Metra’s board Wednesday approved creating a new Regional Day Pass that would allow riders unlimited trips for one day across the CTA, Metra and Pace. The measure still has to be approved by the CTA, Pace and the Regional Transportation Authority at meetings later this month, but if passed, the program would be tested for up to six months.

The move comes as the transit agencies are still looking to bring back riders from pandemic lows and adjust to changing demand, as riders commute less often to Loop offices and look to take buses and trains for other types of trips. It marks the latest attempt to adjust fares, following the creation of a monthly pass that can be used across the transit systems and Metra’s overhaul in February of its fare zones.

The pass would cost between $10 and $16 on weekdays depending on the length of the trip on Metra, where fares are based on the distance traveled. Weekend passes would be a flat $10. Reduced weekday fares would also be available.

The new pass is expected to be available for purchase this year, though the exact date will depend on when the Ventra vendor finishes development and testing. It would be available in the Ventra app, and valid until 3 a.m. the day after it’s first used.

The RTA said the pass prices come out to less than the cost of paying for both a CTA day pass and a Metra day pass. The RTA would reimburse the transit agencies up to $1 million for the difference in price.

The RTA said the ability to integrate fares across the systems, provide frequent service and maintain relatively low fares in the future will depend on getting additional funding from the state to fill a $730 million budget gap expected when federal COVID-19 relief funding starts running out in 2026.

“This agreement is a major step forward for integrating fare policies and products between the region’s transit agencies as we look toward a post-pandemic future of changing travel patterns and more inter-connectivity between agency services,” RTA officials said in the statement.

As the District 60 Board of Education listened to plans to provide the support necessary to educate the newcomers, board member Anita Hanna demanded to know what progress has been made with the African American Male Achievement Initiative introduced nearly a year ago.

Hanna’s outburst prompted board President Brandon Ewing to call a short recess to cool tempers Tuesday at the Lincoln Center administration building in Waukegan. Hanna and two other board members were not present when the meeting resumed.

Newcomers are defined for state-funding purposes as immigrant children enrolled in public schools who arrived in the United States over the past three years.

Elisabeth Ambroiggio, the district’s director of bilingual and multicultural programs, said more than the 1,431 newcomers are immigrants, but they have lived in the country more than three years.

Ambroiggio said a wide range of services are planned, and more are needed for the mostly Spanish-speaking students, who may not speak much English.

Superintendent Theresa Plascencia said before the presentation on the planned support for the newcomers that a discussion on the progress of the African American Male Achievement Initiative would soon follow, but Hanna was not satisfied.

“There is a Black boy initiative, and we’re waiting,” Hanna said. “Where are all these supports for our African American students?”

Board member Adriana Gonzalez asked to make a “point of order,” since the presentation was about accommodations for new students of varying ages. Over the past five years, they have come from 33 countries, with 864 from Honduras, 515 from Mexico, 117 from Venezuela and 90 from India.

“No, you can’t,” Hanna said. “You’re talking about your people; I’m talking about my people. Do not interrupt me.”

Emphasizing “they are all our students,” Ewing asked for calm. As Hanna persisted, Ewing made it clear the discussion on the Black male initiative would take place at a later time. As Hanna continued to insist, he called the recess.

When the meeting resumed 10 minutes later, Hanna, Gonzalez and board member Carolina Fabian had left. Ewing offered an explanation and an apology, and the meeting — with barely a quorum — adjourned shortly thereafter.

“Part of our equity conversation is to make sure we are meeting each student group where they have needs,” Ewing said after the recess. “We had a specific agenda item which was related to our newcomers which was of interest to many board members as a requested topic.”

A graduate of District 60’s schools, Ewing, who is Black, said he has three sons and is very aware of the Black male experience. He said he also knows his role as the representative of the entire community.

“I understand the passion, but I am a Black man who represents a school district that is 81% Latinx where we have students who are identified as new to our country, and their needs are unique. A lot of times we forget that includes Black people, too.

With approximately 14,000 students attending District 60 schools from preschoolers through high school seniors, 1,423 are newcomers, according to a report issued Tuesday. The term before there were 931.

During the 2014-2015 school year, 392 newcomers attended District 60 schools, according to the report. The number jumped to 802 for the 2019-2020 school year, and was relatively steady until now. In the 2023-2024 school year, the new arrivals climbed steadily each month — from 150 in August to close to 500 in April.

Though no school officials would attribute the sudden increase to the migrants being bused to the Chicago area after crossing the Mexican border in Texas, Plascencia said after the meeting there are a variety of reasons they are here.

“Every family that arrives comes for the opportunities in our great country,” she said. “My job is to provide the support and resources so (the children) can be productive students and get a good education in the Waukegan public schools.”

Ewing said when families arrive at the district registration office, the process is a simple one. Families provide the needed information. Then they are enrolled in the appropriate grade and school.

“We follow the law,” he said. “The law does not say anything about the country of origin.”

With the newcomers being English-learners, Ambroiggio said a variety of supports are offered. There is tutoring after school and on Saturdays. During weekend sessions, there are monthly workshops for parents with a bilingual psychologist addressing specific issues. There is also summer school designed to meet newcomers’ needs.

Complementing the educational tools, she said there are summer enrichment activities planned for children at all levels of school and their families to acclimate them to the culture in Waukegan.

With 51% of all district students enrolled in dual-language programs, Ambroiggio said there is a wide range of needs from those who are moving toward taking English-only classes, to newcomers who arrive unable to read in Spanish or English.

Frank Rodriguez, 57, died Sunday of blunt force injuries at Condell Advocate Medical Center, where he was brought following the crash, Coroner Jennifer Banek’s office said.

Rodriguez was headed west on Grand Avenue in Gurnee at about 7:20 p.m. on May 23 when he was hit by a motorist driving a Toyota SUV, according to authorities.

Police said the Toyota driver was eastbound on Grand Avenue and was making a left turn into a parking lot on the north side of the road when the driver hit Rodriguez. The collision happened near the Dilley’s Road intersection, police said.

The collision remains under investigation by the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team.

That’s because the Democrat-controlled legislature late last month adopted a $53.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2025. Even with a supermajority of 78 seats in the House, a handful of  Democrats balked at the more than $1.1 billion in revenue hikes needed to balance the budget.

Perhaps they, like many of us, are getting tired of the unending and undisciplined tax-and-spend formula prevalent in the Land of Lincoln. With some creative accounting, the state has a budget balanced on the back of substantial tax increases on sportsbooks and video gaming, along with a static hotel tax and business assessments.

In the budget, adopted with party-line votes and signed into law last week by Gov J.B. Pritzker, spending grew by about 5% from last year’s budget package. That’s the same percentage of the pay hike representatives and senators gifted themselves.

While our lawmakers crow about the plans and programs in legislative districts allegedly benefitting us in the new budget document, they will quietly ignore their own 5% raise. Under Illinois law, legislators’ pay is tied to inflationary increases. They could have voted not to implement that increase, or approve a lower amount.

Of course, they took no action to stop the hefty hike. Few in the private sector can look toward a 5% pay increase this year.

No matter. The lawmakers’ boost puts their base salary at $93,712 a year. Not a bad take-home pay for what is essentially supposed to be a part-time gig. And, they get to use campaign funds for all sorts of promotions and uses.

Most Illinois legislators make more than six figures, some of the highest legislative salaries in the nation, following lawmakers in New York who bring home a minimum of $142,000 a year. Through committee chairmanships and leadership posts, Illinois lawmakers can rack up even more income.

Then there are the cushy state pensions, which remain $145 billion in long-term debt. While working for us, our legislators are also working for themselves. Percentage-wise, community college and public university funding received a mere 2% bump, about $30 million, during the recently concluded legislative gathering.

From that session which ended in a mad rush to adjourn, shoppers got a miniscule tax break with the elimination of the 1% tax on groceries. Don’t rush out and expect your grocery bill to be reduced this week.

Elimination of the tax takes effect Jan. 1, 2026. Already, municipal leaders are complaining it will take revenue away from their communities.

Although they’ve got nearly two years to find alternatives, they should start cracking rather than wait for last-minute replacements, as our legislature is wont to do. Home-rule communities can enact their own grocery tax of up to 1%, according to state law, if they dare, without seeking voter approval.

Lawmakers also provided a Child Tax Credit for families amounting to some $50 million in tax breaks. That will be financed by the aforementioned increased “revenue enhancements” on sports wagering and video gambling. That gaming golden egg can lose its shine quickly with increased taxation.

The current 15% tax rate on sportsbooks’ profits will increase with a graduated structure that will tax between 20% and 40%, depending on their earnings. A percentage point increase to the tax on the state’s video gambling industry is expected to generate an additional $35 million.

The budget also includes more than $180 million in additional funding to gain housing for asylum seekers bused to the region mainly from Texas. More of them are expected to arrive this summer when the Democratic National Convention gets underway in August.

The money is for moving asylum seekers, most of them in Chicago,  into permanent residences instead of temporary shelters, along with turning buildings now being used for that purpose back into public facilities. Money also is set aside for medical spending for the immigrants.

Full disclosure: Among the billions in the budget set aside for programs is a $5 million tax credit program for news outlets beginning in 2025 and claimable the next year. That should benefit local journalism across Illinois.

As for those roads paved with gold, lawmakers made sure money would be spent for our driving and commuting pleasures. Some $3.5 billion is set aside for infrastructure improvements.

Another $400 million will be in the pipeline for municipalities to share for local road projects across Illinois. Now that sounds magnificent, unless you’re stuck in highway construction traffic.

Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor.

 sellenews@gmail.com

Twitter: @sellenews

When it came time for her college graduation from the University of Illinois Springfield in May, Plummer was there, proud of her accomplishment and planning to eventually embark on a career in public health in her hometown, a choice influenced in part by her going to school during the pandemic.

“The experience showed me why public health is so important to the community,” she said. “It made me realize what public health can do for us as a country and a community.”

Plummer was one of 16 college and 24 high school graduates honored as part of Waukegan to College’s annual celebration Saturday at Waukegan High School’s Brookside campus, which also marked the organization’s 100th college graduate.

Now in its 15th year, Waukegan to College helps first-generation college students — many the children of immigrants, and some immigrants themselves — navigate the process of getting into college and graduating. It provides mentoring, tutoring and more.

Board member Joan Boughton said Waukegan to College has helped nearly 300 students navigate the college process, gain admittance and financial aid. Of those, 95% have graduated in four years, which eclipses the national average of 62%.

“We have a goal of 1,000 students with 10,000 dreams by 2029,” she said.

Executive Director Aaron Arnold told the crowd of several hundred people a course of study may change while a student is in college, but the dream must remain.

“Keep your eyes on your dream,” he said. “It will nurture you and give you strength. It’s your dream, not anybody else’s dream.”

Of the 16 college seniors in Waukegan to College’s current graduating class, many like Plummer were at the event, but Syed Hussaini was not. He was in Hanover, N.H., with his family preparing to graduate from Dartmouth College the following day.

Arnold said Hussaini was picked as the 100th graduate among his 16 classmates in part because he could not be at Saturday’s event.

Though Hussaini was not yet a graduate, eight newly minted college alums like Plummer were there to celebrate with their classmates. She said the networking she developed through Waukegan to College helped her since she joined the program in 2015.

“It’s become a big part of who I am,” Plummer said. “I’ve met a lot of people. It helped me get an internship.”

With plans to take a year off from her schooling, Plummer said she intends to get a master’s degree before she begins her career in public health. She plans to make her home in Waukegan.

U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, volunteers for Waukegan to College along with his duties in the U.S. House of Representatives. He said he had the opportunity to develop a relationship with Gilberto Colin, now a board member.

Colin got his undergraduate degree from DePaul University, obtained an MBA from Marquette University and is now in the finance industry doing private equity. He makes his home in Waukegan.

“This is where I want to give back,” Colin said. “It’s very accessible, and this is where I want to make a difference.”

Schneider, who was also a speaker at the event, said during his speech Waukegan to College is, “an outstanding role model for our community,” giving people an opportunity to achieve.

“It opens windows for people,” Schneider said after the event. “It gives them the confidence to pursue the possible. They learn how to see the world as a place where they can be successful.”

Valeria Mencia recently graduated from National Louis University after finishing Waukegan High School in 2020. She said she intends to eventually start a not-for-profit organization focusing on women and children. The dream started with a research paper.

“People were not getting all the resources they could,” she said. “Most advocates were focusing on violence and abuse. There is a need for other resources.”

Mencia said she started working with Waukegan to College as a seventh grader. She came to Waukegan with her family from Mexico as a dreamer. She said she is now awaiting her green card making her a legal resident.

Along with the college graduates, the event honored those who graduated from high school and are heading to college. Of the 24 in the class, 16 were at the ceremony. They each had a sign indicating their college choice. Their dreams include medicine and journalism.

Andrea Palma plans to attend Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She started working with Waukegan to College as a sophomore. It helped her develop a friend group in high school with others who shared her goals and dreams.

Leslie Solorio, who plans a career in journalism, will be going to Knox College in Galesburg. She said she joined Waukegan to College in eighth grade at her mother’s suggestion.

“She said education is the key to getting ahead,” Solorio said.

Juliana Reyes plans to attend the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. She said she joined Waukegan to College as a high school junior. It made her journey easier.

“It helped relieve a lot of pressures,” Reyes said. “It provided a lot of resources.”

“This is not the first time this (event) has come back after a hiatus,” said Eric Falberg, president of Celebrate Highwood and Highwood alderman. “We keep on saying we’re not going to do it again, but too many people want it.”

They did move the fest to June from its previous July date on the calendar because “July is way too hot to be eating spicy stuff,” he said.

Although, he said, spicy food never goes out of style and in fact only seems to increase in popularity with time.

“Spicy foods bring a lot of flavor and people need a little more flavor in life these days,” he said.

The highlight of the event is the wildly popular, adults-only, must-sign-a-waiver-to-compete Inferno Fest Eating Contest at 7:30 p.m. Highland Park restaurant Pixca will supply super-spicy chorizo and potato taquitos stuffed with locally-grown pequin peppers. Pequin peppers fall between jalapenos and habaneros on the Scoville heat-measuring scale.

The rules are simple: pay a $10 entry fee and eat as many hot taquitos as you can without calling for the relief of a glass of milk or having a reversal of fortune. The winner receives a $200 gift card and perhaps more importantly, bragging rights.

“You have to actually finish it,” Falberg said. “Some people don’t finish it … they bit off more than they can chew.

“We’re excited to bring back the milk angels — they’re little kids that walk around with angel wings and little cartons of milk to help people.”

The contest is capped at 20 contestants, he said. It’s usually a mix of all types of people, he said.

“I remember the first year we did it, we had a professional foodie come in and he just wiped everybody away. Took the check and went to the next contest,” he said

Falberg personally doesn’t try his luck in the contest; he values his tastebuds and digestive tract too much.

“I just enjoy watching,” he said.

People will be able to shop at the Highwood Evening Gourmet Market, where vendors and eateries have been instructed to ramp up the heat in their dishes in keeping with the theme, he said. People can try America, Italian and Mexican dishes as well as spicy sweets and cocktails.

“We ask everyone to do a specific spicy dish that day,” he said. “People can try different spicy foods throughout the market. There are some really amazing spicy cocktails out there.”

Live rock and pop music will be provided by the Bob and Shawn Duo of the iPop Band.

He thinks Inferno Fest is good for folks who want to challenge themselves and try new spicy foods, he said.

“There are shows that have been made about people trying the spiciest things all throughout the country,” he said. “It’s nice when you can come to a place and in one night see how many spicy foods you can try without killing yourself.”

Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.

Inferno Fest

When: 4:30-9:30 p.m. June 26

Where: Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood

Tickets: Free; $10 to compete

Information: 847-668-1213; celebratehighwood.org/inferno-fest

The Illinois High School Association announced Tuesday that its board approved a recommendation from the basketball advisory committee to require a 35-second shot clock in varsity boys and girls basketball games starting with the 2026-27 season.

“The IHSA has allowed the shot clock to be used in tournaments and shootouts the past two seasons, and the overwhelming feedback we have received from coaches is that it is time to embrace the shot clock in all varsity contests,” IHSA executive director Craig Anderson said in a news release. “We believe the two-season lead time will provide our schools with ample opportunity to install the shot clocks and get comfortable with them from both a coaching and game administration perspective.”

The IHSA also announced changes to the schedule for the state finals for both boys and girls basketball that will begin with the 2024-25 season.

The new schedule will feature semifinals in Class 1A, 2A and 3A on Thursday, with third-place games in those classes on Friday, along with Class 4A semifinals on Friday night.

Saturday’s schedule will include the 4A third-place game, followed by the championship games in all four classes.

The changes will allow for semifinal games to be played Thursday and Friday nights. The schedule the past three seasons drew criticism for having third-place games in primetime, often drawing small crowds.

In 2021-22, the IHSA switched from its longtime format with state games for 1A and 2A on one weekend and 3A and 4A on the next to a three-day tournament for all four classes.

“It’s been fairly unanimous in the Illinois high school basketball community that moving the state tournament to a single-weekend format has been a success,” Anderson said. “Our coaches believe this new schedule will provide an even better experience for all the student-athletes, coaches and fans.

“We look forward to seeing it play out when we celebrate America’s Original March Madness next winter.”

State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, who crafted the part of the law affecting Zion, said figuring out how to compensate those who sustained economic losses after the Zion Nuclear Power Station closed in 1998, leaving the fuel rods buried there, was complicated.

A purpose of the CEJA was helping towns like Zion which are environmental justice communities. Mason said since most of the impacted places were hurt because of closed coal plants, some creativity was needed for a municipality which lost a nuclear facility.

Mason, Zion Mayor Billy McKinney and representatives of the other taxing bodies impacting Zion, developed a solution nearly three years ago which came apart on May 28 over a disagreement between the city and Zion-Benton Township High School District 126.

When the CEJA was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in September of 2021, the legislation had a part allowing Zion to receive a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) of almost $15 million annually for 23 years.

Working with the DCEO, Mason sought clarification on the grant application since six taxing bodies — Zion, District 126, Zion Elementary School District 6, the Zion Park District, the Zion-Benton Public Library and Zion Township — were involved.

“Since the grant was for Zion and there were six taxing bodies involved, we asked DCEO if Zion should apply alone,” she said. “They said each taxing body should apply. As long it was normal use, it would not be a problem.”

McKinney formed a leadership group with representatives of each taxing entity to devise a plan. There was a consensus — with the exception of District 6 — to use the money to abate property taxes for Zion residents and businesses.

“They said they would go along with the abatement,” the mayor said. “This money is for economic development. Lower taxes will attract businesses, and bring back the jobs we lost when the plant closed. We counted on everybody to do the right thing.”

David Knabel, Zion’s city administrator, said the group agreed, with the exception of District 6, that the two school districts would each get 15%, the city would receive 60%, the Park District 6%, the library 2% and the township 2%. The proposal went to the DCEO in mid-May.

“DECO said, ‘We want the signatures of the rest of the group,’” Knabel said.

Mason said all parties except District 6 were in agreement. Since the leadership group started to meet in 2021, District 6 Superintendent Keeley Roberts resigned in May of 2023. Two interim superintendents are now in charge.

The District 126 Board of Education approved a resolution on May 28 opposing the plan, claiming it should receive a proportional share — which should be 27% — and the city should get 16%, according to the language of the resolution.

Working with McKinney and others to develop the revenue-sharing plan, Mason said she was disappointed District 126 took the action it did. She said district officials “went back on their promise,” and didn’t tell the board about the agreement.

“We sadly, foolishly now regret we trusted everybody to do what we agreed to do,” she said. “Now we have folks trying to keep all they can. What good does it do to build new buildings if people are losing their homes or can’t afford groceries?”

Lynette Zimmer, the co-interim superintendent of District 6, said the seven schools within the district average 71 years in age. At a meeting last year, more than 100 residents were asked how the CEJA money should be spent. They preferred improved buildings to lower taxes, she said.

“This aging infrastructure does not provide our children with the learning opportunities that they deserve,” Zimmer said. “Our community expects and trusts us to do the right thing for our schools and for our children.”

Though Zimmer said it will take hundreds of millions of dollars to properly renovate the seven schools, the district has a history of abating taxes since 2010, totaling $19.5 million. That includes more than $3.9 million last year, and $2.8 million the year before.

District 126 Superintendent Jesse Rodriguez said taxes are being abated there too, including $1.8 million last year, $3.7 million the year before, and $6.8 million total the three years prior. Since the two school districts represent 77% of property taxes paid, he said they deserve the largest share. The elementary and middle schools’ needs are acute, he added.

“This is taking money away from education,” Rodriguez said. “I told my board District 6 has (so many) needs, we owe it to help District 6. We will not agree with anything that will take away from District 6. We need to grow our schools.”

McKinney said the foundation of the environmental justice grant is economic development. It will raise the tax base as businesses arrive and grow so all the entities will receive more revenue, he said.

“The whole premise was to abate property taxes,” McKinney said. “As a courtesy, we included the other taxing bodies because we believed they would do the right thing about property taxes.”

Students were munching on cheese pizza, corn and fruit, while sipping milk in a packed lunchroom as they socialized with friends.

“We’re talking about what we’re going to do this summer,” fourth grader Emely Estrada said.

“I like it,” added Taiana Ecxford-Perez. “It is a nice way to end the day.”

Unlike the school year, where all Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 students receive free breakfast and lunch daily, lunch is open to community members between the ages of 3 and 18 at campuses holding summer school through July 1, when classes end.

Amanda Avalos brought her three children in for lunch, where the youngsters received the same meal as the students. She said she likes the opportunity to take her children out for lunch at the nearby school.

“We do this when we can,” Avalos said. “This is the first time this year. It’s good to be out with the kids.”

Avalos said she is familiar with the program because her fifth and seventh graders have partaken since they started school in Waukegan. It gives the youngsters some variety, and her some peace of mind.

“It’s helpful if they don’t get a chance to eat at home,” she said. “They have another opportunity.”

Maria Leon brought her children as well, including a first grader. She said the youngsters like the food and, “this is a good place to take them.”

A free lunch program is also available between noon and 1 p.m. weekdays at the Waukegan Public Library through Aug. 2. Library Executive Director Tiffany Verzani said the longstanding effort can replace what youngsters get throughout the school year.

Alicia Williams, the district’s manager of transportation and child nutrition, said the summer meal plan is a continuation of the statewide Community Eligibility Program for districts with a large percentage of low-income families.

“We want them to have a seamless summer getting free nutritious, healthy meals,” she said. “It’s required by the Illinois State Board of Education.”

Each meal must contain milk, grain, fruit, a vegetable and either meat or the equivalent. Williams said the pizza, which the youngsters liked, provides both protein and grain at the same time.

She said the students get breakfast in the morning and take it to class to eat. There is no morning meal program for the public.

Along with nutrition, Carman-Buckner Elementary School Principal Robert Silva said there are numerous benefits beyond the food when the summer school students gather for lunch after class and before going home.

Silva said there are social-emotional gains as the students interact with each other, teachers, paraprofessionals and other staff in the lunchroom. Relationships are built which will carry into the coming school year.

“At the end of the day, they are all together in the lunchroom in a safe environment,” he said. “It’s an important piece of what they do as they build relationships with other students, teachers and paraprofessionals. They are building a sense of community.”

Along with giving the students a community environment as part of their summer school experience, Silva said providing the students free breakfast and lunch can make things easier on some of the families.

“The cost of food is going up,” he said. “A lot of parents worry about that.”

Verzani said the library’s free lunch program gives youngsters 18 and under the opportunity to do some reading while they have lunch. She said it helps families who may be struggling, and gives everyone a chance to read and eat in a safe environment.

“We know food security is an issue,” she said. “The library is already doing gardening. They can read while they eat, or stay (here) and read. We’re happy to be part of this and help make it happen.”

Summer school is conducted this year at the Washington campus of Waukegan High School, as well as at Miguel Juarez, John Lewis, Edith Smith and Robert Abbott middle schools. Along with Clearview and Carman-Buckner, elementary schools this year include Cooke Magnet, Glenwood, Little Fort, Lyon Magnet, Washington and Whittier. Robbie Lightfoot Early Learning Center also has summer school.

Many of those trees could be cut down to make room for a city sidewalk project — initiated through a resident request — dividing neighbors into those who support the trees and those who support the sidewalk installation.

The city is considering a sidewalk to encourage more non-motorized transportation.

According to the city of Highland Park, a sidewalk project on University Avenue is now in the public engagement and evaluation phase, but no decisions have been made concerning a sidewalk in the area.

The next steps for the project include a further study, including an engineering survey and tree-impact report, to provide a comprehensive report and recommendation to the City Council, according to the city’s website. The report is expected to be available at the city’s Transportation Advisory Group meeting on June 19.

Developed in the 1920s by socialite Edith Rockefeller McCormick, the Highlands were envisioned to offer a forested oasis to the bustle of city life, according to an American Lifestyle magazine article written by Highlands resident Linda Stein in 2022. There are few sidewalks on the residential streets of the Highlands, which is home to a primary concrete path on Summit and Krenn avenues.

Feedback on sidewalks to the city from October 2023 revealed a relatively “even split” among affected residents — those who reside in the proposed area — according to a city report. Thirty affected residents supported the sidewalk installation, 33 were not in favor and 31 did not respond.

Mark and Marla Portman have lived on University Avenue in the Highlands of Highland Park for nearly 40 years. When the couple learned about the potential sidewalk seven years ago, they were opposed to it immediately.

“We are so upset about this for no other reason than we want to save the trees,” Marla Portman said.

The couple, who commissioned a forestry study for the potential sidewalk, believes tree destruction is inconsistent with the core principles of the city, which includes environmental sustainability, according to the its website.

Residents in favor of the sidewalks argue the pathway would provide greater safety and accessibility for neighbors and children.

Barbara Hurwitz, who has lived on University Avenue for 46 years, said the narrow width of the street provides no leeway for pedestrians if two cars are passing at the same time. Add more vehicle traffic and groups of bikers, Hurwitz said, and  the street becomes “increasingly unsafe.”

“When I first moved here a long time ago, I had little kids and the street was a much different,” she said. “It was much quieter. In the decades following, it has changed … dramatically, and it has become an extremely busy street.”

While Hurwitz said she loves the trees and natural beauty of University Avenue, she believes the sidewalks are of greater importance to the community.

“I don’t want to say I don’t have concerns about trees, because I’m totally into nature,” she said. “But when you stack it up against the safety, kids and adults, no it’s not an issue.”

Support for sidewalks flip-flops

In 2017, residents were first notified by the city that there was consideration of adding a sidewalk to either side of the street based on a resident initiative. At that time, the policy required a resident receive 75% support from others living on the affected streets, which included University Avenue, Hyacinth Place and Western Avenue. A city memo indicates the survey met the required threshold.

Two years later, the Portmans circulated a counter-petition, which showed 57% of residents opposed the installation – a significant decrease in support for the sidewalk, according to city documents.

After various city engineering plans, community surveys and feedback sessions, residents of University Avenue received a notice in January 2020 that the city was not going to pursue the proposed sidewalk installation due to a lack of support from residents. In the letter, the city said it would not consider a new request for sidewalks for at least three years.

Later in September 2020, a new guideline for local sidewalk installations was approved by the City Council, to reduce the required residential support from 75% to 51% of affected residents, establish a survey template for residents and detail city follow-up steps, among other changes.

Three years later, the city revisited the sidewalk plans, after receiving inquiries about potential sidewalks during the resurfacing of University Avenue, according to a city memo.

In October 2023, 112 affected residents received a letter requesting feedback concerning potential sidewalks on University Avenue and Old Trail Road. The letter proposed five feet of green space between the curb and a five-foot sidewalk.

The city noted in the letter that a lack of response may be interpreted as support for the new sidewalks.

The city’s rationale for revisiting the sidewalk proposal is because the plan aligns with the city’s MoveHP plan, which encourages non-motorized transportation through street and sidewalk improvements.

This spring, the Portmans – along with a couple of dozen neighbors on University Avenue – commissioned an arborist report to better understand the potential consequences to their street foliage. The group wanted to have an independent report to compare to the city’s forestry report and has not yet shared the report with the city’s council or staff, the Portmans said.

The tree preservation plan by SavATree Consulting Group, a certified arborist in Northbrook, concluded the proposed sidewalk installation would cause a significant negative impact on many mature trees.

The plan, shared with the News-Sun, indicates many of the impacted trees are considered heritage, key or protected trees by the city due to their size, species or other unique value. The plan also offers preservation strategies to limit destruction to trees and their root zones.

A couple of parents and teens spoke in favor of University Avenue sidewalks during public comment at a March council meeting. Many mentioned that it was difficult for children to bike safely or walk to school on the street.

Other residents disagreed with their neighbor’s characterization of the safety of University Avenue. During the March public comment, Larry Walters said he taught his three young children to bike on their neighborhood street and his senior-citizen mother, who lives with the family, has no problems walking on the grass or sidewalk.

chilles@chicagotribune.com