Aurora Dumps Kenosha for Pleasant Prairie; Veteran Alderman Wins Suit

Kenosha Ald. Jesse Downing's name will apparently be on the Apr. 3rd ballot as he seeks re-election. Downing had been disqualified by both City Clerk Debbie Salas and the Wisconsin Election Commission in a nominating paper dispute. But Kenosha Judge Anthony Milisauskas, in putting Downing's name back on the ballot Friday, said Downing had "substantially" complied with the law, according to online court records. Downing, who's spent 16 years on the council, will face Dominic Ruffalo.

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Aurora Health Care is moving construction of a planned surgery center and three-story office building from Kenosha to Pleasant Prairie. The non-profit originally targeted a site in Kenosha off of 60th St. and west of I-94. In a news release Friday, Aurora said it was now planning to build several miles due south: In the northwest quadrant of I-94 and St. Hwy. 165. That's in Pleasant Prairie. No reason for the switch was given in the release, and a spokesperson for Aurora wasn't available. The village deferred comment to Aurora. 

However, a staffer in Kenosha's development department said Aurora had previously cited concerns in the past about the cost of putting in roads and utilities through the city site. The city normally doesn't cover those types of development costs for non-industrial uses, he said.   

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