Lake Bluff's pool of available liquor licenses would automatically shrink each time a bar or restaurant closes under an ordinance the Village Board is expected to approve Monday night.

The second reading of the ordinance amending Chapter 2 of Title 3 of the Lake Bluff Municipal Code is on the consent agenda for the board's Monday, Aug. 10 meeting at 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 40 E. Center Ave. The board approved the first reading 5-0 on July 13, with Trustee Susan Rider absent and no trustee questions raised.

Lake Bluff currently authorizes approximately 15 liquor licenses annually. Under the existing system, the board must pass a separate ordinance each time a licensed establishment closes to reduce the total count. The new rule would make that reduction automatic, though single-day special event and catering licenses would be excluded.

Village President Regis Charlot said at the July 13 first reading that the change would "automate this administrative process, improve efficiency, and ensure that the Municipal Code always reflects the current number of authorized licenses." Village Administrator R. Drew Irvin added that it would cut the number of routine housekeeping ordinances the board handles.

No new restrictions are placed on current license holders. The change is procedural: it ensures the municipal code reflects the actual number of active licenses without requiring a standalone vote each time one lapses.

Police pension fund posts 9.4-point gain

The Lake Bluff Police Pension Fund's funded ratio jumped to 67.38% from 57.97%, a gain of roughly 9.4 percentage points, according to the 2026 actuarial valuation presented at the July 13 board meeting. The fund's investments and assets grew 23.4%, climbing from $15,069,477 to $18,599,965 for the period ending April 30.

The fund isn't there yet.

Finance Director Bettina O'Connell told the board at the July 13 meeting it was a strong investment year and said the village is on track to meet the state's statutory goal of 90% funding by 2040. She cautioned that requirements may shift yearly depending on state policies and plan valuation. Village Administrator Irvin noted that changing assumptions and valuations complicate setting fixed funding targets. The board chose to make a higher pension contribution based on prior direction and typically discusses pension funding alongside the tax levy in December.

Ezee Fiber approved for right-of-way installation

The board on July 13 also unanimously approved a right-of-way agreement with Ezee Fiber Texas, LLC for fiber-optic installation throughout the village. Company representative Allen Rauth told trustees the buildout would take 7 to 14 months, with service tiers of 2, 5 and 8 gigabits per second. The 5-gig option would cost slightly above $99 per month, with customer equipment included. Rauth confirmed there would be no throttling, content filtering or monitoring.

Monday's full agenda

Beyond the liquor license vote, the Aug. 10 agenda includes a public hearing on an update to the village's Affordable Housing Plan and a vote on an economic incentive agreement with Zeigler Lake Forest, LLC at 990 North Shore Drive, as we reported Aug. 6. The board will also consider a fireworks permit for the Lake Bluff Park District and approve warrant reports totaling $1,023,176.24.

Residents can attend in person, watch online at lakebluff.org/VirtualMeeting, or tune in on public access channel 19.