02.15.24

Durbin, Duckworth Secure Over $44 Million for Chicago O'Hare, Crawford County, and St. Louis Airport Renovations

SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced a combined $44,250,000 million in federal funding for Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Crawford County Airport, and St. Louis Downtown Airport from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Airport Terminal Program (ATP)—which Durbin pushed to add to the bill.

“Upgrading O’Hare, Crawford, and St. Louis Downtown airports means enhancing safety and creating a more efficient travel experience for all Illinoisans,” said Durbin. “This funding serves as a down payment for the long-term economic success of our state, laying the groundwork for growth, connectivity, and prosperity for generations to come.”

“Thanks to the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Illinois is on a path to rebuild our aviation infrastructure while creating good-paying jobs for Illinoisans,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud that O’Hare, Crawford, and St. Louis Downtown airports will reap 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.”

A breakdown of the funding and its intended purpose are as follows:

  • Chicago O’Hare Airport ($40,000,000) – This award funds improvements to Terminal 3 to include increasing the central passenger corridor width, a reconfigured TSA checkpoint, new hold room, a new ADA compliant and family restroom, and updates to the baggage system.
  • Crawford County Airport ($3,800,000) – This award funds construction of a new 6,300 sq ft ADA compliant and climate change resilient terminal.
  • St. Louis Downtown Airport ($450,000) – This award funds design to replace the existing, aging, and inefficient 1980 terminal building. It includes the construction of a bus stop, which provides access to the Bi-State transit system and better meets the needs of airport users.

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