SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to the recent announcement from the U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s confirmation of a 10% reduction in scheduled air traffic controllers at 40 major airports:

“As someone who has spent years fighting to modernize our transportation network as a member of the Senate Transportation committee, and protect the workers who keep Illinois moving, I find it unacceptable that air traffic control is now being jeopardized. A 10% cut in air traffic isn’t just an inconvenience – it’s a threat to passenger safety, our economy and the thousands of families who rely on reliable transit to work and live. The employees of FAA deserve paychecks, not empty promises. The Trump Administration must act immediately to end this crony display of power, restore full operations and put the safety and stability of our nation’s airways above partisan games.”

State Senator Mike Simmons is available for further comment.

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