VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE RECENT CHANGES IN AIRPORT NOISE AND TRAFFIC As you are likely aware, Bensenville has been experiencing an increase in airplane noise and traffic from O’Hare International Airport. Why? There are four recent developments that have caused Bensenville residents to experience an increase in airplane noise. First, on October 17, 2013, the flight patterns changed over Bensenville by the commissioning of a new Runway, 10C/28C, which is an east/west runway roughly aligned with Hillside Drive on the North side of Bensenville. Second, the FAA recently issued a federal directive suspending use of the diagonal runways at O’Hare until the completion of a safety study later this year. O’Hare Airport has three diagonal runways. This FAA directive has resulted in more east/west flights over Bensenville. Third, the reduced number of operational runways has contributed to the repeated violations of the Fly-Quiet Program. This program is intended to restrict air traffic on certain runways between 10pm and 7am. Because this program is voluntary and the reduction of operational runways, the program continues to be violated without any consequences. Fourth, the airport has delayed building an additional runway on the north side of O’Hare. This runway, when built, was intended to relieve the number of flights over Bensenville. Although the Village’s lawsuits attempting to stop the airport expansion ended unsuccessfully long ago, new issues are the cause of the increase in flights over Bensenville. Because of these significant changes, Bensenville has taken a proactive approach to address these issues impacting our community. Village officials have appeared before federal lawmakers and Congressional Aviation staffers, in Washington D.C. to address Bensenville’s concerns regarding the current airport operations and to offer potential solutions to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Congress. The Village also sees possible solutions at the State Level. Bensenville is seeking legislation to enact a better method for measuring noise than the current averaging of day and night noise levels. A best practice for noise measurement currently in place in the State of California is the CNEL. We will be working with our State Legislators to adopt this standard, which will bring relief to many households surrounding the airport. In the Village, Village President Soto created the O’Hare Impact Committee, which holds regular public meetings to discuss airport related issues and to provide updates to concerned stakeholders. The Committee recently suggested the acquisition and installation of noise monitors throughout town to understand the true impacts of these air traffic changes in Bensenville. In the past, the Village efforts had been limited to costly lawsuits which ended unsuccessfully years ago. Now the Village is working towards solutions proactively on multiple levels to bring immediate relief to residents. We are not alone, many other communities have faced or are facing similar issues across the country. Village President Soto is a member of NOISE (www.aviation-noise. org) , a national organization that allows him to work with leaders from other communities throughout the country who are also experiencing similar airport noise issues such as Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Denver. The Village is also working with others here at home. The Village recently joined the organization called FAiR (www.fairchicago. org), which is a grassroots organization that advocates for fair usage of runways at O’Hare as not to negatively impact one community over another. The Village has also been working with other local communities to pass referendum questions showing our Federal and State leaders that we want to be heard and these issues are important to us. Many communities surrounding O’Hare and Midway Airport are placing similar referendum questions on the ballot this November.
B Well Family Fest! The Bensenville Youth Services Coalition has begun a year-long initiative: B WELL BENSENVILLE | Building a Healthy Community. The kick off event is Saturday, September 13, 2014 and will include The B Well Bensenville Progressive Walk-A-Thon, co-sponsored by Girl Scout Troop 50111. The Walk-A-Thon will begin at 10:00 am at Tiny Tot School - Bensenville Park District with progressive stops along the way to Redmond Park, as well as an afternoon of physical activities, entertainment, healthy food and an information fair. Parking will be available at each site and shuttle buses will return to each from Redmond Park.
Scarecrow Festival Craft Show Saturday | September 20 | 10 am-3 pm First United Methodist Church 328 South Church Road Bensenville | Illinois 60106 Come out and build a scarecrow (for free!) to take home! We provide the clothing and straw for you to make a one of a kind scarecrow to take home for your yard! One per family, per household. Bake sale, chili cook-off, entertainment, children’s games, and more! For more information contact Janine @ 630 462 3696. IN THIS ISSUE Village of Bensenville Bensenville Community Public Library Fenton Community High School Bensenville Park District Elementary School District 2 Fire Department Community Events
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The statements and opinions expressed in this newsletter do not reflect the views, opinions, thoughts or beliefs of each member organization. The member organizations are not responsible for opinions or statements made individually or by other organizations. For information, contact sparkison@benlib.org. Deadline for November/ December is September 29, 2014.
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