Purpose
The purpose of the Meigs
Caucus is to develop sufficient public support
and government pressure to cause the re-opening
of the historic and unique Meigs Field airport,
and the creation of a museum/park setting
compatible to Chicago’s museum campus and
fabulous lakefront parks system. Meigs was a
valuable asset to Chicago, and if properly run
can again contribute to the economic, business,
cultural, educational and entertainment life of
the city.
Background
In ______, Chicago Mayor
Richard Daley first revealed his intention to
close Meigs Field. Though many in the community,
and around the nation, were shocked and
dismayed, it was believed virtually impossible
to effectively oppose that action by the
powerful mayor in his home town. After the
actual closure of the Airport, there seemed to
be no hope, whatsoever. Several groups rose in
opposition, such as the Friends of Meigs and the
National Pilots Association, While well
intention, they lacked the lobby experience and
resources to meet the challenge alone. This is
exactly the type of challenge that PPC was
designed to meet through a professional,
creative and tenacious lobbying effort. Against
long odds, PPC was credited for the re-opening
of Meigs Field PPC’s roll was recognized at the
time. Friends of Meigs President Steve Whitney
said in a letter, “______.”
PPC’s Meigs Caucus was formed
in 19__ to oppose the closing of Meigs Field
just prior to the time the City of Chicago
closed the airport and painted X’s on the
runways. As a means of gaining public and
legislative support, PPC undertook an aggressive
lobbying effort, both at the grassroots and with
key government agencies and the state
legislature.
PPC created the popular
character, “Mighty Meigs,” which was a huge
success in bringing the Meigs issue to the
public. Thousands of Mighty Meigs t-shirts were
given away or sold by PPC and the Friends of
Meigs.
PPC held public hearings
throughout the city, when the City government
refused to do so.
PPC was the first to propose
an “airport in a park” concept, and idea that
was since. Variations of the PPC park have been
proposed by other civic groups in the interim,
including the Civic Committee of the Commercial
Club of Chicago and the Friends of Meigs.
PPC was the only Meigs
advocate to employ the services of a
professional Springfield lobbyist, Carol Dart.
Her creative input and effective lobby was a
major factor in the success of the legislative
effort. In a letter to PPC, State Representative
Robert Biggins said “______.” PPC originated the
idea of, and lobbied for, a state take over.
Legislation that would have saved Meigs for the
long term foreseeable future was on the verge of
passage when former Governor Jim Edgar, an
avowed supporter for the preservations of Miegs,
announced he had reached a secret deal with
Mayor Daley to keep the airport open for only
five more years, after which the state would
withdraw opposition to any city plan, including
destruction.
While many in the civic
community praised the agreement, the PPC called
it a sell out, and a “postponed execution.”
Former Governor Edgar never adequately explained
his decision to renege on his promises to fight
to preserve Meigs. The fact that Meigs is not
operating today is the direct fault of Edgar’s
betrayal.
Following Mayor Daley’s
illegal midnight attack on Meigs Field, PPC
initially decided to maintain a low profile,
leaving the grassroots portion of the campaign
to the Friends of Meigs, which had grown more
powerful and professional in the intervening
years. Instead, and consistent to the PPC
policy, the group worked behind the scenes to
mount political pressure on the Daley
administration by encouraging federal government
awareness and response. Federal leaders
expressed shock and anger at the destruction of
a federally funded facility in Chicago. Not only
did the Mayor’s action put federal funding at
risk, it also resulted in fines and potential
costly court actions against Chicago.
Despite the view that suggests
there is no chance to re-open Meigs, PPC remains
dedicated to that goal.
Why should Meigs be
rebuilt?
The question of why it should
be rebuilt is a litany of all the reasons it
never should have been destroyed. These include:
Security and Safety.
Despite Mayor Daley’s claims,. The closing of
Meigs was not justified as a security move. Its
presence on the lake does not create a
significant danger since larger aircrafts would
still be required to obey the City’s no fly
zone. In addition, the smaller plans landing at
Meigs would be readily identified upon approach.
Newer and more sophisticated security systems
would be utilized to minimize risk. The fact is,
there are no reckless security option. It was
clear at the time, that the Daley argument was
specious, self-serving and deceptive.
Public Finance. At a
when city expenses are severely restrained, the
transformation of Northerly Island from an
substantial income producer to an enormous
financial drain is not good fiscal policy. Not
only does the city lose from the operations of
Meigs, but it suffers even greater loses (albeit
hidden) from the loss of business due to the
unavailability of Meigs.
Uniqueness. Most cities
would be thrilled to have such a convenient
airport to serve so many purposes.
Medical Emergencies.
Meigs Field served as the landing point for
aircraft bring in organs for transplant. The
number of major local hospitals in the downtown
area meant that that life saving organs could
reach patients more quickly – many times when
the difference between life and death is shorter
than a traffic jam. The City belatedly
recognized this vital service, and proposed a
heliport in the Navy Pier area. Since it only
takes helicopters, and many organs are
transported by small private planes, this is not
a completer solution. The allowance of
helicopters on the lakefront also undermines the
security argument.
Water Rescue. Miegs
Field was, and still is, an ideal location for a
Coast Guard or city water rescue unit. The
closing of Glenview Naval Air Station and Meigs
caused the Coast Guard to base their operations
in Muskegon, Michigan. The longer travel time
can be the difference between rescue and
perishing.
Tourist Attraction. Not
only was Meigs a useful and revenue generating
facility, it was very popular with tourists.
Families would picnic nearby specifically to
watch landings and take offs -- much to the
delight of the children. They would often avail
themselves of lakefront “rides” provided by
tourist services and private pilots. (Pic of
alex)
Business Development.
Many businesses in Illinois, and round the
country, found Meigs a useful landing point. The
closing of Meigs has driven tax producing
businesses to not only seek other airports, but
to find needed services (i.e. law firms,
accounting firms, restaurants, hotels, etc.)
nearer their landing point. Some business even
abandoned Illinois as a place to do business.
Chicago Reputation.
Closing Miegs caused some lose of confidence in
the wisdom and policies of City Hall. Local
business people (many of whom support the PPC
effort) and people in other cities and countries
expressed they shock at the Mayor’s personal
decision to shut down the airport. They
questions more than the Mayor’s “wisdom.” This
reaction was multiplied when the Mayor
personally ordered the destruction of the
runways in a surprise attack that left 16 planes
stranded on the ground. The fact that there were
not hearing or advance notice create an image of
a city run by a despot.
Historic Significance.
Meigs name and existence has been a part of
Chicago history for ________ years. Closing the
airport takes away yet another icon that gave
Chicago its special culture. It gets its name
from ______ Meigs,
___________________________________. It has been
used as a staging area and temporary outdoor
museum for vintage aircraft during Chicago’s
annual air show.
Government Use. The
airport has served as the principle landing spot
for many of Illinois’ top government leaders,
including virtually every recent governor. In
fact, state aircraft were a significant portion
of Meigs business. Several U.S. Presidents used
Miegs for Chicago visits. President George W.
Bush anticipated a helicopter landing even after
the Mayor destroyed the runway. The president
was asked to land in a nearby sports field to
avoid the embarrassment of drawing attention to
Mayor Daley’s actions. City Hall feared that the
national press would show footage of the
destroyed airport, and give the story of the
sneak demolition too much publicity.
Air Traffic Safety. The
closing of Meigs put an additional burden on
O’Hare and Midway for landings, and placed a lot
of less experienced pilots in the airspace of
commercial jet liners. In addition, Meigs served
as an emergency landing site for planes in
trouble over the lake. For emergency purposes,
even larger planes can land at Miegs. Planes
that do not make it to Meigs sadly crash in the
lake. Now, planes in trouble over the lake have
to go the additional distance to Midway. If they
are not successful, they crash in residential
neighborhoods.
PPC Legislation
Caucus
Leader
Cyril Lim
Contact with Mr. Lim may be made through PPC at:
(773) 596-5599
cl (at) thomasandjoyce
(dot) com
Coalition
Support
Friends of Meigs
Field
How you can help!
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is only an example. The links and
buttons on the from below does not work.
Please add my name to the _______.
I wish to volunteer as an active
member of the _________.
Please accept my contribution of
$
for the important work of the
Ballot Access Caucus.
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