Meigs Field gone without warning

The Chicago Sun-Times ^ | April 1, 2003 | Bob Herguth and Dave McKinney

[fight_truth_decay]

So both Ryan and Daley lied to Congress. How special.

Ryan has to be the luckiest man alive with the scandals around him and not be in jail; instead he gets nominated for the Nobel.

[dufekin]

Let us take an analogue case: An American city owns a parking garage, in which several dozen vehicles are parked, day and night. The only exits from the garage is through the driveway and one pedestrian bridge too narrow for a car. A water-filled moat surrounds the garage at all other points. Throw in a pair of engangered American alligators and a few dozen cottonmouth moccasins for good measure.

One otherwise unsuspecting night, the Mayor or the City, in the interest of improving drainage and public recreation, orders City road crews to dig up the driveway. This action isolates 16 cars owned by private citizens who had paid monthly parking fees for the balance of the year for unlimited parking permission.

When the citizens paid for this parking, they assumed that they would be permitted to extract their cars on demand and at will. A few were at work in a nearby hospital at the time and commute from the distant suburbs. Has this amounted to an unconstitutional taking, even if the mayor decides that he'll retrieve the cars eventually. I think so.

[dufekin]

Also note that the Mayor did not bother to seek permission from City Council, which I imagine has budgeting and spending authority, before taking this dastardly action.

[ChadGore]

I think it was a mistake for the mayor or Chicago to take unilateral action and resort to the use of force in a conflict that should be resolved through diplomatic means.

;)

[ctdonath2]

Property in question belongs to the city (y/n)? Run ways in question belong to the the city (y/n)?

The city belongs to ...?

[Writer1]

Case you cite is superceded by newer cases which overruled; SCOTUS in the 1990s ruled in a South Carolina case that takings cases could be brought by individuals. Famous cases.

[Writer1]

Please see fifth amendment takings clause and case law doctrine on constructive takings from SCOTUS, inter alia.

[taxcontrol]

Case you cite is superceded by newer cases which overruled; SCOTUS in the 1990s ruled in a South Carolina case that takings cases could be brought by individuals. Famous cases.

---

For my own edification would you please cite (and site) the case?

Thanks,

[taxcontrol]

I'm aware of the Intitute for Justice. In fact, I'm on their mailing list and support thier cause.

However, in this particular case, I feel that the arguements against "taking" is far stronger than those for.

Primarily because the action taken was by the city against the city property. No transfer of private assest was done.

While I agree that this entire matter could have been handled in a better manner, I don't see any taking. Again, the may be contract violations through rental agreements and those will need to be taken care of - but I dont see a taking of private property.

[taxcontrol]

Folks,

One further update:

Seems the planes in question are being allowed to leave.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-030402meigs,0,5251637.story?coll=chi-news-hed

[Mr_Magoo]

Please see

H.R. 592 Sec. 5

and

S. 83 Section (i)

Both of those bills call for Meigs Fld to remain open as a major part of the O'Hare expansion Bill. By Daily destroying the only runwqay at Meigs, he has in fact voided the entire O'Hare expansion project.

[fight_truth_decay]

“Where is the ‘historic agreement’ in which Ryan supposedly gave his approval for O’Hare expansion?"

Will see how it plays out.

Thanks

f_t_d

[mvpel]

I sent a letter to the Illinois US Attorney's office, suggesting that Daley may have committed a felony by the manner in which he demolished the airport, and I just got a letter back from them saying they'd forwarded the letter to FAA and DOT.

[--Gack--]

I used to take off from runway 36 ever since flight simulator for DOS was around dreaming of the day I can do it for real.. and now it is simply impossible. How sad :(

[pepsionice]

The bottom line....someone got paid off...and likely several folks got paid off. I’m guessing in the $20 million range for all the parties involved. Watch and see who in the upper levels of the Chicago staff gets new houses in the next twelve months and moves way up in status.

[SlowBoat407]

The streetlamps are on in Chicago tonight,
And lovers a’gazin’ at stars;
The stores are all closin’, and Daley is dozin’,
And the fat man is counting the cars...
And there’s more cars than places to put ‘em, he says,
But I’ve got room for them all;
So ‘round ‘em up boys, ‘cause I want some more toys,
In the lot by the grocery store...

To me, way, hey, tow them away,
The Lincoln Park Pirates are we,
>From Wilmette to Gary, there’s nothin’ so hairy
And we always collect our fee!
So it’s way, hey, tow ‘em away,
We plunder the streets of your town,
Be it Edsel or Chevy, there’s no car too heavy,
And no one can make us shut down.

We break into cars when we gotta,
With hammer and pickaxe and saw;
And they said this garage had no license;
But little care I for the law!
Our drivers are friendly and courteous;
Their good manners you always will get;
‘Cause they all are recent graduates
Of the charm school in Joliet.

To me, way, hey, tow them away,
The Lincoln Park Pirates are we,
>From Wilmette to Gary, there’s nothin’ so hairy
And we always collect our fee!
So it’s way, hey, tow ‘em away,
We plunder the streets of your town,
Be it Edsel or Chevy, there’s no car too heavy,
And no one can make us shut down.

And when all the cars are collected,
And all of their fenders are ruined,
Then I’ll tow all the boats in Belmont Harbor
To the Lincoln Park Lagoon;
And when I’ve collected the ransom,
And sunk all the ones that won’t yield;
I’ll tow all the planes that are blocking the runways
At Midway, O’Hare, and Meigs Field!

To me, way, hey, tow them away,
The Lincoln Park Pirates are we,
>From Wilmette to Gary, there’s nothin’ so hairy
And we always collect our fee!
So it’s way, hey, tow ‘em away,
Now citizens, gather around,
And I think it’s enough, let’s call his bluff,
Let’s throw the bum out of town!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Watch and see who in the upper levels of the Chicago staff gets new houses in the next twelve months and moves way up in status.

This already happened... in 2003. But Barack Obama and his pal Tony Rezko are probably involved.

[txhurl]

bttt... good to see you again.

I am shamelessly reminiscing to see old Freepers and I won't stop until we regain our old contingent :)

Love, Lisa