SPRINGFIELD – More people who live near O’Hare and Midway could soon be eligible for sound insulation programs through legislation led by State Senator Laura Murphy.
“With the ongoing expansion and upgrades at O’Hare Airport, we must be proactive in adjusting to the traffic this expansion will bring,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “Increased air traffic means increased noise, so this legislation recognizes that we should be providing insulation to any new households that need it.”
Murphy’s Senate Bill 4041 would require O’Hare and Midway airports to conduct studies every five years on eligibility for residential sound insulation programs. The studies would use modern modeling techniques to collect data, aiming to ensure every household exposed to excessive noise from the airports is eligible for sound insulation assistance.
The legislation would address the impact of the Airport Modernization Program at O’Hare Airport, which plans to add three million square feet of new space and an increase of 25% to gate capacity.
The Residential Sound Insulation Program covers the areas around O’Hare and Midway, helping to insulate homes and reduce noise from airplanes that disturbs residents. Since its establishment, the RSIP has insulated more than 12,000 homes near O’Hare Airport, which borders Murphy’s district.
Senate Bill 4041 passed the Senate on Wednesday.
