[{"_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",6196852,"mediaKeyId","3856549-ca46af81642cd2fd8053f0063aa0a1d2","parentId",3856549,"title","Alderman Knowles appointed Mayor Pro Tem by Lake Forest City Council","audioSeconds",48,"startMs",0,"endMs",48000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3856549-ca46af81642cd2fd8053f0063aa0a1d2&start=0&end=48","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3856549-ca46af81642cd2fd8053f0063aa0a1d2/thumbnail_0.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6196852/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/Alderman-Knowles-appointed-Mayor-Pro-Tem-by-Lake-Forest-City-Council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196852-4ea2d432ab1d51619c3ce5917bcfdaa3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155967&Signature=jq-~iTozvz01tXZH9XlaLlrLto30vFdMuu~ZqB0ooXTnGIudQo6JhlY8mJX4xL7g9bs4k777cHec-Eb2gqxc4NIY6YiXkkaazISDP9Hc~eb6dQIvrPcHadzqoQjvwp75UsHtvpJ3B4BcjU-mRY7uW1RXImAQu9xuIVrVWPbYE6IrmukauhnUfNlQiA84Z1FdOnvJ0ImR9FE509hEiWK5y5s2mam8PkApUJX7UK9EQ4KpYBZF9BOH9V3cB2e7l1ag9NJim0XgohTYjVTdr4xu7GW8r7Vcgx-B~a5ABME-T4vtZmenwU6dcoa7oj8~4y~t94bulsCYzeojIeMQ6yxEYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lake Forest, IL","date","2025-06-17T15:54:12Z","article","Lake Forest City Council appointed Alderman Knowles as Mayor Pro Tem at the opening of its June 16 meeting after a motion and second from the dais, Mayor Pro Tem Notz announced the result and confirmed a quorum.

The motion to appoint Knowles was moved and seconded at the start of the session; the council approved by voice vote with the clerk confirming that a quorum was present. No further discussion or formal roll call was recorded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LF City Council | 06.16.2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the start of the June 16 meeting the council moved and approved appointing Alderman Knowles as Mayor Pro Tem; the motion carried by voice vote.","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},6196856,"Council approves first reading of FY2026 appropriation ordinance, schedules July public hearing",274,3299000,3573000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3856549-ca46af81642cd2fd8053f0063aa0a1d2&start=3299&end=3573","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3856549-ca46af81642cd2fd8053f0063aa0a1d2/thumbnail_3299000.jpg","/articles/6196856/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/Council-approves-first-reading-of-FY2026-appropriation-ordinance-schedules-July-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196856-2ee1452dde6ea85b204694f25363e6f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155967&Signature=bmakyCpJr3SrKLWVc7PRv76AbhS8njwAank2U8kHPHH2bQFH2aQqSNYJoftw2m2dMSnTbdv0blQNOWxkhMi~ZCq5xIBqm1RXqnAlrnqSCyp8cg-rylDig5fuDWvpx4YjgbMDkrk66Lhz3PWFWizNedziCVcybBn1bBfLQpk-MsBLmmtH88ywZaGkudvFLBq7HCh-5Pn0jehTPYJ6~JYaiawojDoNBUbcVNbJDZDaGTFQUqXblQiGXar52KsroEM1gacQSmOjNtgM7Dl9qvVECNtWrYv36WjPl3Lu40CDi~n4612~nMc0HM-zzsgWTKuuLTnn3lMJzMdYh81YvbMwYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Forest City Council approved the first reading of the fiscal 2026 appropriation ordinance on June 16 and scheduled a public hearing and final vote for July 21, the finance director said.

Finance Director Katie Skibb explained that the appropriation ordinance is a statutory spending authorization distinct from the budget adopted in April; it establishes maximum legal spending limits and must be filed with the county clerk within 30 days of final approval. The ordinance includes a 10% contingency per fund (a longstanding practice), excludes debt service payments that are covered by bond ordinances and includes the library’s amounts and a placeholder for School District 67’s budget, which will be incorporated for the July final reading and roll‑forward amounts for prior fiscal year projects.

Skibb said the city will present a detailed schedule of rollover amounts and vendor/project line items at the July meeting. The council moved, seconded and approved the ordinance first reading by roll call vote: Alderman Novot, Alderman Clemens, Alderman Powers, Alderman Laverne, Alderman Weber, Alderman Walther and Alderman Knowles voted aye (7‑0). The July 21 meeting will include the required public hearing and final adoption vote.","Lake Forest City Council approved the first reading of the fiscal 2026 appropriation ordinance on June 16 and set a July 21 public hearing and final reading; roll call was 7‑0.",{"_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},6196861,"Council approves five‑year recycling processing agreement with Lakeshore Recycling Systems",682,3600000,4282000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3856549-ca46af81642cd2fd8053f0063aa0a1d2&start=3600&end=4282","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3856549-ca46af81642cd2fd8053f0063aa0a1d2/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6196861/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/Council-approves-fiveyear-recycling-processing-agreement-with-Lakeshore-Recycling-Systems","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196861-2e7fcf373f2dab1903477b482705460b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155967&Signature=leyph08iM9c3DsmVDENNfpYU~K29nmIJpBALejI6o6VGfjQUR~NoyJMwIaRBTF-9Qa-HJPKGSXsQE8B~HJiVSXeX6M2Kvh1yDSWhAiHZs6oA99Kho7vRc3OPAUsW6A-gmTjX997MWkoDqR6B2kxEnwEu0y3l6rQybsWrfgm63HULfR4tqyP7l-tdwyKpnpE5hM7c5W7sQxwFHsCjy9CuE6-oRCd1CHvm39BQcVT3pXI2fZw3s9LyqptUDAKFYfQWujkb90MnM5OfchBfAkx9F2Zdp~w01Bid4q7lSWdGxhHfCcM9KFKBuKH-ZB1HAG8WHj5CVfy8lkAFOF4CpVSqmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Forest City Council approved a five‑year recycling material processing agreement with Lakeshore Recycling Systems and waived the competitive bid process on June 16, council members said, after staff explained the change follows a termination of the city’s prior processor and promises operational savings.

Assistant Public Works Director Jim Locafier told the council that Resource Management, the city’s longtime material recovery facility (MRF) partner since 2008, announced in late 2024 it would pivot away from single‑stream recycling and terminate the city’s contract. Staff negotiated directly with two large Lake County MRF operators — Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) and Groot Industries — and recommended LRS because its processing fee and direct‑haul arrangement reduced overall costs.

Locafier explained the city averages roughly 2,500 tons of recyclables per year. Under the LRS proposal, the MRF processing fee was about $84 per ton versus $90 per ton from the other bidder; after expected market values for materials, Locafier said the net fee would be about $34 per ton. More importantly, the new contract eliminates a local transfer step and recurring trucking charges because crews will direct‑haul to LRS’s Northbrook facility, reducing an operating inefficiency. Locafier presented an annual budget target of $130,000 for recycling processing under the new arrangement and estimated that the city’s actual costs could be roughly $100,000 less a year compared with prior years when trucking and transfer fees were higher.

A public commenter asked whether curbside recycling schedules or accepted materials would change; Locafier said neither service schedule nor accepted materials will change for residents. The council approved the five‑year, $650,000 agreement by roll call (7‑0). Councilmembers and the city manager praised Public Works staff for finding the operational savings.","The Lake Forest City Council voted to waive bid requirements and approved a five‑year recycling material processing agreement with Lakeshore Recycling Systems aimed at reducing operational trucking costs and saving the city about $100,000–$130,000 annually compared with previous arrangements.",{"_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},6196866,"Croia youth program highlights growth, fundraising; student wins Spirit of Croia essay contest",632,124000,756000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3856549-ca46af81642cd2fd8053f0063aa0a1d2&start=124&end=756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3856549-ca46af81642cd2fd8053f0063aa0a1d2/thumbnail_124000.jpg","/articles/6196866/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/Croia-youth-program-highlights-growth-fundraising-student-wins-Spirit-of-Croia-essay-contest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196866-98ab084aa00afe6f9718a38bc3ed6558/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155967&Signature=KQzwpUWNNvdwrl38afoHU3PoRluql1fXpginJkTBfO1w6Si0m6QTO~yBVGhg~mR2GVXlhF69MAyKhIv45X9rkRyOSayVADoQ5Kc3TfBA3AjN9mhkLVwo5mmwszzft1MEkyLwLL5Avs~-QxeNa6jltqA7ztgp9o91m7gBvh~Avd~yAtYtiyKyI8OsgwzyWd~Lpw9XMn9P6mz6JiPXtZfNzz8CiXFzQZxPEpaSM2GdOSKnfMNjy7JscaVOlLpwVvE53E0L2qCLuTuT2Rssc-APFrinH8fhMB7FmvNwJ2ChD-PVGOkCYoighwFqgTx~RxYydJy2IGKBWrrXpED2wA-R4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Croia representatives briefed the Lake Forest City Council on June 16 about youth programming, participation increases and fundraising efforts and introduced Mikayla Berry, winner of the Margo Martino Spirit of Croia essay contest, who read her essay to council members.

The update outlined participation, program types and fundraising that the nonprofit Croia has used to support operations and a planned kitchen renovation for its facility. Staff said the organization ran roughly 381 programs this year, served more than 8,000 participants across programs, and logged over 3,300 after‑school drop‑in attendances. Croia reported about $60,000 in user fees and donations and roughly $40,000 raised at the organization’s February fundraiser; together those funds and prior revenues left about $125,000 earmarked for a planned kitchen renovation, and staff said design and engineering quotes are now being solicited.

Todd Dehigian, identified as Croia manager, described program highlights — retreats, service trips, Battle of the Bands, Girls Night In and cooperative events with the police department — and said Croia was asked to provide peer training for the high school’s incoming freshman advisory program to reach roughly 300 students next school year. He introduced Kate Lee, outgoing Croia executive chair, and students who helped run the program.

Mikayla Berry, who served as Croia’s service and leadership chairwoman and was the contest winner, read an essay describing what Croia meant to her and how peer training and leadership opportunities shaped her high‑school experience. During council Q&A she told Alderman Webber she will attend Fairfield University and study communications.

Council members thanked Croia staff and the student winner. No council votes were required for the presentation; staff said they will check on design quotes and coordinate with city hall about distribution of commemorative shirts.","Croia staff presented program metrics, fundraising progress for a kitchen renovation and student Mikayla Berry read the winning essay for the Margo Martino Spirit of Croia contest during the June 16 Lake Forest City Council meeting.",{"_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},6196870,"Lake Forest officials favor keeping Lakewood Vine bridge design and move toward 2026 construction",1241,1098000,2339000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3856549-ca46af81642cd2fd8053f0063aa0a1d2&start=1098&end=2339","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3856549-ca46af81642cd2fd8053f0063aa0a1d2/thumbnail_1098000.jpg","/articles/6196870/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-Forest-officials-favor-keeping-Lakewood-Vine-bridge-design-and-move-toward-2026-construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196870-1dddd74700750ca5daecbba5c9487001/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155967&Signature=YdxeOzxin8PV6hirkFgUroF2fp6umYmnmxDtu~Umrbo34TuukU29zkgKELA3QTBzDJUnSU~h7ixOVGcp-OseCiMgPuYJMedBUL~Fz2aQeKMMxEtzzIGAJGhxv4UiKGtOC-jPbmDJEE83oJMZyF~yiYu35Ji3j6Uin8PKsn8UL-ucFulVBsZT~3lbDbztm57e6NqWHkvkWDYxIgBslKh9SoqlPP59USf4U4ra5El4caLuhinyTfJbb1POz0~I6CJ5HZrpRF~ayNoaDgLTX~00TXh2NVf30QsFpNeEyVE9Sc7Yx4FTLB9x9EJgTfChel3PNzz~zxwHP-4TCxRndqzBwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Lake Forest City Council on June 16 that the 100‑year‑old Lakewood Vine bridge needs full replacement, new state grant funding has reduced the city's share and staff recommends proceeding with the current precast spandrel‑arch design to allow construction to begin in 2026.

The recommendation matters because the bridge is on an annual inspection cycle and engineers told staff the structure’s condition is worsening; another year with a new distress could force load restrictions, temporary shoring or closure. The city has secured additional state funds that raise total available grant assistance to $3,680,000, lowering the local share and making the 2026 schedule feasible if the council directs staff to proceed.

Public Works/engineering staff member Byron summarized options developed after an August bid came in about $1.7 million over budget. Option 1 keeps the current precast spandrel‑arch design and, with the new grant money, would allow the city to get on IDOT’s September letting and begin construction in January 2026. Option 2 would redesign the structure as a cast‑in‑place spandrel arch, which could lower estimated construction cost modestly but would likely push construction to 2027 or 2028 because the redesign would reenter IDOT review and possibly the State Historic Preservation Office review.

Byron said the August low bid with contingency had been about $4.355 million; updated conservative estimates place a precast bid, including a 10% contingency, near $5.0 million. With the newly identified state funding, Byron said the city’s local funding need would fall to about $1.3 million under current estimates. He cautioned the estimates are subject to market volatility and that delaying the project could erase any modest savings from a redesign.

Council members emphasized risk and timing. Alderman Walther and Alderman Novot said they preferred the staff recommendation to proceed with the existing design to reduce schedule and approval risk and to avoid letting the bridge’s condition deteriorate further. Alderman Powers asked whether delaying would put the grants at risk; Byron said state grants are typically associated with multi‑year budget windows and the money would not be at immediate risk from a one‑ or two‑year change in schedule. Public Works staff noted McLennan Reed bridge—nearby and budgeted separately—was previously discussed for concurrent work but is a distinct rehabilitation project with different scope and timing.

No formal council vote was taken. Staff will return with required IDOT funding agreements and contract steps once the council provides direction. Byron said the next administrative steps, if the council directs staff to proceed, include securing the IDOT letting schedule and reporting back to council for final approvals.

Council members and staff framed the choice as tradeoffs between cost uncertainty and construction timing. Several members said they preferred Option 1, the existing precast design, to reduce review risk, start construction sooner and limit further deterioration of the bridge.","City staff updated the Lake Forest City Council on the aging Lakewood Vine bridge, new state grant funding and two construction options. Staff recommended proceeding with the existing precast spandrel-arch design for a 2026 build; council members signaled consensus but took no formal vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Alderman Knowles appointed Mayor Pro Tem by Lake Forest City Council

Council approves first reading of FY2026 appropriation ordinance, schedules July public hearing

Council approves five‑year recycling processing agreement with Lakeshore Recycling Systems

Croia youth program highlights growth, fundraising; student wins Spirit of Croia essay contest

Lake Forest officials favor keeping Lakewood Vine bridge design and move toward 2026 construction