Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Briefs: Frankfort Village Board for July 14, 2025

Spread the love

‘Whisk & Flame’ Culinary Studio Approved: The board approved “Whisk & Flame,” an experiential culinary studio, for 10-12 Elwood Street. The project includes four special use permits for entertainment, liquor sales, and extended hours, along with a major parking variance that reduces the property’s required spaces from 115 to 47.

Village Adopts $59.4M Appropriation: Trustees adopted the annual appropriation ordinance for fiscal year 2026, setting a maximum legal spending limit of $59,366,900. The figure includes the village’s approved budget plus a 10.48% cushion for potential adjustments in expenses throughout the year.

New Zoning for Data Centers Established: Frankfort has created new zoning regulations for data centers. The ordinance amendment defines data centers as a use, establishes them as a special use in industrial zones, and sets specific standards for parking, building design, and landscaping to guide future development.

Currie Motors Expansion Moves Forward: Currie Motors received approval for a major change to its site plan at 9423 W. Lincoln Highway to add seven parking spaces and a retaining wall. The project includes five modifications to landscape and impervious surface rules and is conditioned on a final landscape plan with additional plantings.

Wastewater Plant Maintenance Contract Approved: A $134,531.17 agreement with Veolia Water Technologies was approved for preventative maintenance on three disk filters at the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. The overhaul is intended to prevent future system failures after one filter required emergency repairs last year.

Village Administrator’s Contract Approved: The board approved a new employment agreement for Village Administrator Rob Piscia. The agreement outlines his professional duties and compensation terms. Trustee Adam Borrelli thanked Piscia for his service, stating the community is “lucky and fortunate to have him again for for another four years.”

Board Approves Over $1.6 Million in Bills: The Village Board authorized bill payments totaling $1,625,216.95. Trustee Maura Rigoni noted that significant payments included public improvement projects such as work on the Nebraska Street bridges and the Prairie Park multi-use path rehabilitation.

Frankfort Supports America’s 250th Anniversary: Trustees passed a resolution supporting the Illinois America 250 Commemoration, which celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. The village encourages residents and local groups to participate in events leading up to the historic milestone.

Latest News Stories

Fiscal Fallout: Illinois has among highest-paid state employees

Fiscal Fallout: Illinois has among highest-paid state employees

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The average wages for Illinois state employees are among the highest in the nation and belie the...
Report: State reliance on federal funds up significantly since 1990s

Report: State reliance on federal funds up significantly since 1990s

By Tate MillerThe Center Square States rely on federal dollars more than they have in modern history, according to a new report, with one of the report’s authors saying such...
Southwest low on list of safest states; Northeast at the top

Southwest low on list of safest states; Northeast at the top

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The Northeast corner is the safest part of the U.S., according to a new WalletHub study. The Southwest? Not so much. Issues such as high...
Washington state attorney general agrees to protect seal of confession

Washington state attorney general agrees to protect seal of confession

By Tim ClouserThe Center Square The Washington State Attorney General's Office reported on Friday that it has reached an agreement with the Catholic Church over a new abuse reporting law....
Pacific Northwest journalists sound off on Antifa at President Trump’s roundtable

Pacific Northwest journalists sound off on Antifa at President Trump’s roundtable

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square Journalists from the Pacific Northwest took part in President Donald Trump’s Wednesday roundtable discussion on Antifa that included top cabinet officials and other independent members...
Nvidia will pay 100k visa fees, others unsure

Nvidia will pay 100k visa fees, others unsure

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said his company would pay $100,000 fees for H-1B visas imposed by the Trump administration. On Sept. 19, President Donald Trump...
'Shameful:' GOP leaders frustrated with Dems on tenth day of shutdown

‘Shameful:’ GOP leaders frustrated with Dems on tenth day of shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. senators have left town for the weekend and will not vote again on a federal funding bill until Tuesday, meaning the ongoing government shutdown...
Trump snubbed by Nobel Committee, praised by winner

Trump snubbed by Nobel Committee, praised by winner

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After being credited for ending seven wars, President Donald Trump was snubbed for the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump, who accumulated several high-profile nominations for the...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.39.44 AM

Will County Committee Approves Preliminary $161.6M Tax Levy on Split Vote Amid Heated Debate Over Spending

Will County Finance Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Finance Committee on Tuesday narrowly approved a preliminary $161.6 million property tax levy for 2025, which projects...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.36.42 AM

Will County Eyes Major Overhaul to Consolidate Scattered Government Offices

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: Will County officials are formally debating a new facilities master plan to address aging buildings and dozens...
Trump threatens tariffs on China over 'hostile' rare earths policy

Trump threatens tariffs on China over ‘hostile’ rare earths policy

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump threatened a "massive increase" in tariffs on products from China after Beijing tightened export controls on rare earth minerals critical to advanced...
Illinois legislator urges school discipline to focus on behavior, not race

Illinois legislator urges school discipline to focus on behavior, not race

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – McLean County Unit 5 submits a new discipline plan under state law after racial disparities are...
WATCH: Trump appeals Guard TRO as DHS looks to ‘double down’ law enforcement in Chicago

WATCH: Trump appeals Guard TRO as DHS looks to ‘double down’ law enforcement in Chicago

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Trump appeals judge's Guard order; ICE fence ordered down in Broadview

Illinois quick hits: Trump appeals judge’s Guard order; ICE fence ordered down in Broadview

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Trump appeals judge's Guard order The Trump administration has appealed a federal judge’s temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction blocking the...
Trump administration appeals Illinois TRO blocking National Guard deployment

Trump administration appeals Illinois TRO blocking National Guard deployment

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Trump administration is appealing a federal judge’s temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction blocking the administration’s...