[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6299594,"mediaKeyId","2496503-d0ce23733cfd0715f162db8c2fde994e","parentId",2496503,"title","Council and committees approve permits, conditional uses and service agreements; one committee item had a negative committee recommendation","audioSeconds",13709,"startMs",1261000,"endMs",14970000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2496503-d0ce23733cfd0715f162db8c2fde994e&start=1261&end=14970","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2496503-d0ce23733cfd0715f162db8c2fde994e/thumbnail_1261000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6299594/Waukegan/DuPage-County/Illinois/Council-and-committees-approve-permits-conditional-uses-and-service-agreements-one-committee-item-had-a-negative-committee-recommendation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299594-2440a2b68dad8809424ef00543e2ed14/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200794&Signature=U6mY0~bywAWFGemkjjx4NYyyIQzpOykR7wzbL2O~cWpj6aY1cR7oPMa81s~LxrmMAXWtI5D9g1pygJPQp9oXnAzPgeyq~T0Cp1FL4RvH4xTXC-M7FhMJDYcyQA5GKuk~M~di0NpE2igRPmo3aDow2pyXfAT6DkhSiI76kw-2sh~0kRsd-uRrwa4pvu3rrFfrCDjWNZ3JM1E3RCI8G9S4VqNsDcGCJsnmhWsKEssqJryV1XHfZXqI~ePcq6B~wlFC9UJJ~mdbsaW99b3tvi3N4JrLy6FB7LOmA8Gb20vBjLwL8wrY2vSKQkK2mk2Xbm2jqxGtpmG16wG6PctzdqIwLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Waukegan, IL","date","2025-03-04T10:28:37Z","article","Waukegan aldermen on March 3 approved a slate of routine land-use and administrative items including conditional-use permits, parking-permit agreements and professional services for an economic development plan. One item carried a negative recommendation out of committee but was approved by the full council.

Key approvals and votes
- 3030 Washington Street (motor vehicle sales, B-3 General Commercial): The council granted a conditional-use permit after the applicant, Sergei Moknadko, confirmed he had read and agreed to 15 conditions established by Planning and Zoning. The committee approved the permit by roll call; the motion passed in committee and was ratified at council.

- 699 Lakehurst Road (indoor recreation/pickleball courts): The council approved a conditional-use permit for a recreation facility in the entertainment district. The applicant confirmed intended uses; the permit passed on a voice and roll-call vote.

- Parking permits for Joslyn Center (225 North County parking garage): The council approved an agreement to provide parking permits for the Joslyn Center at the 225 North County parking garage.

- Board of Trustees of College of Lake County (extension of conditional use at 100 West Madison): Council authorized a second extension of a conditional-use permit allowing the Board to operate an educational institution at that address.

- Amendment to purchase and sale agreement with Associated Bank (1 South Genesee): Council approved amendment No. 1 to the purchase and sale agreement; staff reported the city will reduce its purchase price and commit $75,000 for environmental remediation from TIF 8 funds.

- TIP Strategies professional services (economic development strategic plan): Council approved a professional-services agreement not to exceed $200,000. Council and staff said the money comes from a one-time state grant and will fund a consultant-led strategic plan for citywide economic development.

- Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative participation: Council authorized the city to participate in a group-buying arrangement and gave the mayor authority to sign a contract with the lowest-cost electricity provider for up to 36 months.

- La Chuparosa (760 North Green Bay Road) alcohol license: The council approved a Class E restaurant liquor license for an applicant who identified as Daniel Andre, with the council amending the approval to make it contingent on the applicant applying for a Class E-1 license if outdoor seating will be used. The committee recommended conditional approval contingent on the applicant filing the required paperwork.

Committee negative recommendation that went to council
At the Committee on Community Development, a professional services agreement with S.B. Friedman Development Advisors LLC for advisory services relating to Parking Lot B (131 North County Street) failed to pass the committee (negative recommendation). Committee members debated who should be the supervisory point person for the RFQ/RFP process; some members proposed the mayor’s chief of staff oversee the work while others said Planning and Zoning should retain direct oversight. The item proceeded to the full council with a negative committee recommendation but was approved by the council by roll call.

What council said about oversight and conditions
Committee members pressed staff about who would oversee consultant work when multiple departments and possible election transitions could change staff. Chief of staff George Bridges told the committee he would work with departments but said he was not aware of a proposed ordinance change naming him as a point person. Council accepted the applicants’ confirmations that they understood zoning and licensing conditions when applicants spoke to the body.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-03-03 City of Waukegan Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","On March 3 the council approved a series of land-use and service items — conditional-use permits, parking-permit agreements, a $200,000 economic-development planning contract and a Class E (amended to E1) liquor license — while a professional services agreement for Parking Lot B received a negative committee recommendation but passed at council.","taxTitle","Waukegan, DuPage County, Illinois","taxId",2647,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6299599,"Council directs casino-tax funds to risk reserve, Washington Street engineering and small engineering services",1237,6419000,7656000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2496503-d0ce23733cfd0715f162db8c2fde994e&start=6419&end=7656","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2496503-d0ce23733cfd0715f162db8c2fde994e/thumbnail_6419000.jpg","/articles/6299599/Waukegan/DuPage-County/Illinois/Council-directs-casino-tax-funds-to-risk-reserve-Washington-Street-engineering-and-small-engineering-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299599-e5e7f229dbc1d1fec5f0bf65eaf8df1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200794&Signature=B82BzvrDVD2dG38mUUR47jBQd3r5GA8~Q4wbyT45Cs7bGhEWWPwu1qzXwovc1sVTSZ8eheoP0aerEw4GN1RxuuESdAlWQOYDLYJiIms7~wr-pA65q4~0JW9vgzTZoogvwKsUnY8lLYYfAQ0ovN5vRr76445IF37uPyhqJiRU-ulj-WD8G28UafcxCsXRPQcRv9S1Becc1QwXCZibEGJoh3GarnrXkZ2sEAtrvsz4ABLrKCiQiWpNz7tsA-LMHjbLXAfVp2GdJUgx~Z8WLkTembWEiwObs-TinCwZ4I2L9wmocJHlAaiI3GrMCNE2k0ksT7XM0TIMn2pp5tkA14as7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Waukegan’s council on March 3 approved a set of allocations from the city’s recently accrued casino-tax revenue (RAP) and clarified that a previously budgeted $1.5 million for downtown parking garage repairs will remain a TIF expense.

The committee and later the council agreed on three line items to move forward immediately: $5,500,000 to a risk-management reserve intended to cover potential legal judgments or settlements, $1,000,000 for Washington Street Corridor phase 1 engineering, and $100,000 for general engineering services. Supporters said the moves preserve funds for liability exposure and to advance key infrastructure work; critics pressed for more citywide street and sidewalk spending and questioned whether putting money into reserves was the best immediate use of RAP funds.

How the decision developed
The matter was discussed at length in Committee of the Whole sessions as council members weighed competing proposals. Alderman Florian proposed voting first on items common to competing plans; Alderman Victor Felix and others pressed for considering a broader package. After debate, the council voted to approve the three specified allocations. The council also agreed that the $1.5 million needed for the downtown parking garage repair would remain in TIF 8 rather than be charged against the RAP balance, preserving RAP monies for other priorities tied to downtown incentives.

Vote and implementation
The council recorded the decision by roll-call vote; the motion to move the three items passed. Councilors instructed staff to prepare the interfund transfers and authorized the mayor and finance staff to execute transfers required to fund the risk-management reserve and the engineering accounts. The transfers will be implemented through formal resolutions and will appear on subsequent council agendas for housekeeping and fund transfers.

Next steps
Staff will prepare specific resolutions authorizing the transfers from the casino-tax fund to the identified destination accounts and will return to council with the technical language. The city also asked staff to track any interaction between RAP-funded expenditures and pending or potential TIF commitments, including the downtown development agreement approved the same night.","Council and Committee of the Whole agreed to move several items—$5.5 million to a risk management reserve, $1 million for Washington Street Corridor phase 1 engineering, and $100,000 for general engineering services—while leaving the downtown parking garage repair as a TIF expense.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6299603,"City Council approves $1.725 million package to help redevelop two downtown buildings",2639,11961000,14600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2496503-d0ce23733cfd0715f162db8c2fde994e&start=11961&end=14600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2496503-d0ce23733cfd0715f162db8c2fde994e/thumbnail_11961000.jpg","/articles/6299603/Waukegan/DuPage-County/Illinois/City-Council-approves-1725-million-package-to-help-redevelop-two-downtown-buildings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299603-2bad8f7e1b8539521e18c67ed0eb3d15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200794&Signature=ehY1r7l3lu2HrWuK7ZtEGxWuTBStigMZJ~y4lni78elCPLrGliHq6RgKGqNpicMIvrpHNNAEX0e73eVA4tV7Z8eZY~FE5dmoPeGrWxmgVYHiTx7NVMMB2XTn~YfK2Y7D1c5NZh36LiEPGC3NEZUzSo68G6pxq9hKyXTFfNBdIPPdwnznVFSwbKwsVi-FGORDpVyG2vIQCcPXHz~7IJfnahuD65euDqIO-6l~1z5B40xG-qYFd-~LC8HM7cs5iQg52~e8-a-6iJpbXTasbXH4GBtPBCmfujHMVWfYC2zJ~r8Y7e76~O5libLxqoY6vlfXnLq8Nq2xTRwsCkGorWcIqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waukegan City Council on March 3 approved a $1,725,000 incentive package intended to help redevelop two vacant downtown buildings at 200 North County Street and 38 North Genesee.

The measure authorizes a $900,000 upfront development assistance payment and a long-term, TIF-backed incentive of $825,000 to be paid from increment generated by the properties, for a total package of $1,725,000. The council approved the motion after lively debate about whether the city should supply the upfront grant from its casino-tax revenue (the so-called RAP or “wrap” funds) and whether the city must guarantee any shortfall in TIF increment at the end of the TIF term. The final roll-call vote was 6 in favor and 3 opposed.

Why it matters: The two buildings are vacant and under discussion as early “first mover” projects intended to catalyze further downtown redevelopment. Supporters said the combined incentive structure will make the financing stack viable for the developer and speed rehabilitation; opponents warned the city could be exposed if the properties do not generate the expected tax increment.

Developer and city presentations
Sam Yingling of the Waukegan Community Development Partnership and other project representatives told the council the financing package was needed to close on the acquisitions and secure construction financing. City legal staff and the city’s TIF consultants advised that the long-term, $825,000 payment could be funded out of future TIF increment and that the $900,000 upfront assistance could instead come from the casino-tax fund if the council preferred not to use TIF dollars for a non-reimbursable grant.

Council debate and safeguards
Alderman Tom Hayes said he opposed any motion that left the city “on the hook” to write a check if increment did not materialize. Alderman Victor Felix and others argued the full package was necessary to keep the developer at the table and to begin downtown momentum. Counsel told the council the development agreement would contain customary protections: construction escrow controls, proof of private financing before any public disbursement, and detailed draw controls so the city would not issue a “blank check.” The council directed staff and counsel to draft the development agreement with those protections and to return it for final approval.

Vote and next steps
Alderman Victor Felix moved the motion; Alderman Rick Guzman seconded. The motion passed on a roll call (ayes: Martinez, Felix, Turner, Donaldworth, Bolton, Guzman; nays: Newsom, Florian, Hayes). Council instruction to staff: prepare a final development agreement that (1) uses $900,000 from casino-tax/RAP funds as the upfront assistance, (2) memorializes an $825,000 long-term incentive payable from TIF increment, and (3) includes draw controls, proof-of-funds and construction-escrow protections. The council asked staff to consider contiguous TIF capacity if necessary and to work with the school and park districts on any statutory contribution requirements.

The development agreement will return to the council for final approval once drafted.","After debate over how to fund an upfront payment, the City Council approved a $1,725,000 incentive package to assist renovation of 200 North County Street and 38 North Genesee, using a mix of casino-tax (RAP) funds and tax-increment financing (TIF). The vote was 6–3.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council and committees approve permits, conditional uses and service agreements; one committee item had a negative committee recommendation

Council directs casino-tax funds to risk reserve, Washington Street engineering and small engineering services

City Council approves $1.725 million package to help redevelop two downtown buildings