INSIDE Dist. 26 Talks Hybrid Where To Catch St. Viator, Prospect******CRLOT 0041A**C071 Option On Enrollment Fireworks, Parades Meet In Playoffs MT PROSPECT PUBLIC LIBRARY Page 7A Page 13A Page 7AA Attn: South Branch Ins RIFIMN ST STF fUlf1A4 4 C Jr J i i AT PRQSPFCTIL60056-3295 611..11.0llu.ddulbudl...1.11.1.n1.1u..111111.1 MOUNT PROSPECT JOURNAL Vol. 89 No. 27 Journal & Topics Media Group I I journal-topics.com Wednesday, July 3, 2019 I $1 Annex Irks Land Owners Mount Prospect Considers Forced Takeover Of Area South Of Oakton By CAROLINE FREER Journal & Topics Reporter Mount Prospect held an open house for business owners from the Oakton Street area, in the Farley Community Room at village hall Tuesday (June 25), to discuss CEA Sunset possible annexation of the area. Sun sets to the west as seen from Chicago Executive Airport and its control tower during the annual "Rock the Runway" July 4th celebration The approximately 28 -acre last Saturday. See more photos from the event inside. (Shawn Clisham/Journal photo) parcel of unincorporated indus- trial and commercial land sits at the southern border of Mount Prospect. About 10 property owners showed up to hear the village's Mayor Wants To Talk Term Limits pitch on why it's worth it for them to pay more taxes in order to be part of Mount Prospect. By EMMA DEMPSEY serving his third term as mayor,the start of his first term. limits for aldermen. Village Manager Mike Cassady Journal & Topics Reporter believes that imposing a two -term "It's a matter of working to- "As an alderman, you're one said the village will set up water limit can benefit the city and its gether," Helmer said, "but [theof five, so you don't have that mains to bring Lake Michigan wa- Mayor Nick Helmer has begun citizens by bringing in fresh ideas.alderman] doesn't." much authority or power," Lud- ter to the area. Currently, water is a push for term limits for elected Helmer mentioned one alder- Though Helmer would not con- vigsen said when contacted by the supplied by privately owned wells. city officials in Prospect Heights, man that has been in office for firm which alderman he was refer- Journal this week. "The mayor's Additionally, the village will take but the city council's most senior 20 years. ring to, Ludvigsen is currently the position is more impactful, and he over police and fire service from alderman ,Ald. Patrick Ludvigsen "He always votes the same longest -serving alderman. has the ability to sway people." Cook County and the Elk Grove (4th), does not see eye -to -eye way," Helmer said, "because he's Ludvigsen said he thinks there With term limits in place, Rural Fire Protection District. with the mayor on who should be set in his ways." should be a term limit for the Helmer said it would introduce "We have these remnant un- limited in their service to the city. Helmer said that he's had issues mayor's position, but does notnew people and ideas to the (Continued on page 2A) Helmer, who is currentlyworking with this alderman sincesee such a need for setting term (Continued on page 4A) Treat Yourself To Some P'Zazz! Find Our Monthly Special Section--Plus 'Over 55'--In This Week's Issue Page 2A I Wednesday, July 3, 2019 I The Journal www.journal-topics.com Village of- forced, not voluntary, therewas ficial Mike talk of lawyers and a previous Annex? Cassady (left) and lawsuit to fight off annexation by (Continued from page 1A) Sean Dorsey Des Plaines about five years ago. incorporated pockets that Cook present Illinois Municipal Code allows County can't really effectively concepts for contiguous, unincorporated areas annexation of less than 60 -acres to be forc- serve," Cassady said. "We're during an trying to figure out if annexation open house ibly annexed, if they are wholly could actually help these property June 25 at bounded by one or more munici- owners improve the values of their village hall. palities including lakes, rivers, or (Caroline creeks. properties." Freer/Jour- There were two separate issues nal photo) However, Mount Prospect up for discussion at the meeting. would clearly prefer not to force One was the actual annexation of the issue and will work to persuade the area, the second was the cost owners of the benefits. of providing village water. Cassady said a cost analysis The price tag to set up all the of annexation without the water water mains, valves and hydrants service could be put together and is projected to be about $6 million include all the fees that would no and does not include a sewage longer be paid to Cook County. In system. that way the owners will see how Finance Department Director working with the village, rather Amit Thakkar had set up poster - than the county, will be easier board sized spreadsheets showing and less expensive, Cassady said. the various financing options and After the meeting was finished, how they would affect taxes.over the area, effectively lowering to be annexed. Cassadyaddressed the issue of Cassady told the Journal & Topics Thakkar said he expects the entire the eventual loan amount. Timothy Stef of Magnum Au-the annexation itself. he was not surprised by the reac- amount to be borrowed from the Several of the business owners tomotive agreed: "Water is not an Dorsey outlined the watertion, referring to the new Cook Illinois Environmental Protectionsaid they were fine with their well issue." Stef explained he had just improvements that could be County property tax assessments. Agency (IEPA). The loan couldwater and did not need the waterspent $1,700 to install a new pump expected: "Ample supply, good"People hear their taxes are go- then be paid back over 10 or 20improvements. Their primary for the first time in 20 years. While pressure, good water quality, anding up at a time when their tax is years. Another possible fundingconcern was the lengthy increase both Jakubek and Stef admittedbetter fire protection." already going up, it's not an easy source is a 30 -year bond. in taxes required to pay for it. their well water was not drinkable, They received plenty of push -value proposition to articulate," The spreadsheet broke down the James Jakubek said he and his they said the tax increase was not back from the attendees who were he said, "So, we've got some percentage of obligation associ-brother have owned a body shopworth it to them. They currently having none of it, however. Com- work to do." ated with each tax PIN number,at 2345 Oakton St. for about 40 drink bottled water. ments included water being the Cassady added that three other so property owners could see their years. "Our well is 150 -feet deep, Public Works Director Seanwrong selling point for annexa-forced annexations by the village potential costs. comes up crystal clear, I've gotDorsey gave a presentation ex-tion, objections to the costs, andhave turned out well. "I think if Cassady said the village is ask-no problem with the water," he plaining the concepts and ideas the questions about the actual benefits you talk to those business own- ing the county to help offset costs,said. Jakubek said the village wasvillage is proposing with respectthey'll see with annexation. ers and property owners, they're since it is asking the village to take giving him no incentive to wantto the new water system. While Told the annexation would behappy," he said. MOUNT PROSPECT al I Chalk Saturday, July 13 I 10am-Noon Join us for a one -of -a -kind ON CENTENNIAL GREEN Year of the Park Celebration It's Saturday in the Park! The park district GREEN team will "Pop Up" at the playgrounds listed below to give away essentials for SATURDAY I JULY 131 9- 1 1 AM outdoor fun. Free water bottles, frisbees, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk and more just for enjoying the great. Outdoors. CENTENNIAL GREEN AT VILLAGE HALL Come Play with US! Check out mppd.org formore information. 50 SOUTH EMERSON STREET Rain date Saturday, July 20: Come by for an outdoors meet and greet with Village Trustees. Beau Drive Playground Owen Park Busse Park Prospect Meadows Park Designed to offer residents an opportunity to share questions, Countryside Park Robert T. Jackson Clearwater Park Rosemary Argus Friendship Park concerns, comments and ideas with theBoard in an informal Dara James Playground Einstein Park Sunrise Park setting. Families are welcome! There will be a number of Emerson Park Sunset Park Hill Street Nature Center We -Go Park child -friendly activities for the little ones to enjoy! Kopp Park r,011,100 FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT MOUNTPROSPECT.ORG A 0 4 mil ' sikx,!:Artk Mt. Prospect Park District mppd.ory 847-255-5380 I IL 60056 I f 401 to. VILLAGE HALL 150 S. EMERSON ST.I MOUNT PROSPECT 847.392.6000 www.journal-topics.com The Journal I Wednesday, July 3, 2019 I Page 3A CEA Rocks, Rolls For Independence Day Haley Reinhart belts out a tune during Saturday's annual "Rock the Two unannounced flyovers of two bi-planes took place during the festival prior to Haley Reinhart's perfor- Runway" celebration at Chicago Executive Airport. mance and fireworks display. (Shawn Clisham/Journal photos) Michael Carto- lano with Melrose Pyrotchnics stands by the fireworks display equip- ment after checking the wiring, connec- tions, and layout. Aiyanna Hernandez with "The Snow Queen" from the agency Royal Princess Parties. Bob oele s Moon Landing ittleV4L4 Memories? :[email protected] Planning Your Summer Party? Where were you 50 years ago? For those old enough, they were probably preparing to watch television to wit- ness the most remarkable event in world history: the landing of a human being on Call Little Villa Restaurant the moon.