CDA, City Colleges announce free Continuing Education course

City Colleges of Chicago, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), announced today the formation of a free, online four-week course focused on the wide array of career opportunities available at O’Hare and Midway International Airports, which together contribute more than $45 billion to the Chicago economy and directly employ more than 50,000 local residents.

"This collaboration between the CDA and City Colleges has launched a transformative continuing education program that will introduce students to the multitude of diverse and exciting careers within the aviation sector, empowering our students to reach new heights and promising careers," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "Education gives new wings to our students and professionals, and I'm excited to see them soar toward countless opportunities."

The two-hour virtual class will be taught from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays for four consecutive weeks. It begins on August 5 and concludes August 26.

Read more or register now

CONNECTING THE MIDWEST TO THE WORLD

Contour launches O'Hare Essential Air Service to small Midwestern communities

Contour Airlines and the CDA announced this month the regional carrier will launch new daily service on Aug. 1 from O’Hare International Airport to three small communities across the Midwest as a part of the federal government’s Essential Air Service (EAS) program.

The airports that will be served from O’Hare for the first time include:

• Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in Marion, Illinois (MWA)
• Kirksville Regional Airport in Kirksville, Missouri (IRK)
• Owensboro–Daviess County Airport in Owensboro, Kentucky (OWB)

“On behalf of Mayor Brandon Johnson and the people of Chicago, we are thrilled to welcome Contour Airlines to the world’s best-connected hub: O’Hare International Airport,” said CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee. “This new, frequent service will provide fast connections to points across the globe for tens of thousands of residents in Southern Illinois, Northern Missouri and Western Kentucky.”

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O'Hare hiring Airport Information Ambassadors to improve passenger experience

The CDA is seeking to hire 15 customer service professionals as Airport Information Ambassadors as part of an ongoing effort to improve the passenger experience at the world's second busiest airport.

The posting, available at Chicago.gov/careers, seeks candidates with one year of customer service experience who have conversational proficiency in three languages, including English. The position, which is union represented and based at O’Hare, does not require a high school or college degree. The starting salary is $47,532 and includes a full suite of City of Chicago benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, paid vacation and sick time, and a City pension plan

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TASTE THE LOOP IN T5

Local flavor coming to O'Hare with The Dearborn

An airport outpost of The Dearborn, a favorite local eatery in Chicago's Loop, is coming to the newly-expanded Terminal 5 at O'Hare International Airport, the CDA and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports announced this month.

The Dearborn is an urban American tavern with an upscale, yet approachable menu that will offer sit-down service and a grab-and-go marketplace with fresh coffee. The original establishment, located in Chicago's iconic theater district, was opened in 2016 by Irish immigrant sisters Amy and Clodagh Lawless. The Terminal 5 restaurant, expected to open the first half of 2024, is The Dearborn's first location in an airport.

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Vice President Harris lands at Midway

Midway International Airport welcomed Vice President Kamala Harris on July 24 as she traveled to Chicago to speak at the UnidosUS conference at McCormick Place.

The Vice President also traveled to Chicago earlier this month to speak at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition Convention on July 17.

The CDA looks forward to welcoming dignitaries from across America to Chicago's airports for both the Democratic National Convention, which will be hosted in Chicago next August, and the Republican National Convention, which will be hosted a short ride up I-94 in Milwaukee next July.

FAN FAVORITE EATS

James Beard Foundation showcases O'Hare's world-class food

The CDA and the James Beard Foundation held a series of events in May to highlight O’Hare’s award-winning dining options with guest chefs including Rick Bayless, Paul Kahan, Greg Wade and more.

Check out the recap video

Tuskegee Airmen president speaks to CDA interns

Ken Rapier, President of the Tuskegee Airmen Chicago “DODO” Chapter, spoke to CDA summer interns this month. Rapier's word for the day was "success" as he shared the Tuskegee Airmen's history and the impact the group made on the world during WWII despite racial barriers. Rapier recapped one successful mission in which the airmen shot down a dozen enemy aircraft earning the group the name "Red Tail Angels" for protecting bomber pilots in battle.

Each year, the CDA hosts dozens of interns interested in the world of aviation, providing them with first-hand, real-world experience. Tuskegee University is a historically black institution located in Alabama, offering both undergraduate courses in the field of aviation and aviation-centered programs for younger students.

Honor Flight takes veterans on 109th trip from Midway to Washington, D.C.

On July 12, Honor Flight Chicago and the CDA hosted 113 veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces on a trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the National Memorials.

Two World War II veterans, eight Korean War veterans and 103 Vietnam War veterans representing the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy departed from Midway for Honor Flight Chicago’s 109th trip.

Read more in the Chicago Sun-Times

CDA joins budget community engagement sessions at City Colleges

The CDA Workforce team participated in the City of Chicago’s 2024 Budget community engagement sessions this month at Kennedy-King College in Englewood, Truman College in Uptown, and Malcolm X College on the Near West Side, where attendees could learn about job opportunities at Chicago's airports.

Learn more about the budget community engagement process and complete the City’s 2024 Budget Engagement Online Survey.

Commissioner joins Rainbow/PUSH for African American Contractors Day

CDA Commissioner Jamie Rhee spoke at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition's 19th Annual African American Contractors Day event on Saturday, July 29, emphasizing the department's ongoing work to inspire a new generation of Chicagoans to consider a career at O’Hare and Midway.

The Commissioner also reviewed the CDA’s extensive efforts to build capacity among small, diverse firms working on the decade-long O'Hare 21 project. CDA’s Workforce Ambassadors joined for the day as well to share the latest resources for contractors interested in finding their next opportunity at Chicago’s airports.

Learn more about doing business at Chicago's airports or find your next job opportunity at O'Hare or Mdiway

SUMMER JAMS DON'T STOP

'Chi on the Fly' music series continues at Chicago's airports

The CDA's “Chi on the Fly” entertainment series continues to bring the sounds of Chicago's summer music festivals to O’Hare and Midway.

Watch a recap of the Cover Girls playing in O'Hare's Terminal 3 Rotunda on July 21 above.

See the season's full lineup

Eat, shop and tote at O'Hare this summer!

Shop at O'Hare's retailers this summer and carry your purchases to your gate in style. Claim a FREE limited-edition O'Hare tote bag with a purchase of three items or more from participating O'Hare concessionaires. Offer valid while supplies last.

Volaris announces Guatemala City service from O'Hare

Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris announced a new route this month from O'Hare to Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA). The thrice-weekly service starts in November, just in time to escape Chicago winter. The Guatemala route will complement the carrier's ongoing service from Midway to Morelia (MLM), Guadalajara (GDL) and Queretaro (QRO) in Mexico.

Book now at Volaris.com

New concessions open at O'Hare

Chi Life Market opened this month near Gate C27 in Terminal 1's C Concourse! A new retailer to O'Hare, Chi Life Market features Costa Coffee and a wide assortment of grab-and-go favorites for travelers looking for a tasty snack.

Protein Bar Kiosk also opened this month in Terminal 5 near Gate M13, offering grab-and-go meals, snacks and beverages.

Additionally, Uno’s/Chicago Style Hot Dogs changed its name to Quick Connect 06 and relocated to Gate C11 in Terminal 1, also offering a variety of grab-and-go snacks.

• Frontier Airlines: MDW to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas (DFW) daily service increases to 2x daily Aug. 16
• Frontier Airlines: MDW to Phoenix, Arizona (PHX) daily service increases to 2x daily Aug. 16
• American Airlines: ORD to Lansing, Michigan (LAN) 2x daily service increases to 3x daily Aug. 15
• Southwest Airlines: ORD to Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS) 2x daily service increases to 3x Aug. 15
• United Airlines: ORD to Charlotsville, Virginia (CHO) resumes daily service Aug. 1
• Spirit Airlines: ORD to Fort Lauderdale, Florida (FLL) 2-3x daily service increases to 3-4x daily Aug. 15