[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6156909,"mediaKeyId","5467954-cc70c6bf26ba6f1d103c9909a6a33f12","parentId",5467954,"title","Board adopts inducement resolution to study Dempster Street redevelopment; village shares early plans for new Village Hall and police station","audioSeconds",101,"startMs",1543000,"endMs",1644000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5467954-cc70c6bf26ba6f1d103c9909a6a33f12&start=1543&end=1644","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5467954-cc70c6bf26ba6f1d103c9909a6a33f12/thumbnail_1543000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6156909/Morton-Grove/Cook-County/Illinois/Board-adopts-inducement-resolution-to-study-Dempster-Street-redevelopment-village-shares-early-plans-for-new-Village-Hall-and-police-station","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156909-a745796fcdb5a367d070617c6ad60ad0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775375329&Signature=Jv4Vw2jLmmXZa0bRSfdFlFU4Zd9VCGaFVUd3TDbT1G~CX7JPEXQQoN7Xym9fJzhLrlzJ5bsUkFuOhK~ut7eh5d36fL0ort~gzNoZIH0hy9PckBhmsihcTobn9C1KN0QJG9L0J4WzUHzuqCXQpmwFwDcdM6AplVZOxJVpt4t0qASeiE6t7zOVzkq7-Eq0kxHwUy5tvB0~Jk94mJOdhdSWUH1XOfNGuxcPtdAA5-v2CWQZ~onOQH6pUvVPG~Qn6z5M10pRRahGJ0cUnUMvbyuVbMGH39KCnCtMRAWn8~qqqjsw-HSuGnH8LDf4PoWFqF-q84F9xFldd15QF-6pQhAL8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Morton Grove, IL","date","2025-07-23T12:48:12Z","article","The Morton Grove Board of Trustees on July 22 unanimously approved a resolution that authorizes the village to incur and later seek reimbursement for expenses related to evaluating and negotiating potential redevelopment projects along the Dempster Street corridor.

The resolution, presented by Chuck (Administrator), is an inducement measure intended to start the legal and public process necessary to consider a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) designation along Dempster Street. Chuck read from the legislative summary, saying the resolution “authorizes future reimbursements of expenses incurred by the Village and potential developers to improve and redevelop the Dempster Street redevelopment project area.”

Why it matters: Staff said the corridor from Central Avenue to the Forest Preserve exhibits “blighting factors” including obsolescence, inadequate utilities and stagnating property values; a TIF could provide a tool to finance infrastructure and public improvements tied to redevelopment.

Board action
Trustee Mink moved approval and Trustee Travis seconded; the board voted 6–0 to adopt the inducement resolution (recorded as resolution 2554 in the meeting). Chuck told the board the intent is to “evaluate and negotiate potential redevelopment projects and to affirm that the village will take appropriate action as allowed by the law including the TIF law.”

Village Hall and police facility update
Staff also updated the public on an early design phase for a future Village Hall and police department planned for 6201 Dempster Street. Chuck said the village contracted architect FGMA to produce initial designs and that the village purchased the building in April and closed in December (procurement and closing dates were summarized by staff). He said the design and public-review process will include appearance commission, traffic safety commission, planning commission and Board of Trustees hearings later this fall or in the coming months.

Staff clarified common community questions: the village “has no plans to close Georgiana Avenue,” it does not plan to restrict parking on Georgiana during snow events, and the current site plan routes primary vehicle access along Fernald Avenue to Dempster Street. Staff said formal notices will be mailed to neighbors within 250 feet of the property, signs will be posted on the site and a public notice will appear in the local newspaper when public hearings begin.

Next steps
The inducement resolution authorizes staff to expend funds to pursue further study and partner-government notifications needed for a potential TIF; if the village ultimately establishes a TIF, staff said eligible pre-TIF expenditures could be reimbursed from the TIF fund. Separate public hearings and commissions will review the Village Hall/police facility special-use application when designs are ready.

Ending: The board’s vote starts a multistep public process; staff urged residents to watch the village website for notices and confirmed more detailed design and hearings will come after the architect’s next deliverables.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Morton Grove Village Board of Trustees Meeting July 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Morton Grove Board of Trustees on July 22 unanimously approved an inducement resolution to study potential Tax Increment Financing for redevelopment along Dempster Street and staff shared early designs for a Village Hall and police facility at 6201 Dempster Street.","taxTitle","Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois","taxId",70199,"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},6156914,"Morton Grove trustees begin rewriting rules for e-bikes and electric scooters, set 16-year minimum age",633,245000,878000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5467954-cc70c6bf26ba6f1d103c9909a6a33f12&start=245&end=878","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5467954-cc70c6bf26ba6f1d103c9909a6a33f12/thumbnail_245000.jpg","/articles/6156914/Morton-Grove/Cook-County/Illinois/Morton-Grove-trustees-begin-rewriting-rules-for-e-bikes-and-electric-scooters-set-16-year-minimum-age","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156914-077641ced88dd69b7a1d33ceaa1790a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775375329&Signature=cmD6AqMqnMNeWKZELlwrui3K4H-YEf6-4gj95PAYG6iH5pql6rmX4~0Y6Xb-ibHJIzD2DlEA0VmTWJ-fwPSVk2~ooZEQLVv~SlqMf32wJg7AMIUsEU0UNUHmDDUCLqAeinDI15k4~Lee7~PRpdRQ1vMSNdLnNuCisIAmcMzWZYBFmZFVjODAZZX9mQx6BZLzlsoU1HsTNkbnvxQ4SYkvEY7nP~iV3h1sPbVxK4eCqM7-bluc5ePh~bJa9gHZjRD1p~vW2Vt8ngDM5dLx29NzRGBye8Ka33hqwU4QrH6-FVz2y6wC8lHrOc-bek6XKkSK5XOP9E5Pjh5RiowR5ycGXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Morton Grove trustees on July 22 heard a first reading of a proposed municipal code section that would legalize certain electric bicycles and scooters while restricting where and how they may be used. The Board of Trustees received the police department’s draft ordinance and staff said it will return for a second reading at the board’s first August meeting.

The ordinance, presented by Chuck (Administrator), would add definitions mirroring state categories for Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes and create separate rules for “electric scooters” and “low speed electric scooters.” It would allow Class 1 e-bikes on sidewalks and streets but prohibit Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes on sidewalks. Low-speed electric scooters (maximum speed no more than 10 mph, per the draft) would be allowed on sidewalks; faster scooters would be restricted to streets.

Why it matters: trustees and residents said they are seeing more high-speed devices in neighborhoods and along park paths and raised safety concerns for children and older pedestrians. The draft ordinance attempts to balance legalizing widely used devices with safety controls and enforcement guidance.

Key provisions and staff clarifications
- Age and license: the draft originally proposed 18 with a driver’s license; staff told trustees they will revise it to require users to be 16 or older with a driver’s license “in line with state guidelines.” Chuck said, “What we're going to be modifying that to with the board's concurrence is 16 or older.”
- Location limits: Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes would be prohibited on sidewalks; Class 1 would be allowed. Low-speed scooters would be treated more like bicycles for sidewalk use; higher-speed scooters would be limited to streets.
- Safety equipment and labeling: the draft would require helmets and a state-required label showing the device class and the ability to be operated by human propulsion (so it can be pushed or pedaled if the motor fails). Chuck said, “It would also require helmets for users, a label.”
- Parental responsibility and penalties: the draft includes language making it unlawful for parents to permit a minor to violate the code. The ordinance would allow police to impound devices used dangerously; staff said an impoundment could carry a $500 fee to cover costs, and that impoundment or fines would be a last resort after education.

Public and trustee concerns
Resident Mariano Arena described seeing a boy ride an e-bike near his house and expressed safety fears. Trustees asked how enforcement would work and whether parents would be held responsible. Chuck and the police representative emphasized education and outreach, saying the department plans school talks, newsletter items and website guidance, and that the department prefers “cooperative enforcement” where possible.

Next steps
Staff will revise the draft (including the 16-year/driver’s-license change) and present it for a second reading at the board’s first August meeting. No ordinance vote was taken on July 22; trustees only received the first reading and asked for clarifications.

Ending: The board emphasized public education ahead of enforcement and said the police department will publish guidance and talk to schools before the ordinance is enforced more strictly.","Trustees received a first reading of a proposed ordinance that would legalize some electric bicycles and scooters with new age, helmet and location restrictions; the draft sets a 16-year minimum with a driver’s license, limits class 2 and 3 e-bikes from sidewalks and calls for education-first enforcement.",{"_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},6156904,"Morton Grove approves telecom and police vehicle changeover; police outline drone use and protections",204,1844000,2048000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5467954-cc70c6bf26ba6f1d103c9909a6a33f12&start=1844&end=2048","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5467954-cc70c6bf26ba6f1d103c9909a6a33f12/thumbnail_1844000.jpg","/articles/6156904/Morton-Grove/Cook-County/Illinois/Morton-Grove-approves-telecom-and-police-vehicle-changeover-police-outline-drone-use-and-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156904-9937c4508a82c05efd6015529b74c423/orig.mp4?Expires=1775375329&Signature=XfmxbBYA5T9Z4FPk9q8121r6e7iAl9Mf5cxdIWHlTPNbWWWSNqbhngPazFG3x3TagqzscKfiIwmAQGYbsw5vTbOL770PKfJ-a7vowkHDtQYoJgYl3RKyJMFBYTgXazfK~5jrRAoCiv1ISBSXHpi~XposF-FQJreGxwIzFZgVebQrvQl0FBBMNcI41nFwpdmdupgO4GSmHFZMNsdFZzfbS2K-6ZUrOB3C2BFNxYsdGOh68XxDU5Nj19fXQ9h9TeNVmlHISWkN1KWudgmp~iNrm3rHwoGYHkpyBIvPIDXkpwVaOSpfAh06cmrbB7d95eTzJ6RsA74fzWNFG7q3bWZnGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Morton Grove Board of Trustees on July 22 approved contracts to replace the village’s phone system and to outfit patrol vehicles, and the police department described recent drone use and steps to notify the public and protect privacy.

Telecom and police vehicles
Trustees approved resolution 2555, authorizing an agreement with RingCentral for telecommunication licenses, equipment, implementation and annual maintenance for all village departments. Trustee Shiba presented the item and said the cost “is set to not exceed $128,082.” The motion passed 6–0.

The board also approved resolution 2556 authorizing a contract with Ultra Strobe Communications Inc. to transfer equipment and update lighting packages on marked and unmarked police vehicles. Trustee Travis said Ultra Strobe’s proposal “totaling $47,779.5 includes the changeover of 3 new vehicles and equipment modifications to 3 existing vehicles.” The motion passed 6–0.

Why it matters: the RingCentral contract replaces an aging phone system and provides features to support internal and external communications; the vehicle changeovers equip new and repurposed cars for police response.

Police drone program and privacy
Chief Weitzel and staff described recent use of the police drone during large, public events including Morton Grove Days and July 4th. The chief noted the department uses FAA-licensed drone pilots and described operational limits: drones generally will not fly over crowds and are used to relay real-time intelligence to officers in the field. A staff member said the village provided notice via social media and posted signs at events to inform the public that drones might be in use.

On privacy and enforcement authority, a resident asked how the village prevents unlawful enforcement actions. Chief Weitzel said the state’s 2017 Trust Act and the village’s welcoming ordinance prohibit local police from engaging in immigration enforcement and that the policy is codified in the department’s rules (chief referenced department policy 428), saying the policy provides that no member of the agency “shall detain any individual based on a civil violation of federal immigration law.” He told residents they may call 911 if approached by someone claiming to be a police officer and the department can help verify bona fides.

Other public-safety notes
Trustee Travis reported the police department will participate in Illinois Speed Awareness Day on July 23, with Cook County Sheriff’s Police assisting local enforcement. The board also approved a warrant register totaling $542,199.4 during the meeting.

Ending: Trustees described these approvals as routine operational updates; the police said they will continue public outreach about drone use and post updates on the village website.","Trustees approved contracts for a village-wide telecom system and police vehicle outfitting; the police chief outlined how the department uses drones, said operators are FAA-licensed and described privacy safeguards, and the board noted an upcoming statewide speed enforcement day.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts inducement resolution to study Dempster Street redevelopment; village shares early plans for new Village Hall and police station

Morton Grove trustees begin rewriting rules for e-bikes and electric scooters, set 16-year minimum age

Morton Grove approves telecom and police vehicle changeover; police outline drone use and protections