Foes of Jackson airport group seize on ties to Libya
BY JON SEIDEL Sun-Times Media jseidel@suntimes.com February 17, 2012 7:00PM
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-2nd)
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Updated: February 17, 2012 7:55PM
Will County leaders already at odds with U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.’s bid to control a proposed south-suburban airport are seizing on a news report that ties the financial backers of the congressman’s plan to the Libyan government.
The congressman’s office defended the Canadian firm SNC-Lavalin Friday evening, with Jackson insisting he has “full faith” in the company.
But that was after Will County Executive Larry Walsh and County Board member Cory Singer — likely opponents in this fall’s election — each pledged deep concerns.
“It is clear that this company profited billions of dollars from the (Moammar) Gadhafi regime and spoke against the NATO forces’ mission in Libya,” Walsh said. “To that end, I stand firm in halting any further discussions about the proposed Peotone Airport that involves this company.”
Walsh and Singer pointed to a New York Times story last week that explored SNC-Lavalin’s role in a plot to smuggle Gadhafi’s son into Mexico. It said SNC-Lavalin had extensive business dealings with the Gadhafi government and paid a consultant more than $100,000 to travel to Libya. It’s reportedly now fired two senior executives tied to the consultant.
In a statement relayed through Jackson’s office, SNC-Lavalin officials said the company’s not under investigation. They also said it’s still committed to the south suburban airport. It’s one of two firms Jackson’s office says would pay for the airport if it’s built under the congressman’s Abraham Lincoln National Airport Commission.
The other is LCOR Inc. of Pennsylvania.
But Will County officials — Walsh included — have made it clear in recent months they’re not interested in letting Jackson control the proposed airport near Peotone if it’s built. Will County Board Chairman Jim Moustis even promised a fight for the airport’s control in January.
Singer, a Republican candidate for Will County Executive, chimed in Thursday ahead of Walsh’s statement. He asked Gov. Pat Quinn to negotiate directly with Will County, saying there’s no reason for Jackson to be involved any further.
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