Chicago Executive Airport director calls project "largest" in airport history, credits Sky Harbor cooperation

Chicago Executive Airport’s executive director told attendees that acquiring and preparing the site for Sky Harbor’s hangar campus involved substantial obstacles, including stormwater mitigation, proximity to the Cook County Forest Preserve and a prior hotel on the parcel.

"We mentioned the storm water, we mentioned we have the Cook County Forest Preserve right behind us, we have the river, we had an old hotel here," he said, describing why the site was difficult to develop. He repeatedly praised Sky Harbor for flexibility and cooperation during the acquisition and permitting phases.

The director called the project "the pinnacle" and the "largest project" the airport has had and thanked board members, staff and municipal partners for their work. He said he expects the participants to return in about a year for the ribbon‑cutting ceremony and expressed pride in the airport’s team and the new campus.

No specific construction schedule or budget numbers were provided during the ceremony; the director emphasized collaboration among the airport, Sky Harbor and municipal authorities as the next step.