Aeronautics

Airports in Illinois provide a number of health, welfare and safety benefits.  Services such as medical transport and evacuation, flight training, law enforcement flights, military exercises, and search and rescue operations all contribute directly to the quality of life of those who live and work in Illinois.  Additionally, visitors who arrive on commercial airlines or on private aircraft also create economic activity through local spending at hotels, restaurants, retail stores, and entertainment establishments.  All of these actions contribute directly to creating additional jobs and greater local economic benefits. 

Airports such as O’Hare and Midway International Airports see a huge influx of domestic and international flights every day with passengers travelling around the globe to and from Chicago.  IDOT emphasizes the need to modernize and improve our airports to maintain and expand our competitive position in the world. Through airport funding at federal, state, and local levels, IDOT is continuously making improvements and building new airports such as the South Suburban Airport, planned as a new supplemental air cargo airport in Will County.  The airport, when finished, will ensure continued safe and efficient operations with accompanying opportunities for economic development.