Oak Brook Magazine April 2022

HELLO OAK BROOK Welcome to your very own magazine!

Ten years ago, I started Hinsdale Magazine because I knew there were lots of stories of success that would interest readers, not only in Hinsdale, but Burr Ridge, and Clarendon Hills. I was right. Successful people like to learn from others, measure themselves against others, and learn about ways to enjoy the fruits of their labor. We also wanted to credit people and organizations that help others.

Three years ago, we thought the same thing about Downers Grove and started a magazine for that community.

Now, here we are, starting a new year, with another new magazine.

Welcome Oak Brook residents and business owners…to YOUR OWN magazine, Oak Brook Magazine.

In preparation for this launch, we have spent considerable time learning about this fascinating town. For a village of 3500 families, 8,000+ residents and about 1500 businesses, Oak Brook has a unique ability to attract successful people in abundance. Not only are they successful, they like to enjoy life, and Oak Brook offers more ways to enjoy life than almost any community you can think of. There is Oakbrook Center, one of the most prestigious shopping malls in all of America. There are 28 Home Owner Associations in Oak Brook, representing some of the most beautiful neighborhoods anywhere, and they are very active, representing their interests.

And, then there is dining. Is there ever dining! Oak Brook is home to more fine dining and restaurant successes than any community of its size in the country. Over the years, Oak Brook has been important in the restaurant business in many ways. It was home to McDonald’s for 47 years. Because dining is so prevalent in Oak Brook, we thought it only fitting to put Oak Brook resident Dick Portillo on the cover of this first issue of Oak Brook Magazine. After all, his Portillo Restaurants are truly an American success story. Another dining success story in restaurants is Rich Melman and his Lettuce Entertain You restaurant organization. Rich long ago recognized that Oak Brook was a great place for restaurants, and he currently has three open in Oak Brook today: Beatrix, Wildfire and Antico Posto.

Because there are so many outstanding dining establishments in town, we wanted to celebrate them with Restaurant Week from April 22-30. Get out and support them!

As if that is not enough about dining in Oak Brook, the Taste of Oak Brook is returning on July 3.

Another advantage of living in Oak Brook: seven of the finest hotels. They invite you to a staycation right here in town. Think about it. To make the point, we will be profiling each hotel. For example, this issue features the Drake Oak Brook Hotel.

In learning about Oak Brook, we have come to appreciate the importance of women in this community.

When people of means get together, they look for ways to help others. Two of the most important organizations in Oak Brook are the Oak Brook Women’s Club and the Oak Brook Chapter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago. In this issue, we put the spotlight on the Oak Brook Women’s Club and two of their most recent programs,

including a talk from Ben Bradley, the popular local tv anchor.

There is another worthy group headed by women that has its roots in Oak Brook that we also want to mention. We are talking about the work of Friends of Conservation, and their efforts on behalf of girls in Kenya. This group is headed by Paul Butler’s daughter, Jorie Butler Kent and granddaughter Reute.

Paul Butler, of course, is the founder of Oak Brook and the Oak Brook Polo Club, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Our next issue will be devoted to what Paul Butler has meant to Oak Brook, in-depth.

Getting back to this issue, we have much more for you.

Christ Church is an important ecumenical church serving the entire community. Speaking of which, the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra will be performing there on April 24. If you haven’t heard the orchestra, you should use this opportunity.

On the subject of the arts, the Lizzadro Museum has been showing the story of Faust in beautiful stone carvings. Ending soon, so don’t wait. On the other hand, Graue Mill is just now opening.

For those of you who want some exercise, the time is here to start taking full advantage of the great Oak Brook Park District and Oak Brook golf course.

Other topics. You’ll hear from Gopal Lalmalani, Village President, and our new Village Manager Greg Summers.

We also recognize how important the Oak Brook Historical Society has been and how it is, more and more, becoming a Heritage Center, to help all of us more appreciate Oak Brook and its history.

While Oak Brook and DuPage County have lots of positives, nothing is perfect.

Therefore, you’ll also hear from Robert Berlin, DuPage County State’s Attorney, and Oak Brook Police Chief John Krull as they share how the County and the Village are dealing with the increasing threats of crime that have been spilling over from Cook County.

In a related matter, we asked one of our more illustrious contributors, Adam Andrzejewski, founder of Open The Books (which tracks waste and corruption in government), to bring us up to date on the red light camera headache at Route 83 and 22nd Street, with Village Trustee Mike Manzo.

All of the above is on the following pages. Enjoy. In months to come, we will cover more success stories, more of the fascinating history of this fascinating town, and more of what makes living in Oak Brook special. Join us every month!

If you would like to contribute ideas for future articles, please send them to sjonlich@hinsdalemag.com. Thank you for your support.

Scott Jonlich Founder & Publisher sjonlich@hinsdalemag.com

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MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club

The Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club used to be a showcase for residents of the village, a gathering place that many headed to for swimming, tennis, events and just hanging out with family and friends.

The Bath & Tennis Club was purchased by the village in 1977 from Oak Brook founder Paul Butler. The property includes a clubhouse that sits on 20 acres of woodlands, which is part of 270 surrounding acres of open green space that also includes the Oak Brook Golf Club and soccer fields.

For several years, use of the Bath & Tennis Club has decreased significantly from what it once was. But there have been recent discussions among Village Board members and village staff to find ways to bring the Bath & Tennis Club back to its heyday as a focal point of the community.

“It’s not as well known as it should be,” said Village Board member Larry Herman, who started coming to the Bath & Tennis Club with his family in the late 1960’s as a young Elmhurst resident.

“I’m not sure it is that much different than it was, other than it’s been modernized,” he said. “The experience is very similar, and now we need to make sure that more of our residents know that it’s

BY CHUCK FIELDMAN | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

here for them.”

A challenge Herman believes exists now, compared to several years ago, is more options that are available to people.

“There are more country clubs around, more pools and more activities,” he said. “Kids today are programmed into so many other things.”

Still, Herman believes the Bath & Tennis Club can make a comeback.

“It’s also a challenge that Oak Brook is served by five different elementary school districts, so many of our kids don’t know

Club is a relatively popular destination for kids, including a swim team for which the pool is host, Herman said the Club isn’t just for children.

“It’s as great place for parents to enjoy a nice day and talk to each other,” he said.

Another selling point, Herman said, is the cost for membership.

“It screams bargain,” he said.

Unlimited Bath & Tennis Club family memberships for use of aquatics and tennis facilities in 2022 include spouse and all children under the age of 21 permanently residing in the household. The memberships fees are $850 for Oak Brook residents, $1,400 for non-residents and $1,200 for Oak Brook corporate memberships. Individual, senior couple and senior individual membership also are available.

other kids because they don’t go to school with them. While that is a challenge, it’s also an opportunity for the B & T to be a place where Oak Brook kids can really meet each other.”

While the pool at the Bath & Tennis

Along with the pool and tennis facilities, the clubhouse at the Bath & Tennis Club has been an award-winning host to weddings with its three prominent ceremony sites: by the pond, under the covered veranda and in the interior clubhouse (the Pond Room).

Additional clubhouse amenities include a reception area with two bars, bridal suite, climate-controlled indoor area, woodbeamed vaulted ceilings, floor-to-

“The experience is very similar, and now we need to make sure that more of our residents know that it’s here for them.”

- LARRY HERMAN, Village of Oak Brook Trustee

Bon’ Appetit!

Celebrate Oak Brook as a dining mecca with ‘Restaurant Week’ April 22-30

BY LARRY ATSEFF

For a town of less than 10,000 residents, Oak Brook has become very well known for its restaurants, even restaurant chain headquarters. And, we want to celebrate Restaurant Week, April 22-30, with you.

How Oak Brook Became A Dining Mecca

It all started with the vision of Paul Butler who wanted to create an upscale community where people of means could live, work, play, shop, and enjoy the finer things in life…to include dining. It even became a focal point for 47 years as the headquarters of the largest restaurant chain in the world…McDonald’s.

This development as a dining center didn’t happen overnight. In fact, it has taken decades.

While Paul Butler set an enviable foundation with his vision for Oak Brook as a village, Oak Brook dining could have never happened unless Chicago itself hadn’t become a draw for restaurants and restaurateurs.

According to Phil Vettel, Chicago Tribune dining critic for 31 years,

“I had a ring-side seat and watched as Chicago evolved. Top chefs like Rick Bayless came to town, after spending years in Mexico learning how to prepare authentic Mexican fare. Others, like Charlie Trotter, were self-taught. Still, others learned at locations like Gordon’s, who in turn, taught the likes of John Terzcak, Ron Blazek, Michael Smith, Stewart Parsons, and Don Yamauchi.”

Of course, one of the most wellknown restaurateurs is Rich Melman, who founded Lettuce Entertainment Enterprises, which has spawned dozens of successful restaurant concepts. In fact, Melman has had as many as 5 restaurants in Oak Brook. And, of course, Oak Brook’s own Dick Portillo is known for founding one of the most successful chains, his namesake Portillo’s Restaurants. Both are featured in this special section.

Other factors contributed. High restaurant rents in large cities on the east and west coast drove up-andcoming chefs to Chicago with its more reasonable rents. Further, in densely populated cities, since apartments and kitchens are small, eating out is more the norm. In the Chicago area, dining

out can be more of a special occasion. No wonder the National Restaurant Show has come to Chicago for decades.

Certainly, Oak Brook is the perfect setting for special occasion dining. As Vettel puts it, “All the elements for fine dining are in Oak Brook. It is an upscale community, and the residents can and do appreciate the good things in life. It is headquarters for many businesses. It has one of the finest upscale malls in Oakbrook Center.”

Celebrate with Restaurant Week, April 22-30

There are dozens upon dozens of restaurants in Oak Brook and surrounding areas. We have selected sixty and more and have organized them by cuisine. Many are offering specials during the week. You can go through the list, click on their website and automatically go to their website. The list may also introduce you to some restaurants you may not have considered. Bon apetit.

In any event, get out and enjoy excellent dining in the Oak Brook area.

A Dining Mecca of over 65 Restaurants Presents

Enjoy discounted dining at some of Oak Brook area finest restaurants during Oak Brook Restaurant Week, April 22-30, 2022. See complete list of restaurants on the next page.

Go to: www.HinsdaleMag.com to make a reservation at these fine dining establishments.

Week April 22-30

RESTAURANTS IN AND AROUND OAK BROOK

Go to: www.HinsdaleMag.com to make a reservation at these fine dining establishments.

DICK PORTILLO An American Success Story

BY LARRY ATSEFF I PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCELLO RODARTE

Dick Portillo has met a lot of famous people during his 80 years. One he never met is Frank Sinatra. Frank’s gone, but one of his most memorable songs is “MY WAY”. Opening lyrics include these words:

“My friend, I’ll make it clear

I’ll state my case of which I am certain I've lived a life that's full I traveled each and every highway

And more, much more I did it, I did it my way

Regrets, I've had a few

But then again, too few to mention I did what I had to do

And saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course

Each careful step along the byway

And more, much, much more I did it, I did it my way

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew

When I bit off more than I could chew And through it all, whenever there was doubt I ate it up and spit it out

I faced it all and I stood tall

And did it, did it my way I've loved, laughed and cried

I had my fill, my share of losing

And now, as tears subside

I find that it's all so amusing

And to think I did all that

And may I say not in a shy way

No, no, not me

I did it my way

For what is a man, what has he got

If not himself, then he has naught

Not to say the things that he truly feels

And not the words of someone who kneels

The record shows I took all the blows And

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Claude Francois / Gilles

Thibaut / Jacques Revaux / Paul Anka

My Way lyrics © Warner Chappell Music France, Jeune Musique Editions, BMG Rights Management, Suisa, Concord Music Publishing LLC, CONSALAD CO., Ltd

Those words sum up Dick Portillo and how he has succeeded beyond his most ambitious dreams. When you read his book, “Out of the Dog House”, or talk to him in person about his success, like we did, you will find out that he not only has lived the American Dream, he tells you how he did it, from an $1100 investment

in a hot dog stand in 1963 to selling his business in 2014 which left him a very wealthy man.

It is an easy, entertaining, streamof-consciousness read, just like he was sitting there with you, just talking, and giving you specific, very personal, real-life history. It is full of practical examples of how hard work, seeing obvious needs and filling them better than the other guy, will always be a great recipe for success. In the end, it is an entrepreneur’s handbook.

Chapter headings, in this order, take you on your way.

Dick uses the first chapter, “Humble Beginnings”, as an appetizer. It is an overview of his life, from being the son of poor, immigrant parents to where he is today. His father had Mexican, Spanish and French heritage and

and the many part-time jobs he was taking, trying to find his way. “A Mother-in-Law’s Approval”, tells how his mother-in-law convinced her daughter Sharon to let Dick spend $1100 on a trailer for a hot dog stand, instead of saving for a house.

“Time to Expand”, details how, when and why he made the decision to add more restaurants. He tells the valuable lesson of not making a move until you are ready.

The “Building an Organization” chapter tells how he carefully added widely popular items (he personally loved) to the menu over several years, and combined them with constant training so that quality in food, service, speed and efficiency could be profitable. And, very important, it would be extremely difficult for competition to copy. “That training

immigrated from Mexico. His mother came from Greece.

It sets the stage…and you want to read more to know how it happened.

Next, “Family Struggles” details how he spent a lot of his youth in Chicago Public Housing; how he fondly remembers his sister and brother. He remembers the scrimping and saving. He remembers how his father taught him discipline with spankings and how he learned to take responsibility for your actions, but this was nothing compared to the next chapter: “Life in the Marines”. It was there that he saw how when you are focused and you train and train, a bunch of rag tag guys can become a single powerful unit. As he puts it, “I learned the value of training, organization and teamwork.”

“Moving Back to Chicago” tells what life was like, after the Marines, to come back to Chicago and marry his high-school sweetheart, Sharon,

to handle a complex menu was like a moat around my castle, to keep competition out.”

“Sacrifice” makes the point that you have to give up some things to succeed, and there is no way around it. The “What I Learned from Failure” chapter details what we all have heard: how failure can be a great teacher and that Dick has been no exception.

In the chapter “The Roaring ‘80s and ‘90s”, Dick recalls the good times in Chicago with the Bears winning the Super Bowl and Michael Jordan and the Bulls. He said it was an exciting time for Portillo’s too, because he successfully expanded. As his number of restaurants grew, he saw that he could scale up the number and maintain the quality he and his employees had worked so hard to perfect. Continued on next page

“From the time a customer hits the front door, and senses the aromas and the hustle, to the time they leave, after enjoying a quality meal and fast service at a reasonable price, I want them to feel ‘The Portillo’s Experience’.”

— DICK PORTILLO

Continued from the previous page

The chapter on “California Dreaming” is the story of his first restaurant outside of Chicago. It took him out of his comfort zone… but he knew it could be successful. That’s because his booming business of shipping Portillo’s all over the country to Chicagoans who had moved away showed him that his biggest sales were in zip code 90620, Buena Park, California. Another case of seeing the obvious and making the most of it.

“The Importance of Competition” chapter points out that you should never underestimate the competition and that if you are smart, you can also learn from them.

“Hello, Arizona”, the chapter on his smashing opening in Scottsdale, was further proof that Portillo’s could be a national brand.

“The Pillars of Success” puts the focus on “Quality”, “Service”, “Attitude”, and “Cleanliness” which are the bedrocks of Portillo’s training. This chapter describes how his son has helped instill those principles throughout the company, and how important it is to hire people who believe in those principles. It is executing that training constantly that sets Portillo’s apart and creates what Dick calls “The Portillo’s Experience”. “From the time a customer hits the front door, and senses the aromas and the hustle, to the time they leave, after enjoying a quality meal and fast service at a reasonable price, I want them to feel ‘The Portillo’s Experience’”.

“Gift or Curse?” describes how his combination of great instincts with people, and a willingness to get out of his comfort zone, have been both a gift and a curse. He explains how he dealt with attention deficit syndrome by just being determined enough to overcome it, by using his skills of observation, paying attention to detail, and coming up with better solutions to everyday problems.

“Only in America” is a look back at the accomplishments and the people who helped him, and who; in turn, helped themselves become

more successful, personally and professionally.

He describes the pros and cons of selling and the decision to choose Berkshire Partners, in “The Decision to Sell” in August 2014.

“Moving Forward” covers his life since the sale, and how he enjoys the fruits of his labor. He stays active in managing his own portfolio of real estate holdings.

All in all, Dick is content. After all, he has accomplished a great deal. He has an enormous legacy in terms of a restaurant chain that prides itself on “The Portillo’s Experience”, that millions enjoy. He is also proud of the number of employees who have worked with him to create the experience.

There is one other legacy he would like to leave.

In honor of Sharon, who has been the love of his life and a pillar of strength for 62 years, but who is

suffering from Type 1 Diabetes, he will continue to support the work of Dr. Jose Oberholzer, a distinguished doctor, who is coming ever closer to a cure that will help Sharon and 1.6 million others who have been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. (Next to this article is an interview with the Doctor on what he is accomplishing.) ■

THE ORIGINAL HOTDOG STAND A YOUNG DICK PORTILLO, ON THE RIGHT, WHEN HE WAS IN THE 1ST MARINE

WITH

Type 1 Diabetes Researcher & Surgeon Dr. Josef Oberholzer

In our discussions with Dick Portillo and the success of his restaurant chain, we learned how important it was for Sharon, his childhood sweetheart and wife of 62 years, to be constantly by his side. We also learned that in 1997, it was discovered that she had Type 1 diabetes. In the course of treatment, they have learned the following:

1 Chicago is a leading center for the treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

2 At the forefront in treating Type 1 diabetes is Doctor Jose Oberholzer.

3 The group he founded, the Chicago Diabetes Project, is an international research collaboration that is focused on “islet transplantation”, a promising technique in dealing with Type 1.

4 In fact, islet transplantation has been effective in treating Sharon.

As a result, Dick has helped fund Dr. Oberholzer’s efforts, and wants more people to know about Oberholzer’s important work.

How Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes differ

Of 26.8 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes, about 1.6 million have Type 1.

Types 1 and 2 both cause high blood sugar and have insulin as the problem. Insulin is a hormone that unlocks cells to let in blood sugar, and that creates energy.

You can’t live without insulin. If you have Type 2, your body makes insulin, but can’t use it properly. If you have Type 1, your body doesn’t make enough of it. The pancreas stops making it, as the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the pancreas. Without insulin, sugar builds up in the blood and can damage your internal organs, including your heart, kidneys,

BY LARRY ATSEFF

eyes, nervous system, and other parts of the body. Obviously, these conditions can become life-threatening.

Type 1 is extremely challenging, because, to this day, doctors are still not sure why the body doesn’t make enough insulin. While much of the medical community continues to try and determine the cause, techniques on controlling the disease with regular insulin injections or use of an insulin pump have become the prevalent treatments for Type 1.

The Chicago Diabetes Project and Dr. Oberholzer have put their focus on “islet transplantation” as a way to go further, and actually reverse Type 1 and enable the body to produce insulin naturally. Certain islet transplantation trials are showing that this approach is able to produce insulin naturally so well, some patients are actually living insulin-free.

Islets are clusters of cells found in the pancreas that work together to regulate blood sugar. In an islet transplant, doctors take healthy islets from the pancreas of an organ donor, and inject them into someone with Type 1 diabetes.

Now that islet transplantation is shown to work, scientists are looking for ways to make the technique more widely available, and at lower costs.

In one approach, scientists focus on the transplant site. While the liver is the traditional site for islet transplantation, this location is not ideal. Other sites and options are being looked at. For example, researchers are looking at a bio-engineered platform that works like an artificial pancreas.

Scientists are also looking for ways to sustain the islets’ long-term survival and protecting them from the autoimmune attacks that caused Type 1 diabetes in the first place. Options include creating barriers to protect the cells, or even adding oxygen to transplant sites.

Researchers are even investigating how to increase the supply of islets available for transplant, enabling the body to recreate a patient’s own pancreatic cells, so cells don’t have to be taken from a donor. This includes the use of lab created embryonic stem cells that, in turn, become islets for transplanting to a Type 1 diabetic.

Dr. Oberholzer and his associates are constantly looking at other ways to make islet transplantation more effective and widespread. For more information, go to chicagodiabetesproject.org. ■

With classic Italian dishes such as Grilled Calamari, Pappardelle al Nonno, Linguini Vongole, Vitello Limone and Pollo Vesuvio, we take great pride in the food we prepare for our guests. Italian food is bold and satisfying, it’s rich and textural dish is built upon the most basic yet most flavorful ingredients. In addition to choosing our ingredients carefully, we boast a wide variety of wines focused on complimenting our cuisine.

Dine with The Stars!

KathyG

My favorite restaurant opentable dinner

Ever ything was per fec t from the moment we were greeted till we left NikW The food is really good, the ser vice was superb!

Rich’s Recipe For Remarkable Restaurants

The Story of Rich Melman’s “Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises”

R.J. Grunts Started It All

A little more than 50 years ago, on June 10th at 11:31 am, to be precise, Rich Melman and late, first partner, Jerry Orzoff, opened R.J. Grunts, a few steps from the Lincoln Park Zoo on Chicago’s near north side.

BY LARRY ATSEFF

That restaurant is still going strong, serving “all-American” food. Since 1971 Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises has opened over 300 restaurants across twelve states. There have been Michelin rated fine dining establishments like Everest, Tru, and L20, a 50’s throwback

diner called Ed Debevic’s, celebrity nightclubs like Studio Paris, and nearly every other cuisine concept you can imagine. By comparison, Kendall College Culinary School instructor Chris Letchinger indicates that in the industry “only 40 % of restaurants are still in business within

MELMAN FAMILY, L TO R, RICH, R.J., MARTHA, MOLLY, JERROD

Photography by Lindsay Eberly x Eberly Film Lab, LLC

three years of opening… The average life of a restaurant is only 8 to 10 years.” LEYE has performed well above those norms.

Sprinkled in between, the Lettuce team has created ventures like the successful Lettuce Consulting Group which officially began in 1995, as well as the Windy City Smokeout, a four day barbecue and live country music festival which started in 2013 and attracts thousands of fans. Back in 1980 Rich started the Taste of Chicago with fellow restaurateur, Arnie Morton, to the delight of then Mayor Jane Byrne and millions of Chicagoans.

During these past 50 years, there have been many LEYE firsts: the first all-you-can-eat-salad bar at RJ Grunt’s, and other “bars” like the free cheese bar for Great Gritzbe’s guests as they waited in line, as well as their popular dessert bar. LEYE introduced restaurant gift cards so that people could return to the LEYE restaurant they just enjoyed or try another LEYE establishment. In 1993 Rich and team created foodlife, Chicago’s first food court, which featured a wide array of ever-evolving cuisines. These are but a few of his innovations.

Along the way, the restaurant industry has honored Melman more than once. He received the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurateur in 2011 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

By now, it should become clear that Rich Melman, and the people he has attracted to surround him, are exceptional. As Rich says, “We’re a very hardworking, disciplined group who do the basics well.”

We sat down the other day with Rich at Beatrix, his breakfast/lunch/ dinner restaurant in Oakbrook Center, where he was also checking in on Antico Posto and Wildfire, two of his other restaurants in the mall.

RICH’S RECIPE FOR RESTAURANT SUCCESS

Back to the future. With R.J. Grunts, Melman set out with a goal to create a fun, hip restaurant that he and his friends would enjoy, where food was presented differently and with a sense of humor. From Grunts to today, Rich has always been handson and is rarely behind a desk. If he’s not in the test kitchen working on

different, fun way to offer fresh, new ideas to Chicago and to see how people will respond.”

One thing we noticed right away in talking with Rich is that he has an insatiable appetite for ideas. The more, the better. Sometimes an idea will strike him, like putting everything in a bowl, from appetizers to salads, to main courses, to sides and even desserts, all to make it fun and interesting. Call it Big Bowl. Or, speaking of fun, design an Italian restaurant called Scoozi, make a huge red tomato, and hang it over the entrance, as a hint of what’s to come inside. You never know how the ideas start with Rich and where they will end up - but they never stop.

recipes for the next new project, you can find him at one of the restaurants tasting food and tweaking the menu. No matter the cuisine, the recipe for a new restaurant concept has remained the same.

Step One: Begin With An Idea, Maybe Even A Name

Rich is always experimenting with new ideas, whether it’s a completely new menu item, a different take on an existing food presentation, a change in staff uniforms or even a new restaurant concept. As Melman says, “I’m always looking for a

Get In The Test Kitchen

Step Two is to get into the test kitchen to work with the chefs to test different recipe ideas. As he puts it, “In our test kitchen, I’m always tasting and trying out different things together. I’m always tasting and experimenting with food. I’m obsessed with making food better. Almost all my inspiration starts with food. To me, food starts with taste, the combination of flavors, and the art of seasoning. Creating great food is exciting!”

“In our test kitchen, I’m always tasting and trying out different things together. I’m always tasting and experimenting with food. I’m obsessed with making food better.”

— RICH MELMAN

FIRST PARTNER, JERRY ORZOFF AND RICH MELMAN

Develop The Menu

Step Three is to create the stars of the experience…the different ways of giving food and drink items a new twist to reflect the new concept or idea.

Develop The Surroundings to Enhance The Dining Experience

Step Four is figuring out how to use the architecture, the design, the colors and the lighting to create the desired ambiance of the space. LEYE has its own in-house architect and set of designers who work directly with Rich on interior design elements.

Develop The People And The Culture of A Lettuce Restaurant

Step Five is to develop the people. Rich believes that in order to take care of the guests, the employees first need to care about themselves and each other. He feels that personal development is crucial which is why Lettuce was founded on “a culture of caring.” Melman says, “One thing

that never stops is the continual development of our people.”

The Result of The Melman Recipe Is The Promise

In Their Logo:

and are now executive partners in Lettuce. They are heavily involved in new concepts such as RPM Seafood, RPM Italian, RPM Steak, Pizzeria Portofino, Three Dots and a Dash, Sushi-San and more.

As Rich told us in his sit down, “I couldn’t be prouder of my children or more excited about their ideas for the future and for the whole organization.”

Looking Ahead

Rich feels he owes his early success in the restaurant business to R.J. Grunts and named his first son R.J. He remembers when R.J. was only about 8, Melman would take him to work with him in the evenings and R.J. loved it. Today, R.J. is 42, and the President of LEYE. Brother Jerrod and sister Molly have also followed in their father’s footsteps. In 2008, the three of them successfully opened Hub 51 together in Chicago

We asked him about any other legacies. Is there ever going to be a book? “I did write a very small book which I only passed along to my kids, partners and a few friends. But something I’m really excited about right now is that I’m blogging about all my favorite menu items. Many are from Lettuce restaurants, but some are dishes that I love from my favorite non-Lettuce restaurants too. People are always asking me what I like to eat, so I decided to write about it. I add about five new items to the blog on our website every month and it’s been fun. ■

IRV KUPCINET AT THE FAMOUS PUMP ROOM, A RESTAURANT THAT RICH BROUGHT BACK

ITALIAN CAFÉ & WINE BAR

NEIGHBORHOOD COFFEEHOUSE & RESTAURANT

MODERN

1940'S DINNER CLUB

HAIL TO THE CHEF

Drake Oak Brook Hotel’s Executive Chef, Ezequiel Dominguez

BY LARRY ATSEFF

Some of the biggest names in dining are located in Oak Brook.

Yet, one of the biggest, busiest, and best kitchens in Oak Brook isn’t even associated with those big names. The chef that runs the whole operation is very quiet and unassuming but he is extremely well accomplished.

It’s one thing to take care of breakfast, lunch, or dinner crowds with the same menus and times, day after day. There is a routine you can count on.

His

name: Ezequiel Dominguez, Executive Chef, Drake Oak Brook Hotel.

It’s quite another thing when preparing several wildly different and delicious menu items at the same time. After all, the Drake Oak Brook Hotel, is a Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel, top-of-a-line luxury hotel, serving business travel, as well as local residents.

At the Drake Oak Brook Hotel, there’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, each with its own menu. There’s room service. There’s the elegant, intimate Colonial Room. The Polo Lounge is where you can enjoy drinks and a meal. There’s the Sinatra Room for private parties. There are outdoor patios and even “igloos” for outdoor dining in the winter. There are banquets for conventions and meetings for hundreds at a time. There’s a full brunch serving a couple

PHOTO COURTESY OF EZEQUIEL DOMINGUEZ

of hundred, every Sunday. There are bridal showers. And weddings…lots of them…twenty alone in the first two months of 2022.

On top of all this and coming soon, a kitchen for a restaurant featuring international cuisine. Later on this year, a large, luxury swimming pool is being added, complete with food and drink amenities.

And all the food, for all the activities, come from one large kitchen managed and led by Ezequiel.

We asked Jim Nagle, owner of the Drake, how he was able to find someone who can manage it all. He said, “My wife Tely discovered Chef (Dominguez) working at a downtown restaurant in Chicago in 2010. We hired him to run a tapas restaurant for us in Indiana. Then he was working for us in Kane County, and in 2015, he joined us here at the Drake, after some extensive renovations took place.

The Drake Oak Brook Hotel, is a far cry from the humble beginnings

of Ezequiel in Santo Tomás, Estado de México in the south of the Republic of Mexico. He has always liked being in the kitchen. When he was five years old, he helped his mother; she taught him how to make delicious tapas and bread and he follows the recipes to this day. Speaking of which, he says: “In the beginning, I learned how to follow instructions and follow the recipe. When you do this, the food comes out like it’s supposed to.”

He has become an expert in Mediterranean cuisines such as Spanish tapas, classic American cuisine, and French-infused cuisine. Following the recipe and teaching this to all his kitchen help is part of the secret to the success of the kitchen. While the kitchen is large, he works with a relatively small staff, up to 10 on a busy night. “Everyone follows the recipe, the steps. That’s the only way we can handle the wide variety of meals and different serving counts at the same time.”

Colonial Room on your right and the Polo Lounge on your left. But then you are reminded there is so much more when you notice the meeting areas, ready and waiting to be used, or already in use.

A special word about The Colonial Room. It is a great, quiet place for lunch or dinner in an elegant, relaxed atmosphere, at surprisingly reasonable prices. Two favorites at lunch: Grilled Chicken & Avocado sandwich, and Stacked Meatloaf. A favorite at dinner is the Chilean Sea Bass or Filet Mignon. Naturally, tapas and other Spanish delicacies are also on the menu. There is even a High Tea.

When the kitchen is humming, he watches over the stations and helps where he sees the need for an extra hand.

In addition to watching the kitchen, he has to make sure the wait staff is well trained and up to speed on the menus and the day’s specials.

When he is not supervising in the back or the front, he is ordering the food. He adds, “We get everything fresh, nothing frozen.” When it comes to beverages, he has help from in-house expertise.

In addition to a large kitchen, there is also a very large commissary space to take in all the food and store all equipment it takes to set up the tables, meeting rooms, and dining rooms, and constantly keep things clean and safe.

When you walk through the hotel entrance you see the intimate

From the outside, the renovated Drake Oak Brook Hotel, is a beautiful hotel with 154 rooms. And, now you know it is also home to delicious dining you can enjoy in so many ways, thanks to Ezequiel, his kitchen and his talented staff. ■

“In the beginning, I learned how to follow instructions and follow the recipe. When you do this, the food comes out like it ’ s supposed to.”

— EZEQUIEL DOMINGUEZ, Executive Chef, Drake Oak Brook Hotel

GRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICH GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, AVOCADO, BABY SPINACH, SLICED TOMATO, SMOKED APPLE BACON, PROVOLONE CHEESE, CHIPOTLE MAYONNAISE IN TOMATO FOCACCIA BREAD AND FRENCH FRIES

CHILEAN SEA BASS PAN SEARED CHILEAN SEA BASS, CITRUS CRUSTED WHIT FORBIDDEN RICE, STIR VEGETABLES AND SWEET SOY GLAZE.

POLO LOUNGE

Gopal Lalmalani

Oak Brook Village President

BY CHUCK FIELDMAN I PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCELLO RODARTE

Gopal Lalmalani has enjoyed practicing cardiology for more than 40 years.

But the 72-year-old Oak Brook Village President has put much of his heart into serving the people of Oak Brook over the past 15 years.

Lalmalani served five years on the village’s Plan Commission, before successfully running for village president in 2011. He has been reelected to additional four-year terms twice — in 2015 and in 2019. And his three consecutive terms as Oak Brook’s top elected official matches the record held by former Village President Karen Bushy, who served from 1991 to 2003.

“I always was interested in getting involved,” Lalmalani said. “I’ve always had this bug in my head to serve, and I previously was involved with medical organizations. Some residents suggested that I get involved with the village, which led to me serving on the Plan Commission and then running for village president."

Lalmalani said he increasingly has spent more time on villagerelated duties since becoming village president. He has scaled back his cardiology practice by about onethird to allow more time for Oak Brook business, he said.

“It’s become a way of life for me,” he said. “I have dedicated my life to the community service of Oak Brook and find that very fulfilling. I always am interested in what we can do to provide better services for our residents and businesses because we are here to serve them.”

Lalmalani said his ears and eyes always are open to Oak Brook residents and representatives from businesses in the village.

“They are why we’re here; I have no personal agenda,” he said.

Lalmalani has had some disagreements over the years with

Village Board members, village staff, residents and business representatives about village business, but that’s all part of the process, he said.

“We need to tolerate all points of view,” he said. “I do what I truly believe is best for Oak Brook.”

Village Board member Michael Manzo, who also was first elected in 2011 and continues to serve, said Lalmalani’s willingness to always listen to others is a major strength.

“He may have an opinion in mind, but he’s always willing to listen to all sides and is very assessable to anyone who wants to talk with him,” Manzo said. “He’s always a uniter and brings people together.”

Manzo said he sees the passion Lalmalani has for the village.

“He pays attention to what’s going on and has made leaps and bounds in his knowledge of local government,” Manzo said.

One major factor Lalmalani considers best for Oak Brook is to continue the practice of not levying a municipal property tax. He also is against any additional taxes, such as for food and beverage, a stance that was part of his campaign when he sought re-election in 2019.

“How we can do better for our residents, without taxing people is always a goal, and not having a property tax is part of our branding and we are proud of that,” Lalmalani said." It’s an ongoing challenge, but it’s doable.”

Development in Oak Brook is continuing at a fast pace. Among current and recent projects are new retail stores and restaurants opening in, and around, Oakbrook Center, several commercial/office projects, the ongoing development of multiuse Oak Brook Commons on the site of the former McDonald’s Plaza on 22nd Street; and recent discussions

about plans for part of the former 80-acre McDonald’s campus site, purchased in June 2019 by JPD Holdings.

“I’m a pro-business guy,” Lalmalani said. “I want businesses to feel like they are wanted. To survive moving forward, we have to be open-minded, but also, our residents don’t want too much traffic and congestion.”

has to be about the Village of Oak Brook.”

That attitude hasn’t prevented Lalmalani from being recognized with awards for his service to the village. He has received several awards from local, national, and international community service groups, such as Outstanding Community Service Award from Congressman Danny K. Davis, Public Service Award from the Metropolitan Asian Services, Inc., and Special Recognition award from the Asian American Coalition of Chicago.

Lalmalani was born in Jakarta, Indonesia and went to India for his pre-med and medical education. After receiving his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree from G.S. Medical College in Bombay, India, Lalmalani practiced medicine for a year in Jakarta.

One of the ongoing challenges for Oak Brook officials is maintaining a good balance of businesses that generate sales tax, which has been strong enough to allow for no property taxes, and developments that don’t generate sales tax revenue, but add to the community in other ways.

“Balancing development with sales tax generators is a challenge that we are aware of, and it is very important,” Lalmalani said. “Going back to (Oak Brook founder) Paul Butler, the idea has been for Oak Brook to be one-third open space, one-third commercial, and one-third residential. That balance makes Oak Brook a spacious and unique community.”

The continued challenges of helping to make Oak Brook the best place possible for its residents and businesses keeps Lalmalani going, he said. And having support from his wife, Neetu, and daughters, Puja and Supna has been critical to his ongoing work for the village.

“It’s not about me,” he said, “It

He came to the United States in 1973 and completed his internship, residency and fellowship in cardiology from Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago in 1978. He returned to school about 20 years later, earning his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Business School in 1999.

“After a while of practicing medicine, I felt I needed to open up my brain,” he said. “I wanted to find out how businesses run their operations. When I first got my MBA, my idea was to move into medical management, but I enjoyed my practice with my patients too much to do that.”

Lalmalani continues to enjoy his interaction and work with his cardiology patients, but a big piece of his heart will never leave Oak Brook. ■

“How we can do better for our residents, without taxing people is always a goal, and not having a property tax is part of our branding and we are proud of that”

-GOPAL LALMALANI Oak Brook Village President

Greg Summers

Oak Brook Village Manager

BY CHUCK FIELDMAN

Oak Brook’s new Village Manager brings an impressive resume with him, including extensive experience in development services, along with engineering and building.

Greg Summers was chosen from a field of 33 applicants, which was screened by a search committee made up of Village Board members and residents, before being narrowed down to six candidates who were interviewed and three who were brought back for a second interview.

“He is very energetic and has a good amount of experience and good leadership skills,” Trustee Suresh Reddy,

who chaired the search committee, said of Summers.

Village President Gopal Lalmalani also was impressed with Summers among a strong group of candidates.

“Greg Summers stood out as the most promising, energetic and ready to roll up his sleeves on day one,” Lalmalani said. “He is full of creative ideas, willing to work hard and go the extra mile for Oak Brook.”

Since 2019, Summers worked as the Assistant Village Manager for the Village of Orland Park. Before that, he worked for the Village of Barrington, holding the position of Director of Development Services from 2013 to

2019 and Director of Engineering and Building from 2008 to 2013.

Summers, 45, has a Masters of Urban Planning degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture from Washington University.

Summers said he was interested in the job as Oak Brook’s Village Manager because the community offers the opportunity to combine the strengths of the prior two communities in which he worked.

“The small town personal touch and exceptional customer service of the Village of Barrington with the strength derived from Orland Park’s retail and office sectors, all under one umbrella,” he said.

Summers said he has spent extensive time visiting the retail merchants of Oak Brook, working with businesses based out of the village and has been traveling through the community daily for the last 2 1/2 years.

“Over the last six months, I have become very familiar with the layout, planning, fiscal strength, and policies of the village,” he said. “Oak Brook already has the desirable characteristics that other communities strive for, along with a solid fiscal model aimed at delivering the best possible services, at the lowest possible cost, to all of its constituents.”

“Knowing that other regional communities wish to achieve many of these same goals, it is imperative that the Village Board, staff, and the community work together to continuously improve and remain several steps ahead of our peers.”

Summers said his goals for the shortterm future of Oak Brook include improved customer service and customer satisfaction built alongside the existing professional staff of the village, all the while focused on delivering the best fiscal value for the residents, businesses, and organization that make up the community.

“Long-term trends indicate a potential reversal of the centralization of corporate businesses to downtown Chicago as businesses look to have smaller regional office locations and

avoid dense locations and the long commute,” Summers said. "Oak Brook, with its strong corporate businesses, is the single best positioned community to capture a reversal of this two decades long trend.”

Reddy said the search committee was impressed with Summers’ background in development services, something the new Village Manager is happy to bring with him.

“My background in architecture, urban planning, engineering, public works, and information technology, alongside my business and fiscal acumen, give me a well-rounded viewpoint on proposals inclusive of their impacts on multiple fronts,” Summers said. “Seeing an issue from multiple perspectives serves as a check on analytical conclusions and ensures that the full scope of true costs is weighed appropriately, thereby reinforcing good decision making.”

Summers, who is married and has a four-yer-old daughter, was born just outside of Indianapolis, but spent the vast majority of his childhood years in West Lafayette, Indiana. He moved to the Chicago area after college and has been a resident since 2001. He currently lives in Arlington Heights.

Being raised in the northwest Indiana, Summers said he is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan.

Summers said architectural appreciation is a favorite hobby.

“I am a trained architect and spent some time in the practice of architecture prior to, and while, pursuing a master's degree in urban planning,” he said. Whenever possible, especially while traveling, I plan my itinerary around local, state and national, or international architectural landmarks and tours. I also spend a lot of my free time, especially in the summer, at a family lake house located on Lake Freeman in Monticello, Indiana.” ■

“One of my favorite childhood memories was coming to Chicago every summer to attend a baseball game at Wrigley Field,” he said.

“Over the last six months, I have become very familiar  with the layout, planning, fiscal strength, and policies of the village”

GREG SUMMERS Oak Brook Village Manager

Resident and Premier Realtor of Oak Brook

“Opening The Finest Doors” Since 1986

When searching for a realtor to assist you in buying or selling, Nikki is the perfect fit.

She offers in-depth knowledge of Oak Brook, the Western Suburbs with national and global networking a benefit to her clients and future prospects.

Such is the case with Nikki. She is an accomplished Real Estate Professional with over 30 years of experience and impeccable market knowledge.

As a result, she knows how to recommend pricing strategies with well honed negotiation skills to secure a competitive edge.

Nikki is well entrenched in the community with vast knowledge of its neighborhoods, schools and amenities. Also a member of the Oak Brook Infant Welfare Auxiliary involved in the annual fundraiser to benefit Angel Harvey family Health Center of Chicago. Her top production has kept her in the Coldwell Banker Realty upper echelon of awards, including International President’s Circle and current International Diamond Society.

SERVING THE COMMUNITY

Oak Brook Women’s Club Over 80 Years

BY MARCIA J. SPINGOLA, President, OBWC I PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCELLO RODARTE

In the early 1960’s the Oak Brook Women’s Club was more of a welcoming committee to people moving to this particular suburb from the Chicagoland area. In 1967, it was formally founded as the Oak Brook Women’s Club. At that time, Oak Brook was a burgeoning community of new businesses, residents and schools looking to establish roots in what was surely to become a very popular and highly desirable destination.

The women of the OBWC were young mothers and homemakers looking to forge friendships and engage in like minded activities while their young children were in school. Moving forward in time, many of those young women evolved into professions taking them out of the home and into the business world as well as the political arena. Members such as Karen Sherman Bushy who served as the first Village President, served two terms as President of the DuPage Mayor’s and Managers, Charlotte Pruss and Linda Gonnella have both served in the capacity of Village Clerk for several terms. Kathy Maher was President of Maher Lumber and in her spare time almost single handedly turned a crumbling school building into a museum dedicated to the history and development of Oak Brook

We also have members involved in the fine arts, most notably Rebecca Childers Caleel, Sculptor, whose pieces are much sought after and appear in private homes and government buildings. Other

members took career paths in the private sector; corporate attorneys, physicians, PHD’s, accountants and college administrators among others. Another faction of the club and no less important are members who built stellar careers in the volunteer world; giving of their time in local hospitals, elementary schools and community outreach. Over the years the OBWC has made philanthropic donations to various Oak Brook organizations and causes such as: providing protective vests to the Police Department, new stretchers for the Fire and Ambulance Department, display cases for the Library and monetary donations to the Heritage Center.

To keep our friendships strong and our network viable, the OBWC provides members and guests with a monthly luncheon and live program at one of Oak Brook’s many fine restaurants and venues. Our membership has a variety of interests and we provide entertainment based on those interests. We have featured Jorge Holmes and Diva Montell, historic re enactors, Leslie Goddard and Martina Mathisen, concert violinist Jennifer Silk, national authors Renee Rosen and Diane Henrique, rock star ex pat Jorie Butler Kent, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Native American Silver expert, Janet Scott Peterson, news anchor Ben Bradley and the list goes on.

We also feature activity groups which are the heart of the Oak Brook Women’s Club. For instance,

we offer, bridge, mah jongg, theatre, various gourmet groups, fine arts, tennis, 9 and 18 hole golf, bowling, book review and studio arts and a common thread. We truly believe we have something for every one.

Our club is as diverse in our ages, activities and functions as is our community which we so proudly support.

This is our 57th year and we continue to welcome new members who are residents of Oak Brook. For membership information, please contact Debbie Stangarone at trulyblessed@gmail.com. ■

MS. RENEE ROSEN SIGNS AUTOGRAPHS AFTER RECENT LECTURE ON THE "SOCIAL GRACES".

BEN BRADLEY

Local TV Reporter and Anchor, Offers Advice on Viewing

BY LARRY ATSEFF

In late February, members of the Oak Brook Women’s Club listened to Channel 9 TV Anchor and Investigative Reporter Ben Bradley talk about how today’s newscasts are made and how one might better absorb them these days. Ben is a Hinsdale resident.

He started by pointing out “That everyone is biased by what they have been exposed to over the years…their personal experience. That goes for everyone, including the people you see every night in front of the camera, as well as the people who put those newscasts together. It certainly goes for all the viewers and everyone in this room today.”

“Many times, people don’t even realize their biases are affecting what they think and hear and see…but they are there. That goes for providers of the news as well as absorbers of the news.”

He adds, “Then there is the physical nature of newscasts: compressed time frames with a lot to tell in a short time. That leads to “sound bites” or headlines.

Or even makes it easier for the loudest to get more of the attention. News makers…and news providers know all this and since they are in the business of attracting the largest audiences possible, their biases can creep in, and providers will show news they believe will validate what viewers think. It can result in news that is often ‘confirmation bias’. People watch certain shows and networks which reinforce their point of view. You see it all the time on the cable news shows, both left and right.”

“Then there is the deliberate effort to use a headline to attract attention, but the following story may not actually reinforce the headline…just trying to gain an audience.”

Doing news today is not an easy task to balance. Ben says he likes to think that the news operations he has worked for are very aware of these issues and try hard to limit them.

So, in these hyper-competitive times, what can viewers do?

He said, “First thing is to recognize you bring your own biases to everything you hear, read or see. Recognize what your biases are.”

“Secondly, be aware that biases are in the information you are being presented. Know your providers. Know if they have agendas and take them into account.”

“Third, realize there really is another side to the story besides the one you believe or want to believe. Hearing both or all sides is likely to be helpful.”

“In other words, as the heat of the discussion gets lowered, you become more educated.” ■

OAK BROOK WOMEN’S CLUB PRESIDENT MARCI SPINGOLA, CINDY JOHNSON, KATHY SCHOOLEY, KAREN BUSHY, MICHELE VIDA, BEN BRADLEY, JANIS PASSARETTI, BARBARA WILLIAMS

RED LIGHT CAMERA HELL At Route 83 & 22nd Street

BY ADAM ANDRZEJEWSKI, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

“It’s a disgrace that those red light cameras are still at that corner knowing that it was placed there by corruption.” Oak

Brook Trustee Michael Manzo

Since 2018, Oakbrook Terrace collected nearly $11 million in revenue from ticketing 206,500 motorists on red light camera violations at the intersection of Route 83 and 22nd Street.

Our auditors at OpenTheBooks.com received these figures from the city after we filed Freedom of Information Act requests.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The figures showed a massive amount of fines generated from the cameras peppering drivers with $100 tickets. This happened during a period when several suburban elected officials pled guilty to taking bribes from camera

company reps and while federal investigations swirled.

Opponents of the program claimed the cameras were tainted from the getgo. Elected officials across the Chicagometro area were alleged to have taken kickbacks to promote the Chicagobased red light camera company SafeSpeed LLC.

SafeSpeed’s cameras were installed at the busy Oakbrook Terrace intersection in August 2017 after being the subject of a lawsuit. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) first rejected the permit but then quickly approved it. Oak Brook sued alleging a corrupt process. However, the village attorney at the time recommended that the lawsuit be voluntarily withdrawn.

Then, the red light tickets started flying.

In 2018, 68,090 tickets were issued, driving $3,473,164 in city revenues. The following year, 60,629 tickets were issued,

resulting in revenues of $3,319,287.

The tickets and revenue slowed down, presumably due to drivers staying home during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, the cameras snapped pictures for 34,449 tickets, bringing in $1,899,303, and in 2021, they issued 37,064 tickets, for $1,885,448, according to records from the City of Oakbrook Terrace.That’s 200,232 tickets issued between 2018 and 2021, for $10,577,202 in fines.

That’s 200,232 tickets issued between 2018 and 2021, for $10,577,202 in fines.

So far in 2022, 6,281 tickets have been issued through the end of February. Dollar figures for fines weren’t included because they haven’t been reconciled, the city said.

Trustee Manzo wants the cameras removed.

On Tuesday, March 8 at the village board meeting, Manzo reintroduced discussion on whether Oak Brook

OAK BROOK TRUSTEE MICHAEL MANZO

should sue Oakbrook Terrace, IDOT, and elected officials for the removal of the cameras. He argued that history has shown evidence of a corrupt process.

Manzo has spearheaded the local movement against the cameras for years.

$1 Billion Red Light Camera Problem In Illinois

An October 2019 analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute found that in throughout the state, municipalities collected more than $1 billion from drivers through red light cameras tickets between 2008 and 2018.

The dollar figures have more than doubled over time, with local governments collecting more than $113.2 million in 2018 compared to a much smaller $53.5 million in 2008.

At the time of the analysis, there were at least 89 municipalities operating redlight camera programs, with the number of cameras more than tripling between 2008 and 2018.

This as the camera program was plagued with corruption.

Omar Maani was co-owner and cofounder of SafeSpeed LLC. In August 2020, Maani was charged with bribery conspiracy for allegedly conspiring with political operative Patrick Doherty, who worked as a contractor for SafeSpeed, and another sales agent to allegedly bribe an Oak Lawn trustee with $4,000 for his support to add

cameras at additional intersections.

Maani cooperated with the FBI. The cooperation led to charges against several Democratic politicians and power players, including Doherty, Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta, and then-state Sen. Martin Sandoval.

The company has said that it had no knowledge of Omar Maani’s criminal conduct, did not authorize it, and does not condone it.

SafeSpeed’s cameras are still in use in 21 towns in Cook County, Chicago TV news channel WGN9 reported in February 2021. SafeSpeed has never been charged with wrongdoing and cut ties with Omar Maani in February 2020.

Local government officials and the red light camera company tout the ability of the cameras to prevent crashes. However, in 2020, an Oak Brook Village study showed a linkage to more car crashes, NBC Chicago reported.

The study showed that before the cameras, there were 23 crashes in 2015 at the major intersection of Route 83 and 22nd Street in Oakbrook Terrace. But after the cameras were installed, the numbers jumped to 36 in each of 2017 and 2018 and 49 in 2019.

Oak Brook Police Chief James Kruger attributed the crashes to drivers "panic stopping" to avoid getting a ticket.

State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst), whose legislative district covers the region, introduced a bill in March 2021 that would ban all redlight cameras in Illinois. After a do-nothing session, Mazzochi introduced tailored legislation to target red light cameras tainted by corruption.

“SafeSpeed remains dedicated to serving Illinois municipalities with honesty, integrity and a commitment to enforcing the law and fully supports the federal government’s efforts to root out corruption. Red light camera programs are a valuable safety tool and SafeSpeed supports efforts to improve them and standardize best practices,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.

If passed, Mazzochi’s bill would potentially eliminate the cameras at Route 83 and 22nd Street in Oakbrook Terrace.

“Ever since the indictments came out, I’ve repeatedly called on Gov. Pritzker’s Illinois Department of Transportation to revoke the permit that blessed their installation under dubious circumstances,” Mazzochi told me on a phone call. “The Pritzker administration has refused to left a finger, review prior decisions, and has refused to give local residents some welldeserved relief.

If you won’t mend it, then end it. They’re riddled with corruption.”

Adam Andrzejewski is the founder and CEO of OpenTheBooks.com.

A previous version of this story mistakenly had Sen. Martin Sandoval taking $700,000 in bribes. In fact, Sandoval pled guilty to $70,000 in federal government-funded bribes. None of that money came from SafeSpeed LLC. ■

“

The Pritzker administration has refused to lift a finger, review prior decisions, and has refused to give local residents some well-deserved relief.”

- DEANNE MAZZOCHI State Representative (R-Elmhurst)

OAK BROOK'S RICH HISTORY

Kathy Maher, Past President of the Historical Society

BY LARRY ATSEFF

Kathy Maher, up until June 2021, was the President of the Oak Brook Historical Society. She has been a volunteer since 1978, shortly after the group began in 1975. Since being elected President in 2006, she has served as primary curator of the history of Oak Brook. Eventually, she is moving away, but before she does, we sat down, appropriately, in the basement of the original Butler School at 31st and Spring Road, to learn how she has led the effort to properly record the official history of what has become Oak Brook, and what she hopes for the future preservation of the heritage of the village.

To begin with, she wrote a succinct record called Old Butler School History,1921-2008. Here are excerpts:

“Frank Osgood Butler, son of Julius W. Butler who founded the J. W. Butler Paper Company in 1844, in St. Charles, Illinois, moved to Hinsdale in 1890 and built a home on

First Street. In 1898, Frank O. Butler bought a farm located on 31st Street at Salt Creek and called it Oak Brook Farm. The farm was developed as a summer home and a horse farm. Adjacent to the Butler property was Natoma Dairy owned by George B. Robbins. Natoma Dairy gained fame by being one of the first to supply “certified milk”. In 1908 Natoma was sold to Frank O. Butler who continued to operate the dairy and improve production and the level of sanitation. Gradually, he added more and more of the surrounding lands to his holdings. The land was used for feeding the cattle brought from the Butler Company ranch in South Dakota.”

“In circa 1921, Frank O. Butler donated 10 acres of land, adjacent to the Natoma Dairy lands and he funded construction of a building to replace one room Rabbit Hill School and one room Torode School. She noted he had one stipulation: “Ownership would revert to him if the school did not meet state standards as a "superior" school. For 40 years it

provided a supportive climate for the growth and development of academic excellence at the elementary level.”

We learned that the building was built in a Revival Georgian Style as a two-room schoolhouse. Much of the early history of the building was lost in a flood. Nevertheless, in talking to students who attended the school, she learned that one room was for grades 1-4, and the second room was for grades 5-8.

Her record observes, “Subjects included: English, history, geography, math, science, art and gym. Music was taught by a traveling music teacher who would visit the school once a week. The piano was in the basement room, which also served as an auditorium, gym and meeting room. Other activities were plays, square dancing, dodgeball, basketball, and ice skating in the winter during recess. Class size ran about 52 students for 40 years.”

Her history states, “The Butler School became the "hub" of virtually every activity in the area from

1921-1961. The adults and children attending the school formed a Community Club that met in the basement of the schoolhouse. During the 1920's-1930's, social activities included square dancing, potluck suppers, plays, music recitals, card games, Bunko, a dice game, and pig roasts. Softball ball games, soccer games and ice-skating were held outside.”

“From 1941-1945, a Civil Defense organization was created to cover the area served by the school. Members of the Community Club volunteered themselves for this effort. The organization took the name of the Oak Brook Civic Association, the first use of the words "Oak Brook" to define the specific geographical area.”

“The Civic Association utilized the Butler School as its headquarters with offices for Air Raid Wardens, a Ration Board, the Draft Board, a 4-H Chapter and Red Cross Chapter. Volunteers made thousands of bandages for wounded soldiers in the basement area. Social activities continued, but the meetings became more formal and far more serious.”

“In 1945, after World War II ended, the Oak Brook Civic Association decided to continue under the name and became the "quasi-government" organization, as the population of the unincorporated area between Hinsdale and Elmhurst began to change from a farming community to an equestrian community.

Planning began in the mid-1950's for the creation of a tollway system that would change the area forever. The completion of the Tri-State and East-West Tollway in 1958 forced the incorporation of the Village of Oak Brook. Marshall Field' s purchased land for a shopping center and a corporate corridor and residential development were being planned.”

“It was evident that the Butler School was not adequate to handle the proposed increased enrollment. In 1960-61, a new seven-room Butler School was built on ten acres of land that Paul Butler, son of Frank O.

Butler, traded for the original Butler School. Paul Butler then leased the original building for $1.00 a year to the Village from 1961-1965. The building and surrounding land were purchased in 1965 for $130,000 by the Village of Oak Brook.”

“The Village of Oak Brook has used the property as a Village Hall, Police Station, and the initial location of a Library. The two classrooms were remodeled into a Boardroom with offices for the Village Manager, Clerk and Building Department on the upper level. The basement was remodeled into a Police Department for the new Police Chief and three patrolmen. One room was allocated for a Library on the Upper floor. Volunteers built shelves, cataloged donated books (approximately 300 in the beginning) and operated an "on your honor" free public Library.”

“In the 1970's the rapid growth of the Village of Oak Brook necessitated the building of a new Village Hall and Police Department. When the new Village Hall was completed in 1975, the historic building was converted entirely to Library use.”

“A new modern Library was constructed in 2000-2001. The Village of Oak Brook continued to use the Butler School for offices during construction of the expansion of the current Village Hall.”

In sum, “The Old Butler School building has served as an educational facility for 40 years, a Village Hall for 15 years and a Library for 26 years. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.” You can go to oakbrookhistory.com to read her full account.

We asked, what’s ahead for the building and the organization for the next 100 years?

She says, “First of all, we are evolving the organization and the building to be named the Oak Brook Heritage Center. This is a more apt description. It covers not only Oak Brook’s history but will carefully record the future to better preserve

the entire heritage of the community going forward.”

“We have been repairing and restoring the building to its original condition. Thanks to many volunteers, we have been slowly, but surely, organizing the archives into much better shape than they have ever been. When our leaseholder, the Village of Oak Brook, installs a new HVAC system to replace the 40 yr. old, unreliable system, the Historical Society will be able to, once again, serve the community through multigenerational programming.”

“Under newly elected President Lisa Griffith’s direction, we will be creating displays of a substantial collection of artifacts of the history of Oak Brook. OBHS will also be able to hold their popular annual events, like the Veterans Day Commemoration, at the 100 yr. old historic Heritage Center. There will be new events added, such as ‘Historical coffee talks.’ When funds allow, the addition of an archivist, and an intern have been proposed.

As a volunteer, Kathy hastens to add, “There is still much to do and additional volunteers are needed for creating events, further researching important Oak Brook people and events, continuing the archiving of files, and, of course, fundraising for further restoration. Oak Brook has an interesting, exciting and colorful history that, unfortunately, is unknown to most Oak Brook residents. The stories of the early pioneers are fascinating and those of the men and women who founded Oak Brook in 1958, and the work they did in setting up a Village ‘from scratch’ are absolutely inspiring! I have been truly blessed to learn many life lessons from reading about their struggles, failures and successes.” ■

On April 24th, returning for their 75th season, the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra delightfully takes on The New World Symphony, Antonin Dvorak’s musical letter to his Czech homeland, which was written during his visit to America. Also known as his Symphony 9, this piece will quickly steal viewers’ hearts as it smoothly captures the spirit of folk music from two very different continents. It also includes familiar melodies, such as Going Home. Viewers will be charmed by Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt, Suite 1, which showcases a Norwegian folk tale of exciting adventures and unbreakable love, also including the captivating In the Hall of the Mountain King.

Adding even more pizazz to the performance is the lively overture to Bedrich Smetana’s Bartered Bride opera, a comic tale of true love in a country village. Don’t miss the joyful and wonderful spring concert by the very talented West Suburban Symphony musicians!

FROM THE HEART

West Suburban Symphony Orchestra

BY EMMA WOLF

This concert will be presented without intermission and will run for about 75 minutes. All performers are fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. The start time is 3:30 PM and the location is at Christ Church of Oak Brook, 501 31st St. Oak Brook, IL. 60523. All seating is general admission. Tickets are $25 each. The discounted rates are $23 for seniors ages 65 and over and $5 for teenagers. Tickets for children ages 12 and under are free. Audience members are required to show proof of full vaccination at the door and be masked. Tickets are available for purchase at the door, by phone, by mail, or online at www. westsubsymphony.org.

Safety protocols for indoor concerts: Because your health is important to us, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and facial masks are currently required for audience members of 5 and older.; we regret that children under 5 can not currently attend our concerts, due to their lack of vaccination. For our concerts, “full vaccination” means at least one Johnson & Johnson injection or at least two Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations,

with the most recent injection received no later than 2 weeks before the concert. When seated, your party will be able to socially distance from other parties. In addition, our performers are all fully vaccinated. Note: We currently plan to lift our masking requirements for our June 26 concert, unless the Illinois Department of Public Health again calls for indoor masking. ■

MAESTRO PETER LIPARI

GREG HART: Moving DuPage Forward

Faust Has Arrived At Lizzadro Museum

Complete With Intricate Stone Carvings and Collaborative Music Performances

Recently, Lizzadro Museum Director Dorothy Asher arranged for the first United States exhibit of fourteen beautifully carved agate cameos from Germany’s Roth-Cameo Studio, portraying Faust’s adventures. Agate is a variety of quartz and is naturally banded in color. Agate along with shell is most commonly used in cameo carving.

The story of Faust, of course, is man’s dissatisfaction with the finite limits on man’s potential. Faust’s, dissatisfaction becomes a driving force in all his adventures to get beyond the boundaries of human experience and perception. Ultimately, the story of Faust concludes on a positive note, which makes it so universal in its appeal.

BY LARRY ATSEFF

She wanted to bring the exhibit to Lizzadro because “It’s very unique,” she said. “There are 14 very large cameo pieces that are all themed. That’s highly unusual. The pieces are based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s version of the

and connect to this mystic story in completely different ways.”

Every first Sunday through April popup concerts featuring Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra musicians will perform at the Museum. Upcoming concerts: February 6 - Woodwind Quintet, March 6 - String Quartet, April 3 - Solo Harp. Performances are at 2:00 p.m., 45-minutes, all ages are welcome. This collaboration is funded in part by grants from the DuPage Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

THE CREATION OF HOMUNCULUS, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORY: WAGNER HAS BEEN JOINED IN HIS LABORATORY BY MEPHISTO. WAGNER SHOWS HIS NEWEST CREATION, A HUMAN FORM. IT IS NOT A REAL HUMAN, AND THE HORNS OF THE DEVIL CAN BE SEEN ON ITS HEAD. THE HOMUNCULUS IMPLORES THE DEVIL TO ACCOMPANY FAUST AND HE TO GREECE FOR THE CLASSICAL WALPURGIS NIGHT.

German legend about a man who sells his soul to the devil for unlimited knowledge. The scenes are realistically portrayed. The last cameo “Faust Without an End” is the largest two-sided cameo in the world, nearly two-feet high.

In its own right, the exhibit is spectacular and meaningful. But Asher wanted to do more. She said “I wanted to collaborate with other arts, like music and acting. I wanted to make it a celebration of different forms of art.” Appropriately, the show is titled “The Artful Soul of Faust”.

FAUST AWAKENING, THIS CAMEO DEPICTS FAUST IN A DREAM STATE AS THE GOOD ASPECTS OF HIS SOUL HELP HIM TO BREAK FREE OF THE EVIL ASPECTS OF HIS FORMER LIFE. AIR SPIRITS DANCE AROUND HIM IN AN IDEALIZED LANDSCAPE WHERE THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NIGHT AND DAY. HE WILL SOON TAKE A PURGING BATH IN THE RIVER LETHE, THE RIVER OF FORGETTING.

PROLOGUE IN HEAVEN BEGINS THE STORY: GOD AND THE DEVIL, MEPHISTO, MAKE A BET TO SETTLE A DISPUTE ABOUT MANKIND, USING DR. FAUST AS AN EXAMPLE. AS LONG AS FAUST LIVES, THE DEVIL MAY ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE HIM WITH EARTHLY PLEASURES AND STEAL HIS SOUL, BUT IF MEPHISTO'S JUDGMENT OF FAUST IS WRONG, HE WILL HAVE TO ADMIT THAT "A GOOD MAN WITH ALL HIS PROBLEMS, STILL KNOWS THE PATH THAT IS GOOD." MEPHISTO AND GOD ARE BOTH CONFIDENT OF WINNING, AND THE BARGAIN IS SEALED.

Specifically, she arranged for certain live performances at the Museum featuring actors from First Folio in Theater. Their first performance was January 23, others may be added. Actor Nick Sandys said, “The crossover between artforms is what fascinated me as a human being. That I can be moved by a piece of poetry and equally by a piece of pottery is fascinating to me. They can be equally powerful emotional spots for us to delve into our humanness

The Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art is located at: 1220 Kensington Road, Oak Brook, Illinois. For more information about the Museum go to: www.lizzadromuseum.org. Register for programs at: https://lizzadromuseum. org/calendar/. All programs are limited capacity and face coverings are required. ■

Graue Mill & MuSeuM important History Happened Here

Through

Graue Mill Water Wheel

See the famous water wheel, symbol of the Mill for well over a century! It is part of the system that earned recognitions as an Illinois Historic Engineering Landmark representing an important technology era in the history of America.

looking for a Group activity

For your organization or a unique place to hold a small corporate retreat?

Consider getting away from the office to the bucolic setting of the Graue Mill for a group tour or reserve the Graue House for a corporate meeting or retreat.

Special rates are available for groups over 20 or for weekday meeting or event rentals.

Call the main office for more information (630) 920-9720.

Graue Mill & Museum

Shop at our 1st Floor Gift Shop

Do you need more fresh cornmeal, specialty jams or Graue Mill note cards?

Browse for free at our gift shop for historic toys, handmade dolls, and other unique items.

Gift shop is open during Mill hours.

WHY PATIENTS TRUST HINSDALE DENTISTRY AND DR. PETER HARNOIS FOR THEIR SMILE MAKEOVERS

Hinsdale Dentistry transfor ms hundreds of smiles per year. Just why are so many patients choosing this practice for cosmetic dentistry? Because they know that Dr Har nois is an esthetics expert—not just regionally, but inter nationally. Combine his authority with the top-tier technologies available at his practice, and the decision becomes crystal clear

Hinsdale Dentistry has long been setting a standard for comfortable patient care, with the aid of multiple dental lasers and the iTero digital scanner for digital impressions. These tools provide more comfortable, precise and efficient treatment and give patients of all ages a new understanding of dental care. Whether Hinsdale Dentistry’s patients are children receiving fillings prepared with a water laser and no painful shots, adults prepping teeth for crowns or veneers, or anxious patients hoping to whiten their teeth without sensitivity or to avoid traditional impressions, the practice’s minimally invasive technologies revolutionize their experience.

Dr. Har nois’ mastery of these tools has led to him becoming a sought-out trainer for emerging dental technologies and techniques. He travels throughout North America teaching other doctors to provide similarly exceptional treatment, sharing his skills as a clinician and esthetics authority

DR. HARNOIS’ INTERNATIONAL LECTURING

As a clinical trainer and lecturer for The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Academy of Facial Esthetics, and DenMat, the manufacturer of Lumineers, Dr. Har nois provides handson training and education to dental and medical professionals across the country He shares his philosophy that every patient deserves the most gentle and minimally invasive cosmetic and metal-free dental treatments with natural results, and enables other dentists to elevate their patient care.

THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF COSMETIC DENTISTRY (AACD)

Dr. Har nois is a 10-year member of the AACD, which is considered the highest body of knowledge of esthetic dentistry. He is also one of the main presenters at their annual educational symposium each year

THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FACIAL ESTHETICS (AAFE)

Dr. Har nois is the President of the Illinois American Academy of Facial Esthetics and trains dentists in Botox and der mal filler techniques. He is a nationally recognized leader in minimally invasive total facial esthetic techniques. Dr. Har nois has instructed thousands of healthcare

professionals through both lecture and hands-on courses and is an outstanding instructor who is known for his coherent and interactive style.

DENMAT, LUMINEERS MANUFACTURER

Dr. Har nois partners with DenMat to train other dentists in minimally invasive esthetics. He provides hands-on preparation and placement of minimally invasive, ultra-thin, highly esthetic veneers, and educates other dentists on smile design and case consultation and evaluation. He has also authored their educational platfor ms for the last four years.

As an educational leader for current dental technologies and minimally invasive procedures, Dr. Har nois is able to truly transcend and provide patients with unparalleled dental care. If you’re interested in lear ning more about a noninvasive smile makeover or full mouth rehabilitation, reach out today to schedule a complimentary consultation.

We are offering specials on Lumineers smile makeovers—reach out today to learn more!

Is leaving a well-planned legacy important to you? We can help.

Many people delay establishing a thoughtful estate investment plan, thinking it doesn’t apply to them. Estate investment planning is about taking control of how your assets are managed and distributed along with deciding who will handle these tasks when you are unable to do so.

Many people delay establishing a thoughtful estate investment plan, thinking it doesn’t apply to them. Estate investment planning is about taking control of how your assets are managed and distributed along with deciding who will handle these tasks when you are unable to do so.

The Barrett Group of Wells Fargo Advisors can guide you through the estate investment planning process through open communication, understanding the basics, sharing values and organizing documents. We’ll assist you in clearly defining what leaving a legacy means to you and your family. The Barrett Group of Wells Fargo Advisors

The Barrett Group of Wells Fargo Advisors can guide you through the estate investment planning process through open communication, understanding the basics, sharing values and organizing documents. We’ll assist you in clearly defining what leaving a legacy means to you and your family.

The Barrett Group of Wells Fargo Advisors

Many people delay establishing a thoughtful estate investment plan, thinking it doesn’t apply to them. Estate investment planning is about taking control of how your assets are managed and distributed along with deciding who will handle these tasks when you are unable to do so. The Barrett Group of Wells Fargo Advisors can guide you through the estate investment planning process through open communication, understanding the basics, sharing values and organizing documents. We’ll assist you in clearly defining what leaving a legacy means to you and your family.

Dick Barrett Managing Director – Investments 111 South Lincoln Street, Suite 200 Hinsdale, IL 60521 (630) 734-8910

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LLC. All rights reserved. CAR-0221-00536

Jessie Barrett, CFP® Managing Director – Investments 111 South Lincoln Street, Suite 200 Hinsdale, IL 60521 (630) 734-8909

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Venkatarajan,

ceiling windows, two-way stone fireplace, four bathrooms, large patio and wireless Internet. The clubhouse is operated separately from the aquatics and tennis facility.

As does Herman, former Oak Brook Village President Karen Bushy, who served in that position from 1991 to 2003, has great memories of the Bath & Tennis Club from many years ago.

“That was one of our best parts of Oak Brook,” she said. “It was used as intended; it was a gathering neighborhood clubhouse, a gathering place for the people of Oak Brook.

Village President Gopal Lalmalani agreed and called the Bath & Tennis Club “a hidden gem.”

“It’s the best property we have, and it belongs to our residents,” he said. “We want them to enjoy it, and we are trying to make it a place where our residents will go and be a part of the action in Oak Brook.”

Bushy said she believes that the Bath & Tennis Club can return to the type of presence in the village that it was several years ago.

“I do believe it can happen,” she said. “People are looking to connect, but they don’t see an avenue for it.

Probably the biggest problem is that an enormous majority of our residents have no idea that we own it.” For more info: www.OakBrookBathAndTennis.com.

Continued from page 13

Kristen Cloyd Photography

TWA Photographic Artists

MAKING DUPAGE COUNTY SAFER

BY SCOTT JONLICH & LARRY ATSEFF I PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCELLO RODARTE

nly twenty miles or so separate Chicago’s city limits from the eastern edge of DuPage County. Considerably more than that distance separates both geographies when it comes to law and order and security, especially from violent crime.

DuPage County is known for its schools and safe communities. Those are two leading reasons why people move here and stay here. Unfortunately, rare violent crime spilled into DuPage last December. Fortunately, we have seen how effectively and quickly law enforcement and prosecution handled the situation. Beyond that, law enforcement and the business community, and even homeowner associations have further responded with new security technology.

This briefs you on how law and order are working these days in DuPage County and, then, how new technology is being installed to further enhance safety and security in Oak Brook.

LAW & ORDER IN DUPAGE COUNTY

We turned first to Robert Berlin, DWe turned first to Robert Berlin, DuPage County State’s Attorney. As his title indicates, he is charged with representing and protecting all the residents of DuPage County in courts of law. In his position, he has a great vantage point to see how law enforcement and the judiciary works in the county. He gets to interact with other State’s Attorneys and federal law officers; he gets to work with all the police and Sheriff departments in the county, and he gets to see direct how cases are handled in the county court system. He sees how public defenders perform. He also gets to see, and in some cases; he also gets to foster, measures being taken to prevent crime, in the first place.

And, as we have learned, Robert Berlin plans to keep it that way.

After some very rare violent crime spilled into DuPage County in December, we saw how quickly the entire DuPage County law enforcement community reacted. We decided to

learn, firsthand, from DuPage County’s top law officer, what it takes to protect a population of nearly a million residents, their homes, schools, institutions, and businesses.

It all starts with a mindset at the top.

Robert Berlin grew up in Wilmette, went to New Trier, and played baseball at the D3 level for four years at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA. After college, he entered went to Law School at Washington University in St. Louis, and after interning at the Cook County State’s Attorney office, he said, “I want to do this”. (Richard Daley was State’s Attorney at the time.) Berlin worked in Cook County for 13 years and moved up to be Deputy Chief of Appeals before leaving to become the First Assistant State’s Attorney in Kane County. Later, DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett (now Illinois 2nd District Appellate Court Justice) asked him to come over to DuPage to be Deputy Chief of the Juvenile Division. Shortly after, in 2010 Berlin was appointed State’s Attorney, and was then elected to the position in 2012. He was re-elected in 2016 and again in 2020.

He has lived in DuPage County for 21 years with his wife, Carolyn and 2 children, Courtney and Amanda. They first lived in Clarendon Hills, but now reside in Downers Grove, along with Bubba, a Labrador Retriever.

In a wide-ranging interview, we came to appreciate not only his office; but all the moving parts that go into maintaining law and order in DuPage, especially in these times.

Here are key questions and his answers, abbreviated and edited for clarity and length.

To begin with, we asked him, "Why is violent crime spilling over into DuPage County like we have not seen before?”

Berlin replied, "Obviously, we all watch the news, we read the newspapers, we see what's happening in Chicago, which has had an impact on crime here. I will say that about fifty percent of our felonies now are committed by people that don't live in

this county. Offenders are coming from other counties, many coming from Cook County into DuPage."

"Violent crimes have a huge impact on the entire community. It's not just the victims themselves who are victimized; the whole community is victimized when something like the mall shooting happened in December. The message is that we don't tolerate it in this county, and there will be a prosecution to the fullest extent of the law, with an appropriate punishment that sends the message that we don't tolerate violent crime and that anyone who commits a crime like that in our county is going to pay a severe price."

"Look, I live in the county and raised my family here. People have to feel safe. You cannot go to bed at night afraid. If people are afraid, it's a horrible existence and, we need to do everything we can to make sure that people have that sense of safety."

"You know, years ago, when we lived in Clarendon Hills, and a little girl was murdered. My daughter was a classmate of hers."

"The following year, at the parent/ teacher conferences, we were told that not only did my daughter's test scores go down, but the whole grade, their test scores went down. So that is the type of impact that you see from a violent crime. You can't put a dollar value on what a crime like that does to an entire community and that's why I remind our prosecutors all the time, it's the people of the state of Illinois versus the defendant. We represent the people of the state of Illinois, not just the victim in the case. The whole community is victimized, and the community has a stake in the outcome of these cases.”

In listening to Mr. Berlin, we observed that it takes a lot of communication and a lot of leadership.

"I speak to the State's Attorneys and their staffs all the time. Jim Glasgow, the Will County State’s Attorney, and I probably talk every day about different issues. Jamie Mosser, now out in Kane County, and Kim Foxx's staff in Cook

County. State’s Attorneys meet twice a year at a conference. When it comes to what we do, there's no politics involved. We're all on the same side here."

what amount of evidence we need to charge a case."

"What I can tell you is this: we have a track record, and we have a reputation of being tough but fair on crime. That hasn't changed. I believe that it has improved over the past few years. I firmly believe that with violent criminals, you send them away, and you do two things: one: you incapacitate them so they can't commit

“

"We didn't contact Foxx on the Oakbrook Center situation; however, there was communication with the Chicago Police Department, as well as the Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. Some of his officers were at Oak Brook, and one of them found one of the offender's vehicles parked in the parking lot."

He said "The system didn't just happen by itself. It's not a coincidence that it's this way; it's from years and years of people before me. Joe Birkett and Jim Ryan were my state's attorneypredecessors. They had the same philosophy, and it's from a lot of the judges who are former prosecutors or former public defenders. We have an experienced judiciary. Yes, it comes from leadership. It comes from people who truly care about public safety. I can tell you, I meet with my police chiefs all the time and we discuss issues. We're all on the same page and it's not just a job for all of us; it isn't. We take it personally and we care."

Violent crimes have a huge impact on the entire community. It's not just the victims themselves who are victimized; the whole community is victimized when something like this happened in December.

what's called MERIT, which stands for Metropolitan Emergency Response Investigative Team. We used to have a major crimes task force, and then we had a separate task force. We combined all those into one entity, and we truly have the best of the best that respond to major incidents. We have all police departments working together under a single command staff. Anytime there's a call out, we are going to get dozens of the best police officers to respond. In a case like what happened at the mall, the response was countywide, from our sheriff's office, from all the various police departments, who came out, to assist and help, and they have, one of the advantages of having a task force like that is they train together and so they are prepared for such an incident."

The message is that we don't tolerate it in this county, and there will be a prosecution to the fullest extent of the law, with an appropriate punishment that sends the message that we don't tolerate violent crime and that anyone who commits a crime like that in our county is going to pay a severe price.”

-ROBERT B. BERLIN DuPage County State's Attorney

"When all of those stakeholders are doing their jobs, the system works extremely well, and that's the way it's supposed to work. We know, when we charge a case, when we go to trial, we want the best defense attorneys to be defending the defendants. We're confident in our evidence, we're confident in our ability, but, when we have the best defense attorneys and when we have qualified judges who oversee these cases, we're pretty confident if there's a conviction, that it's not going to come back for a retrial, that errors are not going to be made."

“It's not just the judges, it's the police officers, it's our public defender's office. We've got great public defenders who hold us to our burden of proof. By doing that, we know what the bar is,

other crimes, and secondly, it is a deterrent to other people not to commit those crimes in the county. It is effective and there's research to back that up. That has always been my approach, and I've been doing this for thirty-four years. I've been a prosecutor my entire professional career, and it works."

"Violence has to be prosecuted, and people who commit these crimes have to be punished. That's the only way, in my opinion, that we maintain an orderly society, a community that people want to live in and feel safe in."

"Unfortunately, it has taken an increase in crime to see more people paying attention to what we're doing. I believe public safety has become one of the number one issues, and people are paying attention, which I think is good."

We were impressed with how quickly and how many police responded to the situation in December. “How did that happen?”

Berlin said, "In 2019 we formed

"In less than seven hours going store-to-store with SWAT teams is remarkable, and no one got injured in the course of the evacuation. There were injuries when the shooting happened and there were injuries when people were running from the scene, but once the police were there, it's a testament, to our law enforcement in this county, that they got that many people out safely. MERIT was the result of Sheriff Mendrick, who was a big proponent of that, as was I. We got all of our police chiefs on board and they have been called out over 500 times since the formation in the summer of 2019.”

"The command structure to MERIT depends on what type of incident. If it's major traffic or major crime, different commanding officers who are in charge set up a command post, a staging area, so when the call goes out officers will know, here's where we're meeting, here's the staging area, before the orders are given as to who's going to do what. It is, I have to say, a model, for other counties to follow, and it has worked extremely well. We've had enormous success."

We were also impressed with how quickly charges were brought. “How did that happen?”

Berlin replied, "When charging felonies, we need to have sufficient evidence to prove the case in court. When the police make an arrest, we usually make a charging decision within 48 hours. Oftentimes, we need the crime lab to analyze evidence quickly. To that end, years ago, I and others insisted that DuPage County keep its own crime lab. (The crime lab was in existence before I became State’s Attorney, but there was talk of disbanding the lab due to budgetary issues.) As a result of having a crime lab here in DuPage County, and not having to send evidence to outside labs, we can collect and process evidence and bring appropriate charges without delay. In this particular case, crime lab technicians worked over the Christmas holiday so charges could be brought as quickly as possible. That enabled us to get a bond set for the two suspects at $1 million each."

“What efforts are in place that should give residents further confidence in how law and order work in DuPage County?"

'Second Chance Probation', where judges and prosecutors (You need the approval of both to get into the program) consider that the person charged just used bad judgment, made a mistake, and deserves a second chance. Another effort is our Public Integrity Unit where we investigate and prosecute police who break the law. People appreciate the fairness of such programs."

Speaking of residents, we asked what role can they play?

"For the police to be effective, they need the support of the community. People have to believe in and trust their police. Otherwise, the police can't solve the crime. We need witnesses to come forward, we need cooperation, people to offer up their Ring doorbell camera videos, things like that. That takes a lot of work and a lot of effort. Obviously, the county has changed as has our society. The demographics have changed, and chiefs of police have a diversity outreach committee, of which I am a part. And we make it a point to go to different parts of the communities and meet with different

groups to assure them that we're here to protect them, that we follow the law, and we want their cooperation and we want them to know that they're going to be treated the same as anybody else and that is an ongoing effort, I think we have made tremendous strides, and we still have a lot more work to do with that, but, by doing that, that's why I believe we have such a great track record. When a crime, like a case in Oak Brook, happens, we have people who are calling the police, people who are emailing the police, people who, if they have stuff on videos, share those with the police. Of course, we also encourage residents to be vigilant about their surroundings and people around them; and to keep their vehicles and homes securely locked."

"Here's another message. The community needs to pay attention when they go to vote, who they're voting for. Take the time to research who the candidates are so that you're voting for the best person. I think that by and large, the DuPage County people do that, and that's one of the reasons we've been so fortunate to have a great team in place."

We asked "What other areas of concern are there for law and order in DuPage County?

Mr. Berlin responded, "Drug and opioid addiction. Drugs and opioids are a serious problem in DuPage County, just like they are, around the country. Drugs are not only a serious health problem, but they invariably lead to more crime as people, young and old, use illegal means to get money to satisfy their drug habits. One 'front endpreventive' program we have is called F.O.C.U.S., which stands for First Offender Call Unified for Success, for first-time drug offenders. This has been a nationally recognized program that provides non-violent first offenders the necessary treatment, counseling, education, and support to help them on their road to recovery. Since it started in 2019, the F.O.C.U.S. courtroom now has more than 1,100 individuals getting treatment for addiction to opioids and other illegal drugs.

"Another area of concern is dealing

with young people who may be going down wrong paths as they are growing up. We have two other 'front-endpreventive' programs. One is called the 'School Safety Task Force', where police and school authorities work to identify young people who may be at risk, so they can be helped. I am also on the executive board of the organization 'Fight Crime Invest in Kids’. I support this because they advocate for funding for after-school programs and highquality pre-schools. There is plenty of evidence that after-school hours are a prime time for juvenile crime, and quality after-school programs have been proven to reduce juvenile crime. I work with village governments and police departments around the county to help implement 'Fight Crime Invest in Kids'".

We asked about the morale and performance of the men and women in law enforcement in DuPage County these days.

Mr. Berlin's comment: "We have outstanding people in our police departments; some of the best in the state. They are well trained. Most of them are well equipped with body cameras which protect the person being investigated and the police, as well, because there is a record of the interaction between police and suspects. Police see how my office and judges enforce the law. They have the trust of the community. As a result, overall, their morale is great. (Some police departments are actually having a hard time recruiting new officers. A number of departments, however, have hired officers who have decided to leave the Chicago Police Department.) For all those reasons, I believe we have the ‘best of the best’".

Mr. Berlin summed everything we talked about this way. "As was said at the outset, there are a lot of moving parts that go into maintaining law and order in DuPage County. It is a constant effort of communication and cooperation, following the law, putting criminals on notice that crime, especially violent crime, will not be tolerated, assuring that our police, prosecution, judiciary

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are all doing their jobs. It also takes residents who are alert and aware and willing to help. We want strong cases that lead to fair convictions, and no cases coming back on appeal. Above all, we want our residents to feel safe and be safe."

UPGRADING OAK BROOK SECURITY WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY

To get an update on additional measures being taken to protect the Oak Brook community, we turned to John Krull, Interim Police Chief of Oak Brook.

First question: We understand that new security systems are being installed in and around specific neighborhoods in Oak Brook. Please elaborate on what is called a License Plate Recognition System that was presented at a recent HOA meeting.

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cameras being installed on major thoroughfares and at major intersections?

In addition, are there extra cruisers more visible on major thoroughfares?

“Due to an ongoing commitment to public safety by our elected officials, strategic locations throughout the Village of Oak Brook will include major thoroughfares which have been identified. In FY 22, (4) four additional LPR locations will be added. In order to assist peer agencies, as well as prevent unnecessary duplication of efforts, the DuPage County Chiefs of Police Association has created an interactive GIS (Geographical Information System) to identify current LPR locations as well as proposed locations for additional LPRs. As more LPR locations

that Brookfield Properties will also financially partner with the Village to enable even further dedicated resource deployments at Oakbrook Center.”

The License Plate Recognition system (LPR) is an added layer of security for our residents in Oak Brook. The LPR system will seamlessly snapshot and perform a query on license plates. LPRs are a robust and effective deterrent, a force multiplier, and an additional investigative tool.”

“The License Plate Recognition system (LPR) is an added layer of security for our residents in Oak Brook. The LPR system will seamlessly snapshot and perform a query on license plates. The query includes the State database as well as other “hot list” databases. The “hot list” is for those license plates that have been entered as stolen, suspicious, wanted, etc., by all municipalities utilizing an LPR system. For example, a stolen vehicle and/or stolen license plate would be entered into the “hot list” database, and should that license plate pass by an LPR location, an alert would be sent to the officers on patrol via the mobile data terminal inside the patrol squad. The officer would then respond to the given area where the vehicle was identified. As the offending vehicle moves throughout a given area with LPR a documented “trail” or direction of travel can be obtained. LPRs are a robust and effective deterrent, a force multiplier, and an additional investigative tool.”

Second question: Are extra

-CHIEF JOHN KRULL Oak Brook Police Chief

are added by our neighboring communities, the ‘virtual gateway’ created by those LPRs will become increasingly robust.”

“The Village of Oak Brook also continues to work in partnership with Brookfield Properties management team at Oakbrook Center. Brookfield Properties, as well as the Oak Brook Police Department, continue to deploy proactive measures to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. Brookfield Properties has already committed to enhanced technology and improvements to existing security infrastructure at Oakbrook Center and the Village has assigned additional police personnel to the mall. The Village is optimistic

“Last point. The use of technology security is only one component in a multifaceted crime prevention program. From locking your vehicle, keeping valuables out of sight, arming your home alarm system, calling 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity to utilize enhanced technology, these components will enhance everyone’s security and safety. In conjunction, a robust judicial system including the efforts of DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin to prosecute unconditionally criminal offenses will further the commitment to public safety.”

CONCLUSION:

We in DuPage County are fortunate to have a powerful one-two punch to fight crime, especially violent crime. Well-established, strong law enforcement, a judicial system that enforces the law, a crime lab exclusively for DuPage County, programs that help first offenders, all now enhanced with new, state-of-the-art security technology, all contribute to law and order, and more respect for the law. ■

CHIEF JOHN KRULL, OAK BROOK POLICE CHIEF

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