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Chicago / 25th Ward

Pilsen and University Village residents concerned about noisy helicopters flying low

Most 25th Ward noise complaints were filed in areas close to the Vertiport, a helicopter landing facility that borders residential areas

The red helicopters used by Fly Heli Tours are mentioned multiple times in CHI 311 noise complaints. They park at Vertiport, where Pilsen meets the Illinois Medical District. Gabriel Castilho, Nov. 7.

For many Pilsen and University Village residents, the sound of helicopters has become part of the background noise. To Kelly Nelson’s dog Trier, it is haunting. 

“You can feel the helicopters just as much as you can hear them,” Nelson said. “And (Trier) gets scared. So he doesn’t go out on the balcony when he hears those.”

Nelson and Trier live in the University Commons buildings – directly below the Fly Heli Tours helicopter’s new route.

Trier’s balcony visits have become less frequent. Nelson said over the past six months, there have been helicopters throughout the day, and every time you’re outside, you can hear them.

According to the Chicago Department of Aviation, 25th Ward residents filed 70 helicopter noise complaint requests through the CHI 311 service and seven through the Fly Heli Tours website this year. The helicopters, which fly from the Vertiport facility in the 28th Ward, use Pilsen’s airspace to kickstart their tours. 

“For the last hour, approximately 11 helicopters have flown over my home, shaking my house,” a Pilsen resident who filed a CHI 311 noise complaint wrote. “My infant is sleeping and continues to wake up. Why are they allowed to fly so low and late at night? This wouldn’t happen up north.”

At least 12 of the CHI 311 noise complaints came from residents of the University Commons buildings. One resident said in their complaint the tour services “continue to disrupt our peaceful neighborhood.” Another said they wanted “a peaceful evening after a long work week.” A third resident wanted to know who authorized the tour service next to a residential neighborhood.

25th Ward alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez said he filed a complaint with the 28th Ward office at the Committee on Aviation around the levels of anxiety that Jason Ervin, 28th Ward alderman, creates within his community. Sigcho-Lopez said he also filed complaints through the Business Affairs and Consumer Protection office to regulate the commercial helicopters’ operation hours.

28th Ward alderman Jason Ervin and his office did not respond to a request for comment.

Noah Harris, chief operating officer of Fly Heli Tours, said their helicopter sightseeing flights and airport transfer services in the city operate with all required documentation. He said Chicago is their largest location.

“We’ve made four major route adjustments since launching and will continue refining them as we collect data and meet with city and community leaders,” Harris said. “At this stage, we don’t know what we don’t know, which is why we suggest direct feedback to help guide data-driven changes that work for everyone.”

For other residents, like Alexis Salgado, a 30-year-old UIC alumnus, the Fly Heli Tours helicopters’ noise became part of the “city noise” they can zone out.

“We face the Metra, so that’s the main noise that we hear,” Salgado said. “The helicopter is not even a big issue for us, primarily because the white noise that we’re hearing is the train.”

But the touring service is not the only concern for 25th Ward residents. With recent ICE activity in the neighborhood and drone sightings, Pilsen’s airspace became another focus point – with some neighbors creating WhatsApp groups to track ICE helicopters.

Kelly Nelson said the Homeowners Association held a meeting last year to discuss changes to the aircraft’s routes. After that meeting, she noticed a decrease in their frequency. But now, with ICE constantly in the neighborhood, they have become more frequent, she said.

“I feel like I’ve lived in the city my entire adult life, so I’m used to noises, so it doesn’t bother me per se,” Nelson said. “I do know that people (who) are on their balconies or trying to work from home have made complaints about it disrupting their work.”