Questions flying about Bult Field near proposed Abraham Lincoln airport

There is a small, privately-owned airport that is currently being expanded in the footprint of the proposed south suburban airport.

This airport, known as Bult Field, at 28261 S. Kedzie Ave., once went by the name Sanger Field and is located in unincorporated Will County in Illinois.

Bult Field could cause problems for the state when the time comes to purchase land for the proposed Abraham Lincoln National Airport, said Rick Bryant, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill.

James Bult, owner of Bult Field, did not return several calls for comment.

"We are concerned about (Bult Field)," Bryant said. "It lies right in the middle of the inaugural footprint."

Bryant said if Bult Field is expanded, it could cost the state millions of dollars when the time comes to buy the property.

Brian Cann, Will Township supervisor, said James Bult has the support of the township. He said Bult plans to expand the private airport.

Cann said several million dollars will be spent on the airport by the Bult family. He said Bult plans to construct a 5,000-foot runway suitable for corporate and private airplanes weighing less than 50,000 pounds. Construction of Bult Field is expected to be completed by mid-2007.

"(Bult Field) is going to be a boom for eastern Will County," Cann said.

Cann said the Will Township Board does not support the proposed Abraham Lincoln National Airport.

He said he expects flying lessons will be available at Bult Field. In the past, he has taken private flying lessons from the airport.

Jim Verduin, a land owner who lives in the inaugural footprint of the south suburban airport, said the community has rallied behind Bult and his airport.

Verduin said Bult has his own helicopters and has ordered his own small jet.

"He's a don't-tell-him-you-can't-do-something kind of guy," Verduin said about James Bult. "He loves that airport."