Senate may spare airport choppers
Lake
County News-Sun
July 16, 2010
U.S.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Thursday he secured a legislative
provision that will prevent closing the Coast Guard helicopter station
at Waukegan Regional Airport.
“The Coast Guard helicopters stationed in Waukegan are critical to the safety of Illinoisans who use the Great Lakes for both recreation and business,” said Durbin.
“Moving the station to Michigan would more than double the time needed to respond to emergencies near Chicago. I am committed to seeing that this provision is approved by the full Senate and signed into law,” he said.
The provision is included in the 2011 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill was approved Thursday by the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which Durbin is a member.
The Coast Guard has proposed moving the helicopter crews operating at Coast Guard air facilities at Waukegan and Muskegon, Mich., to Traverse City, Mich. While that proposal would require congressional approval before relocation, Durbin’s provision would ensure that both crews will continue operating at both the Waukegan and Muskegon facilities.
The Coast Guard rescue unit based at the Waukegan airport during the Lake Michigan boating season was launched a decade ago. Since 2004, helicopter crews have performed 23 rescues on Lake Michigan.
Durbin said Waukegan Port District officials asked for his assistance in keeping the helicopters at the airport.
“The Coast Guard helicopters stationed in Waukegan are critical to the safety of Illinoisans who use the Great Lakes for both recreation and business,” said Durbin.
“Moving the station to Michigan would more than double the time needed to respond to emergencies near Chicago. I am committed to seeing that this provision is approved by the full Senate and signed into law,” he said.
The provision is included in the 2011 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill was approved Thursday by the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which Durbin is a member.
The Coast Guard has proposed moving the helicopter crews operating at Coast Guard air facilities at Waukegan and Muskegon, Mich., to Traverse City, Mich. While that proposal would require congressional approval before relocation, Durbin’s provision would ensure that both crews will continue operating at both the Waukegan and Muskegon facilities.
The Coast Guard rescue unit based at the Waukegan airport during the Lake Michigan boating season was launched a decade ago. Since 2004, helicopter crews have performed 23 rescues on Lake Michigan.
Durbin said Waukegan Port District officials asked for his assistance in keeping the helicopters at the airport.