By Joe Boyle
Oak Lawn police are going to crack down on reckless drivers who repeatedly blow stop signs throughout the village.
And police will begin enforcing those measures within the next two weeks.
The subject was brought up during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting June 11. Village Manager Tom Phelan said that he and other officials receive complaints constantly about drivers traveling over the speed limit and rolling right through stop signs.
Phelan said the time is now to address this persistent issue.
“These aren’t people from out of the area, these are people who live right here,” Phelan said. “I don’t know what it is. People are either just getting lazy or what. We are going to deal with safety as it pertains to driving. I think most of us think it just happens on their block. Unfortunately, it is happening everywhere.”
Police will be focusing on negligent drivers and will be in unmarked cars to track down the offenders, Phelan said.
“We have talked with every trustee about this,” Phelan said. “I think we will send a message. This is a problem in every district.”
Offenders will be subject to substantial fines, according to police.
Concert success
Trustee Paul Mallo (3rd) said that the first concert held at the Village Green was a huge success on June 2. The trustee said changing the time for the concert to 6 p.m. is probably the main reason.
“It was the biggest number of attendees at an Oak Lawn concert,” Mallo said. “I’m glad people came. I think the time change helped.”
Mayor Terry Vorderer also applauded the response to the first concert of the year.
“I was at the Village Green that night and I thought we were going to need a bigger Green,” Vorderer said. “I saw no one leaving early.”
Mallo also mentioned that a Karaoke Night will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 7 as part of the Oak Lawn Music Fall Fest. More information will be provided later.
Carnival fun
Trustee Ralph Soch (6th) talked about the St. Catherine of Alexandria Carnival that was held this past weekend. He said the event was well attended and, most important, no reports of crime.
“I’m in District 6 and the St. Catherine Carnival had no disturbances,” Soch said. “St. Catherine is the benchmark on how to hold a carnival. It can be done and we just have to work with the police department.”
Trustee James Pembroke (4th) said he is concerned about the proliferation of motorized bikes and assorted vehicles that youths are riding in the village. Pembroke is concerned that these kids and teens are riding them on streets and are not always visible to passing motorists.
“Some of these younger kids are riding them on the sidewalks,” Pembroke said. “I just want everyone to be careful.”
A presentation was also given by Alex Goss, sewer superintendent for Vector Services, which partners with Nicor on sewer and gas inspections. New lines have been changed.
Goss said that over 700 addresses have been addressed, However, overall 1,600 homes have to be addressed, Goss said.
Honor Eagle Scout
Mayor Terry Vorderer presented a plaque to Michael Reising for earning Eagle Scout recognition. Vorderer said that this is quite an honor and that Reising should be proud.
Hometown Heroes
Vorderer applauded the efforts of Bill Meyer, director of the public works department, who has directed his staff to put up several Hometown Hero banners at several locations in the village.
The banner program honors current and past veterans from Oak Lawn. The banners are being hung on street light poles in the village and will be displayed from Memorial Day through Veterans Day for two years.
To order a banner, contact the website homepage at www.oaklawn-il.gov or call 708-499-7742.
Come to 52nd Ave and oak Street that stop sign is repeatedly blown
All along 97th street from Central through to Austin. The most concerning is Mayfield, due to the school.
Oak Park heading south from 95th around curve to Ridgeland south side of mall. Even when kids get out of school and crossing guard is present its like Indy 500.Auto repair shops down by mall use Oak Park as a test track.