"O'Hare deal to get OK from panel"

Wednesday, June 26, 2002

O'Hare deal to get OK from panel
BY LYNN SWEET
THE CHICAGO (IL) SUN-TIMES


WASHINGTON--After dropping language that bolsters the development of a third
airport near Peotone, a bill writing into federal law an O'Hare Airport
expansion deal is expected to be approved by a House committee today.

"I'm confident of passage in the committee and on the floor,'' said Rep.
William O. Lipinski (D-Ill.), the ranking Democrat on aviation issues. A
vote is expected in July.

The bill strips the Illinois governor of the power to veto more runways at
O'Hare and cements a pact signed by Mayor Daley and Gov. Ryan last December.

Lipinski's decision to call the bill comes as the legislative pace of a
companion measure in the Senate--which is more favorable to Peotone--has
slowed down because of objections raised by Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (R-Ill.).
A spokesman for Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said the bill could be called for
a floor vote at any time, which would trigger a promised filibuster by
Fitzgerald. Durbin has said he has the votes to eventually shut down a
Fitzgerald filibuster.

The Peotone provision was dropped to ensure House passage. It could be added
to the legislation at a later stage.

The city made a deal this week with Northwest Airlines which gives the
airline the assurance of a prime position in a new O'Hare International
Terminal. This freed Michigan and Minnesota senators to support the bill.
America West was also given assurances of favorable gate treatment, a
concern of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

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