Lake Forest 2021 In Review: Condo Controversy; New School Leaders

LAKE FOREST, IL — As a year that began with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines comes to a close with the emergence of a new variant of the virus, let's take a look at some of the area's biggest non-coronavirus stories of 2021.

Here are 22 of the most-read stories from Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Patch for the past year:

Lake Forest Developers File Lawsuit Over Rejected Condo Project

Accusing aldermen and preservation commissioners of acting in "bad faith," Todd Altounian and Peter Witmer also sued several residents.

Earlier: McKinley Road Condominium Proposal Returns To Plan Commission; Condo Design Rejected By Lake Forest Preservation Commissioners; Lake Forest Aldermen Deny Condo Developers' Appeal

North Shore Brothers Plead Guilty To Capitol Riot Charges

Christian Kulas, of Kenilworth, and Mark Kulas Jr., of Lake Forest, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol.

Earlier: North Shore Man Posted Videos Of Himself During Jan. 6 Riot

Trump Pardons Illinois Mayor Casey Urlacher In Gambling Case

Accused in an illegal gambling conspiracy, the brother of the former Chicago Bears linebacker was one of 73 people granted full pardons.
Then: Mettawa Mayor Wins Re-Election With 157 Write-in Votes

2 Sex Abuse Suits Filed Against Lake Forest High School, Teachers

Six students accuse the former head of the theater department of sexual abuse. Another alleges she was abused by a former softball coach.
Earlier: Sexual Misconduct Investigation Into Ex-Drama Teacher Released

Lake Forest School Boards Name Matt Montgomery New Superintendent

The head of Revere Local School District in northeastern Ohio was named the next joint superintendent of District 67 and LFHS District 115.
Then: Lake Forest High School Hires Erin Lenart As New Principal

Anti-Mask Speakers Disrupt Lake Forest High School Board Meeting

The board adjourned to a remote meeting after opponents of the governor's mask mandate refused to cover their faces during public comments.

87 Layoffs Announced As Lake Bluff Manufacturing Facility Closes

Liquid Controls is consolidating operations in Oklahoma while keeping an office in Lake County for sales and support.

Drive-Thru, Office Building Campus Approved At Long-Vacant Corner

The City Council approved a plan for a three-story office building and drive-thru at the corner of Everett and Waukegan roads.

Lake Forest Food Truck Ban Set To Be Lifted, At Least Temporarily

A pilot program could permit food trucks in particular places and locations this summer to shake off the town's "sleepy" and "stodgy' image.

Charges Filed In Fatal Lake Forest Hit-And-Run

A 24-year-old Glenview man fatally struck a 62-year-old serial entrepreneur and triathlete from Lake Forest with a pickup truck before fleeing the scene last November, police said.

Jury Finds Longtime Fugitive Guilty Of Reckless Homicide Over Deadly 1995 Lake Forest Crash

A man who fled to Poland while facing charges in Lake County more than 25 years ago was found guilty Thursday after a four-day trial.

'Dogfight': Ex-Coroner's Canine Retirement, Spending Scrutinized

The former Lake County coroner gave away a county dog and spent outside of normal procurement policies after losing re-election.

Full House Resorts Endorsed For Waukegan Casino By Gambling Board

The CEO of the Las Vegas-based company hopes to have a temporary version of the planned American Place casino up and running by mid-2022.
Earlier: Waukegan Casino Bidding Was A 'Rigged Process,' Potawatomi Claim; Casino License Applicant Withdraws Proposal, 2 Remain

Online Pet Sitter Loses Dog, Lies About It, Owner Says

A pet sitter hired through Rover.com took a Chicago pup to Waukegan and lost him within hours, unbeknownst to his owner.