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Aviation
Explore a directory of airports and heliports, information on Illinois' vast aviation services, weather observation systems, and newsletters important for air travel.
Airport System
Illinois’ central location has lent itself to being a hub for air travel. The state is home to approximately 107 public/private airports with over 4,800 registered aircraft. The Illinois system of airports supports more than 337,000 jobs with a combined payroll of $12.8 billion and economic output of $40.9 billion. Across the state, there are over 750 aviation facilities, including heliports, balloon, glider and ultra-light landing facilities, and grass landing strips. These types of facilities foster connections between communities large and small, provide landing space for medical transporters, and enhance aviation enthusiasts’ quality of life.
In Fiscal Year 2013, nearly 2 million aircrafts took off or landed at Illinois airports that have traffic control towers and nearly 42 million passengers boarded commercial flights across the state. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport consistently ranks among the top 10 in North America and in the top 25 of the world in terms of its annual air cargo, with a total of 1.5 million tons. Goods that move through O’Hare can reach over 200 cities non-stop throughout the nation and all over the world on over 40 passenger airlines and over a dozen cargo carriers. As a major supply chain hub, freight forwarders, brokers, and corporations enjoy the advantages of Chicago’s distribution infrastructure, central location, large economy, and highway network.
Airports Inventory
The Airport Inventory Report 2022 compiles, in one document, information on the characteristics and the physical condition of the various elements of the public airports in Illinois as well as data on the actual use of both the publicly and privately owned airports in the state.
Infrastructure Improvements
IDOT's Proposed Airport Improvement Program includes projects at airports throughout the state to ensure continued safe and efficient operations at these facilities as well as the maximization of opportunities for economic development in Illinois.
Aviation Safety
IDOT is committed to all aspects of aviation safety and is governed by 92 Ill. Adm. Code 14.
Landing Facilities Inspections
Airport inspections are one of the most important things to do to promote safety in aviation. The department conducts inspections of all landing facilities to be sure they meet safety standards to ensure general aviation airport safety and runway safety. In addition, the department conducts inspections on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of public use airports to make sure that public airports are maintained and inspected.
Outreach Activities
Every year, IDOT conducts aviation and maintenance safety seminars on various safety-related topics and trends. These seminars also bring in industry experts and representatives for presentations on new technology and regulations to provide a dynamic educational training and opportunities to the pilot community. IDOT, along with FAA, organizes Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics to help flight instructors stay abreast of changes in general aviation flight training. These upcoming events are communicated through our Events Calendar, Illinois Aviation quarterly newsletter and Air Mail subscription service.