Anthony Rudis to State of Illinois: Demonstrate a Need for the Peotone Airport

In early October of this year, members of the group STAND--Shut This Airport Nightmare Down--held a 'Harvest Fest".  STAND officers state the purpose of the Harvest Fest was to reach out to individuals, groups, and elected officials to "help prevent this politically-driven project from becoming a reality."

STAND--Shut This Airport Nightmare Down--held a harvest fest in October 2011

Midway through the Harvest Fest, Anthony Rudis arrived and neighbors gathered in the garage to hear his remarks on the proposed Peotone Airport.  Rudis is 100 years old and owns one of the largest pieces of land in the inaugural footprint of the proposed airport, which is visible on the map below, from the Will County GIS Department:

Rudis stated: "To this day, not a single governmental body has come up with a study that says this is why we need it.  So that what does it mean?  It means the legislature and other governmental bodies are looking for a soft touch.  They'll appropriate money, not for the widows, but for the airport...what they are going to do here is destroy the economy of many families..."  Watch the full video:

100 Year Old Will County Resident Fears Losing His Farm to Eminent Domain for the "Peotone Airport"

100 year-old Will County resident Anthony Rudis fears the State of Illinois may use eminent domain to gain ownership of his farm in the footprint of the proposed "Peotone Airport".  Recently, owners of land in the footprint have received letters from state contractors stating engineers and other officials need access to their land in order to conduct appraisals.  


"This land is not for sale.  I do not want them on my property and will do what I can to stop them. This is terribly upsetting." said Mr. Rudis. "The FAA has not approved the project," Rudis continued, "and they have no business moving forward, wasting taxpayers money."