The Homer Glen Village Board Wednesday rejected plans to allow conversion of a vacant Chili’s restaurant into a Chase Bank after some board members said the bank was not the best fit for the location.
Chase was proposing an $8 million investment into the property, 14025 S. Bell Road, which included altering the exterior, adding a 24-hour drive-through for an ATM, replacing landscaping and lighting and adding a sidewalk.
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The Chili’s restaurant, which had been a fixture in town for more than 20 years, closed in December, and village officials anticipated it would be quickly redeveloped given its prime location.
Some trustees, though, said they didn’t believe the bank was the best use of the space and residents have told them they don’t want another bank in the village. The board voted 4-2 to deny the project.
Trustee Mike Lepore said Chase Bank wouldn’t produce sales tax revenue for the village.
“I feel this is a lazy attempt by a major financial institution to pound a square peg through a round hole,” Lepore said. “I believe we can do better for this property than a bank. Approval of this would be shortsighted and not in the best interest of Homer Glen.”
Trustee Nick Muller said while the renderings of the property are beautiful, another business would better serve residents and visitors.
“I don’t think it’s the right location, the right time, the right place to put a bank there,” Muller said.
Chase Bank has been inside Jewel for 29 years, and wants to expand, said Trustee Rose Reynders, who voted in favor of the project.
“Unfortunately as the community grew, they outgrew the space in Jewel,” Reynders said. “What they are looking for now is to enhance their services to be able to provide more services and better services to their customer base. And they have a huge customer base in our village and the surrounding area as well.”
Jon Krissoff, market director of real estate for Chase Bank, said the bank would provide options that customers cannot get inside Jewel. He cautioned that if the bank were not approved, the Chili’s site could be vacant for years, citing the former Purple Onion restaurant which has been for sale since 2019.
He said the location is what attracted Chase to want to renovate the former restaurant.
Trustee Bart Holzhauser, who also voted for the project, said it would create construction and banking jobs.
Playground honor
The Village Board Wednesday recognized Amelia Burbank, a fourth grade student at Schilling Elementary School, for her efforts this year raising funds for inclusive playground equipment at her school.
Amelia, who will soon turn 10, and her family held a yard sale in Heritage Park in May and collected donations throughout the summer, raising about $11,000 toward playground equipment that could be used by students with disabilities.
Amelia, who was in third grade when she started the campaign, worried that not all students, especially those in wheelchairs, were able to fully participate in recess.
The village’s Ability Awareness Committee, which advocates for differently-abled residents, donated $1,800 it raised during HomerFest in June to Amelia’s Acts of Kindness.
“Her vision was not just about equipment, it was about belonging,” said Teresa Kocanda, a committee member.
The funds raised will support the installation of the Bankshot basketball system, billed as providing an inclusive environment where every child and adult can participate.
Amelia said her goal was to raise $10,000.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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