66th District candidates differ on O'Hare expansion.

To expand or not to expand O'Hare International Airport: that is the question in the District 66 state house race between Elk Grove Village trustee Christine K. Prochno, a Republican, and Democratic challenger Mark Walker.

While candidates in other races spar over taxes and casino licenses, in this one, where Republican Carolyn Krause's seat is up for grabs, how people feel about O'Hare could determine the winner.

Prochno has been an opponent of Chicago's $15 billion plan to expand its airport, while Walker said he's not going to stand in the way of progress.

People disagree on how the expansion would affect surrounding communities like Elk Grove Village and Bensenville. The expansion itself would likely take only a handful of businesses from Elk Grove Village, but what of the supporting infrastructure?

Prochno said that could ruin Elk Grove Village's business park, which would be devastating to the region since more than 100,000 people work there every weekday. The construction of an airport ring road or western access road might take a big chunk of one of the world's largest, contiguous business parks, she said.

"This is a story that has a long history," said Prochno. "It's not just about Elk Grove Village; it's regional. The industrial park supports the whole district."

As a village board member, she has supported the village's years-long, multimillion dollar fight to block airport expansion.

"I am for O'Hare modernization, but I don't think it'd be a good solution to impact a huge part of our tax base," she said.

Walker said her support of the fight against the airport is misguided.

He said he sees O'Hare as the region's real economic engine. His vision is one of a worldwide distribution center out of O'Hare. Instead of fighting expansion, he said he would've worked with Chicago and other governmental agencies to get the best deal for the area.

"I am looking at it from a business point of view," said Walker, who is a business consultant and former Citibank executive. "I would say the economic development of O'Hare is essential."

The project includes six parallel runways that Chicago says will reduce delays. The city hopes to finish it by 2014, before the proposed 2016 Olympics, which could be hosted in Chicago.

Krause is stepping down after serving in the Illinois General Assembly for about 15 years. The 66th District includes parts of Elk Grove Village, Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows and Mount Prospect.