A larger than expected crowd filled the auditorium for the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting last week to witness the promotions of several members of the fire department.
Six members of the fire department were promoted at the Oct. 14 meeting, along with the addition of a new firefighter/paramedic. Village Clerk Clerk Claire Henning swore in the newly promoted and new firefighter.
Michael Loughney was promoted to battalion chief, Captain Charles O’Donnell was promoted to the position of bureau chief, and Michael Curran was promoted to the position of fire captain.
Henning also swore in fire engineer Jeffrey Kane to the position of fire lieutenant; fire engineer William Dearth was promoted to fire lieutenant; and fire engineer Keith Giles is now a new fire lieutenant.
Santigo Tischina was sworn in as a new firefighter/paramedic for the Oak Lawn Fire Department. Fire Chief David Wheeler introduced all the promoted staff and the new firefighter/paramedic during the meeting.
“I want to thank the mayor and village board for this,” said Loughney. “It has been a pleasure to serve Oak Lawn.”
Police make arrest
Trustee Ralph Soch (6th) first thanked the large crowd of residents who attended the Polaris Stormwater Storage and Storm Sewer Improvement Project meeting on Oct. 9 to curb flooding in that section of the village.
Soch also said he was pleased to hear that the police department arrested a suspect linked to a home burglary that took place at about 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, on the 10800 block of Kolmar Avenue.
The officers arrived and were informed by the residents who just came home and subsequently disrupted a burglary. A Smart 911 message was sent out to the general neighborhood. Police sent out a helicopter and a drone to take part in the search.
The homeowner, along with a neighbor, said they saw the fleeing offender. Lawrence Carrillo, 54, of Chicago, was taken into custody and charged with one felony count of residential burglary and two counts of criminal damage to property.
“I want to thank the police department for getting there so quickly,” Soch said. “I don’t know how they got there so fast but they did.”
Mayor Terry Vorderer also pointed out that this was the first time that the police department utilized their recently purchased drone to assist in the arrest.
Check website
Trustee Paul Mallo (3rd) reminded residents at the meeting to check the village’s website to receive updated information on what is occurring in the village.
“We do a good job of putting up events,” Mallo said. “If you go to the website, put your email in, and you will be notified of what is going on.”
The mayor reminded the board and resident of the importance of checking lithium batteries and to remain educated about the dangers they can pose.
The village board authorized the purchase of one new Ford F-350 super duty vehicle for the Oak Lawn Fire Department from Napleton Ford of Oak Lawn in an amount that will not exceed $65,810.70.
Acorn to Oak
Laura Cunningham spoke on behalf of Acorn to Oak Studios, which hold gatherings and events in space available in the north wing of Pilgrim Faith Church, 94th and 51st Avenue, Oak Lawn. The studio has been a source dedicated to the arts in the community since 2022.
She mentioned that the “Fresh Off the Easel Show and Sale” will be held Friday, Nov. 7; Saturday, Nov. 8; and Sunday, Nov. 9. She encouraged residents to attend one of the events and experience what transpires in their studios.
“Artists shouldn’t have to travel downtown, pay for parking, and deal with all that hassle to find a supportive arts community,” Cunningham said. “Acorn to Oak is that high-quality, inclusive, and welcoming arts space in our amazing community of Oak Lawn.”