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In a release to Politico, Chicago Ald. David Moore (17th) says building a south suburban airport near University Park will address concerns about disparities in the African American community at a time when it needs it most. “We need to throw everything we have at the South Side to address the myriad problems residents are facing. The South Suburban Airport is 90 percent complete and community leaders need to support its completion,” he said in a release after bringing together local leaders over last weekend to rally support for the airport. “These are the kinds of investments that need to take place on the South Side to create jobs, connect residents to jobs, allow people to stay in their own communities and create community wealth through investments in their homes, businesses, schools and families,” he said.
“For over 30 years, we have been advocating for the South Suburban Airport,” added State Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin (D) 38th District in a social media post. ” It has been a long, frustrating battle to bring this economic engine to the Southland. In our region, we have seen an explosion of E-Commerce development with Amazon and other logistical companies who would have the opportunity to access the airport’s cargo capabilities. It is encouraging that Governor Pritzker has re-allocated over $162 million dollars in the state budget to finally move this project forward.”
Rep. Meyers-Martin and Ald. Moore were joined at the press conference by elected officials including: Congresswoman Robin Kelly, State Rep. Mary Flowers, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, Mayors Sheila Chalmers-Currin (Matteson, Vernard Alsberry (Hazel Crest), Joseph E. Roudez III (University Park) and Chasity Wells-Armstrong(Kankakee), Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Kim Dubuclet, CSEDC Executive Director Reggie Greenwood and many other business advocates and religious leaders.
See related in the Tribune/Daily Southtown: Chicago, Cook County support for Peotone airport speaks volumes about need for jobs, and the Crusader: South Side Alderman calls for support of South Suburban Airport