Governor Pat Quinn makes history at Governors State University!

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn speaking in the Hall of Governors

Heads turned and the crowd roared as Illinois Governor Pat Quinn arrived in GSU’s Hall of Governors around 10:30 a.m. on July 25^th to sign the Senate 20 bill (SB-20). The bill’s signing allows the Illinois Department of Transportation to enter into a public-private partnership, which will likely result in the construction of the South Suburban airport.Illinois Governor Pat Quinn speaking in the Hall of Governors

According to the South Suburban Airports official website, this new global transportation hub has been over 30 years in the making, and will employ more than 11,000 construction workers to build the airport and 14,000 people when operational. Will County is the ideal location for the South Suburban Airport because of its existing major highway and railroad infrastructure, its growing population and the nearby presence of many global logistics firms.

In her opening remarks, GSU President Elaine P. Maimon shared with the crowd a comment made by Governor Quinn. According to Maimon, he loves the GSU campus. And this is a good thing because GSU is a state institution! “Part of what they do is support higher education in the state of Illinois,” says GSU’s Assistant VP of Marketing and Communications, Rhonda Brown. “…We’re a part of that system, so it’s very exciting to have so many legislators…the governor, as well as mayors to support us especially in a transitioning time.” By “transitioning time” she means the first freshmen class that is due to arrive in the fall of 2014.

After the President Maimon introduced him, Governor Quinn and other speakers ranging from Illinois Senators to County Executives spoke about their shared hope for the impact the airport would make on the economy, as well as how it will benefit GSU by having the campus act as a training ground for students who want to jobs as construction workers for the airport. He believes it will help build a better economy in the south suburbs by creating over 25,000 middle-class jobs, and forming a strong cargo capacity, the unloading and distribution of goods, in that region once completed. Although there are many other reasons why they are behind the construction of this airport, they particularly stressed the fact that it will provide thousands of jobs. According to Governor Quinn, “If you’re breathing, you’re working in Illinois.”

Still, the airports development remains hugely controversial.  Protesters believe it is unnecessary because it will interfere with O’Hare airport, and disrupt the region that they live in. Also, contrary to what Governor Quinn says, landowners believe that it will actually further damage the economy instead of improving it.

The South Suburban Airport will be Chicago’s third major airport and will be located in Will County near Peotone. The airport is going to be a cargo as well as passenger airport.

For more information on the South Suburban airport, visit www.SouthSuburbanAirport.com.