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Friday, October 11, 2013
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Monday, August 12, 2013
Illinois House Republican Caucus Blog: Glass Ceiling Initiative, Budget Hawk, Teacher = Lynn Martin
Illinois House Republican Caucus Blog: Glass Ceiling Initiative, Budget Hawk, Teacher = Lynn Martin
Only one member of the Illinois House of Representatives has gone on to serve as President of the United States. Others have been Members of Congress; including one Speaker of the U.S. House; a famed general, Governors of Illinois, leaders in business and industry, professors and, in the case of former State Rep. Lynn Martin (R-Rockford), U.S. Secretary of Labor.
Lynn Martin is the daughter of an accountant and a department store clerk. She grew up in Chicago and lost her first race for office: a campaign for 8th grade class President against her boyfriend, who beat her by a single vote. She later said she voted for her opponent because she thought it would be polite, and “learned my lesson: if you believe in yourself, vote for yourself.”
While teaching high school in Rockford, Martin became concerned that the local government was losing touch with the community. In 1972, she ran for and won a seat on the Winnebago County Board. She then made the jump to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1976, where she was appointed to the Appropriations Committee.
It did not take long for Martin to earn the nickname, “the axe” because of her efforts to reduce spending. Her budget cutting mentality was unwavering. Martin believed government had been growing and spending out of control since the 1960s, and when she arrived in Congress in 1981, she said, “all bureaucracy doesn’t have to last forever.”
Martin swept into Congress in the Reagan landslide of 1980, winning more than 67 percent of the vote. Her fellow Illinoisan, Minority Leader Robert Michel, named her to the House Budget Committee as a freshman, where she remained a budget hawk, even opposing some aspects of President Reagan’s military budgets.
Martin quickly earned the respect of her colleagues, and in 1984 was elected Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, the first woman to be elected to the Republican leadership team in Congress.
While controlling spending was a priority for Rep. Martin, she was also concerned with working conditions for congressional staff. In 1987, she fought successfully to extend the protections of the 1964 Civil Rights Act to the more than 30,000 employees of the Congress, specifically female staff members whom Martin argued were underpaid.
In 1990, Rep. Martin was given the opportunity to continue her fight for better working conditions when she was appointed as Secretary of Labor by President George Bush. During her time at the Department of Labor, Secretary Martin gave a high priority to programs for workforce development. Looking ahead to the next century, she started the Job Training 2000 youth apprenticeship program. She sought to make employment and training services more accessible to Americans and encouraged the promotion of women and minorities to management positions in corporations and unions. She also pushed a “Glass Ceiling” initiative to help women in the workplace.
With the end of the Bush administration in 1993, Martin returned to teaching, working at Northwestern University. She continued her civic involvement, chairing a University of Illinois study, “The Future of the Health Care Labor Force in a Graying Society.”
Now retired from public service, Lynn Martin lives in Chicago.
Only one member of the Illinois House of Representatives has gone on to serve as President of the United States. Others have been Members of Congress; including one Speaker of the U.S. House; a famed general, Governors of Illinois, leaders in business and industry, professors and, in the case of former State Rep. Lynn Martin (R-Rockford), U.S. Secretary of Labor.
Lynn Martin is the daughter of an accountant and a department store clerk. She grew up in Chicago and lost her first race for office: a campaign for 8th grade class President against her boyfriend, who beat her by a single vote. She later said she voted for her opponent because she thought it would be polite, and “learned my lesson: if you believe in yourself, vote for yourself.”
While teaching high school in Rockford, Martin became concerned that the local government was losing touch with the community. In 1972, she ran for and won a seat on the Winnebago County Board. She then made the jump to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1976, where she was appointed to the Appropriations Committee.
It did not take long for Martin to earn the nickname, “the axe” because of her efforts to reduce spending. Her budget cutting mentality was unwavering. Martin believed government had been growing and spending out of control since the 1960s, and when she arrived in Congress in 1981, she said, “all bureaucracy doesn’t have to last forever.”
Martin swept into Congress in the Reagan landslide of 1980, winning more than 67 percent of the vote. Her fellow Illinoisan, Minority Leader Robert Michel, named her to the House Budget Committee as a freshman, where she remained a budget hawk, even opposing some aspects of President Reagan’s military budgets.
Martin quickly earned the respect of her colleagues, and in 1984 was elected Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, the first woman to be elected to the Republican leadership team in Congress.
While controlling spending was a priority for Rep. Martin, she was also concerned with working conditions for congressional staff. In 1987, she fought successfully to extend the protections of the 1964 Civil Rights Act to the more than 30,000 employees of the Congress, specifically female staff members whom Martin argued were underpaid.
In 1990, Rep. Martin was given the opportunity to continue her fight for better working conditions when she was appointed as Secretary of Labor by President George Bush. During her time at the Department of Labor, Secretary Martin gave a high priority to programs for workforce development. Looking ahead to the next century, she started the Job Training 2000 youth apprenticeship program. She sought to make employment and training services more accessible to Americans and encouraged the promotion of women and minorities to management positions in corporations and unions. She also pushed a “Glass Ceiling” initiative to help women in the workplace.
With the end of the Bush administration in 1993, Martin returned to teaching, working at Northwestern University. She continued her civic involvement, chairing a University of Illinois study, “The Future of the Health Care Labor Force in a Graying Society.”
Now retired from public service, Lynn Martin lives in Chicago.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Remembering July 4th, 1997 in Lombard, Illinois USA | GHung's Blog
Remembering July 4th, 1997 in Lombard, Illinois USA | GHung's Blog
On July 4th, 1997, I had a Fourth of July Luncheon Celebration at our Lombard Historic Brick Bungalow with six (6) Special Guests–Chemical Engineer Philippe Alinat, his wife Christine, their two daughters, her Mother and her Sister visiting from Lyons, France. I invited French-speaking guests since I was Tutoring the Alinat's oldest daughter at their home in Woodridge, Illinois USA. My traditional American Fourth of July Luncheon was catered by Kentucky Fried Chicken Original Recipe, Corn on the Cob, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Macaroni and Cheese, Cole Slaw, Corn Bread, and Soda Beverages, non-alcoholic in the afternoon. My Father, Mr. Roberto Hung Juris Doctor, was disabled and bedridden upstairs on the second floor on a Gastro-Intestinal tube and could not join our Fourth of July Luncheon. I prepared for him Mashed Potatoes and Small Pieces of Chicken, Corn Bread. My Father, a Lombard resident homeowner became disabled after he purchased the Lombard Historic Brick Bungalow on September 2, 1996. Four months afterwards on December 22, 1996, my Father was severely injured at home by a blunt hit to the head resulting in Traumatic Brain Injury and an Aneurysm surgically treated by a neurosurgery at Good Samaritan Advocate Hospital in Downers Grove, Illinois USA. My Special Guests understood my predicament with DuPage Home Care Physicians Dr. Thomas Cornwell M.D., Nancy Munch R.N. and Jennifer, a Certified Nurse's Assistant from Woodrige who lived at Seven Bridges in Illinois, USA. Philippe and Christine Alinat were members of the Alliance Française de Chicago and also members of the Union des Français à l'Étranger since Christine's family had lived in Morocco, Algeria, as well as in Lyons, France. All together there were eight (8) people present for my Fourth of July Luncheon in Lombard during 1997, including my Father, Mr. Roberto Hung who was a senior invalid at home upstairs in our Lombard home where it used to be at 502 South Westmore-Meyers Road and Washington Boulevard near St. Pius X Catholic Church. Everyone, including Philippe Alinat and his family, enjoyed the afternoon Fourth of July in 1997 and took pictures of us in our Lombard home, District 5, York Township, DuPage County, Illinois 60148-3028 USA. As far as I can remember, the Alinats did not provide for me or my family in Lombard another invitation since they were in Woodridge, Illinois. I was not invited to any other event with Philippe, Christine, and her two daughters in Woodridge, Illinois USA. Although I remember Philippe and Christine Alinat in 1997, I have not seen them in fifteen (15) years. I speak French fluently and travelled to Paris and Strasbourg in France during 1995. ©2012 GHung's Blog WordPress. All Rights Reserved. Amitié Francophone
On July 4th, 1997, I had a Fourth of July Luncheon Celebration at our Lombard Historic Brick Bungalow with six (6) Special Guests–Chemical Engineer Philippe Alinat, his wife Christine, their two daughters, her Mother and her Sister visiting from Lyons, France. I invited French-speaking guests since I was Tutoring the Alinat's oldest daughter at their home in Woodridge, Illinois USA. My traditional American Fourth of July Luncheon was catered by Kentucky Fried Chicken Original Recipe, Corn on the Cob, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Macaroni and Cheese, Cole Slaw, Corn Bread, and Soda Beverages, non-alcoholic in the afternoon. My Father, Mr. Roberto Hung Juris Doctor, was disabled and bedridden upstairs on the second floor on a Gastro-Intestinal tube and could not join our Fourth of July Luncheon. I prepared for him Mashed Potatoes and Small Pieces of Chicken, Corn Bread. My Father, a Lombard resident homeowner became disabled after he purchased the Lombard Historic Brick Bungalow on September 2, 1996. Four months afterwards on December 22, 1996, my Father was severely injured at home by a blunt hit to the head resulting in Traumatic Brain Injury and an Aneurysm surgically treated by a neurosurgery at Good Samaritan Advocate Hospital in Downers Grove, Illinois USA. My Special Guests understood my predicament with DuPage Home Care Physicians Dr. Thomas Cornwell M.D., Nancy Munch R.N. and Jennifer, a Certified Nurse's Assistant from Woodrige who lived at Seven Bridges in Illinois, USA. Philippe and Christine Alinat were members of the Alliance Française de Chicago and also members of the Union des Français à l'Étranger since Christine's family had lived in Morocco, Algeria, as well as in Lyons, France. All together there were eight (8) people present for my Fourth of July Luncheon in Lombard during 1997, including my Father, Mr. Roberto Hung who was a senior invalid at home upstairs in our Lombard home where it used to be at 502 South Westmore-Meyers Road and Washington Boulevard near St. Pius X Catholic Church. Everyone, including Philippe Alinat and his family, enjoyed the afternoon Fourth of July in 1997 and took pictures of us in our Lombard home, District 5, York Township, DuPage County, Illinois 60148-3028 USA. As far as I can remember, the Alinats did not provide for me or my family in Lombard another invitation since they were in Woodridge, Illinois. I was not invited to any other event with Philippe, Christine, and her two daughters in Woodridge, Illinois USA. Although I remember Philippe and Christine Alinat in 1997, I have not seen them in fifteen (15) years. I speak French fluently and travelled to Paris and Strasbourg in France during 1995. ©2012 GHung's Blog WordPress. All Rights Reserved. Amitié Francophone
For A Happy Fourth of July on Independence Day
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY
Upcoming Local Events
The following events are subject to change.
Please contact your local village for further information before you head out.
July 4 - Downers Grove
The Independence Day parade begins at 12:45 pm, stepping off at DG North High School at Main and Grant and heading south to Warren. Fireworks are presented by the Village of Downers Grove and Village of Woodridge. The fireworks show will be at Zigfield Troy Golf Course, 75th Street and Lemont Road, Woodridge, from 9:30 - 10:00 pm.
July 2-4 - Glen Ellyn
The 2013 theme is Glen Ellyn, Home of the Champions! The festivities began on Saturday, June 29th with spills and chills at the annual Lake Ellyn Cardboard Regatta and great food at the Picnic in the Park. On Thursday, July 4th 2013, enjoy a full day of activities, including the Freedom Four ® Four-Mile Run, Glen Ellyn's 4th of July Parade, Carnival in the Park and Glen Ellyn's Fireworks.
July 3-6 - Lisle
The Annual Eyes to the Sky festival at Lisle Community Park runs July 3-6, 2013, while the carnival runs July 3-7, 2013. Lots of music, food, crafts, games, hot air balloons and four nights of fireworks! The 4th of July Parade Committee will present the Fourth of July Parade on July 4th, 2013. The parade will begin promptly at 11:00 am with “staging” at Lisle Jr. High at 10:45 am. The Parade will proceed east on Jonquil then North down Main Street, then turn West down School Street, South down Center Street, ending at Village Hall, followed by an old fashioned ice cream social sponsored by the Lisle Heritage Society.
July 2-6 - Lombard
The Taste of Lombard, sponsored by the Lombard Jaycees, will be open July 2nd-6th. On July 2-3 & 5 it will be open from 5 pm-11 pm and July 4 & 6 from Noon-11 pm. Fireworks on the 4th of July around 9:30 pm! Admission is $3 for anyone 10 years of age and older and FREE for anyone 9 years of age and younger. The Taste of Lombard is located at Madison Meadow Park, 600 E. Madison Street in Lombard.
July 4 - Oak Brook Terrace
Thursday, July 4 - picnic at Terrace View Park (tickets required); Bingo 6-7 pm (residents only-ID required). City of Oak Brook Terrace and Flood Brothers Concert at 8 pm followed by fireworks display at 9:30 pm.
July 2-4 - Wheaton
The Wheaton Municipal Band Summer Concert Series will be on Tuesday, July 2 at 8 pm at Memorial Park, located at Wheaton and Karlskoga Avenues. The Wheaton Park District invites the community to Wheaton's annual Independence Day celebrations, featuring a fireworks display on Wednesday, July 3, and a parade on Thursday, July 4 at 10:00 am.
July 10 - Lombard Summer Blood Drives
9:30-1:00 at Yorktown Center - 1:30 - 7:30 PM at Lombard Village Hall - If you have eligibility questions call Heartland Blood Centers at 1-800-7-TO-GIVE.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Lombard Advisory Committees Require Term Limits in Lilac Town
Looking to improve the efficiency and flow of ideas on the seven standing committees that advise the Lombard village board, Trustee Laura Fitzpatrick proposed implementing the same term limits on committee members that apply to elected officials. Voters approved trustee term limits by a 4-to-1 ratio in November.
Action on Fitzpatrick's proposal was delayed Thursday night as some trustees wanted time to discuss the possibility of term limits with the members of the groups they lead before forming an opinion.
Several new residents were appointed to committees Thursday night, however, with the caveat that their appointment is subject to any term limits the board may decide to impose at its next meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20 in village hall, 255 E. Wilson Ave.
Fitzpatrick said creating term limits for advisory committee members would help deal with the problems of poor attendance by some longtime members and stagnation among committee membership.
She proposed members be limited to 12 consecutive years of service on any one committee — just as trustees beginning with those elected in April are limited to serving three consecutive 4-year terms in the same office. If a committee member reaches the 12-year limit, he or she could switch to a new committee or take a two-year break before serving again, Fitzpatrick said.
This is the second time Fitzpatrick has proposed term limits for committee members, she said. The first came six years ago, when she and then-Trustee Dana Moreau suggested and won approval of changes that increased each committee's size by two members, added an attendance requirement and prohibited residents from serving on more than one panel at a time.
Trustee Reid Foltyniewicz first asked for additional time so he could see what members of the transportation and safety committee he heads think of potential term limits. Trustee Bill Ware, who leads the public works committee, also said he would run the idea past those serving under him. But Ware said he worries imposing term limits could diminish valuable experience offered by residents who stay involved for many years.
"After sitting on two committees that have the 'lifers,' I'm finding their knowledge is very, very valuable," Ware said. "What I'm afraid of is missing that knowledge or that input. I'm not sure that's a good idea."
While term limits will be discussed again June 20, those appointed or reappointed Thursday to 2-year terms on village board advisory committees include:
• Community promotion and tourism committee members Marguerite Micken, Colleen Whittington, Jill Payne, France Langan, Connie Sichrovsky, Robyn Pike and Joe Orsolini
• Community relations committee members Pam Bedard, Lisa Biegalski, Sharon Vish, Ahmed Ali, Barbara Ware, Gladys Piper and Michael Ledonne
• Economic and community development committee members Dennis McNicholas, Garrison Nielsen, Matthew Pike, Angel Camacho, Brian LaVaque and Markus Pichford
• Environmental concerns committee members Dustin Smith, Diana LaVaque, Nancy Schukat, Winnie Lyons, Darlene Bartt, Jason Cooper, Daniel Richardt and Dana Moreau
• Finance committee members Mary Cation, Jim Hogan, David Cain Jr., Dan Hartweg and Jay Tovian
• Public works committee members Art Kuehl, John Kaforski, Ken Blakeslee, Mike Kuderna, Dan Mahal, David Arnold, Joe Glazier Jr. and Robert Bachner
• Transportation and safety committee members Michael Corso, John Larkin, John Schwarz, Bob Corbino, Jerry Schaefer, Jennifer Perkins, Gary Cation and John Mullins
Friday, May 17, 2013
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Lilac Time Dinner & Auction at the First Church of Lombard, Saturday, May 18, 2013
First Church of Lombard UCC
220 S Main St, Lombard, IL
(630) 629-2630 · firstchurchoflombard.org
A Fragrance of Lilacs - L'Air du Temps de Lilas - GHWittler - Open Salon
A Fragrance of Lilacs - L'Air du Temps de Lilas - GHWittler - Open Salon
©2013 Consulting Media Arts Communications. All Rights Reserved.
In the year 2013, for the 21st century, XXI Anno Domini, people celebrate the aromatic perfume of lilacs, in the Village of Lombard, thanks to Colonel William Rattle Plum and his wife, Helen Maria Plum’s foresight to purchase two (2) lilac specimen plants at the Lemoine Lilac Gardens and Nurseries, in Nancy, France–one hundred and three years ago, since 1910. The Plums visited Victor Lemoine’s French Lilac Gardens and Nurseries in Nancy, France, and fell in love with the lilac plant species, “syringa vulgaris”, when Helen Plum selected to buy a double-white and a double-purple lilacs which William Plum christened Mme. Casimir-Perier and Michael Buchner.
The French horticulturist Victor Lemoine began cross-fertilizing lilacs of different species to develop the “French hybrid lilac“. Helen Plum was fascinated by the fragrance of lilac blossoms and dazzled by the spectrum of purple, mauve, and lilac hues captured by impressionist painters like Claude Monet, Matisse, and other modern artists who portrayed the French landscape and surroundings at Lilac Time.
Impressed by the Lemoine Lilac Gardens and Nurseries in 1910, the Plums began an extensive collection of lilacs after their 14-month Grand Tour of Europe and Russia. Thus, William and Helen Plum brought to the Village of Lombard a fragrance of Lilac Time.
Upon the Plums return to Lombard, William and Helen began to cultivate their Lombard estate garden described by Edna Thompson as “a thing of beauty extending into a 7.5 acre park along historic Maple Street and Park Avenue which displayed 275 varieties of lilac bushes with single, double, and semi-double blossoms, in a kaleidescope of colors from the purest white to azure blue, pinks, delicate lavenders, mauve, and deep vibrant purples. At that time, there were 1,500 lilac bushes, highlighting the colors of 45,000 tulips boasting 160 varieties blooming in unison at Lilac Time, from late April through May, annually. Colonel Plum named his estate “Lilacia”, creating his own Latin word for lilac to refer to his fragrant gardens.
According to the Lombard Historical Society, William Plum received a complimentary letter dated December 25, 1925, from Lemoine, France, stating that “Colonel Plum had the largest collection of lilacs in the world”, following the death of Victor Lemoine in 1911.
Lilac enthusiasts and visitors alike compared Lilacia to the Famous Botanical Gardens of Highland Park, New York, and the Arnold Arboreteum in Boston, Massachusetts.
William and Helen Plum acquired Lombard real estate property at the corner of Park Avenue and Maple Street early spring of 1868. The Plums’ acquisition was appraised at a value of $375 U.S. dollars with property taxes of $11.05 in DuPage County, Illinois during XIX.
In the 21st century, XXI, the Lombard Park District describes Lilacia Park as renowned historical landmark extending into an 8.5 acre botanical garden and treasure-trove, featuring over 700 varieties of lilacs and 25,000 varieties of tulips during Lombard’s 140th anniversary and Lilac Time’s 80th anniversary in the year 2010.
If Colonel Plum and Helen Plum were alive today, the Plums would be very disappointed that the Village of Lombard Park District does not maintain the legacy of the original Lilacia Park bequeathed by Colonel Plum upon his death during April 1927, as it was envisioned, appraised, and donated to the Village of Lombard.
Nowadays, Lemoine’s complimentary letter boasting the largest lilac collection in the world, would fall on deaf ears at the Lombard Park District, for Lilacia Park in 2013 does not have the same extensive lilac collection that Colonel Plum and Helen Plum had acquired after 1910, one hundred and three years ago, after his worldwide horticultural travels and lilac plants acquisitions in the 20th century, XX, abroad.
In 2013, the lilacs at Lilacia Park are begging for attention to cover bare areas and empty plant borders neglected by the Lombard Park District. One hundred years later, Lilacia Park is in dire need of centennial attention. Where is the original lilac bush for the double-purple blossom lilac which in 1910, Colonel Plum and Helen Plum named Mme. Casimir-Perier, anywhere at the Lilac Park?
The French horticulturist Victor Lemoine began cross-fertilizing lilacs of different species to develop the “French hybrid lilac“. Helen Plum was fascinated by the fragrance of lilac blossoms and dazzled by the spectrum of purple, mauve, and lilac hues captured by impressionist painters like Claude Monet, Matisse, and other modern artists who portrayed the French landscape and surroundings at Lilac Time.
Impressed by the Lemoine Lilac Gardens and Nurseries in 1910, the Plums began an extensive collection of lilacs after their 14-month Grand Tour of Europe and Russia. Thus, William and Helen Plum brought to the Village of Lombard a fragrance of Lilac Time.
Upon the Plums return to Lombard, William and Helen began to cultivate their Lombard estate garden described by Edna Thompson as “a thing of beauty extending into a 7.5 acre park along historic Maple Street and Park Avenue which displayed 275 varieties of lilac bushes with single, double, and semi-double blossoms, in a kaleidescope of colors from the purest white to azure blue, pinks, delicate lavenders, mauve, and deep vibrant purples. At that time, there were 1,500 lilac bushes, highlighting the colors of 45,000 tulips boasting 160 varieties blooming in unison at Lilac Time, from late April through May, annually. Colonel Plum named his estate “Lilacia”, creating his own Latin word for lilac to refer to his fragrant gardens.
According to the Lombard Historical Society, William Plum received a complimentary letter dated December 25, 1925, from Lemoine, France, stating that “Colonel Plum had the largest collection of lilacs in the world”, following the death of Victor Lemoine in 1911.
Lilac enthusiasts and visitors alike compared Lilacia to the Famous Botanical Gardens of Highland Park, New York, and the Arnold Arboreteum in Boston, Massachusetts.
William and Helen Plum acquired Lombard real estate property at the corner of Park Avenue and Maple Street early spring of 1868. The Plums’ acquisition was appraised at a value of $375 U.S. dollars with property taxes of $11.05 in DuPage County, Illinois during XIX.
In the 21st century, XXI, the Lombard Park District describes Lilacia Park as renowned historical landmark extending into an 8.5 acre botanical garden and treasure-trove, featuring over 700 varieties of lilacs and 25,000 varieties of tulips during Lombard’s 140th anniversary and Lilac Time’s 80th anniversary in the year 2010.
If Colonel Plum and Helen Plum were alive today, the Plums would be very disappointed that the Village of Lombard Park District does not maintain the legacy of the original Lilacia Park bequeathed by Colonel Plum upon his death during April 1927, as it was envisioned, appraised, and donated to the Village of Lombard.
Nowadays, Lemoine’s complimentary letter boasting the largest lilac collection in the world, would fall on deaf ears at the Lombard Park District, for Lilacia Park in 2013 does not have the same extensive lilac collection that Colonel Plum and Helen Plum had acquired after 1910, one hundred and three years ago, after his worldwide horticultural travels and lilac plants acquisitions in the 20th century, XX, abroad.
In 2013, the lilacs at Lilacia Park are begging for attention to cover bare areas and empty plant borders neglected by the Lombard Park District. One hundred years later, Lilacia Park is in dire need of centennial attention. Where is the original lilac bush for the double-purple blossom lilac which in 1910, Colonel Plum and Helen Plum named Mme. Casimir-Perier, anywhere at the Lilac Park?
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Welcome to First Church of Lombard
Welcome to First Church of Lombard
23rd Annual
Saturday May 18
5:30 PM Silent Auction
7:30 PM Dinner & Verbal Auction
Tickets on Sale Now!
$30/person
Friday, April 26, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
DuPage County Consolidated General Election on April 9, 2013 - CNN iReport
DuPage County Consolidated General Election on April 9, 2013 - CNN iReport
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.
April 9, 2013 - CONSOLIDATED GENERAL ELECTION
For the election of Township, Municipal Park District, Library District, School District and Fire District officials.Polls will be open from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Rep. Duckworth meets with residents in Lombard | Lombard | Suburban Life Media
Rep. Duckworth meets with residents in Lombard | Lombard | Suburban Life Media
LOMBARD — On Saturday, U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth will host her first "Congress on Your Corner" event in Lombard.
LOMBARD — On Saturday, U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth will host her first "Congress on Your Corner" event in Lombard.
This will be an opportunity for residents to meet with Duckworth, ask her questions and voice their concerns.
She will be in Lombard from noon to 1 p.m. March 9 at Jewel-Osco, 1177 S. Main St., and she will be in Glendale Heights from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. March 9 at Jewel-Osco, 2164 Bloomingdale Road, Glendale Heights.
Rep. Duckworth meets with residents in Lombard | Lombard | Suburban Life Media
Rep. Duckworth meets with residents in Lombard | Lombard | Suburban Life Media
LOMBARD — On Saturday, U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth will host her first "Congress on Your Corner" event in Lombard.
LOMBARD — On Saturday, U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth will host her first "Congress on Your Corner" event in Lombard.
This will be an opportunity for residents to meet with Duckworth, ask her questions and voice their concerns.
She will be in Lombard from noon to 1 p.m. March 9 at Jewel-Osco, 1177 S. Main St., and she will be in Glendale Heights from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. March 9 at Jewel-Osco, 2164 Bloomingdale Road, Glendale Heights.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Madonna High School Alumnae Association Yearbook Graduation Class of 1977
Attention: Associates, Colleagues, Friends, Schoolmates from Madonna Alumnae Association
Facebook Friends
Re: Do You Know Who Has My Madonna High School Yearbook from the Class of 1977, Chicago at the corner of Belmont Avenue and Karlov Street, Northwest, Illinois USA?
Greetings on International Women’s Day, Friday, March 8th, 2013. My name is Gardenia C. Hung, Madonna High School Alumnae from the Graduation Class of May 1977. I have been a Lombard resident homeowner, taxpayer at 502 S. Westmore Avenue, Lombard, Illinois 60148-3028. During October 5, 2008, the Village of Lombard Police and Fire Department took my Madonna High School Yearbook from the Class of 1977 away from my Lombard home and my personal private collection five (5) years ago. I have been asking for my Personal Documentation, Papers, Books, including the Madonna High School Alumnae Yearbook for the Graduation Class of May 1977. Do You Know Who Has My Madonna High School Yearbook from the Class of 1977, Chicago at the corner of Belmont Avenue and Karlov Street, Northwest, Illinois USA?
Since I am a Lombard Victim of Violence Against Women and I have been demanding Compensation and Restitution as an Illinois Victim of Heinous Hate Crimes, Violence Against Women, Abuse of Human Rights in Housing Under the Law, Illinois Victim of Crimes.
On International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2013, I want to make public that I have been a Lombard Victim of Violence Against Women, Abuse of Human Rights in Housing Under The Law, Illinois Victim of Crimes as a Lombard resident homeowner, near St. Pius X Catholic Church Parish, in District 5, York Township, Du Page County, Illinois 60148-3028 USA.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Lombard, IL - Official Site
Lombard, IL - Official Site: Village of Lombard Board of Trustees Meeting at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 7th, 2013, to be held at 255 East Wilson Avenue, Lombard, DuPage County, Illinois 60148 USA
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Celebrating Diversity: Women's History Month - Chicago Public Library
Celebrating Diversity: Women's History Month - Chicago Public Library
Women’s History Month in March 2013 is celebrated by offering a range of programs about past and present issues facing women and girls in our society. Programs across the city include lectures, storytelling, documentary film screenings, art exhibits and workshops, and adult book discussions. Join us to experience some of the many ways that women and girls are making a difference in our world.
Women’s History Month in March 2013 is celebrated by offering a range of programs about past and present issues facing women and girls in our society. Programs across the city include lectures, storytelling, documentary film screenings, art exhibits and workshops, and adult book discussions. Join us to experience some of the many ways that women and girls are making a difference in our world.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Lombard village president candidates stress leadership - chicagotribune.com
Lombard village president candidates stress leadership - chicagotribune.com
As Lombard voters prepare to choose a new village president in April, all three candidates say the main issue is leadership, and all say they are running to end factional infighting.
The candidates are District 2 Trustee Keith Giagnorio, former York Township Trustee Moon Khan and John Lotus Novak, who retired in 2006 after 30 years as DuPage County treasurer.
All three say they want to bring unity to the Village Board, which split into two factions after William "Bill" Mueller died in August. He had served 19 years as president.
"The board is divided between two groups," said Khan. "They are still fighting for power on each issue."
Khan was referring to the infighting that stretched over several board meetings last fall as the six trustees broke into two camps of three each, with Giagnorio, Greg Gron and Bill Ware squaring off against Peter Breen, Laura Fitzpatrick and Zachary Wilson.
The sides finally compromised in October, agreeing to split the rest of Mueller's term between Breen and Ware. Giagnorio, who had already announced his candidacy for president, took himself out of the running for the interim job.
"The top priority is to start mending those fences," Giagnorio said. "In the last few weeks, I've definitely seen some thawing on both sides."
Giagnorio, 51, has had a business in town for 18 years, Gianorio's Pizza and Pasta. He said as a business owner, he's concerned with keeping a close watch on the village's budget.
But for Giagnorio, that does not mean micromanaging village spending.
"We have oversight in place," he said. "I believe you hire people, you trust them, then let them do their jobs. I don't like the idea of picking apart every department's budget."
Khan said beyond healing the board rift, he hopes to bring more diversity to Lombard.
"Lombard has about a 30 percent nonwhite population," Khan said. "There's nobody from the Asian, Hispanic or black community on the board. We should have people from all parties, faiths and heritages. That should reflect the village."
Khan, 57, has lived in the village for 12 years. He works in information technology for a private company.
For lifetime Lombard resident Novak, the issue is simply leadership.
"Everything (the village needs) is in place except leadership," said Novak, 71. "And that's what I can provide."
Novak called Lombard a mature community with solid staff members. He said he opposes privatizing public safety functions.
Beyond that, he said he is concerned about "the Westin Hotel situation." He said he believes bond payments on the project are covered through 2015 but is unsure what happens after that.
"My understanding is it would not come back to taxpayers, but I want to make sure of that," Novak said.
The three are expected to take part in a candidates forum March 20 during a luncheon sponsored by the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, 70 Yorktown Shopping Center.
- See more at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/lombard_villa_park/ct-tl-lombard-mayor-race-0228-20130225,0,2671269.story#sthash.8L7Hj1NM.dpuf
As Lombard voters prepare to choose a new village president in April, all three candidates say the main issue is leadership, and all say they are running to end factional infighting.
The candidates are District 2 Trustee Keith Giagnorio, former York Township Trustee Moon Khan and John Lotus Novak, who retired in 2006 after 30 years as DuPage County treasurer.
All three say they want to bring unity to the Village Board, which split into two factions after William "Bill" Mueller died in August. He had served 19 years as president.
"The board is divided between two groups," said Khan. "They are still fighting for power on each issue."
Khan was referring to the infighting that stretched over several board meetings last fall as the six trustees broke into two camps of three each, with Giagnorio, Greg Gron and Bill Ware squaring off against Peter Breen, Laura Fitzpatrick and Zachary Wilson.
The sides finally compromised in October, agreeing to split the rest of Mueller's term between Breen and Ware. Giagnorio, who had already announced his candidacy for president, took himself out of the running for the interim job.
"The top priority is to start mending those fences," Giagnorio said. "In the last few weeks, I've definitely seen some thawing on both sides."
Giagnorio, 51, has had a business in town for 18 years, Gianorio's Pizza and Pasta. He said as a business owner, he's concerned with keeping a close watch on the village's budget.
But for Giagnorio, that does not mean micromanaging village spending.
"We have oversight in place," he said. "I believe you hire people, you trust them, then let them do their jobs. I don't like the idea of picking apart every department's budget."
Khan said beyond healing the board rift, he hopes to bring more diversity to Lombard.
"Lombard has about a 30 percent nonwhite population," Khan said. "There's nobody from the Asian, Hispanic or black community on the board. We should have people from all parties, faiths and heritages. That should reflect the village."
Khan, 57, has lived in the village for 12 years. He works in information technology for a private company.
For lifetime Lombard resident Novak, the issue is simply leadership.
"Everything (the village needs) is in place except leadership," said Novak, 71. "And that's what I can provide."
Novak called Lombard a mature community with solid staff members. He said he opposes privatizing public safety functions.
Beyond that, he said he is concerned about "the Westin Hotel situation." He said he believes bond payments on the project are covered through 2015 but is unsure what happens after that.
"My understanding is it would not come back to taxpayers, but I want to make sure of that," Novak said.
The three are expected to take part in a candidates forum March 20 during a luncheon sponsored by the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, 70 Yorktown Shopping Center.
- See more at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/lombard_villa_park/ct-tl-lombard-mayor-race-0228-20130225,0,2671269.story#sthash.8L7Hj1NM.dpuf
Friday, February 22, 2013
April 9th Election Candidates from the Village of Lombard
Candidates for Lombard village president made their pitch to a couple dozen residents during a candidate forum sponsored by local chapters of the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women.
At a two-hour forum Wednesday that also included candidates for Helen Plum Memorial Library board, Lombard park board and three trustee positions, the three men seeking to be the Lilac Village’s next president were short on time to sell themselves.
But Keith Giagnorio, Moon Khan and John Lotus Novak each discussed their long-term goals for the village and explained why they would be the best candidate to bring about those results.
Giagnorio, a 51-year-old owner/operator of Giagnorio’s Pizza in Lombard, said his goals include protecting the village’s police and fire departments from a move toward privatization favored by at least one trustee and developing new strategies to attract businesses to Lombard.
“I highly value our vital public services and I feel it’s imperative that we support them,” Giagnorio said.
As a trustee since 2010, Giagnorio said he would be able to “hit the ground running” as village president to bring back unity among a board that has been divided since the death of its longtime leader Bill Mueller.
“I’m running for village president to put your voice, your goals, your dreams and your Lombard pride back in our village,” he told residents gathered at village hall.
Khan, a 57-year-old former York Township trustee who works in information technology, said one of his main long-term goals is to ensure Lombard government is as diverse as the village itself. He greeted Wednesday’s crowd with “good evening” in about 10 languages and said he is a fluent speaker of five. Khan said Asian, Hispanic and African-American residents make up about 30 percent of Lombard’s population, but not of its elected officials.
“The balance of the power on the board needs to be changed,” Khan said. “I believe politics should not be based on groups and ideologies, but it ought to focus on values, and most importantly, compromise.”
As he seeks the village president seat, Khan is uniting with two other candidates to form something of a slate. Khan encouraged voters to support Muzammil Saeed for District 3 trustee and Deanne Theodore for village clerk.
“I will improve our town and village board by being a consensus-builder,” Khan said. “I will not work in factions.”
Novak, who is 71 and retired, said he wants to safeguard Lombard’s long-term financial health, specifically as it relates to the Westin hotel and its inability to meet bond payments with the revenue it is generating. The village’s credit rating was downgraded to BBB about a year ago after trustees voted not to use taxpayer money to pay back Westin debt.
“I want to pursue a strong financial situation with no more downgrades in our credit rating,” said Novak, who served 30 years as DuPage County treasurer.
Joining his opponents, Novak said he wants to bring lasting unity to the village board. He said he decided to enter the race after watching the “spectacle” last fall of trustees’ inability to choose temporary leadership for more than a month after Mueller’s death, finally settling on a plan to split the remainder of the term between trustees Peter Breen and Bill Ware.
“I think I’m in a strong position to do something about the current dysfunction of our board,” Novak said.
Novak, Khan and Giagnorio are seeking election April 9 to a 4-year term as village president.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Lombard, IL - Official Site
Lombard, IL - Official Site
Delivered by Lombard’s Acting Village President, William “Bill” Ware on February 20, 2013 at the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Luncheon, held at the Harry Caray’s Restaurant, Lombard.
2013 "State of the Village" Address
Delivered by Lombard’s Acting Village President, William “Bill” Ware on February 20, 2013 at the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Luncheon, held at the Harry Caray’s Restaurant, Lombard.
Good afternoon and thank you for attending today’s luncheon. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Bill Ware and I have the honor and privilege of currently serving not only as a Trustee of District 6, but also as Acting Village President until May. I appreciate this opportunity to deliver the 2013 State of the Village address.
To begin with, I would like to introduce my fellow Village Board members who are in attendance and thank them for the dedication and service to the Village of Lombard:
Brigitte O’Brien—Village Clerk
Greg Gron—Trustee, District 1
Keith Giagnorio—Trustee, District 2
Zach Wilson—Trustee, District 3
Peter Breen—Trustee, District 4 and
Laura Fitzpatrick—Trustee, District 5
Next, I’d like to introduce and recognize the Village staff. We depend on their professional skills and talents to serve our residents and business community. Thank you to our staff members:
Dave Hulseberg—Village Manager
Nicole Aranas—Assistant Village Manager
Tim Sexton—Finance Director
Bill Heniff—Community Development Director
Ray Byrne—Police Chief
Paul DiRienzo—Fire Chief
Carl Goldsmith—Public Works Director
Lastly, but most importantly, I’d like to thank my wife Barbara, who is here today, for supporting me and standing by my side.
Together our Village Board, Department Heads, Village staff and volunteers, work very hard to deliver quality governmental services to the residents and business community of Lombard.
Today’s State of the Village address will be a change from the last one that you probably saw. The last 19 were delivered by our late Village President Bill Mueller, whom we greatly miss. This change in leadership has not been easy for us as a Village. We are in a transitional period right now as we gear up for the April election in which we will elect a new leader for our community. And that will be a change.
Today’s State of the Village address will include the progress the Village has made during the past year. I will also share our goals for the future and ask you all to join with me and embrace the changes with which we are faced. As journalist Gail (SHE he) Sheehy said, “If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living.” Please embrace the changes that we are faced with as a community and grow with us.
During the past year, our Village changed over from a fiscal year to a calendar year. This required much planning and organization to keep us on track for the change. I am pleased to report that we are in our first calendar year cycle and things are running smoothly.
The Village Board and management staff have identified 3 priorities of the coming year, one of which is to maintain the established level of service provided to the residents and businesses in Lombard, while ensuring the most cost effective means of service delivery. It is our pledge to you that we as a Village will strive to do that in every way, every day.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
• One change this year is the elimination of Village vehicle stickers. Our Finance Department continues to maintain a balanced budget, doing so while even eliminating this expense for residents in the upcoming year.
• All departments continue to look at the most cost-effective and efficient way of delivering services to the Village. As employees move on from the Village into other positions or retire as part of an early retirement incentive that the Village has offered, the Village is looking at each position creatively to secure the best and most fiscally responsible replacements.
• Another significant change for our employees is the adopting of a new software system that was implemented in January. The new system enables residents and businesses the ability to now pay their waters bill online. The goal is to provide 24/7 online access for all interactions with the Village for residents and businesses.
• The Village bid out electricity for all residents and small businesses,
resulting in a significant decrease in the cost of electricity. The Village received a rate of 4.64¢ per kilowatt hour, versus the ComEd rate of 8.36¢ per kilowatt hour. The estimated annualized community-wide savings is $4.5 million. And that’s no small change.
• The Village of Lombard receives one of the smaller shares of property tax of any taxing district. The Village’s property tax as a percentage of each property owner’s tax bill is less than 8% of the total tax bill, meaning that less than 8 cents of every dollar paid in property taxes will go to the Village. As a Village we continue to work toward making sure that we are the best value we can be to our residents and business community.
___________________THANK YOU______________________________
POLICE DEPARTMENT
• Handled just under 19,000 calls to 9-1-1 in 2012, just slightly down from the number of calls for service in 2011.
• Introduced a new program – Senior Citizen’s Police Academy--where we brought our popular Citizen’s Police Academy program on the road to senior living communities in the Village.
• Graduated our 22nd Citizen’s Police Academy class. Interested in taking this class? The next one begins in March. Inquire at the Police Department.
• Continued efforts of sharing resources by joining the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System Mobile Field Force, a contingent of officers specially trained in the areas of crowd control and mass arrest situations
• Extensive preparations and intelligence analysis for the NATO / G8
Summits, as well as being the host hotel for the Ryder Cup.
• Participated in our 2nd Annual National Night Out in conjunction with the Lombard Park District and Target.
• With the assistance of federal funding, significantly upgraded our radios and communication systems to a statewide inter-operable system.
___________________THANK YOU______________________________
FIRE DEPARTMENT
• 2013 marks 100 years of service to our community for the Lombard Fire Department. The Centennial celebration will be remembered throughout the year and is currently being featured at the Lombard Historical Society.
• Change brings opportunity and a change in leadership in the Fire Department brought Chief Paul DiRienzo as Lombard’s new Fire Chief. Chief DiRienzo was sworn in last September and became the 15th Fire Chief in Lombard’s 100 year history. A 30-year veteran of our Fire Department, Chief DiRienzo’s experience will bring new opportunities to our Fire Department as he continues to lead our Fire Department forward into the next 100 years.
• In calendar year 2012, the Fire Department responded to 7,917calls, an increase of 2.5% over last year.
• Over the last year our Firefighters/Paramedics have been recognized by both Elmhurst and Good Samaritan Hospitals for outstanding emergency medical response and treatment of our citizens.
• Lombard’s Fire Department has continued to work together with our neighboring communities to ensure the highest level of fire and emergency medical
service and maximize use of available resources.
These are some of the ways we are aiming to deliver the same quality services to our residents and business community through our Fire Department, one of the best if not the best in DuPage County.
___________________THANK YOU______________________________
PUBLIC WORKS
A second priority of the Village Board of the upcoming year is to aggressively approach flood issues. The Public Works Department is making every effort to keep this priority in the forefront of its planning and implementation of upcoming and ongoing project.
• The Public Works Department responded to the July 1, 2012 Wind Storm with full forces. The Village experienced one of the most destructive wind storms in the community’s history. The Village lost hundreds of trees and had power interrupted to approximately one third of the community. The Department implemented a mutual aid call-out throughout Illinois. The Village received support from six agencies and this use of the mutual aid helped to save us approximately $215,000.
• The Lombard Public Works Department managed multiple projects related to stormwater and sanitary sewer improvements. In total, the Village has developed/implemented projects with an estimated budget of $9,495,686 that will be completed within the next two years. Work was completed on the following improvements during 2012:
• Grace & Central Stormwater Pump Station
• Kenilworth Stormwater Pump Station
• Vista Pond Pump Station
• Old Town Lift Station
• Cambria Lift Station
• Elizabeth Morris Lift Station
• Finley Road Pond Expansion – The removal of about 1,700 cubic yards of materials from the pond were re-used in the construction of the Great Western Trail bridges, saving the Village money and providing a greener alternative.
• As part of the ongoing efforts to improve stormwater management in Lombard, the Village has acquired two properties for the purpose of constructing a new Stormwater Pumping Station along Route 53. The new facility will increase peak flow capacity by 240%.
The estimated cost for the construction of the new station is $5.5 million dollars. The project is anticipated to be constructed in 2014.
• Public Works continued to emphasize cost control and cost reduction strategies related to snow and ice control. The Department continued its efforts to utilize pre-treatments of pavement in advance of snow events to reduce the use of rock salt and overtime. The Village acquired a Bobcat Toolcat for the purpose of reducing contractual services related to snow and ice control at the Village Hall complex. This purchase will reduce costs and improve services provided to the public.
• Public Works oversaw the construction of the Great Western Trail Bridges over Grace Street, the Union Pacific Railroad and St. Charles Road. The bridges were constructed using Federal, State, County and local TIF funds. The bridges incorporate many design elements from the “Lombard Downtown Revitalization Project Guidebook”
adopted by the Village Board. The bridges provide safe and efficient access to parks, downtown and serve as an important link of the trail systems in DuPage County. The bridges will be completed in spring and a ribbon cutting event to official open them will be held May 25, 2013.
___________________THANK YOU______________________________
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
A third priority of the Village Board of the upcoming year is to focus on Downtown improvements. As Winston Churchill said, “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” To that end, the Community Development department will be taking one of the leads in the area of improving our Downtown, along with Lombard Town Centre.
• Community Development will continue a leadership role in pursuing development opportunities in the downtown and the downtown perimeter.
• CD will also continue to implement economic development strategies within the adopted Economic Strategies Report, with a focus on addressing larger building vacancies.
• Promoting the adoption and implementation activities as set forth within the Lombard Comprehensive Plan will also be a major focus of the Department. Staff has a great deal of interaction with the business community and strives to make doing business in Lombard as easy as possible.
• Staff is working toward exceeding customer service demands in working with our business community. With the use of new technology and enhancing processes, streamlining the processes is the goal.
• Community Development will also continue to ensure new development meets or exceeds professional engineering standards, with additional exploration for creating a Stormwater Utility Fee concept, which I will talk about in a minute.
___________________THANK YOU______________________________
Where do we go from here? What changes or opportunities lie ahead in the future? There are a few that I’d like to make you all aware of today.
1. Opportunities in Business
• Braxton Furniture (old Plunkett Furniture site)
• K-Mart Property, an open opportunity for retail
• The Dump (old Great Indoors site)
(REFER TO VIDEO)
2. Waste Transfer Station
• Opportunity for increased Village Revenue
• Lower garbage bills for residents
3. Stormwater Fee, which I mentioned earlier…
• Fund stormwater costs with a fee based on the amount of hard surface of a property
• Currently, stormwater costs are funded through the water and sewer rate, which is based on the amount of water consumed at a property
• The amount of water consumed does not necessarily correlate to the property’s impact on the stormwater system
• Residential properties generally have a higher consumption of water and
lower impact on the stormwater system
• Commercial properties generally have a lower consumption of water, but a significantly higher impact of the stormwater system
• Stormwater fee would be a more equitable system of assessing the costs
4. Parking Fund and needed maintenance
• In 2012, staff prepared a report identifying current and future costs relative to the maintenance, expansion or upgrading of commuter parking facilities. The Village Board will be exploring this further in 2013.
5. Pedestrian Underpass
Village staff has been working with the UP and Metra on the proposed pedestrian tunnel for downtown Lombard, to be constructed this year. The tunnel will be located at Park Avenue & Michael McGuire Drive and will extend under the railroad tracks to Parkside. As part of the project, UP and Metra will be installing new ADA compliant ramps and stairs to the platform and tunnel, as well as improving the amenities offered to commuters. One of the most significant improvements is the construction of roof canopies over the platform areas on both the north and south platforms. The project will also result in the elimination of the at-grade track crossings for commuters. The estimated cost of the project is $5.5 million with the Village contributing for aesthetic improvements and security camera upgrades. The Village’s contribution is estimated at $150,000.
In closing, I wish to thank the Lombard Chamber of Commerce and Yvonne Invergo for hosting this event. I’d like to thank the Village staff in attendance for their
support and all of you from the business community for your patience and attention today.
Lastly, in the words of the great John F. Kennedy, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” Together, we can all make the future of Lombard better and brighter. Thank you.
Village Hall, 225 East Wilson Ave., Lombard IL
Village of Lombard, York Township, DuPage County, Illinois 60148 USA
To begin with, I would like to introduce my fellow Village Board members who are in attendance and thank them for the dedication and service to the Village of Lombard:
Brigitte O’Brien—Village Clerk
Greg Gron—Trustee, District 1
Keith Giagnorio—Trustee, District 2
Zach Wilson—Trustee, District 3
Peter Breen—Trustee, District 4 and
Laura Fitzpatrick—Trustee, District 5
Next, I’d like to introduce and recognize the Village staff. We depend on their professional skills and talents to serve our residents and business community. Thank you to our staff members:
Dave Hulseberg—Village Manager
Nicole Aranas—Assistant Village Manager
Tim Sexton—Finance Director
Bill Heniff—Community Development Director
Ray Byrne—Police Chief
Paul DiRienzo—Fire Chief
Carl Goldsmith—Public Works Director
Lastly, but most importantly, I’d like to thank my wife Barbara, who is here today, for supporting me and standing by my side.
Together our Village Board, Department Heads, Village staff and volunteers, work very hard to deliver quality governmental services to the residents and business community of Lombard.
Today’s State of the Village address will be a change from the last one that you probably saw. The last 19 were delivered by our late Village President Bill Mueller, whom we greatly miss. This change in leadership has not been easy for us as a Village. We are in a transitional period right now as we gear up for the April election in which we will elect a new leader for our community. And that will be a change.
Today’s State of the Village address will include the progress the Village has made during the past year. I will also share our goals for the future and ask you all to join with me and embrace the changes with which we are faced. As journalist Gail (SHE he) Sheehy said, “If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living.” Please embrace the changes that we are faced with as a community and grow with us.
During the past year, our Village changed over from a fiscal year to a calendar year. This required much planning and organization to keep us on track for the change. I am pleased to report that we are in our first calendar year cycle and things are running smoothly.
The Village Board and management staff have identified 3 priorities of the coming year, one of which is to maintain the established level of service provided to the residents and businesses in Lombard, while ensuring the most cost effective means of service delivery. It is our pledge to you that we as a Village will strive to do that in every way, every day.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
• One change this year is the elimination of Village vehicle stickers. Our Finance Department continues to maintain a balanced budget, doing so while even eliminating this expense for residents in the upcoming year.
• All departments continue to look at the most cost-effective and efficient way of delivering services to the Village. As employees move on from the Village into other positions or retire as part of an early retirement incentive that the Village has offered, the Village is looking at each position creatively to secure the best and most fiscally responsible replacements.
• Another significant change for our employees is the adopting of a new software system that was implemented in January. The new system enables residents and businesses the ability to now pay their waters bill online. The goal is to provide 24/7 online access for all interactions with the Village for residents and businesses.
• The Village bid out electricity for all residents and small businesses,
resulting in a significant decrease in the cost of electricity. The Village received a rate of 4.64¢ per kilowatt hour, versus the ComEd rate of 8.36¢ per kilowatt hour. The estimated annualized community-wide savings is $4.5 million. And that’s no small change.
• The Village of Lombard receives one of the smaller shares of property tax of any taxing district. The Village’s property tax as a percentage of each property owner’s tax bill is less than 8% of the total tax bill, meaning that less than 8 cents of every dollar paid in property taxes will go to the Village. As a Village we continue to work toward making sure that we are the best value we can be to our residents and business community.
___________________THANK YOU______________________________
POLICE DEPARTMENT
• Handled just under 19,000 calls to 9-1-1 in 2012, just slightly down from the number of calls for service in 2011.
• Introduced a new program – Senior Citizen’s Police Academy--where we brought our popular Citizen’s Police Academy program on the road to senior living communities in the Village.
• Graduated our 22nd Citizen’s Police Academy class. Interested in taking this class? The next one begins in March. Inquire at the Police Department.
• Continued efforts of sharing resources by joining the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System Mobile Field Force, a contingent of officers specially trained in the areas of crowd control and mass arrest situations
• Extensive preparations and intelligence analysis for the NATO / G8
Summits, as well as being the host hotel for the Ryder Cup.
• Participated in our 2nd Annual National Night Out in conjunction with the Lombard Park District and Target.
• With the assistance of federal funding, significantly upgraded our radios and communication systems to a statewide inter-operable system.
___________________THANK YOU______________________________
FIRE DEPARTMENT
• 2013 marks 100 years of service to our community for the Lombard Fire Department. The Centennial celebration will be remembered throughout the year and is currently being featured at the Lombard Historical Society.
• Change brings opportunity and a change in leadership in the Fire Department brought Chief Paul DiRienzo as Lombard’s new Fire Chief. Chief DiRienzo was sworn in last September and became the 15th Fire Chief in Lombard’s 100 year history. A 30-year veteran of our Fire Department, Chief DiRienzo’s experience will bring new opportunities to our Fire Department as he continues to lead our Fire Department forward into the next 100 years.
• In calendar year 2012, the Fire Department responded to 7,917calls, an increase of 2.5% over last year.
• Over the last year our Firefighters/Paramedics have been recognized by both Elmhurst and Good Samaritan Hospitals for outstanding emergency medical response and treatment of our citizens.
• Lombard’s Fire Department has continued to work together with our neighboring communities to ensure the highest level of fire and emergency medical
service and maximize use of available resources.
These are some of the ways we are aiming to deliver the same quality services to our residents and business community through our Fire Department, one of the best if not the best in DuPage County.
___________________THANK YOU______________________________
PUBLIC WORKS
A second priority of the Village Board of the upcoming year is to aggressively approach flood issues. The Public Works Department is making every effort to keep this priority in the forefront of its planning and implementation of upcoming and ongoing project.
• The Public Works Department responded to the July 1, 2012 Wind Storm with full forces. The Village experienced one of the most destructive wind storms in the community’s history. The Village lost hundreds of trees and had power interrupted to approximately one third of the community. The Department implemented a mutual aid call-out throughout Illinois. The Village received support from six agencies and this use of the mutual aid helped to save us approximately $215,000.
• The Lombard Public Works Department managed multiple projects related to stormwater and sanitary sewer improvements. In total, the Village has developed/implemented projects with an estimated budget of $9,495,686 that will be completed within the next two years. Work was completed on the following improvements during 2012:
• Grace & Central Stormwater Pump Station
• Kenilworth Stormwater Pump Station
• Vista Pond Pump Station
• Old Town Lift Station
• Cambria Lift Station
• Elizabeth Morris Lift Station
• Finley Road Pond Expansion – The removal of about 1,700 cubic yards of materials from the pond were re-used in the construction of the Great Western Trail bridges, saving the Village money and providing a greener alternative.
• As part of the ongoing efforts to improve stormwater management in Lombard, the Village has acquired two properties for the purpose of constructing a new Stormwater Pumping Station along Route 53. The new facility will increase peak flow capacity by 240%.
The estimated cost for the construction of the new station is $5.5 million dollars. The project is anticipated to be constructed in 2014.
• Public Works continued to emphasize cost control and cost reduction strategies related to snow and ice control. The Department continued its efforts to utilize pre-treatments of pavement in advance of snow events to reduce the use of rock salt and overtime. The Village acquired a Bobcat Toolcat for the purpose of reducing contractual services related to snow and ice control at the Village Hall complex. This purchase will reduce costs and improve services provided to the public.
• Public Works oversaw the construction of the Great Western Trail Bridges over Grace Street, the Union Pacific Railroad and St. Charles Road. The bridges were constructed using Federal, State, County and local TIF funds. The bridges incorporate many design elements from the “Lombard Downtown Revitalization Project Guidebook”
adopted by the Village Board. The bridges provide safe and efficient access to parks, downtown and serve as an important link of the trail systems in DuPage County. The bridges will be completed in spring and a ribbon cutting event to official open them will be held May 25, 2013.
___________________THANK YOU______________________________
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
A third priority of the Village Board of the upcoming year is to focus on Downtown improvements. As Winston Churchill said, “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” To that end, the Community Development department will be taking one of the leads in the area of improving our Downtown, along with Lombard Town Centre.
• Community Development will continue a leadership role in pursuing development opportunities in the downtown and the downtown perimeter.
• CD will also continue to implement economic development strategies within the adopted Economic Strategies Report, with a focus on addressing larger building vacancies.
• Promoting the adoption and implementation activities as set forth within the Lombard Comprehensive Plan will also be a major focus of the Department. Staff has a great deal of interaction with the business community and strives to make doing business in Lombard as easy as possible.
• Staff is working toward exceeding customer service demands in working with our business community. With the use of new technology and enhancing processes, streamlining the processes is the goal.
• Community Development will also continue to ensure new development meets or exceeds professional engineering standards, with additional exploration for creating a Stormwater Utility Fee concept, which I will talk about in a minute.
___________________THANK YOU______________________________
Where do we go from here? What changes or opportunities lie ahead in the future? There are a few that I’d like to make you all aware of today.
1. Opportunities in Business
• Braxton Furniture (old Plunkett Furniture site)
• K-Mart Property, an open opportunity for retail
• The Dump (old Great Indoors site)
(REFER TO VIDEO)
2. Waste Transfer Station
• Opportunity for increased Village Revenue
• Lower garbage bills for residents
3. Stormwater Fee, which I mentioned earlier…
• Fund stormwater costs with a fee based on the amount of hard surface of a property
• Currently, stormwater costs are funded through the water and sewer rate, which is based on the amount of water consumed at a property
• The amount of water consumed does not necessarily correlate to the property’s impact on the stormwater system
• Residential properties generally have a higher consumption of water and
lower impact on the stormwater system
• Commercial properties generally have a lower consumption of water, but a significantly higher impact of the stormwater system
• Stormwater fee would be a more equitable system of assessing the costs
4. Parking Fund and needed maintenance
• In 2012, staff prepared a report identifying current and future costs relative to the maintenance, expansion or upgrading of commuter parking facilities. The Village Board will be exploring this further in 2013.
5. Pedestrian Underpass
Village staff has been working with the UP and Metra on the proposed pedestrian tunnel for downtown Lombard, to be constructed this year. The tunnel will be located at Park Avenue & Michael McGuire Drive and will extend under the railroad tracks to Parkside. As part of the project, UP and Metra will be installing new ADA compliant ramps and stairs to the platform and tunnel, as well as improving the amenities offered to commuters. One of the most significant improvements is the construction of roof canopies over the platform areas on both the north and south platforms. The project will also result in the elimination of the at-grade track crossings for commuters. The estimated cost of the project is $5.5 million with the Village contributing for aesthetic improvements and security camera upgrades. The Village’s contribution is estimated at $150,000.
In closing, I wish to thank the Lombard Chamber of Commerce and Yvonne Invergo for hosting this event. I’d like to thank the Village staff in attendance for their
support and all of you from the business community for your patience and attention today.
Lastly, in the words of the great John F. Kennedy, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” Together, we can all make the future of Lombard better and brighter. Thank you.
Village of Lombard, York Township, DuPage County, Illinois 60148 USA
Friday, February 15, 2013
2013 Fermilab/WGN-TV Tornado and Severe Weather Seminar
Mark your calendars -- the 2013 Fermilab/WGN-TV Tornado and Severe Weather Seminar will take place Saturday, April 6th, at noon, and repeats in its entirety at 6 p.m.
The programs are free of charge, require no tickets and feature seating on a first come, first served basis. This is the 32nd year for the Fermilab tornado seminars! I recommend you arrive at least 30 minutes before the program starts.
The programs are free of charge, require no tickets and feature seating on a first come, first served basis. This is the 32nd year for the Fermilab tornado seminars! I recommend you arrive at least 30 minutes before the program starts.
Here's the latest from Tom:
"We are still finalizing our speakers. We know the newly named Director of the National Weather Service--Dr. Louis Uccellini [http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/news/130207_director.html]--will be joining us to talk about Hurricane Sandy, as well as climate change researcher Dr. Don Wuebbles out of the University of Illinois [http://www.atmos.illinois.edu/people/wuebbles.html]. It’s the first time we’ve had a climate researcher join us and we’re really excited both by Louis' and Don’s appearance. Plus, we’ll be talking tornadoes, severe t-storms and severe weather safety with National Weather Service-Chicago Meteorologist in Charge Ed Fenelon and with Warning Coordination meteorologist Jim Allsopp."
That's all that's certain at the moment.
After conversations with Tom, this will be the last emailing from the AskTom.org website. Tom and I started this website in 2001 to better promote the program to the general public. ;-) These days though there are SO many social media platforms these days to stay connected with this event, that we believe the website is superfluous.
Saying that, the AskTom.org website will be closed down 2/28/13.
Check http://www.chicagoweathercenter.com/about/fermilab/ and http://blog.chicagoweathercenter.com/ for details and updates. Fermilab has an information line that's still got info for 2012 but should be updated soon; call (630) 840-2247
Special thanks go to Tom and seminar co-founder Brian Smith for this excellent program, the fine folks at Fermilab for hosting the seminar again and all their behind-the-scenes workers that make this event happen, and the fine bunch of folks at WGN that support public education and Tom!
Frank - website manager, www.AskTom.org
Frank - website manager, www.AskTom.org
Monday, January 28, 2013
BRUST FUNERAL HOME
A HISTORIC BUSINESS IN LOMBARD
Brust Funeral Home located at 135 S. Main Street, opened in Lombard in 1952. Jack Brust followed the steps of his father Fred, who had worked in a funeral home in Maywood in 1915, started his own funeral home in a historic 1850’s farmhouse he remodeled in downtown Lombard.
According to John Brandon Brust, president and CEO of Brust Funeral Home Ltd., his Dad had actually started the Lombard home against his father’s advice. Even though our family had lived in the Lilac Town for generations, his grandfather felt that this was too far out in the country for a second funeral home to survive.
However, two years later his grandfather left the funeral home in Maywood where he had worked and Grandfather and Grandmother Eileen, joined in with his parents, Jack and Anita, to run the Lombard home,” added John Brust. Anita’s family had roots in York Center since the 1840’s. Her mother’s family name was Deicke. The same German name used for the Lombard Deicke Home for the Retarded.
Jack Brust immediately threw himself into building up the town where his ancestors had homesteaded. He founded the Lombard Chamber of Commerce and in the 1950’s he resurrected the Lilac Parade. In addition, he served as president of the Lombard Friends of the Library and was a member of the Board of Governors of Elmhurst Hospital. Jack Brust was a founder of the DuPage Funeral Directors Association and was a member and past president of the Lombard Rotary Club. Moreover, he was a member of the Lombard Lions Club and received an award from the FAA for his work on a large commercial airliner crash in Westmont in 1960. Jack Brust was also Grand Marshall of the Lilac Parade twice.
In addition, Jack continued to build his business. The core of that original farmhouse is still contained within the walls of the Brust Funeral Home. In 1958 Jack added on to the old house and 10 years later he gave the building its current brick façade.
John Brandon Brust joined his father in the business during 1978 and in 1990 he purchased Jack’s interest in the Lombard funeral home. Another son, Jim, had founded his own funeral home with Jack in Carol Stream during 1985.
In 1995 John purchased an existing funeral home in Villa Park that he still operates. Then, in 2011, he remodeled the Lombard home, updating the 10,000-square-foot facility that now employs seven full-time and 12 part-time people.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Social Media Marketing Made Simple
Social Media Marketing Made Simple
Chicago City Treasurer's Online Marketing Contest Educational Event Series
9:30am - 10:30am - Social Media for Sales Success 10:30am-11:30am - Presentation to be announced
Social Media Marketing Made Simple
Gain an understanding of the real-world possibilities of social media marketing and take away ideas for practical implementation in your organization. Discover some of the strategies and best practices to get the most out of your social media activities including time management and measuring the return of your activities.
We will tie social media strategy to business objectives, and discuss how to use email and social media together to benefit your business and build relationships.
Presented by: Steve Robinson, Area Director - Midwestern region & Canada, Constant Contact
Social Media for Sales Success We'll address strategies and tactics for the small business owner, sales and marketing professional looking to tap into the full potential of social networks to create new profitable connections and generate leads. You will learn how to find your targets, how to build relationships through compelling content and dialogue and how to convert these new relationships into vetted leads. We will look at tools, tips, hacks, best practices and checklists that will help you build a process and a routine to do the most with your precious social media time.
Presented by: Mana Ionescu, President, lightspandigital
Thank you to the Chicago Cultural Center for hosting this Event!
Chicago City Treasurer's Online Marketing Contest Educational Event Series
Hosted by the Chicago Cultural Center, join Steve Robinson of Constant Contact and Mana Ionescu of lightspandigital for this FREE, 3 part special event!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 from 8:00am to 12:00pm CDT8:00am - 8:30am - Registration and Networking
8:30am - 9:30am - Social Media Marketing Made Simple9:30am - 10:30am - Social Media for Sales Success 10:30am-11:30am - Presentation to be announced
Social Media Marketing Made Simple
Gain an understanding of the real-world possibilities of social media marketing and take away ideas for practical implementation in your organization. Discover some of the strategies and best practices to get the most out of your social media activities including time management and measuring the return of your activities.
We will tie social media strategy to business objectives, and discuss how to use email and social media together to benefit your business and build relationships.
Presented by: Steve Robinson, Area Director - Midwestern region & Canada, Constant Contact
Social Media for Sales Success We'll address strategies and tactics for the small business owner, sales and marketing professional looking to tap into the full potential of social networks to create new profitable connections and generate leads. You will learn how to find your targets, how to build relationships through compelling content and dialogue and how to convert these new relationships into vetted leads. We will look at tools, tips, hacks, best practices and checklists that will help you build a process and a routine to do the most with your precious social media time.
Presented by: Mana Ionescu, President, lightspandigital
Thank you to the Chicago Cultural Center for hosting this Event!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Friday, January 11, 2013
2013 National Crime Victims' Rights Week: April 21-27. New Challenges. New Solutions.
In the year 2013, the National Crime Victims' Rights Week takes place from Sunday, April 21st through Saturday, April 27th, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crimes in order to inspire our communities to observe the Victims of Crimes Act of 1984 (VOCA).
The Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA) was an attempt by the federal government to help the victims of criminal actions through means other than punishment of the criminal. It created a federal victims-compensation account funded by fines assessed in federal criminal convictions, and it established provisions to assist state programs that compensated the victims of crimes. The compensation system is still in existence, having distributed over $1 billion in funds since it began.
The statute, codified at 42 U.S.C.A. § 10601, was a direct result of a task force set up by the Justice Department under the auspices of President Ronald Reagan called the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, the report issued by the task force in 1982 was harshly critical of existing victims-compensation programs. "In many states, program availability is not advertised for fear of depleting available resources or overtaxing a numerically inadequate staff. Victim claims might have to wait months until sufficient fines have been collected or until a new fiscal year begins and the budgetary fund is replenished," according to the report.
VOCA established the Crime Victim's Fund, which is supported by all fines that are collected from persons who have been convicted of offenses against the United States, except for fines that are collected through certain environmental statues and other fines that are specifically designated for certain accounts, such as the Postal Service Fund. The fund also includes special assessments collected for various federal crimes under 18 USC § 3613, the proceeds of forfeited appearance bonds, bail bonds, and collateral collected, any money ordered to be paid into the fund under section 3671(c)(2) of Title 18; and any gifts, bequests, or donations to the fund from private entities or individuals.
The first $10 million from the fund, plus an added amount depending on how much has been deposited in the fund for that fiscal year, goes to child-abuse prevention and treatment programs. After that, such sums as may be necessary are made available for the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to improve services for the benefit of crime victims in the federal criminal justice system, and for a Victim Notification System.
The Office for Victims of Crimes has chosen this year's theme to be: "New Challenges. New Solutions." The mission of the OVC's strategic initiative is called Vision 21: Transforming Victims Services in the 21st century for the new millennium.
According to Joye E. Frost, the Acting Director for the Office for Victims of Crimes, "in spite of all our progress, victims' rights laws in all 50 states, the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, and the more than 10,000 victim service agencies throughout the United States of America--there are still enduring and emerging challenges for victims of crimes in America."
About 50 percent of violent crimes are not reported, and only a fraction of victims receive the help they need. There are still ongoing investigations to know and find out more about these victimss, how to help them in the best way, and how the victims' services can be targeted to reach every victim. While adapting to funding cuts, globalization, changing demographics, new types of violent crimes, and the changes (both good and bad) brought by technology. These 21st century new challenges call for bold, new solutions.
The promise and commitment of our Vision 21, will pave the way to the ongoing work with victims during the 2013 National Crime Victims' Rights Week, in order to transform victims' services in the 21st century--Office for Victims of Crime, Joye E. Frost, Acting Director
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