Ivanhoe Village Update

Dear D79 and D120 Communities,

We have received renewed inquiries about the Village of Mundelein’s proposed Ivanhoe Village development. Interest was sparked by recent Daily Herald coverage (August 9 and August 17 editorial) and the August 15 enactment of House Bill 22 (HB22). Despite new legislation spearheaded by our local legislators, the General Assembly, and the Governor giving Mundelein the authority to increase impact fees for the Ivanhoe Village development, Mayor Robin Meier refuses to use this power to reopen talks and put our community first.

This residential development, if approved by the Village of Mundelein, will be transformative for our community. We care about the impact it has on our schools and greater community; therefore, we sent this joint letter to the Village of Mundelein today.

Governor Signs HB 22 to Support Our Community

On August 15, Governor Pritzker signed HB22 into law, giving the Village of Mundelein the ability and, therefore, as we see it, the obligation to re-engage the developer regarding school impact fees (one-time payments to help cover school districts’ capital and/or operational expenses prompted by a new development). In approving HB22, the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor have signaled a clear intent to allow municipalities to require new developments, particularly those of the size and scope of Ivanhoe Village, to pay for the impact on schools, even if that requires a new school, as will be the case for D79.

Why is Ivanhoe Village’s Impact so Significant?

Its size. This unprecedented development is expected to include over 3,200 residential units, resulting in an influx of more than 1,000 K-12 students to our elementary and high school districts. Ivanhoe Village developers themselves tout it as a development unlike any other in the history of Lake County or the State of Illinois. There is no doubt that it will bring significant impacts to schools, roads, traffic, utilities, etc., that must be proactively planned for and funded.

D79 will need a new school for the estimated influx of over 750 students, and the impact fees ensure Ivanhoe Village developers pay their fair share—not just taxpayers.

The Issue: The Village has Neglected to Address the Actual Impact

On April 14, 2025, the Village approved impact fees that address less than 10% of the estimated facility costs attributable to the impact from Ivanhoe Village. In effect, the Mayor has carried forward the intention of past leadership to side with the developer’s unverified claims of financial hardship, leaving taxpayers to absorb the impact. This development’s impact is simply too large if Village officials are unwilling to address the significant financial gap.

Without proper capital support for D79’s new school, the impact may include:

• Increased tax burden for our current community

• Increased class sizes

• Reduced educational programming

• Students in mobile classrooms

Timing & Advocacy Matters

It is our understanding that the Village of Mundelein is at least five months away from approval of the final Ivanhoe Village development. Until that time, the Village has the authority to update the terms of the impact fees without delaying the developer’s timeline. Should they choose to do so, it is not too late for the Village of Mundelein to properly and fully consider the needs of our school communities, as well as the current taxpayers.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Be a voice for your family, your neighborhood, our school districts, and our community.

• Contact Mayor Meier and the Village Board of Trustees and encourage the Village of Mundelein to work with our school districts to revisit the Ivanhoe Village impact fees. Together, we can support responsible growth that protects taxpayers and strengthens our schools.

• Attend “Evening with the Mayor” on Thursday, August 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Mundelein Police Department to share your voice and ask questions.

• Join your community at the Village Board meeting on Monday, August 25, at 7:00 p.m. at the Mundelein Village Hall to show your support and encourage collaboration.

Thank you for standing with us in support of our community and our schools. We continue to strive to get the planning right for a project that will significantly change the landscape of our community. For more information on our efforts regarding the Ivanhoe Village development, please click here.

Sincerely,

School Board D79

President Gabriela Whipple

Vice President Pamela Shaw

Secretary Shawn Killackey

Member Michael Jandes

Member Aga Macoch

Member David Whitson

Member Latoya Conners Gray

Superintendent Trisha Kocanda

President Peter Rastrelli

Vice President Mark Ponce

Secretary Aaron Welllington

Member Jennifer Hill

Member Sean Hogan

Member Laura Mellon

Member Sophia Schneckloth

Superintendent Corey Tafoya