July 2014 Westchester Illinois Newsletter

Village of

Westchester JULY 2014 Newsletter

From the Desk of The President POLICE DEPARTMENT

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FIRE DEPARTMENT

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CALENDAR

13 President Pulia with the Daisy Girl Scouts planting flowers at the fountain on 6.5.14

PARK DISTRICT

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SCHOOL DISTRICT

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

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PUBLIC WORKS

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Today is Monday, July 7th. Our Fourth of July celebration has just passed us by and hopefully, as this newsletter is being written mid June, the weather cooperated as in years past and everyone had a great time. I know all of the Village officials love a parade and appreciate your participation and attendance. Believe it or not, the parade takes a great amount of planning even though we have done it for well over 20 years. I would like to thank the Westchester Chamber of Commerce and all of the hard working volunteers who make it appear effortless year after year.

Village Open Meetings Act Officer, serving as the unofficial Village photographer and staff liaison to various commissions and committees. I have had the extreme pleasure to have been able to work with her side by side through both positives and negatives and have been amazed by her tenacity and her positive it’s all about the Village attitude.

Molly could be found at every event from electronic recycling, to photographing the Girl Scout “Daisies” planting flowers near the fountain, to business Ribbon Cuttings, to filling sandbags during our past flood events. As mentioned, “Magee” has made this newsletter evolve to what it is today. I One such employee from the Village side who honestly don’t know what I’m going to do without for the past three years has led the efforts to her being here. I have always regarded her as the entertain the entire Village has decided to leave daughter I did not have and valued her wisdom the employ of the Village to assume a similar roll which is way beyond her years. At a recent special in a community nearer to her home. She is also event meeting when she announced her leaving, planning to enroll in a Masters Degree program all in the room had a collective sigh, as we know to broaden her horizons. For those of you have what a positive impact she has made on this Village had the pleasure of interacting with this employee, and the positive impact she will make no matter her name is Molly “Magee” Keane. Molly, whose what she does and where she is at. “Magee”, name has been synonymous with the newsletter, THANK YOU for all you have done for the Village will be greatly missed. She was the go to girl for of Westchester. Best wishes for you in the future… everything from coordinating special events, See PRESIDENT, page 5 functioning as the Deputy Clerk, functioning as the

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Police Department JULY 2014

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Playing it Safe this Summer While parents and kids may think of summer as the season for fun, staff members at hospital emergency rooms refer to it as “trauma season.” More unintentional childhood deaths and injuries occur between the months of May and August than any other time of the year.

Backyard Basics * Supervise children, even if they are “only in the backyard” * Make sure all fences and gates are secure and repaired * Keep tools, including garden tools, out of children’s reach * Bring children inside periodically for plenty of water and rest * Make sure children use sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater

Neighborhood Knowledge * Never let children under age 10 cross streets alone. Remind them to use crosswalks, and to look left, right and left again for traffic when crossing the street. *Warn children that garages,construction sites, abandoned buildings/cars, railroad tracks, dumpsters and unsupervised swimming areas are strictly off-limits

Safety on Wheels * Purchase an approved bicycle helmet

Police blotter 1) At 9:02 pm on May 22nd 2014, a Criminal Damage to Property was reported at 4 Westbrook Corporate Center. A vehicle owner reported unknown person(s) slashed the tire while parked in the parking lot.

2) At 10:55 am on May 23rd 2014, a Theft of Purse was reported in the parking lot of 3061 Wolf Road. It was reported that unknown person(s) removed a purse and an IPad from their vehicle while shopping.

3) At 10:47 am on May 26th 2014, a Burglary to Garage was reported on the 1000 block of Westchester Blvd.

The resident reported that between May 25th and May 26th 2014, unknown person(s) removed a lawn mower from an unlocked garage.

5) At 10:52 am on June 3rd 2014, a Theft was reported on the 9800 block of Roosevelt Road. It was reported that between June 2nd and June 3rd 2014, unknown person(s) took a trailer that contained 4 lawn mowers and other landscaping equipment.

6) At 7:32 pm on June 5th 2014, a Theft of Bicycle was reported at the Family Video located at 10201 Roosevelt Road. It was reported that an unknown person took their unlocked bicycle while they were inside the Family Video store for 10 minutes.

7) At 1:15 pm on June 11th 2014, a Residential Burglary was reported on the 1500 block of Norfolk. The resident reported that an unknown person made forced entry into the 4) At 2:41 pm on May 31st 2014, a home.

Criminal Damage to Property was Nothing was reported missing at the reported on the 1900 block of Mandel. time of the report.

The resident reported that unknown person(s) scratched the side of their vehicle with an unknown object.

for each child, and insist that the helmet be worn correctly every time the child goes for a ride * Teach your children safe bicycling practices. * Make sure that the bicycle works properly-brakes, gears, tires and reflectors * Make sure your child’s bicycling environment is safe; encourage using bicycle paths * Have your children wear brightcolored clothing so drivers can spot them more easily

Safe Swimming * Never leave children alone in or near water, even wading pools * Learn infant and child CPR * Be aware of undercurrents,waves,and undertows when at the ocean or lake * Do not let children dive into water unless an adult is present and he or she knows that the depth of the water is greater than 9 feet

Preventing Falls * Do not let children sit or play in opened or screened windows. Screens can easily give way to a child’s weight * Keep unopened windows locked at all times DIAL 911 to request POLICE/FIRE assistance

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phases. In years past, several thousand tons of asphalt has been ground down and resurfaced. Many were patch Continued from page 1 sections here and there. This season, in addition to the patches, staff has You will be missed….Sam decided to grind and repave both curb sides of the street, leaving the MANDATORY WATERING BAN middle section that is usually in better The Village has received a lowcondition than the curb lane on some interest loan from the IEPA to paint the of the streets. The in-house patching exterior of our 2 million gallon abovebegins with renting a grinder to grind ground water storage tank located near the existing asphalt. After each phase Cermak and I-294. The water tank was is ground down, the crews will begin constructed in 1982; the interior of the their in-house paving; this requires tank was painted in August 2011. A 150 4 trucks to carry the hot asphalt in foot monopole has been constructed addition to staff running the paving outside of the structure to allow box and spreading the asphalt. The continued cellular communications for CODE ENFORCEMENT process requires at least 8 employees, During the latter part of May and June, nearly half of our Public Works staff. As the number of cell phone providers that have leased space atop the tank. the Village has been inundated with the end result has greatly improved the The painting is expected to begin on calls regarding high grass, weeds and look of our roads, please be patient and the like. For the most part, our Code drive cautiously in the construction July 21.

Enforcement officer has been on top areas. Unfortunately, the middle section Until the completion of this painting of a majority of the complaints. Our will not look as black as the sides. Steve project a MANDATORY watering ban Village ordinance for High Grass kicks Crowley, a PW employee, told me the will be in effect from JULY 21 until in after the grass height gets to 8 inches. other day that 220 tons of asphalt was OCTOBER 31 in order to protect the In most cases where there is someone put down in one day surpassing their water supply while the tank is being residing in the home, a personal record 180 ton day last year. Steve and painted. While the tank is being contact usually rectifies the situation the crew are doing a wonderful job and painted, the water level in the elevated and the complaint is corrected. The in most cases more than any Village tank needs to be lowered to a level that challenge comes with the homes that or town around our area is doing, allows for the project to proceed. The are vacant, foreclosed, and the owner’s especially in house. ban will cover ALL outdoor water use, whereabouts are unknown. Code The following streets have defined including lawn watering, pool filling, Enforcement attempts to contact sections that have been scheduled sidewalk washing and exterior house either the selling agent if the vacant for 2014: Prescott Square, Plymouth, cleaning. The ban will NOT APPLY property is up for sale or locating the Kensington Fleet to Wakefield, Fairfield to newly placed sod or newly seeded mortgage company to get the property Kensington to Sunnyside, Newberry lawns. Please make every attempt to into compliance. Although former Sunnyside to Fairfield, Hawthorne 1600 seed or sod lawns prior to the ban. See State Representative Karen Yarbrough block, Crestwood Blvd to Mannheim, proposed a state law making mortgage 1500 block Suffolk, 1500 Block ordinance 15.34.030. companies held accountable for such Portsmouth, 1400 Block Portsmouth, GARBAGE RATE INCREASE properties, the bill was not approved. 700 Block Suffolk, 800 block Suffolk, EFFECTIVE JULY 1 There is NO state law requiring Sunnyside Windsor to Wakefield both Per the Village’s contract with Waste mortgage companies to maintain sides. As noted these are not complete Management, rubbish (garbage and foreclosed properties. Being a Non- reconstructions they are patches done recycling) rates will increase 3.0% Home Rule community puts the Village in-house to increase the life span of the effective July 1st. This equates to a at a disadvantage to pass ordinances roadway. regular rate of $74.35 per three-month more restrictive than those allowed cycle and a senior discount rate of by state law. Trying to track down IHOP CLOSED Late last month,Village staff had been $67.02 per three-month cycle. a homeowner who has abandoned his property is a challenge. We will, notified that the IHOP located just MUNICIPAL AGGREGATION RESULTS however, document our attempts north of Roosevelt on Mannheim has On May 28, 2014, our electrical before we will authorize the grass to closed. The roof was re-painted red not consultant NIMEC went out to bid to be cut by a Village contractor. Liens as a new business was taking over, but determine the best provider available are placed on the property to recover to decommission the traditional IHOP to supply electric power to the Village our maintenance costs and make the look that employs a blue roof. At the of Westchester and those consumers Village whole before any transfer of the present time there is no information who have not opted out of the property will occur. Unfortunately, the available on what will occupy the site.

Village’s present power supplier First property gets more unsightly during We are hopeful that the space will be Energy. Five private companies bid our investigation and 5 day response taken over by a new restaurant in the on our power supply needs, and were time frame after notification to bring near future. compared to the known ComEd rate. As the property into compliance. a result of the bid proposals,ComEd was During the month of May, 153 SHERWIN WILLIAMS COMING TO the lowest with an actual 7.596 cents properties were found to be non- WESTCHESTER The former site of the PNC Bank per kilowatt hour plus the Purchased compliant requiring Code Enforcement Electricity Adjustment (PEA) totaling intervention. All of which took time to drive-up located on Cermak, just east 7.93 per kilowatt hour for the summer complete, some of which are still being of Sunnyside, will be turned into a new Sherwin Williams paint store. months of June through September. handled.

Demolition has occurred and a new ComEd will be able to adjust their building will be constructed on the rate from October to May however it VILLAGE PAVING PROJECTS - IN site. The area presently is zoned B2 is estimated that the rate will be 7.75 HOUSE This season, the Village in-house staff Commercial. Under our zoning code, cents per kilowatt hour. First Energy, who we chose as the Village’s electric will be resurfacing several sections of this new store is consistent with the supplier in 2012 under our Municipal streets throughout the Village in two proper use. I know some of you are Aggregation Program with a rate of 4.86 cents per kilowatt hour had a current bid 8.67 cents per kilowatt hour; close to doubling what they have been charging. Electrical use this summer will be costing considerably more that it has cost over the past two years.

Based on the results of the electrical bids received, the Village has opted to suspend the Municipal Aggregation Program and return to ComEd as the Village’s electric supplier to provide the residents with the lowest available pricing for electric supply (see article on pg. x). We will revisit the program next year.

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wondering why a paint store? Why not a restaurant or some other use? The fact of the matter is that Westchester does not own the property and does not have the ability to control what is built on the site. The property was for sale and purchased by a developer who had an interested party who wanted to put up a paint store. The zoning in place allowed the use and the transaction was done. Permits were secured and the site developed per our code.

Westchester only controls the property which it owns; Village Hall, Police Department, Fire Department and post office facility (which it leases to the US Postal Service) and the municipal parking lot near Rocky’s Pizza. Other than that, the Village does not own any other real estate. The Village, being a Non- Home Rule community relies heavily on property taxes that you and I are assessed twice a year to run the government and provide the services of police, fire, public works, and administrative personnel . Sales Tax comes in second so keep your money home by shopping in town.

MARIANO’S UPDATE For anyone who has driven by the 31st and Wolf Road site recently, it is not hard to imagine how huge the new Mariano’s store will be.The 30 thousand square foot addition from the east end of the old Dominick’s to the west wall of the dry cleaners increases the square footage by approximately forty percent.

For all intensive purposes, we are told that the construction is on schedule and we are patiently waiting for the store opening by early November.

SAVE THE DATE – BBQ and BLUES FESTIVAL You are cordially invited to attend our two day Village BBQ and Blues festival to be held on Friday, July 18th and Saturday, July 19th at the Westchester Community Park, 10201 Bond Street.

On Friday, July 18th from 5pm until 10:30pm, two musical groups will perform including the Blooze Brothers, a Blues Brothers Tribute Show Band.

Bring the kids out to see the ben’s Bubble Show at 7pm. The fun will continue on Saturday, July 19th from Noon until 10:30pm.The special events committee is finalizing food vendors and other activities similar to the successful one day “Backyard Barbeque” event we hosted last year. Come out and enjoy the weekend with the 4 F’s: Food, Fun, Friends, and Family…

FAREWELL TO A FRIEND It is with deep sorrow that I write of the passing of Barbara Lucchese on Friday, June 13. Mrs. Lucchese was honored as the Village of Westchester Person of the Year in January 2013 for her commitment, dedication and

See PRESIDENT, page 7

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out to Birthday Girl Isabella Guzzo on her 6th Birthday. The flowers look just beautiful and are a welcome addition Continued from page 5 to the fountain area. Members of the Daisy Troop include Gabriella Cerda, generosity of spirit in making the Village Isabella Jelic, Samantha Coniglio, of Westchester a better community. Arianna Espinosa, Raleigh Jesswein, She was a generous donor to the Aalivah Younger, Abigail Labellarte, Ava Westchester Memorial Fountain and Laurie, Braelyn Ottolini, Casey Fundator, the path leading to the fountain was Ella Veenendaal, Gabriella Arnold, Isabel ceremonially named Lucchese Way. She Cervantes, Isabella Guzzo, Kennedy was a lifelong resident of Westchester Cross, Lillian Doerge, Madisyn Allen, Mia and shared her historic knowledge of Gage, and Zoe Ransey.Thanks, girls! the town. She had an indomitable spirit, even in the face of declining health, FARMERS INSURANCE DROPS which uplifted everyone around her. I LAWSUIT On April 28, 2014, the Village of am a better person having known her.

Westchester and 200 additional Rest in peace, my friend. communities were named as FOUNTAIN FLOWERS defendants in a lawsuit filed in Cook For the past several years, Bill Ernst County as result of the April 2013 and Barb Spahn- Brandt have been the flood experienced across our region. custodians of the flowers that surround The class action suit as originally filed the Village Memorial Fountain located alleged that the communities failed to at Cermak and Mannheim Roads. take the necessary steps to prevent Several weeks ago,Bill and Barb planted and limit damage from the flood of all of the flowers in memory of Barb’s April 2013. As you can imagine, I have father Jerry Spahn. Jerry Spahn was taken exception to that irresponsible an avid supporter of the happenings statement since the filing date. The in Westchester which is evident by Village has been working diligently the plaque installed in his honor at since the July 2010 Flood event in the Veterans Memorial at Mayfair Park. sewer maintenance and infrastructure.

The flowers were donated through the Both our Addison Creek and Salt generosity of Ashland Addison Florist Creek projects have been pushed and located on Roosevelt Rd. Thank you pushed hard by this administration. It all for beautifying the site with your was a fete just getting Addison Creek thoughtful donation and labor. While to be selected as a Watershed project stopping by the fountain, please think by MWRD when the Addison Creek of Jerry, a true Westchester treasure and Restoration Commission, established in friend to all he met. the late 1980’s, was on its last legs with no positive resolution.

the outside temperature has reached over 80 degrees. The Village Hall Community Room will again be available this summer as a Cooling Center should the necessity arise. Remember it is all of our responsibilities to check on our elderly friends and neighbors to see if they are OK. Please dial 9-1-1 for any police or fire ambulance assistance.

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the electricity of modern, efficient ones.

ADDITIONAL LOW-COST TIPS FOR SAVING ENERGY AND $$ MONEY

Install weather stripping on all doors and windows.

Replace incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which ENERGY EFFICIENCY use 66% less energy and last up to Every penny counts when trying to 10 times longer. Replacing a typical save money. Common sense tips can standard bulb with an equivalent CFL save you an average of 4to 5% of your could save, on average $30 over the life electric bill each year. Raising your of the CFL Bulb. thermostat just 2 degrees and turning Install electric timers on lighting,small on ceiling fans when you are in the appliances and air conditioners. room can lower the cost of cooling Add dimmer switches or motion your home by up to 14% over a season. sensors on incandescent lightings.

Make sure to turn the fan off when you Install enough attic insulation to are not in the room. Close all of the follow the Energy Star guidelines of curtains and blinds before you leave providing an insulating value of R-38 the house. This will keep the sun from for gas and oil heated homes, and R-49 beating in and generating excess heat. for electrically heated homes.

Less heat means the AC will be kicking Install low-flow showerheads and sink in less. Close all doors and windows aerators to reduce hot water use. when you leave the room. This reduces When buying new appliances, lights, the space that has to be cooled and is electronics and other products, look less work for the AC. Turn off the AC for the Energy Star label. when you leave the house even when For More information www.ComEd. on a short trip. Reduce using the oven com to cook; do like my wife Maureen does and show off your expertise TRITON COLLEGE NEWS Believe it or not, Triton College is in microwave cooking or your extra special outdoor grilling ability instead celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. OnThursday,August 28,2014 from of heating up the house.

Noon to 1:30pm and 6pm to 7:30pm, COMED OFFERS ENERGY Triton will kick off its yearlong 50th SAVING IPS Anniversary celebration with a cakeTurn off the lights in unattended cutting ceremony. The community is rooms invited to join in as Triton celebrates the SCOUTING NEWS Set home thermostat at 78 degrees many accomplishments throughout its On Saturday morning May 24th,Troop Another example of this in the summer or the warmest history. Triton memorabilia will be on 1 Boy Scouts remembered the men and administration’s display to capture the progression of commitment to comfortable temperature. women who died serving our country’s mitigate flooding events was applying When leaving for more than 4 hours Triton as an instrumental educational armed forces by placing several hundred for an intergovernmental agreement or before going to be at night raise organization in our community.

American Flags on veteran’s graves for with MWRD to assist with the Mayfair the thermostat 5-10 degrees in the Featured will be the dedication of a the Memorial Day weekend. Assistant Reservoir Expansion. We obtained summer. sundial to mark Triton’s 50 years and Senior Patrol Leader Trevor Torrens said funding of $2.1 Million dollars from Close curtains in east, south and west take us into the future. Admission is “it is one of the busiest weekends of the MWRD for the Expansion Project. We facing windows during the day to keep Free. year for Troop 1, and one of the most have not been sitting on our hands. out solar heat in the summer. meaningful, as we honor those who Unfortunately, everything, and I mean Cool only the rooms in use. Close REPRESENTATIVE WELCH HOSTS SHREDDING EVENT served and died so that we can enjoy everything, takes time, too much in my vents and doors in unused rooms.

State Representative Emanuel “Chris” our freedom.”The flags were placed on estimation but time is something that is Clean refrigerator coils twice a year. veteran’s graves in the Mount Carmel difficult to control. I have not met the Check and clean air conditioning Welch is hosting his 2nd Annual Cemetery in Hillside,Illinois. The scouts person who is able to either stop it or filters monthly and replace as needed. Community Shred Day. The event participated in ceremonies honoring make it go faster.

Unplug electric chargers, televisions will be held on Saturday, July 12th, at our flag, discussed what it means to be As of June 3,2014,Farmers has dropped and audio/visual equipment when not the Memorial Park District Building located at 3101 Washington Boulevard a veteran, joined in a prayer for those its suit against the municipalities in in use. who have died serving our country, Cook and adjacent counties, MWRD Run energy intensive appliances, such in Bellwood . The event will run from and participated in a Field Mass and and the City of Chicago without the as dishwashers and clothes washers at 10am until 1pm . The free event will graveside ceremony. fanfare and sensational news they made night so that the heat produced by the allow you to destroy your personal headlines with. The real losers, had devices will not need to be offset by papers to prevent unscrupulous DAISIES PLANT FLOWERS persons from obtaining private Farmers been successful in its law suit, your air conditioner during the day.

OnThursday,June 5th,theWestchester would have been the Farmers Policy Wait until you have a full load to information from your garbage that Girl Scout Daisy Troop 41025 helped Holders who have not only paid their run the dish or clothes washer. Wash may be used in Identity Theft. beautify the Fountain area with the insurance premiums and were flood clothes in Cold water when possible. planting of several varieties of flowers victims, but who also would have had Keep lamps and televisions away from DISPOSABLE WIPES …NOT SO DISjust beneath the Governor’s Hometown to pay their tax money to Farmers to the thermostat. The heat they generate POSABLE Disposable wipe products are Award Sign. fund a settlement derived in essence will cause the air conditioning system becoming increasingly popular due There were 19 kindergarten and 1st from suing their own policy holders. to work harder. grade children present with their Troop Unplug old, energy inefficient to their convenience and sanitary Leader Jacqlynn Guidry and Co-Leader HEAT INDEX ALERTS refrigerators if they are not being used.

See PRESIDENT, page 9 We have already had a few days where Old refrigerators can use three times Cheri Walton-Younger. A special shout

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and usage by our fire department during emergencies becomes unaccounted for. The present MUL that the IDNR Continued from page 7 has assessed as acceptable is 8% for the amount of pipes utilized and the age use. Increased wipe usage is causing of our system. Our last reported MUL expensive problems for our sanitary was 12%. Based on our yearly purchase sewer systems.Wipes labeled“flushable” of approximately 570 million gallons do not break down sufficiently to flow of water from BWJWA, a 12% water through the sanitary pipes and pumps loss represents a substantial amount of and can even clog the screens at waste money. water facilities. The wipes clog your sanitary pipes increasing the need to As a result of the percentage of water rod out the sanitary sewer lines leaving loss, our Village Manager recommended your home and entering into the Village and the board concurred that our water sanitary sewer system. system should be evaluated as soon Most wipes on the market should not as possible. The Village contracted be flushed. Manufactures currently with a leak detection contractor, M.E. label products as “flushable” if they Simpson, to identify underground leaks can pass through a home’s plumbing in Village water mains. Six major leaks system. The Association of Non-Woven were located and identified.Two major Fabrics Industry (INDA) passed new leaks have been repaired in the past guidelines for flushability in June 2013. few weeks. A leak right in front of the These guidelines require manufactures Village Hall was detected. The water did to evaluate their products with a series not reach the surface street (Roosevelt of 7 tests. Products not passing these Road) and was dumping right into the tests will be repackaged with a “DO Roosevelt Road storm sewer catch NOT FLUSH” logo by January 2015. basin. It is unknown how long this We are suggesting that our residents had been occurring. A prior break was only flush toilet paper and dispose of repaired in the same area two years disposable wipes in a waste container. ago. We are told that the section of piping running along Roosevelt Road is LAKE MICHIGAN WATER in poor condition and has many clamp ALLOCATION PROPOSED RULE repairs on it. We are looking to the CHANGES IEPA for a possible low interest loan to The Illinois Department of Natural replace this bad section of water pipe.

Resources (IDNR) has drafted new The second major leak was a similar rules for the Allocation of Water one in the area of Manchester and from Lake Michigan. The Village of Kitchener. Again, it was a large volume Westchester receives its potable of water dumping into the storm water drinking water from Lake Michigan sewer which was undetected from through the Broadview Westchester above. Our Public Works repair crews Joint Water Agency ( BWJWA) through have repaired all of the identified leaks a series of pipes connected to the City at this time. of Chicago. The proposed changes regarding the water withdrawal A good portion of the Village drinking reporting and accounting are aimed water piping is located on the Village at recognizing and encouraging parkways. The parkways, including efficient use and conservation of our the driveway aprons and any trees Lake Michigan Resource. The most on the parkway, are under Village debated proposed change has been the control. Throughout the past two deletion of the Maximum Unavoidable months, public Works crews have Leakage (MUL) component in a utility’s been repairing driveway aprons and water use reporting standard. The restoring parkways. Black dirt and seed MUL is currently an allowable leakage have been used for this purpose. The exemption based on miles, type and cost of replacing all of the parkways in age of the pipes. sod exceeds our budgeted allowance.

As stated above, Westchester receives water from the BWJWA and has been receiving water from the Agency since 1927. Water meters are installed at the water agency in Broadview and at our Crestwood pump station in Westchester. Staff monitors daily the amount of water pumped and the amount of water received. The amount of water Crestwood pumps is metered and the amounts our individual homes and businesses use is measured.

Theoretically, the numbers should be the same. However, malfunctioning meters, leaks throughout our 65 miles of water pipes, breaks, hydrant flushing,

WESTCHESTER BIBLE CHURCH WELCOMES NEW PASTOR On Sunday, June 15, 2014, Pastor Chad DeJong was installed as the new Pastor of the Westchester Bible Church located at the corner of Sunnyside Avenue and Cermak Road. On behalf of the entire Village, we welcome Pastor Chad and his wife Lisa to our beautiful community.

DIVINE PROVIDENCE WELCOMES NEW PRIEST Father Timothy Fiala has been named as the successor to Father Tomas Unz who retired in June 2014. Father Fiala

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is no stranger to Westchester as he reduce pollution. worked as an Associate Priest with Before you leave for vacation, unplug Father John Rosemeyer many years ago. everything, it will save you money.

Father Tim comes to Westchester from our neighboring parish to the north, Fluorescent Bulbs Saint Domitilla’s in Hillside. Welcome, Fluorescent light bulbs are another Father Tim. material that cannot be put into the regular trash or recycling bin.

WALGREEN’S RECOGNIZES WESTCHFluorescent bulbs contain a small ESTER EMPLOYEE amount of mercury and should I have received a letter from Donovan be properly disposed of through a Pepper, the National Director of Local hazardous waste collection or a special Government Affairs of Walgreen fluorescent bulb collection. Some big Company, who wanted to share box hardware stores collect these bulbs some exciting news about one of for proper disposal. The bulbs can also his employees and a Westchester be taken to the Naperville Household resident. As of September 3, 2014, Ms. Hazardous Waste Collection.

Jacqueline Higgins will be celebrating Fluorescent bulbs may include: 40 years of working with Walgreens.

All T-12 bulbs (no longer being made) Jacqueline is presently working as a Fish tank lights Senior Beauty Advisor at the Walgreen Grow lights store at Roosevelt and Mannheim Under the counter lights Roads. Walgreens was founded in 1901 and has been serving communities throughout our country for the past 113 TICKET QUOTAS NOW PROHIBITED On June 15th, Governor Quinn years. Walgreen’s has 8,500 locations employing 240 thousand people, one signed new legislation into law which of which is Jacqueline Higgins. Please prohibits police departments in Illinois join me in congratulating her for her from assigning ticket minimums within accomplishment and dedication to all a prescribed time period to their police the people she has advised over her officers. Public Act 98-0650 affects a number of police agencies, including years of employment. municipal departments. The law WESTCHESTER RECYCLING EVENT amends the Illinois Municipal Code On Saturday, June 14th, the to prohibit evaluating a police officer Environmental Sustainability by comparing the number of citations Commission hosted another successful issued against the number by any event. Many thanks to the commission other officer with similar duties. The and all of the volunteers . Our next Governor stated “Law Enforcement Electronic Recycling Event and food officers should have discretion on when pantry drop off will be held on Saturday, and where to issue traffic citations and July 12th from 9am to Noon behind the not be forced to ticket motorists to Westchester Fire Department Station satisfy a quota system. This new law will One on Roosevelt Road. improve safety and working conditions for police officers and prevent motorists Please do not drop off electronics from facing unnecessary anxiety when other than at the prescribed date and they encounter a police vehicle.” times. Doing so will subject the violator to a citation for illegal dumping.

As far as the Westchester Police Tips to Stay Green This Summer Department, we never had a quota Recycle wherever you are. Going on system in place. Our Police officers a car trip? Keep a bag for recycling in have total discretion on what citations the car with you. they write. As a police officer for over Park in the shade to reduce gasoline 40 years myself, It has been a challenge evaporation. to determine how to administer the Always use reusable water bottles . officer discretion fairly and equitably.

Bring a bag with you on walks, hikes If I stop someone for speeding at 15 and bike rides. Pick up litter along the MPH over the limit and write a ticket, way to keep it from being washed in is it fair to that motorist that I use my our waterways. “discretion” to let the next motorist go Buy a lead-free hose to keep lead out for doing the same or more over the of your veggie garden, bird bath and limit? I choose to write them both. away from your kids.

Be sure to leave the sports field PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE cleaned up when you’re game is over. SQUIRRELS (AND OTHER WILDLIFE) The Village Municipal Code, Chapter Collect plastic sports. drink and water bottles to recycle and be sure all trash 10.12 entitled“Feeding of Wild Animals” prohibits the keeping or feeding of makes it to the garbage bin.

Buy a rain gauge so you know how certain animals. The Code states “No much rain you garden and lawn got person shall feed or otherwise deposit so you can conserve water whenever upon his property any household food, garbage or other edible products, in possible.

Check the air in your tires to get See PRESIDENT, page 10 the best gas mileage, save money and

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the open, in such manner as to attract any stray dog or cat not owned by said person or any other domestic animal, rodent, bird or other wild animal at or upon the property of said person within the village. Simple, casual feeding of birds with bird seed, corn, bread, nuts or similar types of natural products is permitted if not excessive and does not cause a public nuisance.”

The Code states that it is permissible for a bird feeder, bird house and/or bird bath to be placed on the property of the resident; however, said item must be at least three feet from the ground.

Violators may incur up to a $500 fine.

We know they’re cute and they might seem hungry, but feeding most wild animals (with a few exceptions) just isn’t a good idea. Here’s Four Reasons Why: 1.“People” food isn’t good for animals.

Human foods aren’t nutritious enough for animals and may cause serious health problems. A deformity called “angel wing” is commonly found in ducks, geese, swans and other waterfowl who are fed white bread, popcorn, crackers, or other people food. (This doesn’t mean you can’t feed ducks and geese; you just have to identify areas where feeding waterfowl is supported, and offer the birds the right foods. Look for waterfowl feed or duck pellets at feed stores. Other healthy foods include seedless grapes cut in half, shredded kale, Swiss chard or romaine lettuce, and grains, including wheat, barley and oats. Make sure anything you feed is bite-sized to avoid choking hazards.)

2. It makes wild animals lose their natural fear of people. Feeding can make large, potentially dangerous animals become too comfortable in residential or recreational areas. Once animals learn they can panhandle for food, they can become a nuisance—or even worse, a safety risk.

3. Feeding wildlife from or near vehicles is dangerous to animals, people, and property. Animals can be hit by moving vehicles or might try to enter vehicles in search of food. In Yosemite National Park in 1998, more than 1,100 vehicles were broken into by black bears—causing more than $630,000 in damages.

4.Wild animals who depend on people for food can cause injuries or spread disease. When wild animals gather for food handouts, it can cause crowding and competition. These unnatural conditions increase the chances of fighting and injury among animals. It can also increase the spread of diseases, some of which may be transmitted to

pets and humans.

SIMPLE TIPS TO START SAVING MONEY

Your Credit Report 1-866-493-9788:Credit Reports,Scores So what can you do for wildlife? and Identity Theft Monitoring How to get started.

1-888-202-4025: Business Solutions Put a little away every week. Don’t Stop the unintentional food supply: EXPERIAN Rinse all recyclable glass and plastic underestimate the power of saving $25 www.Experian.com containers to remove any food remnants to $50 per week. If you pay yourself P.O. Box 9554,Allen,Texas 75013 and odors. Some animals, like skunks, $25 per week, in 2 years you will have Experian Phone Numbers: can get their heads stuck in containers saved $2,600, not counting interest.

1-888-397-3742: Credit Report / and wind up starving to death. Cut and/ Dispute Information / Fraud & Identity Track your spending. Log your Theft or crush plastic containers,and cut each ring of plastic six-pack carriers. Feed spending habits for one week. Write 1-877-284-7942: Triple Advantage your pets inside. Make sure plastic food down everything you spend, even Credit Monitoring Membership wrap is rinsed and secured in a tied bag down to the candy bars and sodas. An 1-888-243-6951: Business Credit or securely covered garbage can.When accurate picture of where your money Services visiting parks and similar settings, clean is going can convince you to cut back.

TRANSUNION up after yourself and follow the rules www.TransUnion.com Avoid getting too many credit cards. regarding wildlife.

P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834 More than 3 is probably too many. Limit Encourage others to do the same.

TransUnion Phone Numbers: credit card use to emergencies and use 1-800-493-2392: Credit Monitoring Learn when to step in. If you see an a debit card as much as possible.

Service Inquires animal who you think may be injured 1-800-888-4213: Purchase a Credit Keep an eye on your credit report. Report or Get Free Annual Report or orphaned, make sure the animal truly needs your help before If you spot a problem, take care of it 1-800-916-8800: Dispute Items on feeding the animal anything or right away. Remember you can get a Credit Report and Status Checks free report once a year from one of attempting a “rescue.”

1-800-680-7289: Fraud Alerts and the credit reporting bureaus: Experian, Identity Theft Information Provide some natural food sources. TransUnion, and Equifax.

1-866-922-2100: Business Services Plant some native bushes, trees, or Assistance Credit Bureaus’ Phone Numbers & flowers and put up a birdbath or other WOMENS HEART ATTACK water feature for your local wildlife. Addresses SYMPTOMS You’ll be on your way to creating a I found this article at http:www.

The 3 major credit bureaus in the humane backyard.

Source: http://www.humanesociety. United States are Equifax, Experian and caring.com and thought I would share org/animals/resources/tips/feed_ TransUnion. There are several likely it with you 7 Heart Attack Signs Women -- and reasons why you might need to contact wildlife.html one of these credit reporting agencies. Doctors -- Often Miss FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATION

By Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2014 You may want to request your free editor The Illinois Food Handling Regulation annual credit report, dispute an item Conventional wisdom has it that heart Act (410 ILCS 625), as amended on one of your credit reports, check attacks come out of the blue. We’re

by SB1495 and passed into law on the status of an existing report, order also trained to expect a heart attack August 27, 20133 establishes Food an updated credit report, place a fraud to happen a certain way: The victim Handler training requirements in alert on your credit profile, place a clutches his chest, writhes in pain, Illinois. Beginning July 1, 2014, if you security freeze on your file, sign-up and collapses. But for women, it often work in a restaurant in Illinois and for credit monitoring, or inquire about doesn’t happen that way. Study after prepare, store or serve food, handle other personal services and business study shows heart attacks and heart food equipment, food utensils, or food- solutions. disease are under-diagnosed in women, contact surfaces you MUST have a ANSI It is important to know which of with the explanation being that they accredited Food Handler Certificate these United States companies to get didn’t have symptoms. within 30 days of hire. This includes in touch with if you are having credit But research shows that’s not always most restaurant jobs, including servers, issue or concerns, or simply want to the case. Women who’ve had heart chefs, head chefs, head cooks, cooks, be proactive by monitoring your credit attacks realize, looking back, that they bussers, bartenders, dishwashers, profile. experienced significant symptoms hosts and hostesses who handle food That’s why we’ve put together this -- they just didn’t recognize them as and supervisors, such as the general list together, included important phone such. manager or managers. Managers who numbers, mailing addresses and the In a study funded by the National already have a Food Service Sanitation website address of each of the three Institutes of Health and published in Manager Certificate do not need a Food major consumer reporting agencies in Circulation: Journal of the American Handler Certificate.

Heart Association, 95 percent of the USA. women (that’s almost all!) who’d had The law does not require employers heart attacks reported experiencing Contact Information to pay for an employee’s time and symptoms that were decidedly new expense to take the training and test. or different from their previous EQUIFAX The ServSafe Food Handler Certificate experience a month or more before www.Equifax.com belongs to the employee,is transferrable Equifax Credit Information Services, their attacks. between employers, is valid for 3 years Inc Even when a heart attack is occurring, and is accepted everywhere in Illinois.

P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, Georgia women are often slow to realize what’s Online training courses in English 30374 happening and call a doctor.The reason? or Spanish are available, many under Women’s heart attack symptoms are Equifax Phone Numbers: $20.00. Certificates can be printed 1-800-685-1111: Credit Report different than men’s. This failure to upon completion of the 90 minute Inquiries See PRESIDENT, page 11 course.

1-888-766-0008: Place Fraud Alert on

JULY 2014

PRESIDENT Continued from page 10

recognize heart attack signs in women has led to a grim statistic: Women are more likely to die from sudden cardiac death than men are, and two thirds of women who have a heart attack don’t recover completely.

To prevent a heart attack from sneaking up on you, watch for these 7 little-known signs of heart attack: Fatigue. More than 70 percent of women in the NIH study reported extreme fatigue in the month or months prior to their heart attacks.This was not just your run-of-the-mill tiredness -- the kind you can power through -- this was an overwhelming fatigue that sidelined them from their usual schedules for a few days at a time.

Sleeplessness or insomnia. Despite their fatigue, women who’ve had heart attacks remember experiencing unexplained inability to fall asleep or stay asleep during the month before their heart attacks.

Anxiety and stress. Stress has long been known to up the risk of heart attack. But what women report is the emotional experience; before their heart attacks they felt anxious, stressed, and keyed up, noticeably more than usual. Moments before or during a heart attack, many women report a feeling they describe as “impending doom;” they’re aware that something’s drastically wrong and they can’t cope, but they’re not sure what’s going on.

Indigestion or nausea. Stomach pain, intestinal cramps, nausea, and digestive disruptions are another sign reported by women heart attack patients. Become familiar with your own digestive habits, and pay attention when anything seems out of whack. Note especially if your system seems upset and you haven’t eaten anything out of the ordinary.

Shortness of breath. Of the women in the NIH study, more than 40 percent remembered experiencing this symptom. One of the comments the women made is that they noticed they couldn’t catch their breath while walking up the stairs or doing other daily tasks.

Flu-like symptoms. Clammy, sweaty skin, along with feeling lightheaded and weak, can lead women to wonder if they have the flu when, in fact, they’re having a heart attack.

Jaw, ear, neck, back, or shoulder pain.

While pain and numbness in the chest, shoulder, and arm is a common sign of heart attack (at least, among men), women often don’t experience the pain this way. Instead, many women say they felt pain and a sensation of tightness running along their jaw and down the neck, and sometimes up to the ear, as well.The pain may extend down to the

the Municipal Code of the Village of Westchester An Ordinance Amending Title 11, Entitled “Vehicles and Traffic,” of the Westchester Municipal Code to Provide for Honorary Street Names An Ordinance Providing for the Declaration of the Prevailing Rate of Hourly Wages for the Year 2014 to be Paid to Laborers, Mechanics and Other Workers Performing Construction of Public Works Within the Village of Westchester, Cook County, Illinois An Ordinance Authorizing the Village of Westchester to Borrow Funds from the Public Water Supply Loan Program through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency An Ordinance Authorizing Renewal of Aggregation Program for Electrical Load An Ordinance Amending an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Property of the Village of Westchester and Waiving Competitive Bidding and Authorizing the Purchase of a 2014 Ford Utility Police Interceptor from Currie Motors Fleet A Resolution Accepting a Proposal and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Allen Integrated Systems, Inc., for the Design and Construction of the Crestwood Reservoir Control System Upgrade CLOTHES DRYER SAFETY A ResolutionAuthorizing the Execution Doing laundry is a normal part of your of an Intergovernmental Agreement by routine, but it is also very important and Between the County of Cook and to take care of your clothes dryer. the Village of Westchester Regarding With a simple safety tips, you can help the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program prevent a clothes dryer fire, which is (SWAP) one of the most common calls to a fire A ResolutionAuthorizing theAward of a department.

Contract to Jetco, LTD. for the Enterprise Drive 2MG High Tank Exterior Painting Don’t use the dryer without a lint Project and all Associated Site and filter.

Structural Work Clean the filter before and after each use of the machine. Remove any lint An executive session was held under 5 collected around the drum.

ILCS 120/2(c)(1) for the appointment, Make sure the air exhaust pipe is not employment, compensation, discipline, restricted so the outdoor flap will open performance, or dismissal of specific when the dryer is operating. employees of the public body.

Keep dryers in good working order.

Don’t overload and turn it off if you At the May 27, 2014, Committee of leave home or when you go to bed. the Whole Meeting, the following items were discussed under new business;

shoulder and arm--particularly on the left side--or it may feel like a backache or pulled muscle in the neck and back.

How to protect yourself or the women you care about In addition to the symptoms they do have, women differ from men in another significant way -- they may not experience many of the symptoms we traditionally associate with heart attacks. This, experts say, is a major reason why women’s heart attacks go unrecognized and untreated. Almost half of all women in the NIH study felt no chest pain, even during the heart attack itself. Numbness is another symptom women may not experience, experts say.

If your body is doing unusual things and you just don’t feel “right,” don’t wait. Go see your doctor and ask for a thorough work-up. And if you have any risk factors for cardiac disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, or family history of heart disease, mention these to the doctor.

Time is of the essence, so don’t count on medical staff to know your background or read your chart -- tell them your risk factors right away, so your condition can be evaluated fully and completely.

FROM THE BOARD

At the May 27, 2014 Village Board Meeting, the following items were approved under the Consent Agenda; Approval of the Record of Bills ending 05-22-2014 in the amount not to exceed $671,538.35 Approval of Minutes of theApril 8,2014 Executive Session, Minutes of the April 22, 2014 Executive Session, Minutes of the May 13, 2014 Village Board Meeting and Minutes of the May 13, 2014 Committee of the Whole Meeting An OrdinanceWaiving Competitive Bids and Awarding a Contract for Fireworks to Flashing Thunder Fireworks An Ordinance Amending Chapter 24, Entitled “Stop Intersections” of Title 11, Entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” of

Recommendation from Planning Commission – Ms. Headley Requirements for Concrete and Asphalt Driveways and Approaches – Ms. Headley Bid results – Portsmouth Ave. Sanitary Sewer Replacement Program – Ms. Matthys Change Order 2013 SIP – Concrete – Phase 1 – Ms. Matthys IDOT Traffic Signal Upgrade – Ms. Matthys Disposal of Surplus Property – Mr. Hribal The following item was discussed under Old Business; End Loader Repair – Ms. Matthys

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At the June 10, 2014 Village Board Meeting, the following items were approved under the Consent Agenda; Approval of the Record of Bills ending 06-05-2014 in the amount not to exceed $749,370.42 Approval of Minutes of the May 27, 2014 Executive Session, Minutes of the May 27, 2014 Village Board Meeting , Minutes of the May 27, 2014 Committee of the Whole Meeting Approval of Departmental Monthly Reports, including the Community Development Department Report, the Fire Department Report, the Police Department Report, the Public Works Department Report Ordinance Amending Title 18, Entitled “Zoning” of the Westchester Code Ordinance Authorizing the Disposal of Surplus Property Owned by the Village of Westchester Resolution Accepting a Bid and Approving a Contract Agreement with Unique Plumbing Company, Inc. for services Related to the Portsmouth Ave. Sanitary Sewer Replacement Program Resolution Approving Change Order No. 1 for the Concrete component of the 2014 Street Improvement Program An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding and authorizing the Village of Westchester to enter into an agreement with Chicago Truck and Bus Repair, Inc. for the repair of a John Deere Loader was approved under the active agenda.

An executive session was held under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body and under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) for collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees.

At the June 10, 2014 Committee of the Whole Meeting, the following items were discussed under new business; Proposed Change Order to Contract for Crestwood Controls Upgrade – Mr. Lewis Proposed Change Order 2 for 2014 Street Improvement Project – Paving (Discussion Only) – Mr. Lewis The following three items were discussed under Old Business; Resolution Authorizing Agreement with Regency Center for Water Main Construction and Maintenance Agreement – Ms. Headley Requirements for Concrete and Asphalt Driveways and Approaches – Ms. Headley Fire Alarm System RFP Results – Mr. Lewis

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Calendar JULY 2014

Library continues on summer hours: Westchester Public Library 10700 Canterbury Street Monday-Thursday 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM, Friday 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM, Saturday 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Closed Sundays. Summer hours in effect until Labor Day weekend in September. Registration continues for Summer Reading Programs for kids at Library. Registration continues for Teen Summer Reading Programs at Library. Page Turners Reading Club continues for adults at Library. Contact Teen, Adult or Youth Dept. at (708) 562-3573.

Vacation Bible School Grace Lutheran Church is having Vacation Bible School July 21st, 22nd, 23rd & 24th 2014. The hours will be from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM. The age range that we are able to accommodate is children that have finished kindergarten thru 5th gde. Children that have completed older grades are also welcome to attend. If you have children that do not fall into these ages, please contact the church and a decision will be made on a case to case basis.

Vacation Bible School will be run by counselors from Camp Lutherdale in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. They ran VBS last year and all the children that attended loved the songs, Bible stories, crafts, ect., that they provided.

The cost for VBS is $60.00 per child.

This is for the staff from Lutherdale.

We are asking that each family give a minimum of $10.00 per day per child.

Lunch, two drinks and a snack will be provided for your child. The church will absorb the additional costs. If, however, you are able to pay the entire amount of $60.00, it would be greatly appreciated.

If you have any questions, please contact the church office at 708-3451375 and leave a message for Joy Wieska and she will return your call.

We will have registration forms that have to be completed prior to the start of VBS. Registration forms can be found at Grace Lutheran Church and must be completed no later than July 14,

2014.

Tuesday, July 8 Village Board Meeting, 7:00 PM

Wednesday, July 9 Tai Chi – Wellness, 4:30 PM - Divine Providence , Narthex, 2600 Mayfair Wednesday Movie Night featuring “Wall-E” 6:00 PM at Library.

Friday, July 11 First Friday Adoration, Opening Prayers 8 AM until Benediction at 7PM -- Ministry Center Chapel, 2540 Mayfair

Monday, July 14 Economic Development Committee (EDC) meeting at 7:30 AM in the Community Room of Village Hall.

Library Committee of the Whole meeting at 7:00 PM in the library building

Wednesday, July 16 Tai Chi – Wellness, 4:30 PM – Divine Providence Narthex, 2600 Mayfair Wednesday Movie Night featuring “Robots” 6:00 PM at Library.

A knowledgeable team of climate experts will be addressing the subject of climate change. A lively discussion will be followed by questions and refreshments. Sponsored by the Citizen’s Climate Lobby and Save The Prairie Society. 6:30 PM in the Community Room of the Westchester Library. For more information, contact savetheprairiesociety.org or call (708)354-5512.

Thursday, July 17 Women of Providence-Quilters, 9 AM -- D.P. Ministry Center, 2540 Mayfair

Friday, July 18 Taizé Prayer, 7:30 PM –Divine Providence Church, 2600 Mayfair BBQ and Blues Block Party, Community Center Park, 10201 Bond St., 5:00-10:30 PM

Saturday, July 19 Westchester Community Church Youth Group Carwash, 8:30 - 11:30

am, July 19th. Cars $5, Trucks and Vans $8. All money collected to go to Mission Trip to Sawyer, MI. BBQ and Blues Block Party, Community Center Park, 10201 Bond St., 12:00-10:30 PM

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Bring your friends for crafts, games, snacks, bible adventures, and music for ages 3 - 5 and 6 - 12. It is free and all are welcome. To register, contact the church office 708-865-1282.

Wednesday, July 30 Tuesday, July 22

Tai Chi – Wellness, 4:30 PM – Divine Providence Narthex, 2600 Mayfair

Village Board Meeting, 7:00 PM Wednesday, July 23 Tai Chi – Wellness, 4:30 PM – Divine Providence Narthex, 2600 Mayfair

Thursday, July 31

Wednesday Movie Night featuring “A Bug’s Life” 6:00 PM at Library.

Monday, July 28 Economic Development Committee (EDC) meeting at 7:30 AM in the Community Room of Village Hall.

Library Board of Trustees, at 7:00 p.m. in the library building.

Westchester Community Church - Vacation Bible School, Ready for a Wild Adventure? Panda Mania is coming to Westchester Community Church, Monday, July 28th through Friday, August 1st. 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Teen movie “Catching Fire” at 2:00 PM at Library. Contact Teen or Youth Dept. at 708-562-3573.

TAG meeting (Teen Advisory Group) 6:30 PM at Library. Contact Teen or Youth Dept. at 708-562-3573.

Thursday August 7 “Animal Sleepover at the Library” 7:00 PM at Library. A special storytime for children to bring one stuffed animal friend. The animals will spend the night at the Library and children can pick them up at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 8 when they can enjoy donut holes and a special surprise.

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Municipal aggregation program to be suspended in Westchester The Village of Westchester established a municipal electric aggregation savings program in the summer of 2012 following the passage of a voter referendum, which authorized the savings program. The purpose was to help residents purchase electricity at rates lower than ComEd. The program achieved great success: in the first two years of the savings program which expires August 2014, the average participating household will have saved about $280 on their ComEd bill, for a cumulative Villagewide savings over $1.5 million.

The savings increases this summer, because the Village of Westchester’s current aggregation program rate is 4.86¢/kWh versus the ComEd rate which could approach 8¢/kWh.

program will receive a letter from ComEd in July stating their supply service will be switched back to ComEd. This “Confirmation of Drop” notice will state that the participating ratepayer has two billing periods in which they may choose to switch to another supplier or otherwise will be required to remain on ComEd electric supply service for a total of twelve months from the effective date stated on the letter. Residents are advised that they may switch to another supplier only within that initial 60-day window. No action is needed on your part to be moved to the ComEd supply rate.

Residents wishing to switch to another supplier within that first 60-day window may view options at a site established by the Illinois The program’s two-year term Commerce Commission: http:// expires August 2014. The Village www.pluginillinois.org. Residents sought bids to renew the program, should beware of door-to-door but declined all offers as the ComEd solicitors, direct calls or direct mail rate has decreased and the savings pieces regarding electric supply margin has narrowed. No bidders and are advised to review contract offered a rate below 8 cents per terms to understand any floating kWh. Thus the Village chose to rates or early termination fees. It is suspend the program, but may go to recommended that ratepayers never bid again to seek savings in 2015. release your account number to a solicitor under any circumstance, The ComEd rate is re-set several unless they have decided to move times a year, and additionally, to that supplier. varies from month-to-month, but is expected to be in a range of The Village took advantage of multi7.93¢ per kWh for the summer of year lows in electric prices when it 2014 with the rate for the winter contracted the initial aggregation months beginning October 2014 program rate two years ago. The as yet unknown. (The summer rate overall market pricing for electricity is 7.596¢ +/- a floating Purchased has increased in part due to the Electricity Adjustment (PEA) charge cold winter, pressure on natural gas which has averaged .33¢ each supplies and an increase in capacity month for the last three years, for an charges as established by regulators. estimated rate of 7.93¢/kWh.) Although prices are increasing, residents continue to pay less than Residents enrolled in the Village’s during the summer of 2010 when

the ComEd rate was about 9 cents per kWh. Residents with questions about the current contract may call the Village’s supplier for the last two years – FirstEnergy, at 888-651-5200 or the Village’s consultant, NIMEC at 800-727-3820. (When calling NIMEC, please leave your call back number and you will be contacted within 24 hours.) A sample ComEd “Confirmation of Drop” letter follows.  Confirmation of Drop Date Customer Name Customer Street Address City or Town, State Zip code Account Number: Service Address: City, State, Zip: Electric Supplier Confirmation of Drop

Choice

–

Dear Customer: We have received notice that effective August 1, 2014, First Energy will no longer be your electric supplier of choice. Your electric supplier is being changed to ComEd. If you would like to switch to a new electric supplier other than ComEd, you must make this change within the next (2) bill periods, otherwise you will be required to remain on ComEd electric supply service for a total of twelve months from the effective date. (Note: you cannot return to your previous supplier.)

Non-Residential customers with demand usage greater than 100 kW

and customers on hourly rates do not have this time restriction and my select another supplier at any time.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about customer choice, please visit ComEd.com/ customerchoice.

For questions or information regarding your previous electric supplier, please contact First Energy at 888-651-5200. If you would like a list of eligible Retail Electric Suppliers that are able to serve you in ComEd’s service area, please visit ComEd.com/customerchoice.

You will remain a ComEd customer for electric delivery services.

ComEd will still deliver electricity to customers in Northern Illinois independent of electric supplier choice.

ComEd will continue to maintain the electric system and restore service after storms or power outages. If you have any questions about your delivery services, such as power outages, metering, moving to a new address or service requests, please visit us at ComEd.com or at 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661) for Residential customers or at 1-877-4-ComEd-1 (1-877-426-6331) for Commercial customers.

ComEd supports electricity competition and customer choice.

To learn more about customer choice, please visit ComEd.com/ customerchoice or PlugInIllinois. org.

Sincerely, Val Jensen, Senior Vice President, Customer Operations

Troop 73 participates in STEM-O-RAMA

Troop 73’s scientists -Stephen Majors, Alex Majors, Andres Espin, Johnny Milas, Lucas Honan, Chris Tam and Scoutmaster Jim Majors. Not pictured Danny Kalish and Patrick Gundry.

On Saturday, May 17th Boy Scouts from Westchester Troop 73, sponsored by the Westchester Community Church, participated in STEM-O-RAMA. STEM which means science, technology, engineering and mathematics was open to the public and was held at the Kane County Fairgrounds.

It was created to give youth an opportunity to explore and develop

skills in these areas and to help them develop skills to compete in the competitive world market.

The Troop was part of over 100 STEM exhibits. Their exhibit focused on chemistry in the kitchen and included 3 experiments – magic liquid layers, oobleck and the naked egg experiment. Troop 73’s Scoutmaster, Jim Majors, a chemical engineer, also was a speaker at the event.

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Westchester School District Notes Business Office

Going into the summer months the school district is preparing for the major cleaning of all the schools, in preparation for the next school year. All the schools are planning small projects for updating different areas of the buildings with paint and small repairs. The major projects planned are for the construction of a small room in the Primary building library to house the network equipment for the computer system in the school. This enclosure will ensure the security of the system. Other projects are to replace fascia boards on the original section of the Middle School building where original boards need to be replaced due to deterioration of the wood over the years. The district will also be doing some patching of parking lots to fix the areas that were hard hit during the winter.

The district will also be meeting and deciding on the major projects that need to be accomplished in all the buildings and define the priority for these projects. All of this is being done in anticipation of the district going for a referendum to complete the major projects.

Items being discussed are new heating and cooling systems in all the buildings, renovated bathrooms at the Primary building, window repair at Intermediate, updated security systems in all the buildings. These items will be reviewed and prioritized for presentation to the board.

Westchester Primary School As we move into summer, I’d like to stress the importance of making reading an enjoyable and fun experience with your child. On this note, how we model learning is more important than what we are learning. When dedicating 20 minutes each night to reading, it is important to note that we want our children to experience success and, more importantly, enjoyment with the time they spend reading with us. Yes, recognizing sight words, correctly pronouncing letter sounds and putting them all nicely together to decode a multisyllabic word is what we strive for in order to produce fluent readers. However, it is within this highly complex sequence that we most especially want to impart comprehension

for the enjoyment and pleasure of reading.

When reading with your child this summer, please take a few moments to scan the text and find words that you know they may find a particular challenge.

Be prepared mentally to provide wait-time (patience) to allow them the opportunity to decode (sound out) the word. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to provide assistance, take a moment to properly pronounce the individual and/ or combination sounds. Let them hear you pronounce the word correctly and then ask them to pronounce it back to you. Upon completion, have them finish the sentence and ask them what they think that word means. If they are having difficulty with describing what the word means, please provide them with a context clue from the sentence and/or visual in the story. Remember to follow up with your own explanation of the definition as well as hare additional synonyms for that word. If is very important that you use rich and descriptive language while discussing any spoken or written language. The connections they make will astound you, as well as their own social and academic language usage.

Finally, as these fun summer learning moments connect you to your child, so does your disposition.

Remember to share stories with them. Take turns reading, using plenty of intonation, developing character voices, pointing to pictures, and, most importantly, laughing. The most powerful encoding (learning) occurs when there is a positive emotion tied to our reading. Enjoy summer reading with your child!

Westchester Middle School Mrs. Demakis’s 8th grade classes Skyped with WMS alumni and former art student Kathryn Capri Dougan.

She is a visual effects artist and 3-D modeler working in Hollywood, California. Her extensive film credits can be found on IMDB. Mrs. Dougan gave students an opportunity to ask questions about her career, how she got started, her education and much more. She created two videos for students to better understand what technology and art skills she uses.

She also discussed the importance of using other curriculums. Kierra L. said,“It was an amazing and new experience”. Imilio G. mentioned

that “an opportunity like this a way of of teaching others what you can do.” Eric R. stated that it was easier than talking on the phone.

“Because she explained it so well (with demos and conversation), I got a full understanding of what she does.” Luigi C. thought it was nice of her to take time out of her busy work schedule to talk to us. Mrs. Demakis’s summed it up, “Skyping is a great way to introduce students to the many broad career paths in art. They need to see the

correlation between the skills they are learning here in class and how they relate to the real world.”

Congratulations to the PBIS team at Westchester Middle School! Our school has been recognized at the Silver Level for its implementation of PBIS during the 2013-2014 school year. PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. Through this program, WMS provides support for all students to achieve social, emotional and academic success.

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Residents having fun at Get Out And Play Day June 7.

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Economic Development Committee Meeting BUSINESS SUMMIT MEETING On March 20, 2014, the Economic Development Committee (EDC) of Westchester held a Business Leader Summit, where business leaders were invited to hear about the following: • Overview of the EDC & Accomplishments • Business Retention Survey Results-the EDC distributed a survey of business owners to identify the needs and concerns of the business community.

• Information about what Village is doing to support businesses • New businesses and upcoming developments • Questions / comments / suggestions from you As a result of this meeting, the Commission will begin focusing on the following recommendations of the business community in attendance.

Bus transportation Walkways / safe pedestrian avenues for shopping Permitting process suggestions Melissa Headley, Director of Community Development, is working

requirements and application process.

Our goal in this process is to make the of permitting process as efficient and understandable as possible.

Pre-App meetings are highly recommended as they identify early on in the process potential obstacles with proposed projects.This helps property owners, contractors, developers, and The EDC is working on identifying businesses owners determine the crosswalks that may need to be feasibility of projects before expending improved along major thoroughfares much money. Applicants are provided to increase safety for shoppers in the Pre-Application Meetings with requirements, expectations, various districts. and code references to assist them Did you know that the Village with their project. These help ensure The Village of Westchester has been and will continue to revamp offers pre-application meetings to all complete and correct submittals the permitting process using business owners and property owners when applying for building or land use the suggestions of the business in the Village, free of charge. A pre- permits which improve plan review community to simplify the process, application meeting provides you and approval times, reduce the need while maintaining codes to safeguard an opportunity, early in the planning for resubmittals, and save applicants the public health, safety and general stage for a building project, to meet time and money.

The Pre-App is a forum for village welfare and safety to life and property with representatives from the various from fire and other hazards attributed departments at the Village that will be staff to assist you during the feasibility involved in reviewing your project. and preliminary analysis phase of your to the built environment.

Information will be provided to project. The information we provide COMMUNITY RESIDENTS AND you regarding what documents and does not constitute a formal approval BUSINESS OWNERS are welcome to permits will be required for your or permit and is dependent on the attend the EDC meetings held on the project.We will discuss the time frame level of information you give us.

If you are interested in scheduling 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at expected to process your permit(s).

7:30 AM. Are you interested in getting You will be sent a written record of a pre-application meeting or have involved in the Community? The EDC the Pre-application Meeting to help any questions, please contact Melissa is accepting applications for an open guide you through the process. These Headley, Director of Community position. Please forward your resume “Pre-App” meetings are intended to Development at 708-345-0199 or via provide an overview of the regulatory email at mheadley@westchester-il.org. and contact information to: with PACE to explore the addition of increased bus service particularly on Wolf Road going south from Cermak to 31st street. The EDC also identified more stops along the Roosevelt / Addison Creek corridor to support those businesses as well.

Village Trustee Frank Perry or Melissa Headley, Director Community Development Village of Westchester 10300 W Roosevelt Rd Westchester, IL 60154 Fax: 708-345-0199 fperry@westchester-il.org or mheadley@westchester-il.org

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