In a surprising turn of events at the Winnetka Park District Board meeting on December 14, an anonymous donor, represented by attorney Elizabeth O'Brien of Levenfeld Pearlstein, offered a $3 million dollar donation to rival that of billionaire Justin Ishbia. This unexpected offer is said to provide "greater flexibility and autonomy in planning the future of these unique public spaces," as quoted from O'Brien's statement reported by the Chicago Tribune. The donor has expressed a desire to remain completely anonymous and has no wish for public recognition.
The current donation from Ishbia, set at the same amount, has not been without controversy, with debates over attached conditions causing rifts within the community. Ishbia's donation, initially without strings, now includes several stipulations including a requirement for the park district to maintain certain structures for 50 years, and to pay back the donation if the agreement is breached. Ishbia owns the land immediately south of Centennial where he plans to build a mansion, and had previously entered into a land swap agreement with the district, which is currently stalled due to legal action. According to details released by The Record North Shore, the new anonymous donation was to "unite the community and facilitate the park district's waterfront plans without being obligated to a private individual for a century or even any decade."
At the December 14 meeting, the park board decided to temporarily table the vote on Ishbia’s donation agreement after the reveal of the new offer. O'Brien, while explaining the new offer, emphasized that it would help the park district to "move on from a controversy that has unnecessarily divided the Winnetka community," according to her statement obtained by The Record North Shore. The board has scheduled a vote on the Ishbia donation for the meeting on January 18.
The inclusion of John Peterson, the outgoing Executive Director of Winnetka Park District, as the arbiter in the Ishbia agreement has raised other concerns among park commissioners. Peterson’s role, which would see him determining if the Park District remains faithful to the donation agreement post-completion of the project, was debated for its optics and neutrality. "Having John as the arbiter is probably the best person that we could have in favor of the park district," Board President Christina Codo told The Record North Shore, though others question this alignment.
With a significant community turnout appearing to favor the new donation, according to the Tribune's reporting, residents voiced their belief that accepting the $3 million from the anonymous donor would allow the Park District to escape the "oppressive conditions" attached to Ishbia's so-called philanthropy. The board has resolved to further explore negotiations with the anonymous donor, with Codo and Commissioner James Hemmings tentatively appointed to lead the talks. Despite the beneficence surrounding these potential donations, the board urges caution, wary that the new offer could introduce its own complexities.
