Here’s look at the news that made headlines in Niles in 2019.
1. Leaning Tower gets its bells back.
Bells will soon be ringing in Niles.
Three historic and four newly-cast bells now call the belfry of the Leaning Tower of Niles home. The tower is an 85-year-old, half-size replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and sits along Touhy Avenue.
Village officials hope the tower’s bells will soon ring for the first time in decades. The tower is expected to open to the public in the spring, when visitors may be able to climb to the top.
2. Recreational marijuana to be sold in Niles.
When marijuana becomes legal in Illinois on Jan. 1, Niles will be among the few Chicago suburbs to allow its sale — but only in commercial areas on the far north and southeast side of the village.
Mayor Andrew Przybylo broke a tie vote of the Board of Trustees in October to allow the creation of the zones where the sale of marijuana will be legal.
The north area is located north of Golf Road, between Western Avenue and the ComEd substation east of Walmart. The southeast area includes commercial properties east of Lehigh Avenue, north and south of Touhy Avenue, and west of Central Avenue.
Marijuana dispensaries and craft growers cannot operate within 1,000 feet of a school or within 500 feet of a religious institution, park or playground, according to the ordinance.
All revenue from the 3% village tax on the sale of marijuana will be used to fund Niles’ public safety pension obligations.
3. With Sears closed, officials plot new future for Golf Mill.
When Sears closed its doors on the last day of 2018, Niles officials began plotting ways to breathe new life into Golf Mill shopping center.
With the former Sears store vacant — along with many empty storefronts inside the mall — officials are working to redevelop the massive shopping center.
Village and Niles Park District officials unveiled plans in November for a 10-acre park near the mall on land bordered by Greenwood Avenue, Church Street, Cumberland Avenue and Davis Street that supporters said could increase interest in a revitalized mall.
Plans for the park have yet to be finalized.
4. Patel Brothers brings a taste of India to Niles.
The largest Indian and Pakistani grocery chain in North America opened a new store in Niles in October, drawing a huge crowd from all over Chicagoland to hope for hard-to-find delicacies.
The grocery store at Golf Road and Milwaukee Avenue replaced a Babies R Us store that closed in 2018. Thousands of people waited in the rain to snatch up samosas, fresh naan and spices.
5. Goodbye Chicago water, hello Evanston water.
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Lake Michigan water started flowing from Evanston to Niles in October, giving Niles residents a break from high prices charged by Chicago.
As part of a joint effort with Morton Grove, Niles built a new water tank, nine miles of pipes and two pumping stations with a $100 million loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
6. Changes come to East Maine School District 63.
East Maine School District 63 ushered in a new era with the decision to move to a middle school model and expanded kindergarten services.
Stevenson School closed, and an expanded and renovated Gemini Junior High School reopened as a middle school with 1,000 sixth- through eighth-graders.
The district includes all or parts of Morton Grove, Park Ridge, Niles, Glenview and Des Plaines.
7. Mayor’s frustration boils over.
Przybylo failed to convince the Board of Trustees in November to change their plans for the revenue from the sale of marijuana and earmark a portion to help prevent teens from becoming addicted to drugs.
When the trustees declined to adopt his proposal, Przybylo abruptly left the meeting.
At the next board meeting, Przybylo apologized for his behavior.
“I would like to apologize to the citizens and business owners of Niles for my hasty exit,” Przybylo said, adding that he agreed his behavior was out of line.
“I want you all to know that being mayor as of late has been extremely stressful because, as most of you know, I am passionate about what I do and I try to do a lot because I am a progressive.”
Przybylo said he would strive to turn over a new leaf in 2020.
“I’m going to try to be the Fonz and be cool, be cool,” Przybylo said, referring to the character’s catchphrase, which he would frequently say to others.
8. Voice of Niles Party sweeps elections
The Voice of Niles Party emerged victorious in the April elections, with its slate of Denise McCreery, Craig Niedermaier and Dean Strzelecki defeating a slate of candidates backed by Przybylo to win seats on the Board of Trustees.
The race was marred by allegations of vote fraud on behalf of candidates backed by Przybylo, prompting complaints to be filed with Niles Inspector General Christopher Cohen and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Przybylo has denied that any fraud took place.
9. Plans afoot for 2021 local races.
The next election for local offices in Niles is more than a year away, but Trustee George Alpogianis, who has served on the Niles Village Board since 2013, announced in November he will run for mayor in 2021.
Term limits prevents Przybylo from seeking another term as mayor. He and Alpogianis have been at loggerheads over a host of issues, including the construction of a new garage for the police department and the sale of marijuana in Niles.