Rick Allen: “Having once lived in Deerfield, IL--I was a youngster at the time. We did not have Illinois State Government. But I did…”

“Having once lived in Deerfield, IL--I was a youngster at the time. We did not have Illinois State Government. But I did hear from the other Senator, Senator Fitzgerald, that the legislature has not agreed to this language. The point is, in my view, this is not the jurisdiction or the place for us to decide the issues that are rightly in the purview and are the prerogative of the people of Illinois and political subdivisions therein. I may agree with the Senator that maybe the best idea is expansion of O'Hare Airport, as opposed to the third airport. Again, that is something that needs to be worked out with the localities and, for that matter, all branches of the State government in Illinois. Mr. President, I will support the efforts to defeat this amendment. I do think the issue of air transportation is important to our Nation, obviously, but these decisions are best made by the people in the States, those closest to it. If those laws need amending, let them work it out with due process at the State level, and do not bring these fights and decisions to the Senate. We are remote people who do not know the details and are trying to make a decision. I think it is best we defer this decision and refer it back to the jurisdiction and court where it ought to be, and that is in Illinois.”