### THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON DC 20590

The Honorable Richard 

### J. Durbin United States Senate

.\Vashington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Durbin: July 17, 2012

Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the University ofIllinois' Willard 1\irport for a grant under the U.S. Department ofTransportation's SmaH Community Air Service Development Program.
The SmaJI Community Air Service Development Program was established to help smaller communities address air service deficiencies, particularly issues related to high airfares or insufficient service. Under the statute, the Department may make a maximum of40 grant awards each year, although no more than 4 awards·may be to communities in the same State. In order to provide communities with latitude in developing solutions to their air service deficiencies, the statute provides flexibility in the types ofprojects that can be funded.
On tv!ay 15, the Department issued an order requesting that communities interested in receiving a grant this year file their applications by June ll. As these grant requests are pending before the**Department~** lcannot comment on the merits ofany particular proposal. 

### I assure you that the Department will give full and fair consideration to all proposals that have been properly filed.
As is our nonnal practice, I am placing a c ofyour letter and this respons · Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069 as a contact · · t record ofthis matter. 

### I app e your interest in this program.1-:ICHARD J DURBIN 

# United tStatrs ;brnatr TUaslnngron. Bll 20ilo-no·r

Secretary Ray LaHood U.S; DepartmentofTransporation 1200 NewJersey Avenue, SE Washington,**DG2059o~ooo**

### 1

Dear·se·cretary LaHood: June I4, 2012**COiVl~,'liTTGE** ON THE .JUDICIMlV

COiv11V11TTEE ON RULES .4ND AOMIN!STFlATION



### I am writing to express my suppott ofthe grant application submitted by the University of Illinois' Willard Airport to the U.S. Deprutment ofTransportation for the Small Community Air Service Development Program. The proposal is to support non-stop service between ChampaignUrbana and Washington Dulles. · Access to commercial air transpmtation is a key ingredient in building a strong and vibrant east central Illinois economy and is a high priority for local development efforts as well as those of the University ofIllinois.
Overthe last ten years the University ofIllinois Research Park has created over 1200 technology relatedjobs and is a research facility for many top companies including Yahoo, Caterpillar, John Deere, Sony, and State Farm to name a few. Access to robust commercial air services is critical to the future success oftheseefforts and the companies they host. According to a recent study by the Illinois Department ofTransportation, Willard Airport produced a total economic impact ofnearly $60 million; this grant investment will ensure that Willard Airport continues to help the university and local communities to thrive.
TheUniversity ofIIlinois' research projects involve hundreds ofmillion dollru·s offederal money. A direct flight to the Washington area canbe developed and sustained by all who would use this service including the University ofIllinois, federal agencies, local businesses, and international travelers.
I urge you to give this application the most serious consideration. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

RJD/kbf

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# .t1"R2l*fi•ij•lftl Sincerely,

# ~~~~ Richard J. Durbin United States Senator

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