Absent Elmhurst Officials Could Have Altered Outcome

ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst City Council split 6-6 this week on whether to approve Roberto's Ristorante's controversial request for parking lots. The mayor broke the tie in favor.

The restaurant's neighbors were upset, with one denouncing the city's decision as "absolutely disgusting."

The outcome could have been different. Two of the city's 14 aldermen were absent — Ward 4's Brian Cahill and Ward 1's Jennifer Veremis.

If both had favored the project, it would have been stopped.

Patch attempted to contact both aldermen.

In an interview, Cahill said he had mixed feelings about Roberto's proposal, saying both sides had a lot of emotions about it.

"A lot of things were not answered. Potential flooding was a big issue. We didn't have a chance to dig into that really deep," Cahill said. "I really wanted to hear everyone's viewpoints."

He said the city needs more parking in the Spring Road business district, where Roberto's is.

"However, there are residents in that area. It's a tough one either way," Cahill said.

Cahill said he has been attending a work conference on emergency power generation that started Sunday and ends Wednesday.

Veremis did not return a message for comment.