RIDGE IEWS Volume 21, No. 25 Highlighting Community NewsV and Events B July 2012

Bridgeview Trustee Mike Pticek points out how quickly the stripers are working to complete the Harlem Avenue Project. More progress for Bridgeview ridgeview continues to make grant to create a turn lane for the • Seeking bids for cheaper electric- progress on a number of 71st and Harlem intersection. ity rates for village residents. A com- fronts, Mayor Steve Landek Bridgeview taxpayers contributed mittee has been formed with the goal Breports. only $300,000 for all of the projects. of saving at least 10 to 15 percent on The biggest improvement so far Landek praised the project for residential electrical bills. this year has been the Harlem Av- vastly improving Harlem Avenue, • Purchase of a new $167,000 am- enue Project, which was completed which is the village’s retail heart. bulance for the Fire Department has last month after three years of work. Landek said several other projects been approved. The $7.7 million dollar project are also in the works for Bridgeview included: this year including: • Purchase of two new police cars with proceeds from drug forfeiture • $2.1 million dollars from the state • Repaving three blocks near 79th collections is pending. Street and Oketo Avenue using a for repaving Harlem; Also continuing this year is the $150,000 CDBG grant. • $2.3 million dollar federal grant $23 million dollar 71st Street for new sidewalks and landscaping • Creating access to wetlands near underpass project, at no cost to along Harlem; 79th Street and Harlem Avenue for residents. nature enthusiasts using an $80,000 The Mayor said plans are already • $1.2 million dollar state grant for EPA grant. under way for next year to repave new, energy-efficient lighting along 79th Street to follow up on the 79th Harlem; • Remodeling Village Hall to im- prove customer service and reduce Street Bridge upgrade, which was • and $1.8 million dollar federal costs. completed last year. For the latest BridgeViews updates, log on to http://www.bridgeviews.net Page 2 BRIDGEVIEWS July 2012

VILLAGE OF BRIDGEVIEW Understanding your MAYOR Steven M. Landek BOARD OF TRUSTEES property tax bill Norma Pinion James Cecott Patricia Higginson Mary Sutton Michael Pticek Total property taxes Claudette Struzik paid to schools is 66.5 percent of your total bill. VILLAGE CLERK John Altar

VILLAGE CUSTOMER SERVICE HOURS Mon, Tues., Thurs., Fri.: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wed.: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat.: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 7500 S. Oketo Avenue Bridgeview, IL 60455 (708) 594-2525 Fax (708) 924-8095

One convenient number for: PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING DEPT. 1,048.00 - 329.12 TOTAL TAXES Bridgeview COMMUNITY SERVICES (total tax minus for 2010 Police (708) 594-2525 employee paid by this and Fire pension costs) homeowner pensions FIRE and POLICE Total paid for Emergencies only: 911 village services: $718.88 Fire non-emergency (708) 924-8250 ridgeview residents units of government. such as paramedics, police, Police non-emergency have started receiv- • 16 percent of your fire, street maintenance, (708) 458-2131 ing their latest Cook property tax bill is paid to snow plowing, maitenance of BCounty property tax bills. municipal buildings, includ- the Village of Bridgeview. Understanding what is on the Of that amount, one third is ing Toyota Park, and all of TOYOTA PARK bill is not always easy and the other services the village Fire soccer, paid directly to Police and can sometimes be confusing. Fire pensions, as mandated provides. concerts, special events Here are some simple by the State of Illinois. The Take a look at last year’s (708) 594-7200 truths about your tax bill: remaining two thirds is used tax bill (for 2010) and see • 66 percent of your prop- for Village operations. for yourself. If you have SPORTS DOME erty tax bill is paid to local For a majority of home- any specific questions about Availability, pricing schools and college districts. owners, this translates into your tax bill, feel free to call (708) 924-8290 • 17 percent of your prop- $1.97 being paid to the Vil- Mayor Steve Landek at erty tax bill is paid to other lage each day, for services 708-924-8015. July 2012 BRIDGEVIEWS Page 3 Residents are urged to Go Green rustee Mary Sutton is urging residents to try recycling this summer. Sutton said that while walking through Tthe community, she noticed the number of recy- cling bins in use this summer in Bridgeview has decreased. “It’s so easy,” she said. “We can all try it. After a few attempts, recycling becomes second nature.” Sutton said recycling waste paper, glass, aluminum and yard waste will extend the life of landfills and have a positive impact on our future Bridgeview Trustee Mary Sutton says recycling can become "second nature." generations. Sutton said recycling bins are available for free Trash guidelines for Bridgeview residents through the Customer Service Office at Village Hall. You can get one by stopping by Village Hall, • Trash is to be placed in covered • Trash toters, covered trash con- calling the Customer Service Office at 708-594- containers not to exceed 33 gallons tainers and recycling bins are to be 2525, or requesting one online at the village web- in size, which will be picked up on a placed at the curb on the parkway site: www.bridgeview-il.gov. weekly basis. no later than 6 a.m. on the morning Yard waste must be placed in containers marked • Each single residential address is of trash pickup and no earlier than the evening before. "Yard Waste." Yard waste labels are available assigned a trash toter from the vil- from the Customer Service Office to attach to lage. Additional toters are available • Do not put trash containers in the for lease at $2 per toter per month. street at any time. containers. • Place your recycle bin at the curb • Containers must be removed no Bridgeview contracts with a private disposal on the parkway on your scheduled later than the evening of your collec- company to remove and recycle residential waste. trash pick-up day. tion day. Village offers chipping services for branches The Village of Bridgeview provides chipping service throughout the growing season and after severe storms. Branches must be stacked no more than 3 feet high at the curb with the cut ends facing the street. If you have branches to be picked up, call the Village Cus- tomer Service Office at 708-594-2525 to ensure service.

Public Works chipper schedule for summer

Mondays: West side of Bridgeview: Columbia Drive to 89th Street and Roberts Road to railroad tracks. Wednesdays: North and east sides of Bridgeview: 71st to 87th streets, Harlem Avenue to the railroad tracks, east of Harlem on 83rd Street to Newcastle Avenue. Fridays: South side of Bridgeview: 87th to 103rd streets, Oak Park Avenue to the railroad tracks. Page 4 BRIDGEVIEWS July 2012 Upcoming events at Toyota Park JULY SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ride Just Friends Chicago Car Show Lynyrd Skynyrd to headline West Lot VIP Lot 6 am-noon Loopfest 2012 6 pm 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Lynyrd Skynyrd, Paul Rodgers and LA Galaxy Just Friends LOOP Vancouver Loverboy will be the featured acts when at Fire Car Show FEST at Fire Loopfest 2012: A Show of Force comes 2 pm VIP Lot 7 pm 7:30 pm to Toyota Park at 8 p.m. on Friday, July 6 pm 13. Tickets start at $5 (includes a donation 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Ride to the Skynyrd Foundation) and are avail- Ride Just Friends USASA Aston Villa Chicago Car Show Chicago National Cup at Fire able at the Toyota Park box office or www. testing Finals West Lot VIP Lot 7:30 pm ticketmaster.com. 6 am-6 pm 6 pm 6 am-noon 8 am - 8 pm 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 USASA Just Friends Dream Car Dream Car Dream Car National Cup Car Show Sprints Sprints Sprints Finals VIP Lot East, West lots East, West lots East, West lots 10 am - 5 pm 6 pm (thru Sunday) 29 30 31 Tri State Just Friends Sports Car Car Show Council VIP Lot 6:30 am - 5:30 pm 6 pm Carnival of Madness is Aug. 26 Tickets are now on sale for the 2012 Carnival of Madness Tour, featuring AUGUST Grammy Award winners , Chevelle, Halestron, Cavo and New Medi- SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT cine. This annual touring rock extravagan- 1 2 3 4 za hits the Toyota Park stage on Sunday, Toronto FC Aug. 26, beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets are at Fire just $38. 7:30 pm Rodeo comes to Toyota Park 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Just Friends Dream Car Polish Polish Toyota Park welcomes exciting rodeo Car Show Sprints Fest Fest East Lot action ALL SUMMER LONG! Come out VIP Lot West Lot East Lot and see the cowboys and cowgirls as they 6 pm 5 pm noon rope and ride to the delight of their fans. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Tickets are just $25! Keep checking www. Polish Lions Club Lions Club Lions Club New England toyotapark.com for dates and times! Fest Circus Circus Circus at Fire East Lot East Lot East Lot East Lot 7:30 pm Plenty of events all this noon summer at Toyota Park! 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Just Friends Dream Car Dream Car Check the calendar to the right for the Car Show Sprints Sprints list of all the exciting Chicago Fire, soc- VIP Lot East, West lots East, West lots cer and entertainment events happening 6 pm at Toyota Park that make Bridgeview the 26 27 28 29 30 31 Southland's home for sports and entertain- Carnival of Just Friends Simba ment. For more information on all the Fun Madness Car Show Nyemba Within Reach at Toyota Park, check out Tour VIP Lot East Lot our website at www.toyotapark.com. 6 pm 6 pm 7 am July 2012 BRIDGEVIEWS Page 5 KIDS SAFE CITY SUMMER SAFETY CAMP A camp like no other! It is designated for children ages 4-9 years old. It educates children on awareness and readiness of real life emergency situations.

Children will get training in: • Stranger Danger & Playground • Pedestrian and Traffic Safety • Police & Gun Safety • First Aid (911) & Dog Safety • Fire Prevention • Home & Poison Safety • Healthy Habits & Positive Life Skills • Traffic & Bicycle Safety • School Bus Safety DATES: Monday, July 16 through Friday, July 20 • Weather Safety Monday, Aug. 6 through Friday, Aug. 10 • Train Safety TIME: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. each day LOCATION: Kids Safe City, 8110 S. Ferdinand Ave., This program offers: Bridgeview • Indoor /outdoor programs COST: $70 per child (family discounts available) • Bicycle inspections & safety taught by the Auxiliary Police • Kids Safe City T-shirt will be provided. • Riding pedal cars throughout our • Each child is required to bring a sack lunch. Child-Size Village • Registration is open, subject to availability. • Songs, stories, videos and projects Call to reserve your spot! all focusing on safety • If you have any questions or would like to • Guest speakers from the Police & register, please contact Toni at (708) 227-1129 Fire Departments, Animal Welfare, or email us at [email protected] and School Bus & Railroad Officials • Graduation ceremony

Kids Safe City is a Not-for-Profit Organization. Page 6 BRIDGEVIEWS July 2012 LIBRARY Pastor Larry Busby: NEWS AND EVENTS He reached out to everyone ridgeview suffered His presence will be sorely a major loss with missed. Our prayers go the death on June 3 out to his family, friends, Bof Larry Busby, pastor at and church members. God the Bridge-view Church of Bless.” God and chaplain for both “Pastor Busby was the village Police Depart- someone who reached out ment and Fire Department. to everyone he met with Pastor Busby passed a sparkle in his eyes and away from a heart attack God’s love in his heart,” while preparing for his said Trustee Norma Pin- Sunday morning service at PASTOR BUSBY ion. “He preached God’s the Church of God. He was word with his heart full. found in his church office. It did not matter who you were. He “He was very proud to be of reached out to all, to give comfort service to our first responders,” said and hope, to share joy and love. He Mayor Steven Landek. was a kind man full of God’s love.” “Bridgeview will not be the same Everyone with the Village of without our police chaplain, Pastor Bridgeview would like to ex- Larry Busby,” said Police Chief tend our deepest sympathy to Russell Harvey. “In my 35 years his devoted wife Ruth, his lov- with the department, I have seen ing daughter and the members chaplains come and go. There were of Bridgeview Church of God. none more sincere and willing to Pastor Busby will live forever in come to our aid than Pastor Busby. our hearts. Adult summer reading contest is in full swing Adult patrons of the Bridgeview Public Library Jim Simon: have until July 21 to participate in the Summer Reading contest. All you have to do is sign up and read at least one A community stalwart book a week to win a small prize and earn tickets im Simon was one Simon epitomizes the defi- for a raffle and grand prize raffle. of a small group of nition of a volunteer. He The more books you read, the more raffle tickets residents who started gave of himself, his family you earn. JScout Troop #13, the park gave of themselves, and For information, stop by the Reference Desk or district in the late 1960s, the people of Bridgeview call 708-458-2880 Ext. 105. the library district in the are the beneficiaries." 1970s and Kids Safe City The entire Simon family in the 1990s. — Joan, James, Gary and This distinguished lineup Christine — were always Blood drive collects 17 pints of accomplishments is a involved in some type The Bridgeview Public Library extends a big testimony to the devotion JIM SIMON of community activity. “Thank You” to all who participated in the June he had to his family, friends James, the eldest son, was 11 Heartland Blood Center blood drive at the and the community. the first Eagle Scout in the library. Elected in 1967 as one of the first Village of Bridgeview. The Simon The drive collected 17 pints of blood that will be park commissioners, Jim shunned family has lived in Bridgeview for used to help many people in need. the limelight and worked "quietly" nearly 60 years. behind the scenes to improve life in Mr. Simon passed at the end of BRIDGEVIEW PUBLIC LIBRARY Bridgeview. His work and the work June, and a memorial service was Address: 7840 W. 79th St. of our early founders are obvious in held at Kids Safe City to honor Phone: (708) 458-2880 the open space of our park district his accomplishments. He leaves Website: www.bridgeviewlibrary.org that Bridgeview enjoys today. behind a legacy of achievement Mayor Landek, lifelong friend and sets a shining example for Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday; noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and admirer of the work of the true volunteerism and community 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Closed on Sunday. Simon family, noted that, "Jim participation. July 2012 BRIDGEVIEWS Page 7 PARK DISTRICT ACTIVITIES

Make appointment for a visit to Pet Wellness Clinic The Bridgeview Park Dis- trict will hold a low-cost Pet Wellness Clinic through Just Animals no-kill shelter from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15. The clinic will see ani- mals by appointment only. Call 815-830-6568 today to schedule your cat or dog for a visit. Services for dogs will include: Form your team for • Vaccine exam $10 • 1-year rabies vaccine $12 • 3-year rabies vaccine $25 Candlelight Wii Bowling • Distemper vaccine $12 • Bordatella vaccine $12 njoy an evening of fun with per person and includes Wii bowling, • Lepto vaccine $12 your friends and family at the pizza and beverages. Kids younger • Lyme vaccine $20 • Heartworm test $20 Bridgeview Park District’s than 16 are welcome but must be ac- • Microchip insertion $20 Einaugural Candlelight Wii Bowling companied by a paid adult. • Heartworm preventative Family Night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Register your family as a team, join and Frontline Plus Deworm- Tuesday, July 31. your friends or meet new friends. ing (priced by weight) Teams must consist of between four • County rabies tags Registration is required. For infor- Services for cats include: and six players. mation, call the Park District at 708- • Vaccine exam $10 Cost is $10 per family of four or $3 594-1818. • 1-year rabies vaccine $12 • 3-year rabies vaccine $25 • DRC vaccine $12 • Feline leukemia vaccine Session 2 summer camps begin July 9 $12 Bridgeview Park District through Friday from 9 a.m. to two field trips. Cost is $170. • FIV/FELV test $20 session 2 summer camps for 3 p.m. and includes two field Camp C Super Camp runs • Microchip insertion $20 kids 6-12 years old will begin trips. Cost is $273. Monday through Fridays from •Frontline Plus Deworming on Monday, July 9, and run Camp B runs Mondays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and includes (priced by weight) through Aug. 3. Wednesdays and Fridays from two field trips. Cost is $363. For information, email Camp A runs Monday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes Sign up today! wellnessclinic@justanimals. Bridgeview Park District 8100 S. Beloit • Phone: (708) 594-1818 VILLAGE OF BRIDGEVIEW PRSRT STD 7500 South Oketo Ave. U.S. POSTAGE Bridgeview, IL 60455 PAID BRIDGEVIEW, IL 60455 PERMIT NO. 1

Fight back against cancer in Relay for Life Annual event kicks off July 20 at Commissioners Park ridgeview residents will be out in force fighting back against cancer at the annual Relay for Life walk on BFriday, July 20, at Commission- ers Park. The Relay for Life is the American Cancer Soci- ety’s signature activity that helps involve The Relay for the community Life walk to benefit cancer in its effort find research begins the cure for cancer. at 6 p.m. on July Teams of people will camp out in the 20 at Commis- park starting at 6 p.m. and members of sioners Park in Bridgeview and each team will take turns walking or concludes at 6 running through the park until 6 a.m. on a.m. on July 21. Saturday, July 21. All ages are welcome. There will be activities and ceremonies to honor and remember loved ones who have faced cancer. If you are interested in forming or joining a team, sign up at www.relayforlifebridge- view.com.