Decatur among Illinois airports facing potential funding cuts

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – Airports in three Illinois cities, Decatur, Marion and Quincy, face the possibility of losing federal funds for their airports as part of the Essential Air Service (EAS) program.

A proposal in the Trump Administration budget would reduce or cut funding for the program, which helps air service for smaller communities. In Decatur, the amount of money exceeds $6 million annually. It is used to fund United Express jet service.

United Express flies 50-seat jets into Decatur for daily service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

“We really need that air service to continue Decatur’s economic growth," Decatur Park District Executive Director Clay Gerhard told WAND News. The park district operates the airport. “Without Essential Air Service money, we would not be able to operate commercial air service out of Decatur.”

Although the administration is proposing the cuts, it will be up to Congress to determine how nearly 180 airports across the country that use the service will be funded. Essential Airport Service was created in 1978.