Journal & Topics Media Group

Joint Review Board Says ‘Yes’ To Oakton-Lee TIF District


A map of the proposed Oakton Street TIF in Des Plaines.

A joint review board of community stakeholders recommended moving forward with plans to create a new Tax Increment Financing District covering portions of Lee and Oakton streets in Des Plaines. 

TIF districting is a tool municipalities use to funnel property tax revenue into redevelopment projects as a way to spur economic growth.

If approved, the new TIF would run from west of River Road to Webster Lane on Oakton. It would also extend north along Lee from Mannheim Road to Graceland Avenue. The area includes the K Mart property at Lee and Oakton and several commercial businesses and retail stores. 

City staff and elected officials hope to develop the area similar to downtown Des Plaines, if plans for a new Metra station along the Canadian National tracks on Oakton come to fruition.

According to review board chair Michael McMahon, community development director for the city, Director Don Miletic of the Des Plaines Park Dist., Supt. Paul Hertel of Des Plaines Elementary School Dist. 62, Assistant Supt. Mary Kalou of Maine Township High School Dist. 207 and City Manager Mike Bartholomew were part of the review board that met last Thursday.

“After hearing several presentations and discussing the merits of the proposed TIF District…the project areas satisfies the eligibility criteria of the TIF Act,” he said.

Members of the review board approved a resolution recommending City Council approval of the Oakton Street Redevelopment Plan and Redevelopment Project. A public hearing about the project is planned during the Aug. 5 City Council meeting and TIF adoption ordinances are expected to be approved sometime after that date.

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