Chicago Rockford Airport Ranked 3rd in State in Economic Benetit

ROCKFORD - A recently released Illinois Aviation Economic Impact Study lists the Chicago Rockford International Airport as having the third highest total economic output for commercial airports in the state. Obviously, Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports finished first and second.

The 18-month long study examined the economic impacts of 116 public-use Illinois airports and found that Rockford's generates nearly $1 billion in economic impact each year.  That figure comes from concluding that the Chicago Rockford airport supports directly or indirectly 5,384 jobs, with a total payroll of more than $224 million who generate an additional $994 million in the local economy.  That includes visitor spending at local restaurants, hotels and other businesses, air cargo, passengers, car rentals and hotel occupancy. It also takes into account more speculative qualitative benefits of an airport such as its impact on safety, quality of life for area residents, and support of the U.S. military.

"This statewide aviation economic impact study highlights the positive boost airports have on their local communities, in their region, and to the State of Illinois. Airports create jobs, and jobs lead to opportunity," said Dr. Susan Shea, Director of IDOT's Division of Aeronautics in a news release.

To see details of the study, click on the link below.

www.illinoisairportsmeanbusiness.com.