The main argument for Peotone seems to revolve around the fact that blighted south suburban neighborhoods such as Park Forest, Harvey, etc. will get better air service, so better jobs will go there. But, from a Federal perspective, one can argue that Gary, Hammond, and Michigan City have the same problem - if not much worse. But Gary doesn't have the political support, especially from Congressman and mayoral-wannabe Jackson.

Neither Gary or Peotone will do a bit to help O'Hare, unless you call a new home for airlines such as Spirit and Spanair progress. The only way to force progress at Peotone would be artificial - like LGA vs. EWR, IAD vs. DCA, and LHR vs. LGW.

1. Force all non-US carriers to fly from Peotone instead of O'Hare
2. Put in a 1000 mile perimeter rule at MDW (which makes the new International terminal kind of stupid...)

There is no way that UA/AA/WN/ATA would stand for these types of machinations. So, Peotone/Gary is going to end up being the reliever for Midway. And while Midway has been revitalized thanks to Southwest and ATA, you didn't see Boeing considering Bedford Park for their new headquarters!

Meanwhile, a different way to cut down on problems at O'Hare would be to pump money into MKE, and pump money into the infrastructure between MKE and the northern Chicago suburbs down to about Gurnee. But that's not politically expedient, either.