Rule2026-16158
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
August 7, 2026
Effective
October 29, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action amends the Class D and Class E airspace at Chicago/Rockford, IL. This action is due to a biennial airspace review conducted pursuant to FAA Order JO 7400.2R, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters. This action brings the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and supports instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures and operations.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 151 (Friday, August 7, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 151 (Friday, August 7, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51065-51066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-16158]
[[Page 51065]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action amends the Class D and Class E airspace at
Chicago/Rockford, IL. This action is due to a biennial airspace review
conducted pursuant to FAA Order JO 7400.2R, Procedures for Handling
Airspace Matters. This action brings the airspace into compliance with
FAA orders and supports instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures and
operations.
DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, October 29, 2026. The Director of the
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under
1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order JO 7400.11
and publication of conforming amendments.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), all
comments received, this final rule, and all background material may be
viewed online at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> using the FAA Docket number.
Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website.
It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. An electronic
copy of this document may also be downloaded from
<a href="http://www.federalregister.gov">www.federalregister.gov</a>.
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,
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; 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 amends the Class D and Class E airspace at the affected airport
to support IFR operations.
History
The FAA published an NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2026-6997 in the
Federal Register (91 FR 35907; June 15, 2026) proposing to amend the
Class D and Class E airspace at Chicago/Rockford, IL. Interested
parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by
submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments
were received.
Incorporation by Reference
Class D and E airspace designations 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 amends the current version of that
order, FAA Order JO 7400.11K, dated August 4, 2025, and effective
September 15, 2025. These amendments will 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 Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by modifying 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, this action: (1) expands the radius from 4.6
miles to 5.7 miles; and (2) removes 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, this action: (1)
increases the radius from 7.1 miles to 8.2 miles; and (2) amends 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 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 amendments are routine and the expected impact to
operators is de minimis, the FAA certifies that this rule, when
promulgated, does not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Environmental Review
The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance
with FAA Order 1050.1G, ``FAA National Environmental Policy Act
Implementing Procedures,'' Paragraph B-2.5(a). This airspace action is
not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental
impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant
preparation of an environmental assessment.
Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration amends 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:
[[Page 51066]]
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, on August 5, 2026.
Courtney E. Johns,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2026-16158 Filed 8-6-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 7, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.