Proposed Rule2026-11957
Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Chicago/Rockford, IL
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 15, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to amend the Class D and Class E airspace at Chicago/Rockford, IL. The FAA is proposing this action due to a biennial airspace review conducted pursuant to FAA Order JO 7400.2R, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters. This action would bring the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and support instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures and operations.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 114 (Monday, June 15, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 114 (Monday, June 15, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35907-35909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-11957]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2026-6997; Airspace Docket No. 26-AGL-13]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Chicago/Rockford, IL
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend the Class D and Class E airspace
at Chicago/Rockford, IL. The FAA is proposing this action due to a
biennial airspace review conducted pursuant to FAA Order JO 7400.2R,
Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters. This action would bring the
airspace into compliance with FAA orders and support instrument flight
rule (IFR) procedures and operations.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 30, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2026-6997 and
Airspace Docket No. 26-AGL-13 using any of the following methods:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> and follow
the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
* Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W58-213, West
Building, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
* Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in
Room W58-213 of the West Building, 5th Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
* Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> at any time. Follow the online instructions for
accessing the docket or go to Docket Operations in Room W58-213 of the
[[Page 35908]]
West Building, 5th Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC,
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
FAA Order JO 7400.11K, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points,
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at <a href="http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/">www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/</a>. You may also contact the Rules and
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5711.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority for This Rulemaking
The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's
authority. This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described
in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section,
the FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of
airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient
use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority
as it would amend the Class D and Class E airspace at the affected
airport to support IFR operations.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain
the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters
should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or
commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments
are filed in writing.
The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it received on or before
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light
of the comments it receives.
Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the
commenter provides, to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> as described in the system
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14FDMS), which can be reviewed at
<a href="http://www.dot.gov/privacy">www.dot.gov/privacy</a>.
Availability of Rulemaking Documents
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the
internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at
<a href="http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/">www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/</a>.
You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any
comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets
Office (see the ADDRESSES section for the address, phone number, and
hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during
normal business hours at the Federal Aviation Administration, Air
Traffic Organization, Central Service Center, Operations Support Group,
10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
Incorporation by Reference
Class D and Class E airspace relevant to this action are published
in paragraphs 5000 and 6005 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace
Designations and Reporting Points, which is incorporated by reference
in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This document proposes to amend the
current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11K, dated August 4,
2025, and effective September 15, 2025. These updates would be
published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. FAA Order JO
7400.11K, which lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air
traffic service routes, and reporting points, is publicly available as
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 that would
modify the Class D airspace and Class E airspace extending upward from
700 ft. above the surface at Chicago/Rockford, Illinois due to a
biennial airspace review conducted pursuant to FAA Order JO 7400.2R.
For the Chicago/Rockford International Airport, Chicago/Rockford,
IL, Class D airspace, the proposal would: (1) expand the radius from
4.6 miles to 5.7 miles; and (2) remove the extension south of the
airport as it is no longer required.
For the Chicago/Rockford International Airport Class E airspace
extending upward from 700 ft. above the surface, the proposal would:
(1) increase the radius from 7.1 miles to 8.2 miles; and (2) amend the
extension south of the airport to within 4 miles (increased from 3
miles) each side of the 185[deg]bearing from the Chicago/Rockford INTL:
RWY 01-LOC extending from the 8.2-mile (currently 7.1-mile) radius of
the airport to 11.1 miles (currently 12.3 miles) south of the Chicago/
Rockford INTL: RWY 01-LOC.
Regulatory Notices and Analyses
The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current.
It, therefore: (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT
Order 2100.6B, ``Policies and Procedures for Rulemakings'' (March 10,
2025); and (3) is expected to result in, at most, de minimis costs from
compliance with applicable operating requirements or minor flight
rerouting for operators choosing to navigate around the controlled
airspace. Since these proposed amendments are routine and the expected
impact to operators is de minimis, the FAA certifies that this proposed
rule, when promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Environmental Review
This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1G, ``FAA National Environmental Policy
Act Implementing Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
[[Page 35909]]
The Proposed Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:
PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS
0
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O.
10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO
7400.11K, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 4,
2025, and effective September 15, 2025, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.
* * * * *
AGL IL D Chicago/Rockford, IL [Amended]
Chicago/Rockford International Airport, IL
(Lat. 42[deg]11'43'' N, long 089[deg]05'50'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface of the earth to
and including 3,200 feet MSL within a 5.7-mile radius of the
Chicago/Rockford International Airport.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.
* * * * *
AGL IL E5 Chicago/Rockford, IL [Amended]
Chicago/Rockford International Airport, IL
(Lat. 42[deg]11'43'' N, long 089[deg]05'50'' W)
Chicago/Rockford INTL: RWY 01-LOC
(Lat. 42[deg]12'36'' N, long 089[deg]05'17'' W)
That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within an 8.2-mile radius of the Chicago/Rockford International
Airport; and within 4 miles each side of the 185[deg] bearing from
the Chicago/Rockford INTL: RWY 01-LOC extending from the 8.2-mile
radius of the airport to 11.1 miles south of the Chicago/Rockford
INTL: RWY 01-LOC.
* * * * *
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas.
Courtney E. Johns,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2026-11957 Filed 6-12-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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