Elk Grove Village Dismisses Lawsuit Against FAA Over Noise At O'Hare

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL — Thanking the Federal Aviation Administration "for continuing to work in good faith" related to the permanent Fly Quiet Program at O'Hare Airport, Elk Grove Village announced Thursday it is dismissing a lawsuit it filed against the agency in October.

The lawsuit stemmed from what officials said was an uneven use of the Fly Quiet Program at O'Hare, which encourages pilots to use preferred runways at night.

"We filed this lawsuit to ensure that the FAA complies with the National Environmental Policy Act and all other federal laws related to the permanent Fly Quiet Program at O'Hare," Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson said. "We aren't seeking special treatment and we aren't trying to unduly shift the burden of nighttime noise to our neighbors."

Johnson said he thinks an equal distribution of nighttime noise will "give all residents intermittent relief."

According to the Village, the FAA is the federal agency in charge of completing an environmental review related to the permanent Fly Quiet Program at O’Hare. They said the FAA has confirmed that it will comply with the National Environmental Policy Act. NEPA requires a formal public process so that all interested stakeholders can review and comment on major federal actions, like the permanent Fly Quiet Program.

Officials said the Village will continue to monitor a review of the Fly Quiet Program "closely until a final decision is made and an equitable Fly Quiet Program is established."