STAND is requesting your help to write a letter to the Governor. Because of the significant changes happening in Springfield and the dire economic situation we feel it is of absolute importance that each and every member of STAND make the time to write a personal letter to Governor Blagojevich. We hope to make this letter writing process easier by providing you with ideas to use in your letter to Governor Blagojevich. We need to let him know that we as taxpaying Illinois residents want to Shut This Airport Nightmare Down.  

PERSONAL IMPACT STATEMENT – handwritten would be best!

This type of letter might be especially good if you are a resident in either the initial or eventual footprint of the proposed airport.  In not too graphic of terms explain how the threat of this WHOLE process has affected you and your family perhaps physically and/or financially as well.  For example, are you unable to make any improvements to your home or land?  Can't sell your home or property to a private seller because of the airport threat?  Have you experienced any loss of income, or been unable to refinance your home loan?  Keep to the facts, but explain what level of destruction this situation has brought upon you personally.

ENVIRONMENTAL - Here are some basic facts to use in your letter regarding the environment.

1. The construction of this airport will destroy 24,000 acres of farmland and will eventually have a devastating effect on farming as a righteous and noble industry.
2. 120 million pounds of extra trash will be dumped in to our communities, including over 3 million pounds of hazardous & industrial wastes.
3. There will be an increase in the demand for water by almost 50 million gallons a day.  Where will this supply of water be coming from? Equally importantly, where will the water runoff go? There are only 2 small water retention ponds planned for at this time.
4. The Kankakee River is considered to be one of the most pristine waters in Illinois, the proposed Peotone airport site is part of the Kankakee River watershed.
5. The construction of this airport will lead to over 140 million pounds of NEW air pollution in Kankakee, Will, Southern Cook, and Lake Counties.

1. There is no infrastructure - $1.5 billion would have to be generated to build infrastructure around the airport footprint.
2. NO AIRLINES HAVE COMMITTED to flying in or out of this airport! This includes both commercial and cargo airline companies.
3. The State of Illinois is already in a $5 billion deficit.  How low can we go?
4. Will Township will lose 59% of its revenue.  Monee, Beecher and Peotone Fire Protection Districts will lose between 10% - 25% of its revenues.  

So we don't look like NIMBY's (Not In My Back Yard), we're NOMAD's (Not On My American Dream), please offer these as wise alternatives to any transportation problems the State of Illinois might be facing.

1. Mayor Daley is going full steam ahead with his plans for reconfiguring and expanding O'Hare.  (He's even talking about using private money vs. state money.)
2. Midway Airport - Gorgeous, safe, easily accessible and was able to accommodate over 15 million passengers on more than 300,000 flights in 2000.
3. Gary/Chicago Airport - it's like the little kid in the back of the classroom who always has his hand up with the RIGHT answer.  Mayor Daley has legally appropriated over $1 million dollars to improve the airport and it shows.  It's just 25 miles from the Loop and close to many southern and southeastern suburbs.  It is also close to many major highways, byways and train lines.
4. High Speed Rail - this is already under construction throughout the Midwest.  Even if only 1/3 of all air passengers were to take high-speed rail, that could eliminate well over 50,000 flights from Chicago-area airports - thus no need for the proposed Peotone Airport site.

Again, the above-listed are mere suggestions and guidelines.  Gov. Blagojevich needs to hear from us, and it's important for us to be heard.  You may direct your letters to the Governor at either of the addresses below. You may want to fax a copy of your letter as well.

207 State House 100 W. Randolph, Suite 16-100 FAX # (312) 814-1743

Springfield, IL  62706 Chicago, IL 60601

Thank you for your time and your participation! Remember there IS strength in numbers!