At District 88, we are committed to being open and transparent with our communication to keep stakeholders up to date and informed.
As part of that focus, this message is to share information about a partnership we’re pursuing with TowerCo Infrastructure and AT&T. It provides an update regarding the installation of a wireless telecom facility on the Willowbrook campus.
Details about the project can be viewed below.
What are the benefits of building a wireless telecom facility?
The proposed facility will:
FirstNet - Due to communications challenges during the response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the 9/11 Commission recommended the establishment of a single, interoperable network for public safety. For years, public safety organizations lobbied Congress to make this recommendation a reality. Therefore, when Congress established the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) in 2012, it based its mission on public safety’s express concerns and desires.To truly design the FirstNet network for public safety by public safety – a distinction that makes it unique in American telecommunications history – FirstNet continuously consults with local, state/territory, tribal and federal public safety agencies across the country. Over the past several years, FirstNet has collaborated with public safety stakeholders and leadership from each state and territory. Never before has the public safety community had the opportunity to provide input towards the creation of a nationwide broadband network tailored specifically to meet their needs as they save lives and protect communities across the nation.
Local first responders have confirmed there have been issues with accessing calls directly (calls are being diverted) during emergency events, and this access will be beneficial to assist with communications in the event of an emergency when multiple agencies are responding.
What is the timeline for this project?
Where will the facility be built?
The facility will be on the northwest corner of the Willowbrook campus. CLICK HERE to view a proposed map of the area.
What will the facility entail?
The proposed site will include a 115-foot multicarrier monopole tower (120 feet, with the 5-foot lightning rod). The area will be enclosed in a 40-by-60-foot fenced equipment compound that will include slats to screen the equipment and deter any trespassing into the equipment compound. Additionally, the compound will be screened in on the north, south and east sides by a regional species of evergreen trees. The west side will be screened in by the adjacent forest preserve. The site will be accessed by a new, paved road that uses an existing field drive, with a gate to the access road.
What will be the impact on residents?
The facility will have little to no impact on residents or village services.
How will the facility be funded?
There will be no cost to residents/taxpayers to implement this project. Funds will be provided by TowerCo Infrastructure.
Who can I contact with questions or for more information?
You’re welcome to contact the District 88 Business Office at 630-530-3970.
Thank you for your continued support of District 88.
*UPDATE AS OF OCTOBER 2025:
At the Board of Education meeting on December 9, 2024, the Board approved the amendment to the ground lease agreement, originally signed in 2022, with TowerCo for a communications tower at Willowbrook HS. The amendment alters the payment structure of the lease. Originally, the agreement would pay the district $1,700 in rent, the first day of the month and would escalate 2% each year for the life of the lease agreement. The life of the agreement is five (5) years and TowerCo has the right to extend the lease for four (4) additional five (5) year terms for a total of twenty-five (25) years. With this amendment, TowerCo would advance the District the first 10 years of rent payments, totaling $204,000. Pursuing this option would forgo the 2% escalator during this time period, which would equate to approximately $3,980 in lost revenue. However, we would still be entitled to the additional revenue and the 2% escalator on any additional antennas that are added in the future ($400/mo). If TowerCo renews the contract after the initial 10-year term, the new lease payment to the District would resume as if the 2% escalator was never waived and the base lease amount would move from $1,700/mo to approximately $2,072. The $204,000 lump sum payment would be reserved to cover the costs of RF testing around Willowbrook HS. The remaining amount would be for consideration of a yet undetermined capital project at Willowbrook HS. In addition, the amendment also provides the district with an annual structural analysis report as well as when any equipment is modified on the tower.