Elgin to let lights shine on St. Edward

St. Edward Central Catholic High School athletes will have their Friday night lights.

Elgin city council members on Wednesday agreed to let officials at the school put permanent lights on their football and soccer field.

But council members also asked the school to be more vigilant policing littering and traffic problems, particularly during game times.

"I think all of us are looking for a reason to support this," Mayor Ed Schock said. "But we have concerns. This isn't about the lights. It's about trust. It's about being a good neighbor."

St. Edward had been playing night football games under temporary lights since 1999.

The new permanent lights will be designed and installed by the same Texas company that lit the football stadiums in the movie and television show "Friday Night Lights."

The school will be allowed to play a maximum of 10 games under the lights.

School officials said they've come up with a traffic control plan, hired a police officer to patrol their Oct. 5 game, and will work with city officials on litter and traffic issues.

"We will do everything we can to make it the best neighborhood for all," St. Edward Superintendent the Rev. Edward Seisser said. "We want it to succeed. We want it to be strong."

Earlier this month, Elgin planning and development commission members voted against the school's bid for the lights after hearing complaints from neighbors.

The commission cited concerns about the effect night games would have on traffic and parking in the residential neighborhood surrounding the field, which runs along Locust and Elm streets and Crosby Court.

The plan would "exercise undue detrimental influence on itself and surrounding property," the planning commission report said.

Council members asked St. Edward officials to work with neighbors to resolve the concerns -- something the school says it has done and will continue to do.