Orland Park Trustee Joni Radaszewski, shown at a June 20 meeting, participated via phone at the Sept. 6 meeting. It was her first board meeting since being involved in a serious auto accident. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)
Orland trustee back on call after horrific accident
By Jeff Vorva
Orland Park Trustee Joni Radaszewski phoned it in on Sept. 6.
And the rest of her teammates on the board couldn’t be happier.
Radaszewski was seriously injured during an accident in Homer Glen on June 21 which killed her parents, Adrian Spaargaren and Kathleen Repsis, who were passengers in the car.
The trustee is still recovering from her injuries but was able to participate in her first board meeting since the accident via the phone.
“I want to say thank you to the board and the staff and everybody for covering for me while I’m on the road to recovery,” Radaszewski said. “I’m still on the mend. I’m definitely looking forward to being back to coming back to meetings and doing what I can.
“I’m sad that I missed all the fun stuff at the village over the summer. I’m looking forward to being a part of things moving forward. Thank you for your understanding, your sympathy and your support and for helping me see me through it.’’
Mayor Keith Pekau said the board misses her and told her he can’t wait until she returns to meetings in person.
Trustee Cynthia Nelson Katsenes added her sentiment.
“Welcome back Joni – we miss you,” she said. “You are an inspiration Just your smile and your demeanor…after everything you’ve been through you are a wonderful person and are very blessed to have you on the board with us.”
According to news reports, Christopher Haramija, 37, of Joliet, was cited for a variety of offenses including improper lane usage and transportation of open alcohol after the head-on collision with Radaszewski’s vehicle.
The accident occurred on 143rd Street less than 24 hours after she attended Village of Orland Park Committee of the Whole and village board meetings.
She was elected to the board in April 2021 along with Sean Kampas and Brian Riordan.
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So sorry for your accident. Loss of parents must be devastating. Stiffer penalties for dui’s are needed. God bless