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Ground stop at Chicago O'Hare and Midway due to smoke at FAA facility

Written by Vermilion | May 13, 2014 7:37:35 PM

A ground stop is in place at Chicago's airports after reports of smoke at an FAA traffic control facility in Elgin.

Sprinklers activated at the FAA building located at 1100 Bowes Road in Elgin around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Sources said a fan motor overheated in the women's lounge, which is near the control center, leading to smoke- but no fire. FAA workers at the Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) building were evacuated, including about 20 controllers who handle air traffic from 5 to 40 miles from the airports.

The controllers were moved to the FAA's Chicago Center, and will take some time to acclimate there as TRACON airs out. Officials cannot say how long the ground stop will be in effect, but delays are expected to continue after it's lifted