Lake Forest, Illinois Development News
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Development News from the latest meeting
Lake Forest City Council Honors Retiring Building Inspector Matt Goodman
The City Council recognized and thanked Matt Goodman, a building inspector and code enforcement officer, for his 27 years of dedicated service to the city of Lake Forest. Goodman retired on July 13th, 2026. His career included roles in building maintenance, public works, and community development, where he was noted for his energy, passion, and commitment to residents and contractors. The council passed a resolution expressing appreciation for his service.
Lake Forest Joins Regional Drone Program for Enhanced Emergency Response
The City Council considered an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Glenview to participate in a regional drone-as-a-first-responder program. This program involves installing a drone on the roof of Lake Forest's public safety building, capable of deploying automatically to 911 call locations to provide real-time video intelligence to first responders. The pilot program is at no cost to Lake Forest for the first 12 months, covering only setup costs for power and data. The city retains the ability to take manual control of the drone or use its own drones to supplement the system. After the pilot, the city will evaluate its value before committing to ongoing costs. Public concerns about surveillance were addressed, emphasizing that the drone responds only to 911 calls and can be identified by its markings and lights. Potential payload options include flotation devices, EpiPens, or Narcan.
Lake Forest Approves 2027 Appropriation Ordinance Totaling $159.4 Million
The City Council reviewed the second reading of the 2027 appropriation ordinance, which sets the legal spending limit for the fiscal year. The ordinance, totaling $159.4 million, includes the approved $130.5 million budget, rollovers of uncompleted prior year appropriations (including $15.2 million for the police station), and a 10% contingency fund. Debt service appropriations are handled through bond ordinances, not this ordinance. Figures for the public library and school district 67 are included as legal formalities. The council approved the ordinance.
Mayor and Council Thank Staff for Successful July 4th Weekend Events
Mayor Tack and Alderman Powers expressed gratitude to city staff and community members for the successful July 4th weekend events, including 'Bites on Bank Lane,' fireworks, and beach/farm activities. They noted the positive feedback from residents and acknowledged the hard work of staff who worked during the holiday to facilitate these events. The 'Bites on Bank Lane' event was particularly popular, exceeding expectations and prompting discussions about potential expansion. The Mayor and Alderman praised the staff's dedication and commitment.
Lake Forest Finalizes Agreements with School Districts for Shared Services and SRO Program
The City Council approved agreements with School Districts 67 and 115, including shared services, facility use, Student Resource Officer (SRO) Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), an underpayment MOU with District 67, and a crossing guard agreement with District 67. The shared services agreements provide a framework for collaboration, including facility usage with the city gaining first right of refusal on school facilities without fees. The SRO MOU updates the cost structure to 70% of the officer's time and cost, aligning with market rates, and includes the school districts in the SRO selection process. An underpayment MOU addresses a past fee oversight, with District 67 receiving a 50% forgiveness on approximately $250,000. The crossing guard agreement is a timeline update. These agreements aim to consolidate past arrangements and foster collaboration.
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The Lake Forest News archive
Episode 8: New Police Station Headquarters Construction Project
Finance Committee | 07.20.2026
Lake Forest Day 2026 Volunteer Information
Lake Forest Day 2026 Volunteer Information
Plan Commission | 07.08.2026
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