LOMBARD CUTS OFF NOSE TO SPITE FACE

From your Chicago Tribune:

For the historic DuPage Theatre, it seems all that's left to do is wait for the wrecking ball.

Stunning a standing-room only crowd Thursday night, the Lombard Village Board voted 4-2 to reject $1.3 million in committed federal and state funds. They'll now accept bids to demolish the theater. ***

"I think it's reached the level of public rancor where people have dug in and it's not reasonable," said David Bahlman, president of the landmarks council.

"Legislators, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and, to a certain extent, the LCPI, all of the advocates from outside of the community are trying to tell them what to do," Bahlman said. "And I think they're reacting with kind of an `it's our town. It's our property. We don't want anyone telling us what to do.'"

By dooming the DuPage Theatre, Lombard has taken a giant step towards becoming "Villa Park West."