Chicago Executive Airport

Chicago Executive started in 1925 as Gauthier’s Flying Field, covering an area of 40 acres. In 1928 it was renamed Palwaukee Airport (the origin of its IATA code). In the 30s, the airport was expanded to 91 acres, and in the 40s, it grew further to 109 acres, with a gravel runway and 70 T-hangars. The airport was purchased by Priester Aviation Service in 1953. The following year, a DC-3 hangar was constructed, and lighting was installed on the runway. By 1959 the airport had four runways. By 1965 new corporate hangars and Runway 16/34, which was 5,000 feet in length, were constructed. The FAA commissioned an air traffic control tower in 1967. In 1974, a partial taxiway to Runway 16/34 was completed (1,600 feet in length), and the FAA began an ILS installation that same year. On December 26, 1986, the airport was purchased by the City of Prospect Heights and the Village of Wheeling (through a mix of funding from the FAA, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the municipalities). However, Priester continued to operate as the only FBO after the purchase (it sold the FBO to Signature Flight Support in 2001). In 1997 a new air traffic control tower was commissioned. That same year Priester began construction of three new corporate hangars capable of providing access to the new transcontinental business aircraft entering service. In October 2006, the airport was renamed Chicago Executive Airport.

The airport is located in the village of Wheeling, 18 miles northwest of Chicago. 

• In 1950, Sally Strempel, considered a female pioneer in aviation, bought a flight school at the airport and named it Sally's Flying School. Sally is a member of the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame and one of the first five women designated by the FAA as a flight instructor. 
• There is a public viewing area south of Runway 16/34, with lighting, a picnic table, and bleacher seating. 
• At one point in time, one could take an hour-long airport tour, although they are currently suspended. The website encourages prospective visitors to check back in 2023.