CHICAGO (AP) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is fining the city of Chicago $33,000 for its late-night demolition of Meigs Field, an FAA spokesman said Tuesday.
The city has 15 days to request a hearing before an administrative law judge or pay the fine, FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro said.
The city unsuccessfully appealed the fine to the FAA, which first ordered in October that the city should pay the fine.
Two years ago, Mayor Richard Daley cited terrorism concerns when he quietly ordered the demolition of the runway at Meigs. Crews began bulldozing it late that night on March 30, 2003. The airport has since been converted into a park and concert venue.
The demolition was done without FAA approval because the city was required to give the agency 30-days notice before it shut down the airfield, Molinaro said.
The $33,000 fine is $1,100 a day for every day the city failed to give notice.
City Law Department spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyle said the city has not decided if it will request the hearing or pay the fine.
The FAA also is investigating whether $1.5 million was improperly diverted to pay for the demolition. Molinaro said that investigation is ongoing.
The city has disputed the FAA's allegation that federal funds were mishandled.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press
