Air Traffic Control Tower Opening At Lewis University Airport

ROMEOVILLE, IL — The Lewis University Airport will cut the ribbon on its new air traffic control tower on Nov. 14, according to a release from the Joliet Regional Port District. Construction began on the airport's first air traffic control tower in 2021, and it will be operational this December.

The $8.2 million eight-story tower was funded through support from the FAA, state of Illinois and Joliet Regional Port District, according to a release.

Former Congressman Dan Lipinski also worked to make the tower project eligible for federal funding and was instrumental in securing $6 million in state funding for the project back in 2019, the release states.

“A project of this magnitude takes a very long time to complete, from planning to funding to construction, and I want to thank all of the people who played a role in making this happen,” Romeoville Mayor John Noak said in a release. “This tower symbolizes the cooperation between federal, state, and local government and how projects can have positive impacts on communities like Romeoville and our entire region.”

“This project was a true community effort that will provide safety and service to air travelers from all over the globe for the first time in Will County, Chris Lawson, Director of Aviation at the airport, said in a release.

The tower will provide increased safely, and also make the airport more accessible in order to grow the regional economy and create jobs, according to the release. At least seven new full-time controllers will be employed at the tower, and plans are underway to finalize commitments for additional aircraft maintenance and storage operations at the airport.

The Lewis University Airport is Will County’s premier corporate airport and has been owned and operated by the Joliet Regional Port District since 1989. The airport traces all the way back to the 1930s when it began as Lewis Holy Name School of Aeronautics.