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2 SECTIONS 22 PAGES
REPORTER In Section 2
THE
Volume LVII, No. 1
Serving Chicago Ridge, Evergreen Park, Hickory Hills, Oak Lawn, Palos Hills and Worth
By Sharon L. Filkins
By Joe Boyle
added that it does not help that the governor makes these demands Two local legislators, residents instead of negotiating. and some community leaders sat “The governor had talked about down to have coffee Saturday shutting everything down if he morning and share ideas and com- doesn’t get what he wants,” said plaints about the ongoing budget Cunningham. “But when you say impasse in Springfield. the government, it also means MiState Rep. Kelly Burke (D-36th) sericordia and Catholic Charities.” and state Sen Bill Cunningham Burke said she and 20 other (D-18th) listened to the legislators sent a letter concerns on a wide range to Rauner asking to neof issues from nearly 20 gotiate on aspects of the people Saturday at the turnaround agenda. Starbucks located in the “We will not talk about Stony Creek Promenade collective bargaining,” TIF District near 111th said Burke. “But we will and Cicero in Oak Lawn. talk about other issues.” Burke told the group Burke said discussions seated around a table that State Rep. Kelly can focus on costs at colthe largest obstacle is that Burke (D-36th) is leges and universities. Gov. Rauner emphasizes resolute on not She said money goes to that any reforms have giving in to Gov. instructors, administrato be tied to his “turn- Bruce Rauner tive fees and intercolaround agenda,” which on the issue legiate athletics. Rauner currently calls for restric- of collective signed a bill last year to tions on collective bar- bargaining. provide funding for kingaining rights and major dergarten through 12th concessions by union leaders. grade. The governor has stated “There are things we can work that the cost at state colleges and with,” said Burke, whose district universities are too high. includes Evergreen Park and porBurke said a bill she helped tions of Oak Lawn. “The governor introduce regarding Monetary wants term limits. I personally Awards Programs, or MAP don’t agree, but we can look at grants, has since been revised on a that. But calling for the end of couple of occasions and has been collective bargaining is not going vetoed by the governor. A new to happen.” bill passed through the Senate on Cunningham, whose district in- March 17 with some additions and cludes portions of Worth, Palos See BUDGET, Page 7 and Orland townships, agreed and
Worth Mayor Mary Werner voiced her displeasure during the board meeting on March 16 about reports of damage to property that has occurred recently in the village. Werner read a prepared statement about what she said has been excessive damage over the last seven weeks to village, park district and school properties. “To repair and restore the damaged areas will cost in the hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, of taxpayer dollars,” she said. Reportedly, the damage has been caused by an individual, or individuals, driving a vehicle recklessly on the properties. Damage has occurred at the Water’s Edge Golf Course, Altman Park, and twice each at Homerding Park, Stahlak Park and Gale Moore Park. Additionally, the Worthwoods School and the School Administration Building were vandalized during the same time frame. Werner said she was bringing this to the public’s attention, not just as a public service announcement, but as a request for help. “If any suspicious activity is witnessed in our parks or other areas, please do not hesitate to contact the police. We want to continue to keep our village, parks and schools looking good. See WORTH, Page 7
Village officials and the group of doctors planning to open a new cancer center in Chicago Ridge came together on Friday for a ceremonial groundbreaking at the site where it is being built at 10604 Southwest Highway. The real digging was expected to begin this week on the site just east of Harlem Avenue, with completion tentatively scheduled for May of 2017. The Chicago Ridge Village Board last month approved the plans for the 40,000 square-foot facility, which represents an investment of between $15 million and $17 million. “This is phenomenal. It is going to be our home here for a very long time,” said Amar Hamed, MD, the lead doctor in the group of six who will be moving their practices into the building. “It is going to be great for the community of Chicago Ridge. It is going to be great for the whole area,” he said of the center, which is expected to draw clients from throughout the southwest suburban area. He and his partners and their staffs, with Mayor Chuck Tokar and trustees Frances Coglianese, Jack Lind, Sally Durkin and Amanda Cardin, toasted the See CHICAGO RIDGE, Page 9
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Local legislators share coffee and their concerns
Mayor Werner says repairs could run into the thousands
By Dermot Connolly
$1 Newstand
STATE BUDGET STALEMATE
Worth on lookout for vandals
Medical facility breaks ground in Chicago Ridge
USPS 118-690
Photos by Kelly White
In honor of her cousin who has leukemia, Ayelen Acevedo, 16, decided to have her head shaved completely bald at the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser Friday night at Hannum School in Oak Lawn.
Students make bald choice Youngsters at Hannum School have their heads shaved and dance to raise funds for pediatric cancer research By Kelly White In honor of her cousin, who is living with leukemia, Chicago resident Ayelen Acevedo decided to have her head shaved completely bald, removing the hair that once stretched to her lower back. Acevedo’s cousin, Oliver Canales, 9, of Bridgeview, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010 and since has had a strong support system from his family. Another cousin of Canales, Allysa Canales, 12, of Oak Lawn, said the cousins are all very close and his disease has been very hard on the entire family. “This is for Oliver,” Acevedo said. “I wanted to be brave for him.” Acevedo was among 40 students at Hannum Elementary School, 9800 S. Tripp Ave., Oak Lawn, on Friday night who stepped up to shave their heads in front of over 200 local attendees for the school’s fourth annual St. Baldrick’s Day event. St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a childhood cancer charity funding research to help find cures for children with cancer. “This is such an awesome event,” said Tracey Musko, of Oak Lawn, whose son,
Ayelen Acevedo manages a smile after most of her hair has fallen to the floor.
Dean Musko, 11, was having his head shaved. “Young kids are shaving their heads in honor of other kids and families.” The event was organized by the Hannum PTA and Hannum Elementary School. The fundraiser was led by Susie Panice, volunteer event organizer for the past four years. “Our school is a kindergarten through fifth grade level school, so our students range from See STUDENTS, Page 9
OAK LAWN
Board decides to keep towing company after heated debate By Dermot Connolly The local towing company that has held the contract with Oak Lawn for village business for more than 15 years almost lost it this week, but it received a last-minute reprieve after a tense discussion among Village Board members on Tuesday. The issue was first raised during the public comment portion of the meeting when Ed Forsythe, a longtime employee of Jack’s Towing, pleaded with the board to retain the company’s services. For more than 15 years, Jack’s, located at 4400 Southwest Highway, has been the company used by the police department and the village whenever vehicles need to be removed from local roads. Forsythe feared the decision to change towing companies had essentially been made, but he urged the board to reconsider, saying it would cause at least two Oak Lawn residents, including himself, to lose their jobs. “Everything we do is for the good of the village,” said Forsythe, noting that the towing company depends entirely on the village for business, and there have been no complaints about service. “I’m 60 years old. What else am I going to do? Village Manager Larry Deetjen
addressed the situation later in the meeting, pointing out the 15-year contract that a previous administration had awarded Jack’s Towing in 2000 had run out last October. “They have been on a monthto-month contract since then,” said the village manager, asserting that Mike Queenan, the owner of the company, had been notified the previous year a change in vendor was a possibility. “It is a business decision. It is nothing personal,” Deetjen said, assuring the owners of Jack’s that there had been no complaints about service. But he said the 15-year contract was unusually long, and it was time for a change. Deetjen said he had put the contract out to bid, and a committee, made up of himself, Police Chief Michael Murray, village attorney Pat Connelly, and Steve Barrett, director of the Public Works Department, thoroughly vetted the five companies that submitted bids. He said that at the committee’s suggestion, TechniCraft in Justice and Walsh Towing in Chicago, had agreed to share the village’s towing business, pointing out that prior to 2000, the business had been shared by at least two companies. See OAK LAWN, Page 9