WAVE

Winnetkans Against
Value Erosion

We are a group of concerned residents advocating for government transparency, responsible spending of taxpayer dollars and the protection of Winnetka’s core values to ensure a bright future for our community.

This is a call for our neighbors to join together and work to hold our elected leaders accountable. As residents of Winnetka, we have a responsibility to support one another and work together to uphold the values we believe make Winnetka such a great place. This group is not about any one trustee or single action, but rather a group of concerned citizens standing together. We are calling for greater openness and accountability to ensure a strong future for our great village.

Who We Are

We are business owners, doctors, lawyers, teachers and neighbors. We are community members, just like you, who want to support good governance, fair property rights, strong property values, exceptional education and equality among all Winnetka residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did this group come together?

  1. We launched WAVE in the interest of strengthening community engagement, holding our Village Board accountable and advocating for policies that benefit our incredible community.
  2. We are a group of neighbors who share a common belief that government operates at its best with openness and transparency, with responsible spending priorities that protect taxpayer dollars and with the best interests of all Winnetka residents in mind.

What is the biggest issue driving this group?

  1. We are focused on property rights, property taxes and property values.
  2. The focus of the Village Trustees should be on the major issues facing Winnetka — One Winnetka, the Post Office, downtown vacancy rates and Winnetka falling behind other villages, like Wilmette.
  3. More important priorities, like supporting local business development and increasing property values, have been neglected or stifled.
  4. We believe the Village Board has sacrificed our right to improve our own property with ordinances that could have a devastating long-term impact on this community and increase our property taxes. Most notably, we have serious concerns about ordinance MC-01-2024, which will place burdensome regulations on our properties.
  5. This ordinance is a violation of Illinois state law that does not improve the protection of the environment, nor the safety of the lakefront as claimed in the board’s decision.

What steps is the group taking to combat new, harmful policies?

  1. We are pushing for increased government transparency, which Winnetka Trustees have been resisting. They have not openly responded to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
  2. We can be sure our interests, especially those that impact our rights as property owners, and our tax dollars are being protected in any new ordinances passed.
  3. The Village Board has ignored public opinion and needs to run a more inclusive process.
  4. The Village Board needs to follow the law.
  5. The first step was the creation of WAVE, a grassroots community organization focused on accountability, transparency and the protection of property rights.
  6. We intend to use this group to educate and update the community, and when necessary, mobilize residents to advocate against harmful ordinances like MC-01-2024.

How can I get involved?

  1. Click the link below to sign up for updates and let us know that you want to join our efforts.
Do You Have Other Questions? Reach Us Directly Here

Issues We Are
Defending

Property Owners Rights

In February 2024, the Winnetka Village Board passed an overreaching ordinance that severely limits what homeowners can do to improve their homes and invites negative spillover effects onto the property values of owners across the village. We assert that this ordinance not only violates Illinois state law, but also ignores the concerns and priorities of Winnetka citizens. The Village Board conducted a predetermined process and did not listen to overwhelming voices that spoke out against these ordinances, and others.

OUR EFFECTS
ORDINANCE
LAWSUIT

The Latest News

Winnetka property owners follow through with lawsuit against Village over bluff regulations

The Record – North Shore, May 5, 2024

More than 2 dozen homeowners sue Winnetka over lakefront policies

The Chicago Tribune, May 3, 2024

Lakefront homeowners sue Winnetka over new bluff-protection rules

Crain’s Chicago Business, May 2, 2024

Steep slope regulations approved unanimously by Winnetka Village Council

Chicago Tribune, February 9, 2024

Editorial: Your bluffs are gorgeous, Winnetka. Now call off the lawyers and compromise.

Chicago Tribune, February 9, 2024

Winnetka passes lakefront ordinance despite threat of lawsuits

Crain’s Chicago Business, February 7, 2024

Winnetka lakefront ordinance has residents — and their lawyers — rattling sabers

Crain’s Chicago Business, February 6, 2024

Winnetka considers limiting lake bluff construction with updated ordinance

Chicago Tribune, January 12, 2024

Winnetka Village Council approves lot consolidation regulation in wake of ongoing lakefront controversy

Chicago Tribune, December 22, 2023

Winnetka Village Council looking toward lot consolidation and steep slope regulation

Chicago Tribune, November 20, 2023

Proposed lakefront regulations stir up trouble in Winnetka

Chicago Tribune, July 11, 2023

Subscribe for Updates

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp

×

Our Efforts

Earlier this year, the Village Board approved an ordinance that dramatically restricts property rights and is expected to damage property values and increase property taxes across Winnetka over time.

The ordinance is expected to take 40% of buildable areas away from homeowners and lower their allowable home size by roughly 5-8%. This negative impact will most likely have “spillover” effects on properties values across Winnetka by reducing the pool of homeowners willing to adhere to such limitations and negatively impacting the perception of our community. While the impact on home values is nuanced, it is closely tied to how potential buyers perceive these restrictions, potential future restrictions and the competency of the Village Board.

No one would want to have their property rights drastically limited without fair process and compensation. And no one would want to put up with a process that unfairly disregards the opinions of residents. These restrictions will continue to negatively affect property values and taxes for everyone and drive potential neighbors away from our beautiful community.

Ordinance

Among the concerns we have, the ordinance states that the purpose of the ordinance was to improve safety and environmental impacts. However, there are no safety or environmental hazards. The Village Trustees, who are not experienced in such matters, never considered the amount of damage this ordinance would cause.

See Ordinance

Lawsuit

There are two main legal issues that the board’s decision has presented. First, the board did not follow Illinois state law, specifically the La Salle/Sinclair Factors. Secondly, it has no plans to compensate landowners for diminished home values resulting from the ordinance.

The Winnetka Village Board is charged with fairly representing the opinions and concerns of the citizens it represents. However, the community’s vocal opposition has not been adequately reflected nor acknowledged. Experts did not conclude that Winnetka needed the ordinance. It was even stated early on, by trustees, that only small changes to the current, adequate permitting requirements were needed.

There are expectations set by history and Illinois state laws, including the rights of property owners. The board did not complete any work on how this ordinance might impact home values in Winnetka, and it ignored professional opinions about the potential negative impacts of the ordinance.

The new ordinances stated purpose is to improve the protection, environment or safety of the lakefront, as claimed but it fails to do so. If the ordinance’s purpose was adhered to, we would have supported it.Earlier this year, the Village Board approved an ordinance that dramatically restricts property rights and is expected to damage property values and increase property taxes across Winnetka over time.The ordinance is expected to take 40% of buildable areas away from homeowners and lower their allowable home size by roughly 5-8%. This negative impact will most likely have “spillover” effects on properties values across Winnetka by reducing the pool of homeowners willing to adhere to such limitations and negatively impacting the perception of our community. While the impact on home values is nuanced, it is closely tied to how potential buyers perceive these restrictions, potential future restrictions and the competency of the Village Board.No one would want to have their property rights drastically limited without fair process and compensation. And no one would want to put up with a process that unfairly disregards the opinions of residents. These restrictions will continue to negatively affect property values and taxes for everyone and drive potential neighbors away from our beautiful community.

View Lawsuit