Gov. Pat Quinn's office sent the Federal Aviation Administration a "draft layout plan" for a proposed airport in Chicago's south suburbs.
The move is described by Gov. Quinn's staff as a "major milestone" in the effort to construct a third Chicago-area airport in Will County, according to the Northwest Indiana Times.
The new airport would be located around Peotone and Monee, according to pols who support the idea.
In addition, the Illinois Department of Transportation asked the state legislature to authorize the release of millions of dollars in funds already dedicated to buying land for the project.
Both moves combined could renew a heated debate about the airport project.
Supporters argue a third Chicago-area airport would create as many as 1,000 construction jobs and thousands of other permanent jobs once the airport is up and running.
Detractors, including major airlines, claim there is no need for another airport.
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Interestingly, the move to send a draft plan to the FAA came at a time when Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-2nd), one of the airport's biggest supporters, has been sidelined from Congress with health problems.
Gov. Quinn returns Sunday from a trade mission to Brazil.
