03.01.23

Durbin, Duckworth Secure $66.5 Million For Chicago O’Hare, Peoria, And St. Louis Airport Renovations

SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth today announced a combined $66.5 million in federal funding for Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Peoria International Airport, and St. Louis Downtown Airport from theInfrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Airport Terminal Program (ATP). Chicago O'Hare International Airport, awarded $50,000,000, will use these funds to rehabilitate and expand the 60-year-old Terminal 3. This is the largest grant amount awarded under the program this fiscal year. General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, awarded $14,010,000, will use these funds to replace the airport traffic control tower. St. Louis Downtown Airport, in Cahokia, Illinois, awarded $2,500,000, will use these funds to reconstruct and modernize the existing 1980 terminal building.  

“Investing in transportation hubs across Illinois will help create a safer and more efficient experience for travelers at O’Hare, Peoria, and St. Louis Airports,” said Durbin.“This federal funding serves as a down payment for the long-term economic success and well-being of our state. I’ll continue working with Senator Duckworth to bring Illinois’ infrastructure up-to-date with the 21st century.”

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is putting Illinois on a path to rebuild our aviation infrastructure while also helping working Illinoisans find good-paying jobs,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud that O’Hare, Peoria and St. Louis airports will experience the benefits of this bill Senator Durbin and I supported, which will help families all across our state have better, safer, and more accessible travel experiences.”

Durbin pushed to add to the Airport Terminal Program to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Durbin and Duckworth also added a provision to allow Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants to be used to upgrade air traffic control towers owned by airports, which have traditionally been left out of consideration for FAA funding.

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