Group Opposing Memorial Lights Seeks Referendum

A group of residents opposing the installation of lights at Memorial Field want all residents to vote yes or no on the issue.

Our Field Our Town wants to put the issue on the March ballot, so all residents would have a say on this contentious issue of erecting lights at  Memorial Field on Crescent Boulevard.  

In order to get the issue on the ballot in March, the group needs approximately 622 signatures, which is the required eight percent of the 7,772 voters from the last gubernatorial election.

Despite the outcome of the vote, the group feels the decision should ultimately be left up to residents; the referendum would be non-binding so despite the outcome the village board of trustees could decide to go against the majority decision.

To move forward with installing the lights, Glenbard High School District 87 requested a variance for the project from the village. The issue is now scheduled to go before the village plan commission on Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m. After reviewing the request, the commissioners will form a recommendation and then turn the final decision over to village trustees.

Our Field Our Town wants to slow that process. The group wants trustees to hold off on a final vote until the outcome of a referendum.

But Village Attorney Stuart Diamond pointed out that trustees could still move forward even if a referendum was scheduled. Jim Ozog, OFOT member and attorney, contends that there is no village ordinance or state statute that imposes a time deadline on the trustees to vote on the findings and recommendations of the plan commission.

The request for the installation of lights comes after the completion of phase one construction at Memorial Field: finished in the summer of 2010, the installation of a synthetic turf allows for increased usage. Among the many enhancements, part of that $1.4 million project included installing an underground conduit for future lights. District 87 officials cite the need for a field that can operate longer due to the limited field space at the Glenbard West campus. The $300,000 project to install lights will be funded by donations, not taxpayers.

The OFOT group will hold a press conference on Aug. 17 to release more information on the potential referendum. 

Editor's note: The article originally stated the referendum would be on the April ballot, that is incorrect. If the group gets enough signatures the referendum would be included on the ballot in March.