Politics & Government

Wheeling Airport to Get $5.3M Upgrade

The construction project at the Chicago Executive Airport will make it safer for planes that overrun the runway.

The following press release is from Gov. Pat Quinn's office:

WHEELING – Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $5.3 million capital investment for a construction project at the Chicago Executive, or Palwaukee, Airport in Wheeling. The project is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois’ economy forward. The contract was awarded following a competitive bidding process and addresses a critical infrastructure need while creating construction jobs.

“Investments in airports like this one in Wheeling make them safer and more efficient,” Governor Quinn said. “The project will also employ a number of construction workers, which will drive local economy forward.”

The project will involve the installation of an Engineered Material Arresting System, a large area of specially engineered crushable concrete at the end of a runway that can slow or stop an aircraft that overruns the runway. Curran Contracting Company of Crystal Lake will perform the work on their bid of $5,364,507. Construction should begin in May. The Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics will manage the project, which includes federal, state and local funding.

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“I’m happy to see the state invest in Chicagoland’s third busiest airport,” State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) said. “A small suburban airport like Palwaukee provides local employers a convenient means of transportation, helping them attract top talent and do business all over the country.”

“Investments in key economic cores like the Chicago Executive Airport are critical to keeping people at work and ensuring that our region continues to move forward,” State Representative Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook) said. “This project will serve as a boon to the local economy while guaranteeing the airport’s vital role as a state-of-the-art hub for transportation and commerce.”

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The state funds for the project come from Governor Quinn’s $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which supports more than 439,000 jobs over six years. It is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.


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