The Waukegan National Airport needs required safety improvements to continue generating jobs and vital tax revenues for Lake County.
The Situation
Lake County depends on Waukegan National Airport for as an important economic, medical and strategic connection point.
The airport’s primary runway, known as Runway 5/23, has reached the end of its useful life. The airport is required by the Federal Aviation Administration to update its infrastructure to meet today’s federal safety regulations
Fortunately, due to careful planning, the airport can complete the project while continuing to operate by building the replacement runway alongside the existing Runway 5/23.
Waukegan National Airport’s Impact on the Local Economy
900
JOBS
The number of local jobs the airport currently supports
$181
MILLION
Annual contribution to the local economy
$236
MILLION
Annual contribution to the local economy by 2030
25,000+
Number of people who work for companies that depend on the airport for business operations
Data collected by Illinois Department of Transportation
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Waukegan National Airport
Safety Improvement Project Plans
What Would Change at the Airport?
A new 7,000-foot replacement runway would be about 1,000 feet longer than the current one and meet all federal safety laws and regulations
Required runway safety areas would extend the airport boundary and act as buffers at the ends of the runway to enhance safe operations
New taxiways would be located at required distances from the runway for safe operations
What Would NOT Change at the Airport?
No commercial passenger operations (No United, American, Southwest, etc.)
No large cargo operations (No UPS, FedEx, Amazon, etc.)
No significant increase in flights. Today’s rate of takeoffs and landings may increase two or three per day over the next 10 years
No change in type of aircraft using the airport
What Happens if the Safety Improvements Aren’t Made?
The airport is required to meet FAA standards.
Without the new runway replacement project, the airport would be closed for 3 years to reconstruct the existing runway, significantly reducing its economic contributions to the region
A reconstructed runway could be shorter than what exists today, limiting future operations
Businesses that depend on the airport may go elsewhere and might not return when the airport reopens
Emergency responders and critical healthcare users would lose the ability to serve the area
The future sustainability of the airport would be stymied
Land Revitalization
Should the Waukegan National Airport’s Safety Improvement Project move forward, it could provide support for a section of a new multi-use trail connector and revitalize a portion of the natural savanna.
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A new trail is envisioned to run east to west on the Lake County Forest Preserve land adjacent to the Airport’s proposed purchase. This trail, along with other sections, will eventually connect existing trails and link communities, such as Waukegan, which have been historically not been linked to the county’s regional trail system.
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As part of the ongoing Environmental Assessment, the land is currently being surveyed for endangered flora and fauna. Invasive species can degrade and stifle native flora and fauna. The Waukegan National Airport will improve the quality of and create a sustainable environment, as appropriate, in the land purchase from Lake County Forest Preserve.
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Currently, a portion of the Lake County Forest Preserve land that would be acquired for the Safety Improvement Project is wetlands. Waukegan National Airport plans to follow all local, state and federal regulations for wetland mitigation.
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This is a safety improvement project.
This is not an airport expansion.
I never use this airport, so how does it benefit me?
The airport is a foundational pillar of Lake County’s economy, as it is used by law enforcement and emergency responders, critical healthcare providers, flight training schools and local businesses, all whom depend on the airport.
