Village of Westchester March 2022 Newsletter by Village of Westchester, IL

Village of

Westchester MARCH, 2022

PUBLIC WORKS

POLICE DEPARTMENT

SCOUTS

FIRE DEPARTMENT

LIBRARY

SCHOOL DISTRICT

SPOTLIGHT ON SENIORS

From the desk of Acting Village President Nick Steker Financial Update Through the third quarter of the Village’s Fiscal Year 2022, January 2022, the Village’s General Fund has expenditures over revenues of $453 thousand. Expenditures more than revenues at this time of the fiscal year is normal for the Village because half of the fiscal year’s real estate taxes have not been collected yet. The bulk of the first installment of the taxes will be recorded in February and March 2022. Key economic-driven revenues such as income taxes and sales taxes are coming in strong and are over the budgeted pace for the year. This is a good sign as the economy rebounds to pre-pandemic levels. With 75% of the fiscal year elapsed, expenditures are running at 71% of the budgeted amount. This is also a positive as Village administration and management are making efforts monitor expenditures and be diligent with Village resources. Early projections have the General Fund showing a surplus for the third straight year. The Village’s other major fund, the Utility Fund, is also recording a surplus through January. Continued on Page 24

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PUBLIC WORKS Village branch collection will resume the week of Monday, April 4-8th May’s collection will be the week of the 2nd – 6th June’s collection will be the week of the 6th – 10th Yard waste collection by Waste Management will begin Friday, April 1st Free yard waste stickers for reusable yard waste receptacles are available at the Village Hall. The Public Works Department will pick up branches the first full week of every month. (April-November) All brush must be put out on the front parkway by 7:00 a.m. on the designated pickup day. Branches can be up to 7 feet in length and stacked with the butt ends facing the street in the same direction. If not stacked properly, a “restack” notice will be left. Again, please put ALL brush out on your designated pickup day and Public Works crews will determine what constitutes an open load, which will be picked up later in the week. An open load would include any brush that will not fit through the chipper such as logs, stumps, and large limbs. These must be cut for one man to lift. Dirt must be removed from any root balls for pickup. Public Works Crews will only pass

through a designated pickup area once due to time schedule and other workload responsibilities. Landscapers & tree services are responsible for their own brush disposal. Please note the following schedule for branch pickup: MONDAY: From Mannheim Road west to Wolf Road and from Canterbury south to Windsor-including both sides of Windsor Drive. Also Waterford, Waverly, Camelot and Concord. TUESDAY: Roosevelt Road south to Cermak Road-from Gardner Road west to Mannheim Road. WEDNESDAY: From Roosevelt Road north to the expressway and from Gardner Road west to Mannheim Road. Also, Roosevelt Road south to Canterbury from Haase west to Heidorn. THURSDAY: From Belleview west to Wolf Road, Martindale Drive to 31st Street. Remember… Waste Management will also pick up your branches if they are bundled & no more than 4 feet in length. These will be picked up on your regular garbage day every week.

Waste Management – 1-800-796-9696

• If your garbage or recycling was not picked up on your regular day, please call Waste Management directly. • If you would like to request a new garbage or recycling receptacle, please call Waste Management directly. • If you have large items that will not fit in you receptacle (i.e. couch, chairs, tables, etc.,) please call Waste Management directly and request a special collection. The Waste Management’s “At Your Door Special Collection” service will pick up unwanted-potentially hazardous and hard-to-recycle items from your home. That number is 1-800-449-7587. The full list of items may be found at www.wmatyourdoor.com/residential.

50/50 Shared Cost Parkway Tree Program The Village offers a 50/50 shared cost program that includes the purchase and planting of a new parkway tree. Residents who have registered will be sent a list of trees indigenous to the area to choose from, as well as pictures and a general description. The first round of planting will be in Spring 2022. Please call Public Works at 708.345.0041 to register. 50/50 Shared Cost Replacement Program

Sidewalk

The village offers a 50/50 shared cost program sidewalk replacement program. If the sidewalk in front and/or on the side of your residence is in poor condition, and you would like to replace it, the Village will share the cost with you. Please call Public Works at 708.345.0041 to register for squares. Also note… As of April 1st snow parking restrictions are lifted and street maintenance parking restrictions will go into effect. Please look at the signs, or check the Village website, so you don’t receive a ticket!! Parkway Restoration: The Public Works Department will be repairing parkways damaged by sewer and water excavations, and snow plow damage, weather permitting. The vac and jet machine will be cleaning out storm sewer inlets, as weather permits. Tree trimming by Sinnott Tree Service will also continue this month. As always, residents are asked to call Public Works at 708.345.0041 or the Police (after 3:30pm M-F & on weekends) 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.

FAITH LUTHERAN SCHEDULE Faith Lutheran’s Lent and Easter Services The theme is “:Jesus to the Cross; Victory from it” Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd 3/02 Ash Wednesday - 7:00 p.m. Divine Service/Communion 3/09 Lent Midweek - 3 p.m. 3/16 Lenat Midweek - 3 p.m.

Westchester Blvd. 4/14 Maunday (Holy Thursday) Worship service with Communion at 7 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd 4/15 Good Friday Tre Ore/3 Hours of Agony Noon/check Faith’s website for information: www.faithlutheran-church.com)

3/23 Lent Midweek - 3 p.m. 3/30 Lent Midweek - 3 p.m.

7 p.m.Evening Service at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd.

4/06 Lent Midweek - 3 p.m. The Holy Week at Faith Lutheran 4/10 Palm Sunday Worship service with Holy Communion celebrated at 9 a.m. and Bible class at 10:15 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1124

4/16 Easter Vigil at 5 p.m. Special Service Faith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd. 4/17 Easter Worship service at 9 a.m. with Holy Communion celebrated fFaith Lutheran Church, 1124 Westchester Blvd.

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Safety tips from the Westchester PD Being in law enforcement for over 34 years, I sound like that “Farmers Insurance” commercial” We have seen a lot of things!” Throughout the years I would tell my stories as a police officer being on the job to many different people working in many different occupations on what I have seen. The one common denominator that comes out of all these conversations is the disbelief of how criminals do what they do! Some people are very naïve how criminals study and prepare for the simple task of ripping people off, or patterning their weaknesses as an actual hunter studies his own prey to hunt. Over the last ten years, I have seen people scammed out of thousands of dollars by criminals becoming more aggressive in their techniques each year. Today, people more than ever need to be more aware of their total surroundings, talking or ordering things on their computer, or using cell phones and giving out personal information in any capacity, or transaction. The final thing we as individuals must be aware of and make a habit of doing is always looking around us as we move throughout our days, no matter where we are. I have seen so many times as I walk through our stores and parking lots the amount of individuals who fail to see what’s going on around them as they are putting their groceries in their carts and eventually in their vehicles. They are talking on their phones, never checking who is even walking up behind them or around them as they do what they do. It is not being paranoid but called survival! Being a former Marine sniper, I learned to use all my senses when it comes to finding danger, which has always kept me alive. Now, that I am older and cannot hear as good I rely more on my eyes, sense of smell and gut instincts. Always practice being the hunter and not becoming the prey, or worse yet the victim. “Always be aware of your surroundings and what others are doing around you” Chief Daniel Babich

POLICE BLOTTER 1) At 9:26am on January 19, 2022 a Retail Theft was reported at the Jewel Foods located at 2128 Mannheim Road. The store manager reportedly noticed a large amount of alcohol missing. After review of the surveillance video, it appeared that at 11:30pm the previous evening a female was observed leaving the store with a box containing 20 bottles of alcohol.

the police station for processing. 4) At 5:34pm on January 26, 2022 a Retail Theft was reported at the Dollar General located at 10201 Roosevelt Road. The store manager reported that a female attempted to exit the store without paying for items in the cart. Upon being questioned the female fled taking only a few items in her hand, leaving the full cart at the store.

2) At 1:20pm on January 23, 2022 a Theft was reported on the 1100 block of Hull. The resident reported that a package was taken from the home sometime during the previous two day. A female was observed on the doorbell camera and provided to investigators.

5) At 12:13pm on February 7, 2022 a Theft From Motor Vehicle was reported on the 10700 Block of Canterbury. The resident reported that items and money were taken from an unlocked vehicle in the driveway.

3) At 11:44pm on January 24, 2022 a Criminal Damage to Property was reported at 2215 Enterprise Drive. A subject was reportedly attempting to make entrance to the locked building and caused damage to the door. The subject was arrested and brought to

6) At 10:16am on February 14, 2022 a Theft of Motor Vehicle was reported on the 9800 Block of Derby Lane. A 2021 Norstar trailer was taken from the parking lot on 02/12/2022 as observed on surveillance video.

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Westchester Girl Scout News

Daisy Troop 47218, Brownie Troop 47147 and Junior Troop 45436 joined efforts in February to send a little love to the clients at the BEDS facility. Troops made handmade valentine’s and assembled snacks into bags to be passed out at the facility as clients picked up lunch. The scouts used their cookie money to help pay for the snacks that went in the bags. Keep this in mind when you are purchasing cookies- troops put some of that money back into their communities. We look forward to meeting our Westchester friends at our cookie booths this February and March.

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Boy Scout Troop #73 News On February 8th, Troop #73 sponsored by the Westchester Community Church, was recognized at the Village Board meeting with a proclamation in honor of their 85th anniversary of scouting in Westchester. Since Troop #73 was established in 1937, it has been a solid part of the Westchester community and is one of the oldest units in the Pathway to Adventure Council. Hundreds of scouts have participated in Troop #73 and 57 of the Troop’s scouts have earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Over the decades, Scout Masters of Troop #73 have assisted in teaching their scouts to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes and the values of the Scout Oath and Law. The proclamation was presented to Reverend Joseph Mills, the Troop’s Charter Organization, during Scout Sunday services. Scout Sunday is held yearly in February to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting. Congratulations to Troop #73 on this amazing milestone.

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F ire D e partment MARCH 2022

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L ibrary MARCH 2022

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In remembrance of the late Village President, Frank Perry and in respect to his many friends, co-workers and family, the Village has decided to honor his memory and Cancer Awareness with two beautiful designs to choose from when buying via US Mail and “in person” Village Hall purchases. Online purchases will be chosen at village discretion depending on quantity of styles available. Choice A) In Memory Portrait OR Choice B) Cancer Awareness Ribbon. *****Please keep in mind that due to shipping delays, stickers may not be available until 3/14/2022. We will accept mail in, drop off and online payments starting 3/1/2022 and mail the stickers when they are received. Please be patient.

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Fire Dept. March is Severe Weather Preparedness Month in Illinois As part of Severe Weather Preparedness Month, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) have teamed up to publish a Severe Weather Preparedness Guide to help Illinoisans be better prepared when severe weather strikes: https://www2.illinois. gov/iema/Preparedness/Documents/ severeweatherpreparedness.pdf. “Preparedness is a mindset. If you are not prepared and a disaster strikes- it is too late. Your Westchester Fire Department encourages all residents, businesses, and schools to build a kit, practice your plan and have a preparedness mindset,” said Westchester Fire Chief Mike Mavrogeorge. The National Weather Service will be recognizing Severe Weather Preparedness Week during the week of March 1-5. During this week, Illinoisans are encouraged to: Make a severe weather preparedness plan- Build an emergency preparedness kit- Identify your safe place to during a storm- Familiarize yourself the various weather watches/warnings/advisories. The National Weather Service (NWS) is responsible for issuing severe weather watches, warnings and advisories to alert the public when dangerous weather conditions are expected. Educating yourself and your family about these various terms, and the associated protective measures, can help keep you and your family safe. This year, the NWS added two new terms to this Severe Weather Preparedness Guide: Tornado Emergency and Flash Flood Emergency. “It is so important to know the difference between a watch and warning when it comes to tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and floods.” said Chris Miller with the National Weather Service in Lincoln, Illinois. “In rare situations, an emergency can be issued for tornadoes and flash floods. This is when a confirmed, violent tornado or significant flood creates an imminent danger to life and property. Act immediately to save your life.” Thunderstorms can produce damaging winds, deadly lightning, large hail, flash flooding and tornadoes. On average, Illinois will see 53 tornadoes each year with nearly 20-percent occurring at night. For a number of reasons, tornadoes that occur at night are twice as likely to result in fatalities. The National Weather Service and state and local emergency management officials strongly encourage people to have a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) All Hazards Weather Radio with battery backup. These radios can be programmed to receive alerts for specified counties to keep you and your family apprised of impending

weather and post-event information for all types of hazards including natural (earthquakes), environmental (chemical spills) and public safety hazards (AMBER alerts). When an alert is issued for the programmed area, the device will sound a warning alarm tone followed by the essential information. “The information provided in these alerts will guide you through the appropriate protective measures. Watches mean that severe weather or flooding might develop near your area over the next several hours. Be ready to act if storms approach. When a warning is issued, a storm has a history of producing damage or flooding, or is expected to develop in your area shortly. We are warning you to take action immediately,” said Miller. In this day and age of families constantly on the go, it is also critical for people to have multiple ways to receive notifications and updated information about severe weather warnings. FEMA offers a FREE mobile app that provides fast and reliable weather alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS). The app can be tailored to offer alerts for up to five different locations nationwide. The mobile app can also help you locate open shelters and disaster resource centers near you in the event of an emergency. In addition to NOAA weather radios, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) can provide lifesaving information about impending storms and emergencies. These alerts can be sent to your mobile device without the need to download an app or subscribe to a service. Not only are these tools critical to surviving overnight storms, but they can be extremely beneficial for those who travel. For more information about what to do before, during and after a storm, please visit https://www2. illinois.gov/ready/Pages/default.aspx.

Police Dept. Enforcement Officer

– David

Truck Mode

The Truck Enforcement Unit (TEU) is tasked with the responsibility to ensure safe passage through Westchester for all citizens and motor vehicles as they share the roads with larger, commercial traffic. The TEU has established relationships with existing agencies: the Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Commerce Commission Police, Illinois Secretary of State Police, and the Illinois Truck Enforcement Association. With the use of portable scales certified by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the TEU is able to enforce safety standards daily and in partnership with local agencies during monthly roadside safety checks. The TEU’s impact to the Village of Westchester offers a variety of perspectives including lessening the costly, excessive infrastructure deterioration of our local roads while prioritizing the safety of vehicular traffic and improving the quality of roadways to our residents. Starting in March of2021 and at the end of November 2021, the truck enforcement unit issued 64 citations for truck overweight violations. The bond amount for these citations totals $270,073.00. Nine (9) of these citations (having not yet been adjudicated in court) total $37,082.00. During 2021, 55 citations have been adjudicated in Cook County Court, the Village will receive $169,970.00 in revenue. After the final nine citations are adjudicated, it is estimated that will provide an additional $25,957.00 in revenue to the Village. Effective truck enforcement includes

collaboration across policing bodies, trucking entities and the legal community. While enforcement may not be uniform across local jurisdictions, by monitoring and enforcing weight and size violations, permits may be issued to vehicles accessing Westchester maintained roadways. The TEU will be available to local Village of Westchester companies offering education related to current laws concerning commercial vehicles. This proactive approach will be coordinated between developers, trucking entities, and the Village with respect to truck routing in and out of commercial jobsites ensuring the priority of our citizen’s safety. The TEU will continue to look at ways to improve the permit process on local village roadways and enforce safety violations. In conjunction with partnering resources, the TEU will able to better its relationship with the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police by holding more frequent roadside safety checks on major roadways in the Village of Westchester. Special Task Force Here is a letter from our Officer that we were able to get into the special unit. The Officer’s name is withheld for their protection. Dear Village Manager Paul Nosek, First, I would like to thank you for allowing me the rare and great opportunity to participate as a Task Force Officer (TFO) with Strike Force group #4. As you are already aware, I have been participating in Strike Force Group #4 since May of 2021. Strike Force Group #4’s main focus is on the interception of illegal drugs and funds being transported and smuggled into the United States by the Mexican Cartel. Continued on Page 25

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Before I proceed with my experiences within the group, I would like to speak a little about what makes up Strike Force Group #4. There are approximately 20 people currently assigned to the team: • 1 Supervisor (FBI) • 1 ICE Agent • 3 DEA Agents • 6 FBI Agents • 5 TFO’s (2 CPD, 1 Berwyn PD, 1 Westchester PD, 1 USPS) and 4 Intelligence Agents who assist in keeping data and supplying information over the push to talks’ (PTT) as required. Since May of 2021, I have been able to experience and witness many things that I didn’t know existed or would have possibly not been able to witness as a patrol officer. Although I do not have a specific role on the team as of now, I assist in every case the team takes on. I have been the affiant of multiple “Pen Ping” affidavits which allows members on the team as well as myself to monitor the location of a cellphone utilized by suspected drug traffickers; I as well as been the affiant on multiple tracking device affidavits which allows the placement of a real time tracking device on vehicles suspected to be used to transport illicit funds or narcotics. I have further participated in many “buy busts” where a “target” or suspect is identified and the exchange of narcotics or illicit funds is exchanged and the “target” is then apprehended. Additionally, I have participated in the seizures’ of narcotics, illicit funds, and illegal guns. Within the time of my participation with Strike Force Group #4, I have had the opportunity to assist and create working relationships with FBI New York, in attempting to apprehend a subject who had fled from New York and was currently living in Little Village, Chicago. FBI McAllen, Texas in the interception of 7Kg of Black Tar Heroin, that was en-route to Illinois, Border Patrol also located in McAllen, Texas, and FBI Kentucky who was assisted in the identification of wanted person, and placement of tracking device on a vehicle used to transport illicit drugs and funds to neighboring states. Lastly, I have participated in the seizures of, $48,060.00, $8,000.00 and $110,000.00 for a total of $166,060.00 in illicit drug funds. Also seized was 7 Kilograms of Heroin, 80 pounds of Meth, 47 Kilograms of Cocaine, as well as the seizure of three (3) rifle type weapons and one (1) pistol like weapon. Lastly, approximately seven (7) subjects were identified and enough probable cause was retrieved to execute the arrests at the Federal level. Although there has not been revenue brought into the village as of yet, SF Group 4 and myself have been hard a work in attempt to seize as much funds and drugs as possible. It is safe to say that based

on the seized funds listed above; the reward will be well on its way in hopes of the village receiving approximately $25,000.00 as of December 2021. Vehicular Hijacking Joint Task Force The Westchester Police Investigations Unit has been actively working with multiple agencies to combat the Chicagoland area’s epidemic of aggravated vehicular hijackings (AKA vehicle’s taken by force, usually with the use or implied use of firearms) and its effects on the Village of Westchester and its residents. Since the Spring of 2021, the Investigations Unit has specifically been working with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office “Operation Jackhammer,” and the Chicago Vehicular Hijacking Joint Task Force. The Cook County Sheriff’s Operation Jackhammer has acted as an informational unit that tracks statistics, created an active dashboard system to track occurrence frequencies, locations, and form a record database of offenders. Cook County Sheriff’s Office also offers specialty unit availability to assist with special circumstances, offender tracking, specified warrant creation and execution. Westchester Investigators involvement in this unit has made available personnel resources, as well as assistance with criminal investigations. The Chicago Vehicular Hijacking Joint Task Force is hosted by the Chicago Police Department’s dedicated Vehicular Hijacking Unit and is comprised of specified units within Chicago Police Department, as well as Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, Federal Law Enforcement agencies, and local Police Departments throughout Cook and DuPage Counties. This Joint Task Force has aided the Westchester Police in the recovery of multiple stolen and hijacked vehicles that occurred in Westchester, as well as assist in conducting surveillance and tracking of offenders of crimes having occurred in Westchester. The resources available to the task force include multiple agency personnel, license plate recognition technology, databases otherwise exclusive to Chicago Police, intelligence and gee-location information and tracking, multiple forms of air support, including federal, state and Chicago helicopters and airplanes during task force details and in-progress crimes. Since Westchester Police’s involvement in these task forces, investigators have been able to exponentially increase efforts to pursue offenders, recover victim property, obtain criminal evidence, and gain invaluable information contributing to the interruption of the spread and further escalation of vehicular hijackings in our area. Public Works During the month of December the

Westchester Public Works Department repaired 6 water main breaks which occurred at 10440 Preston St, 824 Portsmouth Ave, 11040 Shelley St, 11202 Mandel Ct, 11114 Shelley St and the intersection of Mandel/Burns. The water main on Preston St is a 6 inch cast iron main located in the parkway and dates back to the mid 1950’s. The break was repaired with a 12 inch long clamp at a cost of $225.00. On Portsmouth Ave the break was on the 8 inch booster main that runs down Gladstone St which was installed to improve water pressure in the area. The 8 inch cast iron main is located in the parkway and dates back to the mid 1960’s. Crews discovered a blow out in the main the size of a baseball along with a 12 inch long crack. The break was repaired with a 20 inch long clamp with a cost of $495.00. The water main on Shelley St is a 6 inch main located in the parkway and dates back to the mid 1950’s. Both breaks on Shelley St were circular cracks which crews repaired with 7 inch long clamps. The cost of both breaks was $615.00. The 6 inch water main on Mandel Ct runs in the parkway and dates back to the late 1950’s. In order to make the repairs with this break crews removed a driveway apron and located a softball size blowout on the water main. A 25 inch long clamp was used with the cost of the repair being $655.00. The break located in the intersection of Mandel/ Burns was on a 6 inch main that dates back to the mid 1950’s. The break was a circular crack that was repaired with a 7 inch long clamp at a cost of $415. In spring the Public Works Department will make all necessary restoration repairs. There were also three fire hydrants found to be leaking and needed to be rebuilt. All three Traverse City Hydrants date back to the late 1920’s and are located on the corner of Bedford/ Kensington, Bedford/Downing and 2300 Sunnyside. When crews rebuild the hydrants all parts are removed from the barrel and replaced with new parts. The only part not replaced is the actual cast iron barrel and head of the hydrant. By changing out the parts this saves the Public Works Department from digging up the hydrant and replacing with a new one. The cost for a new hydrant is $3,750 while replacing the parts is $825.00 per hydrant. Also, no restoration is needed when parts are replaced. Two service leaks were completed this month as well, located at 10336 Kipling St and 1437 Norfolk Ave. During these repairs, crews replace the entire lead service line with new copper. The Village of Westchester is responsible to make repairs when leaks occur anywhere on the service line from the water main to the buffalo box (located in the parkway). The cost to replace both lead lines with copper was $906.00. At the start of December the second of a five year plan to replace all street ID signs

began. The second year of the plan will take place from Gardner Rd to Mannheim Rd and Roosevelt to Cermak Rd. The old signs are white with blue lettering and will be replaced with blue signs and white lettering. The Village of Westchester crest was added to the new signs as well. On December 14th-15th the Public Works Department replaced a collapsed storm sewer located on Roosevelt Rd in front of Fire House 1. A sinkhole was discovered in the parkway of Roosevelt Rd and it was determined that the cause of it was from the 12 inch storm main that runs through the parkway. In order to make the repair the Public Works Department needed to call in Lyons-Pinner to remove an underground electrical control box. Once removed, crews exposed the collapse and discovered that not only was the main storm sewer collapsed but the storm and sanitary service lines that run from the Fire House had also collapsed. In total crews replaced 10 feet of 12 inch storm main, a 12 inch tee, 10 feet of 8 inch sanitary pipe and 8 feet of 8 inch storm pipe. The cost for the repair was $4,175. Twice a year the MWRD will do an inspection of the Mayfair pump house along with the creek that runs from Boeger Ave/Wakefield St to the outflow on Carlisle. The report on the Mayfair pump house which contains 4 dewatering pumps to empty the retention pond after heavy rains came back with no issues. However, the MWRD would like all trees/shrubs/weeds removed from the banks of the creek in order to stop the erosion of the banks. It was decided that the Public Works Department would clear the banks from Carlisle St to the pump house this winter, and next winter they will clear from the pump house to Boeger Ave. All through December crews have cleared 90% of the banks that was scheduled for 2021. The remaining work will be completed in January. With the weather being nice for the first couple of weeks in December the Public Works Department took advantage by completing some parkway repairs. Crews completed 12 parkways that had been dug up from sanitary repairs that were completed in November. These sanitary collapses were discovered by National Power Roding for the 2022 Lining Program. Also, parkways from 5 main breaks and two service leaks were completed. In November, the 2022 Sewer Lining Project began and has continued into the month of December. Over the past two months, National Power Roding has cleaned and televised 60% of the 56,000 feet of sanitary and storm main that will be lined during this project which runs until July of 2022. On December 22nd Insituform (sewer lining company) began lining sanitary mains on the 1600 block of Mandel Ave and will continue working on the project as long as temperatures are above 10 degrees.

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Village President Nick Steker participates in unique press conference On February 7, I had a unique opportunity to participate in a press conference at the request of Mayor Lightfoot at the Chicago OEMC. Mayor Booker of Maywood and myself represented our communities regarding our participation in the Regional Carjacking Task Force. Chief Babich and I were invited to address our Village’s experience with the task force. In 2020 our small bedroom community experienced 7 vehicular carjackings. Since our involvement in the Task Force we have seen a dramatic drop off to zero within the last six months. This is a prime an example of when we put our resources and support behind law enforcement, they will bring the bad guys to justice. This task force here can serve as a successful model for other targeted violent crimes that cross over multiple jurisdictions. Westchester is proud to be a part of the solution to stopping this crime from within our Village and surrounding area. As Mayor Lightfoot points out though this is a short-term solution if reforms are not made in the courts to keep offenders off of the streets.

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