PAWN SHOP PROPOSAL LIKELY DEAD

Andrew Grayson was given the La Grange Village Board's definitive answer this week as to whether his proposed downtown pawn shop will ever see the light of day.

The answer was a resounding "no" -- yet Grayson, who has already been issued a business license to operate All-Star Jewelry & Loan at 71 S. La Grange Road says he is still considering his options.

He and a couple residents who attended the Village Board's July 13 meeting at which pawn shops and a few other business uses such as swimming pool and used building materials stores were banned as permitted uses in the C-1 central business district, feel lost disturbed by the way in which he was treated more than simply opposed.

The budding entrepreneur, who is taking time to consult with his lawyer, is disappointed, he says, a victim of false perceptions of the industry in which he makes a living and of what he calls a lack of common courtesy provided to him by a village whose community development director initially embraced him.

"I had the courtesy of being told by other villages not to bother pursuing a license (one, he says, was Oak Park)," he said following the unanimous board vote agreeing with a Plan Commission recommendation to eliminate pawn shops as a permitted use. "That's why I'm so disappointed. I wasn't given the same courtesy here in La Grange."

Residents Melody Holt and Joan Hoigand agreed that something definitely stunk about the process.

Holt told the board how she felt, while Hoigand became vocal after the meeting.

"I don't think it's precedent setting at all," she argued. "It was business as usual."

But those who vehemently defended the ban countered it was the right thing to do on behalf of a community whose residents and business operators did not think the retail use was in keeping with a business district the village spent so long trying to improve.

Even though Grayson was already granted a license to operate the shop, Village Manager Bob Pilipszyn confirmed that in his mind, what the board enacted this week will fully and legally prevent Grayson from ever opening his intended business where he has chosen to do it. And other officials greed.

"We are able to make this change; the village has the right to put the pause button on," remarked Trustee Thomas Livingston at the Village Hall meeting, adding, "It was in the right for the village to do so. I cannot foresee voting for this ... (a pawn shop) literally in the shadow of this building."

Trustee Mark Kuchler went a step further in reference to building owner John Brannen when he said, "I don't think when the landlord entered into negotiations with the pawn shop that was serving the best intent of the central business district, I don't think that it was."

IMPROVED ACCESS TO HOSPITAL EYED

The only vehicular bridge over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad between La Grange and Hinsdale -- a onetime wooden footbridge where visitors, patients and staff of Adventist Hinsdale Hospital get to and from 47th Street -- may soon be a vestige of the past.

The circa-1875 one-lane bridge, for which north-south traffic is controlled by a traffic light, first became a bridge for automobile traffic in 1910.

But faced with the fact firetrucks cannot safely travel over the structure and the viaduct over the tracks created by its low 23-foot clearance makes it impossible for some freight
trains to pass, Hinsdale officials are weighing options as to how to update the Oak Street bridge to today's standards.

A $700,000 feasibility study is expected to begin this year to look into options to upgrade the bridge, which could include making it a two-lane, building a bridge in a new location of a tunnel beneath the tracks.

The 110-foot-long, 5-ton capacity bridge was originally erected so people could get across the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad tracks just two years after Hinsdale's incorporation. The structure used today was redesigned in 1947.

'TCF BANDIT' HITS JEWEL BANK -- AGAIN

The FBI and LaGrange Park police are hunting for a suspect in today's mid-morning robbery of a TCF Bank branch in the Jewel Food Store on Woodlawn Avenue.

No injuries were reported and and an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen in the 10:40 a.m. July 6 robbery, in which a clean-shaven man with a large build, about 40 years old and about 5-foot-7 walked up to a teller and handed her a note -- announcing a stick-up and threatening them with harm if they did not comply with his demands, according to FBI spokeswoman Cynthia Yates. After being handed the money, he fled on foot.

The robber implied he had a weapon. but never displayed one.

This is the second time this year the branch, at 507 E. Woodlawn behind the Village Market shopping plaza, was robbed, according to authorities, perhaps by the same man. The last reported robbery was on March 13.

The suspect, dubbed the "TCF Bandit" because of the estimated 10 TCF robberies for which he is believed responsible since 2007.

The suspect is believed to be the same person who robbed similar banks at Jewel Food Stores in La Grange, Westchester, Norridge and Chicago.

A $15,000 reward is being offered for leads resulting in the capture of the bandit.

To report leads, call the FBI at (312) 421-6700.

PLANNERS DEEP-SIX PAWN SHOP USE

Despite claims that he plans to operate an upscale business in a community that already boasts many residents whom he claims patronize the business he operates in North Riverside, Andrew Grayson may not likely be allowed to open a pawn shop in downtown La Grange.

The Plan Commission, in a well-attended meeting June 29, voted unanimously to recommend for Village Board approval that pawn shops and a laundry list of other uses be prohibited in the central business district -- a move supported by village staff and answering the calls of business leaders and residents ever since news broke a month ago of the proposed All-Star Jewelry & Loan at 71 S. La Grange Road.

The proposed business owner, Andrew Grayson of Berwyn, already sought and was granted a business license by the Community Development Department -- the same department that turned around and recommended the zoning code be altered to ban such businesses as permitted uses.

However, even after blistering testimony from both commissioners, residents and one key business leader and a clear 7-0 vote against his life's investment, Grayson was unmoved in his resolve to do as he has planned.

Although he initially declined to speak to reporters after the meeting, when asked what he believed the impact the resounding vote might mean to his business, Grayson replied: "I don't see how it affects me."

Village Attorney Mark Burkland said that remains to be seen, as it is now up to the Village Board to take final action on the recommendations and decide if and how to deal with Grayson. The board plans to discuss the issue at 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 13.

After Grayson told the panel his version of events since first deciding to go into business on his own, he vigorously .defended his right to operate despite people's faulty perceptions.

"While I understand some people's perceptions of a pawn shop ... my pawn shop isn't going to be anything like that," he testified, with his wife, stepson and other relatives looking on. "I was duped into pursuing a license in La Grange (and) it's too late to change my business plan ... I have invested more than I can afford to lose in this business."

He tried to explain how rare it is to actually come across stolen items, noting his relationship with other police departments -- whom he has to report all pawned items to under Illinois law -- is impeccable.

"I'm just a guy trying to pursue his business (dream) and I'm being unfairly discriminated against," he said. "I look forward to being a proud business owner in La Grange."

However, the roughest testimony against Grayson's best intentions came from a lawyer on the commission, La Grange Business Association Chairman Michael La Pidus and a former Cook County prosecutor.

"There is no such thing as a bucolic, safe pawn shop. They are toxic by nature," said Ashland Avenue resident Thomas Epoch, the former criminal prosecutor and top assistant to a former Chicago police superintendent. "They (cater to) people on the down and out and (if allowed) it will be as if La Grange put in a store to sell paint then it decided to sell (now illegal) lead paint."

La Pidus, whose sandwich shop is located across the street from the long-vacant storefront, said his organization's opposition is supported by "hundreds" of other concerned residents,. business and property owners and "has nothing to do" with Grayson or "an impeachment" of his character.

"This issue has to do with the nature of the business he wants to open up," he said, referring his the efforts of he and others to spruce up the downtown from the virtual ghost town it was 20 years ago to the thriving upscale environment it has become. "We're trying to preserve that progress and grow that. Unfortunately, a pawn shop does not lend well to continuing that."

Self-proclaimed private property rights resident advocate David Beyer said a pawn shop would affect the "perception" of those who pass through the downtown in a negative way -- and actually offered to start a fund to help Grayson recover some of his lost investment if he takes his business elsewhere.

"They're just going the sign that says 'pawn shop' ... (but) this is not what we want in La Grange," said Beyer, even though Grayson vowed those words will not appear anywhere on his doors or windows. "I don't want a pawn shop in town and I'd be more than happy to contribute to a fund to help (Grayson) recover that investment."

Few other commissioners even raised an eyebrow before voting on the ban -- to be heard by the Village Board on Monday, July 13 -- but member Jeff Nowak clearly had his mind made up early on.

After challenging Grayson to explain just how he plans to conduct business and transactions, Nowak dealt him a blow to any chance of success for Grayson.

"The village of La Grange has made great strides in the past several decades to make this a Main Street U.S. A. and look how far the village has come," he said, calling on colleagues to endorse the staff recommendations concerning pawn shops and other uses because this is no close call.

"I simply can't support the existence of a pawn shop in our community ... and I simply can't buy into the notion a pawn shop would complement our business district," he said. "In my opinion it would be detrimental."

He further said the fact pawn shops are so regulated by the state legislature tends to "open up the market to illegally obtained items" which may be turned in for cash in La Grange.

Burkland, who specified that uses such as consignment and resale shops -- which are not regulated as such -- are an entirely different use in the zoning classification manual used by La Grange. Other recommended deletions from permitted uses would be used building materials and swimming pool stores.

Commission Chairman Stephen Randolph speculated afterward while there was no legal basis for his opinion, the village could just let the business open and operate then deny renewal of the license when it comes up for renewal.

However, the business still needs to meet building and fire codes, pass a law enforcement background check and be granted an occupancy permit before it can even open its doors.

Landlord John Brannen has been unavailable for comment.

A Residents View, Bluff St. Construction

By Karen Hanrahan

This La Grange Resident has had an experience of the bluff construction project that is up close and personal. Having the work happen right next to where you reside certainly gives one a perspective.

What does it take to build a new road? Well, it takes lots of guys, lots of trucks, and lots of other very large construction equipment. It takes a lot of dirt, gravel and a ton or two of cement. There is the very early morning noise, the ever present fine white dust and the major tremors that shake the entire house.

Let’s not forget the displacement of vehicles from one’s driveway or the parking tickets from the Village of La Grange. The Village drops off wonderful weekly updates in the mailboxes of residents near the six million dollar road project. These notes have included a mention of leniency for street parking in the area that seemingly they have not shared with the local police. This resident has had five tickets left on her car since the construction began.

We were all given one day notice to a water main shut off. We had no water for an entire day, and had a boil alert for 48 hours following. This work at home resident hiked up to Blueberry Hill to urinate as needed.

So far the construction project is on schedule.

GORDON PARK LAND SALE IN BALANCE

From the looks of things, it appears the long-shuttered Rich Port YMCA property in La Grange will continue to remain dark and lifeless, as the fight over its demolition and eventual redevelopment remains on hold.

The Park District of La Grange Board of Commissioners is taking steps to possibly counter a Cook County Circuit judge's ruling June 22 to block the auction sale of a 2.82-acre sliver of Gordon Park property behind the facility, slated for a proposed residential and commercial development.

Judge LeRoy Martin Jr. issued a final ruling in a case filed months ago by resident Orlando Coryell -- the spouse of a La Grange Library Board trustee -- saying Atlantic Realty Partners had an "unfair advantage" over other prospective bidders on the combined two parcels of land with zoning in a planned unit development that included a vacated Shawmut Avenue.

As a result, the proposed La Grange Place continues to be just that -- a proposed redevelopment by the Atlanta-based company -- which may or may not see reality.

The land at Ogden Avenue and La Grange Road, which became inactive a few years ago, is slated for townhomes, apartments and retail.

Coryell, who filed suit even after voters gave the go-ahead for the sale of public land in a highly publicized and contested November 2008 referendum, has been arguing, with the help of others and his attorney, Mark Wohlberg, against the sale of open green space.

The judge did not find fault with the manner of how the Jan. 8 auction was held, but stated the way in which the property was already zoned with one entity in mind constituted it as a private -- not public -- sale, according to court records.

However, park and village officials have said the part of the park in question is occupied by a garage and storage shed and is used very little by park patrons. Plus, proceeds from the sale would be put back into a new, revitalized park at the same location.

Wohlberg has said he feels Coryell's efforts were "vindicated."

So, while everyone awaits a followup hearing on the case scheduled to be heard by Circuit Judge Susan Gillis on Wednesday, July 22, the Park Board is now strategizing with its legal counsel to plot out what to do next and will likely appeal.

Martin (a former Chicago police superintendent) apparently hinted at how the Park Board may revise its zoning to make it a public sale, options of which are now being looked into.

NO CRIMINAL CHARGES IN MAY 19 FATAL

A 45-year-old woman whom La Grange police finally revealed June 18 was responsible for the tragic death one month ago today of a Countryside wife and mother as she tried to hoist a baby stroller onto a raised curb at 47th Street and 8th Avenue has been cited -- not criminally charged -- in the death.

Mary McPhillips of Chicago, who was driving eastbound in the curb lane on the south side of 47th when, for still unknown reasons, ran down Cari Cook as she was pushing her 2-year-old daughter, Ellie, and carrying her 4-month-old son, Carson, has received two traffic tickets -- for failure to exercise due care to a pedestrian and improper lane care (usage) -- and faces a Tuesday, Aug. 4 court hearing likely to be well-attended by family and friends of Cook who have since launched a crusade to see to it safety improvements are implemented along the roadway.

In fact, some residents who attended a June 2 village planning workshop to discuss proposals to reduce speed along 47th to 30 from 35 mph and to have jurisdiction of the four-lane street transferred over to La Grange and other ideas said privately they plan to make another large and vocal showing at the next Village Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 22.

The long-awaited disposition of the Illinois State Police and Cook County State's Attorneys Office investigation into the traffic fatality -- which took one day short of an entire month as detectives sifted through accident reconstruction evidence and testimony from those involved -- was revealed in a press release issued by La Grange Police Leiutenant Vic Arnold in the absence of a vacationing Police Chief Michael Holub.

"No data submitted and/or evaluated indicated that alcohol or drugs were a factor in this tragic event," the release stated. "The Illinois State Police did not discover any mechanical defects or roadway deficiencies that were contributory factors."

The investigation included assistance from the La Grange Police Department and the Cook County Sheriff's Police.

Cook, whose son suffered a broken leg in the crash and whose daughter was spared any injuries, was a former teacher and volleyball coach who grew up in south suburban Oak Forest. She and her husband, Matt, and the children were relatively new parishioners at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church in neighboring Western Springs.

Matt Cook, who attended high school with his future wife, has also been heavily involved in an extensive door-to-door petition campaign aimed at urging implementation of many safety ideas and changes to make 47th safer -- including the fact that many streets and sidewalks do not match up on one side vs. the other side of the street because they have been misaligned since the neighborhood to the south was subdivided and built up decades ago.

Although La Grange only had input into the investigation and was not directly responsible for carrying out the probe, some residents also have criticized the questionably long period of time it had taken to determine exactly what happened that morning.

The court case will be heard in Cook County Circuit Court in nearby Bridgeview.