Island Lake may ease sign rules to help struggling businesses

To help businesses struggling in the recession, Island Lake officials are considering relaxing rules governing the use of temporary signs.

"The economy is bad and we can't just sit back and do nothing," said Trustee Don Verciglio, who's sponsoring the proposal and will present it tonight when the board meets for a scheduled committee discussion.

Businesses in Island Lake can display sale signs or other temporary banners only once a year or during grand-opening celebrations.

"If you do it in January, that's it for the year," Verciglio said.

His proposal would lift the regulation for 90 days. He credited building inspector Frank DeSort for developing the idea.

Extra signage at stores in town could attract shoppers and their dollars, Verciglio said.

"I think it's very proactive," he said.

Mayor Debbie Herrmann is open to the proposal, especially if it will keep local merchants afloat financially.

"I would rather see our businesses stay open and try to attract additional business with sale signs than have them close," she said.

The Gurnee village board enacted a similar policy Monday, instituting a moratorium for its town's 14-day limit on temporary signs for sales and specials.

Like the Island Lake plan, Gurnee's sign holiday will last for 90 days.

Island Lake Trustee John Ponio has some reservations about the proposal. Concerned a relaxation of the rules could become permanent, he said he could get behind it if the moratorium was shorter, perhaps 30 or 60 days.

"Ninety days is a long period of time," he said.

Ponio also wants to make sure local police officials are OK with the plan.

The village board will discuss the sign plan and other issues when it meets at 7:30 p.m. at village hall, 3720 Greenleaf Ave. If the board generally favors the plan, it could formally adopt the proposal when it next meets Aug. 13.