Letter to Rosemarie Andolino, Commissioner of Aviation City of Chicago - Improve O'Hare Noise Complaint Process

Letter

November 10, 2014

Rosemarie S. Andolino

Commissioner of Aviation

City of Chicago

Dear Commissioner Andolino:

We are writing to strongly urge the Chicago Department of Aviation to take immediate steps to improve the CDA's noise complaint process at O'Hare International Airport.

In the year since the opening of runway 10C/28C and the initiation of predominant east-west flight patterns, our offices have fielded one unvarying complaint from constituents: their voices aren't being heard. Our constituents in Chicago have told us repeatedly that their calls are often dropped or not answered in a reasonable time. Our constituents from the Suburbs are sometimes told their calls can't be taken. It's no wonder that many of our constituents feel that the very system put in place to record their concerns is simply ignoring them instead.

Given that many constituents do not have easy computer access to file a complaint online, we believe it's imperative that the City fund and operate a telephone hotline that accurately and compassionately responds to noise complaints. Accordingly, we believe CDA needs to open in the very near future its own dedicated O'Hare noise complaint line, manned by personnel versed on the noise issue. Once we can eliminate the dropped or ignored calls, we can begin to get a truly accurate count of constituent complaints.

With concern over noise from the O'Hare Modernization Program at record levels, the public needs to know its voice is being heard. We look forward to working with your office in any way possible to make the new complaint line a reality as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

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