By Joe Boyle
Oak Lawn residents received an early Christmas present from the village — a budget with no tax increases.
And that is a gift that also brings smiles to members of the Oak Lawn Village Board.
“This budget prepared by the trustees and our staff has no increase to the tax levy,” said Mayor Terry Vorderer following a public hearing on the 2024 municipal budget before the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday night.
“This will be a lower tax levy than it was 15 years ago. We have only raised the budget once since 2010 and it was due to the pandemic. We are maintaining and committed to public safety.”
Trustee Alex Olejniczak (2nd) said during the board meeting that he is appreciative of the fire, police, the 911 dispatch center and public works for all they have done during the past year.
“We passed a budget with no tax increases,” Olejniczak said. “And we had work repairs on three major intersections with major infrastructure done. And they did it under budget.”
Santa success
The Santa on the Green event held at the Village Green on Dec. 2 was considered a huge success by members of the board.
“Everyone did a tremendous job getting everything prepared and ready,” said Trustee Paul Mallo (3rd), who directs the annual holiday event. “It was a beautiful event and I want to thank the Sward School and Pilgrim Faith choirs for performing. A lot of people said they really enjoyed it.”
Vorderer was delighted with how Santa on the Green was received.
‘”I had the pleasure of attending and it was a wonderful event,” the mayor said.
Village Manager Tom Phelan said he witnessed Santa on the Green from his second floor office at the Municipal Center and was impressed.
“That by far was the largest and best I have ever seen,” Phelan said. “The line went down the block and was well received by the public.”
Phelan also thanked the public works department for all their work putting up holiday decorations throughout the village, including the Village Green.
The trustees also unanimously approved a recommendation from the Liquor and Tobacco Review Board to change the Sunday sales of liquor at certain establishments from 11 a.m. to 9 a.m. The initial request came from the owner of the Arena Lanes bowling alley, who said they have been losing business to other bowling alleys who can serve liquor earlier than 11 a.m. on Sundays.
Vorderer is aware that more bowlers have been coming to Oak Lawn after a fire gutted the Oak Forest bowling alley.
“I think this was something we could compromise on,” Vorderer said. “Instead of 7 a.m. moving it to 9 a.m. is a good compromise.”
The mayor noted that packaged liquor will continue to sold beginning at 11 a.m. on Sundays from most convenience stores and other establishments.
Recognizing scouts
The Daisy and Brownie Troop 65782 was recognized at the board meeting for collecting 1 million aluminum pop top pull tabs to assist parents who have children being cared for at the Ronald McDonald House in Oak Lawn.
Many of the children either have cancer or other illnesses that need long-term care. The scouts worked all year to collected the pop pull tabs so staff at the Ronald McDonald House can assist parents financially whose children are being cared for.
The scouts all received certificates from Vorderer during the meeting, acknowledging their hard work and commitment.
The board passed several items on their consent agenda. The village board meeting that was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Dec. 26, has been canceled.
The mayor said that since this was the last board meeting of the year, that “I will extend to everyone to have a blessed holiday and a great new year.”
Great job!!!????????