MIDWAY — The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded a $17.5 million grant to soundproof homes around Midway International Airport, according to U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-3rd).
“While Midway has certainly provided many economic benefits to surrounding communities and the entire region, I know firsthand that issues such as airplane noise can be extremely frustrating,” Lipinski said in a statement. “That is why I am happy to help bring more federal funding for soundproofing area homes."
The funding follows recent changes in flight paths around Midway that have resulted in an increase in noise complaints.
Since February 2014, airplanes have been traveling on a new federally approved flight path, one that guides jets from Lake Michigan to Midway's Runway 22L. Planes are generally supposed to follow Interstate 55.
City data shows 18,703 complaints were made concerning Midway noise in the first quarter of this year, which covers January through March. The increase is astounding compared to the first quarter of 2015, when 2,277 were logged.
In the second quarter of 2016, there were 35,640 complaints filed — but the Chicago Department of Aviation notes in its report that 97 percent of those complaints came from two addresses.
Lipinski said he has been in touch with the Chicago Department of Aviation and the FAA about the noise issues raised by these flight path changes. Neither departments were immediately available for comment Friday.
The congressman’s office has not released details about what neighborhoods near Midway will receive the soundproofing or when. Lipinski was not immediately available for comment Friday morning.
More than 18,000 homes and 120 schools around O’Hare and Midway airports have been soundproofed, according to city officials.
Residents looking to make a complaint with the city about airplane noise can do so here.
To determine sound levels within their homes, residents can also apply to use from portable sound monitoring devices from the city to record noise levels. The devices are free.
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