La Grange Today

Rain barrel exhibit is both festive and educational

Each summer for the past several years, the sidewalks of downtown La Grange and the West End business district have become a festive canvas for colorful objects of art through a program spearheaded by the La Grange Business Association.

With a different theme each year, visitors have been treated to a circus melange, a herd of elephants, easeled portraits and slat-seat Adirondack chairs (which are wistfully recalled by those who enjoyed the opportunity to sit comfortably and watch the passing parade.)

This summer's offering is rain barrels.

Despite their nearly uniform size and shape, each of the 72 barrels has been uniquely decorated, often whimsically, by various local artists. Each also is sponsored by a local business or organization.

The barrels will be sold at auction Sept. 10 with the proceeds benefiting Pets & Pals Charities, organizers of the annual La Grange Pet Parade.

What most sets this year's exhibit of years apart from those of past years is that the rain barrels also impart an educational message, specifically about the benefits of water conservation.

Watch the short video below to learn more about the rain barrels, and meet the La Grange resident who came up with the theme.

3-car accident shuts down La Grange Rd at Cossitt

A three-car accident at the intersection of La Grange Rd and Cossitt Ave shortly after 8 p.m. tonight brought shut down traffic on both thoroughfares for more than half an hour.

Looking south toward accident scene
tonight at La Grange Rd & Cossitt Ave
Click photo for larger image

La Grange police were unable to provide a formal report at post time, but one officer who responded to the scene said one of the three vehicles involved apparently failed to stop for a red light on Cossitt Ave, collided with a second vehicle and careened into a third.

No one was injured, the officer said, including a woman driving a Lexus SUV, which rolled onto its side in the middle of the intersection. The woman was able to exit the vehicle on her own through the rear hatch door, he said.

Woman struck, killed by Amtrak train at Stone Ave

UPDATE - June 8, 11:30 a.m.: La Grange police have identified the woman struck and killed Monday by an Amtrak train as Linda Dulik, 43, of Berwyn, a former resident of La Grange.

Dulik's death apparently was a suicide, police said.

A sister of Dulik arrived at the scene following the incident yesterday and told authorities that the victim likely was her, adding that Dulik had been depressed, police said.

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A woman was struck and killed by an Amtrak train this afternoon near the Stone Ave rail station, La Grange police said. The accident occurred about 3:55 p.m.

Police said the woman was observed stepping off the station's platform and onto the eastbound tracks as the train approached. The Amtrak engineer spotted the woman but was unable to stop the nine-car train to avoid the impact, police said.

Investigators were able to tentatively identify the victim but withheld her name until pending notification of her family.

Gillis denies judgment motions from both sides in dispute over proposal to sell Gordon Park acreage

A Cook County judge this afternoon denied motions for opposing summary judgment filed by attorneys on both sides of the legal battle over efforts by the Park District of La Grange to sell 2.82 acres of Gordon Park to a developer.

La Grange Friends of the Parks, a group of residents who oppose the sale of parkland, raised objections when the Park District filed its latest sale petition with the court last year.

The rulings by Circuit Court Judge Susan Fox Gillis set the stage for a full trial to determine whether sale of the parkland is in the public interest, as required by the Illinois Park District Code.

Gillis did agree with Park District attorneys that the trial should focus on whether or not the reasons cited by its board of commissioners in determining that the 2.82 acres was "no longer needed or useful as parkland" were factually based or "arbitrary and capricious."

The judge also scheduled a hearing for June 10 at which she will discuss how the trial will proceed. The trial itself likely will be held later this month or in early July.

Check back later for a more complete report.