KITCHEN CLOSED: REPLICA MCD’S MEETS THE WRECKING BALL
The last reminder of where Ray Kroc opened his first franchised McDonald’s in Des Plaines went into the history books last week when the 33-yearold replica restaurant building met the wrecking ball.
The one-story concrete block building at 400 Lee St. already had the tops of its golden arches and main “McDonald’s” sign stripped from it in January. At the same time, the company had the 63-year-old original neon road sign dismantled, so it could be restored and preserved off-site.
After months of delays, demolition crews returned Monday to set up fencing, and first thing Tuesday morning, began the teardown. Workers from Heneghan Wrecking Co. remained there through the afternoon cleaning up debris to be hauled away.
Eventually, McDonald’s plans to plant grass and donate the land to the city. City officials don’t have immediate plans for the site, though they’ve suggested installing a historical marker.
The fast food giant announced late last year it planned to demolish the replica building — which at one time served as a museum of company history — because of its location in an oft-flooded area and the difficulty of maintaining it.
—Christopher Placek
PALATINE Car dealerships coming to town
Napleton’s Automotive Group will move two dealerships from Arlington Heights to a long-vacant Rand Road property owned by the village of Palatine where Menards previously operated. Village Manager Reid Ottesen said having the two new-car dealerships will be “huge” for Palatine. “It’ll be one of the top four, five salestax generators in the village,” Ottesen said. Company Chairman Stephen Napleton said the operation will have a Subaru dealership, a Mazda building and a car wash.
—Bob Susnjara
LAKE COUNTY Administrator offered Florida job
Lake County Administrator Barry Burton has been offered the administrator’s post in a county on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The job offer from Pinellas County comes as Burton, his staff and the county board face public criticism for how county board expense accounts and credit cards have been managed. Burton has not yet accepted the new job but said he is negotiating contract terms. The position will pay between $212,000 and $275,000 annually. Burton currently makes $247,090.
—Russell Lissau
ELGIN Trump inauguration charges dismissed for daughter of Elgin councilman
The daughter of an Elgin councilman said being arrested and facing rioting charges over protests during President Donald Trump’s inauguration has changed her. “I didn’t identify myself as an anarchist when I was arrested,“Joan Steffen said. “Now I definitely would.” All charges were dismissed last month against Steffen, 26, and the remaining defendants charged with rioting Jan. 20, 2017. Steffen, who lives in Rhode Island, spoke with the Daily Herald while in Elgin. She plans to apply to law school in the fall. Her recent experience has made her want to work in social justice and civil rights law. “That’s an upside of this whole thing,” she said.
—Elena Ferrarin
LIBERTYVILLE Flood protection could cost more than $72M
In Libertyville, the price of relative dryness during the heaviest rains could top $72.6 million, according to information compiled in the past year. That’s the estimated cost to proceed with projects to improve how stormwater is managed and protect against a so-called 100-year storm. “We know what the issues are and what it’s going to take, and now we have to figure out how to resolve it,” Mayor Terry Weppler said.
—Mick Zawislak
DES PLAINES Beekeeping likely to be OK for educational purposes
Thousands more honeybees likely will be buzzing in Des Plaines by next year. A majority of aldermen agreed Monday the city should allow beekeeping for educational purposes at park districts, schools and other institutions. Said 5th Ward Alderman Carla Brookman, “Honeybees are generally very passive, and they’re very peaceful while they’re out forging to pollinate crops.”
—Daily Herald report