News Briefs: Review of new Optima project delayed; Tracy Katz Muhl appointed to Carroll’s seat; Park district to celebrate new platform tennis courts

The Village of Wilmette’s public review of the proposed Optima Verdana Phase II development is postponed after the developer pulled the plans from the Appearance Review Commission’s Thursday agenda.

The development is planned for 721-739 Green Bay Road, the former site of Imperial Motors.

The Village’s Appearance Review Commission will conduct a non-binding review of the project, and then the Plan Commission will review the submission and conduct a public hearing on the application; however, both commissions’ January reviews of Optima II are postponed.

Once the Plan Commission has completed its review, it will make a recommendation to the Village Board. The new date of the public hearing will be posted once it is scheduled.

The project, Verdana Phase II, is similar in concept to the new Optima Verdana building next door on Green Bay Road, as The Record previously reported.

57th District candidate Tracy Katz Muhl appointed to fill vacated seat

Local Democratic leaders appointed Tracy Katz Muhl to the state House of Representatives on Thursday, Jan. 11, to fill the seat of Jonathon Carroll, who resigned in January, and represent Illinois’ 57th District.

Katz Muhl, the Northfield Township Democratic committeeperson, was already running for the seat, which represents portions of Wilmette, Winnetka, Northfield, Kenilworth and Glencoe, among other north-suburban communities.

“I am incredibly grateful to the 57th district for the support that they have shown for me thus far,” Katz Muhl said in a statement. “I also have the finest team in politics helping me get to this point, including my family, kitchen cabinet and volunteers, as well as all the elected officials who supported my campaign with endorsements, funds and advice.

“I am absolutely thrilled that I don’t need to wait to start fighting for the interests and values of our community as their representative in Springfield.”

Former Rep. Jonathan Carroll resigned Jan. 7 after six years of serving the 57th District. Carroll had previously announced that he was not going to run for another term.

An attorney, Muhl is a former District 28 School Board president. She was endorsed by U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider and State Sen. Laura Fine, among many others.

Park district to christen new platform tennis courts Jan. 19

The Winnetka Platform Tennis Club is expanding its reach after years of working with the Winnetka Park District to build new courts for the growing platform tennis community.

The grand opening of the two new platform tennis courts is scheduled from 5-6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 19, at the Platform Tennis Facility, 490B Hibbard Road in Winnetka.

The courts are part of an expansion project partially funded by donations from the American Platform Tennis Association and the Chicago Platform Tennis Charities, with additional funding by the Winnetka Park District and the Winnetka Platform Tennis Club, according to a release from the park district.

The construction of the two new courts and pathways to connect the courts is the first phase of the project. The second phase of the project will include the expansion of the paddle tennis hut, the addition of more viewing areas, landscaping and outdoor patio space, said Costas Kutulas, the district’s director of parks and maintenance.

The Winnetka Platform Tennis Club joined forces with the park district in 1978 and is one of the largest platform tennis clubs in the country. The club maintains a strong connection with the Winnetka Park District and has worked together with the park district and the American Platform Tennis Association to build an award-winning paddle hut and a total of eight courts.

“We are thrilled to unveil these two new courts and celebrate the continued growth of platform tennis in our community,” said Colin Cross, Winnetka Platform Tennis Club president. “The continued support of the Winnetka Park District and our generous, dedicated paddle tennis community has made this expansion possible. We look forward to continuing to foster a love for the sport among players of all ages.”

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