La Grange Park Rejects Park Board's Money Request

LA GRANGE PARK, IL – The La Grange Park Village Board last week voted down the local park board's request for money to help pay for a recreation center expansion.

Later in the week, though, a top official from the Community Park District of La Grange Park said its financial position has improved.

At last Tuesday's Village Board meeting, trustees voted 4-2 against giving any money for the recreation center expansion, which would include a gymnasium.

Trustees Jermaine Stewart, Robert Lautner, Jamie Zaura and Michael Sheehan opposed the request, while Joe Caputo and Karen Koncel favored it.

The park district had asked the village to chip in $2.8 million for the project. After an analysis, the village staff recommended the board consider $243,000, instead. That was the proposal the board turned down.

"We would love to see a redeveloped recreation center, but I just don't think the village has the funds to contribute to the effort at this time," Trustee Stewart said.

In April 2023, 51 percent of voters approved the park district going $10.7 million into debt for the expanded recreation center at 1501 Barnsdale Road.

During the summer, the park district said the project's estimated cost had risen to $14 million, from $10 million. It proposed the village contribute money from a tax increment financing district.

In a public statement Friday, the district said "our improved financial position" would let the district issue $10.7 million in bonds with a structure that would pay for the project up to $12.8 million.

"Even more exciting is the fact that this can be done with a tax impact to our residents that is LESS than estimated in April of 2023," the district said.

Under the new plan, the debt would cost the owner of a $500,000 home $21 per month, which is $7 lower than the pre-referendum estimate.

In an email to Patch on Tuesday, Jessica Cannaday, the park district's executive director, said changes in the tax-exempt bond market mean investors are willing to pay more than face value for the bond issuance. That will generate more money for the project, she said.

"The project is still projected at $14 million, but the park district will use additional capital outlays and will continue to seek alternative revenue to make up any additional funding gap," Cannaday said.

The district said it has been open with residents discussing its needs and the results of the referendum. But the district acknowledged it faced hurdles.

"The Community Park District knows of the misinformation that has been disseminated by private residents with a history of using personal attacks, inflammatory rhetoric, and half-truths to achieve the results they desire, despite not being in the majority," the district said.