Midway Airport's Police District: All You Need To Know

what police district is midway airport

Chicago Midway International Airport is a major commercial airport on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois, located approximately 12 miles from the city's Loop business district. The airport is divided between the Clearing and Garfield Ridge communities. Chicago Midway International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving 22,050,489 passengers in 2023. The airport is served by the Chicago Lawn Police District, with a new Southwest Side Chicago police district headquarters proposed to be established near the airport.

Characteristics Values
Airport Name Midway International Airport
Location Southwest Side, Chicago, Illinois
Distance from Chicago's Loop business district 12 miles
Communities Clearing and Garfield Ridge
Streets 55th and 63rd Streets, Central and Cicero Avenues
Police District Chicago Lawn Police District
Police Services Provided by the City of Chicago
Police Station Proposed new station facing 63rd Street
Aviation Authority Chicago Department of Aviation
Airlines Southwest Airlines
Terminals 3
Concourses 3
Aircraft Gates 43
Runways 4 active runways
Longest Runway 13C/31C
Passenger Volume 22,050,489 passengers in 2023

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Chicago Lawn Police District

Chicago Midway International Airport is located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois, approximately 12 miles from the city's Loop business district. It is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving over 22 million passengers in 2023. The airport is named after the Battle of Midway and was established in 1927, serving as Chicago's primary airport until O'Hare International Airport opened in 1944.

The Chicago Lawn Police District, also known as the 8th District, serves the area that includes Midway Airport. The district is led by Commander Bryan Spreyne, who aims to build collaborative partnerships and engage in problem-solving with the community to reduce violent crime and create safe communities.

The Chicago Lawn Police District has faced challenges due to the high volume of travellers passing through Midway Airport, in addition to serving a significant residential population. Community groups and local officials have advocated for an additional police district in the area to enhance public safety.

There have been discussions about establishing a new police station near Midway Airport to support the Chicago Lawn Police District. A former Illinois state facility on West 63rd Street and the Midway Armory have been considered as potential locations. However, there have been conflicting interests between state law, local officials, and the city regarding the usage of these properties.

The Chicago Lawn Police District continues to work towards ensuring the safety and well-being of the diverse communities it serves, including the area surrounding Midway Airport. The district strives to address the unique challenges posed by the high volume of airport travellers while also meeting the needs of its residents.

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Chicago Police District headquarters

Chicago Midway International Airport is a major commercial airport on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois. It is located approximately 12 miles from the city's Loop business district and is bounded by 55th and 63rd Streets, Central and Cicero Avenues. The airport is served by the Chicago Lawn Police District, which is part of the Chicago Police Department.

There have been discussions about establishing a new Southwest Side Chicago police district headquarters near Midway Airport. The proposed location is a former Illinois state facility on West 63rd Street, which includes the former National Guard Armory with two buildings: a taller building adjacent to the airport and a shorter one facing 63rd Street.

However, there are conflicting opinions about using the Armory as a police station. State officials and local aldermen supported the idea and passed legislation for the building to be transferred to the city for $1. They argued that the millions of travelers passing through Midway Airport each year increase the workload for the Chicago Lawn Police District, justifying the need for an additional police district.

On the other hand, city officials have stated that the Armory cannot become a police station because it is within the perimeter of an active airport and intersects with the path of a runway. They intend to use the property for aeronautical and aviation purposes, potentially housing the city's new helicopter if compatible with airport operations.

As of October 2024, the plan for a new police district headquarters near Midway Airport is at a standstill due to the conflicting interests of state law, local officials, and the city's desires. Community groups and Southwest Side aldermen continue to advocate for the additional police district, citing public safety concerns.

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Chicago Department of Aviation

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is responsible for the administration of Chicago O'Hare and Midway International Airports. The CDA is self-funded, and does not rely on local or state tax dollars for its operations or capital improvements. Chicago's airports, together, generate over $45 billion in annual economic activity and create around 540,000 jobs in the region.

In 2008, the City Council voted to award a contract to Midway Investment and Development Company LLC, a consortium of Vancouver Airport Services, Citi Infrastructure Investors, and Boston's John Hancock Life Insurance. The consortium would have operated the airport and collected charges for parking, concessions, and passenger facilities. However, this plan was terminated in 2013 by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who noted that the process was no longer competitive.

The Midway Airport Terminal Development Program was launched in 1997, a year after it was announced by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. This program included the construction of a parking garage, a pedestrian bridge, and a new terminal building, all of which were completed by 2001. The terminal building offered larger ticket counters and more spacious baggage claim areas, along with convenient access to gates.

In 2024, there was a proposal to use a former Illinois state facility on West 63rd Street near Midway Airport as the new Southwest Side Chicago police district headquarters. However, this proposal faced opposition from the city, which stated that the building could only be used for aeronautical and aviation purposes. Despite community groups rallying for the new police district, the plan faced challenges due to the building's proximity to an active airport and the path of a runway.

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Southwest Airlines base

Chicago Midway International Airport is a major commercial airport on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois, located approximately 12 miles (19 km) from the city's Loop business district. It is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving 22,050,489 passengers in 2023. The airport is divided between the Clearing and Garfield Ridge communities.

Midway Airport is a base for Southwest Airlines, which carries over 90% of the airport's passengers. Southwest Airlines has been operating at Midway since 1985 and offers cheap direct flights to various destinations. The airline also offers weekly and nonstop flights, depending on the day of the week.

The airport is easily accessible via the Chicago 'L' Orange Line, which runs from approximately 4:00 am to 1:00 am with trains arriving at intervals of about 8 minutes. The Orange Line will take you directly to the airport, with the journey from Midway to the Loop taking roughly 25 minutes. The Chicago Transit Authority also operates multiple bus routes to the airport, and long-term parking is available for those who prefer to drive.

In terms of facilities, Midway Airport has a central food court and various concession options, including a food court in Concourse A. The airport also has 43 aircraft gates across three concourses, with 17 gates in Concourse A, 23 gates in Concourse B, and 3 gates in Concourse C. The airport's parking garage, which connects to the Midway terminal building, offers covered parking for travellers.

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Chicago Skyway investor

Midway International Airport, previously known simply as Midway Airport, is located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving 22,050,489 passengers in 2023. The airport is located in the Chicago Lawn Police District.

In 2008, the City Council approved a contract with the Midway Investment and Development Company LLC, a consortium consisting of Vancouver Airport Services, Citi Infrastructure Investors, and Boston's John Hancock Life Insurance. This consortium would have operated the airport and collected airport parking, concession, and passenger facility charges. However, in 2013, negotiations to privatize the airport were terminated by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

The Chicago Skyway, also known as the Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge, is a 7.8-mile-long toll road that connects the Indiana Toll Road to the Dan Ryan Expressway on Chicago's South Side. It was built by the City of Chicago in 1958 and operated by the city until 2005.

In 2005, the Skyway Concession Company (SCC), a private consortium, won the bidding contest for the Chicago Skyway. SCC paid the City of Chicago an upfront payment of $1.8 billion for a 99-year lease. As part of the agreement, SCC is responsible for raising and collecting all toll revenue and handling operational costs, including repairs and certain capital improvements.

In 2016, Skyway was purchased by three Canadian Pension Funds: OMERS Infrastructure, CPP Investment Board, and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP). In December 2022, Atlas Arteria Group, a worldwide toll road operator based in Australia, acquired a 66.67% interest in the Skyway, with OTPP retaining the remaining 33.33%.

Frequently asked questions

Midway Airport is in the Chicago Lawn Police District.

Midway Airport is in Chicago, Illinois.

O'Hare International Airport is the busiest airport in Chicago. Midway Airport is the second busiest.

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