North Riversider Summer 2022 by tina valentino

North

Riversider

Communication Is The Key To Our Community’s Forward Progress A NEWSLETTER FOR OUR RESIDENTS & BUSINESSES SUMMER 2022

the SUPERCELL Storm aftermath

GRATEFUL & HOPEFUL

On Monday, June 13, the Mayor’s Youth Scholarship Golf Outing returned to Riverside Golf Club, bringing golfers and students, sponsors and benefactors together once again, continuing the tradition that began in 1995. “We’re back,” proclaimed Mayor Joseph Mengoni, “and we are grateful and hopeful—grateful to the partners who generously donate and believe in our program of helping our North Riverside students achieve their dreams and hopeful for the students as they pursue their academic goals. I am thrilled that so many of the scholarship recipients could be with us for the group picture that has always been proudly displayed on the cover of our summer newsletter.” Pictured with Mayor Mengoni are Youth Scholarship Committee members Ken Krochmal and Nelson Mercado as well as Parks & Recreation Director Teresa Mrozik and Toni Giovenco, Parks & Recreation Program Coordinator. Not pictured: Committee member Elizabeth Wittbrodt. Congratulations to the 2022 recipients: Isabel Anaya, Fabiana Aranibar Guisbert, Paige Beggs, Olivia Blood, Kierra Bluefort, Miranda Bucio, Michael Burns, Elizabeth Centorrelli, Elizabeth Chavarin, Olivia Chavarin, Aliana Chiquito, Alyssa Chiquito, Hannah Decosola, Santa Diaz, Garrett Foy, Madalynn Georgopoulos, Georgiana Gomorczak, Amaya Gonzalez, Kellie Halvey, Erin Justus, Emma Kovack, Marie Labellarte, Michael Labellarte, Mauro Lemon, Marketa Mackova, Elizabeth Marquez, Tyler Miller, Alessia Mollo, Luigi Mollo, Kailyn Ngo, Amber O’Brien, Kiara Osorio, Daniela Quiroga, Michael Ranieri, Nadia Ranieri, Marisa Sandoval, Caden Sierra, Carolina Tapia and Eric Watson. The Program also assists eligible resident parents who are experiencing economic hardships with the cost of Recreation camps, preschool and other fees. This year, 39 scholarships totalling $19,300 were presented. Over $600,000 and 1,179 scholarships have been awarded since the program’s inception.

More than a month after what the National Weather Service referred to as a Supercell Storm with straight line winds up to 95 mph ripped through North Riverside on June 13, Public Works is still cleaning up. “We’re just extremely grateful it wasn’t worse,” said Mayor Mengoni.

next Coffee

with the MAYOR

Meet me, the Village Board of Trustees and Village Administrator in an informal setting on Saturday, October 15, 10 am at the Village Commons. We want to hear from you!

new SUMMER

Village Hall hours

Due to “low traffic,” Village offices are closing early until after Labor Day. New hours are M-F, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Saturday hours resume September 10. Feel free to use the drop box outside the front circular drive—it’s fast and easy.

from the mayor

STICKERS

ARE IN THE WORKS

Due to supply chain issues, production of our new vehicle stickers is slower than we expected. No need to stop in, relax and watch for your renewal notice in the mail! In May, the Village Board approved an increase in sticker fees (the first since 2013) and instituted a new overnight parking program for visitors. Residential stickers are now $40 for the first 2 vehicles registered to any one individual or NR address and will increase in cost by $20 for each additional vehicle registered after 2. Seniors, veterans and disabled residents are still be eligible for a discounted sticker fee of $10 (maximum of 2) with any additional vehicles registered at full price. A commercial truck vehicle sticker will be $80 per vehicle. Motorcycle stickers will remain the same at $15.

Non-residents parked on any village street overnight will be required to display a daily visitor parking pass in the vehicle’s driver’s side window, valid for 1 day between the hours of 2 am and 6 am. Passes will be available for purchase in September at the Village Commons at a cost of $25 for 10 passes.

Counting our blessings, even when the unexpected happens

n If You See Something. There’s not much I can say that hasn’t already been said or felt about the tragic events in Highland Park on the 4th of July. As towns across the country, like North Riverside, were excited to put pandemic restrictions behind us and get back together with family and friends, horror happened when we least expected it. That’s why I asked Police Chief Christian Ehrenberg to share information in this newsletter about a Homeland Security campaign called “If You See Something, Say Something.” People need to overcome the stigma of “bothering the police” or “being a nosy neighbor.” Public safety is everyone’s responsibility and we want you to be vigilant. By being alert and reporting suspicious activity, you can protect your family, neighbors, and community. n The Supercell Storm in June was totally unexpected. Together, we’ve weathered many storms and flooding issues but this was nearly catastrophic. I am truly amazed at how our community comes together at times like these to support one another. We are truly blessed with the dedicated employees who worked tirelessly to clear our streets, safely secure downed power lines, set up cooling centers for our residents and make our community safe during the aftermath of this storm. To our generous friends at the state, county and municipal level, I want to personally thank Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar and the Villages of Algonquin, Huntley, Western Springs and Forest Park for providing the additional manpower and equipment to aid us in our cleanup efforts. I also want to acknowledge both ComEd and Cook County Homeland Security for supplying us with a mobile cooling center and emergency generator so our residents were safe and cool during the heat advisory that followed the storm. n Supercell and Waived Permit Fees. The Village is waiving permit fees for all repairs that are needed due to the recent storms. Many roofs, fences, decks, etc. were damaged by the June supercell and we want to help. The waiver period will run through the end of September and residents may be required to provide proof of damage by submitting copies of their insurance claims. Running the Village requires making tough decisions, but this was an easy one—helping our residents in a time of need means putting people first. n We’re Closing the E-Recycling Drop-Off Center Behind Public Works. We will be making it more convenient for residents to dispose of electronics (E-waste) like TVs, computers and old printers/fax machines—items that cannot be put out with your regular garbage and sent to the landfills. The Village’s drop-off center in the back of Public Works will close permanently at the end of September and replace it with a twice a year curbside collection program. Beginning in the Spring of 2023, the Village will offer the curbside collection of all E-waste items, making it more affordable and convenient for our residents. Two special pick-ups (spring and fall) will be provided each year to our community. PLEASE DO NOT DROP OFF OR LEAVE ANY ELECTRONIC ITEMS OUTSIDE OF PUBLIC WORKS AFTER SEPTEMBER 30. The building will be monitored and violators will be subject to tickets and fines. n Blessed With Support and Growth. It doesn’t happen by accident. The Board of Trustees and I, together with Administrator Scarpiniti and all departments, invest a tremendous amount of time to establish and maintain great partnerships and create a community that is ideal for new businesses and developers. In this issue, highlights from the Mayor’s Golf Outing, made possible through corporate sponsors; the grand opening of Amazon Fresh, Forman Mills and Gloria Jean’s; and even the grants awarded to our Fire and Police Departments are all made possible when we have one goal—to make North Riverside the very best it can be. Mayor Joseph Mengoni

coming this fall

New Name. Same Reliable Service.

LRS, formerly the Roy Strom Company, is the Village’s current contractor for curbside collection of garbage, recycling and yard waste.

LRS will begin a rebranding campaign throughout the Village later this year. LRS employees will place new stickers on all of the Village’s brown containers to reflect the LRS name and contact information.

Recycling guides will also be affixed to the lids of your recycling containers to make sorting easy. Residents do not need to be home and there’s no need to worry if you notice the new stickers on the old containers. Don’t worry! Nothing gets mixed! LRS has combined trucks that allow for the dual collection of refuse and recycling from the same vehicle. These trucks have separate compartments in the back so there is absolutely NO commingling during the collection process. All LRS trucks are also equipped with cameras which record activity during pickups, a key tool that helps resolve disputes involving any damage that might be caused by LRS vehicles. Garbage cans should be returned from the curb as soon as possible but no later than Friday evening. Residents who experience a missed pick-up should call LRS directly at 844-Need-LRS (844-633-3577) or send an email to Service@LRSrecycles.com.

ReC NOBODY DOES IT BETTER!

Parks & Recreation How to connect with us and register: Phone: 708/442-5515 • Fax: 708/442-7310 Web: www.northriverside-il.org Email: recreation@northriverside-il.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/NRRecreation Instagram: @nrrecreation

! Worldly Wine Tasting NEFAW LL

Grab your virtual passport and take a vacation to explore some favorite wines of Europe with sommelier Jane of See Jane Drink wine. Learn insider tips of the trade to identify the best quality from each region because no one loves a deal more than Jane! Ages 21 and older (proof required). Must pre-register. Wednesday, August 17, 7 to 8 pm.

FALL FLEA MARKET

Sell your “precious treasures” on Sunday, September 11 (rain or shine) in the front parking lot of the Police Station and Village Commons. A Goodwill truck will be in the lot after the event if you wish to donate your unsold items. Vendors must provide their own tables, chairs and/or tents. Buy one or more spaces. Fee is $20. Set up begins at 6:30 pm.

WISCONSIN STATE FAIR

We’re headed to West Allis, Wisconsin on Wednesday, August 10! Check out the SpinCity Amusement Ride and Game Area, 30 FREE stages, educational exhibits, shopping and hundreds of food and beverage options. Price includes general admission and transportation. Lunch is on your own. Fee is $82/$85. Pre-register before all seats are taken!

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Sign up for Preschool & Kindergarten! Miss Giselle and Miss Kim are back! Supplemental programs available. Stop in or call 442-5515.

BASKETBALL LEAGUE Registratio

n begins Augu and you must pre-re st 1st Ages Pre-K throughgister. school are invited to high play!

Travel with us! Stop in at the Parks & Rec office for more information on our October trip to Athens/the Greek Islands; the Branson Holiday Show in December; Puerto Vallarta All-Inclusive Getaway in February 2023 and the Iceland Explorer Trip planned for June 2023!

Autumn Fest chili cook off and

friday, september 16

A FESTIVAL FOR EVERYONE

Join us at the North Riverside Village Commons for this annual family event on September 16, 6:30 to 9 pm. Enjoy live music by Dick Diamond and the Dusters, vote for your favorite chili and have a blast with your neighbors as you enjoy carnival games, face painting, a petting zoo, balloon artist and free chili samples (while supplies last). No outside food, beverage or coolers permitted because we’ve lined up some of the best food and beverage trucks in the Chicago area for our end-of-summer spectacular!

REC Meet Toni Giovenco

ve seen our For those who may not ha the in welcome to Toni Giovenco to meet our u yo e lik Summer Guide, we’d r! Toni brings new Program Coordinato North Riverside 11 years of experience to passionate Parks & Recreation and a mpeted with co spirit to her new job—she teams and was nationally-ranked soccer the Olympic selected to participate in llegiate a young age and played co rsity at m ra og pr nt me lop ve De ive bachelor’s degree at the Un gree. soccer while earning her de r’s ntly pursuing her maste rre cu is e Sh . cis an Fr . St of e NRPRD team,” said Toni. th of rt pa be to ed cit ex “I am so creation professional with Re d an rk Pa d fie rti Ce a s “A tion, I am ready to provide tra nis mi ad ic let ath in e experienc to our community!” sports programs and more

EMBRACING THE PAST But ready for the future:

OUR YOUTH COORDINATOR BETH KELL Over the past 15 years, Beth Kell has worked exclusively with an early childhood focus as both a certified teacher and recreation instructor. “Beth is eager to help develop new youth programming for ages birth to 17 years of age,” said North Riverside Parks and Recreation Director Teresa Mrozik. “Motivating children and families to experience innovative recreational activities while learning and growing is my passion,” said Beth. “I am excited to enhance the excellent preschool and day camp programs already in place and strive to create new programs that drive family connection and help our youth develop new skills, hobbies and healthy habits.”

Thank you,

Miss Liz and welcome Toni & Beth IT WASN’T EASY...

Preparing for Liz Durec’s retirement after 28 years

Our very own living legend. For almost three decades, Liz Durec “Miss Liz” dedicated herself to brightening the little minds of resident children as well as kids from surrounding communities enrolled in our Parks & Recreation Preschool programs. Miss Liz has become somewhat of a local celebrity as she made a powerful impact on generations of individuals, many who are still excited to see her around town and thank her for her compassion and commitment. She took pride in every single class she led and raised up each child by showcasing their individual strengths. On May 31st, Miss Liz “graduated” to the next chapter of her life—enjoying retirement with her husband, Ed, her daughters and grandchildren. “She has vowed to keep learning and growing just as she encouraged all of us to do the same,” said Parks & Rec Director Teresa Mrozik. “We will miss her immensely but we know she’s never too far as she has a special place in all of our hearts.”

Thank you, Liz Durec, for sharing your gifts with us!

PUBLIC WORKS

THEY STEPPED UP FOR US IN OUR TIME OF NEED “We owe a huge debt to Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar and our municipal colleagues for helping us out after the June 13 supercell ravaged North Riverside. The Village of Algonquin sent crews to work with us; the Village of Huntley lent their chipper; Forest Park sent a truck and a chipper; and Western Springs supplied us with needed equipment. Cook County provided a crew of 9 workers, a chipper and trucks to work alongside our staff,” explained the Mayor, upon assessing the effort.

THANK YOU!

The Summer 2022 Supercell Storm A HUGE CLEAN-UP BUT “WE ARE SO VERY FORTUNATE”

Few residents will be able to forget the night of June 13 when, at around 7 pm, a supercell thunderstorm moved over 100 miles from northeast Illinois to northwest Indiana with wind speeds up to 95 miles per hour. While there was widespread outages and damages to trees and structures, only two injuries were reported by the media, according to the National Weather Service. “We are still cleaning up in North Riverside over a month later,” said Public Works Director Vince Ranieri. “The sustained winds just ripped through town—10th Avenue west getting hit the hardest.” According to Ranieri, over 30 semi truckloads of wood chips have been hauled away since the clean-up began. Nearly 400 Village trees will require trimming from the damage and 57 parkway trees will need to be completely removed. “While this storm did not qualify for federal emergency funding, this was a natural disaster for North Riverside,” stressed Mayor Joseph Mengoni, who began reaching out immediately for additional assistance. “The Village Commons was without power so we were unable to answer the phones but we were still getting things done. Village staff turned the Police Department into our emergency command center so we could work directly with ComEd to coordinate and

prioritize critical service interruptions and secure additional resources for our community. ComEd provided the Village with a mobile Cooling Bus and Cook County Homeland Security gave us an emergency generator to turn our community room into a cooling center to battle the oppressive heat advisory that followed. The “mutual aid” we received from the County and other villages was a godsend.” The 10-minute storm walloped the town, blocked off streets, took down three streetlights, power lines, poles and wires and left many residents and businesses without power for up to three days. The Village enlisted Winkler’s Tree Service to join the effort as temperatures shot up to over 100 degrees after the storm. “Our PW, Police and Fire Departments proved once again that they are the best in the area,” said the Mayor. “They not only handled the massive cleanup from the storm but also had to deal with regular operations during this intensely hot and stressful time for everyone.” Only one resident sustained serious injuries. “We are so very fortunate that everyone survived this very dangerous storm and heat advisory,” said the Mayor. “We did everything in our power to get residents’ lives back to normal as quickly as possible.”

New developments, and project updates from Public Works:

am r g o r P g n li c y c e R s ic n o Curbside Electr red twice a year will now be oisffilleegal to throw certain E-waste

TVs, Did you know it e and landfills? Old e, ag rb ga e th to in s device & mic onitors, keyboards ust be m , rs te pu m co s, D m DV s and scanners, etc. printers, fax machine ial way since they contain ec disposed of in a sp that can harm our ls hazardous materia off ge’s E-Waste Drop lla Vi e Th t. en nm ro envi Works will close ic bl Pu nd hi be d te de Center loca will launch a curbsi eir old ge lla Vi e th , 23 20 In ld onto th September 30. ents are asked to ho -up of these id es R . m ra og pr n ial pick collectio will be doing a spec S ion LR d an s ic on tr elec ring and fall. Collect sp y er ev ce on , ar items two times a ye d in early 2023. ce dates will be announ d cannot wait for the special curbside an n If you are in a hurry bit.ly/recycleil to find a local collectio sit collection, please vi center near us.

NICOR The Project is nearly finished... Update on

A FEW REMINDERS A seed/straw mixture is being used on lawns during restoration—water it twice daily, if possible. Once grass starts growing (4-6 inches), residents should remove any remaining straw to avoid damage to their lawn mowers. The straw is NOT meant to be permanent and will not decompose. It can also cause damage to lawn equipment as it is not meant to be mowed.

NICOR will need to get in

Nicor will need to get in your home once work has been completed to make sure the gas service is restored correctly. Watch for a letter from Nicor and do not be reluctant to ask for proper ID from employees.

708/762-5885 MAINTAINING/repairing

your streets, parks, water & sewer systems

n Branch Collection. Every Tuesday through November 15. Place cuttings at the curbside on Monday. PW goes down every street picking up the clippings but will not pick up large debris left from contractors. n Street Sweeping. Monday through Friday until the first snowfall. Every curb is swept once a week with alleys cleaned once a month. n North Riverside Handyman Service. Handyman Will is ready to help! If you are a senior or disabled resident, schedule an appointment by calling 762-5885 for small general repairs (not remodeling) within your home. The labor is free and parts/supplies are free up to $25. Staying off the ladder and staying safe is priceless!

CODE ENFORCEMENT:

really means being a good neighbor

n Please clean up your property, cut your grass and be a good neighbor! n Overgrown brush/weeds and tall grass are subject to code enforcement and attract unwanted animals. n PLEASE stop feeding the wildlife! We just can say it often enough. Be considerate of the entire neighborhood as feeding the wildlife affects everyone.

POLICE

“With new radar equipment data and enforcement programs, our goal is make North Riverside streets as safe as possible.” —Chief Christian Ehrenberg

Addressing the Crash Issue Head On PORTABLE RADAR COLLECTS SPEED-RELATED DATA

IF YOU HAVE A PHONE, USE IT, PLEASE!

“If You See Something, Say Something” is not just a catchy slogan— it’s a national campaign launched by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities. You may not realize it but you play a key role by recognizing and reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement. Always remember to be alert of your surroundings. Keep a watchful eye out in your neighborhood. If you think someone or something looks suspicious or makes you uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to call 9-1-1. You are NOT bothering the police. Informed, alert communities play a critical role in keeping the town and the nation safe every day. If it doesn’t seem right, step up, make the call, say something!

As our lives return to normal after COVID restrictions, traffic volume has increased—and so have traffic crashes. In an effort to reduce traffic crashes in the Village, the North Riverside Police Department (NRPD) regularly reviews crash report data to determine where and when these accidents are occurring. The NRPD has also deployed data collecting devices that collect traffic volume/vehicle speed throughout the community. Data collected is used to deploy officers to areas in need of traffic enforcement. A new portable radar trailer, paid for by a grant through the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, will be a tremendous asset to the department. The trailer is a portable, self-contained speed display unit that clocks speeds, allowing motorists to see their speed on a highly-visible LED display. The trailer will also record the total number

CONGRATULATIONS

of vehicles and their average speeds while it monitors traffic at various locations. As awareness increases, motorists will slow down. With fewer speed-related crashes, NRPD officers are free to concentrate their efforts in other areas. NRPD also deploys a small portable radar. Easy to set up, the device is a non-invasive data collector that uses radar to gather vehicle data that includes speed, gap and volume in addition to categorizing the different types of vehicles that have passed the unit. Despite its small size, this unit will hold data on up to 500,000 vehicles with 98% accuracy. NRPD recently participated in a traffic safety campaign funded by IDOT, writing numerous citations, including 21 seatbelt violations, 17 speeding, 12 distracted driving, 1 DUI, 4 traffic arrests and 13 other violations.

NRPD Chief Christian Ehrenberg (left) was proud to attend the recent graduation of Commander Christopher Boenzi (center) from the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University. Deputy Chief David Kopka (right) graduated in January. This intensive 10-week leadership management education program combines academic principles with practical applications, preparing experienced law enforcement professionals for the challenges of senior command positions.

Lifesavers:

New ambulance & stretcher

The wait is finally over: our new ambulance is here and in service! “A few shout outs are necessary as we celebrate putting this state-of-the art vehicle into service,” said Fire Chief McDermott. 1) We are extremely grateful to the Village mechanic who, thanks to his expertise, singlehandedly extended the service life of both of our old ambulances—one that was 20 years old and the other 13 years old. 2) There were times when both ambulances were out of service and NRFD personnel had to rely on Berwyn and Forest Park to lend the department an ambulance for emergencies. “We are truly grateful to our neighboring fire departments for stepping up to make sure we were ready, if needed. 3) Thank you to Mayor Mengoni, the Village Board and Administrator Scarpiniti for prioritizing these essential life-saving purchases. The new 2021 Ford F450 Type III ambulance passed inspection at the end of June, just a week after the Village Board of Trustees voted unanimously to purchase a second ambulance with an anticipated delivery date two years out. The new ambulance (pictured) required some minor modifications to accommodate a power stretcher/loading system that was purchased with an AFG grant. “Because of this grant, we were able to install a state-of-the-art loading system into our ambulance, saving the village a significant amount of money,” explained the Chief. This rescue equipment will be instrumental in reducing workplace injuries and fatigue to emergency personnel who must otherwise physically lift the entire weight of the patient and stretcher before loading into the truck. While the replacement of the second ambulance will take some time because of manufacturing delays, the Village was able to lock in the price at today’s rates and save the community a significant amount of money.

It’s our way of keeping everyone in the know. Just sign up. Free. Easy.

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EVERBRIDGE ALERTS NOW

To the Rescue Mayor and Trustees address the urgent need to replace two old ambulances

The Village of North Riverside WANTS you to know what’s happening—it’s part of an ongoing plan to use every tool available to us to keep all residents informed. Everbridge, the Village’s Community Alert Notification System is a high-speed telephone emergency notification system that delivers messages to targeted areas of the Village. This system proved to be extremely useful in communicating with residents and businesses during the pandemic—but it is only as good as the telephone database supporting it. All individuals and businesses are urged to sign up for this service on the Village website at www.northriverside-il.org. It’s fast and free. You can also get accurate updates on our social media pages. Follow all Village departments on Facebook for the latest events and news.

Village of North Riverside

welcome, amazon fresh! we mean business

Our Growth and Development Is Our Quality of Life

40,000 SQUARE FEET OF FRESH OPTIONS Walk Out, Ask Alexa, Order Ahead

Amazon Fresh, now open at 7401 24th Street in the North Riverside Plaza shopping center, is just the 8th location to open in Illinois. Mayor Joseph Mengoni encourages area residents to not only take advantage of state-of-the-art shopping but to consider working for the retail giant which is offering hundreds of high-quality jobs to the community. “We dedicate every day to making North Riverside an ideal location and partner for both small businesses and

megacorporations,” said Mayor Mengoni. “Every decision we make is for the betterment of our Village.” In store or online, customers will find consistently low prices every day and FREE, same-day delivery for Prime members. New concepts like Just Walk Out shopping and Amazon Dash Cart enable customers to skip the checkout line; Ask Alexa kiosks let shoppers ask questions about products and promotions. Open seven days a week, Amazon Fresh store hours are 7 am to 10 pm. At the June grand opening (left to right): Village Trustees Jason Bianco, Debbie Czajka, H. Bob Demopoulos, Marybelle Mandel, Terri Sarro with Mayor Joseph Mengoni, 8th District State Representative La Shawn K. Ford and 23rd District State Representative Michael Zalewski.

Gloria Jean’s and Forman Mills open at North Riverside Park Mall

Cheers! Pictured above, left to right, Trustee Terri Sarro, Mayor Mengoni, Gloria Jean Kvetko, founder of Gloria Jean’s Gourmet Coffee, Glenn Lindholm, GM of North Riverside Park Mall and Sid Siddiqui, owner of the local franchise. Enjoy great coffee, chilled drinks and food Monday through Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm and Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm. Call 443-6021 for more info.

Shoppers will find 94,000 square feet of toys, home decor, electronics, shoes, denim, branded athletic apparel for men, women and kids at the new Forman Mills located on the second floor of the former Sears store at North Riverside Park Mall. Mayor Mengoni, Village Trustees, department heads, Forman Mills and Mall executives and store staff came together to celebrate on May 27.

Neighborhood Services by Coordinator Carol Spale Information and Building Blocks of Kindness

Hardship sometimes brings out the best in people

I would like to share with you these stories and some general information to remind you that you live in a very caring town with amazing neighbors and that little acts of kindness are free and make a big difference. For example: n Dave, who is a block captain on 9th Avenue and 25th Street, made use of the chain saw he had not used in 20 years to help his neighbors during the summer storm. Dave and his son, Zack, turned on their truck lights when it got dark so that they could still help into the night. n Maria said that it was truly a whole block effort in cleaning up after the storm. The neighbors on 7th Avenue and 24th Street came together to help one another as we always do. “We are more than neighbors on our block. We are one big family,” she said. n On 8th Avenue and all around town, people reached out to help—with food, generators, check-ins, anything that might provide some relief. n Pat got out of the hospital and could not lift heavy things. David, her new neighbor, brought his ladder to help her

get a large branch off her roof. Other teens helped clear a path on her street. Mike also helped by reattaching the downspout on her gutter. Strangers became friends and she is forever grateful. Former Mayor Richard Scheck, who had a vision of unity and who believed that the Golden Rule could change lives, began the Neighborhood Services Committee with me 29 years ago. He recently passed away but we must never forget how he always saw the good in people. We also remember Kay Vabro, wife of Dick Vabro for 69 years. Kay and Dick were one of the great and last area reps to receive the Angel Award from Mayor Scheck.

Free equipment can help you when you need it most

Medical equipment is available to anyone who needs it free of charge for three months. Walkers, toilet risers, commodes, bath chairs, crutches are just some of the items that can be obtained by contacting Neighborhood Services Coordinator Carol at 447-4932 or your local township: • Riverside Township (442-4400) • Proviso Township (449-4300)

GIVE IT A TRY... REMINDER

WE NEED BLOCK CAPTAINS

Neighborhood services block captains are NOT precinct captains and they are NOT Neighborhood Watch. Rather, they are kind-hearted volunteers within the Village who try to help out if they can. Even if you don’t live on the blocks that needs captains, Neighborhood Services needs your support. If you’re interested, let’s talk. Call Carol Spale at 447-4932 to learn more. Currently, there are still openings on: 23rd and 24th and Lathrop DesPlaines Ave., 2200 to 2900 23rd and Keystone 24th and 2nd 24th and 8th 9000 of 23rd Place

There’s Still Plenty of Summer Left! Mayor Mengoni and the Village Board took your advice—having a block party is easy now and there’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy different foods, music, conversation and get to know everyone in your neighborhood! Get the kids involved, bake your favorite cake or make a traditional recipe—just make sure to invite everyone to come out for a good time. Download the new Block Party Request form from the Village website at https://www.northriverside-il.org/block-parties, fill it out and email it back for approval. There are is just a short list of simple guidelines and requirements that include: Hold your block party between Noon and 11 pm. All residents living on the street where the party will take place must be invited and in agreement with the block party idea. One person must be in charge and sign the request form. The Village will provide barricades for the street and PW will automatically drop them off. No stages or tents can be erected on public streets. Live entertainment or DJs must be specified and conclude by 11 pm. No open pit fires are permitted in the streets. No animals, pony rides or petting zoos are permitted. It’s fun and easy and now is the perfect time!

MAYOR

Joseph Mengoni VILLAGE CLERK Kathy Ranieri

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jason Bianco Debbie Czajka Fernando Flores H. Bob Demopoulos Marybelle Mandel Terri Sarro ADMINISTRATOR Sue Scarpiniti

HELP IS HERE. ILLINOIS

The Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Mental Health (IDHS-DMH) has launched 988, a national three-digit dialing code for the Lifeline and for calls. As of July 16, individuals experiencing a crisis or any other kind of emotional distress— whether that is related to suicide, mental health and/or substance abuse crisis can dial 988 for support. The Lifeline provides information and support to concerned family, friends, and caregivers. 988 is a direct access point to compassionate care by trained professionals. IDHS-DMH’s vision for 988 includes partnering with the six existing Lifeline call centers in Illinois, as well as building upon the existing crisis care continuum into a robust system that links callers to community-based providers who can deliver a full range of crisis care services. 988 is just the beginning, and not the final solution. How does it work? Currently, all callers have access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) network by dialing 800-273-8255. At the beginning of the call, callers have the option to select the Veterans Crisis Line or the Spanish language Crisis Line. If the caller with an Illinois area code does not select either of those options, they will be routed to an Illinois Lifeline Call Center. If after 3 minutes, the call is not answered by a live person, the caller is routed to the NSPL backup affiliate network, which includes call centers that operate in other states. What To Expect from 988? Calls placed to 988 will follow the same methods described above. In the coming months, text and chat services will be available for users. Callers who are connected with the Illinois Lifeline will receive specialized, individualized support by trained call takers trained in suicide prevention, de-escalation and stabilization, and resources. The Difference Between 988, 911, 211/311. 988 is a suicide prevention and mental health crisis lifeline. It is manned by specialized intervention call takers with advanced training in de-escalation and clinical suicide prevention. It is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365. 911 is an emergency line for public safety emergencies, medical emergencies, and law enforcement. If the public safety or medical emergency is pertaining to someone who has a mental health condition, or appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis, a crisis intervention team (CIT) trained officer with basic training in mental health crises may be available through 911 dispatch. It is free, and available 24/7/365. 211/311 is a resource support line that links callers to resources related to quality of life such as housing, food and other important services. 311 is specific to Chicago and Cook County while 211 is available in approximately half of the other Illinois counties.

988 LIFELINE LAUNCHED ON JULY 16

~ we are a small community with a big heart ~