U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $37,031,074 in federal funding for infrastructure improvements at airports across Illinois. This funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration will go toward reinforcing the structural integrity of taxiways, expanding existing terminal buildings to accommodate more passengers and aircraft operations and installing various modernization measures, including mechanisms to alleviate noise pollution for surrounding residences, increasing clean energy opportunities, improving drainage infrastructure and mitigating wildlife attractants.
“Illinois’s airports are critical economic engines for our state and the source of jobs for so many working families,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to join Senator Durbin in announcing this investment of federal funding to help grow and modernize our airports across the state. I will continue to work alongside Senator Durbin to make traveling safer and more reliable for all passengers while ensuring that our communities are receiving the much-needed federal resources they deserve.”
“By improving and modernizing airport infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for increased connectivity and reliability,” said Durbin. “Today’s announced federal funding for upgrading our airports across Illinois will enhance the travel experience for passengers and promote economic growth. I will continue working with Senator Duckworth to ensure Illinois airports have the necessary federal resources to keep passengers safe and connected.”
Recipients of funding through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Grant Program include:
- Chicago Executive Airport (Wheeling): $1,800,000
- Chicago Midway International Airport (Chicago): $555,019
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (Chicago): $9,472,514
- Chicago Rockford International Airport (Rockford): $7,946,166
- Quad Cities International Airport (Moline): $2,765,727
- Rantoul National Aviation Center-Frank Elliott Field Airport (Rantoul): $2,415,000
- Scott Air Force Base / MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (Mascoutah): $3,536,912
- St. Louis Downtown Airport (Cahokia): $4,740,328
- Updates for the State of Illinois’ Airport System Plan (Springfield): $300,000
- Vandalia Municipal Airport (Vandalia): $1,006,080
- Vermilion Regional Airport (Danville): $2,179,546
- Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois (Marion): $313,782
