Romeoville-Lewis Airport to Cut Ribbon on Air Traffic Control Tower

On Monday, November 14 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., the Lewis University Airport, located at 1 George Michas Drive in Romeoville, will cut the ribbon on their new eight-story air traffic control tower. Over a decade in the making, construction on the airport’s first air traffic control tower began in 2021 and will be operational this December.

Funding for the $8.2 million tower was possible through a combination of support from the FAA, State of Illinois, and Joliet Regional Port District. The new tower is the airport’s single most important safety project ever. Former Congressman Dan Lipinski 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.

“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,” said Mayor John Noak. “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,” said Chris Lawson, Director of Aviation at the airport.

The tower will not only provide increased safety, but will make the airport more accessible in order to grow the regional economy and create jobs. 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 1930’s when it began as Lewis Holy Name School of Aeronautics.