[{"_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",6493202,"mediaKeyId","5671996-78bc4d9aa902f5fba670380c7e695083","parentId",5671996,"title","Pleasantdale residents urge Lemont board to oppose proposed gas station and truck wash, citing groundwater and safety concerns","audioSeconds",923,"startMs",2439000,"endMs",3362000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5671996-78bc4d9aa902f5fba670380c7e695083&start=2439&end=3362","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5671996-78bc4d9aa902f5fba670380c7e695083/thumbnail_2439000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6493202/Lemont/Cook-County/Illinois/Pleasantdale-residents-urge-Lemont-board-to-oppose-proposed-gas-station-and-truck-wash-citing-groundwater-and-safety-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493202-a3a4c950f1fc8666856c458f7d08d62f/orig.mp4?Expires=1772845629&Signature=Z~LI09UIyBk6xNiVLKRqyB9gQQ1ubDO0nALzol4NZDRUAYJUSttJSpin-X~MNdoRtLEdCjmwlSNGexrNCZp4KahcMJzkzv9Tv5d1gfAJWneck8Pxg0t~M22yx04YqTFMZ951fmvcTFZ4IjOgOjfxHYFdpWSVi3R3TcbBgH~X-lEjp-3Hv9tGLBNRqOk2nGTfjGq85RTq5ZskvcMOiynr1lz8I3Tnxjr8m-qNcip0smrMMPbFxk2K1ugSNPAT1WOx2VxWxDkVDvcoDDWqbDGdWiWm7jyVUjYd88sfumirfl3UXDoWYPpPSxQekr9qqWT33QqoSj7MosPX-aoD8tZQEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lemont","date","2025-08-25T18:30:00Z","article","Residents from the Pleasantdale neighborhood urged the Lemont Village Board on Monday to oppose a proposed annexation and rezoning for a gas station and truck wash that they say would sit near homes and schools and threaten private wells and neighborhood safety.

Why it matters: Residents told the board the proposal would place a service station and truck operations near houses served by private wells and near school routes; speakers cited public-health risks from fuel leaks and everyday spillage, potential crime and traffic impacts, and legal and technical studies that they said document risks from proximity to fuel-dispensing sites.

Residents and neighborhood representatives presented petitions and cited federal guidance and past litigation as reasons for caution. Sarah Lelousas (name as given in the record) said three petitions were circulating and that she had contacted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; she told the board the EPA advised testing private wells before construction and provided lists of lawsuits filed after gas-station leaks. Mary Elena Cordova Pardoon urged the board to “please reconsider opening that allowing rezoning… the gas station that will basically put a heavy burden on all that Pleasantdale” and described worries about additives and underground-storage-tank leaks.

Justin Alvested, who identified himself as a member of the DuPage County hazardous-materials task force and a hazmat incident responder, told the board, “Gas stations are hazmat sites, and they do not belong in a residential neighborhood.” He told the board that, in Illinois, about 5,500 stations were on the EPA list for active underground-storage-tank leaks and cited studies he said link proximity to stations with higher pediatric leukemia rates; he said the Pleasantdale site would place dozens of residences within 1,000 feet of the station and several dozen inside 500 feet.

Other residents raised concerns about 24-hour operations, gaming and increased traffic, and said their children use local school buses and walk or bike in the neighborhood. Several speakers asked the board to consider the “message” it would send to residents if the village approved rezoning for commercial truck-and-wash operations in a largely residential enclave.

Board response and next steps: Mayor John Agoski and staff told the audience the village had not received materials from the applicant and that the applicant was not on the meeting docket; no annexation or rezoning application was considered or voted on during the meeting. Trustee Shaughnessy clarified earlier remarks after residents raised concerns and apologized if comments had been taken as dismissive; he said he had responded personally to resident emails. The board said it will continue to communicate publicly when and if the applicant formally appears on a future agenda.

Ending: Residents said they would continue outreach, citing petitions and contact with state and federal agencies. No formal zoning or annexation action occurred at the Aug. 25 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lemont - Village Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple Pleasantdale residents spoke during audience participation at the Lemont meeting to oppose a proposed gas station/truck wash annexation and rezoning; residents cited groundwater contamination risks, proximity to schools and wells, and public-safety concerns. The applicant was not present and no zoning vote occurred.","taxTitle","Lemont, Cook County, Illinois","taxId",64369,"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},6493206,"Lemont honors retiring Police Chief Mark Maton with proclamation",65,425000,490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5671996-78bc4d9aa902f5fba670380c7e695083&start=425&end=490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5671996-78bc4d9aa902f5fba670380c7e695083/thumbnail_425000.jpg","/articles/6493206/Lemont/Cook-County/Illinois/Lemont-honors-retiring-Police-Chief-Mark-Maton-with-proclamation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493206-e69607c82aaa7fb0708944df726a1c0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1772845629&Signature=af3WA--urEtRqIKZApgdTi2jNJ0IyxGy-pRKq5l5yqIXIeaVaQ8xXTEuDTCa-kdkjb-vvaHuP4fZks8wzJtmZ9Z~AbihyOfkJu~XfJqf3SXYXPIjBQceIgr2xV4hwsfk4f~jm98PFgdzyy69AFpQ2xhvcNZKmGf3~aEFGd-7Sl6p7xmx~jYFSIhxcJm6xRHGJ6xCMUZ82G3dk0fWbNnW~6FcESHanghHebe5U-gX2rOQYdupNjFE~8ucaz2~g~2wrDc0RE8JfcA3lQfbL0do4cQnfQj7Qe4nwOJam8DwSlwr351p1ed6m3ktl7ebeflvQXmotT5ISkNWK6VDY8wANA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lemont Village Board on Monday presented a proclamation honoring Chief Mark Maton on his retirement after 10 years as Lemont’s police chief and a decades-long career in Illinois law enforcement.

Why it matters: Maton was recognized both for local leadership in Lemont and for roles in statewide law-enforcement organizations; the board’s recognition signals institutional appreciation and a formal transfer of local leadership responsibilities.

Mayor John Agoski read the proclamation, recounting Maton’s career: Maton began as an Illinois State Police trooper in 1986, served in drug units and multi-jurisdictional task forces, led Zone 3 in Joliet, served as chief of field operations and later deputy director of the Illinois State Police, and was sworn in as president of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police in 2024. Agoski read the board’s text and “do hereby express our sincere gratitude to Chief Mark Maton for his 10 years of dedicated service to the people of Lemont and commend him for his exceptional leadership, commitment, and contributions to the safety and well-being of the community.”

Chief Maton responded to remarks from the board and staff. “The board's always been on my side,” Maton said, and thanked village leadership and residents for their support. He praised department staff and said he was confident in the department’s future leadership, specifically naming Jason Lococo as part of the leadership team the department will follow.

Trustees and village staff offered short remarks praising Maton’s tenure and statewide contributions. Village Administrator George (surname not provided) and several trustees thanked Maton for his professionalism and noted the number of officers hired during his tenure.

Ending: Maton and board members exchanged congratulations and the meeting moved on to other business; Maton’s retirement will be followed by the department’s planned leadership transition.","Mayor John Agoski and trustees presented a proclamation thanking Chief Mark Maton for 10 years leading the Lemont Police Department and recognized his statewide law-enforcement service and awards.",{"_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},6493211,"Lemont board approves vehicle purchases, two zoning variances, tree contract and Safe Routes grant applications",125,1243000,1368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5671996-78bc4d9aa902f5fba670380c7e695083&start=1243&end=1368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5671996-78bc4d9aa902f5fba670380c7e695083/thumbnail_1243000.jpg","/articles/6493211/Lemont/Cook-County/Illinois/Lemont-board-approves-vehicle-purchases-two-zoning-variances-tree-contract-and-Safe-Routes-grant-applications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493211-c2c9575ee740c7e3754bc97752831ee7/orig.mp4?Expires=1772845629&Signature=PgA4L1Or7F-PZzcxVizCKLJt4mMcBNyIWIPKKMkSY4Ad3cpSyqUzOaV0bsu6OcqM~Lnyo7~6d-Ow4dN9f6irovh3YkL8eX-fqOljSfFAAPRjrLRBV9RPrAoJp3TX2wUO5yD-9zx4dWNlHnmMxfYxROh993SPUe9ftbEXTXgqfNQlcGBjUt2Vt4HlULKUPAnyfuTNNW9WuOiImCwN~FzXpo0mzSuNVpyXX8Z8F3neAu63pSsa0o45xgD1o-qx28F67DyS00gxFEu09Nm4KBL5Yv7FdFvWlDcaGtOr9iuixAbHjBWwGeb~4xmd-Bc2zHWL3ZKItp6k-XFluIwIiqIT6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lemont Village Board on Monday approved several routine and project items, including consent-agenda purchases, two zoning variances, a contract for the 2025 tree-replacement program and two resolutions to pursue Safe Routes to School grants.

Why it matters: The votes clear funding or authorization needed for vehicle acquisitions, small-scale residential design changes and preliminary steps to apply for pedestrian and sidewalk improvements near Lemont schools; the tree contract funds neighborhood street-tree plantings for the coming year.

The board approved the consent agenda, which the mayor said included approval of minutes from the Aug. 11 meeting, disbursements for Aug. 12–25 and three resolutions authorizing purchase and build-out of municipal vehicles (listed on the meeting docket as R-60-25, R-61-25 and R-62-25). Trustee Shaughnessy moved to approve the consent agenda; Trustee Pittridge seconded. The roll call showed the motion passed with all present voting yes and one member absent.

Two variances to Lemont’s unified development ordinance (listed in the meeting as O-43-25 and O-44-25) were approved. Jason (staff) told the board each request was for a covered structure in a rear yard and that both had been recommended for approval by the Planning & Zoning Commission at its August meeting. Both ordinances passed on unanimous roll calls of the members present.

The board awarded the 2025 tree-replacement contract to iTrees, the low bidder, for $30,370 to plant 56 new parkway trees. Public works staff noted the contractor provides a one-year warranty on the plantings. Trustee Forsyth moved to approve the contract; the motion passed unanimously by roll call of trustees present.

The board also approved two resolutions supporting Lemont’s participation in the Safe Routes to School grant program. Staff said one application would focus on McCarthy Road improvements serving Lemont High School and Central School, including sidewalk connections, crossing improvements, signage and flashing beacons; the second application would target Central School and nearby crossings. Staff noted each award is eligible for up to $250,000; if both applications are successful Lemont could receive up to $500,000 in improvements. Both Safe Routes resolutions passed unanimously by roll call of trustees present.

Votes at a glance:
- Consent agenda (minutes, disbursements, vehicle purchases R-60-25, R-61-25, R-62-25): motion approved (mover: Trustee Shaughnessy; second: Trustee Pittridge); outcome: approved; roll-call: all present yes, one absent.
- Ordinance O-43-25 (variation, 917 East Street, covered porch in rear yard): motion approved; outcome: adopted; roll call: all present yes, one absent.
- Ordinance O-44-25 (variation, 93 Timberline Drive, covered structure in rear yard): motion approved; outcome: adopted; roll call: all present yes, one absent.
- Resolution R-63-25 (2025 tree replacement contract, iTrees, $30,370, 56 parkway trees, one-year warranty): motion approved (mover: Trustee Forsyth; second: Trustee Shaughnessy); outcome: approved.
- Resolution R-64-25 (support to participate in Safe Routes to School grant; McCarthy Road/high school corridor): motion approved; outcome: approved.
- Resolution (support to participate in Safe Routes to School grant; Central School corridor — listed in the meeting as the second Safe Routes item): motion approved; outcome: approved. Staff noted each award is eligible for $250,000.

What the board did not decide: Several items mentioned during public comment — chiefly an annexation/rezoning proposal for a gas station/truck wash in Pleasantdale — were not on the board’s docket and the applicant was not present; no zoning or annexation vote occurred at the meeting.

Background and next steps: Planning & Zoning had recommended the two residential variances earlier in August; staff will proceed with contract administration for the tree program and will file grant applications for Safe Routes where deadlines, permitting and any required interagency approvals (IDOT was mentioned as a permitting authority for state roads) allow. The board scheduled an executive session later in the meeting to discuss probable or imminent litigation under the Open Meetings Act.

Ending: The board recessed to executive session after the public portion of the meeting; no additional public votes were taken that night.","At its Aug. 25 meeting the Lemont Village Board approved the consent agenda covering vehicle purchases and disbursements, passed two zoning variations for rear-yard covered structures, awarded a $30,370 tree-replacement contract for 56 parkway trees and approved two Safe Routes to School grant participation resolutions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pleasantdale residents urge Lemont board to oppose proposed gas station and truck wash, citing groundwater and safety concerns

Lemont honors retiring Police Chief Mark Maton with proclamation

Lemont board approves vehicle purchases, two zoning variances, tree contract and Safe Routes grant applications