La Grange Today

Electrical fire damages N Catherine Ave residence

The La Grange fire department responded Sunday afternoon to a fire that broke out on the third floor of the house at 130 N Catherine Ave, Fire Chief Dave Fleege said today.

An initial investigation determined that the fire likely was caused by a short in some electrical wiring inside a third-floor bedroom closet, Fleege said.

Image from Google Maps street view ©2009 Google

The home's occupants were safely evacuated, but the building was deemed uninhabitable do in part to smoke and water damage and because electrical power had to be shut off until repairs can be made, he said. Fire damage was contained to the bedroom where the fire started.

Total damage to the structure and contents was estimated at $50,000, Fleege said.

The department was alerted to the fire at 5:10 p.m. by the occupants, who were in the first-floor kitchen preparing dinner when a smoke alarm on the second-floor sounded.

In addition to La Grange fire units, 13 neighboring departments also were called to the scene. The fire was under control by 5:30 p.m. and struck out at 5:48 p.m., Fleege said.

The house is owned by Michael & Elizabeth Maziarka, according to records provided online by the Cook County Recorder of Deeds.

Police believe young girl likely was abused but clear park district employees of mother's allegation

La Grange police believe that a three-year-old girl whose mother claimed she was sexually assaulted during a visit last year to the Park District of La Grange recreation center likely was a victim of foul play, according to a July 14 letter that Police Chief Michael Holub sent to park district officials. But Holub said an investigation found no wrongdoing by the park district or its employees.

"We certainly do not doubt the claim of the young victim," Holub wrote in the letter. "We do believe that something of an unacceptable nature likely did occur in 2008, but we cannot identify an offender nor the location where this might have occurred.

"In other words, there is nothing to indicate that any such activity occurred on park district premises or that any park district employee was even involved, " Holub wrote.

The letter was read aloud by Park District Board President Tim Kelpsas Thursday night during his remarks at the start of the board's monthly meeting. Neither Kelpsas, nor Executive Director Dean Bissias, to whom the letter was addressed, offered any comment on the letter, the investigation or the allegation.

Holub's letter said police initially were contacted this past May by the girl's mother, who said that the alleged assault occurred sometime between January and May of 2008 when her daughter was two years old.

The mother told police she suspected the offender was an employee of the park district, based "for no other reason" other than that her daughter had participated in an afternoon program at the recreation center on East Ave, according to the letter.

Holub said police immediately contacted the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Subsequently, a "victim sensitive interview" of the girl was conducted at the Southwest Children's Advocacy Center. A sexual-assault exam also was conducted.

Police conducted interviews with several current and past employees of the park district, and examined records obtained under subpoena from the district.

"We received their complete cooperation during that process," Holub wrote. He said no further inquiries were likely at this time.

In the video below, Park District President Tim Kelpsas reads aloud the letter from La Grange Police Chief Michael Holub...

WGN-TV gives a boost to "best downtown" kudos

Having read in Chicago Magazine's August edition that La Grange has the "best downtown," WGN-TV reporter Marcus Leshock last week visited the central business district to check out firsthand "what makes it so special."

Leshock spoke on camera with Village President Elizabeth Asperger, toured the La Grange Theatre with one of its owners, JohnRot, dropped into Horton's hardware department and also spoke with Chris Spagnola and Mary Libsch, proprietors of Knead Marketplace.

Here's his report...

 

Judge denies motion to dismiss park district's latest petition to sell Gordon Park parcels to developer

A Cook County judge Thursday refused to dismiss a second petition filed by the Park District of La Grange seeking court approval to sell 2.82 acres of Gordon Park to developer Atlantic Realty Partners (ARP).

Circuit Court Judge Susan Fox Gillis denied a motion filed by a group of residents, La Grange Friends of the Park, who oppose the sale of the parkland.

The group's attorney, Joan Johnson, argued that the petition was nearly identical to a petition presented by the park district in 2007 that was dismissed by Gillis in June of last year.

In that earlier petition, the park district sought to sell the same 2.82 acres to ARP for inclusion in the redevelopment of the former Rich Port YMCA parcel, a mixed residential and commercial project known as La Grange Place.

However, Gillis in that case ruled that the legal description in the sales contract and a related title insurance policy included an adjoining vacated portion of Shawmut Ave, thereby bringing the total amount of land involved to 3.5 acres, exceeding the three-acre maximum the court can directly approve under state law.

Gillis Thursday, however, agreed with John Shapiro, an attorney for the park district, who argued that the current petition represents "a new and distinct deal" to sell the same 2.82 acres.

Shapiro said the vacated portion of Shawmut Ave, which had been "unwittingly" included in the 2007 legal description, no longer was at issue because the park district subsequently gave that land to the Village of La Grange in exchange for two village-owned parcels, consisting mainly of parking spaces for motorists, that abut Gordon Park.

Shapiro also noted that Mark Daniel, the attorney who represented resident Orlando Coryell in successfully blocking the earlier petition, had said in court at the time that the park district likely could resubmit its petition if the reference to vacated Shawmut Ave was removed from the contract's legal description.

"I thought that Daniels words might come back to haunt us," Mark Wohlberg, who is representing Coryell in a separate but related lawsuit opposing the park district's concurrent attempt to sell the 2.82 acres via a voter referendum and public auction, told the court.

Wohlberg and Tom Beyer, another attorney representing Coryell in his lawsuit, both filed appearances with Gillis' court, effectively joining Johnson as co-counsels representing the La Grange Friends of the Park. Coryell, however, is not a member of that group nor a party in the hearing of the current petition.

Shapiro is a partner with the law firm of Freeborn Peters, which has joined Ancel Glink, the park district's corporate counsel, in arguing the latest petition before Gillis.

The proliferation of attorneys joining the case, six of whom were present Thursday, prompted Gillis to quip, "We're going to have more lawyers here than the park district has residents."

Two residents representing the La Grange Friends of the Park, Kevin Shields and Harlan Hirt, were in court Thursday. When Shapiro said that he was unable to verify that the authenticity or standing of the group through a web search on the Internet, Gillis asked both Shields and Hirt to approach the bench and swear under oath that they were residents of the park district and indeed opposed the sale of the parkland. Both men did, apparently satisfying Shapiro's concerns.

After the hearing, Shields produced a list of 18 residents whom he said had signed the  group's charter document. He also said the group was seeking to enlist more residents.

Gillis in court commended all the residents for coming forth to have their concerns heard.

While many residents have joined together in opposing the petition, their individual objections may vary, Gillis said. She said she would hear without bias both the petitioners and all objectors, noting that her denial of Johnson's motion should not be construed as suggesting what her ultimate ruling on the case might be.

Her action Thursday dealt with "a procedural issue that does not address the merits of the case in any way," Gillis said.

She also expressed hope of reaching a settlement agreement between all parties that would avoid a lengthy and costly trial.

"I would very much like to pre-try this case and see if we can come up with some sort of settlement," Gillis said. "But if not, let's forge ahead."

She scheduled the next status hearing for Sept. 14 at 2:15 p.m. in Rm. 1704 of the Daley Center courthouse in downtown Chicago.

Attorneys for the La Grange Friends of the Park are expected to have submitted their full objections in writing to the court before then.

Village board OK's three pedestrian safety projects, and engages in public dialogue with Matt Cook

The La Grange village board last Monday night moved forward on three projects designed to enhance pedestrian safety along 47th St and other village thoroughfares, approving three engineering services agreements with the village's traffic consultant, Kenig, Lindgren, O'Hara, Aboona, Inc. (KLOA) of Rosemont.

The projects to be handled by KLOA include:

• Designing improvements for pedestrian crosswalks at 47 th St at 9th Ave, 47th St at Waiola Ave and La Grange Rd at 52nd St. KLOA also will secure the necessary approvals for the crosswalks from the Illinois Department of Transportation.
• Assessing current speed conditions along 47th St and conducting an "origin-destination study" to better understand the travel patterns of motorists using the thoroughfare.
• Studying the feasibility of installing traffic signals at the intersection of 47th St & East Ave.

All three projects are part of an effort by village officials to respond to a public outcry for pedestrian safety improvements following an accident May 19 in which Cary Cook, a young mother and Countryside resident, was struck and killed by a motorist while crossing 47 the St at 8th Ave with her two small children.

In recent weeks, the village also has realigned the curb cuts at 6th, 7th and 8th Aves to account for the offsets that exist as those north-south roadways cross 47th St.

Click here to read the staff reports on all three projects.

Matt Cook, husband of Cari, used the public comment portion of Monday night's meeting to address other safety concerns regarding 47th and village thoroughfares, including police enforcement of speed limits.

Cook also asked about a suggestion made by Village Trustee Mike Horvath to create a village commission on pedestrian safety. Cook, along with family members and friends, have formed their own ad-hoc committee to address the matter.

The lengthy dialogue between Cook and village officials can be viewed in the two-part video below.

Click here to view our complete coverage of the accident and its aftermath.

Asperger on Chicago mag's "best downtown" kudos

In her opening remarks at last Monday's meeting of the village board, President Elizabeth Asperger thanked local business owners, village staff and residents for efforts that resulted in Chicago magazine citing La Grange as having the "best downtown" among Chicago suburban communities.

"This designation really affirms the positive momentum that we have enjoyed, the work that has taken place in our central business district for at least the last couple of decades," Asperger said.

Related story:

• La Grange has "best downtown," Chicago Magazine says

Drop-off event to dispose of old medicines, syringes

La Grange residents seeking to dispose of expired or unwanted prescription medications, syringes and medical devices containing toxic materials such as mercury are encouraged to drop off those items to the Franklin Park police department this Saturday, Aug. 15, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Personnel from the Cook County Department of Environmental Control, along with other county and state agencies, will ensure that these hazardous materials are disposed of in a safe and appropriate manner.

The Franklin Park police department is located at 25th and Belmont Aves. The phone number is (847) 455-6663.

For additional information, including a list of what items will and will not be accepted, click here.

Proposed ordinance to expand drinking options for diners and others on tap for board consideration

UPDATED: Aug. 10, 11:00 p.m. -- The La Grange village board tonight unanimously adopted the ordinance outlined in the story below. It's effective date is Nov. 1.

A proposed overhaul of village liquor laws would greatly expand the number and types of venues where alcoholic drinks could be served in La Grange, and even allow diners and patrons of certain businesses to bring their own beer and wine, according to a report authored by village staff.

The report recommends that the village board adopt an ordinance granting the changes at its regular meeting Monday night.

This comprehensive update of the liquor code has been in the works since 2007 and is needed "to better reflect the changing needs of our businesses, the growing popularity of our downtown, and the marketplace chanhes related to the sale and service of alcoholic liquor," the report said.

Under the new ordinance, licenses would be created specifically to permit food and wine boutiques, cabarets and movie theaters to sell alcoholic beverages by the glass under prescribed conditions.

New tasting licenses would allow grocers and other food retailers that already hold a package beer and wine license to routinely offer sample portions by the glass to customers.

Almost any retail or service business wishing to serve complimentary drinks at a grand opening or other promotional occasion could apply for a "single event" license, with a maximum of four events per business annually.

Another new and somewhat controversial "bring your own" license would allow restaurants patrons to consume beer and wine they obtained from outside sources. BYO licenses would be available to any restaurant, whether or not they already possessed a license to sell alcoholic beverages.

Businesses offering craft-making or make-your-own meals also could obtain a BYO license to allow  consumption of beer and wine by customers while actively engaged in those activities.

The new licenses were approved earlier this year by the village liquor commission after public hearings and discussions with representatives of the La Grange Business Association (LGBA), during which concerns were raised about the BYO concept.

Some restaurant owners already holding "full" liquor licenses felt that allowing any restaurant to offer BYO service would create additional competition and weaken the value of their existing sales licenses.

As initially proposed, full-service license holders were excluded from offering BYO service, but the classification was expanded to include existing licensees as a compromise, according to the staff report. However, many existing licensees told the village they likely would not offer BYO service.

Concerns about public safety also were raised over the BYO licenses. Full service licensees are required to have their servers and sellers undergo training in order to recognize and deal with intoxicated patrons.

Restaurants who hold only a BYO license would not be required to undergo training or background checks, But they, and all holders of any new liquor licenses would be required to maintain an adequate level of liability insurance.

Restaurants currently licensed would enjoy a couple of additional perks under the new ordinance. They could sell packaged bottles of wine to diners who had just finished a meal, allowing patrons to enjoy at home the same wine they had consumed with their meal. Also, those restaurants could sell bottles of wine in volume that would then be stored on premises for the purchasers to enjoy with meals consumed at the the restaurant at later dates.

The ordinance also sets new hours during which alcohol can be consumed. For restaurants: i1 a.m. until 1 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. For all other businesses: 8 a.m until 11 p.m., seven days a week.

In a separate but related item on its omnibus agenda, the village board Monday night likely will approve two liquor licenses for Q Barbeque, a new restaurant opening this fall  at 70 S La Grange Rd, replacing Roly Poly Sandwiches, which is closing. Both businesses are owned by Michael LaPidus, who also serves as president of the LGBA.

If approved, one license would allow Q to sell beer and wine by the glass. The second is a liquor license for its catering operation.

Click here to read the full staff report and ordinance.

Library offers live folk & country music Monday night

Guitarist and singer Steve Justman will present a musical revue of vintage American folk music and classic country tunes at the La Grange Public Library on Monday, Aug. 10.

Click here for larger image

The show, titled The Roots of Americana, begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but online registration is recommended as attendance is limited.

Justman has been performing in the Chicago area for many years. According to his own website, he is a "true folksinger ... a throwback to a different era singing popular folk music and country songs that people know and focusing on strictly an audience's entertainment."

Listen to a sampler of Justman's musical recordings on his MySpace page.

Registration opens for LG Park District fall programs

Registration for La Grange residents interested in fall programs offered by the Park District of La Grange begins today at 8:00 a.m.

Walk-in registration is available at the Park District's recreation center, 536 East Ave, until 6:00 p.m. today and thereafter during regular office hours.

Online registration in available anytime after 8:00 a.m. but requires a user name and password, which can be obtained only by visiting the recreation center office in person. If you already have an online account, no additional visit is necessary.

Registration for non-residents, both walk-in and online, begins Aug. 17 at 8:00 a.m. Residents of neighboring communities Brookfield, Countryside, La Grange  Highlands, La Grange Park and McCook are eligible for reduced program fees through the Park District's "neighborhood network."

Discounts for seniors, ages 55 and older, also are available for many programs.

Click here for more registration information.

Click here to view the fall program brochure and a printable registration form.

For phone inquiries, call (708) 352-1762.