Oak Brook, Ill. – The DuPage Airport Authority (DAA) renamed the airport’s Flight Center in honor of the fiscal and good government reforms instituted by former chairman Daniel L. Goodwin. The naming of The Daniel L. Goodwin Flight Center was approved by the DAA Board of Commissioners via unanimous consent in January 2016, after an independent committee presented the concept to the DAA Board.

“Dan Goodwin’s leadership and transformation of the DAA is a prime example of how the public sector should operate, and serves as a positive model of how to run a government agency like a business,” said the Honorable Lee Daniels, Chairman of the Daniel L. Goodwin Flight Center Committee.

The Committee was formed to host the dedication ceremony without using taxpayer dollars. In addition to the current DAA Board, the naming ceremony was attended by many elected officials, citizens of DuPage, and Illinois Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti.

“This is an example of how to do things right in government,” said Dan Cronin, DuPage County Board Chairman, at the Flight Center’s dedication ceremony. Goodwin, who is a well-known civic reformer, does not allow any of his companies to do business with government entities in order to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Goodwin was appointed to the Board of the DAA in November 2002, and elected chairman in January 2003. Prior to his appointment, DAA suffered annual operating losses, consumed $18 million in property tax levies, and was $26 million in debt. After Goodwin’s appointment, and because of the business best-practices he implemented, DAA operating losses were turned into profits and all DAA debt was repaid. The government-owned airport not only became debt free for the first time, but it remains so to this day. Additionally, the property tax levy was reduced by 67 percent, and the DAA annually has been rebating $1 million back to the taxpayers of DuPage County.

“Dan Goodwin is not only a successful businessman, but he is also a model citizen of DuPage, who puts the community and taxpayers first,” said Steve Davis, current Chairman of the DAA Board of Commissioners, who introduced Goodwin at the event. “The Board has chosen to honor him for his impact at the DAA and for his selfless philanthropic dedication to our region.”

Excess contributions to the Renaming Committee are being donated to the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., a nonprofit organization that focuses on honoring and perpetuating the accomplishments of African-Americans who participated in the Army Air Corps during World War II by introducing young people across the nation to the world of aviation and science.

About DuPage Airport and the Daniel L. Goodwin Flight Center
Located just one hour west of the heart of Chicago and minutes from major suburban business districts, DuPage Airport and the Daniel L. Goodwin Flight Center is the only facility of its kind in Illinois with four active runways, two ILS approaches, and a 1 million-square-foot apron. DuPage’s primary runway is the longest in Chicagoland outside of O’Hare International Airport, providing operational flexibility to accommodate any business-class aircraft, including Boeing Business Jets. Home to many corporate flight departments, the airport experiences more than 80,000 takeoffs annually and has had no closures due to snow in 30 years. To learn more, visit www.dupageairport.com.

About The Inland Real Estate Group of Companies, Inc.
The Inland Real Estate Group of Companies, Inc., headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, is one of the nation’s largest commercial real estate and finance groups, with more than 40 years in the industry. The Inland Real Estate Group of Companies, Inc. is comprised of independent legal entities, some of which may be affiliates, share some common ownership or have been sponsored and managed by subsidiaries of Inland Real Estate Investment Corporation. For more information visit: www.inlandgroup.com.