Aldermen Urge Airlines, Cargo Carriers To Stop Flights To Russia
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A group of Chicago aldermen on Wednesday urged airlines and air cargo lines operating out of O'Hare International Airport to halt all flights to Russia, until it withdraws its troops from Ukraine.
WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports Ald. Ed Burke (14th), who chairs the City Council Finance Committee, along with Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1st) and Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th), who represent portions the Ukrainian Village neighborhood, have proposed a resolution calling on all passenger and cargo air carriers to terminate service to Russia to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
"A country has gone into a sovereign country, and is trying to take over that country. Let's be real. Now, I'm not saying this is a panacea; this is going to end the conflict. We're a city. You know, that's a federal government's responsibility. I would support President Obama," he said. "But we have small tools that we can use to show action, and hopefully our action will spur action in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, etc."
Moreno admits he doesn't know if the airlines are listening, or if this would have any effect on Russia. Such a resolution would carry no legal weight.
"We've got to do what we can for the Ukrainian people, for a sovereign country, and for what's looking more and more like a dictatorship that's trying to take over," he said.
Moreno said aldermen are ready to call airline executives before the City Council to discuss the proposal. He also wants to take another look at Chicago's sister city relationship with Moscow.