Park Ridge officials want to make sure residents voice their opinions about the proposed new runway at O'Hare International Airport, near Granville Avenue on the city's southern end.

In a Nov. 26 letter to state and federal elected officials, Park Ridge leaders said:

"In November 2008, the first new runway in 40 years opened at O'Hare sending as many as 400 flights daily down Belle Plaine Avenue. For residents close to the new runway, there are days when flights as loud as a lawn mower occur every 45 seconds for hours on end. Pollution is increased, safety is a concern, sleep is disrupted, outdoor areas cannot be used for conversation, and the quality of life has decreased considerably."

The letter urged the state and federal officials to look out for people affected by the new expansion.

The local officials also want to pique residents' interest about the impact the project could have on their community and homes. They note that in the past six months, there have only been a few hundred hits to the O'Hare Airport link on the city's home page, which urges residents to make their opinions known about the runway expansion project.

The O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission has already arranged for soundproofing of homes affected by the noise from the planes, if the noise level falls above a certain number of decibels.

According to Commission Member Jim Argionis, some homes are already soundproofed while others are scheduled to be. Meanwhile, the city is asking the FAA to do an environmental study related to the expansion.

"Our point is that if everything's okay, then everything's okay," Argionis said in an interview. "But if not, then they should take whatever measures they need to such as restricting runway hours during certain times like school hours. It's seeking mitigation measures with what the FAA requires."

The project will entail closing down certain runways over Arlington Heights and opening additional ones with flight patterns over Park Ridge.

"The current study that's out there is based on 2005 standards," Argionis said. "The law says if there's been significant changes, that the rules require that the FAA do a supplemental impact statement taking current data and looking forward."

At a recent meeting, some residents said there seems to be a sense of apathy in the community.

"The majority of the people believe that there's nothing that can be done; they've surrendered," said Larry Ryles, who is running for Mayor of Park Ridge. "They've also agreed that it's impacted the value of the real estate that it's taken the values of home down. They're concerned about more planes flying overhead.

"I keep telling them, don't surrender. There are some things that can be done. Don't quit. Don't give up on the folks that are fighting the good fight."

"Everyone has the feeling that you can't do anything," said Pat Ryan, a member of the Park Ridge O'Hare Airport Commission.

Referring to a letter from the FAA, which says agency will respond to the city in 2013, he added, "This proves that you can."

"Until people are directly under a runway, people don't take notice of it," said Argionis. "…We have to make sure that the environment is safe for our children."

"It's something that's beyond Park Ridge and affects us all," he added, referring to wind patterns. "You can't know whether it is or isn't until you get a supplemental study done."