Residents urge changes to rental registration and business seeks gaming permission; disability services group outlines programs

Several residents used the Jan. 12 public-comment period to raise community concerns and describe local services.

James Caffenaux, a Mundelein resident and board member of the Lake County Center for Independent Living, described the nonprofit’s mission and five core services, including information and referral, advocacy, employment readiness, independent-living skills training and transition services for youth and adults returning to the community from institutions. "We are the only organization in our service area that serves all people with any disability of any age," Caffenaux said, urging trustees to be aware of available supports.

Alysha (Aloy) Shah, owner of Quick Pick Liquor, asked the board to "reconsider the gaming" and allow her business to apply for gaming privileges at the store. Shah said she had prepared a projection showing how gaming could be operated separately from liquor sales to help the business recover from recent economic pressures.

Mohammed Alawsi, who said he represents multiple homeowners associations, criticized the village’s rental-registration program. He said the fee increased from $1 to $40 and argued that owners will pass costs to tenants. Alawsi also said the online registration form is difficult to use and that some owners have not registered, and he asked for clearer instructions and reconsideration of the program’s terms.

The chair closed public comment after those remarks and moved the meeting to presentations and the consent and action items on the agenda.