The City of Chicago says it could start demolishing homes it owns in Bensenville as early as next Friday for its O’Hare expansion project, but Bensenville officials vow to do whatever it takes to bar the bulldozers.
A court hearing Friday failed to resolve a dispute over whether Chicago needs permits to tear down as many as 370 properties it has acquired in Bensenville as part of the $15 billion O’Hare Modernization Program.
Thus, the stage appears set for a confrontation on the streets of Bensenville if the city goes ahead with plans to send in demolition crews. Bensenville promised to issue stop-work orders and arrest anyone who ignores them.
“We’re ready,” said Roderick Drew, spokesman for the O’Hare project. “We’re confident we’re going to move forward with demolition.” He said the city was consulting with contractors.
To Bensenville, the city appears “hell-bent on a confrontation,” said Joseph Karaganis, an attorney for the village. “One would hope the City of Chicago would exercise prudence,” he said. “If they choose to proceed, Bensenville will follow its traditional enforcement powers.”
The threats were the latest skirmish in the long-running battle between Chicago and foes of O’Hare expansion, led primarily by Bensenville and Elk Grove Village.
In addition to other suburbs, Chicago has acquired 437 of 611parcels of property east of York Road and north and south of Irving Park Road needed for the massive runway expansion.
In an informal, closed-door meeting Friday, both sides presented their arguments in the demolition issue to DuPage County Judge Stephen Culliton, but Culliton declined to intervene, saying he didn’t have jurisdiction. Karaganis said the village might seek a declaratory judgment on the validity of Bensenville’s recently amended demolition ordinance, which makes it tougher for Chicago to tear down the properties. A key provision puts the onus on Chicago to prove it can complete the O’Hare project, which is at least $400 million over budget and behind schedule.
Chicago contends it does not have to obtain demolition permits from Bensenville, under the state law authorizing the O’Hare project.
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