Peotone, Illinois

Peotone is the proposed site of a new airport to serve the Chicago area. As with the construction of any airport, the proposal is controversial. Proponents point out that the existing facilities at O'Hare and Midway airports cannot meet the transportation needs of the Chicago area, and that the development will bring economic prosperity to the region and the state of Illinois. Politicians backing the plan include Illinois Governor George Ryan[?] and Congressmen Henry Hyde[?] and Jesse Jackson Jr.[?]

Opponents to the plan are concerned about the environmental disruption that would be caused by new airport construction and the roads that would be needed to support it. They also point to the existence of another airport closer to Chicago than Peotone would be in Gary, Indiana, which could be expanded to support heavier use. Opponents include Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Gary Mayor Scott King and the city council of Peotone.

Geography Peotone is located at 41°19'46" North, 87°47'42" West (41.329445, -87.795138)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 3.9 km² (1.5 mi²). 3.9 km² (1.5 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 3,385 people, 1,268 households, and 930 families residing in the village. The population density is 859.8/km² (2,232.4/mi²). There are 1,299 housing units at an average density of 330.0/km² (856.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the village is 97.93% White, 0.27% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.36% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 1,268 households out of which 37.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% are married couples living together, 10.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% are non-families. 22.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.67 and the average family size is 3.17.

In the village the population is spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village is $56,404, and the median income for a family is $61,768. Males have a median income of $47,500 versus $26,636 for females. The per capita income for the village is $23,415. 0.8% of the population and 0.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 0.9% are under the age of 18 and 3.5% are 65 or older.