Crystal Lake bleachers get demolition reprieve…for now

The Illinois Appellate Court has put a hold on the order to demolish the bleachers at Crystal Lake South High School until the state Supreme Court weighs in on the issue.

If the Supreme Court takes up the school's appeal to keep the bleachers, the appeals court stay will remain in effect until the high court rules. If the Supreme Court does not take up the appeal, the stay will be lifted.

The ruling issued Friday means that the Dec. 1 deadline to begin demolition is no longer in effect, unless the Supreme Court rejects the case before then.

McHenry County Circuit Judge Michael Chmiel has ruled that Community High School District 155 violated local law by building the bleachers, which are significantly larger than the stands they replaced, without getting zoning approval from the city of Crystal Lake.

The district previously lost an appeal of that ruling. But the school board last month asked for a stay of Chmiel's ruling to start the tear-down by Dec. 1, district spokesman Jeff Puma said.

"It's a very serious and complex issue that affects every district, not just 155, so the Supreme Court's ability to weigh in and provide a definitive ruling is extremely important for our district and other schools," Puma said.

The bleachers were used for home football games and gym classes in the fall, and if they remain standing will be used in the spring for track, physical education and graduation ceremonies, the spokesman said.

The school board will weigh the matter at Tuesday's board meeting. Puma said the board may consider various options, including the cost of a complete tear-down, a tear-down and reconstruction or moving the bleachers to another school.

Residents whose homes are dwarfed by the adjacent bleachers including State's Attorney Lou Bianchi and his wife, Jean, and Jeff Gurba and his wife, Kim filed suit against the school district after it built the stands in summer 2013.

Attorney Tom Burney, who represents the residents, said the district still faces a standing order to undergo the city zoning process but is appealing that decision as well.

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Crystal Lake bleachers get demolition reprieve...for now