CHICAGO (WGN) — On the first day of the government shutdown, some travelers were left worried and confused about how the federal pause could impact their plans.
Azelin Sinelli, who planned to head out of the country for a two-week European vacation, is now wondering if the shutdown will be resolved when she returns.
“I was a little concerned [on Wednesday], I thought maybe our flight would be cancelled, but I haven’t heard anything yet, so I hope we can smoothly hop on,” Sinelli told WGN-TV at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
The government shutdown is not causing cancellation of flights, but experts say that the longer the shutdown lasts, the more likely it is that long lines and delays will occur. The delays could stem from essential workers, such as TSA agents and air traffic controllers, who are required to come to work but would not be paid – for now.
“If I were a worker, I would not want to be working knowing that I’m not getting paid,” Sinelli said.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association states that the increased stress and fatigue can’t be overstated. According to the union, upgrades to the air traffic control system and efforts to modernize infrastructure would be put on hold, and safety support staff would be furloughed. The union’s president said in a statement:
“When the federal government shuts down, it introduces unnecessary distractions, and our entire aviation system is weakened. Congress must restore federal funding so that the safety and efficiency of our National Airspace System is not compromised.”
Nick Daniels, president of National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Federal workers are expected to receive back pay once the government reopens. The city’s department of aviation says it’s tracking whether the shutdown impacts staffing and services at both Midway and O’Hare and will be ready to help travelers if there are disruptions.
Critical airport workers aren’t the only ones going without pay.
“Forty-five thousand people in the state of Illinois are being furloughed as a result of that shutdown,” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository is offering food assistance to federal workers who may need it during the shutdown. For anyone who relies on SNAP benefits for food, they are expected to continue through October. But the Greater Chicago Food Depository warns in a statement that, “The longer the shutdown persists, the greater the risk that these benefits will be disrupted, threatening the well-being of those who rely on public food assistance.”
The shutdown is also impacting destinations like the Pullman National Historic Park. A sign on Pullman’s door reads ‘Closed,’ and a recorded message at the front desk states that the administrator is not authorized to work at this time.
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