Journal Reporter

The president of the bank that wants to put a drive through facility in downtown Des Plaines on the site of the Des Plaines Theater, says he is willing to work with the preservationists who want to save the 78 year old building.

John Eilering, president of Mount Prospect National Bank, says his bank wants to become a part of the Des Plaines community, and would be willing to work with the "Save the Theater" group to preserve at least the facade of the building, or the marquis, or maybe give them space in the any new building put on the site.

Northwest Bancorp has an option to buy the theater building, and hopes to put a drive-through on the site, probably at the back of the building. The Save the Theater Preservation Society has launched an 11th hour effort to dig up grass roots support to save the building and restore it to a regional entertainment center. That idea would take a lot of money, and Mayor Tony Arredia has told the group the city won't be funding the project. The Mayor created a task force nearly a year ago to look into what could be done with the old building, but little materialized. The task force meets with the mayor tonight (Wednesday), Jan. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in city hall, to talk over the situation. The Society has been circulating petitions around Des Plaines hoping for support.

The bank goes before the Des Plaines Zoning Board on Jan. 14 to ask for a conditional use permit, that would allow the drive-through facility.

Eilering says his bank does not want to come into Des Plaines as the bad guy.