O'Hare Wants To Use Cemetery For Runway Expansion

February 9, 2010 3:16 p.m. EST

Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) - O'Hare International Airport could be getting a new runway as soon as the city of Chicago clears 5.3 acres of cemetery land and relocates 1,200 graves, officials said.

A DuPage County judge gave custody of St. Johannes Cemetery, a one-and-a-half century-old plot of land, to the city, reports stated.

The judge ordered the city, however, to compensate the former owners of the cemetery - St. John's United Church of Christ -- $630,000 in the transaction. The land is just a part of a multi-billion upgrade project on the airport, according to reports.

According to the ruling, which came in December, the city has the right to the land despite the church citing a violation of religious beliefs if the graves are moved, reports stated.

The graves cannot be moved for a period of 20 days, giving the church adequate time to contest the ruling.

Graves will have to be moved by spring of 2011 if the appeal does not go through, according to reports.

The city of Chicago is offering to pay relocation fees for any graves that are moved.