Rahm Not Hearing O'Hare Noise Gripes

Darrin Thomas introduced himself to Rahm Emanuel as the mayor campaigned for re-election at a downtown train stop in February.

Identifying himself as an app-developer helping thousands of people lodge O’Hare Airport noise complaints with the city, Thomas asked the mayor what can be done to help homeowners upset about more planes and loud jet noise across the city’s North Side?

“O’Hare is a powerful economic engine, and we can’t put it at risk,” Emanuel said matter of factly, according to Thomas’ account of the conversation. The mayor then turned to shake hands with other commuters, he said.

That was the last time Thomas or other anti-noise activists heard directly from Emanuel on the O’Hare issue. A group made up largely of Northwest Chicago residents called Fair Allocation in Runways (or FAIR) says it still hasn’t met with the mayor after 14 written and public requests for a sit down since the summer of 2013.

Even Congressman Mike Quigley, whose 5th District includes residents affected by noise, prodded the mayor to meet with the group representing thousands of homeowners. After a more than year-long public campaign by the residents, a bill passage in Springfield and the defeat of an aldermanic ally, Emanuel finally agreed that city aviation officials will meet the homeowners. The mayor, so far, won’t commit to a personal meeting with the residents.

To read the complete story, including maps of the current and future O’Hare flight paths, visit the Better Government Association’s website.