Oak Lawn residents received an early Christmas present Tuesday night with the announcement that property taxes will not go up in 2025.
Residents received the good news during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting. Trustee Alex Olejniczak (2nd) was ecstatic that property taxes will not rise next year.
“I want to thank the board for holding the line on property taxes,” Olejniczak said. “You see a lot of municipalities are raising their taxes and we are not.”
While property taxes not going up was reason enough for celebration, the board also reported that they have added $15 million to the pension funds of village employees this year, most notably the fire and police funds.
Village Manager Tom Phelan said that the village was required to add at least $12 million to the pension fund. The $15 million was $3 million over what was required, he said.
The budget news comes after learning that the village received a second consecutive credit ranking upgrade by Moody’s last month. Phelan said that the village is hopeful another credit upgrade may occur as early as this week.
Reasons behind the improved credit ranking and no property tax hike include the fact that department heads are mindful about their budgets, according to Olejniczak.
Phelan agreed that due to the hard work of the board they have been able to cut down on expenses but still provide quality services. This comes after 10 straight years of rating downgrades. But the changes that have occurred are due to a change in culture where employees put the interests of taxpayers ahead of their own, Phelan said.
The village manager also said the tax levy for Oak Lawn is lower than it was in 2010.
While holding the line on taxes, the board has provided $50 million in the budget for public safety for 2025. Public safety is the top priority of the village, Phelan said.
Santa draws a crowd
The annual Santa on the Green event proved to be a huge success Saturday at the Village Green, drawing large crowds all day. A line was consistently well over a block long to see Santa and Mrs. Claus in the village gazebo.
“I have never seen this many people attend Santa on the Green before,” Olejniczak said.
Trustee Paul Mallo (3rd), who with volunteers and village employees organizes the annual holiday event, said that 1,600 people attended Santa on the Green.
“It was just phenomenal the effort put in by all the volunteers and the students at Oak Lawn High School and Richards,” Mallo said. “Everyone had a good time and we hope to make it even better next year.”
Several trustees were appreciative of Mallo and staff who made Santa on the Green so successful.
Phelan said that working with the current board has been a pleasure.
“I have been here over 20 years and we had meetings where there was arguing and name-calling,” said Phelan, who was a former trustee. “We sometimes disagree but we work things out. This board works together.”
Mayor Terry Vorderer also recalled meetings that he once said were unprofessional and unproductive.
“I remember when these meetings would last three hours with everyone calling each other names,” said Vorderer. “It was just embarrassing. But that has all changed.”
Honor Eagle Scout
The Oak Lawn Village Board recognized Scout Oisin M. Walsh for his Eagle Scout efforts. Walsh did significant work through St. Gerald Parish.
“The things you have done for St. Gerald is impressive,” Vorderer said.
Vorderer presented the plaque to Walsh as his mother, Eileen Kerlin Walsh, looked on.
No Dec. 24 meeting
The board unanimously voted that the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 24, will be canceled since it is Christmas Eve. The meeting held Tuesday is the final meeting of the year.
Vorderer, who celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, thanked Bill Meyer, the director of public works, for the additional Christmas decorations at the Village Green and other locations.
“Merry Christmas to all Oak Lawn residents,” Vorderer said. “And I hope Santa is good to everyone.”