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

California attorney general sues over alleged FERPA violation

California attorney general sues over alleged FERPA violation

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit this week against the U.S. Department of Education, disputing its claim that the California Department of Education...
California attorney general, Homeland Security debate mask ban

California attorney general, Homeland Security debate mask ban

By Dave MasonThe Center Square If ultimately upheld in court, California’s ban on masks for federal immigration officers will be enforced by all law enforcement agencies despite doubts by the...
TVA to keep two coal-fired power plants operating indefinitely

TVA to keep two coal-fired power plants operating indefinitely

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square Two coal-fired power plants in Tennessee that had been scheduled for closure in 2026 and 2028 will be kept open for the “foreseeable future” after...
Lawmakers probe nationwide child care fraud

Lawmakers probe nationwide child care fraud

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A bipartisan group of senators probed allegations of fraud in the child care industry on Thursday. The lawmakers called for greater transparency and more rigorous...
Cornyn files Defeat Sharia Law in America Act, another Texas-led effort

Cornyn files Defeat Sharia Law in America Act, another Texas-led effort

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has filed a bill to ban Sharia law in the U.S., another act in a Texas-led effort addressing Islamic ideology....
WATCH: Attorney cites positive impact of corruption trials 1 year after Madigan conviction

WATCH: Attorney cites positive impact of corruption trials 1 year after Madigan conviction

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One year after a federal jury convicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan of bribery, conspiracy, wire...
Illinois Quick Hits: $10M scheme alleged in heath care fraud case

Illinois Quick Hits: $10M scheme alleged in heath care fraud case

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Two Pakistani nationals have been charged in Chicago with participating in a $10-million scheme to fraudulently bill...

WATCH: Trump terminates Obama-era climate change policy

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration on Thursday terminated the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Endangerment Finding,” a landmark policy that led to sweeping climate change regulations and higher costs...
Democrats tank DHS bill again, likely triggering partial govt shutdown

Democrats tank DHS bill again, likely triggering partial govt shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Democrats in the U.S. Senate tanked the Homeland Security full-year funding bill in a last-ditch vote Thursday, all but guaranteeing a partial government shutdown starting...
GOP governor candidate Heidner wants Illinois to ‘make,’ not ‘take’

GOP governor candidate Heidner wants Illinois to ‘make,’ not ‘take’

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One of the four Republicans vying for the party’s nomination to take on Gov. J.B. Pritzker says...

WATCH: WA to distribute its store of abortion pills to clinics, possibly nationwide

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square Washington Senators have passed a bill that would allow the state to distribute millions of abortion pills, it purchased after the U.S. Supreme Court decision...
Texas now leading in border security in the Arctic

Texas now leading in border security in the Arctic

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas is again leading on border security, this time in the Arctic. New icebreakers are being built for the U.S. Coast Guard in Galveston and...
Federal debt expected to climb, but how much debt can U.S. carry?

Federal debt expected to climb, but how much debt can U.S. carry?

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The latest projections show U.S. debt will continue to grow over the next decade, hitting 120% of gross domestic product by 2036, raising questions about...
Op-Ed: If Illinois wants clean energy, it needs data centers

Op-Ed: If Illinois wants clean energy, it needs data centers

By LyLena Estabine | Illinois Policy InstituteThe Center Square If Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to reach his environmental and economic goals, data centers will need to be central to...
Illinois senator’s bill on transgender ‘mental illness’ sparks debate

Illinois senator’s bill on transgender ‘mental illness’ sparks debate

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Sen. Andrew Chesney, R–Freeport, is pushing legislation that would classify transgenderism as a mental illness...