Chicago Executive Airport wins state transportation award

The Illinois Department of Transportation has named Chicago Executive Airport the 2017 Reliever Airport of the Year.

In announcing the award, transportation officials highlighted the airport's safety record, its service to the local community and the maintenance and upkeep of the facility.

The airport, owned by Wheeling and Prospect Heights, last won the award a decade ago.

Reliever airports were created to draw air traffic away from congested airline hub airports such as O'Hare International Airport.