The Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation (CSEDC), representing public and private investors throughout Southern Cook and Eastern Will Counties, unequivocally supports the completion of property acquisition and construction of facilities necessary for the opening and operation of a third airport for the Chicago Metropolitan Area – the South Suburban Airport (SSA).
With a majority of the initial “footprint” secured, 2019 represents to the region, the state, the nation and the world, that facility planning and development needs to be completed immediately. The burgeoning Midwest freight hub is at stake and a resurgence of sustainable investment and growth is at hand.
With the anticipation of a much-needed State-sponsored capital development program in 2019, and with decades of bi-partisan support we endorse:
Completion of all property acquisition for runway, terminal, support, ingress and egress facilities;
Plan preparation and bid documentation for an interchange at I-57 and Offner Road linking ground transportation to existing e-commerce facilities and airport operations;
Plan preparation and bid documentation for Il-394 improvements linking ground transportation to airport operations; and
Secondary “Iron Ring” community infrastructure improvements linking local facilities to airport operations.
Time is of the essence in order to complete the public private process (PPP), based on current and anticipated private investor interests.
We are at a point where the people of the south side of Chicago South Cook County and Will County can come together to address the long-term opportunities in global freight and passenger movement.
The Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation stands ready to work with the Will County Center for Economic Development to assist in moving the South Suburban Airport to reality, a reality of prosperity through planned, market-sensitive growth and investment.
