Libertyville hosting summit of elected leaders to discuss Route 53
Libertyville Mayor Terry Weppler will host a summit of local elected leaders next month to discuss the proposed Route 53 extension into central Lake County, its potential financial impacts and other issues that affect village residents.
Patterned loosely after Lake County's annual leadership meeting this past January, Libertyville's March 11 session would be more geographically focused. It would include the Cook Memorial Public Library District, Libertyville Township, and school districts 70 and 128.
The gathering is intended as much for local leaders to get to know each other as to brainstorm mutual interests, according to Weppler. Invitations also have been extended to nongovernment groups such as MainStreet Libertyville, and the Rotary Club.
Libertyville is a member of a finance committee that has been considering local funding sources to help pay for the proposed Route 53 extension, estimated to cost about $2.65 billion. A recommendation to the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority is expected this spring.
Representatives from the tollway authority and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning are expected to provide an overview of the project March 11, with the village discussing potential local impact.
“I want all the governmental bodies that will be affected by that to be aware,” Weppler said.
A draft of the suggestions includes a 4-cent per gallon gasoline tax, higher and added tolls on the Tri-State Tollway and creation of special district to extend a mile from the road corridor and two miles from intersections to capture the value of new, nonresidential development.
“I want the other boards to know what we're voting on,” Weppler said.
Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor has made presentations to village boards in Vernon Hills, Mundelein and Buffalo Grove, and has met with leaders in Hainesville, Lakemoor, Round Lake, Hawthorn Woods and Long Grove. He is looking for feedback before the draft finance plan is finalized.
While administrators from entities such as the Cook Memorial Public Library District and Libertyville Township meet periodically to discuss local issues, Weppler said the March 11 gathering is different because it involves elected leaders.
It will be a chance for elected officials to get to know each other better and “to talk about ways we can work together more than we do now,” he said.