Karen McHale-1st Ward Alderman RM

08/23/2025

City Council will meet on Tuesday, August 26 for a Committee of the Whole (COW) Meeting at 6:30 PM. During this meeting, we will discuss the Kirchoff Road Traffic Study.

The regular City Council Meeting will begin immediately after the COW, but not before 7:00 PM.

If you would like to provide public comment on the Kirchoff Road Traffic Study, please be sure to sign in before 6:30 PM.

COW Agenda:
https://www.cityrm.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08262025-1302
City Council Meeting Agenda:
https://www.cityrm.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08262025-1301

05/07/2025

The city will be holding an informational meeting regarding the upcoming road construction for neighborhood road reconstruction (Pebblebrook, Fox Lane & I believe Amanda Ct.) at Cottonwood Park this evening from 5-6. Feel free to join us!

03/27/2025

🚨 Clarifying Tuesday’s Vote 🚨
We were NOT voting on a road diet or any immediate reconfiguration of Kirchoff Road. The vote was about incorporating the Kirchoff Road Corridor Study into the City's Comprehensive Plan—a step that would allow us to secure grant funding for further analysis while still engaging the community.

🗳️ What Happened?
The Council voted 4-3 to postpone incorporating the study until a traffic study—at the city’s expense of $15K-$20K—is completed.

💰 Why Does This Matter?
We have an opportunity to apply for the Invest in Cook Grant, which would cover both the traffic study and Phase 1 engineering—at no cost to the city. By delaying, we've now jeopardized our chance at this funding.

⏳ What’s Next?
The moratorium on Kirchoff Road ends April 30.
By the time the city bids, procures, and completes the traffic study, this deadline will have passed.

📖 Key Takeaway from the Study
A key finding for me that stood out:

🔍 In-person participants—those who had meaningful conversations with the planning group—were more likely to see road configuration as a path forward to creating a true town center for Rolling Meadows, a place where:
✅ Families & visitors can enjoy unique experiences year-round
✅ The City’s heritage is celebrated
✅ Our small-town feel & local character are highlighted

(📄 pg. 10 of the study)

💻 However, the online survey and in-person public comments reflected different viewpoints.

I voted to support incorporating this study because I believe in open, transparent dialogue with the community and stakeholders. This was about exploring expert recommendations to shape a new economic future and create a real sense of place for everyone in Rolling Meadows.

🚧 This was never a “shovels in the ground tomorrow” plan—it was about exploring options for the future. Now, we may have lost valuable time and funding in the process.

Please see supporting documents in the comments)

03/25/2025

Please see the link for tomorrow's City Council Meeting. On the agenda to note- The Kirchoff Road Corridor Study is currently under consideration for inclusion in the City's Comprehensive Plan. However, no final decisions will be made during tomorrow evening’s meeting. At this stage, no engineering or complete traffic studies have been conducted. Should this concept be pursued as a potential option for creating a more pedestrian- and business-friendly corridor, it would require further evaluation, including detailed engineering plans, comprehensive traffic studies, feedback from the Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z), and public hearings to ensure community input and thorough analysis.

02/25/2025

The Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the recently completed Kirchoff Road Corridor Study during its March 4th meeting (7pm at City Hall, 3600 Kirchoff Road).

The study’s findings – developed with input from residents, business leaders, property owners, and other stakeholders – offer fresh perspectives and actionable recommendations for the City to build a sustainable, economically vibrant downtown that is active, engaging, attractive, and energized.

The report’s results emphasize:
• Placemaking & Open Space: Enhancing the corridor’s identity and creating inviting public spaces.
• Economic Development: Encouraging business growth and attracting investment.
• Zoning and the Regulatory Framework: Updating the zoning code to support a walkable, mixed-use downtown.
• Transportation & Mobility: Improving access and connectivity for all visitors.

Community members are invited to attend the March 4th meeting. Public comments regarding the study may also be sent to [email protected] or delivered to City Hall by Monday, March 3rd. These will be circulated with all other meeting materials.

For more information on the Kirchoff Road Corridor Study, visit www.PlanRollingMeadows.com

10/24/2024

WE HEARD YOU AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME SITE DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR KIRCHOFF ROAD! Voice your opinion once again to ponder what an active, fun downtown area may look like to you.
These are exciting times as we move forward together to shape the future of Kirchoff Road!
Complete the survey today: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCPPCLH

10/21/2024

Sharing here for those following. Thanks Ald O’Brien for the summary.

10/11/2024

COW Agenda for Tuesday, Oct 14
1) Proposed FY2025 Library Budget
2) Branding Discussion

10/02/2024

09/21/2024

FYI

The Schaumburg village board’s scheduled decision Tuesday on a controversial proposal for 357 rental apartment, townhouse and rowhome units on the 33-acre Loeber Farm property near Rolling Meadows h...

09/10/2024

FYI tonight's City Council Meeting will have a late start of 7:30.