Chronology of Events Related to the Meijer Project

Chronology of Events regarding proposed Meijer Development in Lisle, Illinois (DuPage Co.) (in order of start/beginning recent events)
1995	Comprehensive Land Use Plan adopted- The property where the Meijer project is proposed designated as "Institutional/Public" (as it had been for 20 years). The plan also includes statements that commercial development would occur only at major intersections, along commercial routes (Maple not so designated) and that the primary character of the Village is "residential".
06/11/98	First Petition for Annexation filed by the Abbey and Meijer.
07/09/98	Joint Public Hearing: an overflow crowd of over 600 area residents attend to oppose the project. 2,500 petition signatures opposing Meijer development submitted to Lisle Village officials. Room was 95º. Meijer given unlimited time to make their presentation; residents limited to two minutes to make their public comments by the Mayor. Mayor Ghilardi also does not permit the residents to ask any questions of the Meijer representatives
07/98	Citizens for Responsible and Appropriate Development in Lisle (CRADL) formed. The mission is to preserve the unique character of the Village of Lisle by being watchful of city zoning, land use plans, proposals, and actual land use within the Village.
07/98	TIF vote - Mayor's vote on ad hoc advisory panel in favor of designating the Meijer site as "blighted" despite a six-page legal memo from the County. The Mayor ignored the memo even though he is an attorney. The Mayor believed that site was an appropriate TIF district which would have been a multi-million dollar tax savings for Meijer of taxes which otherwise would have gone to the Library, Park District, School District, etc. Each of the other taxing districts vote against Meijer’s request for this tax incentive. Mayor is only vote in favor.
07/31/98	The public record closed. In excess of 1,100 letters opposed to the project while only 38 letters were in favor of the project (7 of which were from the Abbot to each of the Trustees and the Mayor).
08/07/98	Public rally. 700+ participants march in opposition to proposed development at the property.
09/09/98	The Lisle Township board passes unanimous resolution objecting to the development. Board cites their concern for the safety, welfare and quality of life for residents of the Township.
09/98	Meijer mails pro-Meijer pamphlet to residents of Lisle asking for their support. Mailing labels obtained from DuPage County for an impermissible commercial purpose.
10/08/98	Lisle Planning Commission rejects Meijer plan 5 – 1. Meijer insists on vote on the proposed development even though Commission members indicate that they need more information.
10/21/98	Lisle Zoning Board of Appeals rejects Meijer plan 5 – 1. Keith Krestan is only member to vote in favor of the Meijer project.
10/98	Meijer spokesman states that Meijer will not build where they are not wanted.
10/98	Letters of opposition from the eight County Board members who are elected by Lisle voters received. Similar letter received in opposition to the Meijer project from County Board President, Bob Schillerstrom.
10/98	Village Board asked to move the November 2nd meeting to larger room to accommodate residents desiring to attend and witness the proceedings. Mayor Ghilardi rejects the request.
11/02/98	Village Board gives Meijer the "green light" to proceed with preliminary plans to build the 215,000 square foot, 24-hour retail development, despite the public outcry, negative recommendations from the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals and opposition of the Township and the County.
12/98	CRADL obtains the necessary thousands of signatures on petitions to place non-binding referendum on ballot in April election so that all voters can voice their opinion.
1/08/99	CRADL Public Meeting - All citizens were invited and welcome, no matter which side of the issue they were on. The meeting was held to gauge the willingness of residents of the Village to support a lawsuit to challenge the integrity of the pre-determined zoning process orchestrated by the Mayor and his followers.
02/11/99	Four residents who live close to the property take up the Mayor’s offer to "Sue Me" and lawsuit is filed.
02/15/99	Village Board votes 5-2 in favor of the annexation of the property at 2665 Maple Avenue, Lisle, IL for the construction of a 215,000-square-foot store (the largest free-standing retail building in DuPage County). Joe Broda and Luke Brandonisio are the only trustees that vote "no" to the annexation.
03/99	Petition Drive for Binding Referendum- 1,200 signatures were collected to put a binding referendum in the next possible election.
03/99	Electoral board, which includes Mayor Ghilardi and Trustee Yuill (both pro-Meijer), rejects proposed binding referendum. (Abbott Anderson lodged the objection to the binding referendum question before the Board of Elections, which prohibited the residents of Lisle from deciding whether the Meijer project should be built.)
04/13/99	LOCAL ELECTION: Voters say NO to Meijer project on non-binding referendum – 64% reject Meijer proposal as inappropriate for the Village. Mayor Ghilardi tries to explain away these results by suggesting that the tally is "not worthy nor representative of Lisle since only the people who cared got out to vote". Incumbent Trustees who voted for the project failed to win re-election despite the Mayor's support. The Village Board’s make-up changes to a majority opposed to the Meijer proposed development.
04/19/99	Village Board votes to send letter to Meijer asking them to withdraw project. Meijer spokesperson responds: "We’re coming anyway."
09/14/99	Judge Bonnie Wheaton grants the residents’ motion for a Temporary Restraining Order, halting any and all construction work. Judge Wheaton’s ruling includes a finding that the residents have demonstrated a "likelihood of success on the merits" of their claim.
10/18/99	Judge Wheaton's grants a preliminary injunction enjoining or barring Meijer from any work on the site. Her ruling requires a finding of a "substantial likelihood of success on the merits" (as did her grant of a temporary restraining order). This is a ruling in favor of residents deeming all proceedings and approvals regarding Meijer development flawed and void.
10/18/99	During Village Board Meeting, Village Attorney Kay (appointed by Mayor Ghilardi) disagrees with the Judge Wheaton’s ruling. Attorney Kay agrees with Mayor that there is no reason to change hearing procedures even though Judge Wheaton has ruled they are unlawful. Ordinance proposed to allow for the appointment of independent counsel for the Board of Trustees. Proposal to be reviewed at next meeting.
10/19/99	Meijer spokesman indicates company will continue to push forward legally to build on Lisle site.
10/25/99	Next court date regarding residents’ lawsuit.
02/00	Waiting for Appellate Court ruling on Meijer appeal
08/15/00	Appellate Judge Colwell calls Meijer zoning hearing "Draconian." The three appellate justices hearing the appeal on the Meijer injunction made it clear that the village's actions two years ago during the initial public hearing were flawed. Judge Rapp suggested that residents might want to "throw the rascals out" referring to the board members who approved the store in the first place. Current board members that voted FOR the Meijer store include Mayor Ghilardi, Trustee Judy Yuill, Trustee Nancy Earley. Previously ousted trustees that voted for the Meijer project are Robert Pakenham and Michael Hackleman.
10/16/00	Meijer LOSES appeal in Illinois Appellate Court - October 16, 2000 The opinion is posted at: 2nd Appellate District 2000 Opinions, Docket #2-99-1256, 10/13/00. The 2nd District Appellate Court ruled 2-1 against overturning Judge Bonnie Wheaton's Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). The TRO halted the controversial construction of a Meijer superstore in Lisle. Meijer appealed the TRO and lost that appeal.
10/26/00	The company that promised not to build where they are not wanted now claim they will appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court to try to force their way into Lisle. The company plans to file petitions on Nov. 3 to the Illinois Supreme Court, hoping to overturn the Appellate Court ruling.
10/26/00	Trustee Joe Broda announces that he will challenge Mayor Ghilardi in the April, 2000 election. Ghilardi responds by saying that he (Ghilardi) has made significant progress in Lisle in the last several years. Broda promises to hear the voices of the people.
10/30/00	According to The Daily Herald, "The case has become a thorn in the side of Michigan-based Meijer, Inc., where officials call the Lisle situation the worst clash with residents over trying to build a store."
04/03/01	Next Local election for mayor and trustees. Remaining pro-Meijer trustees and Mayor ousted from office.
Currently	Meijer has lost its appeal of the TRO in the Illinois Supreme Court. We await Meijer's next move.