Economic Development Committee highlights CRA planning, Memorial Field repairs and title‑clearance work

At the April 8 meeting, Councilwoman Laverne Mitchell reported that the Economic Development Committee held its first meeting and is focusing on a set of priorities that include addressing maintenance at Memorial Field, convening the planning commission to revisit the village land‑use plan, and pursuing a Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) program.

“We had a very good meeting,” Mitchell said, reporting that Mr. Lisonbee told the committee the conditions at Memorial Field — including shed skirting and walking‑trail improvements — will be addressed and that the county’s property mapping lists Memorial Field as Oak Park and needs correction.

Mitchell said the committee intends to invite planning and county staff — including Steve Johns, Liz Bloom and village counsel — to help the village understand and restart its land‑use planning work. The committee has contracted with Alloy Development to draft CRA abatement terms that could provide tax incentives to new and existing homeowners; Mitchell said the committee will analyze abatement terms at future meetings.

The committee also identified complications with property titles — some parcels appeared in multiple names (Village of Lincoln Heights, City of Lincoln Heights and the Lincoln Heights Land Reutilization entity) — and concluded that titles must be cleared before the village can reliably lift a moratorium on property sales. Counsel explained that property is not automatically tax‑exempt when transferred to a municipality unless it is used for a public purpose, while parcels held in the village Land Reutilization Program (LRP) are deemed held for public purpose under state law, which eases the exemption process.

Mitchell said the committee will work to identify lots that can be consolidated for development and will promote new home construction on Van Buren and Adams. The committee also suggested visible signage for properties slated for future homebuilding.

What happens next: the committee will continue drafting CRA terms with Alloy Development, convene the planning commission with invited staff and counsel, and work with administration to resolve title issues before proposing changes to the moratorium on property sales.