The Village of Beach Park approved Resolution 2025-R30 to enter a governmental intergovernmental agreement with the Northern Illinois Land Bank Authority to allow the land bank to pursue abandoned-property acquisition and disposition on the village’s behalf. Board members and staff said the land bank can handle the legal and marketing work, often more quickly and at lower cost than the village can manage.

Mr. Warda explained the village typically spends about $7,000–$10,000 on an abandoned-property proceeding and estimated the Loyola property acquisition and maintenance cost the village roughly $8,500–$9,500 to date. "It tends to cost the village anywhere between 7,000 and $10,000 to go through an abandoned proceeding," Mr. Warda said, describing the land bank’s ability to take those cases on and to market properties for sale or rehabilitation.

The board also considered an ordinance declaring real estate at 38293 North Loyola Avenue surplus and subsequently approved a resolution to donate that parcel to the Northern Illinois Land Bank Authority. The donation agreement includes a provision to reimburse the village for incurred expenses from any future sale proceeds and earmarks excess proceeds for future local projects. Trustees recorded no substantive opposition during the motions and the resolutions passed on roll call.

Officials said the land bank has experience across northern Illinois and that the arrangement preserves village veto rights for actions undertaken in the community while leveraging the land bank’s staffing and grant resources to reduce municipal expense and administrative burden.

The land-bank agreement and the donation of 38293 North Loyola mark the village’s first such disposition with this land bank, officials said; staff will coordinate next steps and any communication with potential buyers or developers.