"Homeowner in Illinois airport's path takes law into own hands"

Saturday, December 2, 2006

Homeowner in airport's path takes law into own hands
By Guy Tridgell
The Chicago (IL) Daily Southtown


Mark Baugh was roused early Friday by more than 100,000 pounds of heavy
equipment preparing to use his rural Monee yard as a shortcut. 

"My wife woke me up and said someone was here in an orange safety vest and
Carhartts," Baugh said. "Then my neighbor called me and said they are
cutting across your property. I said, 'That's not happening.' "

The mysterious visitors were Illinois Department of Transportation
contractors hired to resume demolishing houses for the proposed airport near
Peotone. One of those homes was owned by Baugh's old neighbor before he sold
his land to IDOT.

Armed with a pair of massive backhoes, the demolition crew needed access to
Baugh's property after local officials turned down a permit request for
hauling oversized loads on township roads. 

Baugh said he attempted to wave off the workers, with no response.

So Baugh used another tactic to get their attention.

He grabbed a shotgun and stood out in his yard, blocking their path. 

"They totally disregarded me and drove across," Baugh said. "I couldn't
believe it." 

A Will County sheriff's office spokesman said the matter was handled at the
scene. 

Baugh said he produced the proper firearm registration for deputies, who
told him he acted within his rights. IDOT was warned its employees could be
charged with trespassing if a similar incident happens again. 

Baugh was not the only one surprised by the visit.

In August, after complaints from residents and local lawmakers, IDOT
suspended tearing down houses purchased to make room for the airport. 

State Rep. Lisa Dugan (D-Kankakee) said IDOT pledged to conduct a cost
analysis of the properties to determine if they were worth renting while the
airport plans hang in limbo.

Dugan doubts the analysis ever was done.

She accused IDOT of breaking a promise to not raze any homes without
notifying her. 

She said an IDOT official contacted her to apologize after two homes were
torn down Friday. 

"Apology not accepted," Dugan said. "I hate to think they feel it's OK to
blow me off, but I do feel that way."

IDOT spokesman Mike Clayey said attempts were made to reach Dugan's office
earlier in the week. 

He said the state is planning to level 10 houses and two barns in the next
two weeks. The buildings, he said, are too run down to fix. 

Any damage to property not owned by IDOT will be reimbursed, he said. 

"It is part of the process of building an airport," Claffey said. "We feel
we are doing the right thing."

Baugh is left with a muddy swath next to his house. 

He also was told an apology from IDOT is on its way. 

"They can apologize until they are blue in the face," Baugh said. "Bottom
line is you cannot do whatever you ... want to do."


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