'Detente' succeeding in O'Hare fight

Isn't it encouraging to see what a little old-fashioned communication can accomplish?

In Bensenville, it appears to be some protection of local interests.

In August, we commented on the apparent truce reached between the village and the city of Chicago over the planned demolition of homes to make room for expansion at O'Hare International Airport. Now, according to Daily Herald transportation writer Marni Pyke's report Thursday, it appears the two sides not only are no longer fighting but are actually cooperating on issues that are key to their separate futures.

They updated DuPage County Judge Kenneth Popejoy on their progress toward settlement of a years-old lawsuit over the demolition of about 600 city-owned homes on Bensenville's northeast side. Razing the homes is required as part of O'Hare's project to create six parallel runways and build a western terminal.

Both sides indicated Wednesday that not only is progress being made in their dispute, but they're actually optimistic about things.

Although aviation official Eve Rodriguez said the city still must review the impact of proposals from Bensenville, she said she was excited about the prospects of working with the village.

And Bensenville Village President Frank Soto added the talks have been respectful and cordial. That doesn't mean the village has given in on anything, of course. Soto noted that the talks "still have a distance to go" on issues like property values, green space and beautification around the demolition site, because village officials want to be sure they get everything right.

The village also is pressing the city to limit construction hours, monitor the demolition site and let its crews use only certain Bensenville streets. But Soto says Chicago is showing "good faith" on all those topics.

"We want to make sure we control our future and our destiny and have the best outcome possible," Soto said.

That, no doubt, was also a village goal during years and years of abortive lawsuits that continued long after it became obvious that the O'Hare expansion could not be stopped. But the only result all this activity in the courts produced was the fattening of a lot of lawyers' wallets - and an increased burden on Bensenville taxpayers as well as on the cost of the O'Hare project.

But outside the courtroom, a sort of detente between the two former enemies is producing talk of excitement and respect and optimism.

They next appear in court before Popejoy on Nov. 4. With so many t's to cross, to borrow Soto's phrase, it may be premature to hope this entire matter may be settled by then, but it's clear from what has been reported so far this summer and fall that a solution benefiting everyone may not be far off.