Story posted Thursday, August 27, 2009
Bensenville's 'New Commitment' To O'Hare-West Expansion
By TOM ROBB Journal & Topics Reporter
What a difference a year makes.
One year ago Elk Grove Village and Bensenville were embroiled in a legal battle with the City of Chicago to halt O'Hare Airport expansion plans under former Bensenville Mayor John Giles.
This week, new Bensenville Mayor Frank Soto, who defeated Giles, attended his first meeting as co-chair of the West O'Hare Corridor Implementation Team (WOCIT).
"Bensenville has a new commitment to regional collaboration and we look forward to working with everyone to fulfill this exciting vision," said Soto in a written statement. "The transportation and transit improvements along the Western O'Hare corridor offer unequalled prospects for economic development and I hope to position Bensenville businesses and residents to fully realize those opportunities."
Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson also halted his fight with Chicago after seeing Soto elected on a platform of pulling out of the fight against O'Hare expansion and seeing the planned Elgin O'Hare Western Bypass Expressway routed along O'Hare Airport's edge rather than down Busse Road.
Elk Grove Village also sent planning staff to the WOCIT meeting.
Area municipal officials and DuPage County officials are holding WOCIT meetings to plan development along the new expressway.
A trustee running with Soto last year was quoted as saying he envisioned a, "Rosemont on steroids" from development surrounding the new expressway.
In the past Johnson said he was skeptical the area would become "the Rosemont of the west" but said he supports economic development efforts in the area.
Speak Out!
Comments are edited first by Journal staff before running in print and appearing online.