Chicago Construction News staff writer
Persistent escalator outages caused by equipment dating back to the terminal’s original 1988 construction are driving the next phase of improvements at Willard Airport, officials say.
Airport management has identified replacement of the aging escalators as a top priority in its terminal improvement program, citing passenger frustration when the equipment is out of service, particularly for travellers carrying luggage. Based on available funding, the airport plans to replace both escalators and two elevators by 2028.
The planned work will also include new terminal entrance doors and a new exterior façade. If additional funding can be secured, the project scope could expand to include new windows throughout the terminal and upgraded lighting in public areas. Terminal improvements are expected to begin in 2027.
Ahead of that work, the airport will reconstruct its secondary entrance road and employee parking lot. Cross Construction is slated to complete the project this summer under a $500,000 budget. Airport officials say the work will not affect passengers and is expected to be completed quickly once construction begins.
Separately, Willard Airport is nearing completion of a full replacement of its terminal roof system following damage from a severe storm in 2023. Olympic Construction and Advanced Commercial Roofing Inc., working alongside University of Illinois trades, completed the work.
The airport invested $200,000 to replace the final section of roofing, resulting in a fully new roof system with an anticipated service life of approximately 30 years.
