This Project Will Change Chicago Forever (O’Hare 21 Explained)

Chicago O’Hare International Airport is undergoing the most ambitious transformation in its history with the $12 Billion O’Hare 21 Modernization Project, a plan set to completely reshape global travel through Chicago and secure its status as one of the world’s leading aviation hubs.

If you prefer reading, here are the cliff notes ⬇️

5 Key Takeaways from the O’Hare 21 Video:

• Historic Investment in Modernization: O’Hare 21 is a $12.1B project, the largest capital improvement in the airport’s history, aimed at overhauling outdated terminals, baggage systems, and infrastructure that haven’t seen upgrades in more than 25 years.

• Major Upgrades Already Completed: Key milestones include the new 9C-27C runway (opened in 2020 to reduce delays by 95%), a $1B Terminal 5 expansion adding 10 new gates, and the first new gates at O’Hare in over two decades through Terminal 3’s Concourse L extension.

• The Global Terminal & Satellite Concourses: The centerpiece of O’Hare 21 is a $7.1B, 2.2 million-square-foot Global Terminal, set to open in the 2030s, with state-of-the-art design, advanced baggage/security, and seamless domestic-international connections. Two supporting satellite concourses will add 25% more gate capacity.

• Economic Impact for Chicago: The project is expected to generate 95,000 jobs during construction, boost O’Hare’s operating revenue by $280M annually, and contribute over $550M to Chicago’s economy each year once completed; all funded without taxpayer dollars.

• Challenges and Delays: Costs have jumped 42% since 2018 due to inflation and expanded scope, pushing the timeline sometime between 2030 and 2034. Legal battles over gate allocations between American Airlines and United Airlines, along with construction sequencing, present additional hurdles.

Hope this was helpful!

John Sintich, Realtor® 

Keller Williams Preferred Realty

708-612-0644