Michaela Cichon

This forestry management plan provides clear direction and achievable goals for the preservation, protection, and enhancement of the publicly owned urban forest throughout the Village of Wheeling. The primary goal is to ensure a robust, healthy, and long-lived urban forest. Key objectives include enhancing parkways with high tree density and species diversity, maintaining trees tolerant to urban conditions, protecting existing tree health, promoting public awareness, prioritizing safety through tree removal, ensuring administrative support for tree protection during construction, and developing budget strategies for the forestry program.

The Active Transportation Plan for the Village of Wheeling aims to establish a complete, safe, and attractive network of transportation options for residents and visitors, fostering travel within Wheeling and connections to adjacent communities. The plan focuses on increasing accessibility and connectivity for walking, bicycling, and transit, leveraging municipal policies to support the network, and providing comprehensive education, encouragement, and enforcement programs. Its ultimate vision is to provide health, safety, and economic opportunities through enhanced access to parks, schools, transit, trails, businesses, and other destinations.

The proceedings began with a Liquor Control Commission meeting, which involved roll call and the approval of the minutes from the Special Meeting held on February 2nd, 2026. Key business included consideration and subsequent approval of a request for a Class B1 liquor license for RJH Group LLC d.b.a. Sunwish, subject to five specific conditions, including ordinance passage and required documentation. Following the adjournment of the Liquor Control Commission, the Regular Village of Wheeling Board Meeting was called to order. The main focus of the regular session was a significant segment dedicated to promotions within the Police Department, specifically swearing in Troy Musaf as Deputy Chief and Dorian Swanson as Commander. The Fire Department segment included the swearing in of three new Lieutenants: Bradley Cliff, Dan Caruso, and one other individual, as well as recognizing the Fire Chief and the Board of Fire and Police Commission. The Fire Chief also highlighted that six new members were welcomed earlier that day, and detailed the responsibilities associated with the new Lieutenant positions, including staffing the ladder truck.

The initial portion of the meeting involved the Liquor Control Commission. Key discussions centered on a request for a Class C liquor license for Delta Kilo, Inc., doing business as Red Bottle Restaurant, proposing an entertainment establishment at 401 East Dundee Road. The petitioner sought late operating hours until 4 a.m. Staff provided a negative recommendation for the Class C license due to safety concerns, suggesting a Class A license (restaurant use, open until 2 a.m.) instead, as the business clearly functions as a full-service restaurant with extensive entertainment planned, rather than a typical tavern. After deliberation among commissioners, the request for the Class C license was denied, and a motion was approved to grant a Class A license subject to standard conditions including ordinance passage, submittal of background certificates, fee payment, and satisfactory background checks. Following the Liquor Control Commission adjournment, the regular meeting of the Village Board convened. Business included the approval of minutes from the December 1st, 2025 meeting, and the approval of an appointment for David Schlack to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, effective January 1, 2026. The public comment segment featured a resident addressing concerns regarding recent, deeply troubling ICE-related detainments of Wheeling residents.

The regular meeting addressed two main docket items. The first involved a request for final plat approval for a four-lot residential subdivision located at 2812 and 2822 Jackson Drive, which was approved subject to several conditions, including submission of developer impact fees and contributions to the village's sidewalk fund. A discussion ensued regarding the deadline for removing materials and an abandoned semi-trailer, leading to an extension of the March 1st deadline. The second item concerned a request for minor site plan approval for installing permanent electric vehicle charging stations for Apex Window Works at 111 Markwart Drive, which was also approved with five conditions, including the removal of existing unpermitted chargers and the submission of a detail for the concrete bollards. A separate discussion confirmed the charging stations would be for private use only.