Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Colleagues Call on FAA to Swiftly Consider Proposal By Community Leaders To Reduce Aircraft Noise From Chicago O’Hare

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, alongside Congressman Mike Quigley, Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, sent a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Whitaker urging the FAA swiftly consider the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission’s (ONCC) proposal to update the current Fly Quiet Program guidelines. In coordination with the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), the ONCC has been working to reduce the impact of aircraft noise for communities surrounding Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for years. Congressman Krishnamoorthi and his colleagues, who are all members of the Congressional Quiet Skies Caucus and represent constituents who live around one of the busiest airports in the country, have continued to advocate for their constituents in Congress for as little noise pollution as possible for those living under flight paths.

“We all know how valuable uninterrupted sleep can be, and my neighbors and constituents who live near Chicago O’Hare deserve as little avoidable aircraft noise as possible,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “As a proud member of the Congressional Quiet Skies Caucus, I can say with confidence that the Fly Quiet program has been a game changer for those living near the airport, and thanks to the continued work of the ONCC and CDA, noise impacts on students and families living in aviation flight paths have decreased. I urge the FAA to swiftly work with the ONCC and CDA to update the Fly Quiet program and to respond to the remaining concerns about aircraft noise in our communities.”

The Fly Quiet program, voluntarily agreed to by O’Hare in 1997, has significantly reduced noise pollution for those living under flight paths by diverting aircraft to fly over less-populated areas, such as industrial and commercial zones, between the hours of 10pm and 7am. The CDA has been working to mitigate nighttime noise pollution since the 1970s, and the ONCC has been advocating for those living near the airport since its founding in 1996.

The full letter is available here.