Judge Allows Car Wash, Drive-Thru at 194th and Harlem

FRANKFORT, IL - The owner of Lenny’s Food and Fuel near 194th and Harlem in Frankfort Township will be allowed to proceed with his plan to add a car wash and drive-thru lane at his gas station after a judge overruled a Will County Board decision last week.

An attorney for Leonard McEnery said that his client will proceed in “haste” with his plan after Will County Judge John Anderson overruled the Will County Board’s 2015 decision to deny two special use permits, according to a report from the Daily Southtown.

Anderson said the board’s decision was "arbitrary and capricious” and suggested board members were pressured by their chairman to vote the way they did.

"The collective testimony from these witnesses was that the Will County Board Chairman exerted pressure by way of threats or intimidation to induce a 'no' vote," the judge wrote.

The board voted against McEnery by a single vote. The businessman’s request was met with opposition from about 700 neighbors who signed a petition against the prospect citing traffic, noise and pollution concerns.

The drive-thru McEnery has planned is for the Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant already on site. A car wash would be a new addition to the location.

Plans are for the car wash to be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and for the drive-thru to open from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m.

A spokesman for the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office said they will review the judge’s order before deciding whether or not to file an appeal.

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