Residents, aviation groups flood Bolingbrook board with support for Clow Airport and flight schools

Dozens of residents, flight‑school students and aviation organizations told the Village of Bolingbrook Board on Oct. 28 that Clow International Airport and its on‑site flight schools are vital community assets that should remain open.

The mayor and trustees received a packet of written support and in‑person testimony highlighting Clow’s role in pilot training, local events and economic activity. Joe DePaulo, manager of Bolingbrook’s Clow International Airport, submitted dozens of letters and described steps the airport has taken to reduce neighborhood impacts, such as limiting flight‑school hours, installing signage and using tracking software to review complaints.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) wrote that under federal law and FAA policy the airport sponsor cannot unilaterally change traffic patterns or ban training activity: “noise complaints do not provide a sufficient basis for excluding specific aeronautical users unless supported by an FAA‑approved restriction plan,” the AOPA letter states, and it advised voluntary noise abatement, stakeholder meetings and Part 150 planning where appropriate.

Supporters—students, instructors and local business owners—told the board the flight schools provide scholarships, jobs and educational outreach including Young Eagles flights, the Cavalcade of Planes and museum programming. Wayne Brazinski, owner of JWA Flight Training, said the school has invested in quieter aircraft and limited operations to reduce residential overflights.

Those who trained at JWA described career pathways enabled by nearby training. Several letter writers and speakers cited the airport’s $34 million annual economic contribution as a reason to preserve operations and urged trustees to work with FAA procedures rather than impose local bans.

The board did not vote on any restriction at the Oct. 28 meeting. Mayor Mary S. Alexander‑Basta said village staff and the airport are exploring options and noted ongoing outreach: a Community Matters forum is scheduled for Oct. 30 to include the village attorney and immigration and aviation stakeholders. The packet of letters and the AOPA guidance were entered into the public record.