CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Dozens of South Side and south suburban political leaders have signed on to a letter urging Governor Pritzker to support the building of a major airport in the south suburbs and to agree on funding for off-site improvements.
"Ninety-percent of this is done. Let’s take it across the finish line," said Cong. Robin Kelly.
The congresswoman's comment came after she spoke to the Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation's quarterly gathering at Gaelic Park in Oak Forest.
During her speech, Kelly said Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is among the 54 elected officials who have signed on to a letter to Governor Pritzker urging support for the airport.
"The South Suburban Airport is a unique, once-in-lifetime game-changer. It has the potential and promise to be the safest, greenest, and most innovative and most customer-focused airport in North America," she said.
State Representative Anthony DeLuca is also pushing in Springfield for the governor to jump on-board.
"It’s time to stop talking about the airport. It really is time to start taking action," he said.
An executive airport Bult Field is already on the site in the Peotone area.
Cong. Kelly told south suburban officials the stars are aligned with a Democratic governor, a soon-to-be new mayor of Chicago who talks of regional cooperation and Washington talking about infrastructure.
"While it's taken us decades, and some would agree longer, to get here, the time has finally come," she said to applause.
Kelly said the airport would be "the first major U.S. airport financed with private dollars".
Elected officials also ask the governor to support the spending of $150 million for off-site improvements in the Peotone area, such as the construction of a new I-57 interchange.
Kelly said the third airport is needed, that O'Hare Airport has slipped from the 12th to the 21st busiest cargo airport in the country because of capacity considerations.
Oak Forest Mayor Hank Kuspa, although not a signer of the letter to the Governor, said he backs the airport and thinks it will get built.
"I really look forward to it. It’s a great idea for the entire southern region," he said.
Mike Scholefield, chairman of the Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation said, "The current initiative with both the new administration in Springfield, as well as Chicago, presents an opportunity for a truly regional initiative to take place that’s a win-win situation."
An attempt was made for comment from the Governor's office.