What’s up at Midway? An airport refresh with a hip lounge, artwork, and small businesses mentoring

A new lounge and vibrant art exhibits are among the latest efforts in the makeover of Midway International Airport.

Last month, the city debuted The Club MDW, the airport’s first passenger lounge.

A new feature at Midway International Airport is The Club MDW.
Courtesy of Matthew McNulty

Passengers can nest in a space accented in neutral tones with complimentary refreshments and fully equipped work stations.

It’s “a key part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the travel experience here in Chicago for leisure and business passengers,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said at the event.

The lounge “employs 50 full-time employees and is available to all travelers, regardless of airline or class of service, by purchasing a day pass for $50 or with membership in various lounge networks,” Chicago Aviation Department Communications Director Kevin Bargnes told the Daily Herald.

Building the lounge cost $5 million. It follows the substantial completion of the city’s $400 Million Midway Modernization Program, officials said.

The Club MDW, which opened recently at Midway International Airport, offers travelers a respite from the busy terminal.
Courtesy of Matthew McNulty

“It is one of many upgrades that passengers can expect as we continue to transform Chicago’s original hometown airport,” CDA Commissioner Jamie Rhee said at the opening.

Domestic and international passenger traffic at Midway reached about 14.6 million passengers through August 2024. That number was 5.9 million in 2020 during the pandemic, but climbed back to 14.8 million in 2023.

The Club MDX, which opened recently at Midway International Airport, offers travelers a respite from the busy terminal.
Courtesy of Matthew McNulty

And in mid-October, new public art installations were unveiled at Midway showcasing multiple objects from Chicago’s Public Art Collection that reflect the city’s diversity, officials said.

“So many people walk through the airport, visitors, families, friends, and this is a perfect place to display the best of the city,” Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth said earlier this month at Midway.

New art exhibits at Midway Airport feature photos by Jonathan Michael Castillo of small businesses on Chicago’s South and West Side neighborhoods, like this portrait of Old Fashioned Donuts in Roseland.
Courtesy of CDA

Highlights include:

• Photo portraits of Black and Latinx small businesses by artist Jonathan Michael Castillo. The images were taken mainly on Chicago’s South and West Side neighborhoods, including some near Midway.

• Sculptures and paintings from the Chicago Public Library’s collection, including the model for “Cloud Gate”(The Bean) in Millennium Park.

• Paintings of renowned Illinois writers by Steve Musgrave.

New art exhibits at Midway International Airport feature a series of paintings of Illinois writers by Steve Musgrave.
Courtesy of CDA

Small business focus

In addition to passenger features, the CDA is offering help to vendors that want to service Midway but are new to the process.

The city operates two Small Business Resource Centers at O’Hare and Midway that provide one-on-one technical advice.

Prospective vendors also can participate in networking events and workshops on contract requirements. Construction companies can sign up for airfield tours.

The CDA recently expanded its resource center hours.

• The Midway Small Business Resource Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and noon to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays at 5642 S. Central Ave. For information, call (773) 838-0829.

• The O’Hare Bid Room and Small Business Resource Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and noon to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays at 10510 W. Zemke Road. To learn more, call (773) 894-3730.