French Market May Get Elmhurst Subsidy

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst's proposed budget includes $10,000 for a planned French market in downtown – an expense that at least two aldermen questioned Monday.

It's unclear what exactly is in the works, but a French market is typically an open-air market where fruits, vegetables and other things are sold.

At Monday's City Council meeting, Alderwoman Noel Talluto said the $10,000 was minor relative to the entire budget. But she said such spending was not part of the city's core mission.

Assistant City Manager Mike Kopp said the $10,000 was to help the promoter in the first year set up in a place downtown that would not disrupt businesses.

The event, he said, was being proposed for Sunday mornings or afternoons.

Alderman Chris Jensen questioned why the association representing downtown businesses wasn't footing the bill.

"Why would the city put more resources behind that as opposed to somewhere else, whether down on Spring or somewhere up north, wherever it is?" Jensen said.

In response, Kopp said the City Centre board saw helping downtown businesses and bringing new ones in as its core mission.

The city, by contrast, sees a French market as adding vibrancy to downtown, he said.

"It's going to bring people to our downtown," he said.