THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2008
Chicago 'Invasion' Sets Off Johnson
By TOM ROBB
Journal Reporter
Former Elk Grove Mayor, the late Chick Holdmair, fought off Chicago Mayor Richard Daley from taking village land 50 years ago. Last Friday, current Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson could not stop the current Mayor Daley's administration from taking a piece of the village.
Calling it an "invasion," Johnson announced at the Tuesday night village board meeting that Chicago had taken its first piece of property in Elk Grove for the O'Hare Airport Modernization Program (OMP).
The land is a 24-ft. x 60-ft. parcel located behind a building at 1651-1657 Carmen Dr. on the far eastern edge of the village.
Mayor Johnson recalled his recent his trip to Italy comparing Daley to an Italian feudal king looking down from the fifth floor of his castle in City Hall sending armies to take another king's castle.
"The only difference is he's (Daley) not using spears and javelins, he's using lawyers," Johnson said. "This should make everyone sick to their stomach that this is happening in our village."
Johnson said the economic implications for Elk Grove Village are staggering. The OMP could close one third of the business park shutting 1,000 businesses and costing 30,000 jobs, he said.
Johnson said several years ago when Chicago took land from Des Plaines that city was shortchanged.
"Des Plaines lost $2 million of their taxpayers dollars (in the land deal). It's not right and it makes me sick," said Johnson. "That sucking sound you hear is (Chicago) taking everything in and giving nothing back."
Johnson praised the building's owner, Arthur J. Rogers and Company, who fended off Chicago's attempt to take the building by sitting on the property.
Johnson's ire was not spared on state legislators who gave Chicago the "quick take" authority to go into another municipality and take land.
When the legislation was being considered on the authority Johnson recalled, "I asked (State Senate president) Emil Jones, are we the sacrificial lambs for O'Hare? Emil just laughed and left the room."
Johnson praised the work of the Illinois Dept. of Transportation (IDOT) in keeping the village informed and engaged in the planning process of building roads to accommodate the expanded airport.
Johnson pointed to legal precedents saying that Chicago must prove it can complete the entire project before tearing down one house.
"We will continue the fight," he said. "We have good lawyers."
OMP spokesman Roderick Drew and Arthur J. Rogers and Company did not respond to calls from the Journal & Topics Newspapers for comment.