The newly elected officials in Evergreen Park officially took the oath of office during the village board meeting Monday night.
Mayor Kelly Burke took the oath of office from Judge Terrence McGuire, who also happens to be the mayor’s brother. Burke won a second term for office on April 1, defeating Bill Lorenz, who was the village’s former longtime public works director.
Village Clerk Kelly Duffy had replaced Cathy Aparo, who served in that capacity for many years, last year. Duffy won her first election on April 1.
Trustees Norman Anderson, Carol Kyle and Mark Phelan also return for another term. Two library trustees also took the oath of office. Helen Tomczuk joins Julianne Keaty, who has been on the library board for many years.
Commend police
Burke mentioned that Police Chief Michael Saunders requested that several officers be honored for Outstanding Performance of Duty for the arrest of two armed men that took place on April 26.
Officer Zachary Ratke clocked a car going 46 miles per hour in a 30 mile an hour speed zone, according to police.
After the pursued car came to a stop, the driver and passenger quickly exited the vehicle and fled, according to reports. The two men were then soon arrested near the scene.
They were later charged with several offenses, including a felony. According to police, one Glock magazine containing 14 rounds of 9mm ammunition was recovered. An assortment of open alcohol bottles and cannabis were also recovered, including drug paraphernalia items, police said.
Neither the driver or passenger possessed a valid FOID or CCL. Detective Angelica Brakowski was notified of the incident and her investigation resulted in the charges filed.
Along with Ratke and Brakowski, other officers recognized were Eric Kurschner and Daniel Reilly, and Lt. Alexander Guevara and Sgt. Daniel Graal.
“We want to thank the officers for their great work and a job well done,” Burke said.
In a related matter, the Evergreen Park Police Department said it was partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police, and other local law enforcement agencies to step up enforcement efforts across the state to increase occupant protection.
Police officials said that over the past several years, there has been an increase in careless and risky driving. The “Click It or Ticket” campaign is aimed at reducing these driving behaviors.
Stepped-up patrols will be seen throughout Evergreen Park and the state from May 16 through May 27. During this period, officers will intensify enforcement of occupant protection laws.
The enforcement effort was made possible by federal traffic safety funds administered by IDOT and is part of a statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click it or Ticket” campaign.
During the village board meeting on April 21, Evergreen Park annexed 71 acres of the Beverly Country Club, 8700 S. Western Ave., by a unanimous vote. Officials from the country club reportedly preferred to be part of Evergreen Park instead of unincorporated Cook County.
A business license certificate was officially granted to Beverly Country Club during the board meeting on Monday.
Omar Manci was also granted a business license for office space for his personal use at 9500 S. Avers Ave.
Mourn Dorothy Novotney
Burke mentioned during the meeting that the village mourns the death of Dorothy Novotney, 84.
She was a preschool teacher for the Evergreen Recreation Department, president of the Evergreen Park Senior Council, and a regular volunteer at the Office of Citizen Services.
She was also a longtime parishioner at Most Holy Redeemer Parish, where she was a member of the church choir. Her daughter, Beth Novotney, is the current director of the Office of Citizen Services.
“She was very active in the community,” Burke said. “We will miss her smiling face that we would see all around.”
The Evergreen Park Farmers Market opened on May 1 and is celebrating 20 years in the village. The market will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday through October at Yukich Fields, 8900 S. Kedzie Ave.
The E-waste and household hazardous waste drop-off will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at the Evergreen Park Senior Center, 9547 S. Homan Ave.
The public works update will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 20. Registration and log-in information is available at www.evergreenpark-ill.com.
The Village Hall, 9418 S. Kedzie Ave., will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day.
The Annual Kids Health Fair will be held from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at the Evergreen Park Fire Department, 9000 S. Kedzie Ave.
Burke proclaimed that May 4 through May 10 be noted for being the “36th Annual Professional Municipal Clerk’s Week” in Evergreen Park.
“They work very hard and some weeks are harder than others,” Burke said.
