By Steve Neal, Chicago Sun-Times
Monday, July 15, 2002
Rep. William O. Lipinski's legislation to codify O'Hare expansion into federal law is likely to be approved today by a vote of the U.S. House.
Lipinski, 64, ranking Democrat on the House Aviation subcommittee, has spent months forging a bipartisan coalition in support of the $6.6 billion O'Hare expansion plan.
"Everyone in Congress recognizes that O'Hare is the linchpin of the American aviation system and that it also has a significant impact on international aviation," Lipinski said. "When there are delays at O'Hare, it affects the entire aviation system. There is a recognition in the House that to make the system work, you must absolutely expand O'Hare."
In December 2000, Lipinski got House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert's commitment that he wouldn't oppose O'Hare expansion if Gov. Ryan and Mayor Daley reached agreement. This was a major breakthrough for Lipinski because collar-county Republicans have led the opposition to O'Hare expansion.
Less than two months into George W. Bush's presidency, Lipinski flew from Chicago to Washington with him on Air Force One. Hastert and Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (R-Ill.) were on the same flight. Lipinski used his time with Bush to make a pitch for O'Hare expansion.
Bush then referred Lipinski to White House chief of staff Andrew Card, a former U.S. transportation secretary. Lipinski got a sympathetic hearing from Card, who understands the importance of ending delays at O'Hare.
In June 2001, Lipinski introduced legislation that would void state laws regulating the construction or expansion of airports. Illinois and Maryland are the only states in which the governor has veto power over airport expansion. Last August, Ryan testified against Lipinski's bill, making the argument that O'Hare's future should be determined at the state and local levels. But Ryan became more open to a deal with Daley on learning that Lipinski's bill was gaining momentum.
When Ryan and Daley reached agreement last December, Lipinski lined up bipartisan support for federal approval of O'Hare expansion. The importance of Lipinski's legislation is that it guarantees that the O'Hare plan will be carried out and can't be undone by a future mayor or governor who might have a different political agenda.
Lipinski's legislation is pegged to approval of the O'Hare plan by the Federal Aviation Administration. There is every indiction that the FAA will endorse the Daley/Ryan agreement.
The Lipinski bill stipulates that western access to O'Hare passenger terminals and parking facilities must be part of O'Hare expansion. Hastert, who lives in Yorkville, is a longtime proponent of western access.
As part of Lipinski's bill, the future of Meigs Field is assured for 24 years. The bill also states that the proposed airport at Peotone should receive full consideration by the FAA and that expansion proposals at the Gary and Rockford airports also should be considered.
Rep. John L. Mica, the Florida Republican who chairs the Aviation subcommittee, Rep. Don Young of Alaska, the GOP chairman of the full committee, and Rep. James Oberstar of Minnesota, ranking Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, provided Lipinski with critical help in passing the O'Hare bill out of committee.
Downstate Democrat Jerry Costello and Republicans Mark Kirk of Kenilworth and Tim Johnson of Sidney, who serve on the Aviation subcommittee, were also most helpful to Lipinski on the O'Hare legislation.
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) has indicated that the O'Hare legislation will be approved by the full Senate. Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), a late convert to O'Hare expansion, has followed Lipinski's lead and is the bill's sponsor. Fitzgerald is threatening to filibuster, but his colleagues are running out of patience with his petty obstructionism and have vowed to cut off debate.
Since former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.) left the House in 1994, Lipinski has been the most productive member of the city's congressional delegation. Several years ago, Hastert helped Lipinski deliver $832 million in federal dollars for the CTA. The O'Hare bill is even more important to the city's future.
On a personal level, this week will also be memorable for Lipinski. His son Dan, who teaches political science at the University of Tennessee, is in Washington doing research for a book about Congress. He has already interviewed more than 100 members.
On Wednesday, Lipinski and his wife, Rose Marie, are attending a state dinner at the White House in honor of Polish President Aleksander Kwasnieski. Two decades ago, Lipinski declined a similar invitation from the Reagan White House. This is the first time he's been invited back for a state function.
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