Robert "Bob" Brandt
Trustee - Village of Woodridge (2003-2007)
Action 2006 Page:
December 28, 2006 - A residents emailed me about a soundwall for the north side of I-55 between Lemont Rd. and I-355 (see RITS66).
December 24, 2006 - My family and I brought three dozen Krispy Kreme donuts to Darien-Woodridge Fire Station #3 and three dozen Krispy Kreme donuts to the Woodridge Police Department to thank them for working on Christmas Eve (see my Photo Gallery page).
December 22, 2006 - My family and I donated some toys to the Darien-Woodridge Fire District "Holiday Toy Drive" at Station #3.
December 15, 2006 - Woodridge-based Golden Retriever Rescue group "As Good As Gold" contacted me about my plans to revise dog laws in Woodridge (see RITS65)
UPDATE: The group sent me model ordinances for review.
December 12, 2006 - I sent a email to the Village Administrator that I noticed that half of the holiday lights at Village Hall were working and half were not.
UPDATE: The recent wet weather caused half of the GFCI protectors to trip. The situation has been resolved.
December 11, 2006 - I sent congratulatory letters to Doggie Diner for being recognized as Outstanding Business; to Ron Dilger for Outstanding Citizen; and Andrew Sell as Outstanding Youth Citizen for 2006.
December 9, 2006 - My family and I attended a live Nativity presented by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 7201 Woodridge Drive in Woodridge..
November 16, 2006 - The Village held a workshop on the funding options for a soundwall on the north side of I-55 between Lemont Rd. & I-355. Click here for more details.
November 8, 2006 - I attended a diversity forum "Celebrate the Many Faces of Woodridge (see My Photo Gallery page).
November 7, 2006 - I took my son and daughter to the polling place and voted in the election.
November 2, 2006 - I participated in the 2006 Goal-Setting session with the Village Board and Village staff members.
October 26, 2006 - I attended a Neighborhood Dialogue at Willow Creek School.
October 24, 2006 - A resident contacted me asking to move the surveillance camera back to Westminster Park to avoid vandalism (see RITS63).
October 24, 2006 - A resident contacted me about the deteriorating property in his neighborhood i.e. maintenance of residences, driveways, etc. (see RITS62)
October 22, 2006 - I sent letters of congratulations to 45 Woodridge residents who finished the Chicago Marathon today. I also sent an email to my friend Bob Evanosky congratulating him on running to support his Evanosky Foundation to find a cure for MLD (metachromatic leukodystrophy).
October 19, 2006 - I asked for the Village to prepare some material for the spring / summer to educate teenagers (and their parents) about the dangers of alcohol at parties.
DECEMBER 06 UPDATE: The parents in a case in Deerfield are being charged with criminal offenses. Click here for a newspaper article; click here for another article.
UPDATE: Only 8% of teens get alcohol from stores, but 24% of teens get alcohol from their parents. Click here for more information, click here for newspaper articles. Current ordinances assess a $500 fine for parents who supply alcohol to teens (I proposd that the fine be changed from "per incident" to "per person" back on August 15, 2005. Click here for the meeting minutes.
October 19, 2006 - At tonight's Board Meeting, I raised the following questions / concerns about the 2005-06 Village audit:
1. The police pension fund is underfunded by $10.8 million (which is an increase from $9.2 million last year).
UPDATE: Additional benefits mandated by law have burdened the fund.
2. Police overtime costs were $407,000 (down from $480,000 form last year) but still overbudget despite the change to 12-hour shifts for greater efficiency.
UPDATE: 12-hr shifts were only enacted for 4 months of this audit. There should be more savings next year.
3. I asked for details on the $5,000,000 insurance coverage for Public Officials "abuse and molestation."
UPDATE: We have always had this coverage.
FYI: I was the only Board Member to raise any questions / concerns over the audit since my election in 2003. Click here for the meeting minutes; click here for the minutes from previous years.
October 15, 2006 - I proposed the following new section to our Open Burning ordinance. It will not affect any firepits used for social or recreational purposes, but will prevent the 24/7 burning free-for-all allowed by our current ordinance (see RITS 60).
UPDATE: The time restrictions wouldn't work so additional work needs to be done before any changes to the ordinance will be made.
October 13, 2006 - I asked about the following entries on the Check Register: (1) $1,161.69 for Nextel phone charges; and (2) $1,060 for boarding stray animals.
UPDATE: (1) The phone charges are for long-distances charges for approximately 24 cell phones in the police department; (2) the Boarding Charges are for stray animals that aren't claimed. Woodridge pays for a maximum of 7 days.
October 11, 2006 - I inquiried if Woodridge had a plan in case our public water supply was compromised by terrorists.
UPDATE: Woodridge does have back-up wells.
October 6, 2006 - Congratulations to Woodridge residents / students Sapna Desai, Shannon Ford, Daniel Mehl, Maria Herman and Jennifer Lee for being named Commended Scholars by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Click here for a newspaper article.
October 5, 2006 - A resident asked me if Woodridge prohibited the sale of "rolling papers" or :"Philly Blunts or Black & Milds" which are often used to smoke illegal drugs (see RITS61).
October 5, 2006 - At tonight's Board Meeting, I proposed that Woodridge (1) clarify and toughen our orindance on outdoor firepits (see RITS 60), and (2) established a "brush pick-up" program (see RITS 59).
October 3, 2006 - I participated in the annual Woodridge Town Meeting where my break-out group discussed diversity in Woodridge. Click here for a newspaper article.
September 30, 2006 - I sent a congratulatory note to Woodridge resident Kelly Landstrom for being named a National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist. Click here for a newspaper article.
September 30, 2006 - My kids and I participated in the Woodridge Park District's Friend & Family Bike Fest at Cypress Cove (see My Photos page).
September 21, 2006 - A resident contacted me about (1) the anti-Woodridge signs posted along Lemont Rd., and (2) dangerous dogs near a school bus stop (see RITS58).
September 21, 2006 - A resident contacted me about Building & Zoning staff confiscating political campaign signs on private property (see RITS 57)
September 15, 2006 - I asked for a demonstration of the new surveillance cameras in the Village, one of which was successful in identifying a suspect in an arson at Windy Point Park. Click here for a newspaper article.
UPDATE: I proposed the use of surveillance cameras back in July 2004 (see the March 10, 2006 entry below).
September 12, 2006 - I sent an email to Library Administrator Mary Sue Brown requesting additional lighting for the south side of the library, which is poorly lit and dangerous in the evening.
UPDATE: The Library Board will consider improving the lighting plan, which was drafted by the Village.
UPDATE: Click here for a summary of the event from the organizers.
September 9, 2006 - My family and I attended the Woodridge Cultural Fest and while we missed the Native America POW WOW exhibition, we enjoyed some music.
September 5, 2006 - I responded to a resident who sent an email to villageboard@vil.woodridge.il.us regarding cars and portable basketball hoops blocking the sidewalk in her neighborhood.
UPDATE: This is one of my top priorities for a safe neighborhood. The Police Department will issue citations if sidewalks are blocked.
September 4, 2006 - I inquired if Woodridge collects 100% of the fines, penalties, etc. owed to Woodridge from tickets, citations, etc. I came across an example of a resident in unincorporated Downers Grove that was fined $235 from two citations issued in 2005 and 2004 that have not been paid.
September 2, 2006 - I sent a letter to Woodridge resident Katrina Amante congratulating her for her team's performance at the 2006 USA Hip-Hop Championships. Click here for a newspaper article.
September 2, 2006 - I sent a newspaper article to the Village Administrator which reported that most towns in DuPage County did not have guidelines for email by elected officials i.e. use of email could result in violations of the Open Meetings Act.
UPDATE: I raised this concern with the Village in May 2003. Click here for a memorandum as a result of my inquiry.
September 1, 2006 - A resident sent an email to villageboard@vil.woodridge.il.us regarding an issue with a stormwater retention area being proposed adjacent to his house
UPDATE: The Park District is considering some smoking regulations to protect the health of park patrons.
August 26, 2006 - A resident emailed me about a problem with the retention ponds in her neighborhood (see RITS54).
August 25, 2006 - I attended a Village pizza party in recognition of the Village of Woodridge's exemplary safety employee record. A safe workplace not only means fewer employee injuries, but also a lower insurance premium for the Village.
August 23, 2006 - I attended a farewell cookout in honor of Public Works Director Phil Modaff who is leaving Woodridge after 9 years to become the Village Administrator in Willowbrook.
August 22, 2006 - A resident emailed me with concerns about cars parking across the sidewalk and yard upkeep (see RITS55).
August 21, 2006 - A resident emailed me with two questions about Woodridge (see RITS53).
August 18, 2006 - I proposed that Woodridge institute a dog licensing program similar to Naperville's program (click here to see Naperville's requirements) so we can keep better track of dogs in Woodridge.. Click here for more details.
August 17, 2006 - I inquired if the Village would be sending educational material to the residents of un-incorporated Pleasantdale (south of I-55) regarding Woodridge's plans to suppy the area with water and sewer (they are currently using well water and septic tanks). Click here for the minutes from a previous Board meeting.
UPDATE: Click here for a memorandum from Public Works.
August 15, 2006 - I attended a Naperville City Council meeting along with hundreds of Naperville residents wherein the Council discussed (and delayed) a smoking ban for Naperville (see my Photo Gallery page). Click here for newspaper articles.
July 22, 2006 - I wrote a congratulatory note to Woodridge resident Joanna Wagner for receiving the Girl Scout Gold Award. Click here for a newspaper article.
July 22, 2006 - I wrote a congratulatory note to Woodridge resident Samantha Policicchio for her accomplishments in tumbling. Click here for a newspaper article.
July 22, 2006 - I wrote a congratulatory note to Woodridge resident Fleurdeliz Licuanan for winning the "Woodridge Idol" competition at the Woodridge Jubilee. Click here for a newspaper article.
July 15, 2006 - I volunteered in the beer tent at the Woodridge Jubilee. Temperatures in the upper 90's kept the crowd down during my day shift.
July 11, 2006 - I sent an email to the Village Administrator urging him to encourage the developers of Seven Bridge to install wi-fi hotspots. Click here for a newspaper article.
UPDATE: The developers have indicated that the cost outweighs the benefit.
July 4, 2006 - I volunteered in the beer line for thousands of thirsty Woodridge residents at the annual Fourth of July picnic at Castaldo Park (see the Photo Gallery page).Over 4,960 cups of beer were served, along with over 5,600 hotdogs.
July 1, 2006 - My wife, daughter and son went to the Downers Grove Farmers Market to listen to our favorite local musical group - Patchouli. Click here for a newspaper article with their photo.
June 29, 2006 - The Board interviewed the first of a total of 12 applicants for the vacancy on the Board of Police Commissioners.
June 29, 2006 - Congratulations to Naperville for being ranked #1 in Illinois with 926 arrests in 2004. Woodridge had 74 DUI arrests. Click here for a press release and newspaper article from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists..
June 21, 2006 - I inquired if the Woodridge Police Department had any statistics on gang activity in Woodridge. Click here for a newspaper about gangs leaving Chicago for the suburbs.
UPDATE: Gang activity in Woodridge has steadily declined over the past five years. There were 85 "gang-related incidents" in 2004.
June 19, 2006 - I sent a note to Woodridge residents Joan Ackerman and Vicki Tuch applauding their involvement in Relay for Life. Click here for a newspaper article.
June 16, 2006 - Click here for a Letter to the Editor by local homophobe Wayne Lela. See if you can figure out how he links smoking bans with gay lifestyles? Why speak out against hatred and prejudice towards gays? Click here for the 1946 quote by Martin Niemoller.
UPDATE: Click here for a Letter to the Editor response.
June 16, 2006 - I wrote to Woodridge residents Joan Ackerman and Vicki Tuch applauding their involvement in Relay for Life. Click here for a newspaper article.
UPDATE: The tollway is funding initial engineering plans for the soundwall.
June 10, 2006 - I sent congratulatory letters to high school seniors Henry Gillam, Gregory Go, Katie Utesch, Natalie Lorch, Melissa Manjarres, and Aaron Shatzer for being in the top 2% of their respective classes at Downers Grove North / South. Click here for a newspaper article.
June 10, 2006 - Inclement weather prevented my family and I from attending the opening of Windy Point Park at Egerton Dr. & Mason Ln. off of Woodward Ave. Click here for a newspaper article.
CAUTION: As of this date, a "sexual predator" lives 1,531 from the new park. Go to the Illinois Sex Offender Registry and search "Woodridge" for the offender on "Hampton Dr."
June 7, 2006 - I purchased cookies and brownies at Village Hall and Public Works and the Police Department for the "Cakes for Cancer" fundraiser for Relay for Life.
June 7, 2006 - I called Rep. Judy Biggert's office urging her to support HR5521 which would make all House of Representative office buildings smoke-free.
UPDATE: The smoke-free portion of HR5521 was removed from the bill and therefore not voted upon.
June 4, 2006 - I sent an email to Winfield Trustee Chris Levan supporting his right to free speech after he was censured for writing a Letter to the Editor. Click here for a newspaper article.
UPDATE: Trustee Levan thanked me for the support.
June 3, 2006 - I sent congratulatory notes to Downers Grove South students Sara Sobotka, Matt DuBois, and Stephanie Drope for being recognized by the Family and Consumer Services teachers at Downers Grove South. Click here for a newspaper article.
June 2, 2006 - I sent a congratulatory note to Woodridge resident Kelly Cushion for being named "2006 Outstanding Recreational Student" at Southern Illinois University. Click here for a newspaper article.
June 2, 2006 - My family and I attended a farewell party for Keith Frankland who is retiring after 34 years of service to the Woodridge Park District.
June 2, 2006 - I emailed Downers Grove District 58 Eighth Grade teacher Jay Swanstrom applauding him and his class for petitioning their elected officials to enact a smoking ban in DuPage County. Click here for a newspaper article.
May 31, 2006 - I sent an email to Woodridge Park District President Fred Hohnke urging him to make the Woodridge Jubilee 100% smoke-free. If China can make the 2008 Olympics smoke-free, certainly we can make the family-friendly Jubilee smoke-free.
UPDATE: There is no support on the Park District Board of Commissioners at this time.
May 30, 2006 - I asked the Village Administrator to provide more detail in the check register that the Village Board reviews every two weeks. Currently there are entries with no details as to the expenses. For example - there was an entry for $1,682.45 to an American Express card which included $1,300 for Mayor Murphy to attend a conference in LasVegas and $242 for Mayor Murphy to attend an IML meeting in Springfield.
UPDATE: The staff will work on providing more detail in the reports. They always provide more details upon request.
May 25, 2006 - I wrote a note to Woodridge resident Rob Pilch applauding him for his heroic actions in assisting a woman escape from a burning car. Click here for a newspaper article.
May 25, 2006 - My daughter and I attended a Public Works Appreciation lunch to help celebrate "Public Works Week."
May19, 2006 - My son and I attended the grand opening of "The Dock at Seven Bridges" which is an outside bar / grill situated off the world-class golf course. You don't have to golf to enjoy Seven Bridges.
May 19, 2006 - I sent congratulatory notes to Woodridge residents Sammi Wong, Raneya Shanmugam and Jackie Zarnovski for being recognized by Good Samaritan for their volunteer work. Click here for a newspaper article.
May 15, 2006 - I sent a congratulatory note (in Spanish) to Montini Catholic High School student Friedel Daniel for being inducted into the "Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica).
May 15, 2006 - Congratulations to Downers Grove North Senior Dorea Martin for her 2nd place award in the Foundations for Life essay contest. Click here for a newspaper article and essay.
May 14, 2006 - I sent a congratulatory note to Downers Grove South Senior Matt DuBois for being part of a team that won the National ProStart Students Invitational in North Carolina. Click here for a newspaper article.
May 11, 2006 - Click here for more non-sensical gay-bashing by local homophobe Wayne Lela. (Homophobia = irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals). More of Lela's ramblings are posted at February 27, 2006 below.
May 10, 2006 - I sent a letter to resident John Russell asking for his input on the diversity efforts in Woodridge. John attended a diversity forum at the College of DuPage. Click here for a newspaper article.
May 9, 2006 - I sent letters of congratulations to Woodridge residents Lindsey Hoppestad, Natalie Lorch and Katie Utesch for each being awarded a $1,000 college scholarship from the Woodridge Chamber of Commerce.
May 4, 2006 - I inquired about the DuPage Traffic Stop report, which shows that the population of Woodridge is 72% white and 28% minority but traffic stops were 64% white and 36% minority. Click here for the meeting minutes.
UPDATE: Traffic stops involve drivers from other towns traveling through Woodridge, as well as Woodridge residents, so the numbers can be deceiving. Officers are constantly evaluated regarding their performance.
May 4, 2006 - The Village Board voted 4-2 to increase the gasoline tax (which is used for road maintenance only) from 1.5 cents per gallon to 2.5 cents gallon (if you drive 12,000 miles a year at 20 miles per gallon, this will cost $6 a year). Click here for notes from the budget workshop. Trustees Kagann and Curran voted "no" because they both would prefer to have additional gas stations in town which could bring in more revenue with more volume sold.
UPDATE: I voted "yes" and disagreed with Trustee Curran's idea. One of my campaign promises was to "not put a gas station or strip mall on every corner" as I believe we have too many gas stations in Woodridge already.
May 4, 2006 - I sent an email to Berwyn Alderman Joel Erickson agreeing with his suggestion that Berwyn hire a professional village manager to run the city, as we have in Woodridge. Click here for an article.
UPDATE: Alderman Erickson thanked me for the note and promised to keep me informed.
April 27, 2006 - I send a congratulatory note to Woodridge resident Mary Yezek for being awarded a first-place ribbon at the Addison Art League show. Click here for a newspaper article.
April 24, 2006 - A resident contacted me about the Park District requiring him to tear down a bridge in his back yard over a stream that leads to a garden, food from which he gives to the local church and food pantry (see RITS51 for details).
April 22, 2006 - I sent a letter to Downers Grove North student and Woodridge resident Jennifer Turnholt congratulating her for being named a 2006 National Merit Scholarship winner.
April 20, 2006 - I voted against a development for 59th St. in Woodridge (see RITS50 for details).
April 20, 2006 - I voted against the re-appointment of Donn Zawacki to the Plan Commission. He has served on the Plan Commission for 25 years and I believe it's time for a change.
April 18, 2006 - I sent a fax to Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson congratulating him and the Elk Grove Village Board for passing strong smoking regulations.
UPDATE: Mayor Johnson replied and offered to help Woodridge go smoke-free. Click here for his letter.
April 14, 2006 - I inquired if Woodridge Village Hall was prepared for an emergency i.e. the fire that burned the Prospect Heights Village Hall to the ground. Click here for an article.
UPDATE:
April 11, 2006 - I sent an email to Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso congratulating him and the Burr Ridge Village Board for passing strong smoking regulations.
UPDATE: Mayor Grasso replied and offered to help Woodridge go smoke-free.
April 8, 2006 - I participated (my daughter was sick) in the "Community Clean-Up The Parks Day" sponsored by the Woodridge Park District. See the Photo Gallery page to see the 15+ bags of garbage collected from just our local park..
April 6, 2006 - I participated in a 3 1/2 hour budget workshop with the Village Board. UPDATE: Click here for the workshop minutes. Click here for my decisions and the Board's decisions. My proposals could have raised over $536,000 in revenue with little impact on the average Woodridge resident but they were all rejected by the Mayor and Village Board.
April 5, 2006 - I proposed that enact a 1% amusement tax on movie tickets and video rentals to pay for streetlights.
UPDATE: At the April 6th budget workshop, none of the other Trustees agreed with my proposal. It could have raised $155,000 in revenue.
April 1, 2006 - I inquired what sort of safeguards does Woodridge have in place to prevent the employee theft that occured in Bolingbrook. Click here for a newspaper article.
UPDATE: Click here for procedures following by Woodridge staff.
March 24, 2006 - I proposed that Woodridge raise liquor license fees by five times and use the extra revenue to fund additional DUI saturation patrols. We would waive the increase for any business that voluntarily went smoke-free.
UPDATE: At the April 6th budget workshop, none of the other Trustees agreed with my proposal. It could have raised $354,000 in revenue (if no businesses went smoke-free).
March 21, 2006 - I did not vote again in the Primary Election (I voted early). 5.5% of all voters in DuPage County voted early as well. Click here for a report.
March 18, 2006 - I sent congratulatory notes to Woodridge residents who were recognized for their volunteer work at Good Samaritan Hospital. Click here for a newspaper article.
March 18, 2006 - I sent a congratulatory note to Woodridge resident Simone Ymson for receiving a "superior" ranking in the Piano Festival at Grace Lutheran Church in LaGrange. Click here for a newspaper article.
March 18, 2006 - I sent a congratulatory note to Woodridge resident Mark Becker for being nominated in a national contest "Mr. Handyman." Click here for a newspaper article.
March 17, 2006 - A resident contacted me with concerns regarding a proposed development on 59th St. (see RITS50)
March 17, 2006 - I proposed that Woodridge raise tobacco licenses from our current $100 (for 32 stores) to $1,000 for small stores, $5,000 for large stores, which is the same as Elk Grove Village, to use for underage tobacco checks. Click here for a newspaper article.
UPDATE: At the April 6th budget workshop, none of the other Trustees agreed with my proposal. It could have raised $27,900 in revenue.
UPDATE: Almost all municipalities in Cook County will be smoke-free in March 2007 unless they opt-out.
March 14, 2006 - I sent an email to Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso applauding him for leading the effort to protect the public health by making Burr Ridge smoke-free.
UPDATE: The proposed smoking ban in Burr Ridge will be discussed and decided on April 10th.
March 13, 2006 - I inquired about nearly $13,000 in repair bills to six different Woodridge police cars.
UPDATE: The bills were for six vehicle accidents over four months. Three of them will be subrogated to reimbursement from the third party who caused the damage.
March 10, 2006 - Now that the Woodridge Community Resource Center at Janes & 83rd has signed a long-term lease, I encouraged the Village Administrator to take Western Remac up on their offer to supply a sign at low or no cost. Check the October 15, 2004 entry.
UPDATE: The Police Department felt a sign would endanger the children and others who use the Center (I don't understand how a generic sign would be dangerous) and so my colleagues rejected the sign.
March 10, 2006 - The police department is purchasing a portable surveillance camera ($24,000 apiece - cost shared with the Park District) to place in parks in Woodridge to monitor for vandalism, etc. I had a similar idea back in July 2004. Click here for part of my email to the Park District.
UPDATE: I suggested that we eventually put a surveillance camera in every park and have them accessible via the internet to enable residents to monitor the parks in addition to the police (who have internet access in their cars).
March 10, 2006 - I sent an email to Woodridge Park District Director Keith Frankland urging the Park District to ban smoking in all it's parks and facilities.
UPDATE: Smoking is already banned in all facilities; they will consider banning smoking in the parks.
March 9, 2006 - I sent a letter to Vernon Hills High School senior Mike Arshonsky congratulating him for collecting 350 signatures in support of a smoking ban in Vernon Hills. Click here for newspaper article.
March 3, 2006 - I attended a five-hour budget meeting with my colleagues on the Village Board and Village staff. A second budget meeting will be held on April 6th.
March 2, 2006 - My daughter and I attended "Read Across America" at the Woodridge Community Resource Center.
February 27, 2006 - I voted early in the March 21, 2006 primary election. Want to vote early? Click here for more information.
February 27, 2006 - Woodridge resident Wayne Lela sent more gay-bashing emails to the Village Board saying (I think) that if the Board bans smoking, we should ban homosexual activity? Click here for his emails and see if you can figure out what he is saying. Why speak out against hatred and prejudice towards gays? Click here for the 1946 quote by Martin Niemoller.
UPDATE: He has sent other anti-gay letters to the editor. See the April 15th entry on my Action 2004 page.
February 26, 2006 - My daughter received a 1st Place ribbon and a 2nd Place ribbon for her entries in the Darien Women's Club "Creative Children's Art Fair" (see the Photo Gallary page).
February 25, 2006 - My daughter and I attended the "Snowflake Ball" at Elizabeth Ide school sponsored by the PTO.
February 22, 2006 - I spoke with Elgin general services manager David Lawry regarding Elgin's efforts to bring the street lights in older neighborhoods up to modern standards. Click here for a newspaper article.
UPDATE: Elgin is considering adding 1,500 streetlights. We are facing similar issues in Woodridge having completed a survey that indicates we need 420 additional streetlights to bring all streets up to current code.
February 21, 2006 - I responded to a resident who had concerns about evergreen trees in a corner parkway that blocked the view of traffic (see RITS47).
February 17, 2006 - I attended the annual Woodridge Chili-Cookoff contest at the police station. I voted for Chili #12.
UPDATE: Chili #12 came in 2nd. I picked the 2nd place chili in 2005 also.
UPDATE: They will consider the idea.
February 16, 2006 - The Village Board held a workshop on the possibility of a sound wall for I-55 between Lemont Rd. and Woodward Ave. Click here for materials, click here for the minutes. Also check my December 7, 2004 entry. Click here for a newspaper article.
UPDATE: Engineering studies show minimal benefit beyond 500 feet of the $1.7 million soundwall. Since there are only 40 homes within 500 feet of I-55, the cost ($42,000 per home) is beyond what IDOT or the tollway will pay. The Village will continue to look for alternatives and federal money for the sound wall.
February 16, 2006 - The Woodridge Village Board unanimously approved a resolution urging the Illinois General Assembly to adopt a statewide smoking ban. Click here for the resolution. Click here for more smoke-free news.
February 15, 2006 - I sent letters of congratulations to Woodridge high school students Dave Dealba, Michael Erhart, Jeremy Jiloca, Mitul Mistry, Scott Parik, Mandy Zika, Adam Bykowski and Jimmy Doyle for receiving 2006 Scholastic Art Awards. Click here for a newspaper article.
February 15, 2006 - I sent a letter congratulating Woodridge resident Daniela Merk for being awarded a "Back-to-the-Books Scholarship" from the American Association of University Women. Click here for a newspaper article.
February 14, 2006 - I inquired if Woodridge, or some other governmental agency, inspects ice machines. Click here for an article that reported that ice from restaurant ice machines contained more bacteria than toilet water.
UPDATE: DuPage County inspects ice machines during regular restaurant inspections which occur between one and four times a year.
February 14, 2006 - I inquired if Woodridge would be interested in starting a mediation program similar to the one in Wilmette where neighbors can resolve disputes with a Village mediator that don't involve violations of municipal ordinances. Click here for more information.
UPDATE: No interest at this time.
February 10, 2006 - I sent letters of thanks to Woodridge residents who volunteer at the Woodridge Community Resource Center. Click here for a newspaper article.
February 6, 2006 - I inquiried if the Woodridge Police Department would be interested in supporting the Illinois Regional Air Support Service police helicopter. Click here for a newspaper article.
UPDATE: Woodridge rarely has a need for air support.
February 3, 2006 - I attended an informal reception for Woodridge Public Works employee Roy Martinez who is retiring after 27 years of service to the Village.
February 2, 2006 - At tonight's Board Meeting, I raised the issue of the street light problem in the Winston Hills subdivision. There are four streets, each 1/2 mile long, with only one streetlight on each street. Click here for more information.
03-03-06 UPDATE: Click here for a newspaper article, click here for a Letter to the Editor.
UPDATE: Click here for the minutes of the 02-02-06 Board Meeting.
February 1, 2006 - I sent an email to Lombard Trustee Ken Florey regarding the street light issues that are having in Lombard (which are similar to issues we have in Woodridge). Click here for a newspaper article.
UPDATE: Alderman Machon emailed me that the smoking ban passed. Click here for the ordinance.
January 25, 2006 - I proposed that the Woodridge Village Board pass two resolutions (1) urging the state legislature to pass HB4338 (to enact a state-wide smoking ban) and (2) urging the state legislature to pass SB2400 (to enable DuPage County to pass a county-wide smoking ban).
UPDATE: Click here for the resolution that will be placed on the February 16th agenda.
January 25, 2006 - I sent an email to County Board Member Kyle Gilgis expressing my disappointment in her vote not to protect workers from secondhand smoke. Click here for my email and newspaper article.
UPDATE: The DuPage County Board will ask the legislature to give them the ability to ban smoking in unincorporated areas only. The other 3rd District Members Tom Bennington and Michael McMahon voted "yes."
January 20, 2006 - I responded to a resident who had concerns about a flyer for a private event that had official Woodridge Police phone numbers printed on the invitation (see RITS46).
January 15, 2006 - Every Woodridge police car is equipped with a video camera to record traffic stops, etc. I inquired if the Police Department had plans for stationary surveillance cameras in strategic locations in Woodridge. Click here for a newspaper article about cameras in Tinley Park.
UPDATE: I made a similar inquiry on February 22, 2005 (no plans at that time).
January 15, 2006 - I inquired if the employees in Woodridge reflected the ethnic diversity of Woodridge residents as reported in the 2000 census (top four) White - 75.2%; Asian - 11.2%; Hispanic - 9.1%; Black - 8.0%.
Current Employees: White - 94%, Hispanic - 3%, Black - 3%, American
Indian/Alaskan Native and Asian or Pacific Islander - 1%
2005 Applicants: White - 70%, Hispanic - 10%, Black - 15%, American
Indian/Alaskan Native and Asian or Pacific Islander - 4%
2005 New Hires (16): White - 81%, Hispanic - 6%, Black - 13%, American Indian/Alaskan Native and Asian or Pacific Islander - 0%
(may not equal 100% due to rounding)
January 14, 2006 - I sent an email to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus asking if they had plans to coordinate a smoking ban for the Northern Illinois region.
UPDATE: no response
January 13, 2006 - Click here to follow the case of the Downers Grove teenagers charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery for attacking a Woodridge boy with a baseball bat. Case #04CF905 and 04CF165801.
UPDATE: Each defendant pled guilty and received a five year prison sentence. Click here for details.
UPDATE: Alderman Erickson replied with assurances that he will continue to represent his constituents despite the efforts against him.
UPDATE: They will make their recommendation to the DuPage County Board.
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