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GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES 5-YEAR, $638.6 MILLION AIRPORT PROGRAM, PROVIDING $160 MILLION MORE FOR AIRPORTS THROUGHOUT ILLINOIS

Press Release - Thursday, May 13, 1999

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced a five-year, $638.6 million airport improvement program providing $160 million more for capital improvements to promote added efficiency and safety at regional and local airports throughout Illinois.

State funding for Illinois airports increases by one-third under the five-year plan, part of Governor Ryan's Illinois First program, a massive capital improvement program to provide funding for transportation, school construction, mass transit and other infrastructure needs throughout the state.

"Illinois' regional airport system represents a crucial link in the state's multi-modal transportation network," Ryan said. "By providing needed funding for airport improvements throughout the state in addition to allocations for highways and mass transit, we are providing entire regions the transportation tools they need to support development and job creation in the 21st Century."

The proposed $638.6 million airport program for Fiscal Years 2000 to 2004 is supported by $160 million in new state revenues.

The added revenue over five years will provide:

  • $75 million to acquire land in Will County for a Chicago supplemental airport, including $50 million for the inaugural airport site and $25 million for hardship and protective acquisitions beyond the limits of the inaugural airport.

  • $15 million to ensure sufficient state match for up to $270 million in federal funds for improvements at airports other than Chicago O'Hare and Midway.

  • $60 million for the state's share of the State/Local airport program, a 20 percent increase over previous programs.

  • $10 million to establish a land loan funding program for Illinois airports. Local airport sponsors will be able to borrow from this state revolving fund to finance timely land acquisitions for future expansion needs, often not possible now due to a lack of federal funds. These purchases would be eligible for future federal reimbursement.

    The additional $160 million in funding would come from a multi-year Series B bond authorization included in the Illinois First program and supported by general revenues. The added funding would support airport improvements throughout the state beginning with an estimated $134.2 million program for FY2000. Portions of the program depend on the enactment of new bonds for airports.

    A list of airport projects is attached.

    ###

    Major Airport Project Highlights Under the Plan for FY2000

    Primary Airports
    Bloomington-Normal -- $6.705 million to begin construction of a new terminal building and its associated aircraft parking apron, and vehicle parking lots and entrance improvements.
    Champaign -- $2.682 million to complete the rehabilitation of the parallel taxiway to Runway 14/32.
    Decatur -- $2.556 million to complete rehabilitation of Runway 12/30.
    Moline -- $5 million to expand the concourses in the terminal building.
    Peoria -- $2.203 million to relocate the Runway 31 takeoff threshold by 500 feet.
    Quincy -- $1.049 million to complete the rehabilitation of Runway 13/31.
    Rockford -- $3.6 million to rehabilitate the northeast 6,500 feet of Runway 7/25.
    Springfield -- $2.369 million to widen and rehabilitate the parallel and connecting taxiways to Runway 4/22.

    Reliever Airports
    Bethalto (St. Louis Regional) -- $2.684 million for continuing land acquisition to mitigate noise impacts, and the continuing reconstruction of the main apron.
    Romeoville (Lewis University) -- $1.61 million for continuing land acquisition for a new runway.
    West Chicago (DuPage) -- $809,000 to rehabilitate Runway 15/33.
    Wheeling-Prospect Heights (Palwaukee) -- $3.544 million to begin construction of a partial parallel taxiway to the main runway.

    General Aviation Airports
    Benton -- $350,000 for Phase 1 of the extension of the runway from 2,720 feet to 4,000 feet.
    Freeport -- $1.718 million to relocate Hollywood Road out of the clear zone for the runway.
    Jacksonville -- $1.531 million to pave the crosswind runway.
    Kankakee -- $1.234 million to rehabilitate the parallel taxiway to Runway 4/22.
    Litchfield -- $933,000 for Phase 1 of the construction of a new 4,000 foot runway.
    Peru (Illinois Valley) -- $967,000 to rehabilitate Runway 18/36.
    Robinson -- $258,000 to install new navigational aids on both runways.
    Sterling-Rock Falls -- $273,000 to complete the rehabilitation of the west apron.

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