Story posted Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Gilligan To Step Down As O'Hare Noise Leader
By TODD WESSELL Journal & Topics Editor
Mt. Prospect resident and Elk Grove Township Elementary School Dist. 59 board member Brian Gilligan will soon end his 10-year stint as executive director of the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission.
Gilligan announced at last Friday's commission meeting in Rosemont that he has accepted a full-time teaching job at Morton College in Cicero. He has been employed at the college on a part-time basis teaching business and accounting.
Ten years ago, Gilligan succeeded Mark Fowler as head of the commission that works to decrease the harmful effects of airplane noise at O'Hare Airport.
During his tenure, Gilligan has seen the number of government commission members increase from 25 to around 45. Noise from aircraft taking off and landing at O'Hare has also decreased significantly, said Gilligan, due in large part to quieter aircraft.
One of the commission's primary functions is to also work with the City of Chicago and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fund soundproofing of many homes and schools around the airport. To date, approximately 7,000 homes and 117 schools have been soundproofed.
The commission is funded primarily by the city of Chicago. Its annual budget is $256,000. Gilligan's salary is $85,000 per year plus a benefit stipend.
Among the members of the commission are, Des Plaines, Mt. Prospect, Rosemont, Niles, and Park Ridge along with numerous surrounding school districts.
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