BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) — Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington-Normal has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration alleging that its plans to cut funding for air traffic control violate federal law.
The airport is one of five in Illinois that are set to lose federal funding for control towers under the across-the-board government budget cuts.
The (Bloomington) Pantagraph reported Friday (http://bit.ly/YKxzJ5 ) that the suit seeks a judicial review of the decision.
The airport authority says it plans to continue control tower service even if it has to pay the $500,000 yearly bill itself.
Its legal action, filed Wednesday in Washington, charges the FAA is in violation of the National Environmental Policy Act. That law requires a review process of environmental and socioeconomic factors before making major changes to airports.
http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Illinois-airport-sues-FAA-over-control-tower-cuts-4394549.php