Public murals now welcome in more places in Mundelein

Pleased with how a trio of large public paintings has brightened the town, Mundelein trustees on Monday voted to expand where murals can be painted.

Murals now are allowed anywhere in the village except for residential neighborhoods. Previously, they’d only been permitted in the downtown area unless trustees granted an exception.

Additionally, proposals for smaller murals no longer face the same bureaucratic hurdles as larger ones. From now on, only pieces exceeding 100 square feet will need village board approval.

Trustees approved the changes with a 6-0 vote. There was no discussion of the proposal Monday night; that happened at a meeting in September.

Mundelein has embraced public art for decades. Village-backed projects have included painted cows, stars and utility boxes.

Mundelein’s murals can be found on the east side of what is now AREA Coffee, 18 E. Park St.; on the back of the Lions Park skate ramp, 601 Noel Drive; and on the side of a two-story building at 545 N. Lake St.