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Township to review Riverside Lawn after sheriff report; Committee of the Whole set for Aug. 4
Summary
Riverside Township trustees said they will convene a Committee of the Whole on Aug. 4 to review Cook County sheriff concerns and mixed ownership at Riverside Lawn, where trustees noted at least 19 private parcels and graffiti on county-owned land.
Supervisor Wilt called for more information and a committee meeting after the Cook County Sheriff’s Police forwarded concerns about activity and graffiti at Riverside Lawn.
Why it matters: much of Riverside Lawn was transferred to the Cook County Forest Preserve District after a land-bank buyout, trustees said, leaving a patchwork of ownership that complicates local responses and maintenance. Board members said they want coordinated information from the county and the assessor before taking action.
Board discussion and next steps Mary Jo Miller, the township assessor, reviewed maps and ownership records and said she believes “there’s 19 privately owned properties” within the Riverside Lawn area. Miller said some parcels are consolidated, some are split across multiple tax parcels and several lots are owned by the Forest Preserve District, which limits what the township can do on those parcels.
Supervisor Wilt said the sheriff’s office had made suggestions to counter reported activity, but he described many recommendations as potentially “overboard” for the area and recommended the board treat the matter at a Committee of the Whole to gather facts and consider options.
The board agreed to schedule a Committee of the Whole for Tuesday, Aug. 4, to review property ownership, coordinate with the county commissioner and decide whether township action—such as cleanup, fencing or other measures—is appropriate. Wilt said he will contact the county commissioner and collect assessor data ahead of the August meeting.
Property responsibilities and graffiti Trustees noted that some graffiti is on county-owned land and that the township’s authority to clean or make changes on Forest Preserve parcels is limited. Board members also discussed whether a path through the area is an official bike path and noted that fire protection arrangements for some properties are handled through a special taxing district and contracts with Lyons.
What is not decided No formal action or expenditure was approved at the meeting. The board’s next step is an informational Committee of the Whole on Aug. 4 to review ownership records, the sheriff’s recommendations and any feasible responses.
The board took no public comments during this item; the Committee of the Whole is expected to convene in August.
