On Tuesday July 17, State Representative Rosemary Mulligan joined with State Representative Carolyn Krause and hosted a hearing on the possible expansion of O'Hare International Airport.

This gathering was the first opportunity residents surrounding O'Hare were given to voice their opinions on this issue. "The communities that make up the near Northwest suburbs deserve to have their voices heard when it comes to O'Hare expansion proposals. We as residents and legislators in Illinois have a duty to protect out citizens from hasty, backroom airport deals that do not include input from local residents and that may also put them at greater risk," said Mulligan. Rep. Mulligan presides over the Northwest Suburban O'Hare Expansion Public Hearing.. The hearing was the first to be held concerning Mayor Daley's ambitious O'Hare Expansion proposal.

A number of panelists representing the suburbs around O'Hare field were gathered at Park Ridge City Hall to hear testimony from their constituents as well as business and institutional leaders. Panelists included: State Representative Carolyn Krause, State Representative Bob Biggins, State Representative Michael McAuliffe, State Senator David Sullivan, Mayor Ron Wietecha of Park Ridge, Mayor Tony Arredia of Des Plaines, Mayor Gerald "Skip" Farley of Mount Prospect, and State Representative Rosemary Mulligan, who served as chair at the hearing.

Due to the overwhelming turnout of the event, an open seat could not be found. From 1-6 pm expert testimony was offered to the panel followed by a short question and answer session. At 6 pm the residents in attendance were given the opportunity to be heard on the issue. The scheduled seven-hour hearing lasted for two additional hours, finally adjourning at 9:30 pm.

. Among those that testified was Roger Cohen from the Air Transport Association of America. The sole expansion proponent, Cohen faced heavy opposition. To strengthen his case, Cohen pointed out the increasing need for more runways in an effort to decrease layovers and keep flights running on time, adding that ultimately more flights would be added. Cohen also addressed the communities concernabout noise pollution created by airplanes.

Testimony is given to the panel by Roger Cohen of the Air Transport Association.

"According to the FAA, there has been a 54% decrease in noise exposed households just since 1996," Cohen said. However, community members in attendance did not agree with Cohen's figures.

Other groups in attendance were Mothers Against Airport Pollution (MAAP), O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission, Suburban O'Hare Commission (SOC), and Alliance of Residents Concerning O'Hare (AReCO). The City of Chicago, Mayor's Office declined an invitation to participate.

Following expert testimony, residents of nearby towns were invited to share their opinions on the airport expansion. An overwhelming majority spoke against expanding O'Hare. Health issues, and noise and air pollution were targeted as reasons against the O'Hare expansion proposal. Resident testimony also included a variety of alternative plans to Mayor Daley's expansion proposal.