A proposal from Gov. JB Pritzker aims to change who controls what gets built in Illinois neighborhoods — and some local mayors aren't happy about it.

In fact, during Monday’s City Council meeting, Batavia Mayor Jeffrey Schielke said he’s “never seen in my years here anything that drew as much concern and interest as this thing has.”

Pritzker’s BUILD plan, unveiled last month, would override local zoning laws to allow multi-unit housing and backyard "granny flats" on residential lots across the state. In response, Schielke suggested that a local delegation will head to Springfield with other suburban mayors to push back.

Read on to learn what the plan would actually do — and why local municipalities are fired up.

_{SPONSORED CONTENT}

There aren’t many truly local garbage companies left. This is one of them.

When Tri-Cities homeowners need a dumpster, they call Midwest Waste — not a large national company, not a call center, and not a company that buries fees in the fine print.

Midwest Waste is locally owned, locally staffed, and known for helping local residents and businesses choose exactly what they need — whether that’s a quick garage clean-out or a full-scale remodel.

Clear pricing. Real answers. Reliable service. If you’re planning a project this spring or summer, you already know who to call.

The 🔒 symbol indicates a potential paywall.

☑️ Freedom trails: A statewide group is documenting local Illinois Underground Railroad sites — with collaboration from the St. Charles History Museum — to preserve and teach the stories of past freedom seekers in the area.

☑️ Cameras likely coming: Geneva officials recommended installing security cameras at city hall, the police station, and the public works facility, closing coverage gaps that staff say have caused issues in the past.

☑️ “Forever” chemicals: Elburn officials are retesting the village's drinking water after notifying residents that the state detected a PFAS compound above recommended reporting levels in a village well.

☑️ Treasurer race: Get details on the three candidates vying for the Democratic Kane County treasurer nomination — Connie Cain, Scott Johansen, and Penny Wegman — with the winner moving on to face Republican incumbent Chris Lauzen.

🔒 Park in jeopardy: Some Geneva neighbors are pushing back against plans to replace Sam Hill Park with a new police station if voters approve the March 17 referendum, while city and park district officials said they would relocate the park’s ballfields.

☑️ Heads up: A controlled burn of a Geneva Business Park wetlands area is scheduled for Monday (3/9) between Route 38 and Fabyan Parkway along Kautz Road.