O'Hare Airport Commission Meeting – July 16, 2026

The O'Hare Airport Commission met on July 16, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in Park Ridge City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting was chaired by a temporary chair in the absence of regular chair Ian Wright. The commission addressed noise complaints from residents, reviewed the April 2026 Airport Noise Management System (ANMS) report, and discussed the residential sound insulation program, construction updates, and FAA operational changes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Randy Swillow (resident of 471 North Northwest Highway, 53-year resident) testified that airplane noise has become unbearable: planes fly over his house every three minutes, including at 4 a.m., shaking his house. He noted an increase in large cargo planes over the last six months. Commission members advised him to file complaints via the 311 Chicago website (311.chicago.gov) and to contact the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission (ONCC) and Congressman Quigley.
• Another resident (from Carpenter near D and Sibley) echoed the noise complaints, noting that east-flow departures (takeoffs toward the suburbs) have been more frequent this spring and summer, and that quiet hours (11 p.m.–7 a.m.) are not respected.
• A commissioner (Barbara Sever) reported that the use of the northeast runway (paralleling Irving Park) has funneled noise over homes on Bell Plain and Carpenter areas, consistent with earlier predictions by Ian Wright.

Discussion Items

• Approval of Minutes (January 15, 2026): The minutes were not available in sufficient copies, so the commission voted unanimously to defer approval until the next quorum-based meeting.
• O’Hare Construction Updates: No formal update was provided. The new Terminal 5 was described as very nice but not affecting noise patterns.
• Airport Noise Management System (ANMS) Report – April 2026: The report (available via flychicago.com or oharenoise.org) showed:
  • 61% of operations were in west flow (winds from west, arrivals from east) and 39% in east flow.
  • A 50/50 split between the three north runways and three south runways.
  • The northernmost runway (9L/27R) handled all north-field arrivals; departures were split between 9C and 9R.
  • Park Ridge received about twice as many complaints as the previous month, ranking second among suburbs behind Lawrence/Cumberland.
• Residential Sound Insulation Program: Park Ridge residents generally do not qualify, except for a small area two blocks north of Higgins near Mary Seat of Wisdom. Some residents reported receiving property tax assessment reductions every three years due to noise impacts, but this requires reapplication each reassessment cycle. The commission agreed to prepare a public communication to inform residents about the tax appeal option.
• News & Updates:
  • Boeing is close to certifying the 737 MAX 7; newer planes tend to be quieter, but commissioners noted that airframe noise (brakes, flaps) remains significant.
  • The FAA has extended its 10% operational reduction at O’Hare through October 2027. In response, United Airlines plans to use larger aircraft, which may be older and louder.
  • The Park Ridge website’s O’Hare Commission page was criticized as outdated (maps and information from 20–30 years ago). Commissioners committed to reviewing and updating the page.

Key Outcomes

• Deferred approval of the January 15, 2026 minutes until the next meeting.
• No formal votes were taken on substantive items.
• Next steps:
  • Prepare a public notice about property tax appeals for noise-affected homeowners.
  • Review and update the Park Ridge O’Hare Commission webpage with current information and complaint resources.
  • Encourage residents to file noise complaints via 311.chicago.gov and to attend ONCC meetings (next general meeting: September 11, 2026 at 9 a.m. in Schiller Park).
• The meeting was adjourned with a motion and vote.