Can The Illinois Department of Transportation Use Eminent Domain for the Peotone Airport?
Can the Illinois Department of Transportation use eminent domain to force landowners to sell their land to the State for the Peotone Airport? That question will come before a judge in Will County Court tomorrow, February 26, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. in Joliet, Illinois. The Illinois Department of Transportation's right to use eminent domain at Peotone prior to an FAA record of decision is being challenged in Will County court by a Chicago law firm, Ryan and Ryan. Ryan and Ryan are representing Carolyn and Richard Barbour, landowners in the proposed airport's footprint. The lawsuit argues the State does not have the right to use eminent domain to gain ownership of the Barbour's land because IDOT has not received Federal Aviation Administration "FAA" approval to create and construct the Peotone Airport. Susan Shea, Director of Aeronautics for IDOT, will be required to testify. For more on the "Peotone Airport", visit Peotone Airport News .