FAiR FOIA WORKSHOP for O'Hare and Midway Airport Data

All citizens are invited to the Fair Allocation in Runways (FAiR) Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Workshop. You do not need to be a member of FAiR to attend. Hope to see you there!

Jac Charlier

Edgebrook Public Library
2nd Floor Community Room
Saturday - November 22, 2014 – 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
5331 West Devon Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60646
RSVP to jac.charlier@gmail.com

WORKSHOP PURPOSE:

The change in air traffic patterns mandated by the O’Hare Modernization Program in October 2013 significantly increased jet noise levels, resulting in citizens, civics and organizations (including FAiR) requesting noise and flight data from the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) via Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

Given that the raw data collected via the FOIA requests and/or other sources needs to be critically analyzed, reviewed, cataloged and graphed to transform it into concise, accurate, readable and reportable findings for effective presentation to elected officials, the media and other concerned citizens, Dr. Don Walsh—a member of the Indian Woods Community Association and Fair Allocation in Runways (FAiR) Coalition—will conduct a FOIA Workshop to instruct attendees how to:

1) make effective FOIA requests to the CDA and other government agencies for data, reports and information;

2) discuss various methodologies to analyze and graph the data received; and

3) make accurate, understandable and persuasive reports that quantify the effects of increased levels of jet noise on impacted Chicagoland residents.

TARGET AUDIENCE:
1) FAiR Coalition members
2) Concerned citizens;
3) Civic and Community Associations; and
4) High School/College students having an interest in completing a class project focusing on the increased noise levels for those living under the flight paths used by each O’Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW).

COST OF WORKSHOP: FREE

ITEMS TO BRING TO THE WORKSHOP:

• A laptop;
• Any reports and/or data that you may have already requested/received; and
• A data stick to share data with, and get data from, others in the Workshop related to ORD/MDW noise and aircraft flight operations.

RSVP: To the FAiR Coalition, at jac.charlier@gmail.com with:
• Your name, address, email address, organization or school affiliation;
• Any pertinent data collected to date; and
• Any expression of interest in being a presenter at the meeting!
• You do not need to be a FAiR member to attend the workshop

FAiR welcomes the opportunity to learn from the experience and best practices of others, so please let us know if you have researched the jet noise issue and have data, findings and/or analytical methods that you’d like to share with the group!

The Fair Allocation in Runways (FAiR) Coalition is a rapidly growing movement of citizens and civics on Chicago’s Northwest side and the near Northwest suburbs. FAiR is the leading voice for city and suburban residents negatively impacted by the runway takeoff and landing patterns implemented in October 2013. FAiR supports the economic engine that is O’Hare, while also seeking a voice in when and how jet engines fly over the residents, homes, parks and schools of impacted communities. FAiR contends that with two more runways yet to be completed, the problems posed by yet more massive increases in airplane traffic will become worse if citizens do not have an active voice in the process.

FAiR requests that residents report airplane noise complaints online, throughout the day, at www.fairchicago.org or 800-435-9569.

Citizens and civic organizations are invited to learn more about and join FAiR atwww.fairchicago.org. FAiR is also on Facebook.