More Low-Flying Planes Over Western Springs: Village

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — Western Springs residents have probably seen more low-flying planes over the village in the last few weeks, the village president said Tuesday.

In a statement, Village President Alice Gallagher said the village has contacted the Chicago Department of Aviation to if there's a specific reason for the trend, but it has not yet received a reply. The village, she said, has made similar inquiries in the past.

Last year, the department provided an explanation: "Weather conditions and routing maintenance may require sporadic use of Midway Runway 13C for landings and takeoffs. When winds are to the southeast, the FAA may use this runaway, which requires (planes) to fly lower over Western Springs. This happens infrequently, about 1 percent of the year."

The village does not have authority or input on flight patterns, which the FAA governs.

Residents can check the flight tracker website for Midway.