Addressing increased air traffic, Wilmette prepares to join O’Hare advocacy group

Wilmette could join a group of area municipalities that advocates for less aircraft noise coming from O’Hare International Airport.

The Village Board received a presentation from a representative of the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission, an advocacy group formed in 1996, during its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 10.

In recent years, Village Manager Mike Braiman said the village has seen an increase in noise complaints for aircraft from both O’Hare and Chicago Executive Airport. Village staff recently attended an O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission meeting to learn what options the village may have when it comes to noise reduction, and he believes it would benefit Wilmette to join the commission.

“I think there’s a lot of value that we can find in it, in having a seat at the table and ensuring that our residents’ concerns have an outlet,” Braiman said.

Maura El Metennani, executive director of ONCC, said the organization was formed in 1996 through an intergovernmental agreement and currently has 60 members: 34 municipalities, two counties, six Chicago wards and 18 school districts.

“Our focus is on cooperation and collaboration as opposed to confrontation, which is very unique in the industry,” she said. “We’re frequently held up by the (Federal Aviation Administration) as the gold standard of community roundtables.”

The ONCC’s mission is to reduce the impact of aircraft noise by using sound insulation and advocating for quieter aircraft operations, according to El Metennani.

“We work closely with government agencies like the FAA, aviation experts and community leaders to protect the quality of life of those living near O’Hare,” she said. “And the ONCC also oversees the Fly Quiet Program at O’Hare, which encourages pilots to use designated nighttime runways and flight routes to reduce aircraft noise over residential areas, with guidance provided through a regularly updated manual.”

Committees within the ONCC review and set policies, which are then recommended to the airport.

The group also oversees 43 permanent noise monitors and receives a monthly report on them, and provides educational opportunities for members.

Trustee Michael Lieber asked if Wilmette would be welcome as a member, given that the village isn’t as close to the airport as other communities.

“We obviously don’t have the issues that a Wood Dale or a Bensenville does,” he said.

El Metennani said that there are other member communities that aren’t close to O’Hare, such as St. Charles, South Barrington and Hinsdale.

“It hasn’t been an issue in the past, that I’m aware of,” she said, while adding that the current membership votes on adding new communities. “We’re all working towards the same thing.”

Village President Senta Plunkett asked El Metennani what the benefits of being an ONCC member would bring to Wilmette. She responded that educational opportunities would be one.

“In my eyes, the benefit is the education, the information to be able to pass on to your residents, offering that forum, providing airfield construction updates,” she said, adding that other benefits include “collaboration, having a seat at the table, having that open line of communication with the FAA and the (Chicago Board of Aviation).”

Braiman said an intergovernmental agreement between the village and ONCC is expected to be on the next Village Board agenda.

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