The Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority will gain at least one new member next month and possibly more.

The terms of all seven members expire Aug. 31.

Chairman Peter Visclosky resigned last month and Gov. Mike Braun hasn’t named a new chairman yet. Braun’s office said appointments are typically announced near the end of the month.

At Wednesday’s meeting, member Trent McCain, a Gary attorney and former deputy mayor under ex-mayor Jerome Prince, said it would likely be his last meeting.

Gary Mayor Eddie Melton has four appointments to the authority and McCain thought it doubtful he would be reappointed.

“It’s been a personal pleasure and personally rewarding,” McCain said of his time on the board. “We got a lot accomplished… I will always support the Gary/Chicago International Airport.”

Vice president Steve Mays, who chaired the meeting, voiced optimism.

“We don’t know what will happen, you might be back here next month,” said Mays, who rejoined the board last year as a Melton appointee. Mays left the board in 2020 when Prince named four new members.

Mays replaced William Cook, who was named to the Gary Sanitary Board of Commissioners by Melton.

The authority is made up of seven members. The Gary mayor has four appointments, and Lake and Porter governmental bodies each have one, while the governor names the chairman by state law.

Officials said Wednesday they weren’t aware of new appointments or reappointments.

Porter County representative Tom Collins Jr. said he hasn’t heard from the Porter County Commissioners who previously appointed him. He hopes to continue to serve on the board.

The authority’s other members include Lake County appointee Philip Mullins and Gary mayoral appointees Millicent Lyles, and Gerald Anderson.

Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/14/new-members-expected-on-gary-airport-authority/