Eminent Domain

Last night, tipped off by Cal Skinner's post, I went to cover a protest staged by the Coalition to Save International Plaza outside an Arlington Heights village board meeting at the Senior Center at 1801 W. Central Road. I was surprised how many people showed up, many of them protesting on the abstract issue of eminent domain abuse, and not just because they owned a … [Read more...] about Vigil for International Plaza

Photo ArchiveGoogle EarthGoogle Maps I emailed Leo Plotkin about this coming Saturday's rally to save International Plaza. He answered a few of my questions: Who else is involved in organizing the rally? All of the owners of the small businesses located at International Plaza will be attending the rally. What businesses do they run at the Plaza? The types of businesses … [Read more...] about International Plaza – Email Interview

Photo ArchiveGoogle EarthGoogle Maps From Christina Walsh at the IJ: This Saturday, December 2, a new organization called Save International Plaza is holding a rally at 10am in Arlington Heights. The Village is considering seizing all of the businesses in International Plaza through eminent domain to replace them with a SuperTarget. These folks need your support, and we … [Read more...] about Save International Plaza

The Des Plaines TIF referendum was rejected by voters 7,531 to 2,235. [Update: With 56 of 59 precincts counted, it's now 10,792 (78%) against the TIF with only 3,083 (22%) supporting it.] Not that it matters. The Des Plaines City Council had already voted to create the TIF district the day before the election. Mayor Tony Arredia was able to keep opponents of the TIF out of … [Read more...] about Des Plaines TIF Rejected – But Not Really

Yesterday was election day, and many people were wondering if the Republicans would be able to keep the Senate. In Des Plaines, Illinois, however, a bunch of people were wondering if they'd be able to keep their property. The city has a referendum on the ballot for the Rand/River Five Corners TIF district that could result in a lot of buildings being taken by eminent domain. … [Read more...] about Meet the Five Corners TIF