The Times Weekly - Kay Bolden
After more than 30 years of effort to get consensus around building a south suburban airport, supporters are urging a conversion of Bult Field into a cargo facility in response to the growing demand for e-commerce.
State Representatives Will Davis and Debbie Meyers-Martin are legislative sponsors of House Bill 2531, which directs the State of Illinois to prepare and issue a request for qualifications seeking proposals for a cargo-based South Suburban Airport as a public-private partnership.
The south suburban area not only serves as the largest inland port in North America, but it is also a busy hub for interstate highways, canals, warehousing, and new business development. The airport would conceivably add capacity for cargo shipments and drive economic growth in the region.
The Department of Transportation has up to six months after the amendment passes to begin the prequalification process for developers. The bill still needs to pass the Illinois senate. If passed, the Airport will be located in Will County.
