On October 28, 2025, the Cary Village Board of Trustees voted 5-1 to approve the Seasons at Cary development and amended the same ordinance to put back in the bidirectional road extension from New Haven Dr. to Rt. 31, going against the recommendation of the Zoning Board. In addition, more commercial frontage was added to the development which is expected to result in even more traffic on New Haven Dr. Shortly after the ordinance was passed, Mayor Kownick attempted to address the room and everyone walked out as he began to speak. The meeting was adjourned just a few minutes later. https://www.youtube.com/live/XpWqGVIPIdw
Some residents, including myself, are exploring other avenues with the State of Illinois to stop the road extension, but these mechanisms take much longer to work and it may be months before we see any type of relief, if any at all. Today, we've filed a formal complaint regarding Public Access (FOIA violations) with the Illinois Attorney General's Office. We plan to file an additional complaint alleging a ZPA board member was threatened by a Trustee, which was originally recorded at the July 17, 2025 ZPA meeting and later edited out, so long as key witnesses come forward. If you directly witnessed the threatening remark on the YouTube livestream or were present at the meeting where this conversation took place and you're willing to sign a affidavit, please contact me at ryan@stoprt31.com. Moreover, if you're interested in joining the working group and exploring other options, here's a link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fightrt31extension
If anyone knows an attorney who litigates against local government that would be willing to hear our case and potentially take it on (including filing for injunctive relief, etc.), please send an email to ryan@stoprt31.com as well. Many of us have been contacting attorneys through the Illinois State Bar Association's directory, however local connections are always preferred.
As with any public governing body, one thing is certain: elections. Three (3) Trustee positions will be elected in 2027. All other positions are up for reelection in 2029. Between the Maplewood project and the Seasons at Cary project, I do believe we would foster more than enough turnout to fill these positions with candidates that would not so blindly follow Mayor Kownick's personal feelings and wants for Cary. I myself would be potentially interested in running for a Trustee position if the time was right, but I strongly feel we should focus on what we can do today through legal processes rather than focusing on an election two years down the road.
Should anything else arise in the coming weeks and months, I'll be sure to update everyone.
Sincerely,
Ryan Huellen