The possible closing of two banks along Harlem Avenue sparked a discussion at the Sept. 2 Palos Heights City Council meeting, as council weighed whether the city should step in to take over the properties and shape what comes next.
Ald. Michael McGrogan said both the soon-to-close CIBC branch at 119th and Harlem and the already-vacant Bank of America at Harlem and 122nd represent a chance to strengthen the city’s tax increment financing district.
“I think it would give us the opportunity to create some increment in the TIF,” McGrogan said. “If the ship sails and someone else buys it, we miss that opportunity, this could be step one.”
Mayor Bob Straz agreed, saying the city should act before private buyers step in.
“We really, really need to create an increment. We could buy that building,” McGrogan said. “It’d be great to have somebody from the city contact the authorities who we know.”
McGrogan also suggested Palos Heights look into a service index to measure how well city services are performing.
In Finance, City Treasurer James Daemicke reported the city’s books are stable. As of July 31, the General Fund balance was $5.67 million, and all city funds combined totaled $26.96 million.
The council then approved more than $1.1 million in water and sewer projects. The largest expense was a change order not to exceed $946,550 for the citywide water meter replacement program.
Other approved items included payments for a hydrant repair, lift station work, and engineering studies.
“These are essential maintenance items to keep our system reliable,” Alderman Dan Brennan said.
Council also raised the dollar amount that triggers formal bidding, moving forward, purchases over $25,000 will require sealed bids, while those between $10,000 and $25,000 will still need at least three written quotes.
McGrogan explained the change “matches the Illinois Municipal Code” and will help speed up smaller purchases while keeping safeguards in place.
Ald. Jack Clifford reported that construction continues on the east side of Harlem Avenue. He cautioned drivers to expect “some slowdowns for a few weeks” near 131st Street and Southwest Highway.
The council also approved closing Harlem Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the annual holiday parade. The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago were given the go-ahead to hold their fall product sale from Sept. 19 to Oct. 15.
Additionally council approved proclamations declaring September 2025 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and National Service Dog Month.
The city already has a white elephant across the street that has been vacant for about 25 years. This city is beginning to have more vacant property than occupied. We need a great city planner. Palos Heights needs to follow in the footsteps of Naperville or Lagrange. There is so much more that can be done here.