Niles News Briefs

Park Ridge Fire Department Responds to Fire at 53 Park Lane

On Wednesday January 22, 2020 at 1:27 p.m., the Park Ridge Fire Department was dispatched to a call for a possible house fire at a home located at 53 Park Lane. Upon arrival approximately seven minutes later, crews saw smoke and flame discharging from the top of the chimney. Companies were simultaneously sent to the interior of the home and the roof to try to extinguish the fire, which had spread beyond the chimney into the roof structure. Crews on the roof were able to access the fire and begin to extinguish it from the outside, while the interior crews were able to stop the fire from spreading out of the attic. No residents or fire personnel were injured in this incident. PRFD fire investigators have ruled the fire accidental in nature due to radiant heat with an approximate fire loss of $50,000. The Park Ridge Fire Department was assisted on scene by crews from the Des Plaines and Rosemont Fire Departments. Fire and ambulance crews from Des Plaines, North Maine, and Rosemont Fire Departments responded to two EMS calls that occurred while PRFD crews were committed to the fire.

Volunteers needed for Boards and Commissions

The deadline for accepting applications has been extended.  The City is currently accepting applications from individuals who would like to serve on one of the following Commissions:

Appearance (must be a licensed architect- one); O’Hare Airport - one; Farmers Market - three; Historic Preservation - one; Zoning Board of Appeals – one. 

Want to learn more about the Board or Commission? Please visit our website at http://www.parkridge.us.  In the upper right corner “SEARCH” field, enter “Boards and Commissions.” While one lists the members and vacancies, the other describes the duties and meeting frequency.  The Municipal Code provides more in depth information.  Interested individuals should complete an application for Boards and Commissions and return it to Deputy Clerk Peterson at [email protected] no later than February 7.  

You will be contacted by the City to come in for a brief 10-15 minute interview on a Monday evening between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. to meet with the Mayor’s Advisory Board.  Each candidate that is recommended for appointment will be required to complete a non-fingerprint type background check, as required by Municipal Code.  Final appointment is made by the Elected Officials at a City Council meeting.

Thank you for your interest in serving the City of Park Ridge.  Many times it has been said that the volunteers are the backbone of our community.  The City is extremely grateful for those who have chosen to serve. Please call Deputy Clerk Peterson with any questions at 847-318-5464.

RFQ/RFP Issued for Redevelopment of Village-Owned Sites

On January 22, 2020, the Village of Morton Grove released a Request for Qualifications/Proposals (RFQ/RFP) for the redevelopment of two desirable Village-owned sites at 8500-8550 Lehigh Avenue and 8720-8726 Ferris Avenue. Both sites are located within a short walking distance to the Morton Grove Metra commuter rail station, making them prime opportunity sites for transit-oriented development. Interested parties can request the full RFQ/RFP on the Bids and Proposals webpage.

Perry’s Pizza and Catering Celebrates 40th Anniverary

Happy 40th Anniversary to one of the most famous staples in Park Ridge, Perry’s Pizza and Catering. The restaurant celebrated 4 decades on Janurary 21. Mayor Maloney cut the celebratory ribbon as Chamber members and the community enjoyed delicious drinks, pizza and more.

Here’s to 40 years and many more to come!

Pritzker Administration Launches New Initiative to Invest in Opportunity Zones Across the State

DCEO Will Award $12 Million in Competitive Grants to Support Capital Projects in Underserved Communities

Monday, January 27, 2020 - Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Department of

CHICAGO – As part of Governor JB Pritzker’s historic $45 billion capital program, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced a new initiative to invest $12 million to support investment in the state’s opportunity zones. The agency will be issuing a competitive notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) in the coming days. Governor Pritzker announced this new program at an event to announce a commitment by Fifth Third Bank and the Chicago-based Decennial Group to invest approximately $20 million in Illinois’ opportunity zones.

“Supporting equitable economic growth is one of the central goals of our historic $45 billion capital plan,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “By investing $12 million in Rebuild Illinois funds in Opportunity Zone projects, we can take advantage of this federal tax incentive to stretch our capital dollars further while creating jobs and opportunity in communities that have suffered from a lack of investment for decades.”

DCEO will invite communities, nonprofits, developers, and other stakeholders to compete for $12 million in capital grants to support projects in Opportunity Zones. These capital grants will offer matching funds for infrastructure, utility, remediation and other site preparedness related costs for affordable housing, community development, and commercial real estate projects that will create jobs and growth. Once the NOFO is posted, interested parties will have 90 days to prepare and submit grant applications.

“The Pritzker administration’s Five-Year Economic Plan is focused on catalyzing fair and equitable economic growth that lifts up communities across Illinois,” said DCEO Director Erin Guthrie. “Pairing our Rebuild Illinois capital dollars with the incentives offered by federal Opportunity Zones allows us to achieve greater impact in underserved and economically distressed areas.”

Opportunity Zones are defined as distressed or economically underserved areas census tracts. Certain types of investments made in opportunity zones that meet specific criteria stand to receive favorable capital gains tax benefits at both the federal and state levels. Illinois designated 327 Opportunity Zones in 2018, and a map of the state’s zones can be found here.

In scoring grant applications, DCEO will consider criteria such as job creation, community support, project readiness and viability, the availability of matching financing, alignment of the project with the Governor’s five-Year Economic Plan, and ability of the project to have a positive economic impact in communities of need. Applicants are encouraged to work with nonprofits, community organizations, elected officials, and other stakeholders to obtain letters that demonstrate local and regional support.