09/30/2005: Defense of religious cemeteries threatened by O'Hare expansion plans
The city was expecting final approval and started to break ground on the airport's first runway since 1971 after Mayor Richard M. Daley said "Let's go" into a walkie talkie at a celebratory news conference.
But hours later, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington granted a stay of the project while it considers an emergency request filed by opponents, who argued it should be stopped because it would desecrate a cemetery with 1,300 tombs dating back to the 1800s.
Court Halts $15B O'Hare Expansion Plan, ABC News (September 30, 2005):
Hours after FAA's approval, court halts $15B O'Hare plan, USA Today (September 30, 2005).
The city had planned to destroy both Rest Haven and St. Johannes to make room for Runway 10 Center, which the city expects to open in 2009. . . . But the FAA said Rest Haven could remain undisturbed if Chicago modified plans to build new airport cargo facilities.
FAA backs Daley's O'Hare Plan, Chicago Tribune (July 28, 2005):
Read the FAA's press release here.