Illinois Drafts Layout for Planned Peotone Airport

Illinois has completed a draft layout for a proposed airport in the far southern Chicago suburb of Peotone and submitted it to the Federal Aviation Administration for review.

Gov. Pat Quinn announced the draft submission Thursday, saying the South Suburban Airport will be an economic engine for Illinois. 

Department of Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider says the draft layout is the "biggest step yet'' toward making the airport a reality.

Illinois has invested $30 million toward the purchase of land. The Department of Transportation is asking state lawmakers to appropriate another $70 million to buy the rest of the site, expected to require nearly 6,000 acres.

It would be the Chicago area's third major airport. Supporters say it will create jobs and relieve congestion at O'Hare and Midway.