolition process and limited hours and roads Chicago could use;</p> <p class="News">• partnership with Chicago on economic development projects related to the western terminal. </p> <p class="leadin">Costs: </p> <p class="News">Total projected now estimated at more than $8 billion</p> <p class="leadin">Already finished: </p> <p class="News">• one new north runway</p> <p class="News">• a new air traffic control tower</p> <p class="News">• extension of an existing runway. </p> <p class="leadin">Under way:</p> <p class="News">Workers are paving both sides of a runway bisected by St. Johannes Cemetery, but its owners and family members of people buried there are fighting condemnation by the city of Chicago.</p> <div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=336970">DuPage Co. Board chairman: This say had to come<span class="date"> [11/16/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=336962">O'Hare settlement doesn't sit well with those who fought expansion <span class="date"> [11/16/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>