According to the ordinance, changes that are requested to take place to designated historic landmarks must be referred to the Chicago Heights Preservation Committee for consideration.

The City Council really doesn't care about the Historic Preservation Committee or about historic preservation.

The procedure is that the committee makes its recommendation to the City Council and, of course, the City Council has the final authority on this.

In 10 years we'll regret it, just like we regret losing the other buildings in Chicago Heights -- the Victoria Hotel and the Lincoln-Dixie theater. We have demolished enough masterpieces. That is a wonderful, wonderful building.

It's no more of a hazard than any derelict building, and Lord knows we've got enough (of them).

They've asked if we could provide some parking specifically for them. But according to the zoning ordinance, we're not allowed to provide off-site parking for residential in a commercial district. It's not legal.