Chicago drops plan to privatize Midway

Dan Lipinski

By Bob Bong
Desplaines Valley News

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who put out the welcome mat in January for companies interested in taking over Midway Airport, dropped the effort last week after one of the two finalists withdrew its bid.

The city had renewed the privatization effort in January as a way of generating badly needed money for city coffers. The first attempt that would have brought in $2.5 billion for a 99-year lease fell apart in 2009 when the credit crunch hit.

Chicago would have been the biggest American city to private an airport, if the deal had gone through.

Back in January, Ald. Michael Zalewski (23^rd), whose ward includes the airport, said that because of the airport's economic importance to the Southwest Side and nearby suburbs and the way the controversial parking meter deal turned out the Midway privatization process would be lengthy and transparent.

“We want this to be the opposite of the parking meter deal,” Zalewski said. “That was rushed through the council and has turned out to be a disaster.”

“Nothing is going to happen fast,” he said. “We want to make sure any deal is worthwhile for the city and we want the process to be as transparent as possible for the press and the public.”

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-3rd), whose district includes the airport, was happy with the decision.

"I applaud Mayor Emanuel for halting the privatization attempt at this point," Lipinski said.  

“Once on the brink of closing, Midway has become one of world’s finest airports, playing a vital role in national air travel as well as serving as an economic engine for the Southwest Side of Chicago and surrounding communities. As the congressman representing the airport and someone who grew up less than a mile from it, I have had my reservations about any plan that could adversely impact Midway’s operations and nearby neighborhoods and communities. 

"I have shared the concerns of many Midway neighbors, employees, and travelers who feared that privatizing the airport could have negative consequences, such as increased noise in the neighborhoods, higher parking and concession fees, and the potential loss of jobs for workers who rely on the airport to support their families. The mayor said that this privatization plan would have included protections for the neighborhood and the flying public. If there is going to be another attempt to privatize Midway in the future, I will insist that such protections are written into any agreement.   

“Midway Airport is a well-run facility that serves the neighborhood, the region, and almost 10 million passengers a year. Whether it is bringing home $30 million to add safety devices to the runways, fighting to prevent overnight tower closures, or working for more soundproofing in the surrounding communities, I will continue to work to make Midway even better for everyone,” Lipinski said.

Emanuel spokeswoman Sarah Hamilton said one group vying for the deal dropped out and the mayor decided not to proceed.

The company that remained in the running for Midway reportedly was the Great Lakes Airport Alliance — a partnership of Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets and Ferrovial — while the one that backed out of the bidding was Industry Funds Management and Manchester Airports Group.

Bridgeview man charged after crash closes roadside safety check prematurely

By Bob Bong
Desplaines Valley News

A roadside safety check set up by Chicago Ridge police on Aug. 31 in the 10500 block of South Harlem Avenue was called off after only 30 minutes after a Bridgeview man allegedly crashed into the flashing arrow telling motorists where to pull over.

Chicago Ridge police said they were conducting a four-hour safety check and had two motorists stopped when they heard a loud crash and saw that a red Dodge pickup truck had smashed into the flashing arrow sign directing traffic into the checkpoint area.

Police said the truck continued at a slower speed toward the officers but that the driver ignored orders to stop.

Police said one of the officers was able to open the truck's door and stop the vehicle by putting it into park.

Police said the driver, who appeared to be drunk, then asked, "What's going on?"

The driver, later identified as Lawrence Maderak, 67, of the 7400 block of West 80th Street in Bridgeview, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn for treatment of minor injuries and while there refused to submit to a blood test, police said.

After he was released from the hospital, Maderak was arrested and charged with drunken driving, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, driving without proof of insurance and disobeying a traffic signal, police said.

Maderak posted bond and was released. His court date is Oct. 10 at the Bridgeview Courthouse.

Police said the sign was a total loss and estimated damage at about $8,000.

Hodgkins expands park district center

Hodgkins Park District Executive Director Kelly Young talks with guests at the July 29 groundbreaking for a $3.3 million expansion.

From staff reports
Desplaines Valley News

Work is underway on a long-awaited expansion and face-lift at the Hodgkins Park District building at Hodgkins Park, 8997 Lyons St.

Plans for the work first began in 2007 under then-park Executive Director Ron Kubicki and finally came to fruition earlier this summer when a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the end of July.

New Executive Director Kelly Young said the $3.3 million project will be paid for in large part by a $2.75 million Park and Recreation Facility Construction reimbursement grant from the state.

She said the project was the culmination of years of hard work by her and Kubicki and the park district board.

The project will see the renovation of the older portion of the building (constructed in 1958), the addition of an indoor playground at the east end of the building, and an expansion of the fitness center. Also added will be a new locker room, new bathroom facilities, a nutritional classroom (learning kitchen), a new multipurpose room (to include a fitness studio and a regulation volleyball court), a senior center, an expanded preschool room with controlled access, and an expanded and more functional lobby area. 

In addition to these specific improvements, the building will be getting an overall “face-lift” to the exterior.

At the groundbreaking ceremony on July 29, Young addressed a crowd of village residents and community leaders, expressing her joy at the culmination of so much work over many years.

“I can’t believe we’re finally here,” Young said. 

Also in attendance at the ceremony were representatives of the construction management firm, Sigalos and Associates, and of the architectural firm, Studio GC. 

Young expressed glowing praise for these two companies, and an excitement to see their work come to life.

“We threw any and every idea we ever had for this building at them. And we aren’t sure how they did it, but, even dealing with our craziness, they designed the most beautiful and functional building we could have ever imagined. I couldn’t have asked for a better team,” she said.

The PARC Grant is provided through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. It provides 75 percent of funding for construction on public parks and recreational facilities through reimbursement, with the municipality typically covering the remaining 25 percent.

Construction is set to be completed by next June.