New Runways at O'Hare Could Bring More Noise to the Suburbs

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In 2013, O’Hare Airport switched to a parallel (east/west) runway system. This change increased noise levels around the airport but also for communities as far west as St. Charles, the Daily Herald reports.

A fifth parallel runways will open on Oct. 15 and in 2020, the airport is expected to open a sixth parallel runway, according to the article.

Right now, over 10,000 households in Chicago and the suburbs experience consistent airplane noise of 65 decibels or louder, which is loud enough to qualify for sound-proofing aid, the newspaper reports.

• READ MORE: St. Charles Fields More Noise Complaints from O’Hare Air Traffic

Many residents who are questioning what the additional runways could mean for the noise level in their communities can attend forums held this week throughout the Chicagoland area.

The meetings will be held “workshop style” with a room for the public to ask questions to the FAA and its consultants and with presentation boards depicting information on the runways updates. There also will be a separate room with multiple court reporter stations for the public to provide verbal comments, on the record, after participating in the workshop.

The forums will be held at:

• White Eagle Banquets, 6839 North Milwaukee Avenue in Niles, from 1 to 9 p.m. on Monday.
• Taft High School, 6530 West Bryn Mawr Ave. in Chicago, from 1 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday.
• Monty’s Elegant Banquets, 703 South York Road in Bensenville, from 1 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday.
• Belvedere Events and Banquets, 1170 West Devon Ave. in Elk Grove Village, from 1 to 9 p.m. on Thursday.

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