Could LTHS Disconnect From Willow Springs?

LA GRANGE, IL – Willow Springs officials have made it clear they do not want industrial zoning on the 71 acres that Lyons Township High School owns.

The high school, which indicates it can get the most money with such zoning, has continued with its plan to sell the property southwest of 79th Street and Willow Springs Road.

Some opponents of industrial uses have suggested the high school may try to disconnect the land from Willow Springs and have a neighboring town annex it.

The Edgewood Valley Country Club, which Burr Ridge annexed last year, borders the north side of the property. Burr Ridge officials say they oppose industrial zoning on the land.

The only other town that is next to the land is Hodgkins. That village's territory is east of Willow Springs Road, where a UPS facility was built years ago.

In an interview Monday, Hodgkins' attorney, John O'Connell, said the village has not heard from the high school about the Willow Springs land. And he said Hodgkins has not reached out to the school about it.

The high school confirmed Monday it had not contacted Hodgkins about the property.

At last week's school board meeting, the high school's lawyer, Ares Dalianis, said that if Willow Springs did not approve industrial zoning, the school had "other remedies." He did not indicate what those remedies were, and school board members did not ask – at least publicly.

Area government entities and neighbors have objected to the wooded land going industrial.