Record #: R2014-452   
Type: Resolution Status: Failed to Pass
Intro date: 6/25/2014 Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Aviation
Final action: 5/20/2015
Title: Call for hearing(s) regarding effects of airport-related noise and other public health and safety concerns
Sponsors: Laurino, Margaret, O'Connor, Patrick, O'Connor, Mary, Arena, John
Topic: COMMITTEE/PUBLIC HEARINGS - Committee on Aviation
Attachments: 1. R2014-452.pdf
Related files: R2015-407
RESOLUTION
 
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago is the owner and operator of Chicago O'Hare International Airport, which annually serves many millions of passengers who land and take off on many thousands of flights; and
 
WHEREAS, the Federal Aviation Administration is charged with regulating civilian aviation in the United States, including development of airports, establishment of flight paths, monitoring effects of aviation-related noise, and other aviation-related concerns affecting public health and safety; and
 
WHEREAS, part of the FAA's function is to publish information on anticipated airport-related noise in conjunction with new or changed airport operations, and to take public comment on such information in order to find ways to ameliorate the impact of noise on nearby residents and institutions; and
 
WHEREAS, recent reports indicate that the FAA has fallen short of its legal obligations in several crucial ways in connection with the construction, opening and use of new runways at Chicago O'Hare International Airport: by failing to hold public hearings within affected areas, as required by law; by publishing incomplete and inaccurate data before public hearings, although in possession of accurate information; by quietly changing data and information after conclusion of public hearings;
 
WHEREAS, as a result of the FAA's alleged failures to obey applicable law, local residents on the Northwest Side of Chicago and in nearby suburban communities seriously impacted by a great increase in noise from airplanes landing and taking off at Chicago O'Hare International Airport; and
 
WHEREAS, the impact of the noise affects the quality of life of thousands of people;
and
 
WHEREAS, the alleged failures of the FAA prevent affected residents and institutions from obtaining financial assistance for noise reduction measures; now, therefore,
 
BE IT RESOLVED that the Committee on Aviation conduct hearings into the matters set forth in the preamble of this Resolution, and report the results of its inquiry to the full City Council; and
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members ofthe Illinois delegation in the United States Congress, are urged to request and pursue a congressional inquiry into the conduct ofthe Federal Aviation Administration concerning the matters set forth in the preamble of this Resolution; and
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Fair Allocation In Runways coalition (FAIR) and other interested organizations and individuals are encouraged to seek appropriate
 
investigative and remedial responses to these allegations from the Inspector General ofthe FAA and all other appropriate federal agencies; and
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that suitable copies of this Resolution be presented to Senators Durbin and Kirk and the Illinois delegation in the United States House (and placed on permanent record in his/her/their personnel file(s), as a token of our esteem and appreciation.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Margaret Laurino Alderman, 39th Ward
Mary O'Connor Alderman, 40th Ward
 
Merman, 45,n Ward
Patriclcj. O'Connor Aldewnan, 40th Ward