VOP Summer 2014

FROM THE MAYOR

DANIEL J. MCLAUGHLIN This summer brought considerable progress on important projects throughout our community. Recent severe weather emphasized the need to continue to advance the work on over 9,000 ash trees to be removed from village parkways. Throughout the storms in early summer and for weeks afterward, village crews responded to hundreds of areas with significant tree and related damage. Power outage assistance was also provided in some of the hardest hit areas. The heavy rains also reinforced the need to continue to fund stormwater projects that are identified in the Village Flood Study and in some new areas where stormwater issues have worsened in recent years. If you have experienced flooding inside your home, please contact our PublicWorks Department to be sure that we have documented issues at your address. Following one of the roughest winters on record, these same crews have been addressing pot holes and restorations that are usually completed in spring, but due to weather and the high number of areas requiring work, are still being addressed during the summer months. Orland Park was host again to many fantastic events, bringing family togetherness and local fun all summer long. The recent Taste of Orland Park was, once again, a delight to attend. This was the eleventh year the village has hosted this event that has become a community favorite. There was something for everyone with great food highlighting the exceptional cuisine from our local restaurants, outstanding entertainment and kids’ activities. The Farmers’ Market also returned in early June and continues through early October with the debut of three Thursday evening Flash Farmers’ Markets which were hosted in Crescent Park in the downtown. We gathered as a community to celebrate Independence Day at the Liberty Family Fun Run & Walk and at the July 4th festivities and fireworks show at Centennial Park. This holiday event has become a tradition for families throughout Orland Park. Just because summer is coming to a close does not mean that the outdoor fun has to end. Many made it out to enjoy the concert featuring The City Lights Orchestra this past June and joined us on August 31 for another fantastic and free Centennial West Concert featuring the Van Goghs and Trippin’ Billies. Hundreds brought their lawn chairs, blankets, umbrellas and picnics and enjoyed great outdoor shows at the village’s newest entertainment venue. Be sure to have a look at the calendar for a complete list of upcoming events and visit the Village of Orland Park website at www.orlandpark.org and click on Special Events.

The village is working diligently to alleviate traffic issues and improve travel throughout Orland Park. Getting around town with on-going road construction is easier when drivers are aware of road/lane closures in advance. LaGrange Road widening updates as well as all other construction updates are available on our website at www.orlandpark.org and also by visiting the Illinois Department of Transportation website at www.dot.state.il.us. Please bear with us while we take steps to alleviate traffic problems by improving roads around the village. The end result will be well worth the temporary frustration the construction causes. Orland Park has long been and continues to be the location of choice within the Midwest for new and existing businesses to call their new home. A complete list of new businesses that have recently opened can be found on page 9 of this issue of the Orland Park Public. Join me in welcoming them to the neighborhood by frequenting these and all of our local businesses. University of Chicago Medicine has made clear its intentions to move forward with plans to build a 120,000 square foot facility to be located at the northwest corner of LaGrange Road and 143rd Street in Downtown Orland Park. Updates will be provided on the village website once plans progress. Preserving open space has been a priority of mine for several years and we’re grateful to everyone who has supported the village’s effort to save hundreds of acres of open space in Orland Park. One of our most popular fundraisers will be held September 16 when we host the annual Open Lands Golf Outing at Silver Lake Country Club. If you’d like to spend the day on the links or simply join us for dinner, call Patty Vlazny 708.364.0682 for more information. The village’s busy calendar continues through the end of the year and we warmly invite everyone to be a part of the many exciting events and activities we have planned. Visit the village’s website at www.orlandpark.org for the latest news and information and those who use social media are invited to like the village’s Facebook page at Village of Orland Park, Illinois, follow our Village of Orland Park official Pinterest boards at vlgoforlandpark and follow us on Twitter @VillageOrlandPk.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the Mayor 1 Calendar of Events 2 University of Chicago 3 Survey Results 4-5 Q & A 8-9 Around Town 10-16 Veterans 17

Money Matters 18-19 LaGrange Road 22-23 Community Pride 24-25

Sincerely,

Daniel J. McLaughlin, Mayor

www.orlandpark.org | ORLAND PARK PUBLIC SUMMER 2014 1