[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6245791,"mediaKeyId","3221997-4d7047fa2fc678a4a0b28442ad59f390","parentId",3221997,"title","Council tables legal committee dissolution after public pushback, approves Parks & Rec board changes","audioSeconds",4752,"startMs",1517000,"endMs",6269000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3221997-4d7047fa2fc678a4a0b28442ad59f390&start=1517&end=6269","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3221997-4d7047fa2fc678a4a0b28442ad59f390/thumbnail_1517000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6245791/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/Council-tables-legal-committee-dissolution-after-public-pushback-approves-Parks-Rec-board-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245791-ed5d233bbfb72dfa6af6dd102ad7a77b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168557&Signature=jnqYgfeiAapcgwkMFxd1tnxcElVtMa-pHsJ5uqsVg817y0QqoPERZt7esvWvBWjtnVZYNT2Qsg83Wk9jWruUnJKhdb~Swm7J3BLaCGFjUOnLRxv1rFe2YIKEELtGobv7Fkgc6K1EgWyVxpLzLhlMvMy0VWHmuz2WqrorvfKBlPjaE18vg6YO4iCvc4lGB6wWBplmE4F-IBnqfIhUWaO8KtaAe6On8zF48Qld2EuEeCnQZzHNQr9pxwg62U0dCDMKJzYLRnxfubBSZ-y07yM0gS26T5~XmVNHhWR-5mQJwkFfFkw9BnnERd2UXIO3zMLyTkwppciQhz-bDcC3x~Xk6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lake Forest, IL","date","2025-05-08T04:24:07.123Z","article","Lake Forest — The City Council paused action on dissolving its citizen legal committee after public comment and debate, but separately approved an ordinance to restructure the Parks and Recreation Board.

Public commenters including former committee members and residents urged the council not to dissolve the legal committee, describing it as a long-standing, volunteer advisory body that provides oversight, monitors litigation and reviews legal-budget matters. Art Mertes, who said he has served on the legal committee since 2022, and resident Susan Garrett both told the council the committee was not consulted before the proposal to dissolve it and asked that council reconsider.

“From what chairman Guscott Mueller has shared with me, the city council at that time was seeking to prevent reoccurrence of costly time consuming legal disputes by engaging a small advisory committee,” Art Mertes said during public comment. Mertes described the committee as advisory and said it adds rigor and inquiry to the city’s legal oversight.

Supporters of dissolution said the council’s committee structure would be more efficient: council liaisons and finance committee review of legal invoices already provide fiscal oversight, and city staff said the legal committee cannot render formal legal advice because of ethics and privilege constraints. Several aldermen argued the Parks and Recreation Board had low attendance and limited agenda items and that a three-member council subcommittee would be more efficient and provide closer access to elected decision-makers.

After discussion, Alderman Notes moved to table the ordinance affecting the legal committee to allow more time for community input; the motion to table passed 8-0. That vote leaves the legal committee ordinance in place for now and preserves the committee’s authority under current code while the council considers next steps.

On the Parks and Recreation matter, the council voted 8-0 to adopt an ordinance amending city code sections related to the Park and Recreation Board, replacing the volunteer board with a council subcommittee model. Aldermen who supported that change said the subcommittee would allow three council members to work more closely and efficiently with staff and better integrate policy recommendations into council deliberations.

Speakers at the meeting noted different views. A number of residents—including members of the existing legal committee—urged greater public outreach before dissolving committees and suggested the city could instead assign more substantive work to volunteers rather than eliminating their boards. “If this is the case, they should be offered meaningful work,” public commenter Romy Lopat said of the volunteer boards. Art Mertes urged caution and argued the legal committee acts as an independent check and an “insurance policy.”

Council members said the vote to table the legal-committee ordinance was intended to provide time for additional consideration and community input. Staff said minutes and agendas for advisory committees are available and that some legal matters discussed by the committee are in executive session and therefore not part of the public record.

The council directed the caucus and staff to consider appointments to fill expiring seats and to return with a framework for further discussion. Documents in the record trace the legal committee’s origin to about 2005 as an advisory body that coordinated with outside counsel and tracked legal-budget components; council members and public commenters differed over how active and necessary the committee has been in recent years.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LF City Council | 05.05.2025 First Session","oneSentenceSummary","After several residents urged keeping the long-standing legal committee, the council voted 8-0 to table the proposed dissolution of the legal committee and separately approved dissolving the Parks and Recreation Board and replacing it with a council subcommittee.","taxTitle","Lake Forest, Lake County, Illinois","taxId",70262,"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},6245796,"Lake Forest moves to reinstate 1% grocery tax effective Jan. 1, 2026",343,3429000,3772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3221997-4d7047fa2fc678a4a0b28442ad59f390&start=3429&end=3772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3221997-4d7047fa2fc678a4a0b28442ad59f390/thumbnail_3429000.jpg","/articles/6245796/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-Forest-moves-to-reinstate-1-grocery-tax-effective-Jan-1-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245796-d17eb705465bf055c336912a9ee801a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168557&Signature=eqW6OBI8M6949kNf62L005r~Yr5ZmAyf-CWgwOnDC0djuHksBjOT467s3xhSvvcDJJVoYBuA0VsXr-pxRnBjqvo~6gADDi53RB4OWqSDVULOwaSVMlDcZ3Ol~Rs5apVbqFvjfQkAs-71PPTRDlwFgOp3YcWbdj3MDkWVuQe9ITJtXwJwfUep9SEjcvEfrFBm45M6~-kvZ9MhJl7YhlmP32nlw8eFfFC99ARgLzfdwRbL2Or45Lp6f8-E5EK5x2yf6s8clxWkQvDUBfEj92crDXpHM8jX7uXTyJVFIk-SawE462ZT-hOgO4S6a9LskdRS8Bp~qBvVlwyV7f7LrbHS-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake Forest — The City Council approved an ordinance Tuesday to impose a 1% municipal grocery tax effective Jan. 1, 2026, after the state repealed the corresponding state-collected tax.

City staff explained that when the state repealed the long-standing 1% grocery tax as part of the FY25 state budget, it left municipalities with the option to adopt an equivalent local tax to preserve the revenue stream. Staff told the council the city typically receives about $525,000 per year in grocery-tax revenue and that, by law, action must occur before July 1 for the tax to take effect Jan. 1.

“Absent any action by the council, the 1% tax would expire on January 1 of 2026,” City Manager Jason Wisha said. He and staff described the revenue as part of the general fund used for operating expenses. During public comment, resident Romy Lopez asked for a consolidated list of fees and small taxes the city has added or adjusted in recent years to show the cumulative burden on residents; Lopez urged the council to consider thresholds for scaling back projects if fees and charges grow too large.

Council members debated the measure and its budgetary role; one alderman abstained and called the action a “political shell game.” The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote with seven yeas, one abstention and no nays.

Council materials show staff intends the grocery-tax revenue to fund general operations. The ordinance approved Tuesday was presented as a final-reading measure; staff said municipalities can impose the local tax to capture revenue that previously flowed through the state as a pass-through to local governments.

The council did not adopt specific offsets or rebates; staff emphasized the funds are typically used for one-time operating or capital needs rather than recurring expenditures. Council members said they would continue to address budget priorities and community questions about fees and taxes in future budget discussions.","On a 7-0 vote with one abstention, the council approved an ordinance to adopt a 1% municipal grocery tax beginning Jan. 1, 2026, to replace a state-level tax the legislature repealed. Staff said the city typically receives about $525,000 annually from the tax.",{"_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},6245801,"City awards bid to resurface Macquarie bike path; project to widen, start after July 4",134,117000,251000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3221997-4d7047fa2fc678a4a0b28442ad59f390&start=117&end=251","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3221997-4d7047fa2fc678a4a0b28442ad59f390/thumbnail_117000.jpg","/articles/6245801/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/City-awards-bid-to-resurface-Macquarie-bike-path-project-to-widen-start-after-July-4","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245801-c48b59e854025a304074684ed505ac8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168557&Signature=aSWF3BT-gERpSfpzqjO~~St07dIUzg8YVgP1jY~tMHAct2WwWmLWYELVFnwI9DA0jZq6gTGfx6LzJ89RJurF-SCZRPfhpMh8bbW9TLVNumKmBax8FcErpowwGUJ~Vcmqgu6z3h6XiEKn-sUjT2SqM7waM8XKNfTeeehpFBbIzGTowzHAcIOb6NCSl-0tjck6TBzlYpCEzXL26KISIIOUnP-Y9O8VAFI0v0m7Z-iqw3AHesEwyhJUZaWjVWJH3LHYavobQJ-qP38vhraKfwyJeNyznJiOPgitTdZnpd4pNUYWtExJjEt1cizDQwfiu3ZrNz8FbG8Ds28Et7FbZN0Rlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake Forest — The City Council included the Macquarie bike path resurfacing project in its omnibus approvals Tuesday, awarding the contract to Manival Construction and approving a 10% contingency.

Staff presented details on a resurfacing and partial widening of the Macquarie Bike Path from Wesley to Old Elm. The council’s omnibus vote authorized the city manager to execute an agreement with Manival Construction for $236,664 and approved a 10% construction contingency of $23,666, bringing the total authorized cost to $260,330.

Superintendent of Engineering Byron Coutts told the council the project responds to community survey input asking for improved pedestrian and bicycle facilities and that the city applied for and received an Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) grant to help fund the work. Coutts said the city budgeted $450,000 for the work, including a planned 50/50 grant split of up to $200,000; because the bid returned much lower than the budgeted figure, the local share would be smaller. Under the IDNR arrangement staff described, the city pays costs up front and files quarterly reimbursement requests to IDNR.

Coutts said the work will widen an existing narrow eight-foot section to 10 feet, matching prior improvements, and that crews are planning a roughly three-week construction window timed to minimize summer user disruption. Staff estimated work would start about July 7, immediately after July 4, and finish before Lake Forest Day. A detour route for cyclists and pedestrians was presented: users will be rerouted via Sheridan, the sidewalk under the viaduct, Beverly and residential streets to Old Elm; at Old Elm cyclists will use the roadway and pedestrians the sidewalk.

The council’s omnibus vote that included the Macquarie award passed 8-0. Council backup materials show four bids were received and Manival’s low bid was substantially below the $450,000 budgeted figure, which staff attributed to competitive pricing this season.

Coutts acknowledged additional nearby construction in the neighborhood and said staff would coordinate detours if conflicts arise. Construction signage plans and a QR code for more information were included in staff materials. The agreed payment/reimbursement schedule means the city will carry front-end cash flow for the project until IDNR reimburses the local half.","Council approved the Macquarie bike path resurfacing as part of omnibus items. Staff said IDNR awarded a matching grant; the low bid was $236,664 from Manival Construction and the total contract including 10% contingency is $260,330.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":91,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":94,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6245806,"Lake Forest council approves contingencies, extends temporary signal for Deerpath streetscape project",2750,2867000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3221997-4d7047fa2fc678a4a0b28442ad59f390&start=117&end=2867","/articles/6245806/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-Forest-council-approves-contingencies-extends-temporary-signal-for-Deerpath-streetscape-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245806-e6eb8ca7b86d6bffd2165b32f9d24fc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168557&Signature=NRCzJ6yoe2pVgbmT2s243fFpSkk9V0K-aqr7GfLFFTe8Rmif4B4Pm8rzWCEx2I-OnOcx9uh9M0T8xS7j5G-xVW2d98CvriBwoc2ocVx03T0bi6Vb96tPJJkpyB7K8-DMuGw~M3NB89BcD3YUQccukE7c9cYV2ZeWydD-u~EJEsMQ9zlj9h4hd35m-kReqMOpjBqw~87gdSbqy6avryptNMF5N4ou~V8w0Vjd9PD~o4vmPwMM2dmqM8dLJTkx1EOf~~Xp-ppcypsvhZqLQtWJhNDEKO1kYIvVECaoqkBeb01Q7tcSgH-23VxYzdKOvnbS3CaYClBvFUYAdcCPE1R~WA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake Forest — The City Council voted 8-0 Tuesday to approve contingency funds and extend a temporary traffic signal as work begins on the Deerpath Streetscape project.

The council approved three related items: a temporary-traffic-signal services agreement with the owner of the existing portable signal, authorization of a $150,000 construction contingency payable to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and authorization of a $150,000 construction contingency and miscellaneous services payable to DeLand Construction LLC. The council’s vote was a roll call that resulted in eight yays and zero nays.

The measures aim to cover unforeseen costs on the federally funded ITEP (Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program) streetscape project and to maintain the portable signal at Westminster and Green Bay through the active construction period. City staff said IDOT does not include a local contingency above the award amount, so the city is adding a 10% contingency overall and splitting it roughly half to IDOT and half to the contractor to speed payment of ineligible or miscellaneous items.

“IDOT will pay the project completely and then they'll invoice us and we'll pay them back for our share,” Superintendent of Engineering Byron Coutts said. Coutts told the council the low bid on the project was $2,990,000 from DeLand Construction; staff calculated about $2,356,000 of that bid is eligible for the federal 80/20 split, producing an approximate federal share of $1,880,000 and a local match of about $471,000. Adding in ineligible costs of roughly $660,000, staff estimated local funding needs near $1,100,000 of the $2.33 million originally budgeted for local funding.

Coutts also explained why the city is proposing to pay $150,000 directly to DeLand for contingency items: some work items would be ineligible under IDOT rules or administratively cumbersome to process through IDOT, and paying DeLand directly would reduce delay and allow more rapid response to field needs. He said that any contingency funds not used will remain in the city’s capital fund.

The council also approved paying for temporary traffic-signal services to John Thomas Incorporated (the company that owns the currently deployed equipment) so the existing signal can remain in place without interruption through October, when the streetscape work is scheduled to be substantially complete. Coutts explained that replacing the equipment mid-project would require new setup and sensor tuning and would likely produce short-term disruption.

Council members asked for context about the bid prices and the city’s budgeting process. “A year or two ago most of our bids were exceeding the budget,” Coutts said, adding that this season contractors appear to be more competitive and several projects have come in under budget. Alderman Novot said patterns vary by project and that prior large variances (such as for a bridge) showed the opposite effect.

Construction updates presented to the council say the water-main work is complete, temporary sidewalk saw-cutting has begun, tree removals and electrical work for future lighting will occur in coming weeks, and a road closure on Deerpath from just east of Oakwood to just west of Western was scheduled to begin the day after the meeting. Coutts said the Bank Lane restriping and coordination with adjacent construction has been scheduled so access and detours align with other neighborhood schedule constraints.

Council documents and Coutts’ presentation show the project design has been completed, IDOT has executed the construction agreement, and the project team and contractor have mobilized. Coutts said IT should be expected that IDOT invoices and paybacks can occur over multiple years and that the contingency will permit the city to pay invoices when they arrive.

The council action was taken as a single motion to approve: (A) temporary traffic-signal services agreement and authorization for the city manager to execute an agreement not to exceed $52,200; (B) a $150,000 contingency for invoices to IDOT; and (C) a $150,000 contingency and miscellaneous services for DeLand Construction LLC. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 8-0.

The project schedule provided to council members lists temporary field office hours for IDOT/consultant staff, two-week closures at Oakwood and Western later in the project to replace crosswalks, and a tentative Bank Lane enhancement start of June 9 with work running through Oct. 31. City staff said they will monitor detours and adjust if neighboring paving or private projects conflict with the planned route.

Council materials show the project’s original capital plan budget was $4.4 million, with $2,068,000 in ITEP grant funds and the remainder local funds. Staff told council that change orders for eligible items would also be eligible for the 80/20 split and could expand the federal participation if necessary.

The council’s vote authorizes the city manager to execute the agreements and to use contingency funds as described; the city will return unused contingency dollars to the capital fund.","The City Council approved $300,000 total in contingencies split between IDOT and the prime contractor, and authorized a contract extension to keep a temporary traffic signal through the streetscape work. Council voted 8-0 to approve the measures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council tables legal committee dissolution after public pushback, approves Parks & Rec board changes

Lake Forest moves to reinstate 1% grocery tax effective Jan. 1, 2026

City awards bid to resurface Macquarie bike path; project to widen, start after July 4

Lake Forest council approves contingencies, extends temporary signal for Deerpath streetscape project