A few weeks ago the Chicago Executive Airport dropped a plan that would steer nighttime air traffic away from nearby residents. Days later the airport announced a proposal that could bring federal grant money to help soundproof homes in the Wheeling and Prospect Heights area.

The Daily Herald reported on the news that the airport’s board of directors voted against an $80,000 study that would determine the effectiveness of the program that would divert airplane traffic from passing over homes to going over an industrial district in Wheeling between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. At the Nov. 22 meeting, the board voted 5-1 against the noise study and announced the federal program that would help homeowners insulate their homes.

The program is largely funded by the Federal Aviation Administration, covering 90 percent of the cost. The airport will contribute the remaining 10 percent. The board announced that it would spend up to $350,000, which would add to a total of $3.5 million in relief for affected homes.

Officials from the FAA and airport consultants were among those in attendance at a community meeting Nov. 28 in Prospect Heights. Officials fielded comments and questions from those who attended and residents got access to view a noise exposure map that indicates the homes that would qualify for the federal soundproofing program.

Not everyone is on board with the plans. Steve Neff, a community member of the airport’s noise committee, told the Herald that diverting planes over the industrial area would contribute to fewer homes needing soundproofing. In the long-run, soundproofing would cost more money, he said.

The public has until Dec. 8 to comment on the plans. There is currently no timeline regarding when the agency would decide whether to recommend the federal grant money for the project.