Lake Bluff residents will get their first chance to weigh in on an updated Affordable Housing Plan when the Village Board holds a public hearing Monday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 40 E. Center Ave.
The hearing comes after the Illinois Housing Development Authority found Lake Bluff's June 2025 housing plan submission non-compliant with the state's Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act. Under that law, municipalities where less than 10% of housing stock qualifies as affordable must submit plans to IHDA. The board will then vote on a resolution adopting the updated plan.
The same meeting includes a vote on an economic incentive agreement with Zeigler Lake Forest, LLC, for the property at 990 North Shore Drive, according to the village's meeting agenda. That address is home to Ferrari Lake Forest, the luxury auto dealership operated by Zeigler Auto Group. The terms remain undisclosed.
Also on the agenda: a second reading of an ordinance that would automatically reduce the village's authorized liquor license count when an establishment permanently closes. Village President Regis Charlot explained at the board's July 13 meeting that the change eliminates the need for a separate ordinance each time a license holder shuts down. The board will also consider a fireworks permit for the Lake Bluff Park District.
What happened July 13
The July 13 meeting produced several notable actions. The board unanimously approved a right-of-way agreement with Ezee Fiber Texas, LLC, to install fiber-optic internet infrastructure throughout the village. The company plans to offer speeds up to 8 gigabits per second, with installation expected to take seven to 14 months beginning with GIS mapping, design work and permitting, according to company representative Allen Rauth.
The board also accepted the Police Pension Fund's annual report showing the fund's ratio climbed to 67.38% from 57.97%, a 16.2% improvement. Fund assets grew from $15,069,477 to $18,599,965 through April 30, 2026. Finance Director Bettina O'Connell told trustees the village is on track toward the state's 90% funding goal by 2040.
Village Administrator R. Drew Irvin reported that Green Bay Road construction, which began around July 20 and runs through approximately Aug. 21, is displacing residents at times as contractors install new road base, curbs, stormwater pipe and asphalt. "It's going to get worse before it gets better," Irvin said at the July 13 meeting.
How to participate
Residents can attend Monday's meeting in person, watch online at lakebluff.org/VirtualMeeting, dial in at (312) 626-6799 (meeting ID 814 1963 9547), or watch the livestream at lakebluff.org/channel19 and on public access television channel 19. Non-agenda public comment is limited to 15 minutes total, with each speaker capped at five minutes. Residents needing disability accommodations can contact Village Administrator Irvin at 847-234-0774.
