B737-800
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
An Air Carrier was assigned 14;000 FT. Beech 65 was VFR conducting parachute jump operations. The jump aircraft had been up and down all day; they had earlier reported that they were going to 13;000 FT. This was in my mind; but I don't remember if they said it specifically this time. The Air Carrier asked if I had traffic for him; I said 'Yes; 12 o'clock 3 miles will stay below you.' The Air Carrier responded that traffic was not below but level with him. I then asked the Beech 65 their altitude; they reported 13;300 FT. Then [I] noticed that the Air Carrier was 100 FT low; asked if they were descending. The Air Carrier reported TCAS had them descending and now they were following it to climb. Move parachute jump operations to less congested airspace.
ZAU Controller was alerted to a TCAS RA experienced by an Air Carrier arrival when the ceiling altitude for a parachute aircraft was miscommunicated.