[font=Verdana]Bensenville[/font][font=Verdana] trustees voted Tuesday to delay the demolition of homes and businesses that stand in the way of [/font][font=Verdana]Chicago[/font][font=Verdana]'s planned $15 billion expansion of O'Hare International Airport. [/font]

[font=Verdana]The trustees approved a 180-day moratorium on demolition permits within a zone targeted for the project. [/font]

[font=Verdana]The vote came one week before contractors were expected to raze two homes near the airport, the first of more than 60 properties acquired by [/font][font=Verdana]Chicago[/font][font=Verdana] for demolition to make room for new runways. [/font]

[font=Verdana]The move will give the village more time to write a plan to address public health and safety issues related to the demolitions, said [/font][font=Verdana]Bensenville[/font][font=Verdana] attorney Joseph Karaganis. [/font]

[font=Verdana]The village wants more information from the city of [/font][font=Verdana]Chicago[/font][font=Verdana], such as the sequence of proposed demolition and details of contractors' skills in order to plan for traffic safety, hazardous materials disposal and runoff control, Karaganis said. [/font]

[font=Verdana]"This is the rational way and the proper way to do it," Karaganis said. [/font]

[font=Verdana]Chicago[/font][font=Verdana] spokesman Roderick Drew said the city will review the terms of the moratorium, but will continue with acquisition and construction in the 125-acre zone. [/font]

[font=Verdana]"We hope to build some sort of cordial working relationship with the village," Drew said. "Construction and planned acquisition for all intents and purposes is still going to move forward." [/font]

[font=Verdana]The Federal Aviation Administration has said the plan to build two runways, redesign others and construct a new terminal will reduce delays by 68 percent by its scheduled completion in 2013. [/font]

[font=Verdana]Bensenville and neighboring Elk Grove Village have filed several lawsuits aimed at stopping Chicago from taking down more than 600 suburban homes and businesses.[/font]