The Doings Oak Brook

Outside probe of Oak Brook chief’s contract sought

Sun, 13 May 2012 23:38:00 -0500

Arriving in the mailbox of every Oak Brook resident this past week was a letter from Village President Gopal Lalmalani providing details about the actions of former Police Chief Tom Sheahan and former state Rep. Robert Molaro, which left the village with a $750,000 unfunded pension liability for Sheahan. Sheahan used a piece of 2007 legislation, called Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Personnel, sponsored by Molaro which allowed Sheahan to transfer his previous pension credits to Oak Brook. The legislation affected only one person in the entire state: Sheahan. Sheahan resigned as chief in 2011 after just over six years with the …

Fenwick student at heart of IHSA lawsuit

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:49:24 -0500

The Illinois High School Association girls state track and field meet will be held this weekend in Charleston — and Fenwick’s Mary Kate Callahan won’t be taking part. But a lawsuit scheduled to be filed Wednesday by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan aims to make it possible for student-athletes with disabilities, like Callahan who is paralyzed from the waist down, to compete in future IHSA state meets. The suit asks for an injunction ordering the IHSA “to cease unlawful discrimination against athletes with disabilities” and to create more opportunities for athletes with disabilities by setting state-qualifying standards for those athletes …

Oak Brook race raises funds for cancer research

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:33:47 -0500

The weather forecast may have been dreary and wet Saturday, but a sea of pink and the overwhelming feeling of optimism and hope that was brought by 433 runners and walkers and hundreds of spectators brightened the mood in Central Park during the Oak Brook Park District’s second annual Pink 5k. The Park District presented a check for $6,000 from the proceeds of the race to the Adventist Hinsdale Hospital Foundation Open Arms Breast Cancer Fund for its 40 Free Mammograms for 40 Women program in October. The Park District originally pledged $2,500, but support from the community and more …

BGA president: Tax dollars go down drain

Tue, 15 May 2012 19:28:28 -0500

Andy Shaw says governments need to be watched in the suburbs, not just Chicago. “I think some of the worst practices are in the suburbs and collar counties because no one is watching,” Shaw said. Shaw is the president of the Better Government Association. He spoke Tuesday during a meeting, partially sponsored by the Franklin Park/Schiller Park Chamber of Commerce, in Rosemont. Much of Shaw’s talk was a pitch for attendees to join the BGA. The non-profit investigates allegations of waste, fraud and corruption in city, county, suburban and state governments. As such, the BGA has plenty of options for …

Mayslake Plant Sale continues to grow

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:41:08 -0500

The unusually warm spring provided the best weather ever for the annual Native Plant Sale at Mayslake Peabody Estate, which was buzzing with eager gardeners this weekend. As the primary fundraiser for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s education department, the Plant Sale provided an opportunity to purchase plants indigenous to the county, support local programs and receive advice from Forest Preserve District staff. Retired florist and LaGrange resident Joyce Cincer stopped by and picked up a bag full of liatris flowers as she prepared to work on her very large garden at home. “It provided a lot of …

Oak Brook: Home turf our top concern

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:41:40 -0500

As leaders from around the world prepare to visit Chicago during the 2012 North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit this weekend, law enforcement agencies across the state and locally have been preparing for anything. With a large hotel district and the home to large corporations, Oak Brook has made keeping the community safe its number one priority while the summit is in the area. The Oak Brook Police Department is a member of the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System, but Chicago will receive mutual aid from the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System. ILEAS is comprised of officers from departments throughout the …

Groups address increasing heroin threat in western suburbs

Wed, 16 May 2012 01:30:42 -0500

Heroin use might not be widespread in the area, but officials know it is present and where it is. The effect is deadly. Seven members of one recent Lyons Township High School class have died of heroin overdoses.