The Evergreen Park Village Board of Trustees voted down a petition to operate a treatment center for patients dealing with drug addiction.
The owners of the Elite Treatment Center, which is based out of Chicago Heights, had put in a request for a special permit to operate a facility at 3333 W. 95th St. The trustees voted 5-0 in opposition of the center during the Evergreen Park Village Board meeting on Feb. 17.
Trustee Carol Kyle was absent from the meeting.
The Evergreen Park Zoning Board of Commissioners had previously voted against the Elite Treatment Center. The Village Board essentially voted to uphold that initial decision. The unanimous vote was greeted with cheers from residents who attended the meeting.
Two residents during the public forum segment said they had relatives who have dealt with drug addiction. However, they both opposed the treatment center coming to Evergreen Park due to their methods of dealing with drug dependency.
According to the Elite Treatment Center staff, they use methadone maintenance to treat patients affected by opioid use disorder or opiate addiction.
“We do support addiction prevention but do not support methadone treatment,” said Christine McGovern, who is running in the Republican primary in the 18th State Senate District.
Another resident said that it is more difficult to “get off methadone than heroin. We do not want this in our neighborhood.”
Someone else stated that there are several vacant buildings near that site that would remain vacant if this was approved. Alma Barragan said she walks her children to school near the proposed location and would fear for her kids safety if this was passed.
No one from Elite Treatment Center attended the meeting.
In other news, an amended ordinance was passed to consider fining businesses if traffic concerns develop while they are in operation.
The ordinance was passed due to concerns at the Brothers Car Wash at 9816 S. Kedzie Ave. that residents and board members said often have vehicles lining up into the street, causing traffic delays.
Trustee Mark Marzullo was critical of the car wash. He said that ownership has been warned frequently about the vehicles stretching out into the street.
“The police have been diligently passing out tickets,” said Mayor Kelly Burke. “That’s why we are passing this ordinance to make sure this does not continue to happen.”
Fire Chief Corey Hojek’s request to purchase a wheeled coach ambulance from Fire Services Inc. for $370,376 was approved. Burke said the request was approved because in the past, the fire department has waited as long as three years before the vehicle arrived.
Medical Clinic With Multiple Services, 9401 S. Pulaski Road, was approved for a business license. Owner Summer Jackson has over 20 years of experience as a nurse. She will provide emergency care mobile services.
Upcoming events
The Sip & Sample Fundraiser will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Evergreen Park Library, 9400 S. Troy. For more information, call the library at 708-422-8522 or visit www.evergreenparklibrary.org.
The fifth annual 4 on 4 Capuano Classic Adult 21 and over Hockey Tournament will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, and Sunday, March 1, at the Daniel V. Capuano Ice Rink, 8900 S. Kedzie Ave. To participate, call Mike Huguelet at 708-703-1322.
Residents can have coffee and ask the mayor questions from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Community Center.