09.02.20

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $25.5 Million For Airport Improvements Around Illinois

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced a total of $25.5 million in federal funding for airport improvements around Illinois. The funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grants and will be used for a variety of critical infrastructure and safety projects.

“Investing in our airports is key to Illinois’ economic success, especially as communities recover from the effects of COVID-19,” Durbin said. “This funding will help modernize our aviation infrastructure and provide important safety improvements. I will continue working with Senator Duckworth to ensure all corners of our state have access to these federal investments.”

“These federal investments at airports across Illinois will go a long way toward enhancing safety and operations,” Duckworth said. “This funding will also help ensure our state’s airports have additional resources to support local jobs and improve the traveler experience during and after this pandemic. Along with Senator Durbin, I will continue to push for funding that makes Illinois airports safer and more reliable.”

The following entities will receive funding:

  • University of Illinois Willard Airport (Savoy): $1,470,000 to install runway vertical/visual guidance system
  • Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois (Marion): $1,325,829 to acquire snow removal equipment and install perimeter fencing
  • Quad City International (Moline): $2,897,860 to acquire aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicle and improve terminal building
  • General Downing – Peoria International (Peoria): $1,100,000 to expand apron and strengthen runway
  • Scott Air Force Base/MidAmerica Airport (Belleville): $6,481,606 to expand terminal building
  • Chicago/Rockford International Airport (Rockford): $400,000 to conduct noise compatibility control study 
  • Quincy Regional?Baldwin Field (Quincy): $1,111,111 to  acquire snow removal equipment and reconstruct runway
  • Central IL Regional Airport at Bloomington?Normal (Bloomington): $1,637,172 to acquire snow removal equipment and construct apron
  • The State of Illinois: $9,083,331 for the State Block Grant Program, designated for nonprimary airports

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