[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6238356,"mediaKeyId","3352726-f0efee036f4a5be1e66247ab0786ba5a","parentId",3352726,"title","Trustees agree to change commuter-permit window; staff to draft ordinance allowing metered parking at 5 a.m.","audioSeconds",287,"startMs",8183000,"endMs",8470000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352726-f0efee036f4a5be1e66247ab0786ba5a&start=8183&end=8470","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352726-f0efee036f4a5be1e66247ab0786ba5a/thumbnail_8183000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6238356/Riverside/Cook-County/Illinois/Trustees-agree-to-change-commuter-permit-window-staff-to-draft-ordinance-allowing-metered-parking-at-5-am","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238356-ddf4f631932cf82200c471d926744327/orig.mp4?Expires=1773705965&Signature=KKRjR8UbYeCnNIH1fABah5O0QhtQjL1M8xQCWsGdhnr4XXYwV8clqzH-0YOMiNjov1aP3nTP48bGai94eq6VMF4OtZNlsf44gVeIL5cVduwXdYGb2qLZoEjmyZgBSE5tAjhjxjBm--Kj2R9CWBWrJ0kNXkN6Gy27vnCX0bL~2IBttaQ0weTWK7V3oT2jKQW5wovOSMT1HbibSar82R-ASvccs2A6hVfCpmF~6ps6Vv63DH3ANCzUiuQ66wuIFOm1-JsFVqKc0oW-SgDsE2z7yYl~p1zwXUuvSR-p5ElDNxqkAC2UmwoQM0JoQA~tD~p31p8n3NsDg4oZVIPQvRebBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Riverside, IL","date","2025-05-16T13:44:25Z","article","RIVERSIDE, Ill. — The Village of Riverside Board of Trustees on May 15 directed staff to prepare ordinance language to allow metered on-street parking along Blooming Bank Road beginning at 5 a.m., changing the village’s current 6 a.m. start time for commuter metered parking and commuter permits.

The discussion began after a resident asked the village to consider earlier on‑street parking because an early commuter train at about 5:25 a.m. prevented that resident from using metered Blooming Bank parking that begins at 6 a.m. Village officials reviewed operational and safety concerns, including snow‑removal coordination and overnight parking prohibitions. Director Buckley (Public Works) and Director Tabb (parking/operations) advised staff can manage the change, although snow-removal operations may need attention.

Trustees discussed public-safety reasons for overnight parking prohibitions and noted overnight clear-street windows facilitate snow removal and reduce hazards on dark neighborhood streets. After discussion, trustees expressed support for changing the commuter-permit start time and the metered parking start on Blooming Bank Road from 6 a.m. to 5 a.m. Manager Jessica Francis asked staff to return with ordinance language and implementation details.

Staff also noted alternative commuter parking options already exist (Commuter Lot 1, a 24‑hour lot, and a metered lot behind the swim-club parking) and said exceptions for short-term overnight parking continue to be handled by the police department through temporary permits when needed.

No formal vote occurred; staff will draft the ordinance and return to the board for adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Village of Riverside Board of Trustees Regular Meeting 05-15-25","oneSentenceSummary","Board members asked staff to draft an ordinance to permit metered on-street parking on Blooming Bank Road starting at 5 a.m. (instead of 6 a.m.) and to align commuter-permit hours accordingly, responding to commuter-train schedules and requests from residents.","taxTitle","Riverside, Cook County, Illinois","taxId",70350,"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},6238362,"Riverside to consider electric-aggregation options June 5 after preview of rates and green-energy tradeoffs",1062,6888000,7950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352726-f0efee036f4a5be1e66247ab0786ba5a&start=6888&end=7950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352726-f0efee036f4a5be1e66247ab0786ba5a/thumbnail_6888000.jpg","/articles/6238362/Riverside/Cook-County/Illinois/Riverside-to-consider-electric-aggregation-options-June-5-after-preview-of-rates-and-green-energy-tradeoffs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238362-552257308606263732e7e79a158fa951/orig.mp4?Expires=1773705965&Signature=FKP0BvqYBgVBRGmLgid1wuDoUj0OJ23jg-p5FFl4sqF~9Du9sZLJXO9qj5pynnkz0mxcujmN2NqHo4wD72-fv8zJzEXaEPwbZ6n0mEMQaUsRc6I6T3FqnirGtyEqE7edoC9-qjOFcWIG~GPJLWzx8obJMliZIKbu~GhSb7od74LPM~uXJmMo2ylThky2cP4obUdClfuDCFzwDElVatFV3OXm13wQRZK6-LhQzoqYmCqxWvncnROp30Izn1bhKuFs2GNLyEkCUvJvhC2X~Mxy9aE9XsQq3yZx0ImZ8C54-TiRNkoKzOtQKIi3guvHqxLQeYQeAQGZDi0CMqTO8iEH6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","RIVERSIDE, Ill. — The Village of Riverside Board of Trustees received an initial briefing May 15 on options to renew the village’s municipal electric-aggregation program and asked staff to return with final supplier bids at the June 5 meeting before making a decision.

Clerk Emily Stenzel and consultant Sharon Dirling of Illinois Activation Consultants summarized the program’s history: Riverside voters authorized an opt‑out municipal aggregation in 2012 that allows the village to negotiate fixed supply rates for residents and small businesses. The village has favored 100% renewable supply in recent contracts. The current supplier contract (with MC2 Energy Services) runs through October 2025; the prior 12‑month 100% green contract was 8.09¢ per kilowatt-hour.

Staff presented two broad options: (1) issue a request for fixed-rate supplier bids and continue a multi-tier green option (12‑month bids for 50% or 100% green supply were cited as sample estimates), or (2) adopt a ComEd price‑match model guaranteeing participating customers will not pay more than ComEd’s supply rate. Under the price-match option, staff said the best offers returned in initial modeling would likely provide roughly 20% Midwest‑sourced green energy while matching ComEd on price, and a supplier could also provide an annual civic grant (estimated at $15,000) for local green initiatives instead of a higher percentage of renewable supply.

Clerk Stenzel and the consultant summarized the cost tradeoffs raised by staff and the consultant: sample planning estimates included a 12‑month 100% green option around 10.8¢/kWh (about 1.3¢ above a sample ComEd benchmark), a 50% green option at about 10.65¢/kWh, and a 0% green option at about 10.50¢/kWh. The current ComEd rate at the time of the briefing was reported around 6.5¢/kWh but projected by staff to move to about 9.5¢/kWh for the upcoming energy year; consultants noted rates vary and final supplier pricing will be available in early June.

Clerk Stenzel said the village’s recent 12‑month 100% green contract had about 88% participation among eligible accounts (12% opted out), and the consultant noted when adjusting for accounts on other suppliers the net participation figure is roughly 72%. The board discussed tradeoffs between maximizing renewable content and minimizing resident cost; staff emphasized transparency and public communication around opt‑out notices, which under current rules have limitations on how the village can present comparative ComEd pricing in the formal opt‑out mailing.

Trustees did not take action and will consider final bids and a recommendation when supplier pricing is available at the June 5 meeting. Staff said it will prepare comparative price and renewable‑content information and communications to help residents decide whether to remain in or opt out of aggregation.","Trustees heard a preliminary briefing on the village's electric aggregation program and were presented with two general paths — renew a fixed-rate 100% green program (estimated ~10.8¢/kWh) or pursue a ComEd price-match arrangement (lower premium, about 20% Midwest green) — and will decide at the June 5 meeting when final bids are available.",{"_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},6238367,"Riverside business owners ask board for proximity rules; attorney says village authority is limited",959,795000,1754000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352726-f0efee036f4a5be1e66247ab0786ba5a&start=795&end=1754","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352726-f0efee036f4a5be1e66247ab0786ba5a/thumbnail_795000.jpg","/articles/6238367/Riverside/Cook-County/Illinois/Riverside-business-owners-ask-board-for-proximity-rules-attorney-says-village-authority-is-limited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238367-4b519eb85cdfccc71954a46d2596661d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773705965&Signature=oLp~NwE18SgCWSmfSyIHBvoGr7xsqvyZ3mcXGJ3WvmPfyFsADzb-UQ4zALnrvGAKYVe1a8INRVfLAIRB3Pw-zDMdkQy0IFx3hS06Dk4v7sUzKdyaXEwytDvr0aDn3GOWalpuH4iJcrpfDVgd8CCESITF5ix9tpaBjDJhKT6hiOBMVLefI6RfwIEQvf8eROpeWhS4NZLdxhv~QmmoVM3zVw0k4OC7AxYJPH93-NlRfry6KqibLGTv543rLkdYDBbs-8YlTRZCNOk~ISCb3kyilQqlvt8akJyJbrVlVKov~yov4hUzU70UxZ37Zsf79uRo7TAF9M6RRUnPWiGmv4dmqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","RIVERSIDE, Ill. — Business owners and residents urged the Village of Riverside Board of Trustees on May 15 to consider proximity guidelines after several downtown merchants complained that new, similar businesses opened literally next door to existing establishments.

Janabelle Chap, introduced as a resident and business owner, and others presented a petition asking the village to consider an ordinance or licensing rule to “prevent similar business over‑saturation” and to require a reasonable distance between businesses offering the same primary goods or services. Chap said the petition includes signatures from multiple merchants and residents and that the request is not intended to prevent new businesses from opening generally.

Village Attorney Pickrell responded on the record that the village’s authority derives from the Illinois Municipal Code. He told the petitioners that while zoning allows the village to list permitted uses in a district (for example, restaurants), the code does not permit the village to regulate competition among businesses within a district by restricting cuisine type or forbidding the same use from locating adjacent to an existing business. “We simply lack the authority to regulate competition amongst businesses within that district,” Pickrell said.

Several speakers, including owners of long-standing restaurants, emphasized the practical consequences of adjacent competitors and said the village should explore policy options. Assistant Manager Monroe and President Pollack acknowledged the petition and Pickrell said he would read the petition and follow up with staff to provide additional feedback or meetings with the affected business owners.

Outcome: Attorney Pickrell offered a legal explanation and agreed to review the petition and provide more detailed follow-up. The board did not enact any ordinance or regulatory change at the meeting.

The discussion clarified limits of municipal authority: zoning can restrict uses by district but generally cannot regulate how many businesses of a particular cuisine type may operate in a given block, the attorney said. The matter of street vendors and mobile trucks was treated separately later in the meeting and is governed by different considerations because food trucks are mobile and involve right-of-way and public-safety impacts.

No formal policy or ordinance was adopted at the meeting; staff will follow up with petitioners and attorneys for additional analysis and potential next steps.","A group of downtown business owners presented a petition asking the Village of Riverside to adopt an ordinance to prevent the opening of similar businesses immediately adjacent to each other; Village Attorney Pickrell told the board zoning can regulate uses by district but not competition between businesses.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6238372,"Riverside board narrows food-truck options: no on-street Harlem locations; staff to draft licensing rules",2822,4063000,6885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352726-f0efee036f4a5be1e66247ab0786ba5a&start=4063&end=6885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352726-f0efee036f4a5be1e66247ab0786ba5a/thumbnail_4063000.jpg","/articles/6238372/Riverside/Cook-County/Illinois/Riverside-board-narrows-food-truck-options-no-on-street-Harlem-locations-staff-to-draft-licensing-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238372-6448c6edaa977e391e29f94d99054998/orig.mp4?Expires=1773705965&Signature=T-nNjbLBrcM1Nw2cKqefSjuXfJIXshwFvl5hhx6FcXED0blmkWly0rm~tr3ul11iDYHuHsT68wc-IsdQ8xtxkXNh6s2CWrnL77v2Xbobn3jbWrP3fYey9e74qbOmb2BZpZPGPwGTyFWctrRS-9l~LKYpeUaxWSk07tO2psuYFhejN0R-jp~DYJpgJfTYx9JR6I9-0-5OwrPSM2O394QmKY~0aOsyLtWGXDqe9YqPLkOervCna6-OoIVTJm6USHAyOSmVK3UxRwkJTzeUWLnjbrxTQfidUSaHPybOgCAPuI6c~u6aEB4q0w4vhg8fgBWe3NCmbkINBH69su3Njs5jSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","RIVERSIDE, Ill. — The Village of Riverside Board of Trustees on May 15 signaled it will not permit on-street food trucks along Harlem Avenue and said food trucks will be allowed downtown only for special events unless they locate on private property under a formal license.

Assistant Manager Monroe presented proposed regulations that split food-truck activity into two regimes: (1) temporary special-event use (a $30 fee proposed within the special-events process) and (2) a business-license model for trucks that operate regularly on private lots. The staff proposal recommended minimum separation distances (100 feet from existing restaurants when parked in private lots; 75 feet from nearby residences) and limited street locations if the board allowed on-street parking.

After hearing from restaurant owners and other residents who said on-street trucks reduce customer parking and compete directly with brick-and-mortar businesses, trustees expressed concerns about fairness and traffic impacts. Trustee comments reflected divergent views on whether private-property operations should be limited in frequency. Trustee Gallagos said taking parking “doesn’t seem fair or equitable” for existing downtown businesses; Trustee Evans said public-safety and parking impacts must be addressed before approving street parking.

The board’s direction: do not permit on-street food trucks on Harlem Avenue; allow food trucks in the downtown commercial district only as part of special events; permit licensed, regularly operating food trucks on private parking lots subject to the separation distances staff proposed and subject to a licensing regime that allows enforcement (inspections, suspension or revocation for health or code violations). Staff will return with an ordinance and further clarifications.

Assistant Manager Monroe described enforcement tools: health inspections, temporary right-of-way permits for driveway/visibility issues, license suspension or revocation procedures and ordinary parking enforcement. Monroe said the proposed licensing approach would require trucks that operate regularly to meet insurance, health and safety standards similar to brick-and-mortar restaurants.

Business owners and speakers at the meeting urged the board to protect long-standing local establishments. Janabelle Chap, a Riverside resident and business owner who presented a petition on behalf of multiple businesses, asked Council to consider proximity rules to “prevent similar business over-saturation” and protect small-business investments; Attorney Pickrell replied that zoning can regulate uses by district but not competition among businesses within a district under the Illinois Municipal Code.

Trustees also discussed practical parking matters: most on-street parking in downtown is time-limited and the village’s proposed street allowances would be first-come, first-serve; staff said accessible parking spaces and other reserved spaces would not be available for food-truck use. Trustee Evans and others suggested staff consider limits on the number of days a single private-lot truck may operate; other trustees favored allowing private-property owners latitude to host trucks on their own lots provided separation distances are observed.

Monroe said two operators had expressed interest in a regular license; staff will work with property owners and applicants to identify compliant private-lot locations. Any license would include public-health and safety requirements; noncompliant operators could be suspended or have their license revoked.

Staff will draft ordinance language reflecting the board’s direction, including: no on-street trucks on Harlem, downtown trucks only for special events (unless sited on compliant private lots), separation distances (100 feet from restaurant entrances on private lots; 75 feet from residences), and the licensing/enforcement framework. The board asked staff to return with a refined proposal at a future meeting.","After weeks of discussion, trustees agreed not to allow on-street food trucks on Harlem Avenue and to restrict downtown trucks to special events; staff will return with a draft ordinance covering private-lot licensing, separation distances and operational controls.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6238377,"Riverside trustees direct staff to advance public-safety and community facility plan; project estimate about $22.8M",1907,2149000,4056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352726-f0efee036f4a5be1e66247ab0786ba5a&start=2149&end=4056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352726-f0efee036f4a5be1e66247ab0786ba5a/thumbnail_2149000.jpg","/articles/6238377/Riverside/Cook-County/Illinois/Riverside-trustees-direct-staff-to-advance-public-safety-and-community-facility-plan-project-estimate-about-228M","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238377-9f694eb6d521312ca70d68cfc921167e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773705965&Signature=ZyzQF5r03TXPjPJosE9VNspE9WU4Evm1h9DDcQ~3mDnLox9UCN3zlHwKBdo6yhFFcAMUYX28jjKlZRIp1w-xqPraS3KHrb6L0QMew8oJpth3GT1tQOpP~0GJXIzSD~Q~~E2QuOQ-HIuLPwteoAaklOYMG3xjhyYaZaR1WFz4d5TvoRV6iQ1VDDe36Rj37nB2C~suO87CC6qhYqDkqfoqdN48B0Eairpra-jSJCrxEIWA8YXFJNz8-S-e4j14ffJpXHb5ZcR74KZcaZfTp7Hsyhz7tlNp1w5Inb1rXJyjIqmm7o3ynxmJ7y0m4E5fZx8oHdyECnyrNHqfU7dNmAeg2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","RIVERSIDE, Ill. — The Village of Riverside Board of Trustees on May 15 directed staff to move forward with further design and budgeting for a proposed standalone public-safety and community facility adjacent to Township Hall, with initial cost estimates presented by Williams Architects putting the project at roughly $22.8 million.

The board’s consensus—no formal vote was recorded—authorizes staff to request a formal quote from Williams Architects for the next design phase, at an estimated professional-services budget of $250,000. Village Manager Jessica Francis said staff will return with a formal contract for board approval before any funds are spent.

The recommendation matters because the plan consolidates police, fire and community space into a single building and would likely require voter approval if the village moves to bond financing. Williams Architects managing principal Andy Dogen said the team worked with construction managers and contractors to refine costs and constructability and cautioned that the figures are still planning-level estimates. “This is still a planning process,” Dogen said. “A planning process is intended solely to test fit various solutions, evaluate them on their own merits without getting into specifics of design, and talk about pros and cons and provide very preliminary budgeting.”

Dogen summarized the preferred option—referred to as Concept D—as a standalone three-level building with a lower level for parking, mechanical and portions of the police program; a main level that houses an entrance lobby, administration, police communications and a fire apparatus bay; and an upper level with additional police and fire spaces plus shared community amenities such as a fitness room, community room, space for Riverside TV, a catering kitchen and a roof terrace overlooking the river. He said demolition of existing rear-site buildings and related sitework are included in the construction estimates.

Budgeting details presented to trustees included hard construction, general conditions, escalation (two years at 4% per year in the estimate), a 10% contingency for unknowns, and soft costs (architectural/engineering fees, surveys, soil borings and FF&E). Dogen said refined contractor input reduced the earlier planning-range estimate (previously shown around $26M–$28.6M) to the updated whole-project estimate just under $22.8 million.

Manager Francis told trustees staff also asked the village’s financial advisor to model the property-tax impact of bond packages at several sizes and noted the board could combine the public-safety project with other park or recreation needs in a single referendum—if the board favored that approach—to provide flexibility if the project comes in under budget. She recommended allowing additional time for community education and engagement if trustees choose to put a question before voters; staff discussed timelines for an August 2026 ballot submittal if the village wanted a November 2026 referendum, and noted an April 2027 ballot would provide more time for public outreach and design refinements.

Trustees asked questions about building access from the river side, the open upper-level area above the fire apparatus bay (to accommodate taller truck clearance), demolition inclusion in the budget, and phasing/constructability on a riverfront site. Dogen said the team can explore a meaningful secondary entrance toward the river-facing side but that any such addition would change program trade-offs or increase building size.

Manager Francis emphasized operational need. “Our current facilities for public safety are woefully inadequate,” she said, adding trustees and staff view the project as critical to long-term service delivery.

Next steps: staff will ask Williams Architects for a formal scope and fee proposal for the next design phase (estimated $250,000), continue refining the site and floor plans, obtain survey and soil borings if directed, and return to the board with a contract and a community-engagement schedule. If the board chooses to pursue a bond referendum, staff and consultants plan additional public outreach and renderings before any ballot decision.

The project remains in preliminary planning; no bond measure or construction contract has been authorized.","Village board members gave consensus direction to staff to ask Williams Architects for a formal proposal to further design a combined public-safety and community facility. Preliminary planning budget is about $22.8 million with a recommended $250,000 next-phase design budget and possible ballot referendum timeline in 2026–2027.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Trustees agree to change commuter-permit window; staff to draft ordinance allowing metered parking at 5 a.m.

Riverside to consider electric-aggregation options June 5 after preview of rates and green-energy tradeoffs

Riverside business owners ask board for proximity rules; attorney says village authority is limited

Riverside board narrows food-truck options: no on-street Harlem locations; staff to draft licensing rules

Riverside trustees direct staff to advance public-safety and community facility plan; project estimate about $22.8M