Judge Rules in O'Hare's Favor To Acquire Cemetery For New Runway

By Anna Deem in News on Dec 19, 2009 6:45PM

A DuPage County judge ruled on Friday that the city can go ahead and proceed with condemnation proceedings to acquire St. Johannes Cemetery, which currently stands in the way of the completion of a new runway. The cemetery was the last obstacle preventing the city's O'Hare expansion.

The owner of the 1,100-grave cemetery, St. John's United Church of Christ in Bensenville, fought against the expansion, arguing that it would be difficult for the families of those buried at St. Johannes. An attorney for the church, Joseph Karaganis, said that he plans to challenge the court's decision. Last month, the village of Bensenville settled with the city to the tune of $16 million, agreeing to the demolition of over 500 abandoned homes and businesses.

The city still has a relocation plan for the cemetery though. "We realize this is a very sensitive matter," said Rosemarie Andolino, Chicago's city aviation commissioner, to the Chicago Sun-Times. "And we are committed to working closely with the families, as well as the officials from St. John's United Church of Christ."