The Chicago Aviation Department has told Limo and Black Uber drivers that they will provide a more permanent and protective structure to replace a tent erected and paid for by drivers for peace of mind and safety at a staging area at O'Hare Airport.
Fayez Khozindar, the head of the United Taxdrivers Community Council Union(UTCC), city officials told drivers they will provide a 12-foot by 60-foot metal trailer to replace the tent erected at the staging area at the northwest corner of Mannheim Road and Higgins Road.
The tent was erected by riders with the city's permission in 2023 to address safety concerns and provide riders with a shelter where they could rest while waiting for their rides, which often last several hours.
“Last Thursday, we met with O'Hare Airport Deputy Commissioner and Manager Mohammad Ali and O'Hare Airport Operations General Manager Thomas Stastny. They showed us a trailer that they say will replace the tent. The trailer is currently located at Taft and Irving Park streets,” Khozindar said.
“The trailer is divided into different room areas and even has a bathroom. We believe this would provide an area where drivers can wait safely and protected from the elements.”
Drivers first erected the tent in 2023 to provide security for Muslim drivers who were often forced to pray next to their vehicles in the parking lot, exposing them to possible injuries from other cars.
Upon request, the Aviation Ministry approved the construction of a tent on the staging area, but only against payment by the drivers.
“The drivers had to pray between their cars. About 25 years ago, I had an experience when I was almost killed because I was kneeling and another driver didn't see me. The other driver was reversing and almost killed me,” recalls Khozindar.
“Another driver saw him and stopped him from reversing at that time. It was dusk and it was dark. Since then, we have been advocating for a shelter for the taxi drivers. Eventually, the aviation authority built two shelters for the drivers in the taxi driver's parking lot. But we had the same concern for the limousine and black Uber drivers in their parking lot, who also needed some protection and security. When we approached them during Ramadan in 2023, the city agreed to let us to allow to build a dedicated tent shelter for prayer for the Muslim riders.”
Khozindar said that after being erected with donations from riders, the tent was opened to every rider for safety and protection and is now used by Muslim, Christian and Jewish riders.
“The drivers can rest there. They can pray there. They have a safe place to relax while they wait for their ride assignments. The city does this for other drivers, so it made sense to do it at this staging area as well,” Khozindar explained.
But over the years, there was no movement from the Aviation Department or the city, and they also began to be harassed by an inspector.
The tent was very elaborately designed with a hard floor with carpets, thicker tent walls and chairs and tables. They had to install a gas generator to power air conditioning and heating because the city refused to provide access to electricity because the tent was not a municipal structure, Khozindar explained
The tent is located in a portion of the staging area not used by vehicles, on the northeast corner, a barren area away from parking lanes and moving vehicles.
“We installed a water barrel that a water utility company fills up with water. But a few months ago, someone tried to pollute the water to harm the drivers. Since then, we have installed a security lock to protect the water, which is used by all drivers,” Khozindar said.
Khozindar attributed this American Arab Chamber of Commerce and its executive director Hassan Nijem and this author, bringing attention to the problem and getting the city to finally act.
“It's not just a matter of religious needs, but a matter of safety for drivers. We provide a very important service to the public at O'Hare International Airport. It's important for everyone,” Khozindar said.
“We don’t know why there was some hostility, but the city responded immediately after you raised the issue in your columns, and the Arab Chamber stepped in to shine a spotlight on the issue.”
Khozindar said a problem remains. Currently, the city has installed six portable toilets for drivers' restroom use, but these do not meet OSHA requirements.
He said drivers hope the new toilet in the new metal trailer structure will help address the problem.
“What we have now is fine, but it's not good. OSHA would have a problem with it if they came here,” Khozindar said.
“But we are willing to work with the Department of Aviation and the city, and we appreciate their efforts to address our needs. That's good for everyone.”
Khozindar said he doesn't have a set date for moving the trailer to replace the existing tent at the staging area at Mannheim and Higgins streets, but he expects that to happen soon.
“The city and the Aviation Department are doing the right thing and caring about the well-being of all drivers, and that is important to us, the public and airport commuters,” Khozindar said.
Nijem said the chamber is actively involved in the fight for drivers' rights.
For more information on this topic, visit Hanania.com or the union's website at GoUTCC.org.