U.S. Bank wants to build a new drive-thru facility at 44 Madison St., one block east of the branch the Village of Oak Park is trying to take through eminent domain for a police headquarters estimated at more than $63 million.

The bank filed two zoning requests with the village for the new site, the Wednesday Journal reported Aug. 18. Oak Park's Zoning Board of Appeals will review both applications at its Wednesday, Sept. 2 meeting.

The first request seeks special approval for a drive-thru facility. The second asks for a variance to operate the drive-thru without an adjacent bail-out lane, a safety feature normally required under village code. The ZBA can grant the bail-out lane variance on its own authority; the drive-thru special-use request will go to the village board as a recommendation.

The backstory at 11 Madison St.

U.S. Bank's current branch sits at 11 Madison St., which the village board selected in November 2025 as its preferred site for a new police headquarters. In January, trustees voted to begin a "quick take" expedited eminent domain process after what the village described as resistance from the bank.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed Public Act 104-0816 on Aug. 7, giving Oak Park a two-year window of quick-take authority to acquire the property. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Don Harmon and Reps. Camille Lilly and Ryan Spain, passed the Illinois Senate on April 14 and the House on May 27, according to the village's weekly report.

A village spokesperson told the Wednesday Journal in an email that the village is still negotiating with U.S. Bank to reach a potential agreement to acquire the 11 Madison St. property.

What it means for Madison Street

The two sites are one block apart. If approved, the new drive-thru would give U.S. Bank a physical presence on Madison Street even if the village acquires its current building. No statement from U.S. Bank explaining the application was available in public filings.

What currently occupies 44 Madison St. and whether any demolition or construction permits have been filed for the site is not yet clear from village records.

The ZBA hearing on Sept. 2 is the next public milestone for the drive-thru application.