TVilla Park Now Full Speed Ahead
hank You to everyone who has already read our first issue of Villa Park Magazine. I am very pleased that printed editions have been placed in the Villa Park Library and the Villa Park History Museum. That is an honor to say the least to have that happen to our first issue.
I took the time to personally deliver copies to the business owners who were featured in the last issue. In addition, several people who will be featured in the magazine going forward have the first issue to review.
So now we have six new stories to share. Our cover story this time is about Jeff Stulgin from Park Boulevard Tavern in Villa Park.
Along with the story on the cover I am very lucky to have been able to include both the Villa Park Chief of Police - Todd Kubish and the Villa Park Fire Chief - Steve Stapleton. Their stories will be inspirational to anyone looking to get into the role of first responders.
Jeff is the third generation owner of an iconic business and operates a busy tavern and restaurant that resides in the first building constructed in the original Ardmore subdivision along the Illinois Prairie Path. When the building was constructed the Chicago, Aurora and Elgin trains ran across the street and stopped less than a block from the tavern's front door.
A new feature in this issue is "What If ..." based on the history of Villa Park and how it might have been altered if different decisions were made over a century ago.
One of the local car service owners and a recently elected Villa Park Village Trustee - Tina Konstatos is another great story in this issue. Tina is a hard working and ambitious example of a person who can tackle any task at hand and excel. And she can and has built her own race car that she and her husband used to compete at drag race venues.
A very important topic is the discussion with the owner of Kube Tech - Jimmy Kubish. Kube Tech is a network security service that provides important tools and services to help small to large companies protect their data systems from cyber attacks.
A person who many young athletes know well is Nate Cook of One80Sports. They have been operating the basketball programs at the Villa Park Parks and Recreation Center now adding new activities in the Fall/Winter programs.
Publisher – Al Stasch
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KUBETECH - CYBERSECURITY EXPERTS
Jimmy Kubish runs an Information Technology company that specializes in cybersecurity for small and medium size companies
VILLA PARK POLICE CHIEF - TODD KUBISH
Todd Kubish is the Chief of Police in Villa Park Illinois and a life long resident in the Village. He has a passion for police work and service to the village.
VILLA PARK FIRE CHIEF STEVE STAPLETON
The Villa Park Fire Chief is Steve Stapleton who came up through all the ranks in Villa Park to lead a busy EMS & Fire Department.
PARK BOULEVARD TAVERN - STULGIN'S
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Jeff Stulgin was born while his Grandfather owned a tavern in the Ardmore subdivision and technically never left being a part of the business. Park Boulevard Tavern is a popular place.
TINO KONSTATOS - REPAIRS PLUS MOTORSPORTS
Get to know Tina Konstatos. A self driven co owner of an automotive service shop, she has experience in many fields and serves as a Village Trustee.
A late addition to the western suburbs of Chicago was a gap between two towns. We explore what could have happened if history changed.
FREE ADVERTISEMENTS
This issue is the VFW Post 2801 Pumpkin Patch and the Villa Park Parks and Recreation Fall/Winter program cover and QR link advertisement sample.
NATE COOK- ONE80SPORTS
Nate Cook's youth sports programs in Villa Park are growing since 2004. Basketball T-Ball and Soccer. 21
Passwords & Antivirus Software Is Not Enough
The battles with fraud, identity theft and data protection can make doing business on the Internet a challenge without the the right plan and tools to secure your business. Almost every day the news reports that another large set of names, accounts, PII, and data have been compromised, stolen or held ransom. Large companies with significant information technology departments use advanced security systems to make it difficult to cause harm to their networks and data. This can leave medium and small business owners wondering how can they protect their systems without big computer security staffs?
Very few businesses in Villa Park have a full IT support or cybersecurity department. They often rely on one person or try to handle the business IT on their own. This can lead to bad outcomes of IT system compromise, or data being lost - effectively shutting down a business or hurting their reputation.
"We can truly unlock some of the more advanced cybersecurity solutions that are typically reserved for larger businesses.", said Jimmy Kubish of KubeTech.
"I started where a lot of people started in IT, just working the help desk. But it was a great place to be because I was in the financial services industry, so it's highly regulated. There's lots of compliance standards for IT systems from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and other regulations that relate to Information Technology (IT) security. So even for small businesses, our whole approach is always 100% security focused."
Jimmy Kubish - KubeTech - Villa Park, Illinois
"We opened about three years ago. We support everything from small blue-collar-style industries, to warehouses, lawyers, financial services, and everything in between. So we have to say no company is really too big or too small." Kubish said.
But that does not mean that a very small business needs to cut back on IT security measures. Which can be a catastrophic business mistake.
"We have some companies we support that are only one user, but they need to make sure everything is still taken care of properly. So we can definitely put a custom package together for any kind of business."
Many believe that strong passwords and anti virus software is all the protection you need. There are many layers of potential threats beyond someone cracking your password or downloading a virus.
"Our whole goal is to prevent any sort of malicious threat actor from accessing any of your data or IT systems. We can think of our cybersecurity approach in two separate buckets."
"First we have PCs and network infrastructure. That's the physical, tangible things. We protect that through a variety of different solutions."
"Email is 100% the biggest attack vector by far."
"The second side is the online and cloud infrastructure, which is going to be your email, your files, and other online cloud based business applications. So first and foremost, we back up and protect all your data. We also monitor all the activity on your Microsoft, Google, and other accounts. Such as logins from unknown IP address locations or devices."
"For KubeTech's email protection, when you receive an email, the attachments, the links, and even just the way the text reads is scanned and the email is quarantined if needed. If an email slips through the cracks, and you open it up on your computer, we would try to block the web traffic to the malicious site. After that, our EDR and MDR team steps in. Our approach is cybersecurity in layers, as no one solution is perfect with cybersecurity attacks evolving every day"
There are also other exploits that threat actors prey on, such as login sites that send you a text, email, or notification with a code to enter verifying your login is legitimate.
"The latest threat is basically stealing your browser session token. Essentially you receive an email. It looks 100% legit. You click on a link that takes you to a login page that looks exactly like your normal login. You put in your credentials. You get the text code on your phone. You get the push notification. You even then are signed into the real site. It seems legit like nothing bad happened."
Well, what happened in the background was the threat actor captured your login session, including the MFA approval. They use different tools on their end to inject that session token into their web browser on their device, they open up Microsoft Office on the web, and then they are literally logged in as you with your MFA and password bypassed. However, our tools detect for that saying, okay, this token was just used on this computer. Now it can't be used on this one. We then lock down the account, any time of the day or night"
This multi-layered approach of cybersecurity is what keeps you safer than just changing you password, enabling MFA, or keeping your virus protection software up to date.
Even if you don't own a business you can be a target for malicious activity using your computer at home. Again e-mail can be the biggest threat, yet is seen as simple or "just email".
"When you get an e-mail, from your bank for example, look at the link and hover over it. If it doesn't look legitimate just go to the bank website manually and log in that way."
We have only scratched the surface of a good cyber security plan for anyone.
"We keep going back to email security. If somebody gets access to your email, they've got the master set of keys to everything. They can get a password reset email to any account they need, and create inbox rules to delete the emails they are sending or receiving. This way they remain undetected until its too late, then you are left trying to clean up the damage"
In addition to basic security awareness, anywhere where you can have MFA enabled, you should. It is also important to use a good password manager so you can have complex unique passwords for each account.
An IT assessment with an IT expert such as KubeTech can give you you peace of mind that your business and its data are protected!
Chief Todd Kubish: A Lifetime of Service to Villa Park
On May 29, 2025, Deputy Chief Todd Kubish was officially sworn in as the new Chief of Police for Villa Park. A lifelong resident, he attended Ardmore and Jackson Elementary Schools and Willowbrook High School.
Chief Kubish began his career in law enforcement in 1995 as a civilian working at the front desk. Prior to that, while in high school was a member of the Villa Park Police Explorer program. He became a full-time officer in 1998, following in the footsteps of his father, who served as a police officer for 35 years in Wheaton. “I remember as a child him coming home in uniform. I went on a couple of ride-alongs as a youngster—I loved it!” he recalls. “All I ever wanted was to wear that uniform and serve our community.”
The Impact of Community Policing
When asked what part of policing makes the most difference, Chief Kubish emphasizes the importance of “boots on the ground.” “The officers you see patrolling every day—sometimes called ‘average’—are anything but. The calls they respond to, the people they meet, and the situations they handle are far from average. Nothing about this job is average. Even small interactions at the gas station or store—those two-minute conversations—can leave a lasting positive impact on the community. We strive to leave positive impressions, but when responding to incidents, there will always be someone unhappy with the outcome.”
Chief Kubish shared an example of turning a negative encounter into a positive one. “I’ve always tried to take a negative interaction and make it a good message. I might pull someone over for speeding, review their information, and then explain that I’m issuing a warning instead. Times are tough—a $250 fine can be a big hit to someone’s budget. My hope is that people remember the positive interaction and drive more carefully in the future. I want to be the officer who gives someone a break while gaining compliance in a positive manner.”
Technology and Modern Policing
Policing today is very different from when Chief Kubish first started. “Now, before you even get out of your car, you must hit a dozen buttons to activate your camera and other equipment. The inside of our squad cars now resembles the cockpit of an airplane. When cameras were first introduced in interview rooms during my time in investigations, I hated them. But I quickly realized they help with prosecution and allow the public to see both sides of a story. Cameras are essential—they protect both officers and the community.”
Engaging with Residents
Chief Kubish stresses the importance of community cooperation. “The real nuts and bolts of policing is reporting incidents when they occur. If you see something suspicious, call 9-1-1 immediately. Don’t wait until the next day—that can make all the difference.”
Discussing dispensaries in Villa Park, he notes that alcohol remains a bigger source of incidents than cannabis. “I’ve had many negative confrontations with individuals under the influence of alcohol, but rarely with someone using cannabis. It’s not about being pro-cannabis or pro-alcohol; it’s about understanding which intoxicants create the most issues.”
Protecting Residents from Scams
Chief Kubish provides practical advice to help residents avoid scams. “The IRS isn’t going to send you a text message about fines or penalties. Likewise, if you receive emails claiming to be from I-Pass or other agencies, don’t click any links. Always verify through official channels. For our older residents, if you’re unsure, call the police—we can send someone out to help before you take any action.”
Staffing Challenges and Department Priorities
Currently, the Villa Park Police Department operates with fewer officers than in previous
years. “We used to have 42 officers; now we have 37. That affects response times, along with specialty units and special detail assignments. If there’s an accident or domestic dispute, there may only be one or two cars left for the entire town. Our officers continue to do an outstanding job doing more with less staff. We hope to eventually return to 42 officers.”
Qualities of a Good Officer
Chief Kubish identifies physical ability, patience, insight, and genuine care for the community as essential traits for officers. “To be a good police officer, you need to handle yourself physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Patience and empathy are probably even more important than strength.”
Leadership and Vision
Reflecting on his new role, Chief Kubish says, “I’m honored to be Chief of Police in the town I grew up in. It is an honor to serve the men and women of this department in this capacity. My focus is on supporting my team and creating an environment where they can make decisions and feel empowered. I’m not a micromanager; I want my people to think, act, and lead where appropriate. My goal is to make this the best police department possible for both the staff and the community.”
He adds, “Friends and acquaintances often say, ‘You went from the bottom to the top, congratulations.’ I tell them, I’m not at the top— I’m at the bottom supporting our people. Many leaders forget that the main job is to support those who work for you. This is about our employees, not about me.”
Looking ahead, Chief Kubish remains focused on the present. “Right now, it’s about making this department the best it can be, equipping our people, and serving the community to the highest standard.”
FIRE CHIEF STEVEN STAPLETON
Chief Steven Stapleton was appointed Fire Chief on March 27, 2023, following six months of service as Interim Fire Chief. He previously served as Deputy Fire Chief from 2010 to 2023 and as Lieutenant from 2004 to 2010. Chief Stapleton began his career with the Villa Park Fire Department in 1997.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Service Management from Southern Illinois University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. In addition, Chief Stapleton possesses numerous professional certifications in Fire Investigation, Hazardous Materials, Technical Rescue, and Fire Inspection, among others.
A licensed Paramedic for 30 years, Chief Stapleton has also secured over $1,000,000 in grant funding for the Village through his successful grant-writing efforts, significantly enhancing resources and capabilities within the Fire Department.
However, Chief Stapleton’s path to public service began in an unexpected direction. “I actually wanted to be a police officer at first,” Chief Stapleton recalled at the start of our conversation.
He went on to describe how his early interest in law enforcement led him to enroll in several criminal justice courses at a local college. During that time, one of his instructors recommended that students considering a career in policing take an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course, since police officers often respond to medical emergencies alongside fire and EMS personnel.
That advice proved pivotal. The EMT course was taught by several local firefighter paramedics, and it was through their instruction that Chief Stapleton discovered his passion for the fire service. The experience ultimately reshaped his career path. After completing the EMT course, he successfully tested into and was accepted into the Paramedic Program at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, a defining step toward his lifelong career in fire and emergency services.
Reflecting on 28 Years of Service with the Villa Park Fire Department
Looking back on nearly three decades of service, Chief Stapleton reflects on how every step of his journey with the Villa Park Fire Department has shaped who he is today, both as a firefighter and as a leader. He also emphasized how fortunate he was to have his greatest teacher, coach, therapist, and best friend by his side throughout it all: his wife, Amanda.
“Every position has mattered in its own way,” he shared. “But being a paramedic probably had the most immediate and visible impact. Those moments where seconds matter—when you know your actions are literally giving someone a second chance at life —stay with you forever. That said, leadership roles carry their own weight, because the decisions you make affect your crews, your community, and sometimes even the future direction of the department. “
As our conversation continued, Chief Stapleton reflected on how much the fire service has evolved over the years
“The change has been incredible,” he said. “When I started, we relied heavily on basic tools and our training. Now we have advanced cardiac monitors, mechanical CPR devices, thermal imaging cameras, drones, and access to real-time GIS data. Technology has made us safer, faster, and more effective at saving lives and protecting property. But it also means constant learning, it’s not enough to just have the tools; we have to be confident and skilled in using them.”
When asked what advice he would give homeowners who want to reduce fire hazards in their homes, Chief Stapleton emphasized the importance of simple, consistent maintenance.
“Clean your dryer vents, check extension cords for wear, and keep anything flammable at least three feet away from heaters or fireplaces,” he advised. “Have your furnace and chimney inspected once a year.
And the big one, make sure every room has a working smoke alarm and that everyone in your family knows how to use a fire extinguisher. Those simple steps can prevent so many emergencies before they start.”
Chief Stapleton also spoke about the vital role the community plays in supporting the department’s mission.
“Public safety is strongest when it’s a true partnership between the fire department and the people we serve,” he said. “We love when residents come out to safety programs, volunteer at community events, or just stay informed about what we do. That kind of involvement makes a big difference.”
When discussing the responsibilities of leading a department, Chief Stapleton noted that the role of Fire Chief is one of the most important positions within the organization.
“As Chief, you’re responsible not only for the safety and well-being of every member of the department, but also for their families, because they depend on those firefighters coming home after every shift,” he explained. “That responsibility extends to every resident we serve and protect. Every decision, every policy, every piece of training ultimately connects back to keeping people safe.”
As for what comes next, Chief Stapleton smiled. “Technically, retirement,” he said with a laugh. “But for me, it’s really about making sure I leave the department stronger than when I started and preparing the next generation of leaders to carry it forward. That’s what it’s all about.”
PARK BOULEVARD TAVERN - STULGIN'S
His story and his support for the Village is a living example of how great this Village is today
"I actually was born in 1961, Elmhurst Hospital. And for the first three years of my life, I lived upstairs above the bar here"
"So mom and dad got married in 1960. And my grandfather told them that they could live upstairs in the apartment rent-free. Just save your money so you could buy a house. So they did that. And I was obviously born a year later in 1961. "
"I was baptized across the street at St. A's.. Doctor was next door, Dr. Cortesi. Let's see, shoe store was that away, where the Canes are. And I used to get my shoes there. The pharmacy was across the street."
And I'm sure he can tell more stories from the ones he heard from his parents and grandfather who owned the same establishment before him.
Jeff is a mild mannered man who loves his family and fishing when not at the Park Boulevard Tavern that everyone calls Stulgin's.
Other than spending time with family Jeff loves to go fishing. It could be a trip to Florida when his father lived there or just to a simple pond nearby Villa Park where he has caught many great fish. And what better place to share fishing stories than a tavern like Stulgin's where several fish are mounted along the back of the bar. None of them caught by Jeff.
"It started out as one guy said, I got a fish at home that's mounted and my wife can't stand it in the living room. I wouldn't mind looking at it when I come in here and have a beer or two. Would you want to put it on the wall? I said, sure. So then other people got wind."
"And he goes, yeah, my wife isn't crazy about mine in the living room either. And then they just started putting fish on the wall. So that's how that kind of got started with the fish.
And everybody says it kind of reminds them, this place reminds them of like a north woods bar. Like a Wisconsin tavern, supper club type place."
Other than local ponds around Villa Park, Jeff often travels to Florida that is known for large mouth bass. It's there that Jeff hooked and release a little over nine pound largemouth bass.
"But half the problem is, you gotta be fishing with your eyes wide open. Because when you catch a fish, I've had alligators come after the fish and towards me. And that's when I run to the golf cart and take off for 20 feet or so. My brother actually had one take the fish right off his line.
But back to Stulgin's When did Jeff first start working here?
"Dad had the place first. And my grandfather before him. When I graduated high school. I knew that I wanted to get into this business. I swept floors since I was a kid. Since I could hold a broom. My brother and I filled the coolers. Stuff like that as little kids."
"When summer break started from school. we'd come down here and clean up. And got paid. And go next door to Al's Smoke Shop and buy some candy. and baseball cards."
Right out of high school I did concrete work and carpentry. I was a concrete laborer. Right out of high school. And actually it was one of the best things I ever did. Because I made pretty good money. I saved up real good at that time. So we got engaged and we got married when we were both 21. So I bought my first house at 21 years old. And it cost me $57,900. Which is less than my car right now. We just had our 43rd anniversary. September 11th. "
How did Stulgin's enter Jeff's life?
"The correct name is Park Boulevard Tavern Incorporated. But back when my grandfather had it, a lot of people used to call it Adams, you know, like Adam's Place. because his name was Adam Stolgin. When dad had it, they had it nicknamed the Fishbowl because we had a giant aquarium up here. But then a lot of people then started just calling it Stolgin's, like by our last name.
Actually, my great grandparents owned a tavern in the city. They're immigrants from Lithuania. Lithuania, okay. They owned a tavern on Ogden and Crawford. And then my grandfather, he drove a beer truck."
THE EARLY DAYS
"He saved up enough money to where this tavern was purchased. On July 1, 1953. He purchased it from a gentleman by the name of Chris George, who owned it prior to that. From my understanding, the prior owner kind of sold it because he had heard that the Aurora Elgin tracks out here, there was going to be a big strike. And he was afraid he was going to lose all his business. Because we were right in front of the station. So my grandfather bought it, and he actually made a go of it."
But before the tavern business there was a completely different business in this spot.
"I do have an old picture I could show you where there's a couple out in front of here holding a little baby.
They look like they're, like, 18 years old. They owned the general store."
"My wife and I bought the building and the business January 1st of 1999. Pat's been with me for over 30 years, or with us, before we even bought the building from Dad. Leo, the cook, has been here about 27 years. Nicole's been here 19 years. my wife and I bought the building and the business January 1st of 1999.
Park Boulevard Tavern Food
Famous Chili
Friday Fish Fry Lunch
Jeff has help in the kitchen with the cook Leo and others but he still does some of the cooking as well.
"So, I like to eat, so obviously I like to learn how to cook as well. But my dad kind of gave me a little, and his second wife cooked here for a little bit with us. And she kind of really taught me, because cooking at home and cooking here are two totally different things."
"When you cook for a restaurant, you have to figure out how to utilize the steam table. But still keep the food tasting fresh, and like it was just cooked."
You've had a gaming terminals. I have two very good friends and this is their favorite place to play the games.
"It's really helped. It's helped a lot. It's helped keeping the Mom and Pop places open.
And what I like to think is it's really helping us keep costs down. Because obviously there is profit in it, we all know. And what that does is it frees me up to have really good competitive pricing on our food and beverages where we're less than most places."
Recently Jeff had a special honor. "The highlight for me was last year. I was asked to be one of the VFW Fourth of July Parade Grand Marshals. It made me feel honored that they asked me. I wish my grandfather could have seen that. Mom probably had me in her arms upstairs when I was six months old, when we were living up there just watching the parade go by for the first time, you know, 64 years ago."
Jerry & Tina Konstatos Repairs Plus Motorsports
Recently a new Village Trustee was elected to a 4 year term on the Village Board. As a local business owner she is a strong supported of other business and active in promoting everything about Villa Park. So we asked to interview Tina Konstatos not about the politics she is involved in but about her background and there were a couple of interesting surprises.
"I am co-owner with my husband, Jerry Konstatos of Repairs Plus Motorsports on North Avenue in Villa Park, Illinois. My job here is multiple things. I run the office, as like the office manager. I order parts for customers, I write up all of the estimates, I do all the billing and pay the bills and the taxes.
I also go in the back and will help work on engines and some cars. I've put in interior into vehicles all by myself, putting down new carpet on antique vehicles, installing their seats and their panels on their doors and within the vehicle itself. "
So her back story so far compares to the movie "My Cousin Vinnie" where the character Lisa Vito is called into court as an automotive expert only to be challenged by the attorney about her general knowledge of automative service.
"Everybody always relates me to that movie and everybody always calls me Lisa. I answered to it anyways, but yeah it's a funny movie." But there's more.
"So when I was building my 1987 Olds Cutlass and building my race engine, my husband wanted me to build the engine by myself with my own hands and said that I will help you in ways of telling you what goes where and kind of how to install it."
"But I want you to be able to do it yourself so that way when you're at the racetrack and somebody says to you, you know like, hey what kind of engine do you have in there? You can answer the questions yourself because you know firsthand. So yeah, I built my entire engine in my race car and it took a while and I'm not gonna say it was pretty because there was some unpretty moments.
But it helped me to learn a lot about motors and how they go together and it's nice too because when women come into our shop I can explain things. When a woman explains to another woman how a vehicle works or what we're repairing and fixing on that vehicle and why and can explain the parts and everything, a woman feels more comfortable."
Tina Konstatos
"I grew up in Bartlett and I went to, back then Bartlett did not have schools so I went to Wayne Elementary School and then I had to go to Streamwood Canton Middle School and then for high school I had to go all the way out to Elgin. So I graduated from Elgin High School six months prior to my graduating class with honors and that's where I grew up, was Bartlett."
"I started with Household Finance the day after my graduation early from high school. I went straight to work full-time where I did customer service. I then went into the mortgage section where I did some underwriting and then from there I went into the legal end of it where I worked bankruptcies and worked hand-in-hand with some attorney firms from Chicago, Blatt Hasenmiller and Leibsker and Moore and did some legal with our customers through there.
Now Tina's focus is on racing.
"We're drag racing all the time. We go to Great Lakes Dragway which is an iconic dragway that's been around forever in Wisconsin. We go to Byron Dragway in Byron, Illinois. We go to Cordova Dragway which is right at the border of Illinois and Iowa.
I've been to Tri-State Dragway which is in Iowa. 41 Dragway is in Indiana and that's kind of as far as we've gotten. We both drag race. My husband has two vehicles"
"I have one vehicle and once a year I also do a drag-and-drive with an event called Six Summer. It's for a whole week and you drive your race car on the street while towing a small trailer behind it with all your tools and everything in it."
"Also in my previous marriage me and my ex-husband owned a business of carpentry where we remodeled restaurants so we made the tables, booths and chairs in all of the restaurants. That's why I know so many restaurant owners in the state of Illinois and Indiana.
We did the Buona Beef restaurants, we did the Giordano's restaurants. I've done all the restaurants in Villa Park and Elmhurst. So that's how I know a lot of restaurant people. So I have like different experiences in a lot of different areas of industry.
This business is Repairs Plus Motorsports. It's a business that my husband Jerry had prior to me getting married. So Jerry has had this business probably I'm gonna say for about 25 years. He was first located on St. Charles Road when he first opened in the little building behind that little yellow house that's next to the Wreck Room."
Repairs Plus Motorsports
A Full Service Auto Service Center
"The thing we always tell our customers is regardless of these new vehicles now, and them saying that there's synthetic oil in it, you can change it at 5,000, you can change it at 10,000. Do not do that. Stick to your normal 3,000 miles.
Where will you be 5 years from now?
"I don't see myself stopping anytime soon. Still, if we're still living in Illinois, depending on where we decide to retire, it's a little bit, it's a little hard."
About being a Village Trustee
"I have a lot of people that ask me, even at the racetrack, like why would you get involved in that? Like are you ready to throw the towel in? And honestly, I very much enjoy it."
"To even my husband's surprise, I very much enjoy it. I enjoy hearing about what's going on in our village. I enjoy being a part of trying to resolve some issues and get in there and do some work."
"I enjoy meeting more people. I enjoy learning more about what is in our town than what I ever thought was because I never got involved in anything prior. So I hope to still be involved in that and enjoying that."
"I don't really see us ever stopping working on cars. Maybe at some point not having an actual business."
Jerry & Tina Konstatos
What If .... Villa Park Never Existed?
Villa Park, Illinois is one of many villages created by the interurban train lines running from Chicago to the Fox Valley cities of Aurora and Elgin. Still the village built because of interurban trains required many significant steps in the early 20th century in order to become the Village of Villa Park. Even one alternative decision would have almost certainly changed the map of our area significantly and the Village of Villa Park could have vanished from history. The businesses, the homes and the landmarks we see traveling through the Village could easily have been replaced by nothing! No apartments on the old Ovaltine factory site. No Villa Avenue or Ardmore business districts. Willowbrook High School would be an open space with a meandering Sugar Creek crossing through to the east. Jackson and Jefferson Middle Schools all unnecessary. In fact, most of thr elementary school districts would be gone. Arguably it was critical for Villa Park and Ardmore subdivisions to have a platform or station for the Chicago Aurora and Elgin trains to stop. However, just a train stop did not by itself make Villa Park a reality.
What would exist if not the Village of Villa Park?
Originally in the 1800's and early 1900's the prairie that is now Villa Park was nearly treeless and consisted of a small number of farms. Much different from the canopy of trees along many streets and the typical 50' by 200' properties that dot the Village with the homes we live in. Today two homes still exist that were original farm homes. One on east Jackson and another on south Ardmore.
If no development happened those farms could have continued. More likely a neighboring city would have expanded to include the area into their territory. Both Elmhurst and Lombard were well established decades before Villa Park existed. The distance between these two cities is slightly more than a mile and a half. The farms could easily have converted into residential space through new subdivisions part of either Lombard or Elmhurst. And possibly divided between both cities.
Two Fatal Options For Villa Park
What Options Were Available in 1900?
Historic accounts of what was planned for the area have two greatly different futures being discussed at the time. One of those options would have forever eliminated the possibility of homes being built beyond the original farms. That option was to create a cemetery.
A Final Resting Place
It was only a rumor mentioned in historic accounts. However, it was plausible since surrounding the farms were two established towns of Lombard to the west and Elmhurst to the east. Neither was the size they are today but had already been established for decades by the turn of the century. The idea of a cemetery could have been beneficial to both Lombard and Elmhurst. Several large spaces in the area did in fact become cemeteries. So the rumor was not so improbable. A cemetery is almost a permanent decision about the use of property. Yes, they can be changed and moved under extreme conditions. That is highly unlikely to happen. Thankfully no cemetery was built in our Village. Had one been established the Village of Villa Park would not have existed. But could it have been named Villa Park Gardens Cemetery.
A Garden of Lilacs
The second option was for the “Lilac Village” of Lombard to expand east from Westmore Avenue to Salt Creek. There is no record that Lombard officials contemplated such a move officially. There were some reasons they could have. First, natural borders often are dividing lines. Lombard's western border sits along the East Branch of the DuPage River and eastern border along Westmore Avenue. Less than a 1.5 miles east is the other natural border Salt Creek. If Lombard was able to convince the subdivisions of Villa Park to merge with an established Village like Lombard the Garden Village would have been incorporated into the Lilac Village. Also the first school house built in the area was located at Westmore and St. Charles. Soon the schoolhouse became overcrowded. Farmer's children were turned away or were forced to go to what is now Bensenville to attend school. There was no School District 45. There was no Ardmore School. Building a larger school near Westmore could have further shifted the borders towards Lombard for existing farm families in Villa Park. That could advance the idea to expand Lombard east and eventually to Salt Creek.
The Ardmore Station Made Villa Park
Build A Train Station in Ardmore
The third option came from a real estate developer Ballard and Pottinger. They saw the space between Lombard and Elmhurst. They developed the area as subdivisions for people moving from Chicago. At the same time a new railroad transportation system between Chicago and the western suburbs emerged with stops in Elmhurst and Lombard.
Original maps of the railroad stops don't show a station in what is now Villa Park. In 1910 Ballard and Pottinger built a train station that still exists today – currently the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce. The developers arranged for free tickets on the new railroad on weekends. Chicagoans chose to take a 45 minute ride to the Ardmore station to see what living away from the city offered
Homes were built and stores in a business district. The Wander Company saw the opportunity to build a factory in the area because of the train service able to transport products and employees. Also the farms could provide materials Eventually Ovaltine had a long and storied history in Villa Park.
What If Ballard and Pottinger Said No?
What if Ballard & Pottinger did not develop the Ardmore and Villa Park subdivisions? What if they did not build the Ardmore train station and set up free rides from Chicago to entice prospective property buyers?
It is possible that Lombard would have incorporated the Ardmore and Villa Park subdivisions into their Village. That would mean that several events that followed the creation of Villa Park might not have happened. A much smaller train station may have been built in the Ardmore subdivision as a flag stop. Meaning no scheduled stops for the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin trains – only when signaled by a waiting passenger would the trains stop at Ardmore. The Wander Company that built the Ovaltine plant might have looked elsewhere not seeing the suitable train service to support its operation. The entire business district next to the Ovaltine factory could have been just another line of houses. History shows there were many flag stops. No new town was build around them. They simply faded away.
Putting Fun in Sports
Kids have many options to occupy their time and interests. From early ages staying indoors playing video games or building LEGO projects attracts the attention of many boys and girls. Baseball diamonds and outdoor basketball courts are empty. Riding bikes has often been replaced by battery operated scooters. Physical exercise is too often almost forgotten.
But in Villa Park that trend is changing. And may soon dramatically shift from sit at home activities to more sports activities because of the new Recreation Center and the programs initiated by Nate Cook of One80Sports.
One example is the Parks and Recreation 3-on-3 basketball program that had 115 total kids sign up a few years ago and now 278 boys and girls are in the gym playing basketball. Other programs are t-ball, soccer, dodge ball, speed and agility and Parent-Tot sports.
All of the sports include training that is taught by experienced coaches who are vetted and follow a program that keeps the kids and parents wanting to come back to the gym. Plus the duration of the practice or games is short enough so everyone stays engaged.
Nate Cook started the One80Sports programs along with the Villa Park Parks and Recreation Department after organizing a basketball program at the Iowa Community Center. When the new Recreation Center opened in January this year everything moved there. And the program continued for the younger kids as a 3-on-3 program.
Nate Cook - One80Sports
program. I went back to Sue and said, I would love to work with the Parks and Recreation Villa Park basketball program and worked with her to change that to a three-on-three league."
"We did a lot of awesome stuff. Those numbers have almost tripled in the last three years, which is so great."
Other sports programs include the Speed & Agility class and the Parent Tot Sports. Both include fun activities for groups of kids and the second includes parents participation.
"Parent Tot has been neat because it allows me to bring in new families for the two- and three-year-olds and hopefully keep them in our system. And I love the parent engagement."
When the activities are just for the kids Nate encourages the parents to stay and watch the entire session.
"Usually our start time is 4:30. Monday and Wednesday is something I wanted to stick to so that parents can always know that on Mondays and Wednesdays one of these sports will be doing something. The little kids are a half hour sessions and the older ones are 45 minutes. We keep it concise, keep it quick."
What is One80Sports Trying To
"Our goal as 180 Sports is that every time the kids leave, I want them leaving going, I can't wait to come back. In our basketball program, we don't just come in and play basketball. We do skills and make it fun
"We have like a dribbling routine that's eight minutes long, right? I'm asking five-year-olds to do eight minutes of dribbling. Without music and anything, it's super boring. So we play music and we jam out and have fun and all of a sudden the eight minutes is gone. I love the quote about nothing great can be accomplished without enthusiasm. "
I asked Nate how in the world do you do all that?
"I have an amazing wife. I spent 20 years in the restaurant business. COVID happened and shut down all the restaurants. I had a two-year-old daughter and a four-year-old at the time, and my older one. So I transitioned to be a stay-at-home dad for a while. My wife had her master's, and she went back for her doctorate. I decided to not go back to work. Then I started working part-time for Parks and Recreation. helping with their basketball program. When my wife got her doctorate, she said now it's your time to go do whatever you want to do. It was coaching sports."
Nate also partnered with DUCAP - DuPage County Area Project. It is an organization collaborating with residents, parents, businesses, organizations, and schools to make a difference in the lives of future generations!
Do the kids walk away with anything that says, look what I did?
"For our basketball classes, I give away basketball cards at the end of class. The basketball card thing is a phenomenon."
Nate reached out on Facebook for people to donate basketball cards for the programs. Soon he had over 200 cards to give away.
"The last week the kids pick them out. We have a little Michael Jordan backpack, and they come at the end of class and they pick out a card. No trophies for winners or losers. Just basketball cards."
I asked Nate to talk about the coaches that help in the One80Sports programs. There's always a question about coaching credentials, in terms of safety, in terms of background checks.
"Everybody that works for my company gets a background check. That's obviously something that the Parks and Recreation department requires."
I asked Nate about girls participation in the sports programs.
"I have a daughter, so girls' basketball is a huge thing for me. I know when I started helping with the basketball program here, it was always co-ed. And as far as I know, it's always been co-ed."
"In the last three years, we have started to expand into girls' teams. This last year was the first year we've had our own first and second grade girls and third and fourth grade girls three-on-three league, which is awesome"
"Girls against girls, all girls, which is still great to be able to offer because I do feel like we lost a lot of girls in the past to other towns. "
"So girls' sports are becoming huge. I know that softball is working to get theirs up as well. And then, obviously, girls' flag football is a huge thing."
"I didn't start this for the money. I did it because I love what I do. And I found that passion, and I've been doing it for 14 years."
"I enjoy being around the kids. I love coaching. I love being creative and innovative and trying different things."
With his boundless energy and coaching ability Nate Cook is a valuable asset for the positive and active programs offered to the kids in Villa Park.
Nate is eager to try new things and add to the success he has had working with the Villa Park Parks and Recreation Department programs.
If you have a child looking for fun things to do year round take a look at One80Sports.
SNEAK PEAK
Here is what is planned in future issues
Cover Stories
Dr. Dan Krause - Willowbrook Principal
Mike Hirsch - Edward Jones
Deb Demito - Demito's Saloon & Devine
Guests We Hope To Schedule
Mike's Meat Market
Dick Portillo
The Union
Brown's Chicken
Trek Bike Center
More Brewery
The Lighthouse Convenience Center
State Rep Diane Blair-Sherlock
Khalid Sabri
Simon's Restaurant
Supreme Lobster
Rose Paving
Veterans Towing & Recovery
... and more