[{"_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",6266998,"mediaKeyId","3080669-42387bedc2f89811666f7c2da70276af","parentId",3080669,"title","Council declines to approve $115,600 state‑grant funded ‘Waukegan’ identity letters; grant deadline flagged","audioSeconds",623,"startMs",6558000,"endMs",7181000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3080669-42387bedc2f89811666f7c2da70276af&start=6558&end=7181","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3080669-42387bedc2f89811666f7c2da70276af/thumbnail_6558000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6266998/Waukegan/DuPage-County/Illinois/Council-declines-to-approve-115600-stategrant-funded-Waukegan-identity-letters-grant-deadline-flagged","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266998-1ef24f5165f023f7e8c69bf14ad39980/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196923&Signature=P~LKOxGIw7CjK0N84if9oQLC8bo-9MHQoBEeNuzCOtvorUzN5qk-2bSTlZsZm-e3vQdxTJiCLMCddHGDt2pgVvMm7-FQKAivx6lb4HFsK62i70T~fZal6fLX1LTvTXuhuCsIr0YrieiduRRhS2J~4ASVfhjFJ-ZKUSlkUuCNRqtM9WWv4jAv0QWxC8Qld7TGmO2lYMhD0uvtBAS13CaQ1rPBZ5c3JTw5Y-whPXCFWI9NMvn0KgO-69bqtS7GWXP2E3UwhMQMk9ST5lLEp2X8~3CyCAXZ5kYUuuqrx2fW7ebpOgYC1EiB5ynZkIrcWd4eBDSHny2NpEq-Nv15nZmdTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Waukegan, IL","date","2025-04-22T14:06:32Z","article","The City Council on April 21 voted down a resolution that would have authorized a $115,600 professional services contract to design and install large, freestanding identity letters reading “Waukegan” under a state Energy Transition Communities (ETC) grant.

The project, funded through a Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO/DECO) award the city received in 2023, had been moved multiple times on council and committee agendas over several meetings. City staff said a vendor on the table could produce the letters with a shorter fabrication timeline, improving the city’s chance of meeting the grant’s expenditure/obligation deadline in June. Staff also told the council they have requested a deadline extension from the state but had not yet received one.

Council discussion traded procedural concerns and requests for broader aldermanic input. Several aldermen said the procurement had not been presented to the full council earlier in the process and asked for more participation. Alderman Turner and other supporters said the letters are a modest, grant‑funded beautification and tourism enhancement and that the project should proceed. Opponents said they wanted more time for review and emphasized the council’s role in vendor selection.

A roll call vote failed to reach the majority needed to authorize the contract; staff said they will contact the grantor to confirm whether the city can reallocate the awarded funds to other eligible projects or secure an extension. The item will not proceed as drafted.

Why it matters

The letters are a visible downtown branding element intended to draw visitors and photo traffic; the council’s vote leaves the DCEO grant component at risk unless staff can reallocate the funds or obtain a deadline extension. Staff said expedited fabrication carries an additional $15,000 cost not currently covered by the grant and would have to be paid from city funds if the project were rushed to meet state deadlines.

Next steps

City staff will inquire with the state about deadlines and potential reallocation. Council members may revisit the project if the grantor allows a reprogramming of funds or an extended timeline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-04-21 City of Waukegan Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","A vendor contract to design and install large identity letters using a state ETC (Energy Transition Communities) grant failed to win council approval; staff warned the grant requires expenditure or obligation by a June deadline and they are seeking an extension if possible.","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},6267002,"Council holdover delays environmental work for Washington–Sheridan super‑block after aldermanic concerns",557,959000,1516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3080669-42387bedc2f89811666f7c2da70276af&start=959&end=1516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3080669-42387bedc2f89811666f7c2da70276af/thumbnail_959000.jpg","/articles/6267002/Waukegan/DuPage-County/Illinois/Council-holdover-delays-environmental-work-for-WashingtonSheridan-superblock-after-aldermanic-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267002-63fad91b80920b6d6c99111a2e44e585/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196923&Signature=U9UabPsAckaVQTWwMSzINtCGcrCjHVGVm5hiF0ukwrKKLyToD4LRRwZ0o1vk0WPBpwx2XT82BmjNjw8tYN557QmD7fGNXkMqCRJP6MEvErRRci38Cq6QEfGyQE4RpXc-4lp4Fv2rzCEzGaPuSJJuUVtLkIjyWK4GE5VgZupvXIg7HHA0uZZ4x9vKC~WtD0LzzIMBZHOn8l3swMYAEQzOq62FemRDoEaLVb45QqrJARqNPuAaKJydaa4iIwzFWjnmgj9Fpoq4vWOfASe4j-HE-4ZPZ8Dp50Vcw2v8XA59XxabXBkFCZigdq2WWdXeif1muefJXrGRAu3Dei6mATczrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A plan to award $217,000 in environmental consulting work for the Washington and Sheridan “super‑block” was the subject of a sharp exchange at the Community Development Committee on April 21, and members ultimately agreed to hold the item over rather than approve it that night.

The resolution would have authorized a professional services agreement with Deagan Group to finish environmental remediation studies on the city‑owned land and the bank property at 1 South Genesee. City staff said the bank purchase included escrowed funds to finish Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) work and that the city has an 18‑month period to draw from that escrow after closing. Staff argued acting quickly would help the developer and the block’s future redevelopment by allowing the city to secure an IEPA “no further remediation” letter sooner.

Alderman Felix and others urged a hold to allow the incoming mayor and affected ward members to review options and community priorities. Felix said the ward’s residents have concerns about capping contamination in place and want details about remediation options and a broader development plan for the large property. “This is my ward, and I’m part of the Community Development Committee as well. I think this is way too rushed,” Felix said. He asked for a chance to meet with planning staff, the incoming mayor and neighbors before committing funds.

Other committee members pushed back, saying environmental cleanup can be time‑consuming and delaying could jeopardize the city’s ability to draw on escrowed funds or extend work comfortably through IEPA review. Staff and some aldermen described typical IEPA review times as ranging from several months to a year; staff said starting the contracted work now would preserve time for regulatory review.

The committee voted on a procedural motion to overrule the requested holdover (to force the item to be considered immediately). That motion failed; as a result the item was held over to the next Community Development Committee meeting for further review and discussion. Committee members and staff said the city can pursue a special meeting if the timeline requires earlier action.

Why it matters

The super‑block spans Washington, Sheridan, Water and Genesee and includes city parcels and a recently acquired bank site. Completing environmental work, and ideally obtaining an IEPA letter, reduces uncertainty for developers about required remediation and can be decisive for attracting private investment. City staff highlighted the escrow window and the practical time IEPA reviews can consume as reasons to proceed quickly.

Key numbers and facts

- Proposed contract amount: $217,000 (Deagan Group for environmental services)
- Escrow window referenced by staff to draw on bank funds: 18 months
- Planning/IEPA review: described by staff as potentially 6–12 months or longer

Next steps

The item will return to a future Community Development Committee meeting after additional conversations with the incoming mayor and ward representatives. Staff said a special meeting is possible if necessary to preserve funding windows or meet regulatory timing.","A push to immediately authorize $217,000 for Deagan Group environmental services for the city’s Washington and Sheridan ‘Super Block’ was held over after at least one alderman asked for time to consult the incoming mayor and neighborhood representatives; city staff said an 18‑month escrow window limits how long the work can wait.",{"_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},6267008,"Council awards $1.28 million for Washington Street phase‑1 engineering and utility upgrades",228,2793000,3021000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3080669-42387bedc2f89811666f7c2da70276af&start=2793&end=3021","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3080669-42387bedc2f89811666f7c2da70276af/thumbnail_2793000.jpg","/articles/6267008/Waukegan/DuPage-County/Illinois/Council-awards-128-million-for-Washington-Street-phase1-engineering-and-utility-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267008-072d5a326cd42bf88cb9a60281304e34/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196923&Signature=XYzSSya270-uWhH-9fVxqqgIcfX-zM0ELlIQVxpF3G-T1KX2Eh6pFYHe8v7BGZ8BvEep7pWJqOxVSDjMEFW89-FZ3M70qbECZG06FbIoG91TPLZIy9OWkmpb9K~PBrJUdjLMj0KNJb-iHl8Je2j7ToU2EAY6Vhv13rnZhSP3-l0CQNTCpJH-wpd-17aQwxF0I9Qx-Yf6jhYqbKPsPQCbRqpm~6e1F43hT5sbbnn8hbtXq0Ld6E50nqglEUJ1vWvkrtcb69Axu8hfLkqnC~TgRaaoSSidSAR5JiI~qN7qlDHdVxs0pb0uzAtZqlf3hbg185a1jZLOOIGAEllqno~JwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waukegan approved a professional services contract on April 21 to fund Phase 1 engineering and utility upgrades for the Washington Street corridor, a planning step intended to make the project eligible for state and federal construction funding.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee selected Patrick Engineering (doing business as Rena Consulting) as the lowest responsible bidder for a not‑to‑exceed $1,279,793 contract to complete the Phase 1 planning, data collection, alternatives analysis, stakeholder coordination and the project development report (PDR) that Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reviewers expect prior to approving federal/state funding for design and construction.

Committee members and the city’s project team stressed the work is preparatory. “This is the planning, engineering and environmental work that goes into designing what the future road will look like,” Jared Cybulski of Patrick Engineering said. He told the committee the Phase 1 process and IDOT approvals typically take about 24 months; that schedule then allows the city to pursue Phase 2 (final design) and Phase 3 (construction) funding.

Jesus Garland, the city’s engineering director, said the Phase 1 report is required to compete effectively for Lake County Council of Mayors and other grant programs and to be “shovel ready” for federal dollars. Garland and Cybulski also confirmed the scope includes utility coordination and lead service‑line work where applicable.

The committee approved the contract by roll call vote during the Public Works meeting. Members voiced support for starting the planning work promptly so the city can pursue grant rounds and IDOT approvals that can take many months.

Votes at a glance

- Award to Patrick Engineering (Rena Consulting), Phase 1 engineering and utility upgrades for Washington Street corridor — approved by committee (roll call: Aldermen Florian, Martinez, Bowden, Newsom, Donnerworth recorded as “Aye”; motion passed at committee).","The city selected Patrick Engineering to prepare a Phase 1 project development report and utility upgrade work for Washington Street from Green Bay Road to Bridal for $1,279,793; committee members said beginning the study now is essential to seek federal and state construction funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council declines to approve $115,600 state‑grant funded ‘Waukegan’ identity letters; grant deadline flagged

Council holdover delays environmental work for Washington–Sheridan super‑block after aldermanic concerns

Council awards $1.28 million for Washington Street phase‑1 engineering and utility upgrades