Mobile phone carrier T-Mobile will pay the village of Lincolnwood in excess of $1 million over the next 20 years to lease a portion of the village’s water tower.
The Village Board voted 5-0 at its April 15 meeting to approve the reinstatement of the lease allowing a T-Mobile cellular tower on 240-square-feet of the village-owned water tower at 7034 Central Park Avenue. The lease agreement was part of the consent agenda – which included other measures collectively subject to a single vote – and there was no board discussion.
According to village records, the original agreement between T-Mobile and Lincolnwood began on Nov. 2, 2000, with a five-year term and three, five-year renewals, and a rent of $24,000 annually paid monthly with 4% annual rent increases. T-Mobile has continued to pay monthly in accordance with the original agreement which expired in November 2020.
Earlier this year, the village contracted with Bud Blinick, president of Cell at Auction LLC who is considered an industry expert, to analyze and negotiate an amendment to the agreement proposed by T-Mobile. The proposal renewed and extended the site lease with a $4,300 monthly rent increase and 3% annual bumps for four successive five-year terms – or 20 years.
The village’s Telecommunications Advisory Commission met Feb. 20 to review the proposal, and with Blinick’s input, determined that the proposed rent was in line with current market prices. The commission recommended Village Board approval of the proposal with staff confirmation that Lincolnwood received all monthly payments from T-Mobile since 2020.
The new lease agreement extends the term through September 30, 2044.
Also during the April 15 village board meeting, Village President Jesal Patel issued two proclamations recognizing Jewish Americans, as well as Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and proclaiming May 2025 both Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
The first proclamation recognizes “Jews have profoundly contributed to America’s history, society, and culture,” stating that former President George W. Bush established the month of May as Jewish American Heritage Month in 2006.
The proclamation acknowledges a national rise in antisemitic activity and “Jewish Americans are the targets of 60 percent of religiously based hate crimes” and that society needs to “reaffirm our rejection of antisemitic bigotry and our commitment to never compromise our steadfast support for the Jewish community.”
The second proclamation recognizes the contributions of residents from Asia, India and the Pacific Islands. who make up 23% of the village’s population, according to the 2020 census, and have contributed to the village’s economy, culture, education, politics, arts, literature, science and technological developments.
The proclamation also states that the month of May was chosen to commemorate the first Japanese immigration to the U.S. in May 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in May 1869 by primarily Chinese immigrant workers, and now will “celebrate the importance of inclusion and building a brighter future for all residents by recognizing the contributions and accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.”
Elizabeth Owens-Schiele is a freelancer.
