Darien's Choice Is Marijuana Or Tax Hikes: Aldermen

DARIEN, IL — Two Darien aldermen argued Monday to allow marijuana stores in town. Otherwise, they warned, the city would be forced to raise property taxes to pay for increasing police pensions.

At one point, one of the aldermen contended Darien had a penchant for losing out on business opportunities because of a "laid-back" attitude.

On Monday, the Darien City Council debated whether to allow a public hearing on permitting marijuana sales at the old Steak 'n Shake restaurant, 2019 W. 75th St.

No one has approached the city about opening such a store in the building. But Alderman Eric Gustafson proposed last month that the city consider the change, so it would be prepared for prospective marijuana businesses.

In 2019, the council voted 4-3 to allow recreational marijuana sales in Darien. Members hold strong views on the subject.

Alderman Tom Chlystek said Darien could see $900,000 more in income a year if it gets a marijuana store. This is important, he said, because the city would have to raise property taxes in a year or two because of increasing police pension costs.

Gustafson agreed with Chlystek.

"I'm on a fixed income and a lot of people in my ward are," he said. "I'll cut services dramatically and cut staff in half before we increase taxes at all in this city."

The solution, he said, was to find new sources of income such as marijuana stores.

"If this isn't the way, you tell me where we're going to get the revenue," he said.

Alderwoman Mary Sullivan, who opposes recreational marijuana sales, said the city should not zone the old Steak 'n Shake building for marijuana sales until a potential business comes forward. The city, she said, needs to get the chance to look at the company's credentials before approving it.

"They would have to present a business plan," she said.

Chlystek credited Gustafson, saying the alderman had the courage to present the marijuana proposal.

"The reason that I bring this up is that I have been on the council for a while, and one of the things I realize is that when it comes to zoning, we sort of take a laid-back, relaxed approach, and we lose out," he said. "As an example, we had an opportunity for a hotel, indoor baseball field and volleyball. Where did that go? We sat back. It went to Willowbrook, and we got a warehouse."

If Darien passes up the opportunity for a marijuana store, Chlystek said, it would go to Willowbrook or Westmont.

"Just watch. We'll be begging for money. Guaranteed. We have lost out on so many opportunities. We get a warehouse. We have always been reactive. This is what we get," he said.

At first, Chlystek wanted to delay a vote on whether to hold a public hearing, noting Alderman Lester Vaughan was absent. Vaughan supports allowing marijuana sales. Without Vaughan on hand, the council majority may have voted against a hearing on Steak 'n Shake, with Mayor Joseph Marchese breaking the tie against it.

Marijuana opponents disagreed with a postponement. Alderman Joe Kenny argued it was irresponsible to delay a vote because one member was gone, while Alderwoman Mary Sullivan said residents who provided public comment counted on a vote happening.

On a 4-3 vote, with the mayor breaking the tie, the council decided to proceed with the issue. After the debate, aldermen voted 4-2 in favor of holding a hearing. Kenny's vote with the majority took his colleagues by surprise.

"Did you misunderstand, Joe?" Sullivan asked.

Kenny responded he simply voted to go through with the process.

In an interview Tuesday, Kenny said he still opposed recreational marijuana sales in Darien. He said his vote was to allow a public hearing on the subject.

No date for the public hearing has been set.