January 2017 Village of Westchester Newsletter

Village of

Westchester JANUARY 2017 Newsletter

From the Desk of The President FIRE DEPARTMENT

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POLICE DEPARTMENT

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CALENDAR

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PUBLIC WORKS

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

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SCHOOL DISTRICT

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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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The first graduating class of the Citizen’s Police Academy, with Chief Stelter, Officer Verber, Officer Battaglia, and Officer Fellers, celebrated on December 14, 2016.

HAPPY NEW YEAR… HAPPY NEW YEAR… HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Today is Monday, January 2, 2017. Everyone I spoke to in December commented on how they could not believe how fast 2016 came and went. Many, like all of us, indicated in some form or fashion that we wanted to accomplish many things during the months of 2016, however, how fate would have it, we were not able to complete all items on the list. Well, here we are with a whole new year ahead of us, and I’m sure you are in the process or have already started or completed a “Bucket List” of goals for 2017. I’d be willing to bet many of those were on previous lists from prior years. That’s okay! All that means is that you have decided on a path that will push you forward towards another year of life.

A VERY GOOD THING. As in previous newsletters, I have listed some 50 “NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS” that I found on the internet that you may have considered as you compiled yours. This year I have narrowed the list in order to make your resolutions for 2017 a little easier with the

goal to make 2017 The Best Year Yet!!

A New Year’s resolution list is a list of things that we want to do or keep throughout the year. The list usually includes tasks of selfimprovement or betterment. It is a tradition to make New Year resolutions and try to keep them the whole year.

Though New Year’s resolutions should be specific to people based on the things or deeds they want to do in order to improve their life, there are some common things that everyone can include in New Year resolution list. Here goes!

Be healthier: Join a Gym, Do Yoga, Eat Healthy, etc.

Stop wasting time: Use each minute of each hour of each day wisely as it will not be coming back. (As my Dad made a point of telling us every day. “LOST TIME IS NEVER FOUND AGAIN!”) Improve your skills: You get better opportunities when you have better skills.

Travel: Traveling is the best way to learn.

Become more active: Move around more.

See PRESIDENT, page 5

WESTCHESTER 2

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FIRE DEPARTMENT JANUARY 2017

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POLICE DEPARTMENT 4

JANUARY 2017

JANUARY 2017

PRESIDENT Continued from page 1 Become more confident: Confidence is the key to success.

Spend more time with family and friends.

Become grateful, happy and more polite.

Quit smoking.

Watch less TV and read more.

Find someone special and love unconditionally. ( This is NOT a “HALL PASS”) Be more organized.

Get out of debt and save money.

Volunteer and donate more often.

Learn new skills or hobbies.

Aside from making New Year resolutions, keeping them is also an equally important thing. Most people (roughly 80%) do not succeed in keeping their New Year resolutions.

Here are some tips that can help you keeping your New Year 2017 resolutions.

Make resolutions that actually matter or add things that you actually want to do and can do.

Plan properly and plan everything.

Make back-up plans.

Point out weak points for each activity and keep them in mind.

Talk about it and take help from your friends and family.

Take small steps, one at a time.

Congratulate and award yourself for achieving a step.

Keep motivating yourself.

Track your progress.

Stick to it until it becomes a habit.

Do Not Quit.

I’ll end with a quote from Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt: “THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE BEAUTY OF THEIR DREAMS.”

SNOW…SNOW…SNOW… As of this writing, the Chicagoland area has been hit with two significant snow falls resulting in overtime call outs for our Public Works Department.

Chicago’s first snowfall of the season broke a 52-year-old record on Sunday, December 4, 2016. O’Hare Airport saw 6.4 inches of snow by Sunday evening, according to the National Weather Service, shattering the previous daily snowfall record for December 4 which was 4.6 inches set in 1964.

The second call out was for Sunday, December 10, 2016. The official snowfall for Chicago was 7.8”, observed at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

The date of the average first measurable snowfall in Chicago was Nov. 16. Measurable snowfall is one-tenth of an inch or more on the ground, while anything less is considered a trace amount.

Both of these overtime callouts involved a pre-application of calcium chloride to the roadways to assist Public Works when they actually start to plow, which actually began a few hours later in both cases.

The Police Department issued over 100 tickets for violation of the SNOW ROUTE parking on the main arterial roadways of the village.

During the same time period, the Police Department was handling other calls for service, just not writing tickets.

Since this past October, I have written about the addition of our Saturday and Sunday parking restrictions affecting certain areas of the village after a 2 inch snowfall.

In a perfect financial world, the Board would have liked to apply new signs to the entire village last summer, but, unfortunately we have taken an approach to spread the cost of re-signage over a 2 year period.

We all know too well that there will be some confusion this winter season, as there is with any changes in how we are used to operating, however we have attempted to explain the restrictions via the newsletter and Village web site to the best of our ability. I am sure each of us listens intently to the news; especially regarding the amount of snow is going to fall on any particular day. Public Works and the Village Officials pride themselves on how Westchester streets are the cleanest around due to our Public Works Department.

If you do not make every effort to put your cars in your driveway or out of the marked snow route in anticipation of snow fall in excess of 2 inches, it will become very difficult to have the streets as clean as we expect. We also understand the plight of those residents that do not have the luxury of having a driveway to park in. Which was the origin of the alternate side street parking programs created 30 plus years ago.

I vividly recall the discussions back then of following the model of other villages, such as the Village of LaGrange Park, with restricting all street parking from 2am-6am every day, but due to having the North/East part of the village with predominantly alleys, few driveways, and only street parking

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this could not be accomplished.

HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.

Please understand that the Police Department has better things to do than spending their time writing parking tickets for snow violations. We are asking for your help, understanding, and patience as we make our streets safe for the Police and Fire Departments to respond to your calls for help, and for the safe passage of the driving public to negotiate clear roadways in our village.

AFTER 2 INCHES OF SNOW there is NO parking Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the even house numbered side, and no parking Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday on the odd house numbered side. Please check the signs at the corners and center of your block for guidance.

VILLAGE SNOW RESTRICTIONS IN-PLACE: IMPORTANT PLEASE READ Please be mindful of the snow parking restrictions that have been CHANGED this past year and went into effect on DECEMBER 1st.

There are two restrictions in place: if you reside on a designated SNOW ROUTE, after 2 inches of snowfall you must REMOVE all of the vehicles from the SNOW ROUTE. The cars and trucks must stay off the street until the streets are cleaned thoroughly by the PLOWS

by Public Works. If the snowfall is continuing, the restriction is in place until PW ceases the plowing for the day.

The second restriction that has actually CHANGED is the alternate side street parking on side-streets.

These are all the streets that are not snow routes.

The Public Works personnel requested the Village Board add Saturday and Sunday to the Monday through Friday restrictions now in place.

Emergency vehicles including Police, Fire, ambulance service, in addition to plowing, has been hampered with the amount of vehicles parked on both sides of the street.

A CHANGE in the restriction times for the ALTERNATE SIDE STREET PARKING is NOW in effect from 7am through 3pm SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, or 7 days a week, for those streets with the NEW BLUE/WHITE SIGNS. For your reference, the signs can be seen on the Public Works page of this newsletter.

As mentioned in the past newsletters, the village did not have the monies to replace all the signs in the entire village. The streets with the old Red/White signage will be upgraded next budget year.

TO REITERATE: THIS IS A CHANGE FOR ONLY THOSE SIDE STREETS WHERE THE NEW BLUE AND WHITE PARKING SIGNS

A better suggestion if you do have a side driveway: please park your car in the driveway when the weather report predicts a snowfall in excess of 2 inches. This way you won’t have to worry about getting a ticket from the police, interfere with plowing or salting activities, and the streets can be cleaned curb to curb to accommodate a response for LIFE SAVING emergency services.

The Street Maintenance portion of the sign pertains to our street sweeping initiative which will begin sometime next spring nothing you have to worry about now. As we get into the spring more information will follow. Street Maintenance has been introduced to designate specific days for PW to perform street sweeping in a consistent manner beginning in the spring. Street maintenance has nothing to do with snow removal activities.

REMEMBER: DO NOT TO PUT SNOW INTO THE STREET. This practice is against our code and creates a dangerous situation for vehicles and plows that would strike a pile of snow left in the street. I found it just as effective clearing driveway aprons side to side.

PLOWS CANNOT lift their blades to avoid putting snow back on the driveway aprons.

PLOWS drive down the street the opposite way; if they did a huge pile of snow would be put into the middle of the street. Snow removal would require an end loader to go up and down each street, loading snow into a dump truck which is not effective in time or cost.

DO NOT put your garbage cans in the street. It becomes very difficult for the plows to drive around them and it prevents the curb to curb removal of snow that PW makes every attempt to do.

Shoveling or clearing a small area on the parkway where the cans can fit works best.

See PRESIDENT, page 6

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JANUARY 2017

PRESIDENT Continued from page 5

Unfortunately, we all will be shoveling or snow blowing the snow more often than we like.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS Over the past month I have received many positive comments regarding the decorations at the Cermak & Mannheim Rd. Fountain area. Our Public Works Elves Eric Détente and Mike Luciano, as well as a rotating group of Assistant Elves, helped decorate not only the fountain area, but at the Westchester Park District path and the Village Christmas Tree by the Roosevelt Rd. Fire Department.

For as long as I’ve been here Elf Eric has taken the lead making sure everything looks just right, and is as festive as can be. The village is fortunate to have dedicated employees that take pride in their work and are mentors to those who are learning the operation. There are many employees that go above and beyond their duties to make Westchester the place to be.

Thank you goes out to a resident who did not want any recognition for donating the lighted Moose figurines and sleigh just in front of the decorated Christmas Tree Fountain.

The reindeer and accompanying sleigh and snowman outside the village hall are borrowed from a friend of mine to add a little Holiday Spirit to the village hall.

Thank you to the Girl Scout Troop for applying the decorations to the Christmas Tree inside the lobby of the village hall. A special thanks to Finance Clerk Melissa Fecarotta for braving the cold and being a very special Santa’s Helper at Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen at the Park District Tree Lighting. All in all the Christmas spirit is alive and well in Westchester.

KUDO’S TO WESTHCHESTER POLICE Over the past few months, several serious crimes have occurred in the village. Highlighted were the robbery at the Sprint Store at Roosevelt and Mannheim Rd, the resident who was the victim of a robbery and theft of his vehicle followed home from shopping, and the battery and theft of liquor at JD’s Convenient. I am pleased

to report that our village police department and hard working follow-up by the detective division was able to make arrests on all three of these serious criminal events.

NO SHAVE JANUARY You may notice some of our Westchester Police Officers looking a little furrier in January. The Westchester Police Department is hosting a fundraiser benefitting the Law Enforcement Torch Run/Special Olympics.

Any officer raising at least $200 in contributions in January will be allowed to grow a beard for the month of January. If you would like to contribute, please contact Police Chief Steven Stelter at 708345-0060.

WESTCHESTER BLOOD PROGRAM YEAR END REPORT Attached below is the Year End Report of the Westchester Blood Program provided by Chairman Carl Panek. The report was sent to me after our December deadline but the information is important to share with all residents.

To our many volunteers and supporters: At our final drive this year, the fifth annual Turkey Drive on November 15th, we took in 41 units (37 units of whole blood and 4 units of red cells), and that gave us 417 units for the year.

All of the donors, even those few who were deferred, got a turkey, thanks to LifeSource and Mariano’s. That total of 417 is the lowest in several years. Since 2013 -- when we took in exactly 500 -- we have not even gotten close to our goal of 500.

LifeSource tells me that blood donations from coast to coast are declining.

So, apparently, we’ll need to lower our ambitions.

Two points of celebration: Since our founding in June 1974, we have collected 25,648 units.

That is more than enough to serve the needs of nearly 80,000 hospital patients.

Back in October, we were honored at LifeSource’s annual Top 20 Luncheon, held in Halas Hall on the property of the Chicago Bears’ training center in Lake Forest.

We again finished first among community blood groups.

We are looking for new donors. If you know of someone 20 through 40 years old, tell him or her about how important it is to donate blood. Point out that donated

blood is replicated within days, and how vital it is for men of that age to rid their bodies of excess iron that can trigger cancer and heart ailments.

Illinois State Budget, and the “Stop Gap” budget appropriations, not associated with court ordered consent decrees, put in place that expired on December 31st, 2016.

One sad note. If you ever watched the Westchester July 4th Parade, you must have seen Mikey, the black Labrador Retriever who rode with us in the back of the truck driven by his owner, Dan Dugo.

Mikey passed away of old age in October. We all grieve along with his human family.

My message to all of you: HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Carl Panek, WBP chairman

The bi-partisan group, although separated by political party and affiliation, believed that compromises were possible before the December 31, 2016 date. As of this writing, nothing had been decided on. I, like the rest of you, are anxious to see the matter resolved with a budget in place. Hopefully the matter has been settled, and this information moot. I would hate to think that our Legislature and Governor could not come to an agreement regarding the present and future of our state. For our State, waiting for the next gubernatorial election is not a viable option.

The next scheduled blood drive will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 8am to 3pm at the Divine Providence School, located at 2500 Mayfair Ave. To make an appointment please call 708-6064548 or LifeSource Blood Services at 1-877-543-3768’

THANK YOU STORINO, RAMELLO, AND DURKIN Since 2010 our law firm Storino, Ramello, and Durkin have donated money to a charity with ties to Westchester. This year The Westchester Blood Program was the recipient of their donation. As you can see from the article above, Westchester is a leader in blood collection. Recipients in prior years have been the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, the Westchester Food Pantry and ASPIRE Services.

Donald, Richard and Michael, Thank you for your generosity to Westchester.

LAGRANGE PARK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTS LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST I, along with our Community Development Director Melissa Headley, Economic Development Board Chairperson Pastor Joseph Mills and EDC Member Brian Doruff attended a meeting hosted by the LaGrange Park Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, December 13th, at Plymouth Place with several Illinois Legislative Leaders.

The reason for the meeting was for members of the business community, and elected officials to ask questions of members of the Illinois State Legislators. Those Legislators in attendance were State Senators Steven Landek, Christine Rodogno, and State Representatives Patti Bellock, Chris Welch and Michael Zalewski.

Presently, the State of Illinois has a backlog of unpaid bills in excess of 6 BILLION DOLLARS. I have heard many providers not accepting the state of Illinois insurance or demanding payment from the employees in full not wanting to wait for payment from the state any longer.

The second topic asked was how each felt about term limitations.

As you would imagine, they were against limiting their terms indicating the voters should decide when election time comes whether not they should be in office. For your information there were 4 Referendum Questions on the November 8, 2016 ballot regarding term limits. The voters in Broadview, Calumet City, Crestwood, and Harvey were asked to vote on the question. Everyone passed. In fact, in neighboring Broadview, Mayor Jones will be prohibited from seeking a 3rd term this coming May as the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that the 8 year consecutive limitation was proper even retroactively. If you are wondering how I feel about the issue, I recall standing on a chair at Paul’s Pizza on election day April 7, 2009 telling all in attendance that I would like to be the Westchester Village President for 8 years and then hand the baton to the next Village President to push the village forward in a positive manner. A promise I am keeping.

MAYFAIR RESERVOIR PUMPHOUSE UPGRADE With

The majority of the questions were regarding the lack of an

the

Mayfair

Reservoir

See PRESIDENT, page 7

JANUARY 2017

PRESIDENT Continued from page 6 Expansion complete, our plan moving forward is to upgrade the electrical component and our ability to monitor the pump activity remotely through a working SCADA system.

The electrical system presently in place was installed during construction in 1975-1977.

Much of the design would not be acceptable under today’s standards.

For example, the two sump-pumps and two above ground pumps have electrical connections a few inches below the concrete floor.

At our last excessive rain event in 2013, a 6 inch pump inlet had to be inserted into the shaft to assist in pumping water out of the shaft to avoid shorting out the pump connections and thereby creating a situation none of us want to think about.

As of December 19th, we have been able to pump a majority of the standing water out of the bottom of the reservoir.

We had a problem with one of the sump pumps that was rectified as December 16th.

Presently our village engineering firm Christopher Burke Engineering is designing a state of the art retro-fitting of electronic components and systems that will compliment the expansion and mitigation completed last year along Carlisle Street.

VILLAGE FINANCIAL REPORT At our November 21st board meeting, Finance Director Chris Webber presented a report reflecting 6 months of our fiscal year May 1st through October 31st.

Financing the village operation and balancing revenues vs expenditures will always be difficult in government.

Westchester, like all communities, does not exist to generate a profit like the private sector. During the months of February and March we will be meeting to formulate our 2017-2018 budget. As always, these are public meetings and you are all invited to attend. The following are highlights from his report: SIGNIFICANT BUDGET ITEMS Sales Tax Receipts: Base Sales Tax receipts for the month of October ( July sales) and September ( June sales) amounted to $109,238 and $102,058 as compared to prior year receipts of $104,326 and $104,065 respectively.

This represents an increase of $4,912 (4.7%) for October and a decrease of $2,007 (-1.9%) for September. Year-to-date base sales tax receipts for the first six months of FY 2016-17 total $627,952 as compared to $618,623 for the same period last fiscal year, an increase of $9,329 (1.5%). This revenue source appears to be in line with budget projections for the year.

Income Tax Receipts: Income Tax revenue for the months of October (September liability) and September (August liability) amounted to $98,951 and $90,590 as compared to prior year receipts of $97,055 and $101,901 respectively. This represents an increase of $1,896 (1.95%) for October and a decrease of $24,356 (-14.28%) for September.

Total Income Tax receipts for the first six of FY 2016-17 total $849,526 as compared to the prior year amount of $971,409, which is $121,883 or 12.5% below the prior year. The FY 2016-17 Budget amount for income tax equates to $108.53 per capita, which is is higher than the per capita amount of $104 that was projected by a consultant hired by the Illinois Municipal League in July, 2016 to make revenue projection for municipalities. Village staff recently corresponded with IML and they are currently researching the decrease in income tax distributions and expect to have revised projections issued by January 2017 which will help formulate our 2017-2018 Budget.

Places for Eating Tax Receipts: Places for Eating Tax revenue for October amounted to $23,177 as compared to the prior year amount of $20,000, an increase of $3,177 (15.9%). Year to date Places for Eating taxes earned for the first six months of the year amount to $137,854 as compared to the prior year amount of $127,810, an increase of $10,044 (7.9%).

This variance is favorable when compared to budget as an increase of 6.25% was assumed in the FY 2016-17.

OTHER ITEMS Investments: As of October, 2016 the Village’s available funds were primarily invested in pooled funds. The October, 2016 Illinois Funds yield is 0.03% as compared to the current 90-day Treasury bill rate of 0.03%. The IMET 1-3 year fund posted a return of -0.6% for the month, and the trailing 12-month IMET total return is 0.62%. The

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IMET convenience fund posted a return of 0.04% for October.

to stress the need for proper fiscal management by each department.

Variance Analysis-General Fund: The following is an analysis of the October 2016 Financial Report of the Village’s General Fund.

General overall items to note include: Total legal billings through the month of October amounted to $165,778, which is tracking above budget for the first six months of the fiscal year.

REVENUES: Property Tax Distributions— Property tax collections through October amounted to $2,782,021, which is approximately 45.6% of the Village’s tax levy.

State Distributions: Sales Tax: As previously mentioned, total year to date State Sales Tax receipts for FY 201617 are $627,952 or 1.5% above previous year sales tax receipts and are slightly above budget.

Income Tax: Income Tax receipts for the first six months of FY 2016-17 amount to $849,526, which is $121,883 below the prior year.

Utility Taxes: Combined Gas, Electric, and Telecommunications Taxes for October were $122,169, which is $1,334 or 1.1% above previous year’s receipts. Year to date Utility Tax receipts amount to $700,694, an increase of $5,255 or 0.8% from the previous year.

Permits: Building Permit revenues for October were $42,536, which is $10,044 or 30.9% above the prior year. For the first six months of the year, total Building Permit revenue stands at $297,481, an increase of $15,141 or 5.4% from the prior year.

Fines: Fines consist of Circuit Court fines received from the County as well as citations issued by the Village. For October, revenue from fines totaled $51,790, which is $10,582 or 25.7% above the prior year. Year to date revenue from fines amounts to $509,704, an increase of $111,078 or 27.9%. The Village Debt Recover Funds are recorded here which has resulted in a large increase in revenues.

OPERATING EXPENDITURES: As October is only the sixth month of the fiscal year, operating expenditures for all Departments are still within budgetary expectations. Staff will continually monitor departmental expenditures, including overtime, and the Village Manager continues

Fire Department – Overtime has exceeded the $130,000 budgeted amount as of month-end. Staff expects this account to be substantially over budget for the fiscal year. This occurred as a result of extended illness, resignation, and the amount of time testing, interviewing, completing and our hiring of new candidates.

ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE Westchester and a majority of Cities and Villages belong to the Illinois Municipal League.

The League is based in Springfield and prides itself in providing critical information to all of its members.

Over the years they have provided nearly precise financial forecasts and state revenue sharing estimates for use in developing and managing municipal budgets. I am providing a recent IML report that local leaders will be deciphering as we plan our financial strategy for 2017 and beyond.

In this article, IML discuss revisions to our Municipal Fiscal Year (MFY ) 2017 estimates and present MFY 2018 forecasts for sources administered by the State of Illinois. Underlying economic conditions have not changed significantly since IML first made its MFY 2017 forecasts in December 2016. That being the case, it has been difficult to fully decipher income tax receipt data being posted by the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). Year-to-date receipt data, along with learning more about the implications of a new IDOR financial accounting system and associated procedural changes that are occurring within IDOR, necessitate making significant adjustments to IML’s Corporate Persona l Property Replacement Taxes (CPPRT) and Local Government Distributive Fund(LGDF) forecasts. IML also points out that these forecasts may have to be revised again depending on how the new IDOR system ends up allocating revenues for the rest of this MFY. In the spring, IML was informed

See PRESIDENT, page 11

CALENDAR 8

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CALENDAR JANUARY 2017

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CALENDAR 10

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PRESIDENT Continued from page 7 that IDOR had put a new accounting system in place, and as a result of implementing the new system, it was discovered that an estimated $168 million had been over allocated to CPPRT that should have gone to Individual Income Taxes (IIT). This figure was subsequently revised up to $183.6 million. In November, when attempting to understand recent CPPRT cash flow patterns, we learned that the new accounting system is also allocating monthly receipts between CPPRT and Corporate Income Taxes (CIT) in a way that deviates significantly from past practice. IML was informed by IDOR that new cash-flow patterns will not settle down until the end of State Fiscal Year (SFY ) 2018.

ECONOMIC OVERVIEW Gross domestic product growth was weak in the first few months of MFY 2017, but since then has picked up and is estimated to grow at an annual rate of 1.9 percent compared with an estimated 1.3 percent for MFY 2016. Illinois

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continues to experience sustained increases in employment and decreases in reported unemployment in MFY 2017. For example, in MFY 2017 through October, employment levels are 86,640 higher on average when compared to the same period in MFY 2016. 1) The State’s unemployment rate stood at 5.6 percent in October 2016 compared with 5.9 percent in October 2015.

2) At the time of writing, economic forecasts suggest that overall the economy will exhibit continued growth over the forecast period with the exception of corporate profits (note that there is a oneyear lag between corporate profits and business income taxes). 3) Corporate profits applicable to the remainder of the forecast period are forecast to be fl at to slightly negative. This translates into relatively flat economically driven growth incorporate and personal property replacement taxes for the remainder of MFY 2017 through MFY 2018. 4) However, there were changes to the federal tax code made retroactively for tax year 2016 and also for tax year 2017 that allow corporations with large amounts of investment

See PRESIDENT, page 19

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LIBRARY 14

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT JANUARY 2017

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ST. JOSEPH 16

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PARK DISTRICT 18

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PRESIDENT Continued from page 11 in equipment (and certain other property) to immediately deduct from their taxable income 50 percent of the costs of those investments. In a recent publication, the Congressional Budget Office suggests that this provision has exerted downward pressure on 2016 federal corporate income tax receipts, but they will not be able to determine the magnitude of the impact until they analyze tax returns, a significant portion of which will not be filed until September 2017.

5) This builds uncertainty into Illinois income taxes because the starting point for Illinois’ income taxes is federal taxable income. Therefore, changes in the federal tax base automatically impact Illinois income tax receipts. IML highly recommends that municipalities adopt conservative estimates when it comes to revenue streams that are comprised of business income taxes. Readers should note that the most recent available economic forecasts used to develop IML’s MFY2018 revenue forecasts anticipate continued growth nationally, in spite of the policy uncertainty created by the recent Presidential election results. While Illinois’ economy has strengthened somewhat, it is important to recognize ongoing challenges caused by the state’s continued budget/fiscal problems.

As IML noted in an earlier report, Moodys.com has identified the state’s budget problems as one of the biggest risks to economic forecasts for Illinois.

As you can see there are certainly going to be challenges and a lot of unknowns going forward. Any reductions in the LGDF, the amount of money each city receives based on population, will definitely affect municipalities throughout the state. If you recall local mayors and elected officials throughout the region were able to thwart the reductions of LGDF during Governor Quinn’s administration.

I am ready willing and able to again reject any LGDF reductions, just like before . . . Sam DEBT RECOVERY PROGRAM Four years ago the Village of Westchester joined a host of other communities in the State of Illinois Debt Recovery Program. As you can see from the amount listed under fines in the previous article,

collections from this program are occurring.

Beginning January 2015 those individuals owning an unpaid debt to the Village of Westchester will see the amount of the debt taken from their State Income Tax Return or other State of Illinois revenue payments. For the past year Westchester has collected $396,496.63 as a result of the program. There have been only a handful of reversals where those debts have been contested. If you have an unpaid ticket or debt to the village please contact our Finance Director Mr. Chris Webber at 708345-0020, extension 223 to rectify the situation.

In case you were wondering how Westchester and other communities are given authority to participate I have included the following synopsis of the program for your review. Effective January 1, 2012, Public Act 970632 established the “Local Debt Recovery Program” to allow units of local government to collect outstanding debt in coordination with the Illinois Comptroller’s Office.

The Act modified the State Comptroller Act (15 ILCS 404/10.05), which currently allows for an offset or deduction from State proceeds to individuals in order to pay either all of or a portion of the claim or account to the State of Illinois or the United States.

This modification adds units of local government, school districts, and public institutions of higher education to the entities available to utilize such a procedure. The offset or deduction requested cannot exceed 25% of the net amount of the payment, and it cannot be put towards final compensation for payments with a value of accrued vacation, overtime or sick leave.

The recovery program is limited to claims exceeding $50.00 for funds currently held by the State Treasurer, not anticipated funds. Exempt also from offset or deductions are the Senior Citizens’ and Disabled Persons’ Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistant Act, as well as payments to the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Trust Fund. The Program would appear to allow local units of government, school districts and public universities to collect a wide variety of debts that may include parking tickets, fines, fees and other types of outstanding local obligations.

The Comptroller’s Office can access a processing charge of up to $15 per transaction.

To initiate participation in the Local Debt Recovery Program, the local unit of government must execute an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Comptroller’s Office. The Intergovernmental Agreement will establish responsibilities, duties and procedures to provide for the payments.

The debts that the local units of government are seeking to collect must meet some initial procedural due process and notification requirements.

For the local unit of government to meet the threshold of providing procedural due process and notification to the individual regarding the debt, they will need to provide the Comptroller’s Office with information, including but not limited to the following: the name and address of the debtor, amount of the claim, description of the claim, time period under which the claim falls, the local unit of government to which the debt is owed, information regarding the notification given to the debtor, information as to the opportunity to be heard and statement of any outcome of hearing or proceeding held to establish the debt, and any date of final determination.

When processing the requested deduction, the person subject to the deduction shall receive written notice from the Comptroller’s Office and shall have the right to make a written protest within 60 days after notice is received. The written protest must include the reason for contesting the deduction and provide the opportunity to present relevant information to enable the Comptroller’s Office to determine the amount due and payable. The Intergovernmental Agreement will establish procedures through which the Comptroller will determine the validity of any protest and provide a final disposition regarding the deduction. Failure on the part of the debtor to file a written protest within 60 days waives the right to contest the claim and the Comptroller shall pay the deduction to the unit of local government.

In short, the Local Debt Recovery Program may provide units of local government with a new and inexpensive collection tool against debtors who are anticipating funds from the State of Illinois. It has had a positive effect on the village revenue collections.

HOUSE FIRE On

Wednesday,

December

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at 12:45 pm the Westchester Fire Department responded to a reported house fire in the 900 block of Bristol. Upon arrival, crews found heavy smoke throughout a brick bungalow and a fire in the back room. Crews pulled hose lines, ventilated numerous windows, and extinguished the fire fairly quickly.

There was moderate smoke and water damage throughout the house.

The house was being occupied by 7 adult individuals.

One needed assistance evacuating but the rest evacuated and there were no apparent injuries.

The utilities were shut off and the building department was notified. The fire’s cause is under investigation but initially looks electrical in nature. During the incident, the residents were relocated to the community room to keep them warm. Red Cross was called out for further living assistance and met them in the community room. A board up company was called and the house was turned over to the house manager.

The firefighters did an excellent job extinguishing the fire and minimizing damage. There were no injuries to any first responders.

Police did an excellent job with traffic control and resident placement assistance.

Public works was called out to salt the area to reduce the slip hazard and did a great job as well. The cause of the fire is under investigation as of this writing.

WINTER FIRES Even though we do not know the cause of the above house fire the cold winter season is a time where many fires occur. I would like to share some tips and suggestions to keep you safe and sound this winter involving the use of space heaters.

Cold weather brings fire hazards into homes: space heaters and extra electrical wiring. Most common this time of year is fires resulting from the misuse of portable space heaters and overloaded extension cords, often in combination. The National Fire Protection Association this year reported that from 2009 to 2013, firefighters annually were called to an average 56,000 home fires involving heating equipment, each year causing about 470 deaths, 1,500 injuries and $1 billion in

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PRESIDENT Continued from page 19 property losses. Space heaters caused 40 percent of those, leading to almost 85 percent of the deaths, 75 percent of the injuries and half of the property damage. The three peak months of home heating fires are the cold ones, obviously: December, January and February account for half the annual total and cause 60 percent of the deaths, according to the fire protection association.

People typically make one of two primary errors: They leave something flammable too close to a heater or they plug it into a power strip or extension cord that can’t handle the electrical load.

Sometimes that strip or cord is damaged in a way that’s not obvious until it’s overloaded; sometimes it simply lacks the capacity to accommodate a heat-producing appliance. Don’t put anything that will catch fire close to a heat source, be it a space heater, wood stove or fireplace. Three feet is considered the minimum distance.

Anything closer may ignite.

Typically portable heating devices pull high amperage. Some of the common principles of electrical usage people don’t always understand. An example of that would be a power strip. A power strip provides more outlets, but it doesn’t provide higher amperage from that particular outlet. A power strip has a thick cord that looks sturdy, but that doesn’t mean it can handle more load. Each has no more capacity than the outlet it’s plugged into.

Most home outlets are usually capable of pulling 15 to 20 amps.

When you plug in a space heater that’s pulling maybe 10 amps, which is a lot, then you plug in a hair dryer, too, or you already had something else that’s pulling high amperage, you get into a situation where that device can’t pull the load. Plus power strips and extension cords aren’t meant to be permanent fixtures you use for years. A lot of times extension cords are used as a permanent source of power, instead of a temporary source of power, which is what they’re designed for. The cord may have been stepped on a lot, or bent a lot. Inside the rubber of extension cords are wire conductors. They’ll break – the strands break – and you don’t see them, especially when they’re kinked. If the damage is concealed

JANUARY 2017 inside the cord, the user may not notice until it’s hot. What happens is it will work OK while it’s under a small load, but then when you put a heavy load on that same cord, which now has broken conductor, it’s trying to pull the same amount of power though less wire, so it generates heat. Sometimes users run extension cords under rugs or furniture where they’re not only subjected to repeated kinking and abrasion, but hidden beneath combustible material. The danger may not be apparent until someone plugs in a heating device.

A simple principle to remember is that anything producing heat – an iron for clothes, a curling iron for hair, an electrical space heater – needs a lot of power, and is best plugged directly into an outlet instead of a power strip or extension cord. Heating devices pull a lot of power, so our advice would be to plug in only one heating device per outlet. If you need another outlet, you may have to consider having an electrician install another wall outlet, possibly on another circuit.

Another thing to remember is that older homes weren’t designed to power all the electrical devices people use these days. Some have been rewired during renovation, but many have not. There are a lot of homes in Westchester that were built in the ‘50s and ‘60s. The load centers in those homes were not designed to deliver the kind of power we’re asking for today. Today everything has to be charged. As a matter of convenience, we have all these portable devices, but there’s a price to be paid, and they pull a lot of power.

The safety tip that stresses most is this: Make sure you have smoke detectors, and make sure they work. Just checking the batteries is not sufficient. The sensors over time will wear out, so they must be tested, even if they’re hardwired into a home’s electrical system. Many online sources offer additional fire protection tips. The National Fire Protection Association can be found at www. nfpa.org.

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING During the cold winter months where unchecked furnaces and alternate heating devices are used there is an increase in deaths involving Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide, or “CO,” is an

odorless, colorless gas that can kill you.

Where is CO found?

CO is found in fumes produced any time you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces. CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO it can make you pass out or kill you. People who are sleeping or drunk can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms.

Who is at risk from CO poisoning?

Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning. Infants, the elderly, people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or breathing problems are more likely to get sick from CO. Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized. Have your heating system serviced annually How can I prevent CO poisoning in my home?

Install a battery-operated or battery back-up CO detector in your home and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall. Place your detector where it will wake you up if it alarms, such as outside your bedroom.

Consider buying a detector with a digital readout. This detector can tell you the highest level of CO concentration in your home in addition to alarming. Replace your CO detector every five years.

Have your heating system, water heater, and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.

Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters indoors.

If you smell an odor from your gas refrigerator have an expert service it. An odor from your gas refrigerator can mean it could be leaking CO. When you buy gas equipment, buy only equipment carrying the seal of a national testing agency, such as Underwriters’ Laboratories.

Make sure your gas appliances are vented properly. Horizontal

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vent pipes for appliances, such as a water heater, should go up slightly as they go toward outdoors, as shown below. This prevents CO from leaking if the joints or pipes aren’t fitted tightly.

Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year. Chimneys can be blocked by debris. This can cause CO to build up inside your home or cabin.

Never patch a vent pipe with tape, gum, or something else. This kind of patch can make CO build up in your home, cabin, or camper.

Never use a gas range or oven for heating. Using a gas range or oven for heating can cause a build up of CO inside your home, cabin, or camper.

Never burn charcoal indoors.

Burning charcoal - red, gray, black, or white - gives off CO. Never use a portable gas camp stove indoors. Using a gas camp stove indoors can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper.

Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door or vent.

How can I avoid CO poisoning from my car or truck?

Have a mechanic check the exhaust system of your car or truck every year. A small leak in the exhaust system can lead to a buildup of CO inside the car.

Never run your car or truck inside a garage that is attached to a house even with the garage door open.

Always open the door to a detached garage to let in fresh air when you run a car or truck inside.

If you drive a car or SUV with a tailgate, when you open the tailgate open the vents or windows to make sure air is moving through. If only the tailgate is open CO from the exhaust will be pulled into the car or SUV. FEDERAL JUDGE ISSUES PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION A federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas entered a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking the Department of Labor’s (DOL) new overtime rules from taking effect on December 1, 2016. As has been widely discussed, the new overtime rules would have increased the minimum salary requirements for the so called “white collar” exemptions from $455 per week to $913 per week beginning December 1st.

On Tuesday, November 22, 2016, District Court Judge Amos L. Mazzant III issued a

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PRESIDENT Continued from page 21 other qualifying non-medical locations within the Township.

All participants must reside in Proviso Township. The Senior Ride Program is a curb to curb service that requires all participants be able to walk unassisted to and from the Township vehicle.

Interested individuals should call Proviso Township Senior Services at 708/449-4307 to determine eligibility and register for the service.

MEALS ON WHEELS: Please call our office at 708-449-4307 for more information.

For more information on the senior services Proviso Township offers, please call 708-449-4307.

Your Proviso township officials are here to serve you and help cut through the bureaucracy of government.

Contact Information: Township of Proviso, 4565 W. Harrison Street, Hillside, Illinois 60162 Phone: 708-449-4300 CELEBRATE MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a federal holiday observed on the third Monday of January which is Monday January 16th. Dr. King’s birthday is Friday, January 15th.

Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for equal civil rights for African Americans. Each year, on the 3rd Monday of January, we celebrate his life and his dream. The day was made a national holiday in 1986.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia.

He was a minister who participated in many peaceful demonstrations in regard to unfair treatment of African Americans. He is famous for his meaningful speech “I Have a Dream.” He won the Nobel Peace prize in 1964. Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee.

CONSUMER REPORTS JANUARY 2017 ISSUE I do not know how many of you receive or saw the latest January Issue of Consumer Reports. There is an article I read with much interest regarding “How to Survive a High Deductible Health Plan” written by Ms. Donna Rosato.

The article is very informative of what may be the future of health insurance provided by the employer as the trend is to

move toward a High Deductible Health Plan. The very well done article is several pages. I would encourage you to get a copy and read it thoroughly. The headings discuss the DOWNSIDE of HIGH DEDUCTIBLES, ARE CONSUMERS REALLY IN CONTROL, AND HOW TO MAKE THE BEST OF A HDHP PLAN. Several tips are provided on how to reduce deductible costs.

A highlight in the article indicates Almost 30% of people in High Deductible Plans avoided medical care because they could not afford out-of pocket costs. Something very disturbing especially when routine medical examinations are not being done and illnesses are not being addressed before they get worse.

SORROW IN OUR MIDST Where do I start. As stated above Congressman Danny Davis is not only a personal friend of mine, but to all the people residing in Westchester.

It has been well publicized in the news about the senseless death of his grandson, Javon Alexander Jordan Wilson, on November 18, 2016.

Javon would have been 16 years old this January. The reason for his death is beyond any reason, the result of a disagreement about expensive shoes, and the access to a gun at the hands of another juvenile.

Representative Davis commented.

“I grieve for my family, I grieve for the young man who pulled the trigger. I grieve for his family, his parents, his friends, some of whom will never see him again.”

“What could have prevented this tragedy? Better education, more supervision after school activity.

Better parenting.”

The second senseless act of violence involved the murder of Cory Foster Jr., age 20, following an attempted armed robbery in Broadview in the vicinity of Roosevelt Rd. and 25th Ave., during the early morning hours of December 12, 2016.

Cory’s father, a former State Representative from Bellwood, and Chief of Staff for Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin, now works for ComEd. Cory is our direct link to ComEd as our representative.

I do not have any further details of these horrific acts of violence. I cannot imagine how these families are coping, especially at this time of year when Peace, Hope, and Brotherhood, is being celebrated.

The arrests of suspects will not bring these two young men back

to us. Life is precious no matter who’s it is. This dangerous cycle of violence cannot continue.

Add to that the 758 murders in the City of Chicago that have occurred from January 1, 2016 through Monday December 19, 2016 and those families grieving their loss is just heart breaking. Please keep those families in your prayers.

The third passing I would like to comment on is the passing of former Westchester Village President Frederick C. Wedinger.

President Wedinger was president of the Village of Westchester from 1973- 1981. I had the distinct pleasure of knowing President Wedinger as a young police officer.

In studying the flooding history of Westchester, President Wedinger and his Board of Trustees were instrumental in the construction of the Mayfair Reservoir back in 1975, after devastating flood waters damaged affected many properties on in the Carlisle and south end of the village. President Wedinger is survived by two children, Karen and Eric, and 5 grandchildren. The Love of His Life Elaine Wedinger passed away in February 2015 after celebrating 69 years of marriage.

For the past several years, I have exchanged a Christmas card with Fred and had just received his in return on Friday, December 9th, before I was notified of his passing on Sunday, December 11, 2016. As you pass by the Honorary Street Signage at Wolf Rd. and Wakefield please remember President Fred Wedinger and his wife Elaine as Historic Public Servants to this Beautiful Village….Sam

FROM THE BOARD At the November 22nd Village Board Meeting, the following items were approved under the Consent Agenda: Approval of the Record of Bills ending 11-17-16 in the amount not to exceed $1,469,686.82 Approval of Minutes of the November 8, 2016 Village Board Meeting, Minutes of the November 8, 2016 Committee of the Whole Meeting, and Minutes of the November 8, 2016 Executive Session An Ordinance Providing for the Levy, Assessment and Collection of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2016 and ending April 30, 2017, for the Village of Westchester, County of Cook, State of Illinois, in the amount of $7,844,898 An Ordinance Abating the 2016 Tax Levy for the $3,500,000 Village of Westchester, Cook County, Illinois Taxable General Obligation

Bonds (Motor Fuel Tax Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2010A An Ordinance Abating the 2016 Tax Levy for the $1,610,000 Village of Westchester, Cook County, Illinois Taxable General Obligation Bonds ( Water and Sewer Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2010B An Ordinance Abating the 2016 Tax Levy for the $5,800,000 Village of Westchester, Cook County, Illinois Taxable General Obligation Bonds (Sales Tax Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2013 An Ordinance Abating the 2016 Tax Levy for the $2,200,000 Village of Westchester, Cook County, Illinois Taxable General Obligation Bonds (Sales Tax Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2015 A Resolution Directing the County Clerk to Calculate Separate Limiting Rates for the Tax Levy of the Village of Westchester, Illinois for the 2016 Tax Levy Year A Resolution of the Governing Body of the Village of Westchester Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of a Master Equipment Lease-Purchase Agreement with PNC Equipment Finance, LLC, as Lessor, and Separate Lease Schedules Thereto for the Acquisition, Purchase, Financing and Leasing of Certain Equipment within the Terms Herein Provided; Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of other Documents Required in Connection Therewith; and Authorizing All Other Actions Necessary to the Consummation of the Transactions Contemplated by this Resolution At the November 22nd Village Board Meeting, the following items were approved under the Active Agenda: A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Professional Engineering Services Agreement with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. for Mechanical and Electrical Improvements to the Mayfair Retention Reservoir in the Village of Westchester, in the amount of $31,000 At the November 22nd Village Committee of the Whole Meeting, the following items discussed under New Business: Restructured Parking Fee Amendment to the Snow Parking Ordinance EPA Compliance Issue – Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. Bridge Engineering Inspection Services Travel Expense Policy

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PRESIDENT Continued from page 26 nationwide injunction blocking the implementation of the new rules and enjoining the DOL from expending any resources to enforce them. The court found, among other things, that the DOL’s new rules create a “de-facto salary only test” that fails to properly consider and emphasize the actual duties performed by employees, and is inconsistent with the Fair Labor Standards Act and the authority granted to the DOL by Congress. According to Judge Mazzant, “the Department exceeds its delegated authority and ignores Congress’ intent by raising the minimum salary level such that it supplants the duties test.” It is important to note that this is a temporary measure designed to preserve the status quo while the court considers the merits of the case. Because this decision is not final, it is certainly possible that Judge Mazzant may ultimately uphold the validity of the new rules, or portions of the new rules.

In addition, the injunction is immediately appealable, and given the stakes and the timing of the decision, it is conceivable that the Obama administration may move quickly in an effort to save the new rules. Finally, it is also very possible that the Trump administration, once in office, will take steps to prevent enforcement of the rules or cease efforts to defend them if the case is still active.

In the meantime, the current overtime exemptions for executive, administrative, and professional employees will remain in place, meaning the salary threshold will remain at $455 per week until further notice. The rule would require employers to start paying overtime to workers earning salaries of less than $47,476 a year — a threshold the business community and many states say is too big a jump from the current $23,660 last updated in 2004. Some workers whose salaries exceed the threshold can qualify for overtime pay depending on job duties. Even without court action, the fate of the rule has been far from assured as it also faces a possible strong challenge from Donald Trump, the president-elect who has vowed to roll back business regulations.

CORRESPONDENCE Following the delivery of the December newsletter I received an unsigned letter without a return address taking me to task regarding my putting what President-Elect Trump is planning to do in his first 100 days. The letter indicated it had nothing to do with Westchester, and cited opinion of a news organization not flattering of the President-Elect.

First of all, thank you for sending it to me. Second, I frequently share initiatives I learn about from our federal elected officials, as well as state elected official regardless of where there district are located. I am on several email lists for both Senators Durbin and Kirk, and will be on Senator Duckworth’s as well. I receive information from Representatives Michael Quigley and Danny Davis who I consider personal friends. I also subscribe to Representative Cheri Bustos email information, who I have not formally met. I offered no comment regarding any support for any initiative. I, like you, have my own personal opinion which I did not share. My comments were to move forward as Americans and all work toward the common goal of bettering America, through all levels of government whether they be Federal, State, or Local.

P.S. you can send me your info I’d be happy to speak to you in private.

708-345-0092

UBER NAMED METRA’S OFFICIAL RIDESHARE PARTNER For those of you utilizing Metra, I received this press release that may be of assistance to our residents.

CHICAGO, IL (Dec. 14, 2016) – Metra today announced that it is entering into a three-year agreement with Uber to serve as the agency’s “Official Rideshare Partner.”

Metra will identify Uber as its preferred rideshare provider for connections to and from the agency’s downtown and outlying stations. It is the first time the commuter rail agency has entered into a marketing partnership that will not only generate non-fare revenue but will also help drive ridership by assisting customers who need a first-mile/last-mile connection.

“Now more than ever, it’s essential that we look for creative ways to generate revenue that can impact our agency’s bottom line,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “In addition to generating much-needed revenue for Metra,

we believe this partnership with Uber will help address the ‘first mile/last mile’ challenge for customers who need a quick and easy way to get to and from a Metra station.”

“We already know that many Chicagoland residents use Uber to get to and from public transit stations during the first or last mile of their commutes. By embarking on this first-of-its-kind marketing partnership with Metra, we hope to encourage even more Chicago residents to opt into multimodal transit options instead of driving solo. When more people choose to share the ride instead of driving themselves, we can reduce congestion and pollution in our city,” Marco McCottry, General Manager of Uber in Illinois and Indiana.

Metra issued an invitation for bids (IFB) in July to allow the entity that provides the highest submittal price a list of marketing opportunities to communicate directly to its customer base of 150,000 daily riders.

Uber’s name will be featured on a wide range of promotional materials, including posters displayed at train stations and on Metra trains, timetables, mailing inserts and at ticket office windows. In addition, Uber’s name and message will be featured on Metra’s website, social media channels and in the agency’s customer newsletter. Uber will also be able to distribute promotional information at Metra’s train stations.

The partnership begins in February 2017.

About Metra Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane and McHenry counties in northeastern Illinois. The agency provides service to and from downtown Chicago with 241 stations over 11 routes totaling nearly 500 route miles and approximately 1,200 miles of track. Metra operates more than 700 weekday trains, providing about 300,000 passenger trips each weekday.

PROVISO TOWNSHIP SERVICES The Proviso Township Senior Referral Office is a multi-service agency providing information and referral services either by phone or in person. A wide variety of services are available to seniors and handicapped individuals. Always a leader in offering programs for seniors, Proviso Township is part of

a statewide network of information and referral. Services provided but not limited to: Free rides for Seniors to doctors appointments Temporary Handicapped Placards are available Meals on Wheels for eligible Seniors through CNN Free Blood pressure testing at our office Wheelchairs are available for loan Laminating service for Identification cards Notary Public available for all residents, at no cost Staff can assist with Benefit Access and Tax freeze applications, pharmaceutical assistance and other forms and documents Free Income Tax assistance is provided in conjunction with Triton College Spanish speaking staff are available Proviso Township Handyman Services A FREE Handyman Program is available to senior homeowners over age 60 and disabled residents of Proviso Township.

The Handyman will be available to provide advice and referral on a variety of home maintenance issues. In addition, he will be able to do minor repairs for a fuel surcharge of $5.00 per visit plus the cost of parts, if needed. Things like a leaky faucet or a toilet that keeps running, replacing the refrigerator bulb or the light at the top of the stairs that you just can’t reach are some examples of the ways in which we can help. He can even hang that new picture of the grandkids or fix that squeaking door hinge.

The Handyman is here to help you do all of those things you used to do for yourself but just can’t manage anymore, all those simple things that can make life just a little brighter. So next time you find yourself frustrated by some annoying problem around the house, don’t get angry, call the Handyman! For more information, you can reach the Handyman office at 708-547-4001 or schedule an appointment NOTE: Homeowner MUST sign authorization form before any work can be performed.

Proviso Township offers FREE rides to senior citizens.

Proviso Township offers a free Senior Ride Program for residents at least 60 years of age who need transportation to and from medical facilities and

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PRESIDENT Continued from page 28 Destruction of Executive Session Minutes Proposed 2017 Schedule of Meetings of the Village President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Westchester, Cook County, IL Complaint – First Floor Brick Rule At the November 22nd Village Board Meeting, the following items were approved under the Consent Agenda: Intergovernmental Agreement with the Park District regarding a Dog Park

SCAMS…SCAMS…SCAMS… I m not sure how many readers are AARP members, but I am pleased that I joined when I turned 50. For those who are members, hopefully you have received and read the latest December 2016 AARP Bulletin. On page 12 there is an article by. Mr. Sid Kirchheimer titled FRAUDS TO WATCH FOR NEXT YEAR. Highlighted are: PHONE CHEATS: Fraudsters let their fingers do the stalking, especially when targeting older Americans. Crooks will call you, claiming to be techsupport workers who are hunting computer viruses, utility company bill collectors or even your own grandchildren calling for help from jail. In other variations, con artists make pitches for credit card, extended warranties, and phony sweepstakes and lotteries. Often they depend on ROBOCALLS. The top 40 scam campaigns accounted for the majority of all ROBOCALLS this year, as reported by Pindrop Labs, which tracks telephone fraud.

The Newest trend: Identity thieves phone corporate call centers, posing as customers to make illicit bank withdrawals or get loans.

Crooks often get names, Social Security Numbers, explained Ken Shuman, head of global communications at Pindrop.

IRS THREATS: Phone calls from fake IRS agents have netted crooks about $47 MILLION dollars in three years, according to the Treasury Department.

The scam will continue this year, but with a twist: The newest likely target will be people with college loans, who are threatened with arrest and other penalties unless a nonexistent “federal student tax” is

immediately paid. Meanwhile, the IRS reported a four-fold surge in tax-related phishing and malware incidents early during this year’s filing season.

These included the hacking of tax professional’s computers with bogus software updates that allow criminals access to the client’s personal and financial data.

SCARE TACTICS: Like other strong emotions, fear briefly shuts down your brain’s logic centers and makes you more likely to react impulsively. In the year ahead, you may encounter frightening but faux threat of arrest, lawsuits and financial ruin for supposedly missing jury duty or not paying a bill. Some scams are even more frightening: Those that include threats of physical harm such as the “hitman hoax” that seeks payment to cancel a supposed contract on your life, and the “virtual kidnapping” con that often includes background screams and pleas by criminals posing as loved ones who are allegedly being tortured and held for ransom.

A NEW WAY OF PAYOFF: Antifraud groups have raise public awareness that a request for payment by wire transfers and prepaid cash cards usually signals a scam, and the Federal Trade Commission has made it illegal for telemarketers to ask for payment that way. As a result, many scammers have turned to iTunes gift cards as their preferred payment method. In 2017, watch out for come-ons to purchase a card, load money on it and then provide the 16 digit code. It is a fast and virtually untraceable way to steal your money.

As a former police officer it never seems to amaze me the lengths criminals will go to steal money from unsuspecting people especially the senior population who by enlarge are very trusting people who want to help someone in need.

The good news is that on page 4 of the same December Bulletin is the FEDS charged 56 people for impersonating IRS officials and tricking at least 15 thousand of people, many older adults into handing over $300 MILLION DOLLARS. The five call centers were located in the U.S. and India.

I would love to comment on the type of punishment these thieves should receive, however I am going to do my best in trying to make at least one of my 2017 New Year’s Resolution last more than 24 hours!

Here’s what you should know to protect yourselves from this IRS scam.

1.

The IRS routinely sends all notices for payment due in the mail.

2.

The Agency does not initiate phone calls demanding immediate payment by credit card, debit card or wire transfer.

3.

If you are called and are concerned that you might actually owe money, hang up and call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.

Thanks to AARP and their writers for sharing this important information to not only seniors but all of us.

COMED SCAM REPORTED In speaking with Deputy Chief Mike O’Hagan reports have been received from Westchester Residents regarding a Scam where ComEd customers are being asked to pay overdue electric bills by gift cards. THIS IS A TOTAL SCAM… JUST HANG –UP. If you have a question about your bill ComEd Customer Service Representatives are available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Residential: 1-800-Edison-1 (1800-334-7661) Business: 1-877-4-ComEd-1 (1877-426-6331 CHECKING YOUR CREDIT REPORT The following information is being provided by the Federal Trade Commission web site.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide credit reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union — to provide you with a FREE copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The FCRA promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation’s credit reporting companies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, enforces the FCRA with respect to credit reporting companies.

A credit report includes information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued or have filed for bankruptcy. Nationwide credit reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.

Here are the details about your rights under the FCRA, which

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established the free annual credit report program.

Q: How do I order my free report?

The three nationwide credit reporting companies have set up a central website, a toll-free telephone number, and a mailing address through which you can order your free annual report.

To order, visit annualcreditreport. com, call 1-877-322-8228. Or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. Do not contact the three nationwide credit reporting companies individually. They are providing free annual credit reports only through annualcreditreport. com, 1-877-322-8228 or mailing to Annual Credit Report Request Service.

You may order your reports from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies at the same time, or you can order your report from each of the companies one at a time. The law allows you to order one free copy of your report from each of the nationwide credit reporting companies every 12 months.

A Warning About “Imposter” Websites Only one website is authorized to fill orders for the free annual credit report you are entitled to under law — annualcreditreport.com.

Other websites that claim to offer “free credit reports,” “free credit scores,” or “free credit monitoring” are not part of the legally mandated free annual credit report program.

In some cases, the “free” product comes with strings attached. For example, some sites sign you up for a supposedly “free” service that converts to one you have to pay for after a trial period. If you don’t cancel during the trial period, you may be unwittingly agreeing to let the company start charging fees to your credit card.

Some “imposter” sites use terms like “free report” in their names; others have URLs that purposely misspell annualcreditreport.com in the hope that you will mistype the name of the official site. Some of these “imposter” sites direct you to other sites that try to sell you something or collect your personal information.

Annualcreditreport.com and the nationwide credit reporting companies will not send you an email asking for your personal information. If you get an email, see a pop-up ad, or get a phone call from someone claiming to be

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PRESIDENT Continued from page 29 from annualcreditreport.com or any of the three nationwide credit reporting companies, do not reply or click on any link in the message.

It’s probably a scam. Forward any such email to the FTC at spam@ uce.gov.

Q: What information do I need to provide to get my free report?

A: You need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. If you have moved in the last two years, you may have to provide your previous address. To maintain the security of your file, each nationwide credit reporting company may ask you for some information that only you would know, like the amount of your monthly mortgage payment.

Each company may ask you for different information because the information each has in your file may come from different sources.

Q: Why do I want a copy of my credit report?

A: Your credit report has information that affects whether you can get a loan — and how much you will have to pay to borrow money. You want a copy of your credit report to: • make sure the information is accurate, complete, and up-todate before you apply for a loan for a major purchase like a house or car, buy insurance, or apply for a job.

• help guard against identity theft. That’s when someone uses your personal information — like your name, your Social Security number, or your credit card number — to commit fraud. Identity thieves may use your information to open a new credit card account in your name. Then, when they don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report. Inaccurate information like that could affect your ability to get credit, insurance, or even a job.

Q: How long does it take to get my report after I order it?

A: If you request your report online at annualcreditreport.com, you should be able to access it immediately. If you order your report by calling toll-free 1-877322-8228, your report will be processed and mailed to you within 15 days. If you order your report by mail using the Annual Credit Report Request Form, your request will be processed and mailed to you within 15 days of receipt.

Whether you order your report

online, by phone, or by mail, it may take longer to receive your report if the nationwide credit reporting company needs more information to verify your identity.

Q: Are there any other situations where I might be eligible for a free report?

A: Under federal law, you’re entitled to a FREE report if a company takes adverse action against you, such as denying your application for credit, insurance, or employment, and you ask for your report within 60 days of receiving notice of the action.

The notice will give you the name, address, and phone number of the credit reporting company. You’re also entitled to one free report a year if you’re unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days; if you’re on welfare; or if your report is inaccurate because of fraud, including identity theft. Otherwise, a credit reporting company may charge you a reasonable amount for another copy of your report within a 12-month period.

To buy a copy of your report, contact: • Equifax:1-800-685-1111; equifax.com • Experian: 1-888-397-3742; experian.com • Trans Union: 1-800-9168800; transunion.com Q: Should I order a report from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies?

A: It’s up to you. Because nationwide credit reporting companies get their information from different sources, the information in your report from one company may not reflect all, or the same, information in your reports from the other two companies. That’s not to say that the information in any of your reports is necessarily inaccurate; it just may be different.

Q: Should I order my reports from all three of the nationwide credit reporting companies at the same time?

A: You may order one, two, or all three reports at the same time, or you may stagger your requests.

It’s your choice. Some financial advisors say staggering your requests during a 12-month period may be a good way to keep an eye on the accuracy and completeness of the information in your reports.

Q: What if I find errors — either inaccuracies or incomplete information — in my credit report?

A: Under the FCRA, both the credit report¬ing company and the

information provider (that is, the person, company, or organization that provides information about you to a consumer reporting company) are responsible for correcting inaccurate or incomplete information in your report. To take full advantage of your rights under this law, contact the credit reporting company and the information provider.

1. Tell the credit reporting company, in writing, what information you think is inaccurate.

Credit reporting companies must investigate the items in question — usually within 30 days — unless they consider your dispute frivolous. They also must forward all the relevant data you provide about the inaccuracy to the organization that provided the information. After the information provider receives notice of a dispute from the credit reporting company, it must investigate, review the relevant information, and report the results back to the credit reporting company. If the information provider finds the disputed information is inaccurate, it must notify all three nationwide credit reporting companies so they can correct the information in your file.

When the investigation is complete, the credit reporting company must give you the written results and a free copy of your report if the dispute results in a change. ( This free report does not count as your annual free report.) If an item is changed or deleted, the credit reporting company cannot put the disputed information back in your file unless the information provider verifies that it is accurate and complete. The credit reporting company also must send you written notice that includes the name, address, and phone number of the information provider.

2. Tell the creditor or other information provider in writing that you dispute an item. Many providers specify an address for disputes. If the provider reports the item to a credit reporting company, it must include a notice of your dispute. And if you are correct — that is, if the information is found to be inaccurate — the information provider may not report it again.

Q: What can I do if the credit reporting company or information provider won’t correct the information I dispute?

A: If an investigation doesn’t resolve your dispute with the credit reporting company, you can ask that a statement of the dispute be included in your file and in future

reports. You also can ask the credit reporting company to provide your state¬ment to anyone who received a copy of your report in the recent past. You can expect to pay a fee for this service.

If you tell the information provider that you dispute an item, a notice of your dispute must be included any time the information provider reports the item to a credit reporting company.

Q: How long can a credit reporting company report negative information?

A: A credit reporting company can report most accurate negative information for seven years and bankruptcy information for 10 years. There is no time limit on reporting information about crimi¬nal convictions; information reported in response to your application for a job that pays more than $75,000 a year; and information reported because you’ve applied for more than $150,000 worth of credit or life insurance. Information about a lawsuit or an unpaid judgment against you can be reported for seven years or until the statute of limitations runs out, which¬ever is longer.

Q: Can anyone else get a copy of my credit report?

A: The FCRA specifies who can access your credit report.

Creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use the information in your report to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, em¬ployment, or renting a home are among those that have a legal right to access your report.

Q: Can my employer get my credit report?

A: Your employer can get a copy of your credit report only if you agree. A credit reporting company may not provide information about you to your employer, or to a prospective employer, without your written consent.

For More Information The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint, visit ftc.gov/complaint or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877382-4357). The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

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