[{"_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",6085990,"mediaKeyId","2900541-96ef7954ca19354d17fa151d8dea9631","parentId",2900541,"title","Wheeling trustees approve consent items, allow larger Town Center blade signs and renew Class 6B for Palatine Road property","audioSeconds",595,"startMs",1824000,"endMs",2419000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2900541-96ef7954ca19354d17fa151d8dea9631&start=1824&end=2419","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2900541-96ef7954ca19354d17fa151d8dea9631/thumbnail_1824000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6085990/Wheeling/Cook-County/Illinois/Wheeling-trustees-approve-consent-items-allow-larger-Town-Center-blade-signs-and-renew-Class-6B-for-Palatine-Road-property","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085990-df12bd0b217f73f9d23e0885876c95f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773646357&Signature=Y0PSuRyIcqo9kZD82~53iSop~E-PgKPC68xM4cBU5g5s-oOwzngUB5brSS826GzT~SjxKIZvwBCafsVWqb8zF0s5bzZbYoKZKeFb2J-sQl-vXuMg3kZWChxaRPy3wz3oLHGJhyKFaNnNxPp3dRyBFmhEznpnKrCJTw0Yojwe1oGy4TkFszUVWz8mYbXRrAitXLTxz3YgSOQOpreqAWzf4VUEO768u7s8qjT1oSo7Gr1q9lUO2s4JJl-qO4kqXUE2tdUFCz8NW0n7~TTnuF78dXVTQSM~lvCPVBGGX-w17~ZMt3pK1RTztOv~0RWLHI-PxjlsrCJ-joxpM1Iz~v1ZMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Wheeling, IL","date","2025-04-08T19:40:37Z","article","The Village of Wheeling Board of Trustees approved the consent agenda and two notable new business items at the April 7 meeting: an amendment to Town Center sign rules to allow larger blade signs and a Cook County Class 6B tax classification renewal for property at 230 West Palatine Road.

Clerk Brady read the consent agenda, which the board approved by roll call. Consent items listed on the record included: an ordinance approving transfer and relocation of volume cap in connection with private activity bonds (specifics not discussed); a resolution accepting a signed proposal from Highstar Traffic for the 2025 MFT maintenance program in an amount not to exceed $29,019.09; a resolution establishing compensation plans for the Village for the period May 1, 2025–April 30, 2026; a resolution ratifying the village manager’s execution of an agreement for executive recruitment services with MGT not to exceed $33,500; and a resolution ratifying the manager’s execution of a purchase proposal for two ZOLL X Series defibrillators and associated equipment at a not‑to‑exceed cost of $106,754.38. The consent agenda passed on a unanimous roll call.

On new business, trustees passed Ordinance No. 5,672 (amending prior ordinances referenced in the caption) to change sign regulations in the Wheeling Town Center to allow larger blade signs (signs that project off a building face). Staff said the change responds to building placement and sightlines in the Town Center and that the change would be immediately available to a business that seeks to use it—Moretti’s was specifically cited as a current applicant.

Trustees also approved a resolution authorizing and consenting to a Cook County Class 6B commercial property tax classification renewal for the property at 230 West Palatine Road. Village staff said the applicant (Dynomax) proposed measures the village expects will preserve 350 jobs at the Palatine Road facility, add roughly $1,000,000 in capital investments for façade improvements and production expansion, and create approximately 50 new jobs at that site; staff also said Dynomax is exploring additional leases that could yield more jobs. The applicant’s counsel said planned improvements listed in the application would be completed within 12 months.

All three roll calls recorded on the record showed unanimous yes votes among trustees present. Trustees did not add separate discussion for the consent items beyond the public reading; the Town Center signage ordinance drew brief discussion from staff about sign size and applicability to the entire town center prior to the motion and roll call.

Other routine business approved during the meeting included the bills for March 13–April 2, 2025; the board recessed into executive session at the meeting’s close to discuss personnel and litigation matters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Village of Wheeling Board Meeting 4-7-2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 7 meeting, the Village of Wheeling Board of Trustees approved the consent agenda and voted to amend Town Center sign rules to allow larger blade signs and to consent to a Cook County Class 6B tax classification renewal for 230 West Palatine Road.","taxTitle","Wheeling, Cook County, Illinois","taxId",54270,"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},6085995,"Wheeling reports progress on Dundee Road water main, invasive‑species removal; announces staffing changes",401,1267000,1668000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2900541-96ef7954ca19354d17fa151d8dea9631&start=1267&end=1668","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2900541-96ef7954ca19354d17fa151d8dea9631/thumbnail_1267000.jpg","/articles/6085995/Wheeling/Cook-County/Illinois/Wheeling-reports-progress-on-Dundee-Road-water-main-invasivespecies-removal-announces-staffing-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085995-f94fcdc627e30a481c71d9a29344d38f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773646357&Signature=iOe0NjqtkER7VDFwKGEt5oVcBCJ1C3iV62fyG30vybahHwEnrjYp0aN0aM9Rd4UfGZSxEPRJxr3udKnEpepF32p3H4uwO~RebDhvMTJKayIavUhTgk~ZcZYqEL74g9HcvAXe2aaeTvSqBXytkI--ybhh12a7xS5vIcapXHb89LH4ifikWPTdypuqXR2-LriaUS8S0OeRwgfZIFhXCmGrL8Gmy2sr-R4bHjR5H1MCes035jMX3RcxYETXNz7peT8OiTnUsWJ1nO16taFFWxlTC4cKMwgFBUkw0sei0HR~FiFvBkdXBIMpoL37BANx9lY1BmetxlGtuOURJy65-HiOEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Village Public Works Director Dan Kaup updated the Village of Wheeling Board of Trustees on April 7 that the Dundee Road water main replacement is ahead of schedule and that the village’s two‑year invasive species removal program has completed its first year of removals.

“Approximately 1,700 feet of pipe have been installed today,” Director Kaup said, reporting the contractor had finished the segment between Cedar and Schoenbeck and was working west of Schoenbeck toward St. Armand. Kaup said the contractor expects to complete the main through the centerline and begin work that will close outer lanes during the week of April 21, and that the overall project is expected to be finished by early June.

Kaup also briefed the board on the village’s invasive species removal program, which he described as “strictly invasive removal” focused mostly on buckthorn. He said the contractor (RES) finished the first‑year removals in the Avalon area and that village forester Matt Maishak and Superintendent Vince Hoffman worked with the contractor. Kaup reminded residents that Chapter 12.17 of the village code prohibits buckthorn on private property and said Public Works can help identify the plant and advise property owners; removal on private property remains the property owner’s responsibility.

In personnel news, Village Manager John Spondelas introduced the village’s newest department head, Marisol Leyva, who is joining the village ahead of the retirement of the assistant village manager/HR director. Spondelas said Leyva joined from the Village of Bartlett and would overlap with the retiring HR director before the May 2 retirement date. The board also approved expanding Director Kaup’s title to assistant village manager/public works director; Kaup will retain his public works responsibilities while taking on additional duties from the manager’s office.

Trustees asked procedural questions about timing and traffic impacts; Kaup said state work (IDOT) on the west end near Route 53 is scheduled separately and he did not expect the projects to overlap. Board members also asked how residents should report suspected invasive plants; Kaup directed them to contact Public Works for identification and guidance.","Public works director reported 1,700 feet of water main installed on Dundee Road, removal contractor completed year‑one invasive species work in Avalon, and the village introduced Marisol Leyva as a new department head while promoting the public works director to assistant village manager.",{"_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},6086001,"Wheeling police unions tell village board they have no confidence in chief, urge administrative leave",650,230000,880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2900541-96ef7954ca19354d17fa151d8dea9631&start=230&end=880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2900541-96ef7954ca19354d17fa151d8dea9631/thumbnail_230000.jpg","/articles/6086001/Wheeling/Cook-County/Illinois/Wheeling-police-unions-tell-village-board-they-have-no-confidence-in-chief-urge-administrative-leave","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086001-774f87032f675db01583210cf256dc0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773646357&Signature=oPIQiWW9-Gaumb1gyN2JgLk2tVrBq5WsgASxLLzvCtf7LU2CNASGFcnsZK--DtCKfuf7YL5CglLprmWOqQKdJPwTNi2-opzc-AN2mOR~wL~9ppuBKRj0tqIQUXrjntxGHvuiAJvR7EVajacTN3fwc7~9vAtiUPxZjABdKNY82rio2vrthzpDp-1vu7YWNqjNvyubANwlFLJJSO2O8e6PvXlU-vMAKfu7PKmOqZOQfDI5e0kGp8-2YLwXIYW62FAt2mojuAiwlnHN8QXJHYi5XOaot~VBPcHajlwdK7prME6pLcN77ET4Xa0y7anLurYaefRJcvmcd-Jyx0F2b5vxHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 7 Village of Wheeling meeting, representatives of the Wheeling Police Officers Union and the sergeants' chapter told the board they had submitted a formal vote of no confidence in Police Chief Dunn and Deputy Chief Stefan and asked management to take immediate personnel action.

The unions said the Metropolitan Alliance of Police delivered a no-confidence letter signed by 34 of 39 eligible patrol officers and that the sergeants’ chapter provided a unanimous verbal vote of no confidence. Steven Komen, who identified himself as a Wheeling police officer and secretary for the Wheeling Police Officers Union, told trustees the letter lists “concerns and ethical complaints” about leadership, training lapses and non‑uniform discipline.

Komen said union leaders met with Village Manager John Spondelas and Assistant Village Manager Michael Corati on March 4 to detail the concerns but that the meeting did not address the substance of the no‑confidence letter. He said village management told officers it was unaware of management problems and that, in the union’s view, management failed to interview witnesses named in complaints. Komen also said two unfair labor complaints had been filed against Chief Dunn with the State of Illinois.

Komen laid out the unions’ request in clear terms: “We request that the village management place Chief Dunn on an administrative leave until his retirement date of July 4 and dismiss Deputy Chief Stefan effective immediately,” he said. The unions said they requested those steps because they believe allowing the chief and deputy chief to remain in command could compromise discipline and deter employees from reporting misconduct.

Michael Bishke, who identified himself as a sergeant with the Wheeling Police Department and the sergeant chapter’s secretary, offered copies of the unions’ letters to the board. “We do have the letters if I can approach and give you what I just read,” he said while handing the documents to the clerk.

Union remarks cited staffing and retention figures, saying roughly 20 officers have left the department since 2020 after serving fewer than 18 years, and estimated the village invests about $100,000 per officer (training and equipment) for officers with seven years’ service. The unions said departures and hiring practices have increased training costs and strained readiness.

The unions also said a March 24 meeting with village management, which included President Horker, concluded with management reporting it found no evidence of wrongdoing by Chief Dunn or Deputy Chief Stefan. The unions asserted that, from their perspective, the investigation did not include interviews with most department members and that many complaints were dismissed with limited explanation.

The unions asked the board to consider promoting a chief from within the department, arguing internal candidates would restore morale and reduce further resignations. They also offered to meet with the board to discuss the details provided in their written submissions.

Trustees did not take formal action during the meeting; the item was presented during the public comment period and no board response or vote was recorded on the record at the April 7 session.","Members of the patrol officers' and sergeants' unions delivered a joint public statement to the Village of Wheeling Board of Trustees saying 34 of 39 eligible patrol officers signed a vote of no confidence in Chief Dunn and Deputy Chief Stefan and asked village management to place the chief on administrative leave and dismiss the deputy chief.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wheeling trustees approve consent items, allow larger Town Center blade signs and renew Class 6B for Palatine Road property

Wheeling reports progress on Dundee Road water main, invasive‑species removal; announces staffing changes

Wheeling police unions tell village board they have no confidence in chief, urge administrative leave