Fly Quiet Plan Clears Another Hurdle: Elmhurst Official

ELMHURST, IL – Officials took another key step toward a plan to lessen aircraft noise at night, an Elmhurst alderman said this week.

On Wednesday, the full O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission voted 47-7 for a permanent Fly Quiet rotation plan, according to the city.

The plan was developed by the Fly Quiet Committee. Elmhurst's representative is Alderman Bob Dunn, who represents northside Ward 2.

"After seven years and 140-plus meetings, the Committee came up with a balanced, fair and simple plan to rotate nighttime operations evenly and the associated noise," Dunn said in an email to Patch. "This approved plan is the best one of all the alternatives proposed for Elmhurst."

The commission is made up of suburbs near the airport.

Now, the plan goes to the FAA and the Chicago Department of Aviation.

The runway plan would alternate from the north airfield to the south airfield and then move to the crosswind runways, according to the Daily Herald. It is set to be a 12-week rotation schedule.

At a City Council meeting last month, Mayor Scott Levin praised Dunn for his work and leadership on the Fly Quiet Committee.

However, former Ward 3 Alderman Michael Bram criticized the plan.

"Sadly this means that Elmhurst, especially (northside wards) 2 and 3, will have the potential of A LOT more nighttime airplane noise/pollution," Bram said in a Facebook post. "In my opinion, Elmhurst didn’t do much of anything to reduce the impact to Elmhurst residents."