Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling has earned the title of 2017's "Reliever Airport of the Year" from the Illinois Department of Transportation, the agency announced recently.
Other honorees include Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in Marion, Sparta Community Airport in Sparta, Macomb Municipal Airport in Macomb, Tri-County Airport in Elmwood and Riverside Medical Center Hospital Heliport in Kankakee.
According to an IDOT press release, the winners were selected for their outstanding partnership efforts with the agency, including cooperation and coordination by airport management and staff, as well as their safety record, promotion of seminars and aviation events, and facility maintenance. Customer safety and satisfaction commitment was also considered.
“The support and commitment of our state’s aviation community helps Illinois to strengthen its status as the transportation hub of North America,” IDOT Secretary Randy Blankenhorn said, according to the press release. “These awards are our way of recognizing the tremendous dedication exhibited by airports and heliports throughout Illinois. Our sincere congratulations go out to all of this year’s recipients.”
The Illinois State Aviation System is among the largest in the country, with 870 individual landing facilities, 110 public-use aviation landing facilities and 11 airports.