Red Chicago

Mayor XXX

Here we go again! It now looks like our bulldozer happy mayor screwed Chicagoans twice. An ABC 7 report making the rounds today claim

Removing the Meigs Field runway and returning Northerly Island to park land cost $2.9 million--nearly twice as much as Chicago Park District and city officials estimated, district and city documents show.

The worst part of it is that it looks like the mayor improperly used FFA funds to demolish the airport and build a park. Even if its found to be a legal us of the funds, I don't think the FAA wants to both spend billions to increase capacity at O'Hare and Midway, while at the same time spend $2.9 million to close an airport down. That could explains this;

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating whether use of the airport funds for the cleanup was an "improper diversion" of money intended for capital repairs at O'Hare and Midway Airports. Airport development funds are derived from surplus revenue from airport rentals, services and concessions.
If the FAA determines the funds were misused, the city could be ordered to pay triple damages, or $ 8.7 million, said Tony Molinaro, FAA spokesman for the Great Lakes Region.

I wish the FAA could fine the mayor personally, I doubt that he could really care if he is found guilty or not.

Please visit friends of meigs, they have been fighting this mayor a loong time and have all the links to all the major news stories. They have also put togeter a plan for the future of Meigs, their Parks and Planes plan. A bold look at what Northernly Island could and should look like. Look through their plan and if you like what you see please sign the petition.

posted by Red Chicago @ 1:49 PM