AUGUST 2015
FROM WHERE WE’VE BEEN TO WHERE WE’RE GOING
O’Hare CALL TO ACTION! NEW SOUTHERN RUNWAY OPENING On October 15, 2015 the new southern Runway 10 Right / 28 Left will be opened by the FAA and City of Chicago. This will be the southernmost runway at O’Hare and will roughly align with Main Street in Downtown Bensenville. We are very concerned to discover that the runway will be used for landings and takeoffs over Bensenville while no operations over Chicago are contemplated. Thankfully this runway will be closed at night from 10PM to 6AM. Your comments and concerns about the operations of new Runway 10 Right / 28 Left can be made directly to the FAA at a series of upcoming public meetings. Please let your voice be heard. For detailed operational information from the FAA visit our online CALL TO ACTION at www.bensenville.il.us.
FAA PUBLIC MEETINGS The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released their Draft Re-Evaluation study of the current runway configuration and new runway opening at O’Hare. The FAA recently announced that four public meetings will be held in August providing residents an opportunity to speak out about the impacts of the current runway conditions. We are pleased that one of the four meetings will be held in Bensenville on Wednesday, August 12 from 1-9 pm at Monty’s Elegant Banquets, 703 South York Road. We encourage all members of the public to attend and make a statement on the record on the impact that current airport operations have on you and your family. Residents may also email their concerns to oharenoise@bensenville.il.us. If you need help with transportation to Monty’s, please call our Action Line at 630 594 1515.
O’HARE COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS
VILLAGE PRESIDENT Frank Soto BOARD OF TRUSTEES Rosa Carmona Frank DeSimone Susan Janowiak Agnieszka “Annie” Jaworska Martin O’Connell Henry Wesseler CLERK Ilsa Rivera-Trujillo VILLAGE MANAGER Michael Cassady
Village President Frank Soto was invited by the City of Chicago to participate in three Community Conversations with new Commissioner of Aviation Ginger Evans, members of the Fair Allocation in Runways resident group (FAiR), the FAA, and state and federal lawmakers. These landmark meetings have given Bensenville an unprecedented seat at the table in addressing noise and environmental issues with O’Hare. After President Soto’s plea for immediate relief in Bensenville, Commissioner Evans actually toured Bensenville to experience the noise for herself. After the visit, we were encouraged to hear Commissioner Evans state that she is working on flight patterns to redirect nighttime flights away from residential areas to industrial areas around the airport. We will keep you updated as we anxiously await to see the City’s recommendations.
SENATE BILL 636 | A BENSENVILLE VICTORY! President Soto crafted what ultimately became Senate Bill 636, to adopt an alternative noise metric that placed greater penalty on flights between the hours of 7:00 and 10:00pm. We are happy to report that the legislation that we co-wrote passed through the General Assembly and has been signed by Governor Rauner! Senate Bill 636 will expand the number of runways allowed at O’Hare from 8 to 10 allowing the diagonal runways that are planned for closure to stay open to help spread flights more equitably around the airport. The bill will also establish the CNEL as the new Illinois airplane noise metric, which will hopefully result in expanded sound insulation in homes.
After a successful inaugural effort in 2014, the 2nd Annual BWell Bensenville Walkathon and Family Fest will take place on September 12th. Mark your calendars now for this family-friendly event hosted by the Bensenville Community Youth Services Coalition to promote healthy living. Individuals and families can participate in a community walk, a health expo featuring a wide range of local vendors and health service providers, and plenty of healthy food and fun activities for everyone at the Redmond Recreational Complex. Keep an eye on our website at www.bensenville.il.us for more details in the weeks ahead.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
•
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
•
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
IRVING PARK ROAD This summer has brought the first phase of a long-term streetscape improvement project along IL-19, Irving Park Road. Phase 1 of the project which will run through the end of October will focus primarily on sidewalk improvements and the installation of street lights. Of the $1.271 million cost for Phase 1, approximately 55% is attributable to the lighting and 45% of the cost is associated with the sidewalk installation. Some of the particulars of the project include: • Installation of 7’ wide sidewalks • This summer, sidewalk upgrades will take place on the south side of the street from Silver Creek to Eastview Avenue, and from Eastview to Church Road on the north side. • As with any street and sidewalk project, there will be some parking and traffic restrictions and work will impact driveway aprons. Efforts will be made to prevent the driveway apron to any business being completely closed off.
DETAILED
INFORMATION
PEACE &
QUIET ZONE
ON
"I can't express enough how grateful my family and I are to the administration of Bensenville, for all of their hard work to get the QUIET ZONE in effect. We asked for it and they listened.” VILLAGE RESIDENT MAK ARIFOVIC
• Contractors will provide daily updates via door hangers regarding any work that may impact specific addresses for the next day. • While work is being done some lanes of traffic on Irving Park Road will be impacted. Lane closures must be limited to 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Monday through Friday, though other work that does not require lane closures can take place between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm Monday through Saturday. Saturday work is only anticipated in the event of days being lost to weather or other unexpected events. • Toward the end of this phase, 37 new ornamental street lights will be installed. The poles will include hanging baskets and hardware to allow for decorative banners to be displayed. • In order to create a safe environment for the project workers, the roadway, sidewalks and adjacent land will be marked for utilities by JULIE. Please do not move or remove the flags or cover up any marking painted on the ground.
THE
TOPICS
COVERED
IN
ON JULY 3RD THE VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE’S QUIET ZONE WENT INTO FULL EFFECT! This means residents along the Milwaukee West/Metra Line in Bensenville will finally see relief from mandatory horn activation at crossings in the Village. To qualify for the Quiet Zone, the Village was required to construct certain safety improvements at the Church Road, Addison Street, and Center Street crossings. These improvements include driveway closures and the installation of barrier curbs and flexible delineators to safely channelize traffic at intersections. Also included is a way side horn located at the York Road crossing to provide audible warning of on-coming trains. Going forward passing trains will no longer be required to announce their presence by blasting their horns as they previously had to, making downtown Bensenville and neighborhoods near the tracks a much quieter place.
Check out the new SUBARU EXPANSION PLANS!
TH
HIS
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
•
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
If you would like to provide contact information so that the Village or contractors can reach you at any time, visit our website at www.bensenville.il.us and complete a brief form.
•
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT
Should you need to reach someone for an immediate concern, please contact the following individuals: • LANDMARK CONTRACTORS (General Contractor) CJ Graves | 847 735 5476
• VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE Mehul Patel | 630 594 1196
OF
G AT E WAY
CHURCH ROAD
IRVING PARK ROAD
• ESI (Consulting Engineer – residents liaison) Peter Balnius | 815 822 4547
ISSUE
•
STREET LIGHT IMPROVEMENT
EASTVIEW AVENUE
•
CAN
BE
FOUND
ON
OUR
WEBSITE
NEWSAROUNDTOWN MAIN
WEATHER
Summer can bring a great deal of unpredictability in the weather so we ask that everyone always be aware of changing conditions. As the devastating tornadoes in late June proved not too far south of here, Mother Nature can create havoc at any time. When the potential for severe weather approaches, please follow safety standards and take shelter accordingly. Similarly, when temperatures and humidity rise, scale back on your outdoor activity and always perform daily well-checks on elderly or disabled neighbors and family.
STREE
T
MAKE BEING GREEN A HABIT New Life Electronics Recycling will hold monthly recycling events for electronics through September. AUGUST 8 | Public Services Facility at 717 East Jefferson SEPTEMBER 12 | Public Services Facility at 717 East Jefferson All drop-off times are from noon to 2:00 pm.
NEW RESOURCES COMING ON LINE Two new resources are available to residents and businesses in Bensenville. • The new Community Job Board will allow local businesses to post job openings at no cost. • Those seeking to purchase residential or commercial property can now use the Real Estate Locator to search Bensenville properties. Both resources can be found at www.bensenville.il.us.
|
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
•
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
•
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
FORMER MOHAWK SCHOOL SITE PLAN
NORTH WALNUT STREET
The Village is working with both School District 2 and the Park District to develop a utilization plan for the former Mohawk School site. Engineering designs have been completed and work will be bid in August to regrade and seed the property.
MASON STREET
SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT BEFORE & AFTER
Input from the community is being gathered and evaluated relative to the design and installation of a new playground and athletic facilities as part of a comprehensive review of the best overall recreational use for the property. Stay tuned for an upcoming neighborhood conversation in this area.
WWW.BENSENVILLE.IL.US
NEW CABLE TELEVISION SHOW! President Frank Soto makes himself available to answer questions on our new cable television show, Ask President Soto. To present a question to the President just send an email to askthepresident@bensenville.il.us or call 630 594 1600 to leave a message. Viewers may begin leaving their questions any time and will have the opportunity to have them answered by President Soto on the broadcast. We will also feature some common questions in the FAQ section of the community newsletter. Note: This email and phone number are for questions to be read on the television broadcast. Some questions may be consolidated with similar requests. All questions are presented anonymously on the broadcast.
“Our studio and Village channel are a great asset and I’m looking forward to taking advantage of the opportunity to communicate directly with residents.” FRANK SOTO | VILLAGE PRESIDENT
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 72 BENSENVILLE, IL
12 SOUTH CENTER STREET | BENSENVILLE | ILLINOIS 60106
POSTAL CUSTOMER BENSENVILLE | ILLINOIS 60106
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR VILLAGE PRESIDENT We have already moved past the longest day of the year in June, our biggest celebration of the year on the 4th of July and we are well into summer and the second half of 2015. It’s a great time of year to be in Bensenville as the list of events and activities seems to go on and on. While we all work hard at what we do, there is nothing more enjoyable than getting out in this community to participate in events, activities and meet the people who make them all memorable. I hope to see you at some of these events, including: • Our phenomenal Music in the Park concerts. The venue is superb and it’s hard not to be impressed with the line-up of talent we have this year. There are still plenty of nights left so grab a chair or blanket and come out to join your neighbors. • Our new French Market. This is a great evolution of last year’s farmer’s market. Come early to give yourself time to visit with all of the great vendors on hand.
Youth Services Coalition is planning a great event for residents of all ages. • As you get around town, be sure to take note of the ongoing beautification projects. Our downtown looks better than ever and the first phase of streetscape work is underway along Irving Park Road. The new space at the old Mohawk School is taking shape and sometimes beauty is in the ear of the beholder as I consider our new Quiet Zone a definite beautification accomplishment. Don’t forget that you can always learn more about upcoming events and enjoy recaps of past activity by keeping an eye on Bensenville WebTV. Please be safe and enjoy the remainder of your summer in Bensenville.
• Don’t forget to enjoy the Cruise Nights in town as well. It’s for more than just die-hard car enthusiasts. • I’m looking forward to our 2nd Annual BWell Bensenville Walkathon and Family Fest in September. The Community
FRANK SOTO | VILLAGE PRESIDENT
CALENDAR OF EVENTS BRUSH PICK-UP For 2015, brush pick-up weeks start on the following days: August 3, September 7, October 5 and November 2
MUSIC IN THE PARK/ FRENCH MARKET WEDNESDAYS | August 5, August 12, August 19 & August 26 | Downtown Bensenville
SENIOR CITIZEN LUNCHEON TUESDAY | August 4 | 11am TUESDAY | September 1 | 11am TUESDAY | October 6 | 11am MONTY’S | 703 South York Road
2nd ANNUAL BWELL BENSENVILLE WALKATHON AND FAMILY FEST SEPTEMBER 12 | Redmond Recreational Complex FALL COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE SEPTEMBER 11-13
Para recibir este boletín en español, por favor llame al 630-766-8200 y pregunte por Maria, o mande un correo electrónico a mhampton@bensenville.il.us. Asegúrese de incluir su dirección completa.