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'Nothing, Nobody Sacrosanct' In Airport Security Probe, Rahm Says

 Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans will complete her review of airport security in two weeks, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Friday.
Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans will complete her review of airport security in two weeks, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Friday.
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DNAinfo/Heather Cherone

THE LOOP — "Nothing and nobody is sacrosanct" in the investigation of the security force at O'Hare and Midway airports, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Friday.

Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans will complete her review of airport security in two weeks, the mayor said.

Emanuel said that after Evans completes her report, his administration will "take every corrective action that we need to take."

Emanuel declined to say whether Jeffrey Redding, the head of airport security should be fired in the wake of revelations — published Friday by the Tribune — that he was fired by the Illinois Tollway after officials received complaints that he sought sex and money in exchange for work-related favors.

Redding acknowledged to the newspaper that he had a consensual relationship with a female toll collector, but said that was not the reason he was terminated. Redding also denied he coerced the woman into having sex or giving him money.

Emanuel again praised Evans' handling of the aftermath — and media firestorm — that resulted after Aviation Department security officers injured a Louisville doctor by dragging him off a United flight on April 9.

Three officers involved in the incident have been suspended with pay.

Evans has apologized for the fracas that broke Dr. David Dao's nose, knocked out two of his front teeth and gave him a concussion, his attorney said Thursday morning.

Emanuel called the conduct of the security officers "totally, all-around unacceptable."

However, the mayor has thrown cold water on a proposal by 15th Ward Ald. Ray Lopez to fold the 292-officer Aviation Department security force — which costs the city $19 million annually — into the Chicago Police Department.