Winnetka Park Board Member Quits Over Justin Ishbia Beach Plans

Winnetka Park District commissioner James Hemmings has resigned due to a clash over Justin Ishbia-backed improvements to Centennial Park Beach.

Hemmings’ departure follows a heated debate over the village Zoning Board of Appeals’ rejection of the park district’s proposed beach upgrades at 225 Sheridan Road, the Record North Shore reported. The improvements, which include a rock-based pier aimed at shoreline preservation, faced criticism from the ZBA for their potential safety risks and environmental impact.

Hemmings, who also served as the park board’s vice president, criticized the ZBA’s handling of the matter and accused the village’s zoning regulations of encroaching on the park district’s independence.

“We are an independent taxing body that the Village has determined to regulate with, as it were, overbroad and haphazardly constructed zoning rules,” he wrote in his resignation letter.

The ZBA’s decision resulted from insufficient expertise and lack of understanding of critical coastal engineering concepts like littoral drift, Hemmings claimed. He also expressed frustration with village staff, alleging they failed to educate the ZBA on the technical nuances of lakefront preservation.

Park district leadership has not publicly commented on the specifics of Hemmings’ resignation but acknowledged his departure in a Dec. 12 news release. Hemmings, an attorney, was elected last year and often served as a swing vote in contentious decisions.

His departure follows a tumultuous year marked by debates over funding and development. For instance, Hemmings voted against accepting a $3 million donation from billionaire Justin Ishbia but later supported censuring a fellow commissioner in another divisive vote.

Ishbia’s financial backing of the beach upgrades is tied to his $77 million mansion under construction nearby.

The Park Board plans to address the vacant board seat this week, inviting community members to apply for the position. A new appointee will be tasked with navigating the regulatory challenges and maintaining the delicate balance of interests within the community.

— Andrew Terrell