Sheboygan letter-writers on Evergreen Park plan, respect for dialogueShare your views in a letter of 250 words or fewer by emailing it to breid@gannett.com or news@sheboyganpress.com.Sheboygan PressHere are this week's letters to the editor of the Sheboygan Press See our letters policy below for details about how to share your views Read more in Opinion: Click here for the latest Opinion headlines A recent letter (“Oppose expanding mountain biking at Evergreen Park,” April 26) opposing Sheboygan County Cycling’s Evergreen Park Concept Plan repeats fearmongering from the “Save Evergreen Park” Facebook page these bike trails are already there and have been for more than 30 years Much of the park needs re-vegetation and repair after years of neglect The city is not wholly to blame; the lack of volunteers is How many of the plan’s critics volunteer with the city to improve the park It’s sad to think that most of them sit at home angrily posting on Facebook on a page cultivating an echo chamber and deriding comments that appear “in favor” of the project SCC is the only nonprofit putting in meaningful volunteer hours for trail maintenance If the detractors were about “saving” the park they would welcome a plan that addresses the trail issues they highlight rehabilitating trails so they drain well and erode less And the Concept Plan will benefit walkers of the park; multi-use trails are a cornerstone of the plan and watch/listen/attend SCC’s Q&A — it could be fruitful Mountain bikers will continue to be a daily presence in Evergreen Park It would be a shame for the community to lose an opportunity to add about $1 million of improvements (20% already funded) to a park we all know needs work not dismiss itAt a public listening session in Plymouth April 28 Assembly member Lindee Brill made a troubling statement: while she is willing to hear from constituents “you’re not going to change my mind usually on things.” Listening sessions are meant to give the public a voice — not just a microphone to speak into while decisions stay pre-determined When an elected official says outright that new perspectives are unlikely to change her thinking it undermines the very purpose of public engagement Assembly member Brill has a duty to represent all of her constituents Real leadership means considering different views and — yes — sometimes being willing to change Refusing to listen with an open mind doesn’t show strength; it shows inflexibility that harms the people she was elected to serve We deserve representatives who respect dialogue Assembly member Brill’s approach is disappointing and it should concern everyone who believes that democracy works best when leaders are willing to listen and learn — not just dictate As a frequent walker/runner through Evergreen Park hearing countless bird calls and being immersed in the serenity of our city’s gem But a private cycling club aims to turn our beautiful park into a mountain biking destination adding new trails and constructing large asphalt areas for bike skills training jumps and tricks — all of which would involve removing trees and overall increasing the traffic and noise of the park I am deeply concerned a group could take over a park in what could be called a “land grab” of city property the city can no longer handle maintenance of the trails has the city ever asked for volunteers to assist a survey was sent to all Sheboygan city residents regarding the club’s plans And did it make clear what these plans actually were There are other locations in Sheboygan more suited to a cycling center A mountain biking park is not what our Evergreen Park was intended to be nature’s beauty cannot be repurchased at any price” (Ansel Adams) Do you want our treasured park to be changed forever please contact our mayor and alderpersons and ask them to vote “No” on proposed plan Resolution 156-24-25 My family moved to Sheboygan a year-and-a-half ago We bought a house just outside Evergreen Park and use the park regularly and my kids all agree that the Shaw Family Playground is the best in the city there has been much commotion over the plans Sheboygan County Cycling has for upgrading the park While I appreciate the desire to protect the park I feel the negativity needs to be addressed Many community members see the “Save Evergreen Park” signs and are afraid without knowing the details until I learned specifically what SCC has planned The proposed changes by SCC will significantly improve the safety and usability of the park By clearly marking and widening the trails these improvements will help protect the park’s ecosystem by reducing erosion and minimizing damage to the environment but I am excited for the opportunity to learn and teach my children with the resources that are planned to be added Evergreen Park is a beloved shared resource and these upgrades will enhance its accessibility and sustainability for everyone I urge the community to support SCC’s plans and help make Evergreen Park a safer and more enjoyable place for all Letters to the editor are published in the order in which they are received and letter-writers are limited to having one letter published per month. Letters can be emailed to news@sheboyganpress.com and Editor Brandon Reid at breid@gannett.com including being no more than 250 words and be from local authors or on topics of local interest All submissions must include the name of the person who wrote the letter their city of residence and a contact phone number Bellaire officials went over the city's proposed fiscal year 2026-2028 strategic plan Kevin joined Community Impact as the Inner-Loop Government Reporter in 2024 He covers government issues affecting Houston Kevin interned at publications such as The Texas Tribune and Fort Worth Report He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in May 2024 majoring in journalism with a minor in health communications playing video games and watching new shows Get the support you need through every step of your hospital experience with resources from financial assistance to dining options Browse the full list of programs and services available When you support the Mission of OSF HealthCare Provide a gift of your time or resources to help make a difference in the lives of our patients SHEBOYGAN – Sheboygan County Cycling will host two public meetings regarding its conceptual plan for trail improvements at Evergreen Park The public meetings follow a SCC-hosted listening session in early 2024, a community survey part of the IMBA conceptual plan, and criticism from community members and groups, like Save Evergreen Park who are concerned proposed changes could harm the natural habitat and wildlife and drastically change the existing makeup of the park Learn more about the project at https://sheboygancountycycling.org/our-trails/evergreen-park-trails-campaign/ South High takes environmental action: Composting, energy savings and more part of South High School Earth Month activities SCC will host public meetings from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m April 30 in the Rocca Room at Mead Public Library Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com Sheboygan letter-writers on mountain biking at Evergreen Park, ‘judge shopping spree’Share your views: Email a letter of 250 words or fewer to breid@gannett.com or news@sheboyganpress.com.Sheboygan PressHere are this week's letters to the editor of the Sheboygan Press Please join me in opposing the expansion of mountain biking in Evergreen Park by the Sheboygan Cycling Club The park has already been stressed and damaged by the Making Spirits Bright display but at least that damage was done for a good cause The proposed changes to the park by the Cycling Club would only benefit the bikers themselves and further stress the wildlife and plants I have already noticed large ruts on many of the trails that are caused by the bikers The cycling events will cause increased car traffic and utilization of the picnic areas and trails by hikers will be limited during those times I often see families enjoying a day in the park at one of the picnic areas and this ability to reserve a park area would be restricted with the increased bike events as the bikers often whiz by at high speeds These questions and issues need to be addressed Have foresters been brought in to evaluate the potential impact on old-growth trees drainage?Is the original Piney Woods charter being honored with this plan?Our city and county already have many beautiful bike trails and bike lanes Why do they need this unique park as well?Ask your alderperson to vote “No” on Resolution 156-24-25 We didn’t have to wait long to see the results of our state’s $100 million judge shopping spree — a farcical decision empowering an imperial governor to unilaterally fund a public institution for 400 years — impressive for a 250-year-old country we hire more than 100 legislators to hammer out somewhat sensible agreements acceptable to the majority about hard subjects like abortion The fact that a major political party spent well more than $60 million to elect a judge to override those laws reminds me of the ironic motto once painted on the side of Sheboygan’s late Honest Bob’s Motorcycle Shop: “We screw the other guy and pass the savings on to you.” We citizens are all the “other guy,” and it doesn’t look good for us like our borders and our locked front doors when asked by his boss to lie to a customer about a mistake that his builders made to admit that we all shelter in the same country and fix it Former Evergreen Park public works director William Lorenz is challenging Kelly Burke who is running for her second term as mayor Burke was hand-picked by former four-term Mayor James Sexton to run for the mayoral seat when he announced his retirement in late 2020 Burke is already known to residents as the Illinois State House Representative for the 36th District She served concurrently in her role as a state lawmaker and mayor after winning the 2021 mayoral election she announced she would not be seeking another term in the Illinois State House Lorenz is leading the EP Community party of candidates that also includes Ryan Reitz and Teri Daley, looking to unseat the incumbent trustees. According to Lorenz’s Patch candidate survey he was appointed for 27 consecutive years by the mayor to serve as the village’s public works director He also has state certifications as a plumbing inspector Lorenz has been dogged by social media postings that he was fired from his village gig as the public works director He was in the process of offering his assistance to help transition the new person A loud argument with a subordinate before Lorenz was to leave resulted in him being placed on paid administrative leave until his retirement took effect four days later the current mayor has not addressed issues regarding street rehabilitation trash and rodent infestations and has not taken steps to ensure EP is prioritizing energy-efficient and cost saving initiatives “These are all issues I plan to take on immediately and ensure that EP not only runs effectively and safely but is investing in technology and developments that will yield cost-savings for our community and taxpayers,” Lorenz says Lorenz also counts continued community development as a priority Lorenz stated that he oversaw key developments in Evergreen Park the Urban Barn and multiple shopping centers “I know how important it is to attract quality businesses and to develop and invest in our public spaces including parks and community centers,” Lorenz said.” I also intend to focus on improving our Lead Service Line Replacement program to reduce the cost and make it more accessible to our residents by eliminating the current upfront cost of $2,000.” Burke is a 32-year resident of Evergreen Park and has been an attorney since 1992. She has received the endorsements of labor organizations, including the Chicago Federation of Labor, IBEW Local 134, IUOE Local 399, IUOE Local 150, and Teamsters Local 700, according to Burke’s Patch candidate survey “The Teamsters represent the rank and file members of the Village’s Public Works Department; they are well acquainted with the other candidate in this race and have chosen to put their support behind me,” Burke said in a dis to her challenger She claims a solid economic development record in her first term including bringing many new businesses — large and small — to Evergreen Park and many more “plus several in the works.” Burke also created a resident-led Economic Development Advisory Group Based on a survey in which residents voiced the kind of businesses they wanted in the village Burke said they used residents’ feedback to recruit those kinds of business to the village She claims village sales tax revenues have risen notably during her first term She also extolled the public safety enhancements made in the village over the past four years body cameras and license plate readers for police officers The village also purchased two additional moveable speed wagons to monitor speeds at various locations in addition to seeking out grant funding for additional traffic enforcement efforts and the roll-out of the #slowdownEP public safety campaign Early voting ends Monday, March 31. Voters will need to go to their regular assigned precincts on election day, Tuesday, April 1. Voters can find their voter information here Check back with Evergreen Park Patch after the polls close at 7 p.m Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Kelly Burke won her second term as mayor over challenger William Lorenz Opponents from the EP Community Party faced the daunting task of trying to unseat entrenched incumbents and campaigned on term limits for elected village officials Several trustees have held their seats on the Evergreen Park Village Board for several decades Evergreen Park trustees are elected village wide. The slate thanked voters for another term on the EP United Homeowners Facebook page “Thank you to the voters of EP for reelecting the Good Government Slate we know there is always room for improvement thank you for giving this team the opportunity to keep improving EP!” 3.281 cast ballots in the April 1 election Here are the unofficial results of the Evergreen Park municipal races: Norm Anderson - 2583 (28.62%)Mark Phelan - 2550 (28.52%)Carol Kyle - 2558 (28.68%)Terri Daley - 740 (8.20%)Ryan Reitz - 564 (6.25%) 2025 at 6:02 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Drop off old towels clothing or anything made of cloth at Evergreen Park's textile recycling drive April 26 at Yukich Fields IL — The Village of Evergreen Park’s popular textile drive returns this Saturday don’t throw these items away where they’ll just end up in a landfill The Tree machine DOES NOT accept furniture leaving items outside the Tree Machine is considered dumping and fly dumpers will be prosecuted The truck will be parked near the concession stands on the north end of Yukich Field (8900 S parts of Evergreen Park were folded into the 6th Illinois Congressional District including most of the village’s southwest quadrant and sections of the southeast and northwest quadrants “We have heard of recent issues with mail delivery in the Village and residents can share their concerns regarding mail at this meeting,” Mayor Kelly Burke >>> Sean Casten Attempts To Sway Rural Illinois Voters In GOP Districts Constituents experiencing issues with mail delivery but are unable to attend the meeting, can share their experiences by emailing epinf@hotmail.com This information will be forwarded to Congressman Casten Casten has been traveling out of IL-06 to address Illinois voters in GOP-led congressional districts he says are the hardest hit by the turmoil in Washington This is the first time in many years that Evergreen Parl residents will have the opportunity to address a member of congress in their community Attendees must RSVP in advance by calling Casten’s Lombard office at 630-520-9450 2025 at 6:02 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Kelly Burke is running with the Good Government/United Homeowners party for her 2nd term as mayor of Evergreen Park in the April 1 election Early voting starts March 17 through March 31 IL — Kelly Burke is running with the Good Government/United Homeowners Party for her second term as mayor of Evergreen Park in the April 1 election Evergreen Park United Homeowners 32-year resident of Evergreen Park; currently residing in the Southeast quadrant I have lived in three quadrants over those 32 years I should be an honorary resident of the Northeast quadrant None of my children or my husband work in government or otherwise work in government; none are employed in Evergreen Park Evergreen Park Library Board trustee 2003-2011; State Representative 36th District 2011-2024; Village of Evergreen Park trustee 2019-2021 Over the past four years I have had hundreds of conversations with Village residents and business owners There is not one common issue that comes up and residents give high marks to our police and fire departments They appreciate that the Village dedicates significant resources to equipping our first responders with the tools they need to keep residents safe and healthy They appreciate that we have purchased a new They appreciate the investments we have made in technology for our police officers including body cameras and license plate readers They also appreciate the efforts we have made to control traffic These efforts include placing 10 solar speed signs near schools and parks purchasing two additional moveable speed wagons to monitor speeds at various locations seeking out grant funding for additional traffic enforcement efforts and the roll-out of the #slowdownEP public service campaign Residents appreciate the improvements we have made to our technology The Village website was re-designed in 2022 to make it easier to navigate We have made better use of our email blast and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram We also added the ability to sign up for Rec Department programs and events online We plan to continue work to leverage our existing software to enhance services such as an option to receive water bills via email and better tracking and reporting of Public Works service calls via iWorks Residents like connecting with their Village officials We attend Village events and have other opportunities to connect such as the “Coffee with the Mayor” on Saturdays and myself and Clerk Kelly Duffy attending the Farmers’ Market each Thursday morning We added zoom meetings on public safety and public works updates so that residents have opportunities to get information and ask questions virtually I have experience and proven leadership that has benefitted residents as well as a 20+ year history of volunteering in our community I spent seven years as a volunteer trustee on the Evergreen Park Library Board serving as president during the extensive renovation of the beautiful library building I volunteer with Most Holy Redeemer parish and started a Mock Trial program for area grade school students I have received the endorsement of labor organizations The Teamsters represent the rank and file members of the Village’s Public Works Department; they are well acquainted with the other candidate in this race and have chosen to put their support behind me I have a solid record of economic development and have brought many businesses to the community I brought numerous new businesses- large and small- to Evergreen Park Village sales tax revenues have risen notably since 2021 I created a resident-led Economic Development Advisory Group which crafted a survey that residents were able to complete and voice their preferences for types of new businesses We’ve used that survey to do outreach and recruitment of new businesses Shop marketing campaign that has been rolled out at large Village events and at sponsored events where large numbers of visitors are in town It has been successful at driving business to our existing businesses The Village has entered a float in the South Side Irish Parade Shop campaign to the tens of thousands of spectators along the parade route right outside our border enhanced recreation facilities and programming; continue seeking out grant funding opportunities I have represented the residents of Evergreen Park with integrity There are so many facets of the Mayor’s job that one single accomplishment can’t define a successful term I have outlined many accomplishments from my first term and plans for the next in the prior sections I will keep Evergreen Park a great place to live and age gracefully with the support of the community Evergreen Park has been fiscally responsible for many years and has an excellent credit rating to show for it I have crafted budgets that are balanced and prioritize the health and safety of our residents We have been diligent about saving a reserve of funds for special projects and for unforeseen circumstances we were able to eliminate Village stickers We put our refuse/recycling/landscape waste contract out for bid and obtained significant cost savings for residents compared to the cost of our prior contractor We will continue to look for ways for residents to save money I have focused on obtaining grant funding for programs and capital improvements Since 2021 we have applied for many grants and have been awarded $8.8 million in federal and county grants for a variety of uses ranging from road repaving to water and sewer improvements to upgrades to our parks and recreational facilities I will continue to use my experience at other levels of government and the relationships I have formed with elected officials to obtain more grant funding for our Village’s needs Residents give high marks to our police and fire departments We have 60 sworn officers; these are men and women from all walks of life who are dedicated to the people of Evergreen Park They are supplemented by several part-time officers and our Code Enforcement Officers In the past four years we have dedicated significant tax dollars to equipping our first responders with the tools they need to keep residents safe and healthy Our officers are out on the streets and visible to the public and potential criminals we have deployed dozens of license plate readers throughout the Village These devices help the police solve crimes but more importantly they help prevent crime and aid the police in recovering stolen vehicles eleven officers recently completed their FAA certification as drone operators allowing the Village to have 24/7 capability in the event of an emergency we do not have much vacant land; our development is generally in-fill We work with potential businesses to identify buildings and land for sale or lease We provide reimbursement for façade improvements to buildings within the 95th St We have an efficient and streamlined licensing and permitting process so that businesses do not get bogged down in red tape as they go through construction or renovation a dispensary would be a good addition to our retail mix Municipalities should not be dependent on one business or type of business Having a variety is important so that if there is a downturn in one sector or a business moves or closes the impact on the Village’s revenues is minimized There are 50+ dispensaries in the suburbs; they have proven to be reliable additions to towns’ retail base See above description of the Village survey We were successful in sunsetting the Village vehicle stickers and will continue to look for ways to reduce costs for residents Municipal elections are held every two years; voters have the ability to make a change with each election What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions I am proud to be a long-time resident of Evergreen Park and to lead the Village I have been very hard working in the past four years and open and accessible as Mayor Residents can stop by Village Hall or call/email me with their concerns They can (and do!) stop me to talk when I’m on a walk or at the grocery store or the library and that’s what makes the job of Mayor so rewarding – you’re trying to help people every day I believe that the voters approve of the job I am doing and they believe the Village is on the right track I humbly ask that they re-elect me to a second term 2025 at 3:36 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Former village public works director Bill Lorenz challenged incumbent Kelly Burke in the Evergreen Park mayoral election April 1 (Courtesy of Kelly Burke and Bill Lorenz)EVERGREEN PARK IL — Kelly Burke has won a second term with 85 percent of the vote over her challenger Lorenz is the village’s former public works director who was dogged by social media rumors that he had been fired from the village Burke is seeking her second term as mayor for the Village of Evergreen Park Lorenz was dogged by social media postings “These are all issues I plan to take on immediately and ensure that EP not only runs effectively and safely but is investing in technology and developments that will yield cost-savings for our community and taxpayers,” Lorenz said Lorenz also counted continued community development as a priority including parks and community centers,” Lorenz said “I also intend to focus on improving our Lead Service Line Replacement program to reduce the cost and make it more accessible to our residents by eliminating the current upfront cost of $2,000.” Burke is a 32-year resident of Evergreen Park and has been an attorney since 1992. She has received the endorsements of labor organizations, including the Chicago Federation of Labor, IBEW Local 134, IUOE Local 399, IUOE Local 150 and Teamsters Local 700, according to Burke’s Patch candidate survey “The Teamsters represent the rank and file members of the Village’s Public Works Department; they are well acquainted with the other candidate in this race and have chosen to put their support behind me,” Burke said of her challenger She claimed a solid economic development record in her first term Brooklyn Reyna became the first student in Marist history to win the coveted award The Evergreen Park teen’s entry rose to the top of the statewide competition where students write letters to their favorite author Her entry rose to the top of 503 entries in her grade level (Level III – Grades 9–12) only 286 were selected as Honorable Mentions and one winning letter was chosen — Reyna’s The Letters About Literature contest invites students in grades 4–12 to write a personal letter to the author of a book that has made a meaningful impact on their lives Students may enter the contest individually or through schools Brooklyn’s winning letter was one of several submitted in December by her English teacher Winners in each of the contest’s three grade-level divisions receive a $200 cash prize and a plaque from the Illinois Secretary of State Their teachers receive a certificate and a $100 prize for the school’s library An awards ceremony will take place in Springfield in early May where Brooklyn and the other two statewide winners will be invited to read their letters aloud Many other Marist students who also entered the contest are expected to receive recognition in the coming weeks as either Honorable Mentions or Finalists whose family was displaced by a house fire in Evergreen Park “My sister Barb is amazing,” Andrea Guglielmo told Patch a long-time Evergreen Park resident and school bus driver Before the family could comprehend what was happening the entire second floor of their house in the 9300 block of South Trumbull Avenue >>> GOFUNDME: Support For Barb Kallafut And Her Family After Tragedy The family managed to escape the house safely David was making a mad dash upstairs to the second-floor inferno to rescue their beloved cats ran out of the house without coats or shows “They were all hysterical,” Andrea continued “Such a terrible thing for children to witness – an image of their home burning – something that none of them will ever be able to forget.” The fire was so intense that the children's beds melted and her three little girls also shared the house four adults and five children under ten lived in the house The entire family is temporarily living in a hotel near Midway Airport “Barb and her family, who have shown incredible strength in the face of a horrific event,” Andrea wrote on GoFundMe “My sister and her family have lost absolutely everything but their love for each other will carry them through this difficult time.” Barb has been overwhelmed by the outpouring from the Evergreen Park community for her and her family Evergreen Park has been so amazing to my sister’s family,” Andrea told Patch I have never seen such people come together for people they don’t know Andrea is just trying to help her sister and her family get back on their feet shoes and asthma machines to school supplies and backpacks People have been dropping off new pajamas for the children Another generous person provided dinner for the family To make a monetary donation to Barb and her family, visit “Support For My Sisters Family After Tragedy” on GoFundMe. You can also email Andrea at mamagug3@gmail.com for clothing sizes For the first time since Washington state enacted a new law in 2024 to improve standards for warehouse workers Bella Red Salon and Third Dimension Salon of Auburn teamed up April 13 to provide 64 free haircuts to children at Evergreen Park in Auburn See the video: The owner said it was a terrifying experience but she wants to continue operating in Auburn 2025 at 10:35 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Mark Phelan is running for his fifth term on the Evergreen Park Village Board in the upcoming April 1 election IL — Mark Phelan is running with the Good Government Party for his fifth term as trustee for the Village of Evergreen Park in the April 1 election Three trustee seats are open on the village board EP United Homeowners is employed by the Village of Evergreen Park I choose to focus on the actions of our party We are true public servants who work FOR the residents of this Village I have years of political experience and many years of volunteering/coaching/guiding within my wonderful community I have worked efficiently and collaboratively with three mayors I currently chair the public works committee and help formulate the annual budget including Mayor Kelly Burke and my five fellow trustees health and well-being of all Village of Evergreen Park residents we are fiercely proud and loyal life-long residents of Evergreen Park I attended Most Holy Redeemer school and Evergreen Park High School We have raised four children in this awesome Village two of which currently own homes in Evergreen Park and plan to reside here I can honestly say that one of the greatest compliments to our Village is when our adult children decide to invest in homes and raise their family in the village that they grew up in It truly says so much about this remarkable place to live My mission as trustee is to ensure that all residents of Evergreen Park live in a happy I hope that all village residents feel content and safe knowing that the United Homeowners party is always there for them; we are all here to assist with potential problems and other challenges that you may encounter The fiscal policy under all administrations I have worked for have always run a balanced budget Government should never spend over their means Mayor Burke has always presented a balanced budget to this board We are all behind being good stewards of the resident’s money I am very proud of the 60 sworn officers of the Evergreen Park Police force they work hard to make Evergreen Park the safest place to live We recently installed more license plate readers around the Village to assist in the surveillance/ detection of crime in high traffic areas of Evergreen Park our police force responds immediately; they stop crime before it happens We have more police per capita than many towns in Illinois The residents of Evergreen Park should feel very safe with the men and women who fight crime in our village commercial and business development has gone extremely well We have many new businesses in the Village and our tax dollars are helping to improve our village services (parks The Streets and Water department employees have done a great job in maintaining our beautiful Village so that it is attractive to business owners looking to locate here as well as our residents New homes have been built on formerly vacant parcels; town homes have been built for our residents increased tax dollars to improve OUR parks and services to village residents what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents What will need to be done to make this happen What village policies do you feel need refreshing or sunsetting Our administration is very proactive and fair when it comes to maintaining current policies and procedures within the village There is an election every two years; the residents vote accordingly I am the manager of the Evergreen Park Village Pantry I am proud to volunteer many hours per week supervising the operations/volunteers shopping for food and distributing food and other products to our residents in need I received a Certificate of Deaconate Studies at St Mary of the Lake Seminary and became an ordained Deacon at Most Holy Redeemer I am a proud volunteer football coach for the Most Holy Redeemer Raiders for over four decades I currently assist my son’s Evergreen Park Boys Club baseball team where I also managed my son’s team when he was in grade school my mother and father instilled in me to leave things better than how you found them; my public service to my community is of the utmost importance to me 2025 at 9:19 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Challenger William E Lorenz is running with the EP Community Party for mayor of Evergreen Park in the April 1 election IL — Challenger William Lorenz is running with the EP Community Party for the office of mayor of the Village of Evergreen Park in the April 1 election EP Community Party My son works at the Evergreen Park Fire Department and Evergreen Park Public Works Department and State Certified Firefighter II 47 years of experience Public Works Director- appointed for 27 consecutive years Evergreen Park needs a mayor that is fully committed to the job and to running a fully transparent village I understand and value transparent government and decision-making and I am committed to ensuring that policies and decisions would be made and executed with full transparency Having served as EP’s Public Works Director for 27 years I have a deep understanding of infrastructure development I am confident that my experience not only overseeing critical infrastructure but also community development and securing grants has given me the experience necessary to take on the leadership role of Mayor of Evergreen Park The current Mayor has not addressed issues regarding street rehabilitation These are all issues I plan to take on immediately and ensure that EP not only runs effectively and safely but is investing in technology and developments that will yield cost-savings for our community and taxpayers In addition to prioritizing safety and efficient infrastructure I am deeply committed to community development When I served as Public Works Director I had the opportunity to oversee key developments in Evergreen Park including the Community Center and Urban Barn and multiple shopping centers I know how important it is to attract quality businesses and to develop and invest in our public spaces I also intend to focus on improving our Lead Service Line Replacement program to reduce the cost and make it more accessible to our residents by eliminating the current upfront cost of $ 2,000 I have worked side by side with three mayors as a Public Works Director I also facilitated communications between Police and Recreation Departments for the betterment of the Village A few of my accomplishments that are evidence that I can handle the job as Mayor are as follows: Of my greatest accomplishments over the past 27 years was my ability to make the Evergreen Park residents and their concerns my number 1 priority Voters should Trust me because of my past 47 years of hard work and unwavering loyalty to the Evergreen Park community I would feel a sense of accomplishment and success at the end of my term if the residents of Evergreen Park are left with a safe place to live and raise their children and a government that is transparent and trustworthy My views on Fiscal responsibilities: During these challenging economic times government spending should only be used when absolutely necessary When operating a budget that’s fiscally responsible we keep to the forefront of our minds that we are operating with taxpayer dollars and we need to be respectful of how we spend our community’s taxpayer dollars We have the top of the line police department from the police chief down to the foot patrol officers who are always protecting and serving the village residents and the public at large I would work with the Police department and the village residents to create a safer environment for ALL I would add a new team of officers to patrol the regional shopping districts in our village when the stores are open for businesses and would make sure we are using up-to-date technology to keep crime down My views on commercial development in the village is positive EP has regional retail shopping centers on the east side of the village the west side of the village 95th Street Kedzie Ave needs parking and lighting upgrades so that the small business can operate by rehabbing or replacing old homes with new But there isn’t much open land for large residential development I would support a cannabis dispensary in a business district away from residential areas I would set up a referendum to the citizens of Evergreen Park to see what their opinions and concerns were regarding this matter and if they were in favor or against the dispensary The key areas for improvement in development are lighting and infrastructure The Village will need to apply for grant funds to help fund these projects The village policies that I would like to refresh are Pensions and Healthcare for part-time trustees and the Lead Service Line Replacement Program I would remove old out of date ordinances and ensure that they are updated to current standards I agree to have term limits on municipal boards I would like to have a referendum on the ballot and get the opinion of the residents of the village before making any decisions on changes I favor term limits because it will bring fresh ideas and talent to the village government I will serve the Village of Evergreen Park residents as a full-time full term Mayor to the best of my ability if elected I was born and raised in Evergreen Park by my parents who were pillars in the Evergreen Park community I began my public service career to Evergreen Park in 1977 in both the Public Works and Fire Departments and raised my family here in Evergreen Park For 47 years I was blessed to be able to serve this great community and go to a job I truly loved and worked hard at each and every day My goal is to continue my journey in life by serving the good people of Evergreen Park as their Mayor in 2025 I would promise to be their best full-time and full service Mayor of all time!PLEASE VOTE ON APRIL 1 2024 at 6:36 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A missing 15-year-old girl from Evergreen Park last seen Nov IL — A 15-year-old girl from Evergreen Park missing two weeks was located Sunday afternoon The teen was last seen in the area of 98th Street and Lawndale She had been living in Evergreen Park with her older sister the past year who was in the process of enrolling the teen in school The sister said they were taking the teen to the hospital to be checked out 2025 at 9:50 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Challenger Ryan Reitz is running for the office of trustee on Evergreen Park Village Board in the upcoming April 1 election IL — Ryan Reitz is running with the Evergreen Park Community Party for the office of village board trustee in the April 1 election info@epcommunityparty.com Does anyone in your family work in politics or government This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for 25 years as a Senior IT Project / Program Manager at many Fortune 500 companies (Motorola I've also had the pleasure of coaching volleyball on the South Side of Chicago for several years with experience at Brother Rice High School and Chicago Juniors VBCPrevious or Current Elected or Appointed Office: N/A Public Safety – We believe that the safety of our community must always be the top priority We will assess the areas most impacted by crime and take proactive measures to help reduce criminal activity and ensure a safer environment for all We are committed to leveraging available technology to streamline processes and drive innovation and growth within our village The current trustees bring decades of valuable experience what sets me apart is my ability to bring a fresh perspective and a strong focus on technology-driven solutions I am committed to implementing technology-based processes that can simplify operations My approach will complement the existing procedures and policies forward-thinking strategies to address the challenges and opportunities ahead The current board has served the community When several members hold the same positions for decades it becomes difficult for fresh ideas and innovative solutions to be introduced It's important to ensure that new perspectives are brought in to address evolving challenges and ensure our community continues to move forward Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform By making improvements in these areas—though certainly not limited to them—we can continue to enhance Evergreen Park and ensure it remains a great place to live for years to come With over 25 years of experience in project management within the corporate world I have successfully managed projects of all sizes delivering them on time and within budget for numerous Fortune 500 companies I am confident that my skills in strategic planning and execution will translate effectively to the trustee role allowing me to manage and support the community’s projects with the same level of success Voters should trust me because I am an honest and reliable individual who is deeply committed to what’s best for our village My goal is to ensure Evergreen Park thrives and becomes a place where everyone feels safe I am dedicated to serving the community with integrity and making decisions that benefit all residents what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success My term in office would be considered a success if we can attract new businesses to the village while also supporting and sustaining our current businesses and I am committed to executing them successfully to benefit the entire community My approach to fiscal policy and government spending is rooted in transparency and accountability I believe it is essential to keep residents fully informed and provide clear documentation to support any decisions made regarding taxpayer money We must always operate with the best interests of taxpayers in mind striving to use their dollars as efficiently as possible to maximize value and ensure responsible governance The safety of our community is a top priority and while Evergreen Park is a generally safe place to live we must remain vigilant in addressing crime I believe we can enhance our efforts by increasing police presence in areas most affected and leveraging technology to improve surveillance and response times I believe the village’s approach to both commercial and residential development should focus on balanced growth that meets the needs of our community while fostering economic vitality We should continue to grow and provide our residents with businesses to best fit their needs I believe a cannabis dispensary should be considered for Evergreen Park I would want to ensure it is an appropriate distance from residential areas and schools to ensure the safety and well-being of the community the tax revenue generated from such a business could benefit our village supporting local services and infrastructure I think it’s important to first hear from the voters and gauge the community’s opinion on the matter as their concerns and preferences should be a central part of the decision-making process key areas for improvement in Evergreen Park include expanding local businesses and entertainment options within the village we’ll need to attract new businesses while supporting the growth of our existing ones along with modernizing infrastructure to support growth will make Evergreen Park an even more desirable place to live and visit This can be achieved through strategic planning and fostering partnerships with developers There are always areas where policies can be refreshed or updated to better serve the community I believe some older policies may need to be reevaluated to ensure they align with the current needs of Evergreen Park I believe that term limits should be put into place This enables new members to come in and provide fresh thoughts and processes and a focus on practical solutions will guide us in identifying policies that need to evolve or be phased out to ensure the continued progress of our village I believe there should be term limits on municipal boards Term limits help ensure fresh perspectives and new ideas are regularly introduced preventing stagnation and encouraging innovation They also provide opportunities for more community members to get involved and contribute to the decision-making process I would be happy to serve the full term of office I was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago I have proudly called Evergreen Park home for the past 10 years We have 9-year-old son who keeps their lives vibrant and full of energy We are also a proud dog parent of a rescue dog I am a seasoned Senior Program/Project Manager with extensive experience in leading projects for major companies My expertise in managing complex programs have earned me a reputation for delivering results and fostering collaboration A proud graduate of Brother Rice High School I not only excelled academically but also dedicated time to coaching volleyball sharing his passion for the sport with young athletes I continued my education at Northern Illinois University where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications I am passionate about travel and enjoys spending quality time with my family He is also an active member of the Brother Rice Alumni Association as well as the family school association at his son's grade school my goal is to do what is best for our community I am committed to working tirelessly to help Evergreen Park become the best place to live and welcoming environment for all residents Thank you for your time and please remember to come out and vote on April 1st 2025 at 8:43 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Challenger Terri Daley is running for the office of trustee on Evergreen Park Village Board in the upcoming April 1 election IL — Challenger Terri Daley is running with the EP Community Party for the office of trustee for the Village of Evergreen Park in the upcoming April 1 election EP Community Party prior to that I worked for a personal injury law firm in Chicago for 32 years as a paralegal and office manager in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University and paralegal certificate from Roosevelt College Before working at the law firm I was a clerk for a Circuit Court of Cook County judge for 7 years The only elected office I have held was Most Holy Redeemer School Board from 2002-2005 and accountability are the root from which negative sentiment in the village grows they shut down – Evergreen Park is stagnating We need our residents to have a vested interest in their community I have watched the village’s demographics change dramatically over the last 20 years yet these changes are nowhere to be seen in the village’s process or government “Town hall” style meetings for all residents of Evergreen Park would be a first step toward making the myriad voices of EP residents heard Bi-monthly Village meetings would be livestreamed to allow for residents that are elderly or otherwise unable to leave their homes to be able to attend virtually our village website needs bilingual access so all residents are able to engage with the information available there I am personally invested in active involvement in our community I have seen Evergreen Park change and grow in so many ways I want to see involvement from everyone in our village not just folks that have been here for as long as I have I want to open the door to different cross-sections of Evergreen Park’s broad spectrum of residents and help them get involved at their own pace The personal agendas of the current board have seeped into their actions as trustees to the detriment of current residents There are just under 20,000 residents in Evergreen Park The current board is not performing their duty to accurately represent the needs and expectations of the population In addition to better access to resources and enabling members of the community to get involved with the village directly I will also advocate for term limits for all board members There is great value in changing perspective and if we are not turning over the board and getting new folks involved on a regular basis then we are not gaining any additional insight on the issues facing our village I worked in the private sector for 32 years as an office manager and have developed strong skills in accounting I have experience in leadership throughout my life coaching for the village’s girls softball league for 6+ years and volunteering for various dog rescue groups in various roles This village has been my home for 40+ years My husband and I have raised two children here and have chosen to stay after they have both moved out and on to other places I am dedicated to the continued development and growth of Evergreen Park because I have seen what we can do when we work together The only thing I gain by winning this election is the responsibility to speak with and for my constituents I am excited to dedicate this period of my life to service of a community that has given me so much Getting town hall meetings set up and keeping them regular would be a massive success for the village as it would allow residents an equal opportunity to participate in village government and make their voices heard and along with that privilege comes responsibility Allowing residents to express their goals for their tax dollars will allow the board to more effectively execute fiscal decisions The majority of violent crime (per publicly available data) in Evergreen Park originates from the shopping corridor from 91st Street to 97th Street on Western Additional police presence in this area would be a good first step to reduce this Proactively seeking new businesses should be a part of the village’s operating model We want to demonstrate to business owners that we are an attractive location for their investment by highlighting our vibrant and engaged community that represents a broad spectrum of different economic interests The Village passed an ordinance in July 2024 to allow a cannabis dispensary in Evergreen Park We are far past discussing whether it should be allowed I believe that dispensaries will be as common as liquor stores within the next 5 years and the associated tax revenue can dramatically benefit the village The 95th Street retail corridor is in need of a refresh and the rate of turnover for new small businesses is high There are a few different ways to approach something like this specifically addressing parking and general accessibility but the end goal would be for Evergreen Park to become more walkable so these businesses receive more foot traffic The village currently pays for health insurance for trustees and their families There was probably a time when this would not have made a major difference in cost to the village but the healthcare and insurance industries have undergone massive changes in the last 10 years combined with the additional cost associated with paying trustees for their time on the board are outdated and only serve to drain the village budget This is money that we could be spending to improve our village rather than compensating folks for whom this is not a full-time position We have trustees that have been on the Evergreen Park board for 24 This lends itself to stagnation and can create an environment that encourages corruption Term limits allow for a wider pool of individuals to seek office creating opportunities for fresh talent and new ideas while discouraging complacency and concentration of power There may be a case to be made that term limits already exist in the form of elections but in practice our village doesn’t end up with much of a choice This is because the idea of running against an incumbent with nearly 30 years of tenure can be daunting In keeping with my beliefs on residential involvement I think that the institution of term limits should be put to our population via a referendum vote on the ballot I commit to speaking with and for the people of Evergreen Park I will always be open to conversation with our residents regarding how local government affects their lives and will take careful consideration of everything shared I am committed to transparency and truth as a trustee even if those truths might mean there’s more work to be done Officers will be patrolling the streets from through March 18 we have seen an increase in careless and risky driving The ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ and ‘Click It or Ticket’ campaigns are aimed at reducing these driving behaviors,” Evergreen Park police said in a statement Stepped-up patrols will be seen throughout Evergreen Park and the state of Illinois from March 7 to March 18 officers will intensify enforcement of impaired driving seat belt scofflaws and child restraint violations Jobseekers are invited to network with representatives from businesses and organizations in and around the community to learn about job and internship opportunities Participants can get an updated headshot for their Linkedin profile have their resumes reviewed by professionals and walk away with some unique networking connections The in-person event is open to all area residents The job fair also features numerous networking opportunities for teens looking for employment Participating organizations and businesses include: This event is being held in conjunction with the Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce 2025 at 12:29 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Early voting will take place from March 17 to March 31 in suburban Cook County for the upcoming Illinois Consolidated Election on April 1 IL — If you're going to be out of town or can't handle the pressure of voting on election day—April 1 — early voting starts Monday in suburban Cook County for the 2025 Illinois consolidated election township and other local governmental bodies All registered Cook County voters are eligible to vote at a Cook County early voting center. The Cook County Clerk's Office offers additional information about voter registration and finding your polling place on election day Suburban voters can also find their election day polling location and who is on their ballot by visiting “Your Voter Information” on the Cook County Clerk’s website Also, there are a number of write-in candidates. Only votes for candidates who filed a Write-in Candidate Declaration of Intent form with the Cook County Clerk will be counted Michael Jordan and the like will not be counted.) type in the name of the write-in candidate and press “OK.” According to the Cook County Clerk: Complete accuracy of a write-in candidate’s name is not necessary as long as the election judges can determine a voter’s intent to select a specific write-in candidate There should be some relationship between the appearance or sound of the name written or printed on the ballot and that of the write-in candidate’s actual name Early voting for Evergreen Park voters starts March 17 and continues through March 31. Voters do not need to give a reason why they cannot make it to the polls on election day. The early voting location for the upcoming Consolidated Election has been moved out of Oak Lawn Village Hall across the street to the Oak Lawn Public Library There are 51 early voting locations in suburban Cook County Voter registration is also available at early voting sites but you need to fill out an application and vote that day passport) along with two pieces of mail with your current address Find a convenient early voting location near you on the Cook County Clerk's website Early voting sites will be open during the following hours: Early voting will start March 17 at the following locations: Mail-in ballot drop boxes are also available at these locations 2025 at 2:16 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Carol Kyle is running for her eleventh term on the Evergreen Park Village Board in the upcoming April 1 election IL — Carol Kyle is running with the Good Government Party for her eleventh term as trustee for the Evergreen Park Village Board in the April 1 election Public safety and maintaining a solid business community attendance at village events and volunteering Every Friday we're at the Evergreen Park Village Pantry helping those in need Continue to keep Evergreen Park a great place to live volunteerism with youth and special needs population The safety of our residents and attract new business We have the best police & fire department in the state We need to continue to support these men and women to keep our village safe We need to continue to work collectively with these departments and residents work with them whether they are a small or a big box store ex The new Record Store on 95th or stores in Plaza 96th and Pulaski has some vacant space and the village is constantly looking for the right business for there The village HR Department is on top of our policies and constantly making changes when necessary We as elected officials are kept up to date with our village policies We recently revisited our volunteers forms for the Food Pantry There are four generations of members of my family living in Evergreen Park I worked at Little Company of Mary Hospital to pay for my college My husband Gene and I bought our house 48 years ago We are one of the oldest homes on the block and proud of it hardworking couples raising their family and sending their children to our neighborhood schools They moved here for a reason and that’s why I’m running for the office of village trustee again SHEBOYGAN – A buildup of grease led to overflow of the city’s sanitary sewer system and leakage into Evergreen Park and the Pigeon River earlier this week There has been no reported wastewater exposure to people according to the Department of Public Works which can minimize potential exposure and risks in conjunction with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources The overflow was discovered when a resident reported a foul odor Dec Grease buildup in part of the sewer main led to wastewater backup at a manhole and a second obstruction was removed the following morning Responding crews also restored normal flow and transported exposed wastewater to a treatment facility More news: Are any Sheboygan Walgreens closing doors amid nationwide closures? We have the answer. DPW said it's "dedicated to safeguarding Sheboygan’s natural resources and public health and will continue to work diligently to protect them." the city reminded residents not to pour fat DPW added it's increasing inspections and public education around disposal and it's conducting a review of Evergreen Park’s sewer system for future solutions More news: Sentencing delayed for former Outagamie County HR director with federal child porn conviction The Sheboygan Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant was undergoing construction at the time Call the Sheboygan Wastewater Treatment Plant with questions at 920-459-0220 Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @alexx_garner.