Judge delays ruling on O'Hare expansion demolitions

A DuPage County judge said Wednesday he will rule by Aug. 7 on the fate of more than 500 homes in Bensenville that Chicago wants razed to make way for a new southern runway at O'Hare International Airport.

Circuit Judge Kenneth Popejoy was expected to release his written ruling Thursday but, in a letter faxed to attorneys, he pushed it back two more weeks to continue researching the complex public safety issue.

The judge, though, said he completed a rough draft.

"I wish to spend more time reviewing and analyzing the materials that were presented in assuring that my resultant ruling is complete and comprehensive," he wrote, "given the complexity of the issues and the testimony presented to the court."

Last summer, the judge issued a temporary restraining order barring any demolition, and ordered Chicago to conduct an environmental study regarding the possible release of any hazardous materials. Lawyers for Bensenville, longtime foes of airport expansion, argued toxins were present in some properties. Experts for both sides presented conflicting opinions during a four-day court hearing earlier this month.

In his letter, Popejoy said he pored through the mountainous paperwork generated in the controversial court battle, but wants to take two more weeks for further research. A Bensenville news conference scheduled for Thursday in response to the judge's anticipated ruling has been delayed until next month, officials said.

Chicago owns 555 of the 611 properties in question. Most of the properties are vacant, but about 30 families remain in the area east of York Road, along Irving Park Road.