We Are Almost There Let's Work Together in Beating Covid-19
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h e ra l d Volume 4, Issue 1 We Are Almost There… Let’s Work Together in Beating Covid-19 January/February, 2021 The Village of Hillside has been diligent in its efforts to help Working with Carmen Baldo, owner of Special T Unlimited and residents navigate through the Covid-19 pandemic, from going Steve Augle, owner of 333 Image, the Village designed 20 unique door-to-door distributing hand sanitizer and facemasks, to placing banners urging people to stay safe that are now displayed on over 300 STAY HOME signs on front lawns, to using social media utility poles throughout the Village. to keep residents updated on the latest Covid-19 information. Mayor Tamburino commented, “I wanted these banners to serve When the COVID-19 numbers began spiking in October, Mayor as a message that we have come this far and need to continue Joseph Tamburino became alarmed. The Mayor understood people safe anti-Covid-19 practices until the majority of residents are were getting tired of the restrictions placed on their lives and were vaccinated in the next few months.” beginning to ignore some of the medical warnings on how to stay safe. Hillside’s Dr. Martin Luther King Breakfast CANCELED The annual Martin Luther King Breakfast is canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We look forward to next year’s event with the fervent hope that this scourge of a disease will be gone. In these most chaotic times, we should reflect on the words of this man of peace. The following quote by Dr. King is as relevant today as it was 57 years ago. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others.” — Martin Luther King Jr. — Quote from his 1963 book “Strength to Love” 1
Cars Lined Up Early For Drive-Thru Food Distribution In Hillside A beautiful Saturday morning in October saw hundreds of cars arrive at the Sheet Metal Local #73 parking lot in Hillside to partake in a food distribution drive sponsored by House of Restoration/ Transformation Community Outreach under the leadership of Directors Pedro and Lucy Gomez and 18th Ward Chicago Alderman Derrick Curtis. This was just one in a series of events they have hosted throughout the Chicagoland area in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has wreaked economic havoc on working families and retirees. Hillside Village Officials and employees happily assisted in the distribution of produce, meats, and canned goods to our neighbors in need. Mayor Joseph Tamburino commented, “We are now at a point that it is everyone’s duty to ensure that their neighbors are safe and being fed. I want to thank Alderman Curtis and Directors Pedro and Lucy Gomez for selecting Hillside as one of their food distribution sites. However, I am certain the biggest thanks they receive are the smiles on the faces of the food recipients.” Village Clerk (L to R) Hillside Linda Gould seen Mayor Tamburino, in white mask on 18th Ward Alderman right assisted in Derrick Curtis, loading food items Directors Lucy and into dozens of cars Pedro Gomez Free Fresh Produce Distribution Distribución de Productos Frescos Gratis Queen of All Nations Parish At St. Domitilla Church Queen of All Nations Parish along with the Greater Chicago Food Depository is organizing a produce distribution. La Parroquia Reina de Todos los Pueblos y el Greater Chicago Food Depository estáorganizando esta distribución. When/Cuando Where/Donde Jan. 9, then the 1st Saturday of every month thru September 2021 4940 Washington Street, Hillside, Il 60162 Primer Sábado de cada mes hasta Septiembre del 2021 St. Domitilla Parking Lot / En el estacionamieto de St. Domitilla 10 AM Until Noon Walk up or Drive up / Caminando o Manejando Who Can Come/Que Pueda Venir Open to anyone who needs the support! / Disponible para quienes necesiten ayuda! Food will be given away on a FIRST COME/FIRST SERVED basis, until supplies last, distribution will take place “rain or shine.” Los productos serán ofrecidos POR ORDEN DE LLEGADA hasta donde alcancen. Se hará bajo cualquier condición de clima. For more information contact / Para obtener más información contacte: Greater Chicago Food Depository at 773-247-FOOD or chicagofoodbank.org 2
Info on Paying Your Village of Hillside Water Bill The Village of Hillside offers several convenient options on how to pay your water bill; choose the one that best fits your need. Credit Card – Pay 24 hours a day with Visa, MasterCard or Discover. With this service, you can also access your utility account information, history of billing, penalties, payments and usage data. Auto debit is an option when you set up an account, which takes 30 days to go into effect. 1) To register for this program, visit the Village website at: www.hillside-il.org 2) Next step - scroll down to Top Services on home page. 3) Then click on Pay Water Bill. 4) Then click to Pay Your Bill Now on pop up menu. 5) Now click on green Register button that appears and follow the instructions. Note: Partial payments are not accepted with this service. Auto-Pay – Our monthly payment is automatically taken from your designated banking account on the due date and the money is directly credited to your water account at the Village of Hillside. You will continue to receive a paper statement for your records. If you are interested, call our Water Billing Clerk at (708) 202-3462. Drop Box – A 24 hour drop box is located at the Hillside Village Hall at 425 N. Hillside Avenue in the parking lot at the south-west corner. Mail – Send your payment via the US Mail using the envelope provided with your water bill. In Person – Pay in person at Hillside Village Hall, 425 N. Hillside Avenue. PHONE PAYMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED Late Payments – Payments must be received in our office by the due date to avoid a 5% penalty charge. Failure to receive bill or payment by the due date does not excuse the late charge. Payments must be received, not postmarked, by the due date to avoid the penalty charge. Feel Secure With the Hillside Fire Department Knox Box Program A Knox Home Box is a secure container used for storing keys TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE KNOX BOX PROGRAM ONE for home or business access. This box allows firefighters and MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS: paramedics to quickly enter locked buildings without causing damage to the building’s exterior. 1) The Knox Box must be used on a home or business with a Hillside address. Most important, the box helps first responders expedite emergency care for residents who need it most. In case of an emergency, the 2) For residents, there needs to be an existing medical or physical Fire Department can access the box with a master key only they condition which makes it difficult for them to open a locked door have; the Medco lock and keys prevent unauthorized duplication. in an emergency. Emergency information concerning the Knox Box will be made Once the application has been filled out, the department will available through the department’s dispatch system which determine if the applicant meets the requirements. If approved, firefighters/paramedics will have access to while responding to the department will contact the applicant and set up an the call. appointment to place the key in the Knox Box and attach the Box to the house or business. HOW TO OBTAIN A BOX: The Hillside Fire Department will loan a limited number of Knox Home Boxes to eligible residents. Businesses can purchase the Knox Box. To obtain one of them, contact the department and we will assist you with setting up a time to fill out an application and any other necessary paperwork. For a Knox Box, Contact the Hillside Fire Department at: 523 N. Wolf Road Hillside, IL 60162 Phone: 708-547-8684 Fax: 708-544-6405 Business Knox Box Website: www.hillside-il.org Home Knox Box 3
Meet Village Trustee Marvin Watson… He Is All About Family Village Trustee Marvin Watson is just as formidable a both stood up in the wedding. Soon after, Marvin worked presence today as when he was the starting guard on the up the courage to ask her for a date and 33 years and three Proviso East football team 40 years ago. Marvin’s passion sons later the rest is history. for making Hillside a great place to live is deeply rooted in his upbringing that stressed the importance of family. The newlyweds rented an apartment in Villa Park. One day traveling down Butterfield Road they saw a sign for an open Marvin is the youngest of four siblings and the only boy. His house in Hillside. They stopped, did not care for the home, dad, James Watson, worked at Oscar Mayer as a mechanic but sure liked Hillside. They did some research and decided and his mom, Jessie, worked on the assembly line at Zenith Hillside with its parks, youth activities, safety and peace of TV. Marvin went on to say, “As you can imagine we ate a lot mind was the place to raise a family. of hot dogs growing up and always had the latest model of TV; we were one of the first families with a VCR.” Watson spent the first 11 years of his life growing up in the shadow of Marshall High School on the west side of Chicago. It was a rough neighborhood where many of the children lived in single-parent households, but lucky for Marvin, he lived in a loving two-parent home, with a stay-at-home grandmother. Marvin’s parents stressed the importance of God, family, a respect for the law and hard work; life lessons Marvin and his wife, Donna, would pass on to their own children. In 1972, Marvin’s family moved to a home in Broadview, there he enjoyed a typical childhood. He enrolled at Wilson School in Bellwood. He joined a Boy Scout Troop at St. Eulalia and fell in love with camping, a life-long hobby he would zealously share with his three sons. Marvin graduated from Roosevelt Jr. High and Proviso East. He was accepted to many colleges but was undecided when it came to enrollment. A female friend suggested he join her at the Illinois Institute of Technology and enroll in the engineering program, which he did. Influenced by his mechanically inclined dad, Marvin earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Years later, he would go on to earn a master’s degree in Project Management from Keller Graduate School of Management. They soon bought a house on High Ridge Road and within After college he went to work for the CTA where he steadily four years they had three sons, Marcus, Malcolm and rose through the ranks, working in management in Fare Martin. Thirty years later the High Ridge Avenue address Collection, Engineering, Capital Construction, and the Bus is still home. Marvin told this interviewer, “Every day I am Engineering Departments. He was employed there for 25 thankful for this wonderful home in this great community, it years until his retirement. is a blessing and a dream come true.” It was in the mid 1980’s when Marvin met his future wife For 30 years, Marvin Watson has been a driving force in during a trip to the local pharmacy to buy medication. It was making Hillside a better place to live, work, and play for his there that Marvin recognized the woman behind the counter family and ours. Marvin restarted a dormant Hillside Cub as someone he went to high school with, he remembered Scout Pack. At its height, the program had over 30 Scouts. her as one of the members of the prestigious Pirateer Club, Sadly, today the pack no longer exists. Marvin then became and as Marvin likes to tell it, “I didn’t personally know her a Scoutmaster when his sons moved up to Boy Scouts. in high school, but I do remember thinking back then that Under his guidance, Boy Scout Troop 73 produced an she was one of the prettiest Pirateer girls.” After making astonishing 9 Eagle Scouts, three of whom were his sons, the connection, Marvin struck up a short conversation and which Marvin claims was one of his proudest moments as learned that the pretty lady’s name was Donna, and she a father. Three brothers making Eagle Scout is so rare a feat was the drug store’s pharmacist. After that, his visits to the that a newspaper did a story about it. drug store became more frequent. By coincidence, Donna’s sister was the fiancée of one of Marvin’s friends, and they Continued on page 5... 4
...Continued from page 4 Marvin was also active in Hillside Youth Baseball. Marvin Watson family has held a reunion and Marvin has attended served as a board member, an assistant coach and helped all but 4. With 14 senior siblings, there is no doubt there is his wife manage the concession stand, which made a always a crowd. The family gatherings are held in different profit the 6 years they manned it. parts of the country, but the 2019 reunion held in Georgia drew over 600 family members! It is no wonder that family His work with Hillside’s youth was recognized by many is so important to Marvin. people and in 2008, when an opening came up on the Hillside School District 93 Board, he was appointed to fill the position. Again, his wife Donna and he served as a team. She was the school’s PTO President; and eventually Marvin became the school board’s Vice President. Besides his work with local youth, Marvin served on Hillside’s Human Relations Commission. In that position he served as host of the annual Martin Luther King Breakfast. Marvin stated, “I believe the commission’s work has been an integral part in maintaining Hillside as one of the most diverse communities in all of Illinois.” In 2011, Marvin was appointed to fill an opening on the Hillside Village Board of Trustees and today serves as the Board’s Chairperson of Public Safety and Education and is a member of Hillside’s Technology Committee. Marvin offered this statement, “As Chair of The Public Safety and Education Committee, I am very proud to have been a part of Hillside’s Fire Department’s achievement of being ranked in the top 1% of departments in the country.” The Watson Family Seated L to R: Marvin, Donna, Marcus holding Anthony Marvin has been a parishioner of Saint Eulalia in Maywood Standing L to R: Martin, Malcolm for over 40 years where he is also a member of the Knights of Saint Peter Claver, the largest African American Catholic Today, in his own retirement, besides serving as Village society in this country. In 2016, Marvin was the recipient of Trustee, Marvin is active in his church, golfs with friends the Archbishop James P. Lyke O.F.M. African American Male and uses his formidable presence as a part-time security Image Award, which is given "For academic excellence, officer at Wrigley Field for Cub home games. However, leadership, Christian values, dedication to the community, his most important activity in retirement is spending time and community service.” He is also active with Nuns Build; with a new generation of Watsons, his 4-year-old grandson an organization dedicated to rebuilding sections of New Anthony and 4-year-old nephew Timothy. Orleans devastated by Hurricane Katrina. For one week in each of the past four years, he has put his engineering Towards the end of our interview, Marvin stated, “I really skills to use in rebuilding homes. love helping the residents and businesses in Hillside. I am quick to give out my Village business card. I have gotten Marvin’s parents retired to a home in Georgia they built on numerous calls and always respond. I love working with the 20 acres that Marvin’s grandfather left his father. Marvin’s board of trustees because we are always working to help dad is one of 14 siblings who grew up in that area. In the Hillside community.” fact, there were so many Watsons that a street that runs through that same area is named for them. Most of the Because of his commitment to making a better life for his siblings have returned to their origins, each with their own family, Village Trustee Marvin Watson has helped make 20-acre inherited homestead. For the past 50 years the Hillside the best place to live for our families. WINTER PARKING REGULATIONS Parking is not permitted on any public street or alley within the Village when snow accumulation reaches three inches (3”) or more, and until snow removal operations are completed.
Mayor Tamburino Asks for Your Help in Supporting Our Local Business Community Our local small businesses are part of the fabric that makes Hillside a great place to live. They're the places you ask to sponsor the Little League team, to donate to the school fundraiser, to provide a few free dishes to the church potluck dinner. Without them, Hillside would feel a lot less like home. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Hillside businesses were financially impacted due to social distancing measures. So, when deciding where to spend your hard-earned dollars on tonight’s dinner or a gift for a friend, consider the benefits of turning to a local businesses within your community. What a Small Business Means to a Community • Local businesses are more likely to utilize other local businesses such as banks, service providers, and more. • For every $100 you spend at local businesses, $68 will stay in the community. Sales tax dollars help stabilize property taxes. • Small businesses employ 59 million Americans and accounted for 65% of all new jobs in the last decade. Many of the employees in our local businesses are Hillside residents. • Many Hillside businesses are owned and operated by our neighbors! They care about and are invested in the well-being of your community and its future. How can you help? 1. Shop local stores online. Most retailers are offering their products through online purchasing, even if they hadn’t been doing so before the coronavirus pandemic. Continue supporting local businesses by choosing to order through their websites until they reopen their brick-and-mortar locations. 2. Buy gift cards. Many small businesses that had to close are offering gift cards at discounted rates. Look on the various Hillside business websites and social accounts for these bargains. 3. Order in. Dining out at a restaurant is a luxury that we will have to do without for now, but you can still enjoy your favorite takeout food at home. You can safely order through a food delivery service, like Grubhub or DoorDash or use the restaurant’s drive-thru or curbside pickup service. 4. Tip extra. Whether you’re ordering dinner in or just having your groceries delivered or getting your hair done, you can help local businesses and their employees make it through this economic crisis by tipping a little bit more than you normally would. 5. Take advantage of discounts. In an effort to boost their sales, many small businesses are offering steep discounts on their products at this time. Take advantage by purchasing larger than normal quantities of sale items to help the business stay afloat. 6. Pay in Advance. If you can afford it, pay ahead for goods or activities you use regularly, even if you're not utilizing them right now. Think cleaning services, landscape and gardening. 7. Accept the Rack Rate. Everyone loves a discount, but perhaps now is not the time. If you can afford it, pay full price. Charity starts at home, so let’s dig in and help our local businesses… Buy Hillside First!
Hillside Has Spoken… November 3rd Election Wrap-up Enduring one of the strangest election seasons ever due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Hillside voters went to the polls on November 3rd to vote for candidates running at the federal, state, county and judicial levels of government. 67% of Hillside’s registered voters voted in the November 3rd election. In every contested race on the 2020 ballot, Hillside voters overwhelmingly chose the Democrat candidate. President-Elect Joseph Biden received 57% of the vote across Illinois but gathered 81% of the vote in Hillside. Although Governor Pritzker’s Fair Tax Amendment was defeated state-wide, Hillside voters voted in favor of the proposed Amendment by a 74% to 26% margin. United States Presidential Results for Hillside Joseph R. Biden Donald J. Trump and and Kamala Harris Michael R. Pence Precinct 3 Community Center 629 125 Precinct 93 Community Center 388 139 Precinct 30 Hillside Village Hall 604 121 Precinct 60 Hillside Village Hall 387 77 Precinct 39 Memorial Park District 672 128 Precinct 49 Progressive Life Giving Word Cathedral 415 69 TOTAL 3095 (81%) 659 (17%) Voter Registration Is Now Open At The Hillside Village Hall Village, Library And School Officials Will Be Elected On Tuesday, April 6, 2021 March 9, 2021 - last day to register to vote in person at the Village Hall March 21, 2021 – last day to register to vote online Residents can register to vote online or by coming to the Hillside Village Hall. ► You must be a United States Citizen. ► You must be 18 on or before the date of the next election, which is April 6, 2021. ► You must live in your election precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day. ► You must not be serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution as a result of a conviction. ► Not registered to vote anywhere else. To register, please bring two forms of identification, i.e. driver’s license, utility bill, etc. One must show your current address. New residents with a current voter registration card may transfer their registration by mail or re-register at the Hillside Village Hall. You can also register to vote online by visiting: www.cookcountyclerk.com For additional information, call the Hillside Village Clerk’s Office at 708-202-4325 during regular business hours. Information concerning Early Voting and Mail-In Ballot Applications will be in the next edition of the Hillside Herald. 7
Digital Speed Radar Signs Popping Up Around Hillside The Hillside Police Department has been working to reduce speeding vehicles and stop sign violators throughout the community. Traffic calming on our interior streets are a priority for police. Several steps have taken place over the last several years. One of these measures is the implementation of speed radar signs that detect a vehicle's speed, and then displays it for the driver, adding a thank you or slow down message. Currently the Village has 5 operational radar signs deployed at locations throughout the community. As enforcement continues, these signs will be placed at different locations, allowing drivers to become more aware of their speeds. Hillside Police are also in the process of testing new technology that allows monitoring commercial areas, along with residential areas to determine criminal activity. An important note for residents to understand is that in the State of Illinois, technology such as the ones mentioned are not admissible in court. When non-criminal citations are issued, the driver of the vehicle must be identified by a police officer, or witness willing to sign the citation as the complainant and then follow through with appear- ances in traffic court. A Year Like No Other… and Hillside’s EMA Team Was There to Help In the past year Hillside’s Emergency Management Agency stepped up to assist residents in several Covid-19 related projects such as providing traffic control and security at a food distribution event. The EMA Team members that helped with this event was Tony Faragia, Scott Lundgren, Namon Barnett, Lamonte Batie, David Wingier, Frank Calderone, Caroline Knoff and Allan Stohl. The EMA Team was also proud to be part of the distribution of bags containing face masks and hand sanitizer that were given throughout the Hillside community. The EMA Team provided traffic control for the Veterans Day Parade and decorated Emergency Management Vehicles for the Christmas Parade. With the advent of Covid-19 vaccines, we are anticipating a return to normalcy. In the next few months, we hope to get back to hosting events like our popular Summer Concert series. Hillside’s Emergency Management Agency plays an important role in ensuring the success of events like this and other Village programs. JOIN THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM TODAY! Membership is open to individuals who can devote their free time to assist with emergencies such as floods and Village events. Equipment and training will be provided along with uniforms and personal protective equipment that will help you perform your duties. To be a member you must be 18 years of age or older. Membership applications can be picked up at the Hillside Village Hall or call Tony Faragia (EMA Director) at 708-449-6410. If you want to contribute to your community, help your fellow citizens, and have a fun rewarding experience... Hillside’s Emergency Management Agency Team can be that opportunity. 8
Hillside Police Issue Community Alert on Ruse Burglaries Ruse burglaries are usually committed by offenders working in pairs. One offender uses a distraction (Ruse) to keep the victim’s attention diverted while the second offender enters the home to steal valuables, typically cash or jewelry. Ruse burglaries often are targeted towards senior citizens and people living alone. Common Ruse Themes • Utility problems such as water, gas, or electric problems that must be addressed immediately • Property line issues i.e.: They are building a fence for your neighbor and need you to check your property line with them thus leaving your residence unattended • Unsolicited offer of work on your home or property (i.e.: They have extra blacktop and can seal your driveway, roof, gutters, etc.) • Asking questions about homes for sale in the area • Offenders may say they are friends of the previous owner or a family member Safety Tips Do not let anyone into your home you do not know or did not schedule to be there Ask for ID, no legitimate utility worker will object to providing ID Never leave your door unlocked/unattended Safeguard valuables in a safe if possible Note the vehicles being used as most public works vehicles are clearly marked You can verify utility emergencies by calling your municipality or 911 Never confront any suspected offenders If you suspect you are being targeted remain safe and call 911. Getting pictures of vehicles, writing down license plates and descriptions of the offenders may be helpful to the police if it can be done safely. Offenders are known to wear fluorescent safety vests and use walkie talkies which help them look like public works employees (always verify the work request with your municipality before letting anyone inside the home). If you have seen suspicious vehicles and/or subjects approaching neighbors, or you feel you were the victim of a ruse burglary, please call the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Investigation Section 708-865-4896 or call the Hillside Police Department at 911 if the incident is in progress. MacArthur and Sunnyside Facilities Update Since the successful passage of the referendum in March 2020, the district has been actively working to prepare for the major construction projects. A facilities committee consisting of parents, staff, administrators, and board members met continuously since the summer to give input and guidance throughout the design phase. A webinar was held on October 28, 2020 where the speakers presented the final interior and exterior renderings of the beautiful new Sunnyside and MacArthur building. They also discussed construction plans, layout, color schemes, safety/ security, improved traffic, landscaping, timelines, and much more. See the building plans and hear the Oct. 28 presentation. On YouTube, search “Community Engagement Webinar 10-28-2020.” Good News for Homeowners At the time of the facilities referendum in March, the district anticipated an average increase to homeowners’ real estate taxes (based on a $200,000 home value) of $558 per year if the $111 million referendum for the facilities project passed. However, in August 2020 when the district sold the first of three bond issuances, interest rates were at their lowest point in municipal bond history. That means the district will borrow less to cover interest costs, which translates into a smaller financial impact upon homeowners. The second bond sale will take place in early 2021. While it is not possible to completely predict market conditions, it is anticipated that interest rates will still be low. The increase in real estate taxes is now projected to be about $425 per year (for a home with a $200,000 market value) or about $133 a year less than initially projected. The third and final bond sale will take place in early 2022. 9
Hillside’s Top-Rated Fire Department Adds 3 New Firefighters Hillside’s three new Firefighter/ Paramedics were administered the “Oath of Office” by Village Clerk Linda Gould on November 2nd. The three new Fire Department members were hired from the $1,430,820.00 Safer Grant that the Village of Hillside was awarded in September of 2020. This grant enhances one of the country’s top-rated fire department’s firefighter and lifesaving capabilities. A second, more formal “Oath of Office” will be administered at a later Board meeting, once they have completed their 12-month probationary period. New Firefighters (L-R) Mark Tomzik, Congratulations and Welcome! Antoine Winbush, Ryan Dubowski Firefighter/Medic Ryan Dubowski Firefighter/Medic Mark Tomzik Firefighter/Medic Antoine Winbush Hillside Fire Department… One of the Country’s Best Gets New Equipment Thanks to a Donor With the help of a $350.00 donation from Harbor Freight tools to the Hillside Fire Department, a new Predator portable 2000-watt generator was purchased for Engine 404. This super-quiet generator is safe to use with sensitive electronics. The efficient design of this inverter generator gives our fire department more power with lower fuel consumption. Lighter weight than conventional generators, this inverter generator will be used to power portable lights, extrication equipment, etc., and already has been put into service several times. It is ideal in helping first responders move quickly and safely during an emergency. Help Our Fire Department Protect Your Home Snow can prove especially the hydrant so firefighters have challenging when trying to fight easy access. Please make a path fires because in many cases it from the hydrant to the street makes the fire hydrants hard to so it can be accessible quickly. see or get to. Remember, every second counts! If there’s a fire hydrant near your Ice around the fire hydrant??? home that is covered with snow, Could be a leak; contact the please do your part to keep it Public Works Department visible this winter by clearing at immediately at 708-202-3434. least a three-foot radius around 10
When the Chicago Mob and the F.B.I Got Together at Hillside’s Fresh Meadow Golf Course I n the late 50’s through the mid 1960’s Sam “Momo” Giancana was the acknowledged boss of the Chicago Mob. Sam was a colorful character who dated popular recording star Phyllis McGuire. His mistress, Judith Exner, was also romantically linked to President John Kennedy. Sam used his muscle to deliver votes for John Kennedy in the 1960 election and worked with the C.I.A. on plots to eliminate Fidel Castro. In the early 1960’s the local F.B.I. made Giancana Public Enemy #1 and their goal was to harass him into either leaving the country or finding evidence to convict him of racketeering, murder and other assorted crimes. They placed 24-hour stakeouts on his Oak Park home. They would follow him in a tail car whenever he left the home. Even when he would see relatives the F.B.I. would sit across the street from the house nce that Sam was visiting. Blurry surveilla G ia cana picture of Sam practicin g at Fresh Meadow Giancana was a fanatical golfer, reportedly even teeing it up to federal court claiming his civil rights were being violated. with Frank Sinatra in Las Vegas. Of course, no country club Armed with photographic evidence, Sam won a court order wanted to have the boss of the Chicago Mob as a member so that mandated the F.B.I. had to have one foursome intervene Giancana was relegated to playing public courses. His most between plaintiff and FBI agents when [Giancana] plays frequented golf course was Fresh Meadows here in Hillside. golf. Roemer said, “even though I told the judge that I never It was only a 20-minute drive from his Oak Park home. once hit Sam with a ball.” Sam was a regular player at Fresh Meadow Golf Course, An interesting side note to this story is that Giancana’s and his foursome had regular company – a tailing foursome lawyer in this case was prominent African American from the FBI led by Organized Crime Director Bill Roemer. attorney George Leighton. Mr. Leighton would eventually be elected a Cook County Circuit Court Judge; then became At Fresh Meadow, Roemer’s F.B.I. group would constantly Illinois’ first African American to serve as a First District hit into Giancana’s group, properly yelling “fore,” and as Appellate Court of Illinois Judge; finally, was appointed by Sam would stand over a putt, the F.B.I. would start yelling President Gerald Ford to serve on the bench of the United obscenities to unnerve him. “At the golf course, I’d follow States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. He him to the men’s room and stand next to him,” retired FBI practiced law until he was 99 years old. In 2012, the Cook agent Bill Roemer once said. “He had shy kidneys, so when County Criminal Courthouse at 2600 South California I was there, he couldn’t go. Sam was about a 14 handicap, Avenue, in Chicago, was renamed in his honor as "The although he cheated a lot. Kicked the balls out of the rough.” Honorable George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building." Giancana finally got tired of the harassment. But rather than Credit: Golf Chicago Magazine April 2017 article “When the Boys Play Through” pull a 15th club out of his bag and shoot back, Giancana went 11
Continuing a Proud Tradition… Hillside’s Veterans Day Parade When it comes to honoring our Veterans, nothing can stop us… neither rain or snow or a Pandemic! On Saturday, November 7, 2020, the of Military Vehicles participated along Village hosted its 18th Annual Veterans with Police and Fire Departments from Day Parade. It was a little different, but neighboring towns. the message was the same powerful one, “Hillside Salutes Our Veterans.” The day was sunny and warm, which helped attract one of our largest crowds Due to the Pandemic, we couldn’t have ever along the parade route. Happy to marching bands, JROTC groups or report that the crowd observed social walkers, but all of the Shriner/Medinah distancing and wore face masks while Groups were anxious to be part of our they proudly waved the American Flag. “vehicle only” parade, that included, Yes, it was different but honoring our Medinah Motor Corps, Cruzin’ Veterans is important and as always Coolers, Segway Unit, Mini-T’s, it was our honor to say, “THANK Mini-Choppers and the Medinah Fire YOU VETERANS, WE SALUTE Unit. Honor Flight America was proud YOU TODAY, TOMORROW AND to attend and brought 15 decorated ALWAYS.” vehicles to honor our Veterans. A fleet Flag Disposal Ceremony Held on Veterans Day at Hillside Village Commons Members of the American Legion Post and Hillside Village officials held a ceremony to respectfully dispose of worn and tattered United States flags on November 11th, which was also Veterans Day. About four dozen flags were burnt as prescribed by flag disposal protocol. Please bring any flag that you want to discard to the lobby of the Hillside Village Hall, and look for future flag disposal ceremonies in upcoming editions of the Hillside Herald. Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning is Seeking Your Input on Improving the Prairie Path The Illinois Prairie Path is a multi-use nature trail that spans over 60 miles through various municipalities in Cook, DuPage, and Kane Counties. This heavily used trail brings visitors through Berkeley, Hillside, and other communities. The Village of Hillside, Village of Berkeley, and the Berkeley Park District, in partnership with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, are working to develop a shared vision for the Prairie Path to increase pedestrian and bicycle traffic along the path, attract businesses to the area, and enhance parks and open space for residents and path users. The project study area is located in the Villages of Berkeley and Hillside and is bounded to the North by Burr Oak and Hawthorne Avenues, to the East by Please visit their website to give your input about the Wolf Road, to the West by I-294, and to the South by Warren Avenue. future of one of Hillside’s treasures, The Illinois Prairie Path: https://engage.cmap.illinois.gov 12
Need Help Paying Winter Heating Bills… Nicor Gas’s COVID-19 Assistance Program Can Help Nicor Gas is reminding its residential customers based on family size. LIHEAP registration is currently they have funds available to assist those who may be underway and available to households with income affected by the ongoing pandemic and have a past due up to 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline or balance. More than 20,000 Nicor Gas customers with about $52,400 annually for a family of four. For single accounts that were in arrears have been recipients member households, the maximum gross monthly of the one-time grant of up to $300 as part of the income to qualify is only $2,127. COVID-19 Bill Payment Assistance Program. The Nicor Gas Sharing Program provides annual To qualify for the COVID-19 Bill Payment Program, grants up to $400 depending on income and customers must first enroll in LIHEAP or the Nicor family size. Residential customers with a Nicor Gas Sharing Program. Customers with account Gas bill may qualify if their gross monthly balances do not need to wait for a shut-off notice income is below 300 percent of the federal to apply. Once customers are qualified poverty guideline or $6,550 per month for for either one of the programs and a family of four – that’s $78,600 annually. funds applied to their account, The Sharing Program is administered the COVID-19 Bill Payment by The Salvation Army and funded Assistance Program Grant through direct contributions from will be automatically Nicor Gas customers and employees. applied to a customer’s outstanding balance, For more information or to up to $300. find a local community action agency, visit: nicorgas.com/ Income guidelines energyassistance. are on a sliding scale Other Nicor Gas customer support programs include: The Nicor Gas Energy Aide Program: Eligible renegotiate their terms to 24 monthly installments and customers also can receive an Energy Aide Grant terms may be renegotiated if a customer’s financial up to $250 toward past due balances. This grant is situation changes or they default after enrollment. administered by select local agencies and customers are not required to pay back the grant. Service disconnections: Nicor Gas voluntarily has suspended service disconnections for non-payment Paying balances in monthly installments no down for residential customers through March 31, 2021. payment: Nicor Gas is offering customers the Additionally, Nicor Gas will waive reconnection fees opportunity to pay off past due account balances in and restore service for residential customers who were 24 monthly installments without a down payment. disconnected for nonpayment up to one year prior to This self-service option is available 24/7 by visiting June 18, 2020, upon request by the customer. the My Account webpage or by calling Nicor Gas at 888.Nicor4U (642.6748). Residential customers who For information about COVID-19 and your natural currently have an active payment agreement may gas service, visit: nicorgas.com/covid-19. 13
Snow Accumulation Freezing temperatures, snow and ice are the winter norm for this area, and Hillside Public Works salt trucks and snowplows are ready. January Parking is not permitted on any public & Febru street within the Village when snow ar y accumulation reaches three inches (3”) or more until snow removal operations are completed. Please do not shovel or blow snow into or across any public street or sidewalk. (Code of Ordinance Section 9.108.1). Icy patches and frozen blocks of ice can form, which are a danger to pedestrians and vehicles. The Village does not clear neighborhood sidewalks. Please be a snow angel and shovel your sidewalk so school children and pedestrians can walk with greater ease and safety. Also, if able, please clear snow from around fire hydrants and storm sewers. Please keep the snow on your own property and parkway. Snowplow Safety Stay safe around snowplows by keeping your distance. A snowplow drivers’ field of vision is restricted. You may see them, but they may not see you. Watch for sudden stopping or turning. Plows are wide and can cross center lines. Do not tailgate and do not pass. Snowplows tend to go under the speed limit. Be patient and allow plenty of time to slow Sump Pump Discharge down. Take it slow this Winter! All residents must comply with proper discharge of your Garbage & Recycle Carts storm water sump pump. Water must be directed so the grass areas existing in your front or back yard may readily Garbage, recycle, and yard waste carts, by Ordinance (Article absorb the runoff without creating a flooding/icing condition 1, Sec. 70-33), must be put out on the parkway and NOT IN to adjacent properties or public ways. Improper discharge THE STREET. The Public Works Department is unable to will create a public nuisance as stated in Section 21.305 maintain our streets (snow plowing) with these obstacles on (Nuisance) of the Municipal Code of Ordinances. the street. To ensure pick-up on your scheduled day, the Village highly Disposal Of Television & All Electronics recommends placing your garbage out on the parkway any The Village of Hillside and Waste Management will not time after 4:00 p.m. the day before your scheduled pick-up to pick-up TV’s at curbside. TV’s have many toxic materials ensure pick-up the following morning. Holidays delaying the and as of 2012, are prohibited from landfills. It is the garbage pick-up by one day are: New Years, Memorial Day, responsibility of us all to dispose of electronics properly. For 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hillside residents only: The Village has a recycling bin REMINDER: Yard waste pick-up has ended and will for electronics only, where you can dispose of your TVs resume in April 2021. and electronics properly in the lobby of the Village Hall. There is a size restriction. Please call with any questions. DuPage County Recycling Program is open to all. This Should you have any questions or concerns, program benefits the Developmentally Disabled. By going to their website at: http://www.dupageco.org/ please feel free to contact the Public Works ElectronicsRecycling/ you will get all the information office at 708-202-3434 pertaining to this program. Streetlights Please call us to report the outage of a streetlight so we can keep our Village lit up! 14
Village of Hillside Looking to Assemble a Performing Arts Company The Village of Hillside is seeking aspiring actors, singers, musicians, comics, artists and other theatrical aficionados who would be interested in developing a performing arts company right here in Hillside. The company would have access to the Village Hall to put on small dramatic, comedic, or children's plays. The hall would also be open to divas and musicians who want to stretch their musical chops. The type of performances that can be staged would be up to the performing arts board. So all you would-be thespians, directors, comics, musicians or any one else who would be interested in being part of this new dynamic fun concept, please call Mayor Joseph Tamburino at (708) 202-4343. Hillside-Berkeley Chamber of Commerce Looking for Civic Minded Board Members Are you interested in sharing your time and talents to help make the Hillside-Berkeley SUPPORT area a better place? Think LOCAL Do you have a special skill that could benefit our board? Are you willing to be an enthusiastic advocate for the community and encourage others to get involved? Local BUSINESS Serving on a chamber board is a wonderful way to support the community. It is also a great way to build your own skills and expertise and share your business with the other members in the Chamber and in the neighborhood. The Hillside-Berkeley Chamber is looking for civic minded, community-oriented individuals to join our board. If you are interested, please contact us at 708-449-2449. Start the New Year Off on the Right Paw… Get Your Dog or Cat Their Tags Today! Pet owners don’t forget to register your pets. The Village of Hillside has free registration for your dogs and cats. We recommend that you register your pet at the beginning of the year in order to receive your free pet tags. We only ask that you bring in an up-to-date rabies vaccination report. In case you’re pet ever gets lost the village tag on your pet’s collar will help our police department reunite them with you, the pet owner. 15
Stay Connected… Stay Informed… Like Village of Hillside Page on Facebook Following the Village of Hillside on Facebook is one of the best ways to stay connected with the Village. We post frequent announcements and can answer questions you may have. To stay informed on Village of Hillside happenings, go to the following two Facebook links and then hit the LIKED button that appears on the site. You will then be notified of Hillside events and information when they are posted to the Facebook site. Village of Hillside: www.facebook.com/hillsideil Hillside Fire Department: www.facebook.com/hillsidefiredepartment 50/50 HILLSIDE Memorial Park District SIDEWALK PROGRAM Wishes You A The Village offers the Public Sidewalk Program to all residents who want to replace damaged public sidewalk squares under the 50/50 Program. If this is something you are interested Happy New Year! in, please call Public Works at 708-202-3434 to schedule an appointment to assess your sidewalk’s condition. You will then be given a contract for the recommended replacement Stay Safe And Healthy of squares and the cost to you as the applicant. In 2021! Please sign the contract and return it to the Village Hall with payment, which will be required prior to scheduling with our contractor. This work takes place two (2) times per year, typically late spring to early summer and late summer to fall. Feel free to call 708-202-3434 with any questions you may have. 16
HILLSIDE LIBRARY IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Digital Media: As of this writing, the library is closed to Teens: Call or check the library website for ongoing YA the public until further notice. In the meantime, enjoy our crafts and activities available for pickup on request. Also, online resources. With your library card you can access sign up for the winter reading program. You might even win Libby/Media on Demand for e-books and audiobooks, a prize! RBdigital for magazines, and Freegal Music for streaming 24/7. Kanopy and Kanopy kids are available for movie Teens, do you have questions about any kind of health or streaming and storytime. All you need is your Hillside wellness issue? From our homepage, log into the award- Library card! Visit the Research and/or the Digital Media winning Teen Health & Wellness site. It provides middle tabs on our homepage to access this online library. and high school students with up-to-date, nonjudgmental, www.hillsidelibrary.org straightforward information and self-help support. Articles are correlated to state and national standards. Topics Need a Library card number to access our digital covered include diseases, drugs, alcohol, nutrition, mental resources? Go to our website and click on the catalog at health, suicide, bullying, LGBTQ+ issues, and more. the right-hand side. Click on Sign Up to get started. You can also reset your pin here or ask to have your library Youth: The winter reading program is open to children that card number emailed to you. can read and to children that need to be read to. All ages are welcome to participate. Featured Resource: Newsbank. Access the Newsbank search box on our home page Curbside Pickup underneath the card catalog search box. At this writing, an opening date for the library has not been Newsbank, has added a couple of new features. set. However, we are currently doing curbside pickup. "Chicago Community Collection". 1) Place an item on hold through the library catalog or call This database includes archived material from the the library to place the hold. following local newspapers: Hillside Suburban Life (2007- 2013), Maywood Herald (1995-2006), Melrose Park 2) The library will notify you when the item is ready to be Herald (1995-2006), Proviso Herald (2006-2011), and picked up. West Proviso Herald (1995-2006). 3) Come at your scheduled pick-up time. "Acceda Noticias" Spanish language newspapers, newswires and web-only 4) A receipt with the due date will be included with your content from the U.S. and around the world including items. Argentina, Chile, Columbia, Mexico and Spain. Please be aware that events and news change rapidly so check our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts for LIBRARY PROGRAMS library information updates. Adults: First Wednesday monthly book discussion. 2:00 pm. On Zoom until further notice. Visitors and new members always welcome. January 6: Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory February 3: Lab Girl by Hope Jahren Lunchtime Bingo: Tuesdays in January from 12:30 to 1:15. Join us each Tuesday in January for 45 minutes of Bingo fun. Register to play by 6:00 pm on Mondays. We will send out the Bingo card link and the Zoom invite on Tuesday mornings. To register call the library or email adult service at rfuener@hillsidelibrary.org. Hillside Public Library Call 708-449-7510 or visit www.hillsidelibrary.org. 17
A Message from John Kramer, Village Trustee and Air Force Veteran & Broadview-Hillside American Legion Member For many of you, 2020 was a really tough year. Perhaps you lost a relative or friend, or perhaps you are having financial issues or suffering from illness. If you had a good year, you were blessed. In any case, I wish you all the very best for 2021. I have written several pieces for this paper, but I often wonder, what you would really like me to talk about? Please let me know by emailing me at: jkramer@hillside-il.org Recently, someone asked me, “What was it like being in the Service?” I thought it might be nice to talk about that in 2021, but the problem is that if you ask 10 veterans that question, you’d probably get 10 different answers. Our experiences were so different - some of us liked it and some of us didn’t. I will give it a try however in future articles. One thing I can say for certain is that almost every veteran looks back with pride on his/her time in the Service, and are secure in their belief that it was an honor. Veterans Can Be Buried in a National VA Cemetery at No Cost One of the best ways to arrange a free burial in a Veteran National Cemetery is to participate in a VA program called Pre-Need eligibility. Pre-Need establishes eligibility for VA burial and memorial benefits, so your family does not have to go searching for documentation at the time of your death. To learn more about this program and to download the VA Form 40-1007 visit: www.cem.va.gov/pre-need. Illinois Joining Forces Providing Crucial Services for Veterans A network of military and veteran organizations is offering free wellness checks for veterans, service members and their families during the coronavirus pandemic. Illinois Joining Forces is a partnership between state and private groups, including the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, that helps service members and veterans navigate service providers through its Care Coordination Center. The center typically responds to requests for assistance on issues such as housing, employment or health care. Now people can request the center conduct wellness checks, either on an ongoing basis or a single check-in, for veterans, members of the military or their families. Veterans shouldn’t have to wander from office to office – or website to website – to determine who does what and which organization can best meet their needs. Navigating all the service providers in a community can be challenging, especially when in a state of crisis. Our Care Coordination Center can direct individuals to core partners, and through them, to service providers in their local communities. For more information or to register: Visit: www.illinoisjoiningforces.org Or Call: 833-INFO IJF (833-463-6453) 18
A Report on the Hillside’s Fire Department Activities in 2020… During This Most Difficult Period in Our Village’s History This past year has been a trying one for us all. The global with our occupational health physician. One of the highest SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected every priorities was obtaining Personal Protective Equipment aspect of our lives. The Hillside Fire Department has (PPE) and cleaning supplies from various sources and worked tirelessly throughout this crisis to provide the level developing internal conservation practices to maintain of service our residents deserve. The COVID-19 pandemic supply levels consistently. We instituted additional has caused an increase in calls for assistance from the Fire Department and introduced a new element of risk. Of course, the typical emergencies have not stopped either. The hard-working women and men of the Hillside Fire Department have taken steps to ensure they can continue to be there for the community that has come to rely on them. While the fire department has continued to perform all of its traditional duties, including training, fire prevention, and decontamination and community risk reduction, screening measures. At enormous effort has been the beginning and at dedicated to our pandemic the end of each shift, response. As of this article's writing, the Fire Department screening and documentation is required for all members; has responded to more than 2,350 calls for service. quarantine and testing for possible exposures; daily Close to 1,600 of those calls were for emergency medical decontamination of the entire station and all vehicles services, of which almost 12% were suspected or and equipment; mask use and physical distancing in the confirmed COVID-19 patients. The command staff began building; additional decontamination after all high-risk monitoring the situation early in the pandemic. The calls. These measures and our personnel's diligence have administration made a timely decision to close the fire allowed the Hillside fire Department to maintain safe, station to non-emergency public access and non-essential effective operations and prevented service interruptions personnel and used frequent command staff briefings to throughout this unprecedented year. increase situational awareness and maintain a common operational picture. Please call the fire department or check our social media for information on which community programs we We made many changes in our procedures to increase the are able to provide during this difficult time. Although safety of the community and our responders. Department widespread availability of a vaccine is on the horizon, cases administration developed policies and procedures based of COVID-19 are on the rise in our area and we must all on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to take appropriate measures to protect ourselves and state health department guidance in collaboration and one another. Please remember to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and avoid large gatherings. 19
Municipal Calendar of Events Village Board of a Whole Meeting, 7:30 p.m. on January 11th January Village Board Meeting, & February 7:30 p.m. on January 25th Village Board of a Whole Meeting, 7:30 p.m. on February 8th ECRWSS Village Board Meeting, Local Postal Customer 7:30 p.m. on February 22nd Hillside, IL 60162 *** All Board and Community Awareness meetings are held in the Village Hall Board Room – 425 Hillside Avenue Mayor Joseph T. Tamburino Clerk Linda L. Gould Village Trustees David V. Delgado Valerie J. Farries John N. Kramer Frank J. Lomeli, Sr. Marvin A. Watson Herman L. Walter, Jr. Administrator Russell F. Wajda Police Department Saluting The Real Superheroes Of 2020! 425 Hillside Avenue Chief Joseph M. Lukaszek Fire Department 523 Wolf Road Chief Kenneth Carling As a young boy I would be mesmerized by the exploits of Flash Gordon as he battled the Public Works merciless Ming or by the adventures of Superman as he flew across Metropolis. America is 425 Hillside Avenue still fascinated with the mythical Superhero. In the past ten years movie goers spent over 10 Director Joseph L. Pisano billion dollars watching films like the Avengers or The Black Panther or Ironman. Village Hall Main Number In 2020, everyday people like your Hillside Village Employees, were turned into 708-449-6450 Superheroes as they bravely went to their essential jobs facing the prospect of being www.hillside-il.org stricken with a serious illness. Emergency Police & Fire: 9-1-1 When the virus closed down the Village Hall, employees continued to come to work Non-Emergency answering phones and helping Hillside residents with questions and problems including Police: 708-449-6133 Covid related inquiries. It was a challenge, but the day-to-day operations of village services Fire: 708-547-8684 continued. Our Public Works Department still replaced streetlights, repaired water mains Public Works and completed another 2.7 miles of street resurfacing. 708-202-3434 Water Billing The gallant men and women of our Police and Fire Departments were out there every day 708-202-3462 on the frontline never knowing what traffic stop or ambulance call could afflict them with EMA 708-449-6410 the deadly virus. As we Social Distanced and Stayed Home our Police and Fire Officers Director: Anthony Faragia unflinchingly moved toward possible danger. In fact, several Hillside fire and police officers Mayor’s Office of Special came down with the virus. Events: 708-202-4343 So, when you are in the mood to watch a Superhero in action, don’t bother going to the Coordinator movies but rather stop by the Fire Station, Police Department, Village Hall and Public Evelyn Belmonte Works Garage because these Hillside locations house the real Superheroes. Village Hours M-F 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sat. 9:00 a.m. to Noon Closed on Sunday Mayor Joseph Tamburino 20
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