Chase Threatens To Sue Lake Forest Over Use Permit: City Attorney

LAKE FOREST, IL — Alderman declined to give final approval a special use permit for a Chase Bank drive-thru bank location on the site of the former McDonald's at 884 Waukegan Rd. at a meeting earlier this month. The Lake Forest City Council voted 6-1 to advance the permit but did not give it final approval, the Lake Forester reported.

City staff warned that the Council might open itself up to a lawsuit. City Manager Bob Kiely reminded aldermen Jan. 16 that taxpayers ended up spending $400,000 in court on ultimately unsuccessful efforts to block a McDonald's from opening in the same spot. According to the paper, City Attorney Vic Filippini said Chase has already threatened to sue the city if it does not approve a special use permit.

A Chase spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation that the bank had threatened a lawsuit.

» Chase is applying to open a drive-thru bank in the Waukegan Road location after pricing out a local's franchise.

Only Ald. Jack Reisenberg, 3rd Ward, voted against the plan. Ald. Prue Beidler, 1st Ward, said the bank did not provide a community enhancement or solve a problem, according to Pioneer Press.

Property owner Frank Mariani told the paper Chase has offered a one-time payment of an undisclosed amount to improve "infrastructure and landscaping" if aldermen approve the permit.

» Read more from the Lake Forester

Top photo: Former Lake Forest McDonald's, 884 S. Waukegan Rd. | Google Street View