The Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Initiative, with the assistance of the Oak Lawn Fire Department, presented a demonstration showing the impact sprinkler systems have in limiting damage and tragedy in fires that can occur in homes and businesses. The demonstration above did not feature a sprinkler system. (Photos by Joe Boyle)
Oak Lawn residents enjoy National Night Out
By Joe Boyle
A large crowd attended the Oak Lawn National Night Out Tuesday night, which did not surprise Police Chief Dan Vittorio.
“We draw large crowds every year,” the Oak Lawn police chief said. “Last year, we had a lot of people, too. The year before that we did not have it because of COVID. But we had a large crowd back in 2019.
“Oak Lawn supports their police,” Vittorio added.
Families were in large abundance along with residents of all ages, who viewed a variety of displays that featured information and hands-on activities in the parking lot adjacent to the Oak Lawn police and fire departments.
Kids received plastic police and fire hats and had an opportunity to look inside the Region 4 South Mobile Field Force.
Sgt. Michael McNeela has been with the unit the past few years. He said the main tasks of the force is to maintain crowd control and help out during periods of civil unrest.
“We have five guys on the team,” said McNeela, who said the Oak Lawn unit has been existence for about 14 years. “We also help out in times of natural disasters.”
Youngsters also spent some time in ‘lockup” as officers gave the kids a chance to see what it is like to be inside a jail cell.
Boy Scout Troop 569 of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Oak Lawn had snacks available for a nominal fee, including popcorn.
“There is a lot of people here but we had a lot of people last year, too,” said Luis Mayen, scoutmaster for the troop. “It’s a beautiful night.”
Youths ages 12 and under also received complimentary hot dogs.
Mike Sikorski, an Oak Lawn police officer, takes part in sponsored car races to raise funds for the Special Olympics. He had his vehicle on display for youngsters who wanted an opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat.
Sikorski has been racing the car the past three years. This year the Special Olympics race will take place at Grundy County Speedway in Morris on Sept. 24.
“It is a great cause,” Sikorski said. “We have raised over $200,000 every year the past three years.”
The Oak Lawn Fire Department also had some tokens to pass out. They also gave kids an opportunity to slide down the fire pole.
The Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Initiative also presented a demonstration with the assistance of the Oak Lawn Fire Department on the need for sprinkler systems in homes and businesses.
The demonstration included one facsimile of a living room that was protected by a sprinkler system. During the demonstration, most of the furniture was still intact during the designed blaze because the sprinkler system reacted within three minutes.
Another living room that had no sprinkler system burned quickly before firefighters got on the scene as part of the demonstration. The demonstration emphasized the importance of having a working sprinkler system.
Vittorio said he was pleased at the turnout that was benefited by pleasant weather. While not commenting directly about the arrest of a teen last week, the police chief said the community has supported the police.
“In Oak Lawn, we’re good,” Vittorio said. “They support us.”
Local News
Countryside puts dog park on hold, will require leashes in two parks
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The city of Countryside has put on hold building a dog park, but canines and their owners are still in store for a treat. The city council has unanimously approved a plan to permit dogs in City Park and Countryside Park this year. Previously, they were not allowed in the…
Bridgeview approves auto repair shop
Spread the loveMoves up time for May 1 village board meeting By Steve Metsch Bridgeview is getting a new automotive repair shop. The village board at its April 17 matinee meeting approved a special use permit that will allow a repair shop at 9010 S. Beloit Ave. There was no discussion among trustees. The board…
Summit Fire Department blood drive draws a crowd
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Summit Fire Department, along with the Village of Summit, and the Argo Summit Lions Club held a blood drive this past Saturday, and it drew a crowd that even impressed the American Red Cross. It took place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with non-stop donors walking through the…
Hodgkins toasts village businesses
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Hodgkins Mayor Ernest Millsap and the Board of Trustees celebrated the village’s businesses at its annual Business Appreciation Breakfast on April 10. Over 100 people gathered at the Hodgkins Administration Center for a hearty breakfast hosted by the village. Representatives from many businesses that are located in or that work…
Pickleball courts coming to Palos Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva There will finally be outdoor pickleball in Palos Park. In a process that went longer than anticipated, the Palos Park Village Council was able give the green light to get a pickleball project started on the Village Green. The council voted April 8 to award the contract to U.S. Tennis…
First Secure Bank to host American Eagle gold coin sale
Spread the loveFrom staff reports First Secure Bank & Trust of Palos Hills announced its annual May sale of 1-ounce and ¼-ounce American Eagle Gold Coins, produced by the U.S. Mint, will take place from 10 a.m.to noon on Saturdays, May 4, May 11, May 18 and May 25. The sale will take place at…
Donate teddy bears to our local police
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Have you ever seen the 1955 movie The Night of the Hunter? The children in this movie show such bravery and acceptance in what life has thrown at them. They have to deal with unimaginable events and sadness. …
Boy Scouts collecting tattered flags for disposal
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Goodbye April, hello May. Our American Flag, the symbol of our country, should always be treated with respect. But after bearing Chicago’s brutal winters and hot blazing summers along with being in the…
Oak Lawn trustee says village needs state grocery tax
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle An Oak Lawn trustee said that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposal to eliminate the state’s grocery tax will be costly for the village. Trustee William “Bud” Stalker (5th), accompanied by Mayor Terry Vorderer, recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Springfield where they learned more about the governor’s proposal to eliminate…
Neighbors
Mother’s Day is truly a day to be celebrated
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Mother’s Day happens on Sunday, May 12. If this isn’t something to celebrate, I don’t know what is. Motherhood means new life, new beginnings, new possibilities. Even if you won’t be seeing your mom, you can still…
Saint Xavier men’s volleyball finishes historic season in nation’s top 4
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Saint Xavier men’s volleyball team made history by advancing to the semifinals of the NAIA Men’s Volleyball National Championship. But the Cougars fell to eventual national champion Georgetown (Kentucky), 25-21, 25-23, 22-25, 21-25, 15-10, on May 3 at Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Although there was…
St. Francis first baseman Nate Maliska earns conference POW honors
Spread the loveBy Mike Walsh Correspondent The University of St. Francis sophomore first baseman Nate Maliska was chosen the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference’s Player of the Week in baseball for April 7. In helping the Saints to four wins that week, Maliska went 9-for-15 (.600) with eight RBI and seven runs scored. The St. Laurence…
Baseball | Marist claws way back to .500
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent This season has thus far not been what Marist had expected, but the RedHawks came into this week at .500. Marist was 2-8 after 10 games this season, with three of those first eight losses coming via shutout. But the RedHawks turned things around with a stretch of eight…
Red Stars fall to Spirit for third loss in past four matches
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent After enjoying one of their best starts in franchise history, the Chicago Red Stars have slid to the middle of the NWSL standings, with the latest setback being a 4-2 loss to Washington at SeatGeek Stadium. The Stars (3-3-1) entered this week having dropped three of their past four…
Red Stars take aim at NWSL attendance record with Wrigley game
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Chicago Red Stars are thinking big when it comes to their upcoming game at Wrigley Field. The team is taking aim at the NWSL record for single-game attendance when it hosts Bay FC at the historic home of the Chicago Cubs on June 8. The record is held…
IHSA announces boys volleyball postseason assignments
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Last year, the area sent a pair of boys volleyball teams to state as Lyons finished runner-up to champion Glenbard South and Brother Rice lost in the quarterfinals. This year, both could face each other in the sectional finals. The Lions picked up the second seed and the Crusaders…
Badminton players from Reavis and Lyons going to state
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Reavis singles player Dania Amjad finished third in the Bolingbrook Sectional on May 2 to qualify for the IHSA state tournament. The Lyons doubles team of Simone Brown and Mia Graziano finished fourth in the York Sectional to qualify for state. The state finals are May 10-11 at DeKalb…
Brother Rice, Sandburg sending boats to bass fishing state tourney
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Brother Rice is sending two boats to the IHSA state bass fishing tournament. The Crusaders had first- and third-place finishes at the Des Plaines River Big Basin Marina Sectional on May 2. Sandwiched in between the Brother Rice boats was a group from Sandburg in second place. The Crusaders’…