Not so. The fine is the maximum allowed at the time. Since then the
Meigs Legacy provision has become law, and the maximum fine goes up to
$10,000/per day and the required notice goes up to 90 days. Nine million
may not have kept Chicago from ripping up Meigs, but there aren't many
cities that can afford that.

On top of that, Meigs is the only airport that had special provisions in
its grant assurances that let them off the hook. Not only would another
airport sponsor risk the larger fines, they'd also be responsible for
paying back AIP grant money, which could me tens of millions of dollars,
or more.

Dave Reinhart


Thomas Borchert wrote:

Orval,

if anything, that fine is an encouragement to other cities wanting to
close their airports. Bad move, IMHO.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)