[{"_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",6162053,"mediaKeyId","5440178-0b5aa2e781a94d74764dce7438021af5","parentId",5440178,"title","Council approves up to $55,000 contract for final phase of comprehensive land‑use plan update","audioSeconds",163,"startMs",7737000,"endMs",7900000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440178-0b5aa2e781a94d74764dce7438021af5&start=7737&end=7900","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440178-0b5aa2e781a94d74764dce7438021af5/thumbnail_7737000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6162053/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/Council-approves-up-to-55000-contract-for-final-phase-of-comprehensive-landuse-plan-update","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162053-55e7ffc6815f1d22d7cb75235bc0fff3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773606517&Signature=mLmThWXwb8T3JNEXgT0NKqnO8A25PdMxyRzvpBah38yetA51UDcKZr9Ff3zR~XC-f5z-Aad1uTDOO-emEvLv23EWbgZTiJ50YPc-JfunsyB54zX~MYXguJNhIOK0YPMtkfxmZzOZNy1eo0u40T0P0SnMt5kj58k~3P5mf8zAXeXaR8fMyWZ06eQ7gElBGiB1D-CBBH0OfUFrVpj79gQB1bJwZw5NXhOnT6ScetzHxO998DU5kc5tuS1XjhcgUUa4LHRfRwum07J9-apDh7KA0Urye6Sji9NQismcTdE2vrJe-s8SfQhaqoTTblct0htmvk42CdkNcnajFfH~gtcLqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lake Forest, IL","date","2025-07-22T14:55:04Z","article","Lake Forest — The City Council authorized the city manager to enter a professional services contract not to exceed $55,000 with Tusca Associates for the final phase of the city’s comprehensive land‑use plan update.
Planning staff explained the update will knit together prior study areas — including Settler’s Square, the Route 60 corridor and the central business district — to produce a community‑wide land‑use map and recommendations looking 20–40 years forward. Staff said the plan will examine preserved open land, remaining buildable parcels, infrastructure constraints, redevelopment opportunities and potential housing types.
Catherine Cerniak (presenter) said the final phase includes a city manager’s working group composed of representatives with development, preservation and board/commission experience; the working group will review early drafts, attend workshops and guide public engagement prior to formal Plan Commission public hearings. The working group is expected to complete its work by the end of the calendar year and the plan will then move through Plan Commission hearings and a council decision.
Council members asked about timing and whether the consultant budget was included in the approved FY26 budget; staff confirmed the $55,000 fee was budgeted for completion of the plan. The council approved the contract authorization by roll call vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LF City Council | 07.21.2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council authorized the city manager to sign a professional services contract, budgeted at up to $55,000, with Tusca Associates for the final phase of the city’s comprehensive land‑use plan update and approved a working‑group process for community input.","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},6162058,"Lake Forest council adopts FY26 appropriation ordinance, including rollovers and 10% contingency",349,2816000,3165000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440178-0b5aa2e781a94d74764dce7438021af5&start=2816&end=3165","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440178-0b5aa2e781a94d74764dce7438021af5/thumbnail_2816000.jpg","/articles/6162058/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-Forest-council-adopts-FY26-appropriation-ordinance-including-rollovers-and-10-contingency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162058-1b6be176eb28dac420815c2fa8cccc0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773606517&Signature=BtdqX~A3waV~2CFvGD3iOtEdA6dDrqvQxCslm7CbyB5jkr8V8j1bdvHDovnphqtB5JsnL1YpFM3Pbi1dZ0LYELmOYvmC91wbwKN-KwxkRxjcOd83xVdQeeDRC8kGUIZBkw-VP7Hcix0bpzfm0GA1VTco43t4LGqmrfMMB~GNPbcWnR7DuSN87RSrAilQKHDMPPQDUoo2MDHXOWHJHJthRIngEfY2625VGWmDji-sRE0ul3I5822ljW6ewDemZskGoyYztG5-tXtuP~FjTjHNfp2sElPb-MAwUZ8~d8LJU3uC3X5Wckv-omKom~LobPJfJRisiayIFDWj1ASV7fHoeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake Forest — The City Council held a public hearing and approved the fiscal 2026 annual appropriation ordinance on final reading at the July 21 meeting.
Director Katie Skibbe explained the appropriation ordinance provides the legal authority to expend public funds and differs from the city’s adopted budget. The ordinance incorporates the approved FY26 budget less debt payments, adds carryover (rollover) appropriations from FY25 so projects can continue into FY26, includes the library as a component unit for reporting purposes and adds a long‑standing 10% contingency to provide flexibility for unanticipated revenues or grants.
Skibbe said the detailed rollover schedule is included in the council packet and that the contingency requires council approval for use by departments. She noted the appropriation ordinance also reflects the city’s statutory obligation to include School District 67’s budget as a component for reporting, even though the district adopts and manages its own budget.
The council opened and closed the required public hearing with no members of the public speaking on the ordinance. The final reading and adoption passed on roll call by a 7‑0 vote.","Council held a public hearing and adopted the fiscal 2026 appropriation ordinance on final reading July 21, incorporating previously appropriated rollovers, the library component unit, and a 10% contingency for appropriation flexibility.",{"_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},6162063,"Lake Forest Police to use state retention grant for one‑time 3.5% bonuses, council authorizes use of funds",70,1780000,1850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440178-0b5aa2e781a94d74764dce7438021af5&start=1780&end=1850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440178-0b5aa2e781a94d74764dce7438021af5/thumbnail_1780000.jpg","/articles/6162063/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-Forest-Police-to-use-state-retention-grant-for-onetime-35-bonuses-council-authorizes-use-of-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162063-6d9c9691fa935166d2a4c70c1968fd79/orig.mp4?Expires=1773606517&Signature=INabk7pGAsygrMOIuzrh2arNPnWiONX5Pp9eOZ3DLVi5OSHGmPyOwe-IFSTBjQs7H2ejQIvfdYGzmP3NZvr18WBonOJszjkYlmLfIxHzqLyIcOh-nhxiRQ~OwOFuMvQ~H80fCG3OqwkwamlUgyTmqCPW1LPxiFbjaqQzDf1YYYZAAUNuRJqAhLwKiMMXWe8Mun5e054qC0Cc8i9kEhrZYV8JiUY~c~daB2LOGhB6BPECgYJWyNgjwUGndlhSQ2kH~DB~4fvIh9A7G1NwaZ1t31l6csAewHGnxnCGj~GGfi9WZDLao44yCrcIT8WiLppXu3iDkZCwAjFD58UvxVqaKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake Forest — The City Council authorized the Police Department to use a state recruitment and retention grant to provide one‑time retention bonuses to sworn officers.
Chief John Burke told the council the department applied for slightly more than $142,000 and plans to use the funding for retention rather than recruitment. \"In the application, we asked for just over $142,000,\" Burke said. \"...we decided to give a one‑time 3.5% bonus for each officer, sergeant, and commander.\" He said the program is intended to increase stability in a competitive hiring market and that award recipients will remain employed with the department for an agreed period following the payment.
City staff placed the grant authorization on the consent (omnibus) agenda; the consent motion passed by roll call with a unanimous vote on the night’s omnibus items. A city official noted the grant represents a one‑time state funding opportunity and the department will pursue other recruitment strategies separately.
Chief Burke described the statewide hiring environment for sworn officers as highly competitive and said several larger departments were actively recruiting certified candidates. He said the grant required an application submitted in December and the department opted to use the award for retention to help hold staffing levels steady while recruiting continues.
The council’s vote to authorize use of the grant funds was recorded as part of the omnibus consent items approved at the meeting.","The council authorized the use of a state recruitment/retention grant to award a one‑time 3.5% bonus to sworn officers; Chief John Burke said the department requested just over $142,000 to fund retention bonuses and said the funding will promote staffing stability.",{"_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},6162068,"Dickinson Hall reports growing membership, transportation needs and $749,000 revenue; council approves replacement vehicle",1113,368000,1481000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440178-0b5aa2e781a94d74764dce7438021af5&start=368&end=1481","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440178-0b5aa2e781a94d74764dce7438021af5/thumbnail_368000.jpg","/articles/6162068/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/Dickinson-Hall-reports-growing-membership-transportation-needs-and-749000-revenue-council-approves-replacement-vehicle","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162068-fff0e0540a6be0775257d4aefbd87aca/orig.mp4?Expires=1773606517&Signature=M3iljC2spBWQP8T4Zp5kmHSEKEkml-NzOObQUeRuYZwjnUZcuwRrfkhC8SxK5CJ-hUIWDO4sDPUDm~p77N4cbcl-4v7udQZxP1k-L41NmddEfVlbH~2t9zCzcbJmNzkVtXE7bEfWZY7EEUV5~tOHFKOfAHtcJfea3sbC2zoQd9t2rRPbsohiPII5Ft5xoNEQjU0owzgWYReGRjmQ-ymdp9dxo0XTe6ISOgPXfeogxg261wF83rvDnEUDmXU2nxomt4flbejSoS17SqQqpvpn-0RUBMv4FscQAjDw2ISPYad1ES2NlXVObqtXXRc9Ts-oVf4grEnOxfZZdLU4ea34Lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake Forest — Dickinson Hall, home to Lake Forest senior services, reported steady membership, extensive programming and growing transportation needs at the July 21 City Council meeting.
Tricia Schwall, senior resources manager, told council members the senior center ended 2024 with about 1,004 members and that at the start of the new fiscal year (May 1) Dickinson Hall had roughly 824 active members. She said 68% of active participants live in Lake Forest, 21% in Lake Bluff and about 11% are nonresidents. Schwall described programming that includes more than 1,500 classes and events annually, a transportation program that logged 873 trips last year, and social‑service support used by more than 300 people in 2024.
Schwall said Dickinson Hall’s annual revenue is approximately $749,000, with funding sources the manager described as city support (about 41%), Lake Bluff contributions (about 13%), the Lake Forest Foundation (about 26%, which supports programming, transportation and the senior advocate), member dues and fees (about 20%) and scholarships (about 1%). She told the council staffing is five full‑time employees plus volunteers and that continued membership growth will strain space and staff capacity.
Council members asked about popular program types and digital inclusion; Schwall said the center is working with the Lake Forest Public Library to expand technology and online‑safety programming and that Dickinson plans online registration with training for members. When asked about transportation capacity she said a fifth driver was added recently and volunteers fill additional demand.
The council approved omnibus Item 7, a purchase of a replacement senior center passenger vehicle from O’Loughlin Ford (listed on the agenda as O’Lath Ford sales) at $78,043, during its consent vote earlier in the meeting.
Schwall closed by emphasizing Dickinson Hall’s role in reducing isolation and supporting older adults’ independence through wellness, social connections and services. She asked the council to note transportation and space needs as priorities for future planning.","Senior services manager Tricia Schwall told the council Dickinson Hall ended the prior year with about 1,004 members, provides extensive programming and social services, and faces capacity and transportation challenges; the council approved an omnibus purchase of a replacement senior center vehicle.",{"_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},6162073,"Lake Forest council votes 6-1 to dissolve long‑standing legal committee after months of debate",4246,3389000,7635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440178-0b5aa2e781a94d74764dce7438021af5&start=3389&end=7635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440178-0b5aa2e781a94d74764dce7438021af5/thumbnail_3389000.jpg","/articles/6162073/Lake-Forest/Lake-County/Illinois/Lake-Forest-council-votes-6-1-to-dissolve-longstanding-legal-committee-after-months-of-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162073-aad893d0e6b1585849c5eb4cb60895f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773606517&Signature=gXdp1lPFLmSSrN6o4N8ogWv~3zbf3tmDDZT4TkgMU9qTtDhICdxS1INmzFFbwY6n-xWqDPw3ryjPTLVksZDKXzeW~WEus8g3~dJxBMyIgWl9YAGCjM5y-qdBH2GaCZiittsBNe-KMONxe91FDNNWxQY8xIg63UTfF96Zn9LTjwBOBPlgoZQnJPtDen0CcfaUCLM0PMDgH1VrYcjalanvDXLuKsu51~hURI8WOtrt~cR7HNcjevE5B3RMtLB4yRPgGE9chKU1Wj4HQlrssZw0YE0B71cGqHHAXNLBN8IYEMAw4-gBvnpzb-BQeKdx8xxjePvD6cNoouJUGsqZoZ9cyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake Forest — The City Council voted 6-1 on July 21 to approve an ordinance amending Lake Forest Code section 32.095 and dissolve the city’s volunteer legal committee.
The council’s majority framed the change as an efficiency move that eliminates a redundant advisory body; opponents including current and former members of the legal committee and several residents urged the council to retain the committee for independent oversight and institutional knowledge.
Mayor Tack said the proposal addresses “efficiency, obsolescence and role diffusion” and stressed that the change is not a reflection on committee volunteers. Alderman Rich Walther, after a months‑long review of committee records and interviews, recommended disbanding the committee while asking that council request annual legal and risk‑mitigation reports from staff and outside counsel to preserve oversight. Alderman Novak cast the lone vote against the ordinance and several council members spoke in favor of relying on existing processes and specialized outside counsel instead of maintaining the committee.
During public comment, multiple residents and past officials urged the council to preserve the committee as a layer of independent review. Joy Gascott Mueller, who served as the committee chair, told the council the committee’s work ‘‘provides a system of checks and balances within the structure of city government’’ and said members never were consulted before the proposal first appeared on the April agenda. Former Mayor Mike Cromwell said the committee was created after a costly legal dispute and has helped reduce legal spending over time.
The council debate also addressed where duties performed by the committee would land after dissolution. Supporters pointed to the finance committee, the city manager’s oversight role, the municipal legal firm that represents the city and the Illinois risk‑management pool as places that handle many legal matters now. Critics said ad hoc councils or greater reliance on outside counsel could reduce transparency and community input.
The ordinance approving the amendment to section 32.095 passed on final reading after public comment. The vote recorded on the meeting transcript was: Alderman Notes, Aye; Alderman Powers, Aye; Alderman Lavert, Aye; Alderman Bosfeld, Aye; Alderman Weber, Aye; Alderman Walter, Aye; Alderman Novak, Nay. The outcome was recorded as approved.
The council chair said the change will allow ad hoc committees or council review for specific legal issues when needed and asked staff and outside counsel to continue providing briefings to the council on major legal matters.
Looking ahead, several council members and residents asked for explicit follow‑up: an annual report by the city attorney on ongoing litigation and an annual report by the city manager on risk‑mitigation actions and lessons learned from claims and settlements.","On July 21 the City Council approved an ordinance amending Lake Forest Code section 32.095 to dissolve the volunteer legal committee, prompting weeks of public comment and debate about oversight, transparency and efficiency.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves up to $55,000 contract for final phase of comprehensive land‑use plan update

Lake Forest council adopts FY26 appropriation ordinance, including rollovers and 10% contingency

Lake Forest Police to use state retention grant for one‑time 3.5% bonuses, council authorizes use of funds

Dickinson Hall reports growing membership, transportation needs and $749,000 revenue; council approves replacement vehicle

Lake Forest council votes 6-1 to dissolve long‑standing legal committee after months of debate