LTHS In Talks To Sell Willow Springs Land: Record

LA GRANGE, IL – It's been 55 days since Lyons Township High School board members have publicly discussed the plan to sell the school's land in Willow Springs.

At the board meeting Monday, a number of residents spoke out against the effort to attract an industrial user to buy the property. The property's zoning bars industrial uses, and Willow Springs officials have vowed to keep it that way.

Despite the comments, the board said nothing about the issue.

This week, the school said it was still negotiating to sell the land. It made that statement in denying a request for records it said were related to those talks.

During the public comments Monday, residents noted how little the school has said about its effort. The last time the board discussed the issue was Jan. 23. The discussion, including a formal statement from the board president, lasted 10 minutes.

In the discussion, member Alison Kelly asked whether the process would be over for the developer if Willow Springs rejected a request to change the zoning for the 71 acres.

The school's lawyer, Ares Dalianis, responded, "If they're not satisfied with the decision from the municipality, then there are other remedies obviously once you go past that."

No board member asked him about those options. One of the remedies may be suing the village.

Patch called Dalianis on Thursday, asking him what he meant. He said he could only speak with the board's permission. Patch then left a message for comment with board President Kari Dillon.

At the Jan. 23 board meeting, members unanimously rejected the two bids for the property, saying they did not conform to the terms and conditions. Only Bridge Industrial met the minimum price of $55 million.

Dillon promised the board would continue negotiations.

Five towns, a park district and a school district have come out against the effort to sell to an industrial developer.

The minimum price was geared toward attracting such a developer.