Community Outreach Hits the Road
(CHICAGO) November, 2000 – Since 1996, the City of Chicago Department of Aviation has worked on a number of initiatives to reduce the impact of aircraft noise in communities that surround both O’Hare International Airport and Midway Airport.
The Department of Aviation is now taking the show on the road to let communities know about success and developments in the program, with the new Community Outreach Vehicle. This environmentally friendly van is equipped with computer demonstrations of the Airport Noise Monitoring System, video presentations and informational brochures on the Residential and School Soundproofing Programs, the O’Hare and Midway Noise Compatibility Commissions and O’Hare and Midway Airports.
"The Community Outreach Vehicle is another initiative to reach out to residents and educate them about the work of the Noise Compatibility Commissions and the Chicago Airport System," said Commissioner Thomas R. Walker. "It will allow us to demonstrate how the Residential and School Soundproofing Program have made an impact in the communities that surround O’Hare and Midway."
Over 600 homes in the communities around O’Hare were insulated in 1996. An additional 762 homes were insulated in 1997 and 848 homes are scheduled to be insulated in the 1998 Program year. By the completion of the 850 homes in the 1999 Program year, a total of 3,085 homes will have been insulated as a result of this aggressive sound insulation program. By year-end 2000, 3,934 homes will be soundproofed.
The Vehicle will travel to communities to educate residents about noise mitigation efforts and address their questions and concerns. It will also travel to City festivals and events to show information about other Department of Aviation program such as school tours, Volunteer Airport Ambassadors, new concessions and amenities, art contests and more.
