February 2019 Village of Westchester Newsletter

Village of

Westchester FEBRUARY 2019 Newsletter

PARK DISTRICT

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POLICE DEPARTMENT

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FIRE DEPARTMENT

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PUBLIC WORLKS

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CALENDAR

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Happy 100th Birthday SCHOOL DISTRICT

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FROM THE BOARD

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Long time Westchester resident Gladys (Babe) Lorenzo is congratulated on her 100th birthday by Westchester Village President Paul Gattuso .

Gladys and her late husband John moved to Westchester in 1948 with the purchases of a home on Kitchner and Hull Ave and also a vacant lot on the corner of Norfolk & Roosevelt Road.

In 1951 the Lorenzo’s constructed a new building on the vacant lot and it became home to West Villa Restaurant & Pizza with an attached 6 room single family residents in the rear.

The Lorenzo’s remained in the restaurant business until 1965 when the building was totally renovated and converted to federal specification for the purpose of frozen pizza distribution throughout the State of Illinois. At that time it was renamed Lorenzo Frozen Foods Inc. The business, its naming rights and building were sold in 1978 to 5th Ave Provisions at which time John & Gladys Lorenzo made the decision to retire after 27 years of business in the Village of Westchester.

Park District 2

FEBRUARY 2019

FEBRUARY 2019

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Ideal Wellness The Westchester Chamber of Commerce and Village of Westchester recently gathered for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the Grand Opening of Ideal Wellness Center at 1 Westbrook Corporate Center Suite 535.

Ideal Wellness Centers is a weight loss center utilizing the Ideal Protein branding protocols that have helped thousands of people lose weight.

Library 4

FEBRUARY 2019

FEBRUARY 2019

Village of Westchester Year End Review With January behind us, I wanted to take a moment to provide a recap of what the village accomplished over the past year. I’ve been extremely proud of our public works department and the work they have done over the past few years is second to none.

Our staff has taken on jobs big and small removing the need to outsource and pay high costs for work that we can do with the staff and equipment we have available to us. Some of the things we did last year are: Our In-House Paving Program One the projects the Village does each year is our In-House paving program. Most Villages outsource their paving programs by hiring a contractor. The Village of Westchester has taken a different approach to this strategy. We have invested in equipment and staff training to allow the Public Works Department to run a street resurfacing program every year. We rent equipment, hire contractors for specific items that may exceed our equipment or training, but for the most part we pave about a mile of streets each year.

Staff estimates that this cost between 15% to 20% less than contracting. This is because 1) we own most of the equipment, 2) we get a discount for materials, 3) we don’t procure bonding, permits and special insurance for the job, and 4) we have no profit in the cost. This keeps the demand for tax dollars lower and gets great value for the investment the Village has made in our Public Works staff and equipment.

The In-House paving is part of our Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP is a significant part of the Villages annual budget process. As our infrastructure gets older, we need to plan on repairing and renewing it. The CIP process identifies the capital needs of the village for the next few years, looking to immediate needs but also long term capital needs. The CIP is evaluated every year as funding is available and needs are identified.

The objectives used to develop the CIP include: • To preserve and improve the infrastructure of Westchester through capital asset construction, rehabilitation and maintenance; • To maximize the useful life of capital investments by scheduling renovations and renewals at the appropriate time in the lifecycle of the infrastructure; • To identify and examine current and future infrastructure needs and establish priorities among projects so that available resources are used to the Village’s best advantage; • To improve financial planning by comparing needs with resources, estimating future funding issues, and identifying potential fiscal implications.

The Sunnyside Sewer Project The Sunnyside Sewer Project is a new sanitary sewer that will replace and old sewer built in the 1920’s. The old sewer

runs through the Forest Preserve east of Sunnyside Avenue and serves about 1/3 of all homes, located in the southern portion of the Village. The Village has received a low interest loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) at 1.84%, which is below prime.

We have 20 years to pay back the loan and the sewer should last about as long as the one we are replacing....90 years.

The sewer was constructed in the late 1920’s in anticipation of significant growth moving from the City of Chicago.

The Forest Preserve area was originally proposed as the Westchester Woodlands subdivision and 175 homes were planned to be built between Sunnyside and Salt Creek , 31st Street to Wakefield. Sidewalks were built along with water main, sewer mains and fire hydrants. The development failed during the great depression and the land was eventually deeded to the Cook County Forest Preserve (CCFP), but the sewer still services the southern portion of the Village to this day.

The existing sewer cannot be rehabilitated without the removal of several hundred healthy trees and creating a permanent 5,000 foot long corridor thru the CCFP. The existing sewer crosses under Salt Creek 3 times, is located in an environmental sensitive area and is so close to Salt Creek that it is subject to flooding and backing up when the Creek crests over its banks. It is best to construct a new sewer on village right of way, away from the Creek and limit the number of Creek crossings to 1 time.

The Village spent 7 years negotiating for easements and permits with CCFP, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), US Army Corps of Engineers, IEPA, The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Village of LaGrange Park. We have receive permission from all, received funding from the IEPA and have bid the project for construction. The total cost of the project is $3,520,104. It is estimated that the direct impact on each utility bill is $0.41 per month; $0.36 per month on the water bill and $0.05 per month on the sewer bill.

These costs were included in the last water and sewer rate increase.

Police Department Grant On November 1, 2017 the Police Department received word that the Village was awarded a hiring grant from the United States Department of Justice – Office of Community Oriented Policing Services; that the Village was able to hire two additional officers adding to its current manpower total. This grant is a 3 year grant and the Village will receive a total of $250,000.00 for the new officer’s salaries and benefits. The additional officers will assist the police department in continuing its mission and improve the department’s commitment and involvement within the community. Public safety issues are always

a concern when it comes to crime or the fear of crime as well as social disorder, this grant and the additional officers should help promote strategies that supports a partnership with the community as well as problem-solving techniques to proactively address these areas of concern.

Fire Department Hiring The Westchester Fire Department strives to be a progressive, innovative and critically thinking organization that optimizes opportunities to serve you. We strive to offer the best in customer service and care, and are constantly in search of a better way. Our mission is to promote and protect the health and safety of the community through dynamic programs, professional services and continuous quality improvement.

In 2018, we continued to concentrate in five key areas.

These focus areas helped us fulfill our mission and goal of providing a safe and secure community: • Train for emergency management scenarios • Identify unique performance measures for our personnel • Maintain a public protection classification rating of 2 • Increase operational efficiencies • Implement Community Risk Reduction information identified through a vulnerability assessment Much of this excellence is derived from the dedication and the leadership that is provided through by our Officers and the officer development program that is in place. The Training Officers and the instructors of the department have been focusing on the subjects such as building construction and fire behavior; that will keep our firefighters safe and healthy. The members of the department continue to realize the need to be good stewards of the tax payer’s dollar. The department strives to try and discover ways to create efficiencies that will allow for savings over the previous year’s efforts. We will continue to look for methods to increase these savings while providing an overall better product for our citizens.

In 2018, the Fire Department responded 3,153 FIRE and EMS calls; an all time high for the Village. As a result of the increased calls, not only in Westchester but surrounding departments, the fire service is depending more on each other for assistance as well as shared training, resources, and equipment. Due to this trend Fire Departments are coming up with more creative ways to “do more with less”.

Also in 2018, the fire department hired 3 new firefighters as a result of the retirement of Capt. Casey (33 yr. veteran), a firefighter that left for another position, and was able to fill one position that had not been filled due to attrition with the assistance of the FEMA Staffing for

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Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. This grant funds 75% of this firefighter’s salary and benefits the first 2 years and 35% of the third year. As a result of the award of this grant the fire department was able to return to full staff as it had been 4 years ago.

Chief Adams was also able to secure a grant through FIREHOUSE SUBS (in Stone Park) and was able to purchase a ZOLL Auto-pulse automatic CPR device. The Auto-pulse consists of a band connected to a board placed under the patient. Automated chest compressions are continually delivered to the patient with this device that is 33% more effective than a competent person doing manual chest compressions. This greatly increases the survivability of a patient requiring CPR Significant challenges lie ahead in the coming years and the department will make every effort to rise to these challenges. This will require “out of the box” thinking and a willingness to embrace change. While this can be difficult, I remain confident that with the continued support of the Village President, Village Manager, and Trustees, we will be able to meet these challenges head-on. The reason we are so successful and have such an excellent reputation is because of the hard work and dedication of the Village Board and the members of the Westchester Fire Department.

Summer Fest 2018 was the year we re-introduced the Westchester Summer Fest. Great music, even better food from over 15 vendors was available over the 3 day event in July of last year. In an attempt to restart a 20 year tradition, we utilized a portion of the St. Joseph High School Field and the combined efforts of the the village and Westchester Chamber of Commerce we were able to put together a three day music and food fest which was extremely well attended. This year, we once again look to continue this tradition to bring families together for a weekend of music, food and drinks.

Concerts in the Park This year we are looking to host a concert in the park this summer. We currently are planning to host these events Wednesdays in August starting at 6pm at Mayfair Park.

Check back for further information as this develops we look forward to working on events that get our residents together throughout the summer.

Senior Breakfast The annual Village of Westchester Senior Breakfast will be in March 15, 2019 and will be at St. Joseph High School located at 10900 Cermak Road. This is a chance to hear from the village department heads and ask questions of the village officials.

All are encouraged to reserve a spot by calling the village hall at 708-345-0020 Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 5pm. We look forward to seeing you.

Police Department 6

FEBRUARY 2019

A Message from the Police Chief – Steven Stelter Well can you believe it, we are already into 2019. My hope is that 2019 is a better year for each of you than 2018 was. The men and women of the Westchester Police Department are dedicated individuals who work very hard in providing the best possible service for you, and I want to personally thank the citizens of this community for their support through the shaking of hands, cards, baked goods and e-mails received throughout the year. It is truly appreciated and we will continue to go out every day regardless of what the circumstances and serve and protect those in this community. ______________________________________________________________________________ Crime Cameras – A Community Camera Partnership Do you have a home surveillance camera system on the exterior of your home? If you do, the Westchester Police Department is looking for your help. The Police Department is asking any resident or business owner to register their privately owned surveillance camera system in order to assist in solving crime when it occurs. If a crime occurs in the vicinity of a registered camera, an investigator from the Westchester Police Department may contact the registered owner and ask to review and/or copy the recorded footage relevant to the date and time of the incident.

This program is completely voluntary, and any one registered may remove themselves from it at any time and for any reason. If you are interested in registering you home video system, please visit the Village website under the Police Department and click on the link to the left marked Camera Partnership. ______________________________________________________________________________ Parking Restrictions – Snow Removal The snow has already fallen and parking enforcement is in full swing. I would like to remind everyone that after a snowfall of 2 inches or more to be mindful of the parking restrictions the Village has in place. It is imperative everyone follows these laws in order for our public works snow plows to clear the streets as best as they can.

It is also important to know the difference between a “snow emergency route” and “alternate side of the street parking.” Both of these are spelled out plain and clear on the Village website within the municipal code section. The section numbers are as follows: Snow Emergency Route – 11.30.020 Times / Alternate Side of the Street – 11.32.1 ______________________________________________________________________________ I wish to recognize the following member of the police department for their work anniversaries during the month of February: February 4th – Officer Richard Kirk

14 years

POLICE BLOTTER 1) At 8:52am on December 17, 2018 a Criminal Damage to Property was reported on the 1000 block of Portsmouth. A window was damaged by a BB or Pellet type weapon.

2) At 11:31am on December 19, 2018 a Theft was reported on the 1000 block of Norfolk. The homeowner reported that his cameras observed the postal carrier dropping off a package, and several minutes later 4 subjects went up to the front door and took the package.

Video of the incident was provided to investigators who are working to identify the subjects.

3) At 10:27pm on December 22, 2018 a Burglary was reported on the 3000 block of Downing.

The resident advised that various jewelry items were missing from the bedroom, along with approximately $1,700 in cash. No forced entry was made and the investigations in on-going.

4) At 7:20pm on December 31, 2018 an Armed Robbery occurred at the Burger King located at 825 Mannheim Road.

5) At 10:30am on January 2, 2019 a Theft of Credit Card was reported at the Shell Gas Station located at 10200 Roosevelt Road. A 19 year old male was arrested and charged with theft after removing a credit card from the store.

6) At 2:39pm on January 4, 2019 a Retail Theft was reported at the Goodwill Store located at 3054 Wolf Road. A 55 year old female was arrested and charged with retail theft after removing merchandise from the store without paying.

7) At 5:39am on January 9, 2019, a Burglary was reported at the Subway sandwich shop located at 3062 Wolf Road. Unknown subject(s) threw a rock through the door of the business and removed items.

Fire Department FEBRUARY 2019

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Public Works Branch pickup and yard waste pickup will resume in April 2019.

The Public Works Department has been filling potholes with cold patch throughout the winter months, weather permitting.

Please call Public Works at 708-345-0041 to report a pothole.

Restoration of parkways that have been damaged by sewer and water excavations and/or snow plow damage will resume next spring, as weather permits.

As always, Village residents are asked to call Public Works at 708-345-0041 or the police non-emergency number (after hours) at 708-345-0060 if an unusual amount of water is visible in the street

or parkway. This could be a main break or water leak that requires our immediate attention. ************************************ ******************************* Adopt a fire hydrant this winter season!

Help keep the hydrant clear of snow so that the fire department can easily access the hydrant in case of an emergency and so that the snow plows can easily identify the hydrants while plowing snow.

Keep Your Water Pipes From Freezing Inside water pipes could be more susceptible to freezing this time of year when the air temperature outside is below freezing for more than a few days. To avoid frozen pipes you should make sure

your basement is heated where the water meter and water pipes are located. Also insulate water pipes which are against outside walls. Make sure all windows or cracks which allow cold outside air in are sealed. ************************************ ******************************** Waste Management “At Your Door Service” If you have household hazardous waste items or electronic items to dispose of, please call Waste Management’s “At your Door Service “ at 800-449-7587 to arrange for pickup.

Snow Season Has Arrived Village Snow Restrictions Public Works crews work to keep our streets free of snow and ice during the winter months.

Please assist us by observing the following: *Place garbage cans and bins behind the curb line- do not place them in the street. *Do not throw or blow snow back in to the cleared street. *Please observe the “NO PARKING SNOW ROUTE “signs.

The snow portion of the signs will be enforced only after 2 inches of snow have fallen and will be enforced between December 1st and March 31st.

Facts about sewer backups and how to manage them Facts About Sewers Sewer backups are an unfortunate, but common problem in all U.S. towns.

Although Village staff make every effort to prevent such incidents, they still occur.

The following information is offered to help property owners and residents understand why backups happen, how they can be prevented and what steps to take if a sewer back up occurs.

We have 2 sewer systems in Westchester.

1 for storm water and 1 for sanitary waste.

Each system has a main line and lateral lines that service private property. The Village is responsible for main lines and lateral lines are the responsibility of the home owner.

Sanitary sewers are located in streets, parkways and back yard easements. The location is different depending on when the neighborhood was developed. The sanitary system empties to the Stickney sewage treatment plant The storm sewers all empty into the Creek systems. Anything in the streets, alleys, driveways drain into our Creeks without any treatment.

We have 51 miles of sanitary sewers, 56 miles of storm sewers and 160 miles of laterals in Westchester that service over 7,000 homes.

What Causes Backups Sewer mains flow by gravity. They are between 8 and 15 feet deep. Backups can be caused by a number of factors. Usually the cause is a blockage in the private lateral line which the property owner owns and maintains. This can be caused by pipe breaks, tree roots, age of the pipe material. The most frequent causes of private line blockages is fats, oils and grease accumulation, tree roots, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins and items that do not dissolve in water. These materials cause major problems in sewers and are the most frequent causes of backups.

For our storm sewers, leaves, twigs, grass

clippings and plastic bags create blockages.

When these items get wet they clump together forming clogs in the sewer mains and can back up into the storm laterals. If you see anyone raking leaves or grass into the street, this may be the cause of water in your basement. Ask them to stop or call the Village.

Sometimes our sewers get overloaded.

When big storms come the volume of water can overwhelm the capacity of the sewer system. When this happens the mains can’t take flow from the homes and the lateral lines can backup. During a storm event the pumping of storm water should be directed to the street. If you pump to the back yard and the sanitary sewer main is in the back, it can fill the sanitary with storm water and cause your sewage to backup in your house.

What To Do If You Have A Backup If a backup occurs in a Village main line, the waste water will flow to the lowest point. Sometimes this is a basement floor drain. If this happens take action to protect people and valuable property, but be safe. If your private lateral or the main backs up, follow these guides: Keep in mind that water on the basement floor is conductive. Electrical shock can occur, so wear rubber boots and gloves to protect your hands, even if the water is at very low levels. Do not touch electrical outlets or appliances.

Don’t run water, take showers, run the dishwasher or flush the toilets until the blockage has been cleared. It will only add to the volume of waste backing up.

Plug openings, floor drains, tubs and sinks. Remember that toilets are made of fragile ceramic materials. A string mop can be used as a temporary stop for a toilet backing up.

Check with neighbors to see if they are backing up too. If they are then it is likely a main line. Call Public Works (708) 345-

0041 or Police 911, they will contact Staff for emergency response. If it is only your house, call a plumber. It’s a good idea to have the phone number of a local plumber handy.

To minimize damage and negative health effects, owners are advised to arrange for a cleanup as soon as possible. There are qualified firms that specialize in this type of clean up.

Keep records as insurance may pay for some types of damage, but they will ask for information about the event and need details.

If you call the Village you will be asked a series of questions about the type of back up, time discovered, where the backup is and other questions. We need to determine the safe crew size and equipment for dispatch. We must report every back up to the MWRD that occurs within our system and determine the cause.

The village will check for any problem with the main line. When found they will clear it immediately.

If the main line is not blocked, you will be advised to call a plumber to check your private line. Maintenance of the lateral line is the owners responsibility.

Please note that the Village does not cut down healthy parkway trees to remove root blockages.

How To Maintain Your Private Lateral Line There are several things you can do to reduce the risk of a back up in your sanitary line. The following list can serve as a best maintenance practice to avoid backups: Avoid putting fats, oils or greases (FOG) down your sinks, toilets or garbage disposals. Collect it in a can or jar with a sealing lid. Dispose of it in the garbage.

Remember FOG will CLOG! Never flush disposables, paper towels, sanitary napkins or tampons in the toilet.

These are meant for the garbage, not the sewers. If you did not eat it, it should not go into the toilet. The exception: Toilet paper is designed to dissolve in the sewer.

If you have a tree root problem you can do several things to help. Have your line cleaned with a root cutter every couple of years. Use a chemical foam in your toilet 1 or 2 times a year. We recommend using an aquatic herbicide like Dichlobenil. It does not kill the tree. For a 100 foot line use about 4 pounds. Costs range $60 to $75 depending on brand. RootX or Roebic products are available from Amazon and Home Depot. Do not use products with Copper Sulfate. This kills trees and affects the sewage treatment process.

Sewer lines can be cast iron, clay or plastic. Old cast-iron pipes corrode, and clay is particularly susceptible to root intrusion. Plastic, which became common in the 1980s, is durable, but can be crushed.

Of course, all types of pipe material can succumb to an impenetrable plug from grease, roots or diapers. Old houses, like anything else getting on in years, can be notorious for plumbing troubles, you can suspect old sewer lines are the source.

Sometimes you need to replace an old sewer line with a new one. This is the most expensive, but the best permanent solution.

Several companies offer a service line warranty. NiCor and Utility Service Partners (USP) offer this service for a monthly cost. USP is the company that has mailed information to home owners using the Village letter head. The Village does not run or administer these programs.

They are insurance policies covering private service line failures. They do not cover backups due to clogs from roots or manmade objects. They cover collapse.

About 1/3 of Westchester home owners are subscribing to these programs, mostly those with older homes.

Calendar FEBRUARY 2019

DIVINE PROVIDENCE ------ DIVINE INFANT-------- SENIOR CLUB The first meeting of the Senior Club for the new year will be on Wednesday, February 6th, 2019 at 1:30PM. We will be selling tickets for our St. Pat’s / St/ Joseph box lunch which we will have at our march meeting.

Tickets are $ 10.00 For members and $12.00 for guests Come join us in February for an afternoon of fun, laughter and friendship.

7:30 Communion Service/8am-4pm Eucharistic Adoration - Ministry Center – Divine Providence Feb. 1 – Westchester Community Church - Fish and Chicken Fry, 4:30 – 7:00 pm. Fish, Chicken (fried or rotisserie), and Shrimp will be served. All dinners include choice of 2 sides, bread, condiments, dessert and beverage – all for $11.

Tickets at the door.

Feb. 1 AWANA Register online at westchesterbiblechurch.org Grades K-6, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, Every Friday during the school year.

Westchester Bible Church, Cermak & Sunnyside, 708-562-3040 All are Welcome! 708/865-1282.

Feb. 2 - 8th Grade Bake Sale after All Weekend Masses/9am Virtus Training 3:15p Confessions/4:00p Mass – Divine Providence Feb.3 8th Grade Bake Sale after Masses/8:30 & 10:30 Mass/11:30 First Communion Parent Meeting Divine Providence Feb. 3 - Worship Service, 10 am, Westchester Community Church, 1840 Westchester Blvd., 708/865-1282 , Communion will be served. All Are Welcome!

Feb.3 Adult Bible Fellowships & Sunday School: 9:30am, we have a great time of Bible study for all ages. Come join us for an in-depth study where questions are welcome.

Morning Worship Service @ 10:45am Westchester Bible Church, Cermak & Sunnyside, 708-562-3040 Feb. 3 Fusion” Youth Ministry, Grades 7-12, 6:00pm – 7:30pm, Join us for games, food, worship, and fellowship.

Westchester Bible Church, Cermak & Sunnyside, 708-562-3040 Feb. 4-7:30 Mass /4:15p RE Classes – School Divine Providence Feb. 5-7:30 Mass Divine Providence Feb 5. 8:00am Mass Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-865-8071 Feb 6-8:00 Mass w/Students-1:00p DP/ DI Over 50 Club - Mayfair Room/4:30p Tai Chi Chuan Divine Providence Feb. 6- 8:00am Mass Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-865-8071 Feb. 7-7:30 Mass Divine Providence Feb 8-7:30 Communion Service/8 am St. Peregrine Devotion Feb. 8 8:00 am Mass Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-865-8071 Feb. 8 8AWANA Register online at

westchesterbiblechurch.org Grades K-6, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, Every Friday during the school year.

Westchester Bible Church, Cermak & Sunnyside, 708-562-3040 Feb 9-9:30 Baptismal Prep/1:00p Confirmation Retreat/3:15p Confessions/4:00p Mass Feb. 9- 8:00 am Mass 5:00 pm Anticipated Mass Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-865-8071 February 9: Zoo Crew 10:00 AM in Youth Dept at Library. Registration requested.

Contact Youth Dept for more information at (708) 562-3573.

Feb 10-8:30 & 10:30am Mass Divine Providence Feb. 10 –Worship Service, 10 am, Coffee Hour to follow worship service.

Westchester Community Church, 1840 Westchester Blvd., 708/865-1282. All Are Welcome!

Feb.10 9:30 & 11:30 am Mass Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-8658071 February 10: A Beginner’s Guide to the Golden Age of Radio 2:00 PM at Library.

Registration requested. Contact Adult Dept for more information at (708) 5623573. Feb 10 - Adult Bible Fellowships & Sunday School: 9:30am, we have a great time of Bible study for all ages. Come join us for an in-depth study where questions are welcome.

Morning Worship Service @ 10:45am Westchester Bible Church, Cermak & Sunnyside, 708-562-3040 Feb 10 Fusion” Youth Ministry, Grades 7-12, 6:00pm – 7:30pm, Join us for games, food, worship, and fellowship.

Westchester Bible Church, Cermak & Sunnyside, 708-562-3040 Feb. 11-7:30 Mass/4:15p RE Classes – School Divine Providence Feb. 11 8:00 am Mass Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-865-8071 Feb. 12-7:30 Mass/7:00p SVP Mtg. - Ministry Center – Divine Providence Feb.12 8:00 am Mass Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-865-8071 Feb. 13-8:00 Mass w/Students/4:30p Tai Chi Chuan - Church Narthex – Divine Providence Feb. 13 – 8:00 am Mass - Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-865-8071 Feb. 14-7:30 Mass/9:00 Quilters – Divine Providence Feb. 14 – 8:00am Mass Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-865-8071 Feb. 15-No School-Staff Development/7:30 Communion Service - Divine Providence Feb. 15 8:00am Mass Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-865-8071 Feb. 15 AWANA Register online at westchesterbiblechurch.org Grades K-6, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, Every Friday during the school year.

Westchester Bible Church, Cermak & Sunnyside, 708-562-3040 Feb. 16-SVP Shoe/Sock Drive This

Weekend/3:15p Confessions/4:00p Mass Divine Providence Feb.16 8:00 am Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-865-8071 Feb 17-8:30 & 10:30 Mass - Divine Providence Feb. 17 - Worship Service, 10 am, Westchester Community Church, 1840 Westchester Blvd., 708/865-1282 All Are Welcome!

Feb. 17 - 9:30 & 11:30 am Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-865-8071 February 17: 3D Printing: Open Lab. 2:00 PM at Library. Registration preferred.

Contact Adult Feb. 17 Adult Bible Fellowships & Sunday School: 9:30am, we have a great time of Bible study for all ages. Come join us for an in-depth study where questions are welcome.

Morning Worship Service @ 10:45am Westchester Bible Church, Cermak & Sunnyside, 708-562-3040 Feb. 17 Fusion” Youth Ministry, Grades 7-12, 6:00pm – 7:30pm, Join us for games, food, worship, and fellowship.

Westchester Bible Church, Cermak & Sunnyside, 708-562-3040 Feb 18-President’s Day-No School/No RE-7:30 Mass Divine Providence Feb. 18 – 8:00am Mass - Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-865-8071 Feb. 19-7:30 Mass/6:00p BSJ Mtg/7:00p FSA Mtg. - Mayfair Room – Divine Providence Feb. 19 – 8:00am Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-865-8071 Feb. 20-8:00 Mass w/Students/4:30p Tai Chi Chuan - Church Narthex – Divine Providence Feb. 20 8:00am Mass Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-865-8071 Feb. 21-7:30 Mass – Divine Providence Feb 21. 8:00am - Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-865-8071 Feb. 22-7:30 Communion Service – Divine Providence Feb.22 – 8:00am – Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle 708-865-8071 Feb. 22 - AWANA Register online at westchesterbiblechurch.org Grades K-6, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, Every Friday during the school year.

Westchester Bible Church, Cermak & Sunnyside, 708-562-3040 Feb. 23-11:30 Sacrament of First Reconciliation/10-3 Annual Day of Reflection/3:15p Confessions/4:00p Mass - Divine Providence Feb. 23 - 8:00 am & 5:00 pm Anticipated Mass - Divine Infant Church, 1600 Newcastle, 708-865-8071 Feb. 24-8:30 & 10:30 Mass Divine Providence Feb. 24 - 9:30 & 11:30 am Mass - Divine Infant Church 1600 Newcastle 708-8658071 Feb. 24 –Worship Service, 10 am, Westchester Community Church, 1840 Westchester Blvd., 708/865-1282.

All Are Welcome!

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Feb. 25-7:30 Mass/4:15p RE Classes – School – Divine Providence Feb. 25 8:00am- Mass Divine Infant Church 1600 Newcastle 708-865-8071 Feb. 26-7:30 Mass – Divine Providence Feb. 26 8:00am Mass - Divine Infant Church 1600 Newcastle 708-865-8071 Feb. 27-8:00 Mass w/Students/4:30p Tai Chi Chuan - Divine Providence Feb. 27 8:00am Mass- Divine Infant Church 1600 Newcastle 708-865-8071 Feb. 28-7:30 Mass/9:30 Women of Providence Quilters – Divine Providence Feb. 28 – 8:00am Mass- Divine Infant Church 1600 Newcastle 708-865-8071 March 1 – Westchester Community Church Fish and Chicken Fry, 4:30 – 7:00 pm. Fish, Chicken (fried or rotisserie), and Shrimp will be served. All dinners include choice of 2 sides, bread, condiments, dessert and beverage – all for $11.

Tickets at the door. All are Welcome!

708/865-1282.

March 1 – 8:00am Mass Divine Infant Church 1600 Newcastle 708-865-8071 March 1 - AWANA Register online at westchesterbiblechurch.org Grades K-6, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, Every Friday during the school year.

Westchester Bible Church, Cermak & Sunnyside, 708-562-3040 March 2 - 8:00am Mass & 5:00pm Anticipated Mass Divine Infant Church 1600 Newcastle 708-865-8071 March 3 – 9:30 & 11:30 am Mass – 12:45pm Baptismal Prep class – Please call the rectory to register Divine Infant Church 1600 Newcastle 708-865-8071 March 3 -Adult Bible Fellowships & Sunday School: 9:30am, we have a great time of Bible study for all ages. Come join us for an in-depth study where questions are welcome.

Morning Worship Service @ 10:45am Westchester Bible Church, Cermak & Sunnyside, 708-562-3040 Fusion” Youth Ministry, Grades 7-12, 6:00pm – 7:30pm, Join us for games, food, worship, and fellowship.

Westchester Bible Church, Cermak & Sunnyside, 708-562-3040 March 8- AWANA Register online at westchesterbiblechurch.org Grades K-6, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, Every Friday during the school year.

Westchester Bible Church, Cermak & Sunnyside, 708-562-3040 March 10 - Adult Bible Fellowships & Sunday School: 9:30am, we have a great time of Bible study for all ages. Come join us for an in-depth study where questions are welcome.

Morning Worship Service @ 10:45am Westchester Bible Church, Cermak & Sunnyside, 708-562-3040 Fusion” Youth Ministry, Grades 7-12, 6:00pm – 7:30pm, Join us for games, food, worship, and fellowship.

Westchester Bible Church, Cermak & Sunnyside, 708-562-3040

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St. Joseph FEBRUARY 2019

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School District FEBRUARY 2019

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School District News and Notes A Letter from the Superintendent Dear District 92½ Parents, Guardians, and Community Members: When I became Superintendent a year and a half ago, one of the tasks I was charged with by the Board of Education was to undertake the residency issue. It is the role and intent of the Board of Education to provide free education to all eligible students who legally reside within its boundaries.

While we are flattered by those families who desire their children receive an education in District 92½, we also have a responsibility to the taxpayers of Westchester.

With a growing student enrollment and an increase in the use of space in our buildings, not to mention District residency rules, we have taken appropriate action to investigate and remove any residency violators.

Our District Residency Policy states that only students who reside within the school district boundaries may attend District 92½ schools. A student’s residence is the same as the person who has legal custody of the student. For the 2018-2019 school year, we instituted some changes to our registration process.

All questionable enrollments underwent an investigation in collaboration with our District Office, Building Administration, and our School Resource Officer. As a result, 12 students were denied admission before the start of the school year. In addition to those 12 students, several other families never completed the registration process because of the changes we instituted. While we took measures to ensure people had the proper registration documents before enrollment, we have found there are still students attending our schools whose residency within district boundaries is in question. Through the coordination of the District Office, school personnel, and our School Resource Officer, we have since transferred out four additional students, while others are currently being investigated.

The actual cost to educate a child in our district is approximately $11,250.

Therefore, every family that violates our residency policy is taking money away from our students who are actual residents.

In total, we have saved at least $180,000 through our continued efforts.

My commitment to the Board and the taxpayers of Westchester is to make sure that legal residency remains a priority.

If you know of or suspect any nonWestchester students who are attending school within District 92½ boundaries, please leave a message at 708-498-0989 or email residency_check@sd925.org. All information obtained and concerns shared will remain confidential. I will make sure to follow up on any information received.

Thank you for your support on this critical issue.

Sincerely,

Philip Salemi Westchester Primary School The 2nd grade Holidays Around the World event took place on Tuesday, December 18th. The 2nd grade students have been learning about the many diverse cultures and traditions celebrated in and around the Westchester community. As a culminating activity, they continued the learning with a special day of activities, games, songs, and fun! Each 2nd grade classroom had 2nd grade parent volunteers teaching a special lesson and activity about the holiday traditions they celebrate in their culture. Each 2nd grade classroom rotated to parents who previously volunteered for a special lesson and activity. Thank you to all the parents that presented!

Dr. Seuss Week Happy birthday Dr. Seuss! Dr. Seuss Week will be celebrated from February 25th until March 1st. Each day WPS will feature a different Dr. Seuss book. Students will participate in a week full of fun activities celebrating Read Across America!

2nd Grade Fine Arts Celebration The Westchester Primary School second graders invite you all to attend our annual Fine Arts Program on Thursday, March 14th , 2018 at 6:30 p.m. in the Primary School gymnasium.

The children began learning the music for this program last spring and they have been working diligently to be able to put on a performance that all are sure to enjoy. The children will also be sharing their artwork that was created to support this year’s theme that will be displayed in the gym to go along with their musical performance.

3D Printer Painting On December 14th our engineer friend Mr. Austin visited WPS and talked all about 3D printing and coding to our first and second-grade students and teachers.

He brought his 3D printer and 3D printer pen and demonstrated how they work.

Students loved when he printed some objects for them to explore with their hands, including a blue Splash-like dolphin. He was kind enough to stick around and answer all of their 3D printing questions!

Westchester Intermediate School Our first few weeks back has been very busy. We completed our Winter Assessments. These help us as educators to identify areas in which

we need to both support and enrich the learning opportunities for our students.

We were able to establish individualized goals for students and guide them towards reaching those new goals.

We have some exciting upcoming events.

Our STEAM/Science night will be February 15th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. We will have students presenting experiments as well as professionals from various science fields on hand doing demonstrations for our families. On February 22nd we will host our first Talent Show from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the gym. We have over 30 students preparing and practicing to demonstrate their talents for this show.

We are excited to see them perform.

Our new Bridges math resource continues to be exciting to watch. Now that we are halfway through the year, our students are really getting a handle on using the workplaces, having deep math discussions, and becoming more adept at handling the more rigorous expectations.

We continue to be impressed by how hard our students are working with such challenging materials.

The implementation of Responsive Classroom has also had a positive impact on our students and staff this year. We continue to start each day with Morning Meeting so each student can feel welcome and prepared for the day. We have focused

more time and energy to helping our students gain strong interpersonal skills so they can work more closely with their peers in small group and partner activities. We are seeing the benefits of how our students treat one another and the positive atmosphere in our school.

Even with these positives, we still have challenges in front of us. We will continue throughout the rest of the year to build on our successes and stress that hard work and sustained effort will bring us amazing growth.

Go Huskies!

Westchester Middle School Barnes and Noble Reading Night As part of the Global Read Aloud, the 6th grade students recently read Refugee, a powerful novel by Alan Gantz that tells the story of three refugees. After reading the novel, the students wanted to find a way to help out refugees in the Chicagoland area. We have teamed up with Girl Forward, an organization that provides supports to teenage refugee girls that have recently arrived. The 6th grade students asked for donations of new gloves, hats, scarves and fuzzy socks to create winter gift bags for the girls in the program. Donations were collected in December. Great job by our 6th Grade see schools page 14

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November 2018 Scouting for Food Drive On Saturday, Nov. 17, Boy Scout Troop 73 and Cub Scout Pack 73, both chartered by Westchester Community Church, held their annual Scouting for Food Drive. Westchester Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, adult Scout Leaders and alumni from the Westchester Middle School participated. They canvassed the village on two Saturdays, first to distribute 7,500 fliers and then to collect donations of non-perishable food, personal care items and American Flags for retirement. In addition, 253 pairs of eyeglasses were collected for the Lions Club Recycle for Sight program.

The drive supports the Westchester Food Pantry as well as food pantries at Divine Infant Parish and St. John’s Church in Chicago. Troop 73 and Pack 73 would like to extend a thank you to village residents who generously donated items for the drive.

Vehicle stickers go on sale March 1, 2019 Per Village ordinance, each vehicle registered or housed in the Village is required to have a 2019 Westchester vehicle tag correctly displayed on the lower right corner of the windshield, or on the license plate for motorcycles,

by May 1, 2019 to avoid late fees and potential ticketing for non-compliance.

Failure to purchase your sticker within the allotted time-frame will result in

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students and their teachers Mrs. Blair, Mrs. Jankiewicz, and Mrs. Welsh for their efforts.

Congratulations to two WMS staff members, Jazmine Falicetti and Sally Kuhn, who were awarded a grant through the Build a Better Book Project. The details of the Project are below. They received an all-expenses-paid grant to Boulder Colorado in late February. The Build a Better Book project works with school and library Makerspaces to engage youth in the design and fabrication of inclusive media, including picture books, games, and

a penalty. Stickers purchased after April 30, 2019 will also be subject to a citation by the Police Department for failure to display a proper vehicle sticker.

Save time this year and purchase your sticker online at www.westchester-il. org.

Questions, please contact the Finance Dept: 708-345-0020.

graphics. Using both low- and high-tech Makerspace tools, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, conductive boards, and craft materials, youth design, fabricate, test and refine multi-modal books, games and STEM graphics that incorporate tactile and audio features. These products are designed by and for learners with visual impairments as well as other physical and learning disabilities. Through the project, middle and high school youth develop technology skills and learn about STEM careers as they design and create multi-modal picture books, graphics, and games that can be seen, touched and heard!

Graduation for the Westchester Middle

School class of 2019 is tentatively scheduled for Monday, June 3, 2019. Graduation will be held at WMS at 7:00 p.m. Each graduating student will receive 4 tickets. There is no admittance, including young children and babies, without a ticket. No extra tickets are available. We look forward to this exciting event and celebration of the work and efforts of each child at Westchester Middle School.

The Westchester Middle School Language Arts Department would like to invite you to “Fall in Love with Books” at our Barnes and Noble book fair on Wednesday, February 13th from 6:00

to 8:00 p.m. Join us for a Valentine’s themed evening at Barnes and Noble in Oak Brook. Come browse the latest titles and pick up a book for a loved one! We’ll also have a free Valentine making station where you can get crafty or even write an old fashioned love letter. When making a purchase at the store or the Barnes and Noble Cafe just make sure to mention you are there for the Westchester Middle School event. All proceeds from the event will be used to purchase books for classroom libraries at WMS. We would like to congratulate Jacob Slager, WMS graduate, who was also recently named an Illinois State Scholar.

Great Job!

Chamber

of

Commerce

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Celebrate Valentine’s Day; Decorate for St Pat’s Day, Easter and Spring

Hours T- Th 1p – 7p; F & Sat 11-3 – other hours on request Like us on Facebook.com/JoyfullyCrafting to receive weekly class information - reservations requested 24 hrs in advance.

Did you receive a Cricut, Cameo, Scan N Cut or some other craft toy for the holidays? Personal and group sessions available including a basic project of your choice – call today.

We also create craft parties for all types of occasions. Call 708-466-5233 to create that one of a kind event.

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FEBRUARY 2019

Westchester Food Pantry Announces Inaugural “Souper Bowl” Fundraiser On Saturday, January 26, 2019, the Westchester Food Pantry will host its inaugural “Souper Bowl” fundraiser from 4-7pm at the Westchester Community Church, 1840 Westchester Boulevard, Westchester.

This delicious tasting event will feature 12 local chefs and their best soups, along with raffles and entertainment. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under, and include unlimited soup tastings, beverages (pop, water, lemonade), and desserts. Tickets can be purchased online at PayPal (link at the Westchester Food Pantry facebook page), by emailing

WestchesterFoodPantry@gmail.com, or at the door.

The Souper Bowl event features soups by: Mary’s Morning Mix-Up Emilio’s Tapas Posto 31 Al’s Pizzeria Chickie’s Capri Paul’s Pizza and Hot Dogs Tipster’s Village Pub La Petite Café Bethanny Alexander, Grassroots Garden Group

Krista Brazel, Westchester Action Committee Dr. Tom Sullivan, Sullivan and Suchy This great event is sponsored by Inland Bank, Amusement Bark and Costco.

Entertainment is provided by Varieties Music Team, and all proceeds benefit the Westchester Food Pantry. Raffles prizes include Chicago Blackhawk tickets, Apple gift certificates, massages, dinners, movie and comedy club tickets, distillery tours, fun family outings and more!

For more information about the event, contact Amanda Grant at 708-927-4826.

The Westchester Food Pantry seeks to eliminate food insecurity in the western Cook County suburbs of Berkeley, Bellwood, Broadview, Hillside, La Grange Park, Westchester and Western Springs and serves over 225 households each month.

The pantry is run entirely by volunteers and relies on donations of food and funds to stock the shelves. Clients can come to the pantry once each month to receive canned food, frozen meat, fresh produce, baked goods and more.

FEBRUARY 2019

Westchester Food Pantry Will Assist Furloughed Government Workers We are in the midst of the longest government shutdown in history, and nearly 2,000 Cook County residents are being affected.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: The Westchester Food Pantry will serve federal workers for the duration of the shutdown.

Workers must show a valid federal ID or their last paystub from their respective government agency.

We are waiving our residency requirement for those furloughed workers during this difficult time.

The Westchester Food Pantry is open every Friday evening from

5:30-7:30pm. We are located in the Community Room (east side) of the Westchester Village Hall, 10300 Roosevelt Road, Westchester.

We serve the communities of Bellwood, Berkeley, Broadview, Hillside, La Grange Park, Westchester and Western Springs. And for the

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duration of the government shutdown, we will serve furloughed workers with a valid federal ID no matter where they reside.

All clients can come to the pantry once each calendar month.

Questions? Please contact the pantry at 708-927-4826.

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FEBRUARY 2019

MIP thanks its supporters On Friday, December 7, 2018, Miracles In Progress held their annual holiday party.

It was held at the Mayfair Recreational Center.

This party is designed to celebrate the holidays in a very special way.

This party serves those with brain injuries and other special needs.

Families have the opportunity to enjoy dinner, play bingo, trivia, decorate gingerbread houses, make ornaments and other crafts. Face painting, tattoos, singing and music take place.

The highlight of the evening is when Santa visits. Santa gives each individual a special gift bag.

The MIP holiday party was a huge success again this year!

Thank you to Derek & Lisa Gordon and Family for sponsoring our event!

Thank you to Paul and Andrea Gattuso from Paul’s Pizza & Hotdogs for generously catering our delicious dinner at our event each year in honor of their dear friend, Joseph K. Woss, who died suddenly June 20, 2013.

Joe was a true friend, supporter and volunteer of Miracles In Progress who wore many hats! Joe’s spirit lives on!

Thank you to Culver’s of Lyons, Tony’s Finer Foods, Paisan’s for this event’s decadent desserts and fruit platters.

Thank you to the Divine Infant Holy Name Men’s Club, Facepainting by Eva, Buddy Bear Car Wash, Buona Catering, City Barbecue, Rebecca Carlson of Personal Sanctuary, Morton Family Dental and Jeannie Helgesen of Jeannie’s Hair Company for your donations toward the party!

Thank you to Karen DiStefanoYounan for our event coordination and Nancy Kosiek for sharing your decorating talents with us again this year!

You always go above and beyond decorating our tree and the Mayfair Center.

From Nazareth Academy, volunteers included: Bella Allar, Christian Cano, Lexi DiBrizzi, John Francis Zech, Olivia Pasinski, and Melissa Wojcik. Nazareth Academy Baseball Team led by Coach Lee Milano: Zach Carmignani, Michael Milano, Michael Prosecky, Eric Kramer, Nate Smith, Andrew McKenna, Bradon Schneider, Luke Dolan, Jack Krug, Troy Siranovic and Jonathan Biel.

Thank you Bill Jirek, Sally Saraceno, Mary Murray, Rebecca and Rachel

Watson, Sharon Henk, Patricia Hylard, Barbara Hylard Akkeron, LeeAnn Coniglio, Tyler Swenson, Mary Lah, Frankie Caruso and Ava Franklin.

A heartfelt thank you to Bob Bakas and Mary Bakas of the Bakas Team Keller Williams Realty for all you do at every event for MIP and throughout the year.

Thank you to John Watson and Judy Saraceno-Swenson for everything you do to make every event run smoothly.

To our MIP Santa, Bill Buikema, former Westchester Village Trustee and 39-year Westchester Resident, we thank you for your love, patience and dedication for the work you do with our MIP kids.

The kids truly love you!

For more information about MIP, visit miraclesinprogress.org.

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From the board: meeting notes At the December 11th Village Board Meeting, the following items were approved under the Consent Agenda: • Approval of the Record of Bills ending 12/11/18 in the amount not to exceed $1,226,531.95 • i. Minutes of the February 13, 2018 Village Board Meeting.

• ii. Minutes of the February 13, 2018 Committee of the Whole Meeting.

• iii. Minutes of the March 27, 2018 Committee of the Whole Meeting.

• iv. Minutes of the April 3, 2018 Special Board Meeting.

• v. Minutes of the April 10, 2018 Village Board Meeting.

• vi. Minutes of the April 10, 2018 Committee of the Whole Meeting.

• vii. Minutes of the November 27, 2018 Village Board Meeting.

• viii. Minutes of the November 27, 2018 Committee of the Whole Meeting.

• ix. Minutes of the July 24, 2018 Executive Session - Handout.

• x. Minutes of the August 14, 2018 Executive Session - Handout.

• xi. Minutes of the September 11, 2018 Executive Session - Handout.

• xii. Minutes of the October 9, 2018 Executive Session - Handout.

• xiii. Minutes of the October 23, 2018 Executive Session - Handout.

• xvi. Minutes of the November 13, 2018 Executive Session - Handout.

• An ordinance abating the 2018 tax levy for the $2,200,000 Village of Westchester, Cook County, Illinois tax general obligation bonds (Sales Tax Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2015

• An ordinance abating the 2018 tax levy for the $5,800,000 Village of Westchester, Cook County, Illinois tax general obligation bonds (Sales Tax Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2013

• An ordinance abating the 2018 tax levy for the $1,610,000 Village of Westchester, Cook County, Illinois tax general obligation bonds (Water and Sewer Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2010B

• An ordinance abating the 2018 tax levy for the $3,500,000 Village of Westchester, Cook County, Illinois

tax general obligation bonds (Motor Fuel Tax Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2010A

• An ordinance amending the Village of Westchester Personnel Policy Manual and Municipal Code with respect to complaint procedures for filing a complaint of harassment or discrimination with the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

• An Ordinance Providing for the Levy, Assessment and Collection of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2018 and Ending April 30, 2019, for the Village of Westchester, County of Cook, State of Illinois.

At the December 11th Village Board Meeting, the following items were approved under the Active Agenda:

• Ordinance Accepting a Proposal from the Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust for Property, Casualty and Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

• A Resolution Approving the 2019 Schedule of Meetings of

the Village President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Westchester, Cook County, Illinois

• A resolution regarding the periodic review of closed meeting minutes of the Village of Westchester.

At the December 11th Village Committee of the Whole Meeting, the following items discussed under Old Business:

• Amendments to Poultry Ordinance Discussion At the December 11th Village Committee of the Whole Meeting, the following items discussed under New Business:

• Discussion of Village Street Sweeper.

• Vacant Building Ordinance Discussion.

• Facade Grant

• Economic Development Committee Requested By-Law Changes.

• Building Permit Discussion.

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