Sam Rakestraw

Chicago

Reporter at Journal & Topics

Featured in: Favicon

journal-topics.com Favicon

marinadockage.com Favicon

peacemakeronline.com Favicon

aina.org

gobackpacking.com

Articles

Fiorito Re-Appointed As Police & Fire Commissioner

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Sam Rakestraw

Joe Fiorito was re-appointed as a commissioner of the Prospect Heights Police & Fire Commission by aldermen on June 9. This comes after Fiorito’s three-year term came to an end and his letter to Mayor Patrick Ludvigsen sought renewal of the appointment. “I have thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the Prospect Heights Fire & Police Commission for many years now. It’s been an honor to serve on this commission and hire so many dedicated individuals, including our current police chief,” Fiorito wrote.
Residents’ Concerns Remain As City Works Toward Ordinance On Keeping Chickens

2 weeks ago | journal-topics.com | Sam Rakestraw

Prospect Heights City Council heard details about a new proposed ordinance regarding chicken ownership in residential areas after tabling the matter for further discussion at their previous meeting. The ordinance allows for a ban on roosters and turkeys, a cap on 75 licenses/permits to keep chickens, annual coop inspections, and a 20-bird limit. It allows 12 months to comply with the ordinance after it goes into effect (should the second reading be approved in two weeks by aldermen). As the city...
Village Board Tables Daycare Discussion After Community Concerns

2 weeks ago | journal-topics.com | Sam Rakestraw

Village board members elected to put a decision on hold after hearing concerns over plans to open a large daycare center near a residential area. Atlanta-based The Nest Schools Inc. is looking to open the daycare center for up to 339 children at 1040 W. Northwest Hwy. A proposed special-use ordinance went before the Mount Prospect Village Board at its June 3 meeting, with a motion to waive the two required readings and adopt the ordinance. The Nest Schools and W Northwest MP LLC want to convert ...
Prospect Heights To Draft Chicken Ordinance

3 weeks ago | journal-topics.com | Sam Rakestraw

Prospect Heights aldermen made some progress on the issue of keeping chickens and other fowl on residential properties in the city by discussing what will likely be drafted as part of a new ordinance. The draft ordinance discussed at Tuesday’s (May 27) city council meeting will include a 20-bird limit, a cap on 75 licenses for ownership (with 12 months to comply), while a ban on roosters is still pending.
Willow Trails Flood Control Project Billed As ‘Major Improvement’ For City’s East Side

3 weeks ago | journal-topics.com | Sam Rakestraw

Entrance to Willow Trails Park on Apple Drive in Prospect Heights. Aldermen approved a $2,479,324.90 bid from Wauconda-based Berger Excavating Contractors for the Willow Trails Flood Control Project, as well as $206,000 for preliminary engineering services with Gewalt Hamilton Associates, at the May 27 Prospect Heights City Council meeting. The project is funded through a Federal Community Projects Grant available in each congressional district. “There’s only a handful of these that are awarded...
Village Board Puts Focus On Future Possibilities For Downtown Street

1 month ago | journal-topics.com | Sam Rakestraw

Prospect Avenue, running parallel to the Union Pacific Railroad through downtown Mount Prospect, continues to grow when it comes to restaurants, residential developments, stores and increased pedestrian and cyclist activity. Considering how the community is using the corridor space, the Mount Prospect Village Board approved spending a maximum of $114,909.20 for a study of the area in order to implement long-term solutions. “There’s the idea of creating more sidewalk space for pedestrians. There’...
Village To Meet With Local Restaurant After Block Party Liquor Ban

1 month ago | journal-topics.com | Sam Rakestraw

Mount Prospect Block Party attendees wait at beverage tent during preivous year's event. (Journal file photo)At the beginning of May, the village said it will not allow hard liquor sales at this year’s Mount Prospect Downtown Block Party set for July 25-26 -- a first for the event. While beer and wine sales are still permitted, establishments that sell mixed drinks, like Red Barn on Kensington Road, cannot do so this year. Red Barn owner Donald Harrington gave public comments at the village bo...
Mount Prospect Implements 4-Minute Limit On Public Comments

1 month ago | journal-topics.com | Sam Rakestraw

The Mount Prospect Village Board tentatively approved an amendment to village code Tuesday (May 20) regarding citizens to be heard during meetings that introduces a four-minute time limit for each member of the public addressing the board. It also implements a sign-in sheet for speakers and limits speakers on the same topic, to avoid repeated and redundant comments. The ordinance also affirms that the board has no obligation to respond to public comments, which has always been the case. “This is...
Prospect Heights Swears-In Council Member Terry Anderson

1 month ago | journal-topics.com | Sam Rakestraw

The Prospect Heights City Council meeting on Monday, May 12 served as the swearing-in for Ald. Terry Anderson, who was elected to fill the remaining two years on a city council term for the 2nd ward in the April 1 election. Anderson defeated Alan Schneider, 227 to 200, Cook County election results show. After she was sworn-in, Anderson tended to business with the rest of the Prospect Heights City Council, approving the consent agenda and new business items. Anderson works as a real estate broke...
Prospect Heights Firehouse Expansion Gets City Council Approval

1 month ago | journal-topics.com | Sam Rakestraw

The Prospect Heights Fire Protection District is planning a remodeling and expansion of its fire station at 10 E. Camp McDonald Rd. During Monday’s (May 12) city council meeting, aldermen approved variations and a special-use ordinance for the work, as well as an agreement that the fire district add and share parking spaces with the city, after coming up short of the required number of spaces. Architect from 845 Design Group, Jamie Zaura, said the new fire station is proposed at 13,835 sq. ft.