The Village of Justice is pushing for two new ramps on I-294 tollway that would allow for vehicles to enter and leave the Tri-State expressway through an area where village leaders hope to nurture a stronger business district.

The new off- and on-ramps would serve as the foundation for a plan by the village to create a new business district along Archer Avenue created by a Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) to encourage private investment.

The plans were discussed during a public hearing held at the Village Hall on Monday, Oct. 11 at the beginning of the regularly scheduled board meeting.

Mayor Kris Wasowicz reported that the plan to create an on and off ramp from I-294 into Justice has been endorsed by the Southwest Conference of Mayors which includes 21 suburban municipalities that also would benefit from the expressway ramp additions.
“I met with members of the Southwest Conference of Mayors on Sept. 28 and I presented
a project or resolution to the conference of mayors to open the ramps. We have had meetings with the tollway authority and they are working with us to achieve this. I can envision a time when we can be partners. The resolution supporting the opening of the ramps by the Southwest Conference of Mayors means that all the mayors on the southwest side are with us in supporting that project. It is going to be the cornerstone of our business development.”

The resolution, signed by Mayor’s Conference President Gerald Bennett, who is also the mayor of Palos Hills, declares: “… the project will provide necessary transportation linkages and other system benefits, will enhance future economic development and job creation opportunities for the south suburban area, and will enhance the quality of life in the region.”
The Conference resolution encourages the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Cook County Highway Department (CCHD) to work with Justice to identify funding sources for the project.

In anticipation of approving the construction of the on and off ramps on I-294, the Village of Justice is proposing a new TIF district, the village’s 4th, to help new business development along the Archer Avenue corridor. Bob Rychlicki of Kane, McKenna & Associates, one of the state’s premier TIF managers, detailed the TIF district proposal at the public hearing.
The TIF districts roughly includes Archer Road, and southwest to Cork avenue. It includes several large parcels of property including property owned by the schools, the Justice Park District and the Fire Protection District. Rychlicki said that the TIF must adhere to state laws. It will not impact residential properties but it will allow for vacant properties to be developed for businesses, fund the renovation and or expansion of existing businesses, and support improvements in streets, sidewalks and infrastructure, including improving homes adjacent or near the business development.

Mayor Wasowicz said that property taxes of residential homes will not increase.
“Whether we like it or not the change is coming, What we can do is control the change.
We want to position this village so that when change and development comes, we can help to make it happen and derive benefit from it. We have very few areas in the village that are zoned for commercial development. We have to utilize those areas. All we can ensure is that there is a balance between business and homeowner needs.”