Decision To Dismiss Park Lawsuit Brings Joy, Pain

The decision Friday afternoon by Winnebago County Judge Teresa A. Basiliere to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Friends of Lakeside Park was met with joy on one side, and pain on the other. In handing down the dismissal, Judge Basiliere said the referendum petitions were executed properly and filed correctly, but did not properly reflect a stance of direct legislation, but rather were administrative in nature, and thus were capable of repealing an existing ordinance or resolution. The verdict effectively means unless City Council decides to cancel or amend the current Developers Agreement that was signed last year, the Alternative Master Plan will continue to move forward.