Lewis Airport Project Submitted For Federal Funding

ROMEOVILLE, IL — One local project in Romeoville will be submitted for consideration for federal funding, according to a news release from U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood's office. On Monday, Underwood announced the local projects selected to be submitted for consideration for community project funding in fiscal year 2024.

One of the projects is a training activity operations apron at Lewis University Airport, according to a news release.

“I have always made it a priority to bring the voices of the 14th District to Congress, and I’m working hard to make sure that our community's needs are reflected in federal funding bills,” Underwood said in a release. “From addressing health care access in Ottawa and Peru to investing in semiconductor research, these projects will directly benefit families in northern Illinois, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to bring these federal dollars home.”

Community project funding is an initiative that allows members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that benefit the communities they represent, coupled with strict transparency and ethics requirements, according to a news release.

The project sponsor for the airport request is the Joliet Regional Port District, which requested $1,552,500 for the project.

The funding would be used to expand the aircraft staging and apron pavement area for the flight training schools at Lewis University Airport Chicago-Romeoville, according to a release.

With more space, training activities will be able to operate more safely and efficiently, eliminate wasted operating fuel, and serve more student pilots. By increasing the number of training spots available, this project will help address the nation's pilot shortage, a release states.