Journal Reporter

John Leone of Des Plaines isn't happy.

He was home Friday and found a billboard being constructed near his home.

"I sit in my kitchen and look out my window. This is all I can see," Leone said. "It's huge."

Leone said Ald. Tom Becker (6th) had assured him there would be no billboard at the location, yet workers are currently in the process of constructing the billboard.

"He [Becker] stood in my driveway and told me there would be no billboard," Leone said.

Leone of the 2100 block of Estes Avenue, near Touhy Avenue and River Road, said he was shocked to see the billboard under construction. The billboard is about 35 yards from his property, Leone estimated.

Several years ago, City Council members rejected a proposal to erect a billboard near the one now going up.

Leone said his neighbors share his anger over the billboard currently being erected. "There is a whole block of people mad about this. At least 40 of them," he said.

A spokesman for the Des Plaines Community Development Dept. said the matter is being investigated. Once up, the billboard will be visible to motorists traveling I-294.

Leone wonders if the billboard will be illuminated at night, causing further inconvenience. He also questions if there was any city or state inspector present for the construction of the billboard.

According to Ald. Becker (6th), who represents that area of Des Plaines, two years ago, a nearby hotel sought city permission to erect a billboard on its property in the parking lot. That proposal was rejected by City Council.

This billboard, said Becker, is the furthest east point between a printing company and Tollway property. The city is in the process of checking to see how the billboard company obtained approval from the Illinois Dept. of Transporation (IDOT). Becker also said he is checking to see if city approval was granted for the billboard.