City Council approves $8.5 billion O'Hare expansion plan by 40-to-1 vote

Mayor Rahm Emanuel will seek a third term with a job-and-contract-generating, fundraising ace in his pocket: the $8.5 billion expansion of O'Hare Airport.

The City Council on Wednesday approved a plan so important to Chicago's future - and the mayor's - Emanuel is expected to rush out to O'Hare to immediately sign new airline use and lease agreements.

Baked into those leases are higher terminal rents and landing fees that will bankroll the $4 billion in general airport revenue and passenger facility charge bonds that aldermen authorized to get the project started.

The massive borrowing was approved by a vote of 40-1 after Emanuel initially accepted a voice vote, then corrected himself and asked for a roll call. Alderman David Moore (17th) cast the only dissenting vote, citing a shortage of African-Americans involved in the project.

Aldermen Edward Burke (14th) and Patrick Daley Thompson (11th) abstained because of conflicts with their legal practices.

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