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Durbin, Kirk Hope For Agreement On O'Hare Expansion

WASHINGTON (CBS) -- A delay in the lawsuit involving the O'Hare Modernization Program is being hailed by the two U.S. senators from Illinois.

As WBBM Newsradio 780's Mary Frances Bragiel reports, senators Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) are thrilled that a temporary delay has been granted in the lawsuit involving O'Hare expansion project.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Mary Frances Bragiel reports

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In a joint statement they said, "We hope a compromise can be reached between the City of Chicago and United and American airlines.

Mayor Richard M. Daley and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood met earlier this week in Washington, D.C., with United chief executive officer Jeffrey Smisek and American CEO Gerard Arpey.

A Cook County judge on Thursday ordered a five-day delay in the airlines' lawsuits, as requested by the Department of Transportation.

But while delayed, an agreement has yet to be reached.

In a joint statement following Wednesday's meeting, the two airlines said they and the city remain far apart and that they were "unable to reach an agreement that would permit us to suspend our litigation."

The city wants to $1 billion in bonds to finance the O'Hare expansion project. In their lawsuit, the companies stated that the city is violating a lease agreement that gives the airlines the authority to review and approve expenditures for the project.

Daley complained last week that the airlines seemed to be avoiding him and trying to put off talks about O'Hare until he leaves office.

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