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West Chicago finance committee approves $50,000 budget shift to advance proposed downtown futsal courts
Summary
The Finance Committee voted unanimously to move $50,000 to the downtown revitalization fund to allow staff and partner organizations to pursue zoning, shared-use agreements and fundraising for temporary futsal courts; the measure does not finalize siting or construction and requires further approvals.
The West Chicago Finance Committee on Monday voted unanimously to approve a budget amendment moving $50,000 from the administration’s special projects account into the downtown revitalization fund to support early work on a proposed partnership with Street Soccer USA and MAI to install temporary futsal courts downtown.
City staff told the committee the amendment is an early, permissive step to demonstrate the City’s intent and to allow partner organizations and staff to proceed with zoning research, shared-use agreements and fundraising. The amendment does not constitute final project approval, staff said; additional approvals would include a zoning text amendment, Plan Commission review and Development Committee consideration.
Staff outlined the next procedural milestones: a Plan Commission hearing targeted for July 7 and a Development Committee discussion on July 13, followed by drafting partnership and use agreements. Staff estimated design work could occur in October through December, with construction most likely pushed to spring 2027 if the proposal clears the necessary steps.
On operations and maintenance, staff said Street Soccer USA would hire a part-time staff member to run programming and perform routine upkeep; major repairs or vandalism would be allocated by contract and the expectation is a cost-sharing arrangement among the City and partner organizations documented in a shared-use agreement. Chief Fleury, according to staff, recommended that the early fundraising events as described did not require special police supervision.
Supporters said the temporary courts would bring activity to downtown and provide a near-term response to community requests, particularly from Latino residents who have advocated for local recreational options. A staff presentation noted $400,000 in outside commitments or pledges had been discussed by partners and donors, and that the City’s $50,000 would leverage those donations rather than front construction costs.
Skeptical members pressed for clearer mapping, site designation and operational details before design work proceeds. Several aldermen noted the parcel under consideration sits mostly within the 100-year floodplain and flagged parking, lighting and restroom access as outstanding issues. Staff responded that a precise site designation and updated maps would be provided before outside consultants finalized layouts.
Alderman Myers moved approval of Item 4a, ordinance number 260010; Alderman Swiatek seconded. The roll-call vote recorded Aldermen Beebe, Dimas, Hernandez, Myers, Sheahan, Stout and Swiatek as voting "Aye," and the ordinance passed.
Next steps: staff will pursue the zoning amendments and shared-use agreement drafting described in committee, and partners will continue fundraising and planning; the committee flagged that final construction and any permanent siting will require subsequent approvals by Plan Commission, Development Committee and City Council.
