Daley in D.C. for talks with American, United on O'Hare expansion

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is in Washington to meet with executives from United and American airlines over expansion plans at O'Hare International Airport.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is mediating the meeting Wednesday at the request of Illinois' senators.

Daley was supposed to meet with United CEO Jeffery Smisek and American chief Gerard Arpey last week, but the airline leaders canceled because of the blizzard.

Daley told reporters at a news conference that the airlines hadn't rescheduled and were avoiding him.

Airline officials filed a lawsuit last month in an effort to stop the city from issuing bonds to finance the O'Hare expansion.

The lawsuit alleges that Chicago is violating a lease agreement the gives the airlines authority to review and approve expenditures for capital projects.