FBOs at Chicago O'Hare International KORD ORD

Airport security

Chicago presents a qualitatively mixed urban security picture: violent crime in the city has shown meaningful recent decline, though property crime categories including nonresidential burglary have risen sharply, and street crime remains a consideration in unfamiliar or poorly lit areas after dark.

The terrorism risk across the United States is assessed at the lowest official advisory tier by the U.S. Department of State, FCDO, and Global Affairs Canada, though a current Worldwide Caution overlay notes that U.S.-associated locations may be targeted by Iran-aligned actors globally.

No specific civil unrest advisory has been issued for Chicago by any major government travel authority, though the city has drawn periodic federal attention regarding public safety.

Chicago Midway International Airport is a major commercial service airport operating under a TSA-approved Airport Security Program in accordance with federal regulatory requirements, with TSA controlling and operating passenger security screening throughout the facility.

Access to controlled and airside areas is strictly managed through a dedicated credentialing and badging system administered by the Chicago Department of Aviation, with airport-specific badges required and non-transferable between Chicago's airports.

The airport maintains a clear operational delineation between landside and airside areas, consistent with the access control standards expected at a high-throughput commercial facility of this class in the United States.

Customs, immigration and regulatory

• Hours: Daily 0800–0000 CT (08:00–24:00 local)
• after-hours services require advance coordination with CBP CBP publication KMDW-0326 (effective March 2026) governs GA procedures
• inspection conducted ramp-side, officer meets aircraft
• permission to land required 24+ hours prior for international GA
• FBO transports passengers requiring secondary processing to FIS

Ground corridor

• Ground transport risk in Chicago is primarily opportunistic in character, with petty theft and larceny representing the dominant concern in and around major transport nodes
• the immediate airport vicinity carries a lower crime profile than much of the city, though vigilance is warranted in adjacent south and southwest corridor areas particularly after dark. Pre-arranged vehicles or vetted transport coordinated in advance are the preferred option for crew and corporate travellers
• street-hailing independent vehicles is not recommended as a primary mode, though the CTA Orange Line provides a direct, well-used rail link to the city centre. No movement restrictions, armed conflict advisories, or sanctions apply to Chicago or the continental United States
• the FCDO and relevant allied agencies maintain the United States at their lowest advisory tier.

City threat summary

Chicago presents a qualitatively mixed urban security picture: violent crime in the city has shown meaningful recent decline, though property crime categories including nonresidential burglary have risen sharply, and street crime remains a consideration in unfamiliar or poorly lit areas after dark.

The terrorism risk across the United States is assessed at the lowest official advisory tier by the U.S. Department of State, FCDO, and Global Affairs Canada, though a current Worldwide Caution overlay notes that U.S.-associated locations may be targeted by Iran-aligned actors globally.

No specific civil unrest advisory has been issued for Chicago by any major government travel authority, though the city has drawn periodic federal attention regarding public safety.

Country overview

The United States maintains a stable but complex security environment in mid-2026, with allied governments including the UK FCDO and Global Affairs Canada rating it at their lowest advisory tiers while domestic conditions reflect substantially elevated political polarization, protest activity, and lone-actor violence risks.

The country is simultaneously hosting major international events — including the FIFA World Cup and the America250 Semiquincentennial — that concentrate security demands across multiple cities and regions.

Geographically diverse threat actors, transnational criminal organizations, and an active civil unrest landscape collectively sustain a moderate baseline threat posture for travelers and operators.