Palatine orders former Idol's Sports Bar building to be razed

Nearly 18 months after Palatine officials forced Idol's Sports Bar and Grill to close it doors, thousands of motorists who pass through the intersection of Rand and Dundee roads each day finally will see some activity on the corner.

Property owner Dina Kritsas must demolish the vacant building sometime this month or face a fine, under an order the village issued in February.

Officials have said Kritsas planned to tear down the building but then decided to lease it. However, fire alarms and other utilities already had been disconnected by then, leaving the building with numerous code violations that would have to be fixed before the structure could be used again.

Idol's closed in November 2010 when Palatine's Local Liquor Control Commission revoked bar owner Michael Koumandarakis' liquor license because of his March 2010 felony conviction for criminal damage to property.

Illinois law and village code prohibit felons from holding liquor licenses.

Idol's had been plagued by numerous police visits and violations since opening its doors in 1994.

A couple of parties, including CVS Pharmacy, showed interest in the site, but nothing ever materialized.