(CHICAGO, ILLINOIS) City alderpeople pressed Chicago Department of Aviation leaders on whether O’Hare and Midway could soon host slot machines at airports and how the city’s airports will weather the government shutdown effects that have rattled the national aviation system. The questions came during the Department of Aviation budget hearing for 2026, held on October 23, 2025, where Commissioner Michael McMurray faced detailed queries on revenue ideas, safety, and staffing.
At the session, McMurray confirmed that the idea of installing slot machines remains exploratory, with no final decision, approvals, or timeline. Alders asked about projected earnings, licensing rules, and whether gambling terminals would fit inside secure areas to capture traveler dwell time without disrupting passenger flow. The commissioner noted that staff are assessing feasibility, demand, and regulatory steps before any plan moves forward.
City officials also flagged the experience of other U.S. airports that have added gambling to boost non-aeronautical revenue, a trend that has grown as airports seek income not tied to airline fees.
Revenue idea meets policy and placement questions
Supporters framed slot machines as one more way to help finance modern terminals and customer amenities without raising airline costs. Skeptics worried about optics, passenger experience, and the risk that machines could pull spending away from local concessions.
McMurray emphasized that any proposal would need to clear legal, security, and operational checks. He added that location choices would be critical: areas past security may see the most activity but require careful planning to maintain safety and keep lines moving. Several alderpeople asked for a clearer forecast of revenue versus setup and oversight costs if the concept returns for a vote.
For Chicago travelers, the discussion reflects a broader national debate about how airports pay for growth. Many large hubs across the United States now rely on retail, dining, and other services to help fund upgrades. Slot machines at airports would add another category. Still, with no schedule and no authorization in place, the topic remains at the study stage.
Key points on the gambling proposal:
– Status: Exploratory — no decisions or timeline
– Main considerations: Feasibility, demand, regulatory hurdles, licensing
– Placement questions: Pre-security vs. post-security trade-offs
– Financial ask: Clear revenue vs. setup/oversight cost comparisons requested by alderpeople
Shutdown risks and the national system
The hearing’s second major theme focused on the government shutdown effects seen in recent months and the threat of future lapses. McMurray fielded questions on how shutdowns can strain security checkpoints and air traffic operations.
He noted risks from staffing shortages among federal workers—especially Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners and air traffic controllers—who keep flights moving and terminals safe. Those gaps can lead to:
– Longer lines
– Delays
– Higher stress for passengers and airport teams
A prolonged lapse can also slow or pause federal funding for construction and maintenance projects. That can hit schedule-sensitive work, including runway repairs, safety systems, and terminal upgrades, if contractors or agencies wait for funding authorization.
While short shutdowns are often managed through contingency plans, national aviation groups have warned that repeated disruptions chip away at stability and safety. The Air Line Pilots Association and Airports Council International–North America have called for uninterrupted FAA funding to protect operations and planning.
The federal context matters. The FAA’s FY 2025 budget request highlights priorities such as controller hiring, infrastructure modernization, and operational safety. Agency leaders stress that hiring and training new controllers takes time, and pauses can ripple across the system.
For official detail on federal funding priorities and program support, see the FAA’s budget overview at the Federal Aviation Administration: https://www.faa.gov/about/budget.
During the Department of Aviation budget hearing, alderpeople asked whether Chicago’s airports had seen measurable impacts from the most recent lapse. McMurray pointed to standard planning steps that help absorb short-term shocks but did not downplay risks if shutdowns last longer. He said the department continues to coordinate closely with federal partners to protect safety and keep projects on track.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, sustained instability at the federal level tends to hit large hub airports first, where minor staffing shortfalls quickly grow into significant delays. That can spill into:
– Missed connections for international travelers
– Tighter schedules for airport workers
– Added costs for airlines already managing tight margins
For immigrant families and global visitors, the practical effect is more time in queues and higher chances of travel disruption, even when local airport teams perform well.
Key takeaway: Repeated federal funding lapses can quickly undermine reliability at major hubs, creating cascading delays and added costs across the aviation system.
Local staffing and infrastructure plans
Within the city’s 2026 proposal, the Chicago Department of Aviation outlined a net increase in staff and continued investment in infrastructure at both O’Hare and Midway. The plan aligns with long-running projects aimed at expanding capacity and modernizing passenger areas.
City leaders framed these steps as essential to handle future demand while improving daily reliability. The department also tied staffing growth to resilience, arguing that more city-side personnel can help support operations when partner agencies face constraints.
Lawmakers probed how much of the department’s capital schedule depends on federal grants or reimbursements and how contingency plans would work if those funds are delayed. McMurray repeated that safety and security projects remain the top priority and that the department maintains a list of time-sensitive work to safeguard during funding turbulence. He also acknowledged that even well-prepared plans can strain if shutdowns extend.
The exchange underscored the bind many airports face: they must keep investing in runways, gates, and technology while bracing for national-level shocks they don’t control. That tension explains why some alderpeople see non-aeronautical revenue—possibly including slot machines at airports—as a buffer against federal volatility. Others counter that gambling may not provide reliable returns and brings its own policy questions.
Stakeholder positions mentioned during the hearing:
– Airline unions and airport associations: Call for steady FAA appropriations to prevent staffing gaps and paused construction.
– Business groups near airports: Want improved passenger flow and reduced wait times, arguing smoother travel benefits hotels, restaurants, and logistics companies.
Practical advice for travelers during federal funding uncertainty:
1. Arrive earlier than usual.
2. Keep travel documents ready.
3. Monitor airline alerts closely.
4. Allow extra time for families traveling with children or elders.
5. Consider longer layovers for connecting flights.
What came out of the hearing
No immediate policy changes came out of the budget hearing. The commissioner’s team will:
– Continue to study the gambling concept
– Track federal funding developments
– Coordinate with federal partners to manage shutdown risks
Any move to place slot machines at airports would require clear rules, careful placement, and support from city leaders. On the shutdown front, coordination with federal partners remains the central tool for managing risk. As of October 24, 2025, both issues remain under active review by city and federal aviation authorities.
Chicago’s debate mirrors a national balancing act: finding new revenue while safeguarding safety and reliability. Whether the city ultimately installs slot machines, airport leadership made clear that core operations, safety, and service come first, even as they explore ideas to make finances more stable in an uncertain federal climate.
This Article in a Nutshell
During the October 23, 2025 Chicago Department of Aviation budget hearing, Commissioner Michael McMurray told alderpeople that the proposal to install slot machines at O’Hare and Midway remains exploratory with no approvals or timeline. Officials probed projected earnings, licensing, placement (pre- vs. post-security), and operational impacts. The hearing also addressed government shutdown risks, highlighting staffing shortages among TSA screeners and air traffic controllers that can produce longer lines, delays, and threaten time-sensitive federal-funded projects. Chicago’s 2026 budget proposes a net increase in staff and continued infrastructure investment; city leaders emphasized coordination with federal partners to protect safety. No immediate policy changes were made; both gambling and shutdown contingency plans remain under review.
