Lawmakers Announce Bipartisan Effort to Help Families Impacted by Expansion of O’Hare

Chicago - On Tuesday, a group of legislators from Chicago and the suburbs announced their bipartisan effort to help bring relief to the more than one million residents impacted by adverse noise from O’Hare International Airport.

According to Rep. Christine Winger (R-Wood Dale) many constituents have suffered the endless noise from O’Hare for many years.  Others are experiencing the excruciating ill effects of aircraft noise for the very first time with the addition of the newest runway that opened last October. Still more can expect to join the ranks of those enduring aircraft noise when future runways become operational.

“Our constituents are discouraged by the seeming lack of concern by the Chicago Department of Aviation and the FAA,” said Winger. “Their daily lives are in the hands of these two entities whose missions, quite frankly, do not include protecting the health and quality of life of area residents. That’s why we need to get involved.”

State Representative Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago) and Senators Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) and John Mulroe (D-Chicago) joined Rep. Winger in outlining their legislative plan that would reduce the noise level from O’Hare, help constituents soundproof their homes and identify the ill effects of O’Hare on the people living in the communities impacted by noise.  

"Every day I hear from my constituents about the difficulty of living near O'Hare because of recent moves being made beyond their control, said Rep. Michael McAuliffe. “We're calling on our friends in the legislature to help us fight on their behalf.”

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Sen. Murphy reacts to Gov. Rauner’s MAP grant veto

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the statement below following Gov. Rauner’s veto of MAP grant funds.

“It’s disappointing that two days after the governor identified education as his top priority, he vetoed funds that give 120,000 students an opportunity to go to college. We have to fund these grants to give Illinois students a chance at a better future.”

Sen. Murphy reacts to Governor Rauner’s budget address

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the statement below following Gov. Rauner’s second annual Budget Address.

“While I do appreciate the governor’s call to live within our means, Democrats and Republicans must come together to invest in our neediest populations,” Murphy said.

“Last year, the governor drastically slashed programs for people with autism on World Autism Day and proposed cutting services to women with breast and cervical cancer. Giving him total control of the budget could have drastic consequences for our state’s most vulnerable citizens.”

Sen. Murphy joins students to deliver MAP grant funding to governor

SPRINGFIELD – Nearly 100 students from Illinois colleges joined State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) and other legislators today to deliver Senate Bill 2043 to Governor Rauner. The legislation, which recently passed the Senate and House with large majorities, provides funding for Monetary Award Program grants, or MAP grants.  

“Today, I stand with the 1,900 students in the 28th district who have so far been abandoned this year because of the lack of funding for MAP grants,” said Murphy. “Eliminating these funds is short-sighted and will have a long term impact on our state economy.”
The grants are given to low and middle-income students to allow them to pay for the growing cost of higher education. Due to a veto last spring by Governor Rauner, nearly 120,000 students face uncertainty about their future.

While many colleges and four-year universities have been able to continue to provide funding for students during the fall semester, nearly 1,000 students were unable to return to school this year as many schools ran out of funds.

Previously, the governor had committed to vetoing the funds for the students. However, the governor and his staff did not comment on the bill when it was delivered.

“The governor has already shown a commitment to funding education. I strongly encourage him to continue to invest in our future workforce by funding MAP grants,” said Murphy.