[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",6177149,"mediaKeyId","5341522-37bfa1312082d2b793821d13c8e2797e","parentId",5341522,"title","Lake Forest council acknowledges wireless coverage gaps, directs plan commission to revisit zoning for a tower","audioSeconds",4730,"startMs",1806000,"endMs",6536000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5341522-37bfa1312082d2b793821d13c8e2797e&start=1806&end=6536","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5341522-37bfa1312082d2b793821d13c8e2797e/thumbnail_1806000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6177149/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-Forest-council-acknowledges-wireless-coverage-gaps-directs-plan-commission-to-revisit-zoning-for-a-tower","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177149-8de73250a63a279462ba74287cf1eb3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776520283&Signature=XDnJJCFK2CdQefPupYhnLbIh9WxjzJCtFvjJCc2UkKYX59s6TwDJv7fPQ7dP9CnFS9DLNRSXCD31XGyxJVmFIBko26a89vQ-Cdl5CjnYh18NiiC4OsieqAPfuxzS2qm6es~Fkb28omvPEJfwpnZyc6kdx7v8BamAtdCORZY2dzbL7Q8eSLXJjvrs51O6~4KWyZxDi7l19YzYWd6Fhal4938sMHS~5--LxFr0G~GTMq91mYOw7CMpJzuHazGcJjpnJ-57sVRzfWUX7nW5YVuSSssK93sbsyz4qXRvwt7rD8S6pFzn9JA~i8k1iFhOvbEs1yQpYi9OUAuXhHHN6zTPVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lake Forest, IL","date","2025-07-08T16:30:56Z","article","The Lake Forest City Council on July 7 accepted an engineering report finding a notable deficiency in wireless coverage in the vicinity of Everett Road and Waukegan Road and directed the plan commission to reconsider a zoning code amendment that could identify permitted locations for a telecommunications monopole within the study area.

The report, presented by Adam Parrish of Kimley Horn, a national engineering consultant, found weak signals from all major carriers in the circled area near Everett and Waukegan, describing measured power in the 110–120 dBm range — which Parrish said corresponds to “poor to no recognized signal.” Parrish told the council that “you can’t always trust the bars on your phone” and that the firm’s drive tests and coverage maps showed a clear coverage gap that strains the surrounding network.

Why it matters: Council members and many residents said the gap causes daily dropped calls and can affect emergency response, businesses and residents’ ability to communicate. After more than an hour of public comment — with speakers both urging action and questioning process and health concerns — the council voted to accept the report and ask the plan commission to revisit zoning that could allow a monopole or stealth tower in the consultant’s search ring.

The consultant recommended locating a ground-based monopole (typical heights discussed were about 150 feet if multiple carriers collocate) at an available private site within the search ring; Parrish noted monopoles typically need roughly a 50-by-50-foot ground footprint and suggested the city consider increasing the minimum ground-space allowance in the code from 300 to about 2,500 square feet to support multi-carrier installations.

Council action and next steps: The council approved a motion to accept the Kimley Horn report, acknowledge the coverage deficiency near Everett and Waukegan, and direct the plan commission to reconsider a code amendment identifying one or more permitted locations for a telecommunications monopole or stealth tower within the consultant’s search ring. The motion passed 6–0 with one abstention (Alderman Lavert abstained). The same council later waived first reading and granted final approval to amend section 159.154 (Personal Wireless Service Facilities overlay district) to designate a portion of the compost center (1381 Kennedy Road) as a permitted location for a tower; that ordinance passed 6–0 with one abstention (Alderman Lavert, who again abstained for stated reasons).

Public comment and process concerns: Dozens of residents spoke. Supporters said poor service affects safety and daily life; opponents raised concerns about aesthetics, tower height, alternative technical approaches and potential vendor conflicts. Resident Katie May filed a formal ethics complaint during the meeting alleging an undisclosed industry affiliation by the presenter; the city attorney responded that vendors are not covered by the city’s ethics ordinance and that outside affiliations may be considered by council but do not automatically constitute an ethics violation. City staff and the attorney also emphasized that federal law preempts local regulation of RF emissions, and therefore health-and-safety arguments based on emissions cannot lawfully be the basis for a zoning decision.

What the ordinance change does and does not do: Amending the overlay district to include the compost center does not itself build a tower or guarantee a carrier will invest. City staff noted carriers must decide to invest and that any specific tower proposal would still require the usual studies, lease negotiations, permitting and compliance with federal and local rules. City staff and the consultant said adding capacity in the network and/or relocating carriers to a new tower could change the coverage maps and should be followed by updated drive-testing and analysis.

Quotes: “You can’t always trust the bars on your phone,” consultant Adam Parrish said while explaining how drive-test dBm readings relate to user experience. Resident Joe Weiss said improving coverage is “essential,” adding that poor signal “can stand in the way of life‑saving care.”

What to watch: The plan commission will reconsider a code amendment as directed by council; any subsequent applicant proposing a tower would still be required to demonstrate compliance with all applicable studies and regulations before approval.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LF City Council | 07.07.2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Lake Forest City Council on July 7 accepted an engineering report finding a notable deficiency in wireless coverage near Everett and Waukegan roads and directed the plan commission to reconsider zoning that could allow a monopole within the consultant’s search ring.","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},6177135,"City reports inventory of private lead service lines; 11 of 60 sampled homes exceeded Illinois EPA guidance",387,1162000,1549000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5341522-37bfa1312082d2b793821d13c8e2797e&start=1162&end=1549","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5341522-37bfa1312082d2b793821d13c8e2797e/thumbnail_1162000.jpg","/articles/6177135/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/City-reports-inventory-of-private-lead-service-lines-11-of-60-sampled-homes-exceeded-Illinois-EPA-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177135-c079f7bece57e11b343dbef28bed3de9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776520283&Signature=YQa1WbVWglLQiIVff-K1sHY-QzQTMIfmTO0qaY3gpsaJU1E~mlYP2bU87fi2gi8foV-huqmFVOtQNXCPxZhGlYxZYNZuo1uzXCZjPlAPz1Mun9Syt3QSHmzXHH-l6b-gYPm0YSJF1RYTCdpaZD8T3~AnxnkN4IbdHE5RO1IhLGp08rCgXMsB1jHlhYBONPouiZaTAdJKbdrb3UJZsZojiKAAWKeco271ayicaFz0LjJDuUfg9WkwVCgKoLL0Bwo62hdOMnLsYbFjK8g4hV0R-MyZrFTEMfT2YCeCl8hvBaU6sIoZeZ1ecKYrH28-I9UvvDIIJaWqyA2BPXrw6Q25Lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff on July 7 told the Lake Forest City Council that the city’s water distribution system and treatment plant are lead‑free but that a small share of private residential service lines remain identified as lead.

Assistant Director of Public Works Jim Lacafier said the city’s inventory — prepared under Illinois EPA requirements — shows just under 7,250 total service connections and that about 250 private service lines (roughly 4% of the total) remain identified as lead. Lacafier said the Illinois EPA required sampling of a subset of those privately owned lines; the city sampled 60 of the identified private lead service lines and reported 11 homes had results exceeding IEPA guidance.

Lacafier emphasized the distinction between the city-owned distribution system (treatment plant, mains — described as lead‑free) and the privately owned service line running from the main to a residence, which the city code identifies as private property and the owner’s responsibility. He said the city conducted verification appointments that reduced an earlier inventory from about 400 properties down to the current list of about 250 after physical confirmation.

Treatment and communication: Lacafier and city staff said the water plant continues standard corrosion-control treatment (phosphate-based corrosion control was referenced in a question from the mayor) and that the plant’s water leaving the facility is lead-free. Staff said they are working closely with the communications department and with Illinois EPA to determine whether broader public education notices will be required; Lacafier said the city would prefer to work with the 250 known properties directly rather than send a broader community mailing if that is allowed.

What to watch: Staff said they will continue to coordinate with the Illinois EPA on next steps and any broader notification requirements. Property owners with confirmed lead service lines already have been identified and contacted, according to Lacafier.

","Lake Forest staff reported the city’s lead service line inventory and an IEPA-required sampling effort that found 11 of 60 tested homes exceeded guidance levels; staff emphasized that the city’s distribution system is lead-free and that private service lines are owned by property owners under city code.",{"_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},6177140,"Lake Forest police station design advances; bids expected in August, council review in September",251,877000,1128000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5341522-37bfa1312082d2b793821d13c8e2797e&start=877&end=1128","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5341522-37bfa1312082d2b793821d13c8e2797e/thumbnail_877000.jpg","/articles/6177140/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-Forest-police-station-design-advances-bids-expected-in-August-council-review-in-September","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177140-4f00dc7217d41e78e79d2a620e0667df/orig.mp4?Expires=1776520283&Signature=Ryuh-n46P0oPM5qS29WU63ab49Ngb9J-vvkjl8Zpcvr52-v8g-69cyemnmDQDDXg3Gn0r3EBVHxofP5JlvgD8o3NKd7gfs7LpWbM0akhlHhKqYeRDOUVlsU0LdU0kKrgXUgLIc-ZpzeSHGM4UrVAlIxSFKFpVOSqc3YJVwICFuqfHZoDaUZddUJsujxlcwNrEVELZRiLPjA0ZnXsKhqgJAlbwVRD79rP~EMNTs7CD3DTtPZEVPCqTQ~zXO38s~A9N2k3OqmhNBK1-d5-AD4WUVHzvpRknIcQJiF9r4mvvvpDk4pZIrRFaIwXbL9EiERRNHdqaHLUS0d6k6EKOtj03Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Lake Forest officials told the council on July 7 that design work for a new police station is nearing completion and that the project is moving toward the bidding phase.

Chief John Burke, who briefed the council, said interior decisions are nearly complete and the schematic includes an enlarged training room (designed to seat about 120 in lecture-style or more than 80 with tables), dedicated storage for range equipment, weapons and ammunition storage, and a weapons-cleaning area. Burke said staff have identified and approved purchase of a used generator at the last council meeting and are planning to extend natural gas service to the building to reduce electrical loads and allow for future gas-powered equipment.

Communications and safety systems: Burke said the project team is seeking to bring a fiber-optic line to the building and has obtained quotes for bidirectional amplifiers (BDAs) to ensure radio connectivity throughout the building; he noted that officers currently lose digital radio coverage near elevators. The team has reviewed access control, interior interview/interrogation systems and security camera placement and is finalizing furniture and interior finishes.

Agency review and schedule: Burke reported the Illinois Department of Corrections reviewed and provided a letter approving lockup design materials required before bidding. The project design firm (identified in the meeting as Kortig and Clark/Quartergan Clark) was expected to release bid packages Aug. 14, and staff planned to return to council Sept. 15 to request construction authorization. Burke said the project budget was currently on target.

What to watch: Council members had no substantive objections at the update; pending items include the building review board hearing and the formal bid-release and award process over the coming months.

","Chief John Burke reported progress on interior layouts, communications upgrades and approvals needed for the planned new police station; bid packages are slated to be released Aug. 14 and the council will consider awarding construction on Sept. 15.",{"_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},6177144,"Lake Forest approves $250,000 business disruption grant for Deerpath and Bank Lane construction",3337,426000,3763000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5341522-37bfa1312082d2b793821d13c8e2797e&start=426&end=3763","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5341522-37bfa1312082d2b793821d13c8e2797e/thumbnail_426000.jpg","/articles/6177144/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-Forest-approves-250000-business-disruption-grant-for-Deerpath-and-Bank-Lane-construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177144-c2915998ae510d446db90faf7e204256/orig.mp4?Expires=1776520283&Signature=WwQwbcRIeAG4T-wvLv3VF2CFb-CL4UQMc7l6lyALMZ9EQVNC378hDuQmy2VIHTSjV7U7g-AHw3PJt2qxnUXIGvacbvlcZH8xaut5i5UW9YF4JFGFY9OjU9lkOLf3j9hQFV2QsBco9eI~qHZj5pkG6w0a0PWqXr-NZvMUd-aP-Fp0FYPtp1nM9-5ghyZgCFDX2eb1w179qkR5Hbv08OiF1osGAjdJm4jkZY0a-TetcVZv5Nls23Crc9m2jYLQCXN7sXNZ0a4nPz8vKCTXNBLkmTWy24tUauzqOuHt4Nt3OpxqX0r3aKAcJ-15XhpgPtp5Ejm6OkvuYJy8K3sH7CaCqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Forest City Council on July 7 approved a $250,000 business disruption grant program to assist businesses directly affected by the Deerpath Streetscape and Bank Lane construction projects, which have caused extended street closures and constrained pedestrian and vehicle access.

Why it matters: City staff said the Deerpath and Bank Lane projects involve substantial daytime and limited nighttime construction phases and closures that together will amount to nearly a year of construction-related disruption. City staff emphasized that the projects are on track for an overall completion in October and that the city is trying to limit long-term business impacts while finishing improvements.

What staff reported: Superintendent of Engineering Byron Coutts provided the monthly construction update, describing sequential work on irrigation, masonry walls and decorative sidewalks on Deerpath and concrete and utility relocations on Bank Lane. Coutts said closures for certain crosswalk and storm sewer work were tentatively scheduled for Aug. 7–24, and Oakwood closures may be scheduled in September to allow storm sewer and water-main repairs identified during work. Coutts also said the city will notify residents in advance of closures and that AT&T planned nighttime conduit relocations in the near term.

The business grant program: Assistant to the City Manager Carrie Cope described the recommended program, which would allocate up to $250,000 total with estimated eligibility for roughly 22 businesses. To qualify, a business must have street frontage or primary access on the closed portion of Deerpath or Bank Lane and must report taxable sales to the Lake Forest location code. Grants would pay up to 50% of lost sales between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 2025, compared with the same period in 2024, capped at $11,650 per business. Businesses opening after Jan. 1, 2024, would be eligible for the greater of 50% of sales or a $5,000 minimum; payment requests can be monthly and the program would accept requests through Dec. 31, 2025. Cope said current project budget savings are expected to be sufficient to fund the program without an additional appropriation.

Council and community response: Council members praised staff for designing a narrowly targeted, time-limited program that avoids creating a standing precedent for all capital projects. Several council members and the chamber of commerce urged residents to “shop local” to support affected businesses. The council voted unanimously to approve the program (7–0).

Operational context and requests: City staff and the mayor urged property owners leasing to affected businesses to consider temporary rent abatements to help tenants weather the construction. The chamber and business representatives asked the city to retain flexibility to allocate unused program funds proportionally if fewer businesses apply than anticipated.

Quotes: “We realize that we can’t make you whole, but we’d like to do what we reasonably can to keep you in place until things are better,” Mayor Tack said in introducing the staff proposal. Assistant to the City Manager Carrie Cope said the program’s cap and eligibility rules were designed to limit exposure while providing targeted help to the most-impacted businesses.

What to watch: Staff expects to implement an application and payment process this summer and accept claims through Dec. 31, 2025. The city will report back to council on program uptake and remaining balances as payments are made.

","City staff outlined progress and closures for the Deerpath Streetscape and Bank Lane projects and the council approved a $250,000 grant program to help eligible downtown businesses affected by prolonged closures and reduced foot traffic.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lake Forest council acknowledges wireless coverage gaps, directs plan commission to revisit zoning for a tower

City reports inventory of private lead service lines; 11 of 60 sampled homes exceeded Illinois EPA guidance

Lake Forest police station design advances; bids expected in August, council review in September

Lake Forest approves $250,000 business disruption grant for Deerpath and Bank Lane construction