O’Hare 21 is Chicago’s vision for a modern airport that will be an efficient and accessible international gateway, bringing the world to Chicago, and Chicago to the world.
Through this decade-long capital program, O’Hare will be transformed from curb to gate — reaffirming O’Hare’s status as a premier international hub while meeting the evolving needs of the traveling public through the 21st century and beyond.
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O’Hare 21 will be a model of inclusiveness and transparency, creating an unprecedented opportunity for local participation from businesses owned by minorities, women, disabled persons, veterans, returning citizens and members of the LGBTQ+ community through incentives to local companies from across Chicago’s 77 community areas. As an economic engine for the City of Chicago, the region and the state, this project will create nearly 22,000 jobs in design, construction and related industries.

Signature Projects
O'Hare Global Terminal
Terminal 5 Expansion and Modernization
Satellite Concourses

O’Hare 21 is a multi-dimensional, multi-phased umbrella for the long-term vision for O’Hare.

Major elements of O’Hare 21 include:
Completion of the O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP):
Runway 9C-27C
Completed 2020

O’Hare 21 is organized by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) and financed entirely with revenue from agreements with partner airlines. No taxpayer funds are used to support O’Hare 21. The carefully planned initiative was designed in order to have the least potential impact to the traveling public, existing operations, as well as the surrounding communities.