Lyons Township High Likes Broker, But Struggles With References

LA GRANGE, IL – Lyons Township High School board members this week appeared to favor a particular broker to market the school's Willow Springs land.

But some expressed concern about the struggle to get in touch with the broker's references.

At this week's board meeting, members focused on Mohall Commercial and Urban Development. In the members' rankings last month, Mohall finished third behind CBRE and NAI Hiffman, with six firms submitting proposals.

Mohall's cost was significantly lower – a flat $45,000 fee for the duration of the effort to sell the school's 71 acres.

Each firm was required to submit three references. But the high school has only gotten in touch with one of the three for Mohall, despite repeated messages since December, officials said.

Some members said Mohall shouldn't be penalized for third parties failing to get back with the school.

But others took another view.

Member Christine Kozelka Campbell suggested it was a red flag that the references were not responding.

"When people ask me for a reference, I'm going to give you a great one if you deserve it," she said. "I might ignore it if I think you're pretty middle of the road, and I'm going to give another one if you're not deserving of it."

"I guess the indifference of these references might mean that their experience is less than. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't amazing or terrible," Campbell said.

Member Shawn Kennedy responded, "I don't know that I'm willing to go there, but I am troubled that they haven't gotten back to us. There could be a litany of reasons why they haven't gotten back to us."

Board members agreed to ask Mohall to try to get the references to respond or provide the school with two new ones.

They also requested the school's attorney draft a contract with Mohall. A vote is expected to be taken next month.

In 2022 and early 2023, the board strategized behind closed doors to sell the property to an industrial developer, which would draw more money.

That was contrary to the zoning for the property, which is next to an elementary school and houses.

In March 2023, the board backed off the effort after a backlash from residents. And the attorney general's office ruled the board repeatedly broke state law by closing its doors.

The school bought the land in the 1960s with the hopes of building a third campus.