Small Aircraft
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 2.3
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
Human Factors; Procedure
The North Satellite airspace light was on-had to protect the airspace. Departed Aircraft X off Runway 9R; was a westbound normal operations would be on a 320 heading after protecting for a missed approach off 9L; since the North Satellite light was on; after protecting for the missed approach I turned Aircraft X to a 040 heading (that is as far left as I can turn while protecting the airspace). Then I departed Aircraft Y runway heading; Aircraft Y was also a westbound; but a jet. During the time Aircraft Y was off the departure end climbing; the North Satellite light went out; and the North Tower called in my ear to tell me that 'Aircraft A went on his own' I was unsure what they were talking about and said say again at least once; then the controller said 'the guy on tango.' It took me a minute to realize they were speaking of an aircraft on Taxiway Tango reference my 9R arrival; there was an aircraft in the OCS (Obstacle Clearance Surface) and my arrival need to be sent around. I sent Aircraft Z around; had to climb to 4000 and fly heading 090. I then turned Aircraft Y to a 320 heading that is the standard heading for westbound on East Flow; and then turned the missed approach in trail of Aircraft Y. Approach control called to question if I turned Aircraft Y to a 320 I said yes; not sure but it looked like they turned the propeller after the light went out so they were worried that Aircraft Y was going to be in conflict with him. I had a lot going on in those seconds that I don't know if separation was lost.The North Tower needs to state exactly what they mean; I have traffic in the OCS (Obstacle Clearance Surface) send your arrival around. And the TRACON should coordinate with the Tower if they are going to turn a propeller off the assigned heading. We are required to not give the TRACON a jet on the same heading as a propeller until the propeller is at least 8 miles from the airport; I gave the TRACON the propeller on a 040 heading; there was no coordination done to tell me that propeller had been turned from that heading.
ORD Tower Controller reports of miscommunication between him and another Tower Controller that lead to confusion and a go around. Other controller wasn't specific in what was going on which lead the reporter to give the TRACON an unsafe situation.