A letter about the new stadium seating at South High School was sent today from Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley to District 155 School Board President Ted Wagner.
New South High School bleachers tower over Amberwood Avenue neighbors’s homes.
It follows two end-of-July letters from city department heads to District 155 Superintendent Johnnie Thomas.
Shepley letter expresses “deep disappointment” that District 155 has continued with its construction of the new bleachers that is “in direct violation” of the city’s zoning ordinance.
The Mayor notes that 26 times in the last 25 years the high school district has sought City Council zoning approval.
“I am at a loss to understand why the district has changed its approach.”
Shepley refers to the letter from District 155’s attorney as one that “offers little more than an excuse for improper conduct.”
Shepley cites what he calls “the leading Illinois case regarding municipal zoning authority over other units of local government,” Wilmette Park District v. Village of Wilmette, a 1989 decision.
“The district cannot simply chose on this occasion to ignore the law.”
By ignoring the zoning requirements, Shepley argues, “…the district is utterly disregarding the concerns and rights of it neighbors…This is simply the wrong thing to do…”
“Perhaps it was a mistake. Perhaps it was a strategy. Either way I hope your Board will reconsider its position.
“Your Board alone has the ability to prevent this from becoming a bigger issue than it already is.”
Shepley asks Wagner for his Board to file the required zoning and storm water applications, promises expedited consideration, warning,
“But, if the District is wrong and it continues to proceed in the brazen fashion it has to date, the District may be forced to demolish all or part of the Stadium Construction, and may be exposed to attorneys’ fees if nearby residents challenge the Stadium Construction.”
You can read the entire letter below:
They have again ignored the city’s request to stop building.
Shepley should call the Village of Glen Ellyn to discuss their spat with College of DuPage over signs.
Really it’s all about money and power.
CHSD 155 has more employees and a bigger budget than the Village of Crystal Lake.
College of DuPage has more employees and a bigger budget than the Village of Glen Ellyn.
Local pre-k thru 12 public education and Higher Public Education are massive special interest groups in Illinois.
They typically get what they want.
Illinois politicians typically listen to whomever has the most campaign contributions and votes.