Commercial Fixed Wing
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure
I was working a small inbound push when RFD ATCT called to let me know that there would be jumpers at Beloit; WI up to 14;000. I then issued the inbounds routing to keep them south of the jump area. When the jump plane came on my scope; it was actually about 7 miles south of the field and was heading further south. I issued traffic to the first affected aircraft. Air Carrier X stated that he was in the clouds and would take a vector if needed. At the time the jump plane (supposedly VFR) was climbing slightly southeast of Air Carrier X's flight path. The jump plane then turned and I suggested that the Air Carrier X turn 20 degrees left which he did. Air Carrier X again stated that he was IMC and that the 'VFR' had to be in the clouds. The two aircraft were a mile apart and 100 FT apart and Air Carrier X never saw the jump aircraft. The next plane behind Air Carrier X was Air Carrier Y who also said he was IMC when I issued the traffic to him. Again; Air Carrier Y never saw the jump aircraft and passed within a few miles and a few hundred feet of the aircraft; a vector was not need this time. The next 2 inbounds did see the jump aircraft when he broke out of the clouds. Air Carrier Z stated that the tops were around 13;000 and ragged to the north but were definitely solid to the south where the jump aircraft had climbed. The jump aircraft were talking to RFD Approach and I think if we were communicating with them at the Center we would have a better idea of what they were doing. Also; if they would stay near where they are jumping; it would be easier for us to vector aircraft around them. Lastly; the jump aircraft; while VFR; should not be climbing and turning through solid cloud layers.
ZAU Controller described a potential conflict event between ORD IFR Air Carrier arrivals and a parachute jump aircraft; the reporter suggesting the jump aircraft should be on the Center frequency.