Since the Illinois State Senate’s overwhelming passage of SB 2063 this spring, there has been much misinterpretation and misinformation concerning the bill’s section on eminent domain. SB 2063, also known as the South Suburban Airport Authority Act, creates a local governing entity for the proposed airport in eastern Will County and gives that body the powers it must have to build, own and operate the facility.

Some people have assumed that the eminent domain language in this bill is somehow extraordinary; however it is not extraordinary in any way. The language in the bill only provides the airport governing body with the abilities that are absolutely necessary to protect and procure property that would be needed if airport expansion is warranted in the future.