Winnetka is one vote away from formally banning Airbnb-style rentals in the village.

Trustees are scheduled to take up a short-term rental ordinance at their Tuesday, July 21, board meeting after tabling the item on July 7, when three members were absent. The proposed ban would prohibit any rental of a dwelling unit or room for fewer than 60 consecutive days and cap residential turnover at two unique tenants in a 12-month period. Month-to-month extensions would still be allowed if they meet the 60-day minimum.

Community Development Director Scott Mangum told Pioneer Press the village's zoning code has always been silent on short-term rentals, making enforcement nearly impossible. Staff discovered a local Airbnb listing dating to 2021, which prompted the codification effort.

At the July 7 meeting, Trustee Tina Dalman raised concerns about a family-member exemption she called a potential loophole. Trustee Bridget Orsic pushed back: "I would want to not let the perfect be the enemy of the good, and if we need to tweak any definitions…I just don't want to keep pushing this off."

Village President Bob Dearborn tabled the vote to ensure a full board for adoption. Glencoe, Northfield, and Wilmette have already banned rentals shorter than 30 days, according to a 2023 Northwest Municipal Conference survey cited at an earlier Winnetka board session.

Friends Park survey closes July 26

Glencoe residents have until Sunday, July 26, to weigh in on design concepts for Friends Park, the inclusive playground at 719–745 Vernon Ave., steps from the Park Avenue dining corridor. Each concept offers a different mix of play equipment, shade structures, game areas, a pollinator garden, and picnic shelters. The current equipment is more than 10 years old, and the Glencoe Park District lists a target construction start of fall 2027.

The Board of Commissioners will review results at its August meeting. The district has not disclosed a total project budget; residents can request budget documents through the district's FOIA officer at glencoeparkdistrict.com/public-records-foia.

North Shore Community & Culture Week Ahead

Sunday, July 19 — Winnetka Village Green Neighborhood Walking Tour, 1:30–2:45 p.m., Village Green Park, 525 Maple St. The Winnetka Historical Society leads a 75-minute tour starting at the 1927 Cenotaph war memorial, visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial, Christ Church Parish Complex, and architecturally significant homes along Maple, Pine, and Oak streets. Registration required.

Sunday, July 19 — Winnetka Schmidt-Burnham Log House open to the public, 2–4 p.m., 1140 Willow Rd. (Crow Island Woods). Cook County's oldest log structure, built circa 1837. National Register of Historic Places. Free.

Tuesday, July 21 — Wilmette Wilmette Public Library Board of Trustees meeting, 6:30 p.m., lower-level Auditorium, 1242 Wilmette Ave. Agenda includes an Elevator Modernization Project agreement. Open to the public.

Tuesday, July 21 — Glencoe Show & Tell: Summer Nights, 7 p.m., Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Ct. Free admission.

Wednesday, July 22 — Winnetka "Shaken to the Core" — a discussion with authors Dara Levan and Ali Wenzke, 6 p.m., The Book Stall, 811 Elm St.

Thursday, July 23 — Wilmette Kohl Children's Museum presents "Fostering Empathetic Children" with Dr. Dana Suskind, 5 p.m., Michigan Shores Club, 911 Michigan Ave.

Friday, July 24 — Glencoe Glencoe Al Fresco: Blues Night featuring Big Dog Mercer, 5–7 p.m., WLC Park (next to Writers Theatre), 325 Tudor Ct. Co-hosted by Writers Theatre, the Village of Glencoe, and the Glencoe Public Library. Free.

Saturday, July 25 — Glencoe Green Bay Trail Day, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., between Shelton Park and Woodlawn Ave. Marks 15 years of trail restoration. Free.

Saturday, July 25 — Winnetka Dung & Bo Series: Saturday Storytime with Melanie Uteg, 10:30 a.m., The Book Stall, 811 Elm St.

Saturday, July 25 — Winnetka The Saint Cecilia, 6:30 p.m., The Winnetka Chapel, 630 Lincoln Ave.

Sunday, July 26 — Wilmette "American Prophets — Writers, Religion and Culture," 2 p.m., Bahá'í House of Worship, 100 Linden Ave. Free.