Dear Friend,

Last week at the House Appropriations Subcommittee hearings, I pressured top federal officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to address the noise pollution caused by new traffic patterns at O’Hare International Airport. 

In a hearing with the FAA, I pressed Administrator Michael Huerta to support both short term and long term solutions that would alleviate our noise problem.

I insisted that the FAA work with the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) to provide immediate near term solutions for the communities most affected by noise – communities like yours. 

I also stressed the need to lower the 65 Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) metric, which I believe is outdated and no longer a reliable measure of the real impact of air traffic noise. Changing the DNL will allow for the establishment of a more reasonable standard and help more individuals qualify for noise mitigation – but it requires the OMB to approve a new FAA study on the issue. 

That’s why I was encouraged by the commitment to expedite the FAA’s noise study that I received from OMB Director Shaun Donovan. 

But, this fight is far from over. As an appropriator with direct oversight of the FAA, I made clear my commitment to make the FAA not just hear the concerns of Illinois’ fifth district but to work swiftly and efficiently to alleviate the noise pollution that my constituents endure each day. 

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The unprecedented noise pollution facing our local communities is a serious problem that warrants urgent action. Please be assured that I will continue to pressure the FAA until these concerns are addressed.

You can read more about my hearings with FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, and OMB Director Shaun Donovan here. 

Sincerely,

Mike Quigley