Dear Editor:

The Sun Times’ April 30, 2023, editorial —“Lawmakers shouldn’t rush to spend more money on flawed Peotone Airport plan” — gives sound reasons for opposing a bill moving through the Illinois General Assembly.

HB2531 would require the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) “to pursue proposals within six months, from developers interested in building a Peotone cargo airport.” The editorial also notes: “Gov. J.B. Pritzker…wants assurance cargo carriers would use Peotone before he climbs aboard the idea.”

Kudos to the Governor for having a realistic view! As a businessman, he understands that building something that won’t be used is a waste of tax dollars.

The Governor’s decision-making would benefit from an informed set of choices — including the prospect of reinvesting in prime farmland an airport would destroy. Will County farmland is a renewable resource that can produce economic, environmental, and social benefits for generations.

If the recent pandemic taught us anything, it’s to not take our food supply for granted.
If state lawmakers are intent on supporting the search for a cargo airport developer, they should fund a concurrent locally-led study to determine alternative uses for IDOT-owned +/- 4,554.78 acres of land in the proposed airport “footprint.” Options could include:
• Investing in local sustainable Ag production and meat processing
• Returning land to private ownership/property tax rolls
• Deeding treed land acreage to the Will County Forest Preserve
• Providing education, training, and land access to young farmers

Will County could lead a public-private partnership to consider the feasibility of turning those seven-square-miles of land into an agri-food, nutrition, and conservation research and development center. This initiative would build on the assets of eastern Will County’s thriving agricultural community. A smart Ag investment strategy should focus on land uses that help improve public health, soil health, water quality, and local economies.

To be equitable, the State of Illinois should provide a $1.4M grant for this study. That’s the equivalent in purchasing power of the $500K state grant that initiated Peotone airport planning in 1985.

There’s no doubt an alternative plan would benefit the region in many positive ways! And give local residents the quality of life they sought in living there back to them.

Judy Ogalla
Will County Board Chair