Mundelein’s downtown group to get more funding from village

The group that hosts a farmers market and other events in Mundelein’s downtown will get additional village funding to help cover expenses.

Representatives of the Mundelein Community Connection asked trustees for $6,000 on Monday night because the owner of the parking lot where it stages some activities has begun charging the group rent totaling $5,500 a year.

The landlord has never charged rent for the lot before, officials said. The group’s Park on Park car shows and farmers market are held in the lot, at the southwest corner of Seymour Avenue and Park Street.

Village leaders had included $20,000 in its budget for the current fiscal year for the not-for-profit group, which also is responsible for the wintertime Santa’s Cottage attraction and other events.

In remarks to the village board Monday night, Community Connection President Sybil Schechter-Kelly called the unexpected need a funding “glitch.”

Board members were happy to oblige, voting 5-0 to give the group the money.

“I don’t think we should have any hesitation in providing (assistance),” Trustee Ed Sullivan said before the vote.

Trustee Robin Meier was eager to help, too. She thanked Schechter-Kelly and Executive Director Terry Skirba for their work.

“(It) puts Mundelein on the map in a positive way,” Meier said.

Mundelein Community Connection formerly was called Mundelein MainStreet when it was associated with a state program that promoted downtown revitalization in towns across Illinois.

That affiliation ended in 2009, prompting the name change.

The group originated in 1979 as an independent merchant group called Mundelein Pride.

Schechter-Kelly and Skirba also want $26,000 in funding for the 2013 fiscal year, which begins May 1. Trustees and administrators will hold public discussions about the budget next month.

Although supportive of giving the group $6,000 for the current fiscal year, Trustee Terri Voss said she opposes a similar boost for the next fiscal year.

“For the last two years, I’ve been encouraging you guys to be more independent and not to ask us for more money,” Voss said. “And here you are, asking us for more.”

None of the other trustees voiced similar reservations Monday night.

Mundelein Community Connection’s spring-and-summer schedule kicks off May 9 with the first Park on Park car show of the year. They will run the second Wednesday of each month through Sept. 12.

The farmers markets begin June 1 and continue on Fridays through Oct. 12.

Additionally, a craft beer festival is set for June 9 and a fine arts festival is set for Sept. 8-9.