Evergreen Park officer arrests armed driver after traffic stop

By Joe Boyle

What appeared to be a routine traffic stop resulted in the arrest of an armed man in Evergreen Park.

At Monday’s Evergreen Park Village Board meeting, Police Chief Michael Saunders requested that Officer Adrian Ortiz receive a commendation for making an arrest of a suspect who may have been a danger to the community.

Earlier this month, Ortiz noticed that a driver was speeding. He pulled the driver over and noticed he was acting suspiciously.

After searching the vehicle, he noticed that a loaded revolver was under the driver’s side seat. The driver was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, a felony.

Saunders’ commendation for Ortiz was granted and Mayor Kelly Burke praised the efforts of the officer.

“This is great work by Officer Ortiz,” Burke said. “We get a lot of great work by our police department and we’re happy to have them.”

A Zoning Board of Appeals public meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at the Evergreen Park Village Hall, 9418 S. Kedzie Ave. The purpose of the meeting is to consider a petition filed by the owners of Chi Tung Restaurant for a variation to allow more parking.

The variation will apply to the restaurant property along 9560 to 9604 S. Kedzie Ave. The permit request is due to the large crowd of customers who come in to dine or pick up food from Chi Tung. Owners have been attempting for several years to add additional parking space.

A business certificate was granted to Vital Care Hospice LLC, 3317 W. 95th St., Suite 8. Burke said the business previously was a medical care facility that is now being utilized for hospice care. The business is under the same ownership.

CMP Counseling, PLLC, 3450 W. Maple St., Suite 203, was granted a business certificate. The mental health counseling and consulting business will share space with another counseling service, Burke said.

Burke reminded residents that “Coffee with the Mayor” will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Evergreen Park Community Center, 3450 W. 97th St. The mayor will be on hand to answer questions from residents over some cups of coffee.

The third annual 4-on-4 Adults 21-plus Hockey Tournament will be held Saturday, Feb. 24, and Sunday, Feb. 25, at the Daniel V. Capuano Ice Rink at Yukich Fields, 8900 S. Kedzie Ave. For booking information, contact Mike Huguelet, 708-703-1322, or email SRBossmanISU@yahoo.com.

All profits and donations will benefit the Ende, Menzer, Walsh & Quinn Retirees, Widows and Children’s Fund. For more information, contact the Evergreen Park Recreation Department at 708-229-3373.

Free tax preparation for seniors and disabled adults is being offered at the Office of Citizen Services, 3450 W. 97th St. The tax preparation is by appointment only. To make an appointment or for more information, call 708-422-8776.

The Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce is hosting a job fair from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at the Evergreen Park Library, 9400 S. Troy Ave.

The job fair, Burke said, will help to provide summer employment opportunities for students.

The Ever-Read Young Adult Library Festival will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at the Evergreen Park Community High School, 9901 S. Kedzie Ave.

The event is being hosted by the high school and the Evergreen Park Library.

“This is a great event for high school students and anyone who enjoys reading,” Burke said.