Residents ask village to release McCaskey development economic-impact studies

Donald Meersman, an Arlington Heights resident of 43 years, asked the board Monday to release economic-impact analyses related to the proposed McCaskey development at the former racetrack, including studies paid for by the village.

Meersman said taxpayers “deserve to be informed about the potential consequences of public support for private business” and asked, “Can you please tell the public when the report will be released?” He said public debate on tax policy requires access to consultant work paid for by the village.

Village President Tonalia responded that village staff and the petitioner had provided preliminary reports and that the village had done work to review them but that the material remained “very preliminary,” “not in final form,” and “not very clear.” She said the developers had created an escrow fund to pay for consultants to review the developer-commissioned studies and stated, “the taxpayers of Arlingtonites…are not paying for this.”

Village Manager Randy Reklaas told the board the village intends to release studies “prior to any decision making” and noted that existing documents are draft, work‑in‑progress materials; he said staff is comparing assumptions and scope and aims to release a final, legible report when it reflects the concept that will be considered.

There was no board motion on the request; public comment concluded and the meeting proceeded to other agenda items.