CHICAGO — Two separate security breaches within a 10-day span at O’Hare International Airport have raised red flags about perimeter safety and checkpoint oversight, with both incidents now under review by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The first breach, on May 17, involved a DoorDash driver who accessed a restricted tarmac area without authorization. Ten days later, on May 27, an even more serious lapse occurred when a Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) security officer allowed more than 50 vehicles to enter a secure area without verifying their credentials.
Dozens of Vehicles Entered Without Screening
According to reports, the May 27 incident involved a perimeter checkpoint with direct airfield access. A security officer failed to inspect or verify IDs, permitting dozens of drivers through unchecked — a violation of standard safety protocols.
Thomas Herion, former assistant commissioner at the CDA’s Security Division and current police chief in Lyons, warned of the high risks involved:
“If you’re not stopping those vehicles… you have no idea who is in the vehicle, and you have no idea what’s in the vehicle,” he said.
As covered in CBS Chicago, Herion emphasized the seriousness of such lapses at a major international hub, calling O’Hare “always a target” due to its prominence.
First Incident Involved a Food Delivery Driver
The May 17 breach occurred when a delivery driver bypassed a checkpoint and reached the airfield. In that case, the CDA terminated the credentials of the Lincoln Security contractor involved and referred the issue to the TSA.
After the first incident, checkpoint staff were put on notice. Yet, within 10 days, the second incident occurred, suggesting a systemic failure in enforcing heightened security.
CDA and TSA Respond to Breaches
In response to the latest breach, the Chicago Department of Aviation released a statement:
“Safety and security are the top priorities of the CDA… The matter has been referred to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for investigation.”
They confirmed that the officer in the May 27 incident is no longer employed, and disciplinary actions are pending further review.
The TSA has authority to issue civil penalties of up to $10,000 per incident, meaning the city could face fines nearing half a million dollars.
Lax Hiring Standards Under Scrutiny
Herion also criticized the CDA’s reduced hiring requirements for security officers. While officers once trained in police academy environments, current standards allow for GED-level hiring with internal training.
“When you’re protecting direct access to the airfield, that concerns me a lot,” Herion noted.
The gap between security expectations and personnel preparation has now become a focus of internal discussions at both the city and federal level.
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