Chicago begins removing graves from St. Johannes Cemetery
A week after acquiring a historic cemetery in the path of a new O'Hare International Airport runway, Chicago has begun removing graves of those whose family members want them out.
O'Hare Modernization Program spokeswoman Eve Rodriguez said one grave was removed from the 5.32 acre St. Johannes Cemetery Monday and two on Tuesday. She declined to say how many graves will be voluntarily removed.
"The recent disinterments were of voluntary family members who have been patiently waiting to relocate their family members for some time," Rodriguez said Wednesday.
DuPage Circuit Judge Hollis Webster granted the city's "quick take" request of the cemetery, with a $630,000 preliminary price tag, on Feb. 8, two months after she ruled Chicago had the right to proceed with its condemnation of the land.
The city may begin with the orderly transfer of the 1,200 graves of those who oppose the transfer after a 20-day wait, Webster said.
But attorney Joseph Karaganis, who represents St. John's United Church of Christ, which that owns the cemetery, said Wednesday that he expects a state appeals court to intervene before then within the next few days.
Chicago plans to build six parallel runways and a western terminal to ease congestion.
For years, the village of Bensenville and the church fought airport expansion in tandem. But the new village leadership recently settled lawsuits with Chicago for $16 million to allow the demolition of more than 500 homes and other properties.
Attorneys for St. John's argued the relocation of graves assaults the religious beliefs of the deceased who are buried in the cemetery, but the city has won numerous earlier rulings by state and federal courts on the issue.
"That heavy equipment should not be in that cemetery in the first place because that is consecrated ground," Karaganis said. "The only people who know where area markers and the religious headstones are the members of the church. So we're hoping the appellate court will cease the damage and religious sacrilege being done at St. Johannes."
Planners estimate it will take a year to move the graves, which prompted Chicago attorneys to seek the "quick take" request.
The O'Hare Modernization Project may be complete by 2014, city aviation officials have said, despite the ongoing refusal of major airlines to provide financial support.
Chicago has set up a cemetery relocation program that includes compensation for moving costs.
For information about the city program, contact (773) 686-5136.
Daily Herald Legal Affairs writer Christy Gutowski contributed to this story.