As the Chief Operating Officer for the City of Chicago, I have the honor of serving our residents by managing the daily operations of City departments and ensuring that we deliver the full extent of services throughout all 77 neighborhoods. Central to these responsibilities is working with community stakeholders to assess their needs and crafting policies that align with the Johnson Administration’s broader goals and community safety initiatives.
While community safety on the Southwest Side unquestionably warrants a broader discussion, the proposed use of the former Illinois National Guard Armory at Midway International Airport as a police station poses significant regulatory, safety and operational challenges.
The City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Aviation are the operators of record for Midway Airport. As such, our highest and most important responsibility is to ensure the safe, effective and efficient operations of the airport. for the benefit of the traveling public and the thousands of public and private sector employees that work at Midway. As a former Commissioner of Aviation for the City of Chicago, I have a unique understanding of the enormity of this responsibility.
The former armory facility, which was built in 1940, is located on the southwest corner of the airport, intersecting a security fence, and is immediately adjacent to the south ramp, putting it extremely close to the end of runway 4R-22L. As it stands today, the facility exceeds standard height limits for structures at that distance to a runway, but it had been allowed due to the essential military aviation mission of the National Guard, which is now no longer applicable. Without Federal Aviation Administration approval, the facility may have to be partially demolished, or runway 4R-22L would have to be shortened.
Any future use of the site or its existing facility must be compatible with airport operations. Any other use would not be permissible under current regulations. The city believes an aeronautical use, such as hangar and maintenance space for police helicopters, would be permitted. But even that use may eventually require partial or full demolition, due to its proximity to the runway. However, use of the facility for a police station is an entirely different proposition.
Equally challenging are the real safety and security concerns associated with converting the armory for public use. Federal regulations require the city to establish and maintain the integrity of the secured area of the airport at all times. Unauthorized access could present a security risk to the national transportation system. Further, any personnel entering the secured area would require additional security screening that could strain existing city resources. Since a police station is communal by nature and would have the public entering and exiting the facility, converting the former armory for that purpose would not meet security standards.
Options to save tax dollars
There have been many public comments by elected officials concerning the Fire Department facility at the corner of 63rd and Laramie. It is considered an aeronautical use location for purposes of applicable regulations, because firefighters would respond in the event of a fire on the airfield. It is also quite a bit further from the end of any runway. Safety regulations require a fire station on or extremely close to the airfield. However, a police station intended to serve the surrounding community would not be considered aeronautical use, even if the police officers stationed there would occasionally patrol the airport terminal.
The city of Chicago is considering a number of different options should it take ownership of the facility and land. One option being considered is the possibility of headquartering our Chicago Police Department air fleet at Midway Airport, as the city currently stores police helicopters at an airport in Indiana. Moving the helicopters to Midway Airport would shorten response times and save tax dollars for decades to come — a significant step as the City of Chicago faces a nearly $1 billion budget deficit and any development must be assessed in that context.
While community safety is one of the highest priorities of the Johnson administration, we must be responsible in making prudent decisions in relation to the safe operations of our airport system.
We are willing partners in any conversations around community safety, and invite Southwest Side alders and residents to join us in our current work with CPD leadership and rank-and-file officers to further reduce crime, as well as investment in our Crisis Assistance Response & Engagement program, expansion of our public mental health services, and work around youth employment and affordable housing.
As it relates to the armory, however, the city’s proposed plan for use is the most viable plan at this time. Failure to comply with airport regulations and FAA requirements could potentially negatively affect the operation of Midway Airport and the economic benefits it provides.
John Roberson is chief operating officer of the city of Chicago.
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