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Posted on February 18, 2009 12:47 AM
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FLIP and the O'Hare Modernization Project

by Diana Torres
2/18/09

TheFuture Leaders in Planning (FLIP) youth leadership development program recently visited the   O'Hare Modernization Project (OMP). FLIP participants have been exposed to issues of transportation, land use, environment and natural resources, housing, economic development and human services. During our time at OMP, we were able to learn about the history of the project and intended future of the initiative. In addition, we were granted access to a bus tour of the neighboring community as well as within the modernization project limits—a special treat for the FLIP students. For this opportunity, CMAP would like to thank the OMP staff.

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All of the students who attended the visit to the airport concluded that the O'Hare Modernization Project was an asset to the region. When asked to reflect on their experiences, students shared their thoughts and questions. Below are a few of the participants' responses in their own words. 

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  • The pros outweigh the cons. That is, the reduction of delays and the increase of revenue and jobs are more profitable to the region. (Ben P.)
  • OMP will help the region expand. (Lois K.)
  • The expansion will bring in more commerce, tourism and business to Chicago and will allow O'Hare to better handle the massive amount of air traffic through the city. (Ryan A.)
  • OMP will bring in new jobs and help the city gain standing on the world stage. (Lynda L.)
  • The project will benefit the public because it will generate a substantial amount of money for government use, create jobs and ensure that Chicago remains competitive and even “gets ahead of the game” internationally. (Elizabeth L.)
  • Even though OMP is displacing some people, the overall increase of revenue and productivity overwhelms the losses in the community. (Rachel G.)
  • OMP is essential because due to continuous population growth, the airport will not only benefit the region but also the people who use the airport for business. (Matt Z.)
  • OMP creates a huge boost economically and it brings people into the economy. (Johni C.)
  • It will help our region out financially and it may also help us out with the recession. (Paula Y.)
  • The project will benefit our communities economically in a variety of great ways: drawing workforce, businesses, tourism and generating growth of jobs. (Laura B.)
 

About FLIP: The Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program is designed to introduce high school participants from the region to a wide range of urban planning issues and engender a sense of citizenship and investment in the metropolitan area. Participants will be exposed to current regional concerns through a variety of means—expert interviews with professionals, field visits, multimedia tools and classroom instruction—and will ultimately present their findings and recommendations to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) Board at the completion of the program in the Spring of 2009. For more information, please contact Diana Torres at  dtorres(at)cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8774.

Update!

In order to ensure a ballanced perspective on this issue, we have added a series of links to information on the OMP.  We encourage youth and adults to read through these and form your own opinion.

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