[{"_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",6086233,"mediaKeyId","2898176-651d8fb76f1b523ab35620e26129ddb1","parentId",2898176,"title","Council approves two tavern/package liquor licenses after committee debate; committee had split recommendations","audioSeconds",6001,"startMs",5249000,"endMs",11250000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2898176-651d8fb76f1b523ab35620e26129ddb1&start=5249&end=11250","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2898176-651d8fb76f1b523ab35620e26129ddb1/thumbnail_5249000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6086233/Waukegan/DuPage-County/Illinois/Council-approves-two-tavernpackage-liquor-licenses-after-committee-debate-committee-had-split-recommendations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086233-6c977de1b8f1ccaa14d9ea487257adeb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160813&Signature=cFxaaMjjEOK~jmWF6yy~Y7u~zWXJet1-R~7BZICfHcZsJQkd7nUfOsiOLjfIiGsHMBFPG~JD4usIhtK4RiFoow3okOwTkBVJojtTKE6acWfn6-GxyjkVq5ASMa6UCRwxtx36WbLbnipStINUqXyyi7WfTWeOnRwgzNlEoyjz1x176CGcAiVmk~kHL1CzuxJwAAg4MbCg0sGfFM-VGER1056m8L4FkT6NSa79RvVm3rNpIXSOvARqGibf9YKHOqj8uu0LfwHQ55WFfBa2CAw9L13rFIAq0BxBLXXdEv-hJbFIFxtmc9JXQwSOPVdGk~RZ0UzKUK8lHs8U855HJSxp8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Waukegan, IL","date","2025-04-08T09:07:21Z","article","The Waukegan City Council on April 7 approved two liquor‑license changes that drew extended review at the Community Development Committee earlier that evening.

At the committee meeting applicants answered detailed questions about their operations, manager designations and compliance history. Maria Garcia and Edwin Lagunas appeared in committee for Toluca’s Restaurant and its adjacent La Cantina space, where city staff said business‑license citations had been issued earlier for activity in an adjoining area. Committee members pressed applicants on whether the nightclub endorsement and hours were shown consistently on the application, and asked whether activity in the adjacent space had produced a city citation. Robert Rataca, attorney for Toluca’s interests, told the committee that citations were handled through business‑license procedures and that the owners were working to make licensed areas and hours explicit to avoid future confusion.

Sunny Patel, applying for a Class C retail package license for Lake Liquors at 2200‑2303 North Lewis Avenue, told the committee she planned a larger product mix and periodic tastings. Committee members noted multiple existing liquor‑retail licenses in the same block and discussed the competitive impact for legacy businesses; Patel said her operation would complement existing offerings.

Committee votes were mixed. The Community Development Committee issued a negative recommendation for Toluca’s application after asking for clarifications and noting an earlier business‑license offense; the committee recorded a split vote on other licenses after applicant testimony and follow‑up questions.

At the city council meeting later the same night the council voted to amend the Toluca’s application record to correct inconsistent items (the nightclub endorsement box and operating hours) and then approved the Class A tavern license for Toluca’s (council vote: 6 ayes, 3 nays). Lake Liquors’ Class C package license also received council approval (7 ayes, 2 nays).

What was debated

- Management and responsibility: Committee members emphasized that the designated manager listed on a liquor application must meet the same eligibility criteria as a licensee and be the person the city can contact to resolve nuisance or enforcement issues. The city attorney explained that the municipal liquor code distinguishes a licensee and the designated manager and prohibits certain convictions within a statutory timeframe for those roles.
- Application accuracy: Committee members required applicants to correct inconsistent application fields (for Toluca’s, a “no” box on nightclub endorsement conflicted with other application pages that suggested nightclub‑style activity). Committee members said corrected, unambiguous paperwork is necessary for both enforcement and future compliance review.
- Neighborhood impacts: For both Toluca’s and Lake Liquors, members and neighbors raised concerns about noise, traffic and loitering. Toluca’s neighbors told the committee that parking and late‑night noise were ongoing concerns; Toluca’s owner said she would use off‑street parking, towing for violators and private security as needed.

Votes at a glance

- Toluca’s Restaurant & La Cantina (Class A tavern) — council: approved 6–3 (ayes: Turner, Donneworth, Bolton, Guzman, Martinez, Felix; nays: Newsom, Florian, Hayes). Committee: negative recommendation (sent to council with negative recommendation). Applicant required to correct application inconsistencies before the license document is finalized.
- Lake Liquors (Class C retail package sales, 2200‑2303 N. Lewis Ave.) — council: approved 7–2 (ayes: Turner, Donneworth, Hayes, Bolton, Guzman, Martinez, Felix; nays: Newsom, Florian). Committee: moved forward for council action following applicant testimony.

Why it matters: Liquor licenses are highly regulated municipal permits; committee members said application clarity and accurate manager designations are needed so the city can enforce hours, nuisance rules and prevent unlicensed activity. The Toluca’s application drew particular scrutiny because of prior business‑license enforcement connected to sales in an adjacent area.

Next steps: City staff will finalize the corrected license paperwork and the police and licensing divisions will monitor compliance and follow up if violations recur.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-04-07 City of Waukegan Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","The Waukegan City Council on April 7 approved a Class A tavern license for Toluca’s Restaurant and a Class C retail package license for Lake Liquors after committee scrutiny over past business‑license violations, application inconsistencies and potential neighborhood impacts.","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},6086238,"Developer panel urges port and city to align lakefront vision; staff moves to advance downtown sites",592,3688000,4280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2898176-651d8fb76f1b523ab35620e26129ddb1&start=3688&end=4280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2898176-651d8fb76f1b523ab35620e26129ddb1/thumbnail_3688000.jpg","/articles/6086238/Waukegan/DuPage-County/Illinois/Developer-panel-urges-port-and-city-to-align-lakefront-vision-staff-moves-to-advance-downtown-sites","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086238-8eb31e7ee809b048d78e62cffa84b18b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160813&Signature=NNlyK~kU0ZWnTSZB1nVg5HvQC-sSp4TUvV9Ivu7oul8oqKDynwRzhm8I2VL7yM-VX0fWev6AcBeHczc~22hi1bKYBGl91nwlLh~Pp0Q-6YrfDEQP~-dx-JU8OjK43FWppQA3E9-0wSNHKWHUzeFuyFezj~YVQgu5RKlmqnYBLTz8WqJ-bhSJvT8EjxzF4fuydYsdDuUkKnEwXXzje-ZScx11bjyDitoWmV9G~htTWtLtOdLjw7M2SIOYcKakyuX8L1hBB-sXPtAtJFYjtItJz62XG1CXp4lCEQQWg78m78nIHXxRKPOPlmsQRnmnrADtnQfAw9Bn9uVEINpG32jqdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sam Green, a city planner, told the Community Development Committee on April 7 that the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) convened a volunteer developer panel to give candid market feedback on Waukegan’s lakefront and downtown sites. Green said the panel focused on two parcels: the Bay Marine site on the lakefront and a city‑owned parking lot across the street.

“The panel’s primary advice was threefold: align visions, approvals and funding; prioritize downtown sites for a proof of concept while preparing the lakefront; and connect downtown and the lakefront so they work as one place,” Green said.

Aldermen and planning staff described work already under way. City staff said they have started regular coordination meetings with the Port District and a development consultant, are pursuing state funding for an Amstutz‑Sheridan corridor feasibility study, and plan environmental assessments and cleanup on prioritized lots. Green said the city is preparing a downtown parking‑lot request for proposals this summer and a downtown housing market study that staff said shows early positive indicators for demand.

Greg Petrie, a Port District board member, thanked the city and the RTA for the joint application that brought the ULI developers to Waukegan and said the Port District intends to continue collaborating with city staff on site transfers, park design and access to the water.

During committee discussion Alderman Jose Guzman questioned repetition of studies and grant requests over the years. Green and a development director answered that the developer panel was a different kind of engagement—a half‑day market test of what private developers would actually build—and that earlier plans had been readopted into the city’s 2020 comprehensive plan. The director added the developer panel cost the city little or nothing; RTA and ULI covered most expenses.

City staff outlined immediate action items arising from the panel: burying overhead utilities where feasible; continuing grant applications for park and corridor work; transferring selected Port District parcels to the city for activation; conducting environmental investigations and cleanup; and preparing a predetermined incentive package to speed negotiations with developers.

The port and city officials framed the panel as a diagnostic step to make future private investment more likely. “We were very pleased the RTA liked the joint application,” Petrie said. “We’re moving in the right direction and hope the new administration continues this collaboration.”

Staff asked the committee to note the panel’s recommendations and to continue coordination; there was no formal council action tied to the presentation. Committee members expressed support for the recommended next steps and for continuing the grant and cleanup work needed to prepare sites for development.

Why it matters: The lakefront and adjacent downtown are long‑standing priorities in Waukegan’s land‑use plans; developers told the city that market interest will depend on visible improvements—cleanup, utilities and clear incentives—that reduce risk for private investors. City staff said the developer panel has already led to increased coordination with the Port District and to moving forward on environmental investigations and grant work.","A Regional Transportation Authority–sponsored Urban Land Institute developer panel recommended aligning the Waukegan Port District and city plans, prioritizing downtown proof‑of‑concept projects and funding cleanup and utilities—city staff said it has begun coordinating next steps with the port district and pursuing grants and environmental work.",{"_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},6086228,"Council greenlights $4.49 million insurance renewal after committee overrides holdover; staff warned of nonrenewal risk",95,1144000,1239000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2898176-651d8fb76f1b523ab35620e26129ddb1&start=1144&end=1239","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2898176-651d8fb76f1b523ab35620e26129ddb1/thumbnail_1144000.jpg","/articles/6086228/Waukegan/DuPage-County/Illinois/Council-greenlights-449-million-insurance-renewal-after-committee-overrides-holdover-staff-warned-of-nonrenewal-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086228-e6699609ffd25b21c39517bd68a73f2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160813&Signature=bQKSgYmFdvuTyvK8YhKfYaNPhdGWwEnyHyvti04lGw2QCvFc8hLUT5xf0BMRUtrcC3nApRsScgNN1uF-~DhDjNFKwl8pHnOKywiErWb8QotYWxCqnEjueqwu26glqvOsKfNG1-9BKvcwFUgR2oiqhNQBJuqCOaaebMawMxQG6qlj9Jf3Pe-4NrmyDlnKZrXL4-LdPDiUbn0~EGFjpcMRzgh13KOVfIvoBGGR8kpMJ8lOmWej6kWEGXtjsegLVJ5r4yI6zkoIkJMQM0nikUg6UY6xI251l35YpB2DF14LBD50pxWmv8pZafJGc8ZKY6aYnLG3W3mqka8nuwpJdj3B5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Government and Operations Oversight Committee on April 7 considered a resolution to renew the city’s insurance package through Alliant Insurance Services Inc. for an amount not to exceed $4,491,969. Committee members initially moved to hold the resolution to a later meeting, but staff and an outside speaker urged immediate action.

Bob Vince, speaking during the committee meeting, warned the committee that the city’s principal insurer, Safety National, was considering nonrenewal if the city allowed a lapse in coverage. City staff added that recent claims had pushed the city’s reserve beyond a portion of the self‑insured retention (SIR) and that any further notification to carriers could jeopardize renewal.

The committee first approved a motion to override the holdover (override vote: Bolton Aye; Guzman No; Newsom Aye; Felix No; Turner Aye—3–2 to override). With the override passed, the committee then approved the resolution to renew the insurance package for an amount not to exceed $4,491,969. The matter was included on the council’s omnibus consent items and was approved by the full council on April 7.

What the committee discussed

- Timing and risk: Staff emphasized the renewal deadline—if the city did not approve the renewal before the policy expiration at the end of the month, the city risked a lapse and potential nonrenewal by major carriers.
- Claims and reserves: Staff said new claims had increased amounts payable above part of the city’s SIR and that ongoing claims could force the city to report circumstances to carriers, which in turn could affect renewal terms.
- Process: An initial suggestion to hold the item for further finance review was overridden after the carrier‑nonrenewal risk was explained.

Outcome and next steps

- Committee action: Motion to override holdover approved 3–2; subsequent approval of the insurance renewal resolution for an amount not to exceed $4,491,969.
- Council action: Item was included on the council consent agenda and passed at the April 7 council meeting as part of omnibus items.

Why it matters: Municipal insurance renewals are time‑sensitive. Staff told the committee that a lapse or delayed renewal could jeopardize the city’s relationship with major insurers, potentially increasing future premiums or limiting coverage options. The committee’s override vote shows leadership weighed carrier risk over additional preparatory review.","The Government and Operations Oversight Committee on April 7 voted to override a motion to hold over an insurance‑renewal resolution and ultimately approved renewal of the city insurance package for up to $4,491,969. City staff and speakers warned that delaying renewal risked nonrenewal by primary carriers and could leave coverage gaps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves two tavern/package liquor licenses after committee debate; committee had split recommendations

Developer panel urges port and city to align lakefront vision; staff moves to advance downtown sites

Council greenlights $4.49 million insurance renewal after committee overrides holdover; staff warned of nonrenewal risk