As Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin tries this month to push through legislation sealing new runways at O'Hare International Airport into federal law, his Republican opponent this fall is staking out a seemingly contradictory position on the issue.

State Rep. Jim Durkin supports Durbin's pending measure that would prevent the O'Hare expansion deal reached by Gov. George Ryan and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley from being overturned in the future. But Durkin also says he "has no objection" to a lawsuit filed in DuPage County this week that seeks to undo that same Ryan-Daley deal by claiming it violates state law.

"I support the O'Hare legislation because it is a priority for our transportation and economic needs," said Durkin, a Westchester Republican. "If the federal action is going to violate the Constitution of the state of Illinois, then maybe they have to do it another way."

Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson, a leading O'Hare expansion foe, called Durkin "a typical politician."

"He's trying to be all things to all people," Johnson said.

A Durbin spokeswoman said Durkin can't seem to make up his mind on O'Hare expansion, which she argued is vital to creating new jobs in the Chicago area.

"His position, or lack thereof, simply doesn't make sense," Durbin spokeswoman Stacey Zolt said.
Durkin countered that he has always maintained O'Hare needs to be expanded to preserve the state's economy, and the Ryan-Daley deal is the only way to keep political roadblocks from stopping the expansion. But as a state lawmaker, Durkin said, he also is sworn to support legislation that does not violate state law. Anti-expansion foes argue the Ryan-Daley deal does just that because it takes away the state's power to sign off on new runways at O'Hare.

Durkin acknowledged he's not sure if the Durbin measure pending in the Senate would violate state law.

The O'Hare situation represents a difficult political maze for Durkin to navigate.

The DuPage suit was brought by Senate President James "Pate" Philip and Congressman Henry Hyde, a pair of Wood Dale Republicans from whom Durkin needs support in his bid to unseat the incumbent Durbin.

But Durkin denied his neutral position on their suit is designed to avoid angering the two powerful DuPage lawmakers.

"Pate Philip and Henry Hyde have as much a right as anyone else to walk in and say it (the deal) might violate our state Constitution," Durkin said.
While Durkin's support for O'Hare expansion could help keep the business community from entering Durbin's column, it also could cost him votes in GOP-rich Northwest suburbs that are opposed to the new runways that could double the number of flights over their heads.

"If our voters decide not to vote in the U.S. Senate race to send a message, that'll hurt Durkin more than it will hurt Durbin," Johnson said. "And believe me, our residents are lining up to do just that."
Durkin said he's sympathetic to the plight of neighboring O'Hare towns, but he reached his decision after weighing the region's economic development needs against concerns from those towns. He also criticized Durbin for failing to get his O'Hare expansion measure through the Senate by now.

"The fact that Durbin hasn't called this for a vote yet reflects animosity toward his partisan style," said Durkin, referring to Durbin's need to persuade Republicans to sign on in support of his measure.
Durbin spokeswoman Zolt pointed to a letter signed by 61 senators, enough to avoid any stall tactics by Republican U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald of Inverness, as proof Durbin has the votes to ensure O'Hare is expanded. A vote could come in the next couple weeks, she added.

Publication: The Daily Herald
Date: June 10, 2002
Author: Eric Krol Daily Herald Political Writer

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