​Grayslake Board Extends Downtown Outdoor Dining Into 2021

GRAYSLAKE, IL — The Grayslake village board on Tuesday approved several proposals, including allowing outdoor dining to continue downtown into 2021.

The board met Tuesday evening to discuss and vote on several agenda items, including the village's operating and capital budgets for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

The board voted to approve the budgets, which each came in balanced at $19.3 million and capital $8.67 million, respectively.

During the meeting, Grayslake Mayor Rhett Taylor said the budgets' major expenses include curb and sidewalk installations, the Gelatin Park ice rink, tree planting, street lighting and other items.

The board also approved a transfer of $125,000 from its general fund to support the commuter rail parking fund and an updated fee schedule that lowers projected water and sewer rates for consumers.

In keeping with its 2020 pandemic response, the board also elected to extend temporary use permits allow five restaurants in downtown Grayslake to host outdoor dining for its customers. Some permits allow businesses to make use of public property.

"I think the staffs has done a lot of good work accommodating the restaurants," Taylor said. "The restaurants all sought input from neighboring businesses. The plans they’re putting forth are amenable with those businesses."

The board also approved a special use permit put forth by longtime Grayslake business Dance Connection to host an outdoor dance recital in Gelatin Park.

The proposal, Taylor said, was "strongly recommended for approval."

The proposal passed, allowing Dance Connection to host its recital in the park on May 15 and 16.

Grayslake village board trustee Shawn Vogel voiced his support for the measure.

"Last year they did this at the corner of Whitney and Cente, and this I think gives them a lot more space and open area to accommodate the parents and spectators who will be coming to the recital," Vogel said.

The full village board meeting, along with past meetings, can be streamed online.