Reply to Lori Gattorna

Although I decided not to run for Trustee reelection, I am morally and ethically obligated to refute Lori Gattorna’s misinformation about Morton Grove’s Economic Development and Gaming.

Misinformation 1 “Morton Grove has stagnated over the past 4 years…”

Fact #1 8700 Waukegan Rd development

The 8700 Waukegan Rd property development started during the past 4 years and will:

1. Generate an additional $934,000 per year in real estate tax revenue for Morton Grove and our schools
2. Generate an additional $360,000 per year in sales tax revenue (up from $0)
3. Add 172 high end apartments and respective tenants
4. Create 16,000 square feet of retail space

Fact #2 Audi Auto Dealership

The new Morton Grove Audi Auto Dealership, which relocated from Glenview in 2015 as a result our current administration’s new focus on business:

1. Generates approximately $150,000 per year in new real estate tax revenue for Morton Grove and our schools (up from close to $0).
2. Generates over $500,000 in sales tax dollars (up from $0)
3. Created over 50 new jobs within Morton Grove

Fact #3 Morettis Restaurant

Morettis Restaurant, a popular destination dining/catering and entertainment establishment, is building a new 12,000 sq ft opening this Fall will:

1. Generate an additional $100,000 per year in additional real estate tax revenue for Morton Grove and our schools.
2. Generate an additional $125,000 per year in sales tax dollars (up from $0)
3. Develop land parcel that was empty and financially unproductive for 9 years

Fact #4 Business in general is improving and expanding in Morton Grove:

1. Sales tax revenues have increased every year during Mayor DiMaria’s administration
2. Business vacancies have decreased every year during Mayor DiMaria’s administration
3. Mayor DiMaria has made economic development a priority. Under the prior administration, the Village did not even have an economic development director.

Misinformation #2 “…rapid expansion of gambling…”

Facts about Morton Grove Gaming are:

1. Mrs. Gattorna’s “Independent” running mate, Dan Staackmann, voted YES in 2005 to allow gambling in the Village.
2. Mrs. Gattorna’s running mate, Dan Staackmann, as a past Mayor, approved in 2012 video gaming and permitted 8 businesses to have gaming licenses. In contrast Mayor DiMaria permitted 2 video gaming licenses.
3. $278,000 in 2016 is Morton Grove’s revenue from gaming.
4. Mayor DiMaria changed Villages laws to reduce the number of gaming places in Morton Grove.
5. THERE IS NO RAPID EXPANSION OF GAMING.

My question is where was Mrs. Gattorna during the past 4 years? She never attended:

• A Village Board meeting
• A Village Budget workshop
• An Economic Development Commission meeting
• A Village Outreach meeting

Yet now she has misinformation to give.

Despite all of the misinformation, the facts speak otherwise. The DiMaria Administration is moving Morton Grove forward and making it economically stronger.