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Fellow Rich Township Residents,

I am pleased to report another year of accomplish-ments in serving the residents of Rich Township. This recognition comes from entities such as Pace, the Town-ship Officials of Illinois and others who are in a position to know our work. All of our performance measures are up, despite the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression. We did this by anticipating in-creased need in areas such as the Food Pantry, General Assistance, Senior Services and the Assessors offices. The Township staff is to be commended for their re-doubling of efforts to serve you. Above all, you are to be commended for being patient and confident in our ability to partially help you weather this storm.

As you are reading this, Spring has sprung. Spring marks new beginnings and we are proud to have dedi-cated our renovated Youth and Family Center to the late Leonard Robinson. “Len” Robinson was indeed a leg-endary figure; so integral to, and ingrained in the his-tory of Rich Township and the South Suburbs. You can read more about Len in this issue.

One of the Township staffers who is integral to the operation of the Family Center is Melissa Parker. Me-lissa is in charge of counseling services at the Youth and Family Center. She has done a stellar job in her short time with us, providing comprehensive counseling ser-vice to our residents. Melissa’s training is in psychology and mental health therapy. She has served as a coun-selor in a juvenile detention center and has provided services to adult populations as well. Her main focus will be on helping our homeless residents – especially women – find housing. As a needed adjunct, she will

also offer life counseling and problem resolution services to her clients. In keeping with my “service connector” initia-tive of the Township, Melissa will also provide referrals to appropriate agencies based on the specific needs of the client. In other words, Melis-sa will be there to serve as a human services resource for residents who have nowhere else to turn.

At this time, the staff and I are preparing for our annual Town Meeting in April. We’ll have a detailed presentation of the entire year as usual. I’m also going to talk about other vital issues that impact the Township. These is-sues include the economic stimulus package, the state capital construction bill, and grant funding in general.

In closing, I want to express my hearty thanks to you, the residents of Rich Township, for your gracious support. Good people are in place and good things are planned to happen in all levels of government. Let’s make it so.

Sincerely,

Al RileyAl Riley, AICPRich Township Supervisor

A Message From Supervisor Al Riley

Supervisor Al Riley

Family Center dedicated to ‘legendary’ Len Robinson

During a ceremony on March 17, Rich Township dedicated its newly expanded Family Center to the late Leonard Robinson, who was one of Park Forest’s and Rich Township’s most renowned and respected com-munity leaders.

More than 50 people attended the ceremony, including Cook County President Todd Stroger, as well as Yvonne Robinson, the late Mr. Rob-inson’s wife, and two of their sons, Dr. Leonard Robinson Jr. and Dr. Carl Robinson, both physicians.

The building was expanded to twice its size with a federal Com-munity Development Block Grant administered by Cook County. The facility will house a summer camp for junior high school children, a life counseling center, and an informa-tion resource center for struggling residents and families.

“Naming the building after Len Robinson is fitting because he cared so passionately about young people and social justice,” said Rich Town-ship Supervisor Al Riley. “Up until the day he passed away, he was here directing the Township’s youth programs, tutoring and mentoring our young teens. He held many po-sitions in Rich Township over the years, including township highway commissioner. His family was one of the first African American families to move into Park Forest in 1963. Len Robinson was a legendary figure in the South Suburbs.”

Helping to dedicate the new Leonard Robinson Family Center are (from left), Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, Rich Township Administrator Tim Brad-ford, Township Supervisor Al Riley, Township Trustee Elliott Johnson, Yvonne Robinson, Trustee Therese Goodrich, Trustee Karen Caesar Smith, Highway Com-missioner Calvin Jordan, Dr. Carl Robinson and Dr. Leonard Robinson Jr.

Stroger said Mr. Robinson remind-ed him of his own father, the late John Stroger, longtime Cook County Board president. “They were both men who cared about people and made things happen,” he said.

Stroger also said that in the near future he plans to have an employee in the Cook County Planning Depart-ment “concentrate solely on the South Continued on page 2

Suburbs. We know a lot of people here who need attention,” he said. “You can depend on us to be there when you need us.”

Yvonne Robinson said she still runs across the children’s drawings that Len brought home with him over the years when he worked as the Township’s youth director.

2 Rich Township RepoRT spRing 2009

Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias helps pack bags for residents in need at the Rich Township Food Pantry, as Pantry Director Vicki Sline looks on. Giannoulias visited the Pantry and the Matteson Area Rotary Club in February.

Robinson Center… Continued from Page 1

“He talked about Rich Town-ship all the time—the people and the activities,” she said. “Other than his family, the Township was the other part of his life. So I’m happy you’re doing this, and the Robinson and Gavin families will continue to do what they can for Rich Township.”

Dr. Carl Robinson described his father as “smart, athletic and always giving back to the com-munity. He was the richest man I know. The mark he left and what he meant to so many people is more important than money.”

Dr. Len Robinson Jr., whose practice is in Rich Township, thanked the Township for naming the building after his father.

“He was to me an unbelievable person. He always seemed to have an answer or a solution to any problem. Thank you for honoring him in such a wonderful way.”

Dr. Robinson said he plans to start an annual scholarship in his father’s name, which will be given to “someone who is community-oriented and believes in helping people.”

Rich Township Highway Com-missioner Calvin Jordan said Rob-inson “touched the lives of a lot of people,” and he was always con-cerned abut “helping the down-trodden and indigent.”

A photo of Leonard and Yvonne Robinson is in the Smithsonian

Yvonne Robinson with her sons, Dr. Leonard Robinson Jr. (left) and Dr. Carl Robinson.

The new Rich Township Family Center sign was unveiled at the ceremony.

The Family Center is named for the late Len Robinson.Institution in Washington D.C., as part of a permanent exhibit titled “America on the Move.”

Mr. Robinson also was the first African American elected to the Board of Education of Rich Town-ship High School District 227 in 1972. He was elected Rich Town-ship Highway Commissioner in 1993, making him the first African American in the state of Illinois to serve as a township highway com-missioner, as well as the first black elected official in Rich Township.

Therese Goodrich, president of the Park Forest Historical Society, described Mr. Robinson as “a true history-maker.”

Road District trims trees for spring

Tree trimming and chipping schedule

This past winter ranks among the top four worst in terms of snow accumulation and the num-ber of days in single-digit temper-atures.

“It’s been a very rough winter and we’re all looking forward to springtime,” said High-way Commissioner Cal-vin Jordan.

The Road District is preparing for its annual Arbor Day celebration on April 24 and also its annual Tree Trimming and Chipping for Unin-corporated Rich Town-ship, which begins March 30 and continues through May 7. (See schedule below)

The Road District will be working closely with Sheriff Tom Dart’s SWAP team on April 17.

“This will give the District more manpower to remove debris from the ditches and allow us to make sure there are no blockages in dams or in Butterfield Creek from

the recent downpours,” Commis-sioner Jordan said.

This spring, the District will begin its annual Beautification

Program. “We will be partnering with the Uni-versity of Illinois Exten-sion Program, planting flowers and installing shade trees,” Commis-sioner Jordan said

Anyone interested in volunteering may con-tact Jayde Winters at the Road District office at (708) 228-5050 or email us at highway@richtownship.org

“We at the Road Dis-trict look forward this spring to providing services to residents of Unincorporated Rich Township,” Commissioner Jordan said.

For any suggestions on how the Road District can better serve you—the residents of Unincor-porated Rich Township—please contact Commissioner Calvin Jor-dan at (708) 228-5050.

The Rich Township Highway Department’s Tree Trimming and Chipping Service is for Unincorporated Rich Township only. The dates and areas are as follows:

LeClaire & 183rd Street March 30 to April 2Homeland Road Area April 6 to April 9Sunny Crest Area April 13 to April 16Crawford Countryside April 20 to April 23;

April 27 to April 30Maple, Polk, Dewey & Davis May 4 – May 7

The Wood Chip Mulch Program begins March 30 and continues through May 7. This program is on a first-come-first-served basis

Highway Commissioner Calvin Jordan

spRing 2009 Rich Township RepoRT 3

Fresh produce available for low-income families

The Greater Chicago Food Depository offers a Fresh Produce Day for low-income residents on the first Wednesday of ev-ery month, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the transpor-tation garage of Rich Township, 22013 Governors Hwy., Richton Park. Please note that doors do not open until 9:30 am. All south subur-ban residents in need are eligible to pick up a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. The next Fresh Produce Days are April 1, May 6 and June 3. Call Pantry Director Vicki Sline at (708) 748-6722 for more information.

Rich Township Supervisor Al Riley will host “Jazz in the Park for Charity 2009” at Bi-Centennial Park in Olympia Fields on July 26. The public is invited to come and enjoy an evening filled with fan-tastic cuisine from fine local area restaurants and entertainment by nationally renowned jazz artists.

Jazz in the Park was originally developed to benefit not-for-prof-it organizations in the south suburban region. Thousands of Southland residents have supported this event and know it as an evening not to be missed.

Artists that have graced the stage in past years have included jazz legend Ramsey Lewis and singer Dee Alexander. As in past

years, all proceeds will benefit the participating not-for-profit organi-zations.

“I extend an invitation to area businesses and organizations to become the sponsors of this ex-citing event,” Riley said. “All spon-

sors will be featured in our program book, listed on

signs throughout the venue during the event, and will be featured on our Jazz in the Park for Charity 2009 website.”

The 2009 logo for Jazz in the Park was de-

signed by Susan Coleman Parks.

For more information about Jazz in the Park or sponsorship opportunities, call Annette Ellis, chief legislative aide to Al Riley, at 799-4364.

Jazz in the PaRk set FoR JuLy 26

Clerk’s Corner

By Bobbie King Rich Township Clerk

Opening of Family CenterI am extremely happy to hear

about the opening of Rich Town-ship’s Family Service Center. The center will provide life counsel-ing for families and serve as an information resource center for residents seeking outside help and support for their problems and circumstances.

This service is very much needed in our Township. In my full time job as a victim wit-ness specialist at the Markham Courthouse, I help the victims of violent crimes and their fami-lies navigate through the court system. In too many cases, such as domestic violence, the crimes were committed by family mem-bers.

It’s also vital that we get the message across to our youth that dating violence is unaccept-able behavior. This is what I try to emphasize in a Domestic Vio-lence Education Program that I coordinate within the schools of Rich Township High School Dis-trict 227. We teach students the warning signs of teenage dating violence. I explain to them that in all the years I’ve worked with domestic violence, I know for

certain that once a man hits you, the abuse will continue and es-calate. It’s about power and con-trol. A woman sometimes feels she’s the cause of abuse, which is totally untrue. Nothing justi-fies hitting a woman and noth-ing justifies hitting someone you supposedly love and care about.

As a domestic violence coun-selor, I strongly believe that women out there need to know that the most dangerous time for a woman in a domestic vio-lence relationship is when she decides to move out. Don’t be convinced to go back—it could cost you your life and the lives of your children.

With the opening of the Fam-ily Center, more of our families will find the proper resources to get the help and support they need to break away from a threatening situation.

Vehicle stickersI would like to remind resi-

dents of unincorporated Rich Township that 2009 vehicle stickers will be available at the end of May. Meanwhile, unin-corporated residents who have purchased a new vehicle can still buy a 2008 sticker at the Township office.

Rich Township Clerk Bobbie King, whose day job is victim wit-ness specialist at the Markham Courthouse, registers Sean Berry to vote at the Township Office.

As of March 20, non-for-profit organi-zations participating in the charity event and that will benefit from the proceeds include:

Center for MutiCultural �Communities Coalition of African American �Nurses – Academy of NursingCooperative Jewish Council � Grand Prairie Services Foundation � JASSAC Charitable Foundation Inc. � Josephine Elizabeth Seton �Franklin Foundation, Theta Rho Omega Chapter �of Alpha Phi Alpha League of Women Voters of �Homewood-FlossmoorSertoma Centre �SouthStar Services � South Suburban Chicago Links �

Supervisor Al Riley unveils the 2009 logo for Jazz in the Park, which was designed by Susan Coleman Parks, who is pictured at right.

Sign up for summer campRegistration is now in progress

for Rich Township’s 2009 Summer Teen Camp for 12- to 14-year-olds that live within the Township.

The six-week program begins June 22 and runs through July 31. The camp meets four days a week, Monday through Thursday, from approximately 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Children will enjoy a variety of healthy summer activities under the supervision of youth counsel-ors. Activities include roller-skat-ing, swimming, bowling, minia-ture golf, a trip to Great America, and more.

For more information or to reg-ister, call Joe Moran at 748-6722.

When and where to vote

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day April 7.If you do not know your polling place, call Cook County

Elections at (312) 603-0906 or visit www.voterinfonet.com.

4 Rich Township RepoRT spRing 2009

Seniors must refile for Circuit Breaker benefits

annual town Meeting on

april 14

FRoM the assessoR’s oFFiCe:Notices, reminders, and new exemptions

spouse, as long as the spouse owns the property, lives there, and does not remarry. Exemp-tions may be transferred to a new property if the surviving spouse moves to a new pri-mary residence and does not remarry. The new exemption takes effect for 2007 taxes (paid in 2008).

Exemption Amount: $5,000 for disabilities �of 75% or more $2,500 for disabilities �between 50% and 75%

Disabled Person Homestead Exemption

This exemption is available for owner-occupied properties owned by a “disabled person” who is liable for paying the property taxes on the property. A disabled person is a person who is “unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically de-terminable physical or mental impairment which can be ex-pected to result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.” The exemption amount is $2,000. The new exemption takes ef-fect for 2007 taxes (paid in 2008).

Property owner can prove disability by:

Receiving Social Security �disability benefits; Having an Illinois �Disability Identification Card showing a Class 2 disability; Meeting the disability �standards of the Social Security administration.

How to contact usThe Rich Township Asses-

sor’s office can be reached at 748-6722, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday until 7 p.m.

Senior Freeze renewal applications

The Cook County Assessor’s Office recently mailed the Se-nior Freeze Renewal Applica-tions. This mailing was sent to those seniors who received a 2007 Senior Freeze Exemp-tion. To qualify for the Senior Freeze, you must be 65 years of age or older, own your home for at least the past two years, and have a total house-hold income of $55,000 or less for tax year 2008. In addition, for tax year 2008, those prop-erties that had a 2007 Senior Exemption, and have not sold, will be pre-qualified to receive the 2008 Senior Exemption.

Homeowners Exemption Booklet

No date has been set for the mailing of the Homeowners Exemption Booklet. Seniors who do not file their renewal forms by the deadline and new homeowners should receive this booklet. Homeowners un-der the age of 65, who have previously had the Homeown-ers Exemption, should receive their exemption automatically.

Senior Homestead Exemption

Anyone who recently turned 65 in 2008 is now eligible to apply for the Senior Home-stead Exemption. A driver’s li-cense or state ID—with your current address, and a recent tax bill—are needed to file this application. If you need help filling out any of these forms, please contact my office. We will be happy to assist you.

Notary reminderThe Senior Assessment

Freeze application needs to be notarized and your 2007 total household income is needed to complete this form. Once

Deputy Township Assessor Pam Barton (right) helps Barbara Jackson Hicks of Country Club Hills file for a Senior Exemption on her property taxes at Rich Township.

Dee Marnell, assistant to the Assessor, helps Jesse Cox of Country Club Hills appeal his property taxes at the Rich Township office.

again, we will be glad to as-sist you in preparing this form and also notarize it free of charge.

Reminder: Pay Your 1st Installment Tax Bill

The 1st installment tax bills for 2008 (payable in 2009) were due March 3, 2009. If you have not already paid this installment, please do so as soon as possible. A penalty of 1.5% per month will accrue on all unpaid balances.

New exemptionsTwo new exemptions are

the Disabled Veterans Stan-dard Homestead Exemption and the Disabled Person Homestead Exemptions.

Disabled Veterans’ Standard Homestead Exemption

This exemption is available for owner-occupied residenc-es owned by “veterans with a service-connected disability” of a certain percentage, “as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Af-fairs.” This benefit is also avail-able for a veteran’s surviving

Nurses needed for blood pressure screenings

Senior Citizens are reminded that the time has come to once again file your NEW 2008 Circuit Breaker-Illinois Cares Rx Application (Form IL-1363.

This application is required to receive your next Rent/Property Tax refund, and your next license plate discount. It is also re-quired to continue receiving help with your prescription drug costs in 2010.

Even if you just recently submitted your 2007 Circuit Breaker/Illinois Cares Rx appli-cation in 2008, you must submit another ap-plication for 2009.

It is required by the state that you must file early every year to continue receiving any of the three benefits. The 2008 applications are available now in the Shirley J Green Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, Park Forest.

Remember, three benefits are available, but only one application is required for ev-erything: your Rent/Property Tax Refund, mediations and license plate discount.

If you need help filing your application, call the Senior Center at 748-5454 to make a reservation.

Rich Township will hold its annual Town Meeting at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 14 at the Shirley J. Green Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, Park Forest.

More information is at 748-6722.

The Rich Township Senior Center is in need of nurses to take blood pressure read-ings on Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Interested volunteers may call Se-nior Center Director Sally Fuhrmann at 748-5454.

The Township Food Pantry is asking for volunteers to work at the Greater Chicago Food Depository once a month to help the Township Pantry earn credit dollars. Volun-teers would work twice a month. Transpor-tation is provided. More information is with Vicki Sline at 748-6722.

Free anemia testThe Park Forest Health Department will

administer a FREE hemoglobin test for ane-mia on Thursday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Shirley J. Green Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, Park Forest. No fasting is required, and no reservation is required. Those participating can also take advantage of the Senior Center’s free weekly blood pressure screening. More information about the anemia testing is with the Park Forest Health Department at 748-1118.

spRing 2009 Rich Township RepoRT 5

More people using township services

According to Rich Township Administrator Tim Bradford, the sta-tistics listed below show that due to the economic downturn, more people have been using Rich Township services during the first quar-ter of 2009.

Township buses transported ❱❱ 16,138 riders from January through March 2009. The Food Pantry provided food to ❱❱ 2,000 families or 7,132 individuals from January through March 2009. The Rich Township Assessor’s Office provided tax ❱❱assistance to about 2,500 people and had over 3,000 phone calls from January through March 2009.

The Rich Township Clerk’s Office provided the following services for the first quarter ( January through March of 2009):

Registered ❱❱ 12 individuals to vote. Processed ❱❱ 31 passport applications. Assisted ❱❱ 23 people in obtaining permanent disabled parking placards.Issued ❱❱ 9 temporary disabled parking placards.Provided free Notary Public service.❱❱

Issued ❱❱ 37 Cook County vehicle stickers to residents of unincorporated Cook County.

Rich Township Senior Center statistics

A total of 9,489 participated in senior services and activities from January through March 2009. The breakdown is as follows:

In-Home Service Clients: ❱❱ 159 servedCase Management Contacts: ❱❱ 627 contacts Home-delivered Meals: ❱❱ 1,242 meals delivered

Participation increased in the following senior activities:

Movie: ❱❱ 46Flexercise classes: ❱❱ 1,125Cards: ❱❱ 123Needlework class: ❱❱ 86Art class: ❱❱ 84Health Screening: ❱❱ 73Monthly trip: ❱❱ 125Podiatrist: ❱❱ 160Blood pressure: ❱❱ 308 AARP Safe Driving ❱❱Class: 34

Line Dancing: ❱❱ 196Senior Chorus: ❱❱ 62Walking Club: ❱❱ 41Yoga: ❱❱ 87

Special Senior Programs:

CNN Party (February ❱❱13): 85 St. Pat’s Party ❱❱(March 17): 120

Riley named supervisor of the year

Al Riley was named Illinois Township Supervisor of the Year for his commitment to providing senior services.

The award was presented by the Illinois Township Association of Senior Citizens Services Com-mittee.

“Al has always been a per-son to help our seniors,” said Sally Fuhrmann, director of Rich Township Senior Services. “If he finds a need out there, he will do all that he can to assist those individuals, and he will look at all options to achieve his goal.” Riley, in his capacity as state rep-resentative, worked on the Mass Transit Bill to ensure all aspects of the bill met the needs of the south suburban region. As a re-sult of the Mass Transit Bill’s passage in February 2008, Rich Township was able to receive funds through PACE to continue full operation of its paratransit service for senior citizens age 55 years and older, disabled resident of any age, and low-income meal recipients. The Township’s para-transit service provides 70,000 trips annually and has the larg-est ridership of any paratransit service in the south suburbs.

“He impacted the lives and freedom of thousands of south suburban seniors,” said Pat Pe-ters, director of Rich Township’s Transportation Department. “Without our transportation system, many seniors would be homebound because there’s no public bus system available in the south suburbs. They’d be forced to rely on relatives, friends and neighbors for simple tasks like grocery shopping.”

Riley also steered Rich Town-ship to apply for an RTA ICE grant.

In November, the RTA awarded the Township a $150,000 grant to purchase a Global Position-ing System and scheduling soft-ware. The grant will enable the Township to expand transporta-tion for medical appointments to any hospital or facility in the Chicagoland area for outpatient surgeries, chemotherapy, radia-tion treatments and other medi-cal procedures. Rich Township is currently the only township in the region to provide this type of transportation.

According to Peters, the grant will also enable the Township to partner with the neighboring townships of Bloom, Bremen, Thornton, Peotone and Frank-fort, as well as surrounding mu-nicipalities, and regional agen-cies like the American Cancer Society in Tinley Park.

“Now we’ll be able to expand this important transportation program throughout the south suburban region so our seniors and other residents can travel long distances to their hospital of choice for outpatient treat-ment,” Peters said.

“We believe the new GPS sys-tem and scheduling software will potentially open up medical transportation service to 20,000 new senior customers. There’s such a pressing demand for bus service to medical appointments for outpatient procedures. So many seniors have absolutely no one to take them to weekly chemotherapy and radiation treatments, or laser treatments to improve their eyesight,” Peters said.

More information about Rich Township’s transportation pro-gram is at (708) 748-6722.

Rich Township Trustee Elliott Johnson interviews Norris Jackson, a se-nior at Rich South High School. Jackson has applied for a Township Officials of Illinois scholarship. He plans to attend Bradley University, majoring in business management.

6 Rich Township RepoRT spRing 2009

Driver Kris Phelps (left) and passenger Ursula Nordquist of Park For-est stand next to Rich Township’s newest PACE van. It’s the Township’s first bus that can hold four wheelchairs and its largest passenger vehicle, with a 15-person capacity.

Administrator’s MessageNormally I use my message to talk about

the Township’s latest accomplishments and statistics. But today, I would like to pay trib-ute to Elonzo W. “Lonnie” Hill, who was a res-ident of Country Club Hills and Rich Town-ship.

There are many in Rich Township who know of the passing of Mr. Hill and have ex-pressed their sorrow; but to those who did not know him, allow me to comment about this exceptional man who left us far too soon. I recall Adlai Stevenson once saying, “It is not the years in a life that count, it is the life in the years.”

I would like to tell you a little about the Lonnie Hill that I knew. Mr. Hill was a long-time transit advocate for the South Suburbs.

He had the ability to look at transit issues from the point of view of the everyday commuter. He was a man who was comfortable wherever he went and with whomever he was shar-ing his time. Mr. Hill always met every person and situation he encountered with enthusiasm, concern and energy.

As the Vice Chairman of the Metra Board, he fought for improvements in service and funding for the residents of the South Suburbs that use the electric line.

When Lonnie Hill set his hand, mind and will to some task, he did it with a vitality that made you realize he was not going to let go until the job was finished. He was always giving of his time as a mentor in the Rich Township Youth Pro-gram, and he always spoke to the need for donations for the Rich Township Food Pantry.

Lonnie Hill had no enemies; there were people who disagreed with him—and that included me from time to time—but we all respected him, and his opinions as well. Indeed, Lonnie Hill was respected by all as a man of honor and integrity. This is the life of which I write; this is the vitality—this was Lonnie Hill. I and the many, many friends he left behind will always cherish that memory.

Township Administrator Tim Bradford

CNN site offers nutritious lunchSenior citizens of all income levels are invited to lunch weekdays

at the Community Nutrition Network site, located inside Rich Town-ship’s Shirley J. Green Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, Downtown Park Forest.

All seniors, regardless of their income level, are eligible for the CNN lunch program. The CNN site is open to all south suburban resi-dents, including those living outside of Rich Township. Participants must be 60 years of age or older. The suggested donation for lunch is $2.25. Lunch is served Monday through Friday at noon. Bingo begins at 11 a.m. For more information or to make a reservation for lunch, phone 747-2700.

Park Forest police and firefighters are helping deliver meals to home-bound senior citizens within the community.

The two departments alternate delivering 200 meals to the residents of Juniper Towers on behalf of the Community Nutrition Network and Senior Services Association, located inside Rich Township’s Shirley J. Green Senior Center in downtown Park Forest.

Everyone from Chief Tom Fleming to regular beat police officers pack the frozen meals into their squads on the third Friday of the month. Mean-while, fire officials deliver on the second Friday of each month. Bill Wheeler, a volunteer firefighter with the Steger Estates Fire Department in Crete, delivers on the first Friday of the month.

“I love our Park Forest police and fire,” said Sandra O’Neill site man-ager of the CNNSSA nutrition site. “They’re more than willing to help. They’re very involved in the com-munity. Our seniors are a priority to them. Both the police and firefight-ers have been coming to our meal site at Rich Township for more than five years. They judge our Halloween party, donate prizes, and have served food to our seniors on many occa-sions.”

O’Neill said her husband Scott used to deliver the meals himself ev-

ery single Friday for two years. When he died suddenly a year ago, Sandy and a food aide tried to take over the job, but it was extremely difficult.

“I decided to call Deputy Chief Mi-chael McNamara. He was more than willing to help. I also called the fire department and they said the same thing. In December, Mike McNamara was out here on the worst day of year getting those meals to seniors. I was so grateful. He was my hero.”

O’Neill said the involvement of the police and firefighters is a good thing for the community. In the past few months, even more community groups have become involved. Staff members of the Park Forest Public Library now deliver meal packs on the fourth Friday of the month.

“This is how it should be—we should all care about our seniors.”

Chief Fleming said that he is “hap-py to have an opportunity to help people who need taking care of.”

The frozen five-pack meal pro-gram is partly funded by the Meals on Wheels Foundation.

The CNNSSA also offers a week-day senior lunch program at the Se-nior Center for a suggested donation of $2.25 per meal.

“It’s more than dining—it’s social-izing,” O’Neill said. “People dining here have made truly great friends.” More information about the lunch program is at 747-2700.

Police and firefighters deliver meals to seniors

Library staff members join the effort

Park Forest Fire Capt. Mike Wheeler (from left). Lt. Steve Bobzin and firefighter Pat Heisel load frozen meals into their department cars to deliver to homebound senior citizens in Juniper Towers.

Park Forest Police Chief Tom Fleming packs frozen meals into his squad car to deliver to homebound senior citizens.

Lonnie Hill

spRing 2009 Rich Township RepoRT 7

Bargain shop at the Lighthouse outlet

The deadline is April 6 to make reservations for a bargain shopping trip to the Lighthouse Outlet in Michigan City, Indiana.

There are a wide variety of stores to choose from—and bar-gains galore. A few of the design-er stores to choose from include Anne Klein, Bass Shoes, Coldwa-ter Creek, Jockey, L’eggs-Hanes-Bali-Playtex, Old Navy, Van Heusen, Wilson Leather, Yankee Candle and Bath & Body Works.

The cost of the trip is $17. Par-

ticipants pay for their own lunch at a local eatery. The bus de-parts promptly at 9:30 a.m. from the parking lot of the Shirley J. Green Senior Center in Park For-est. Payment for the trip must be made within two days of making your reservation Reservations will be taken only by phone on Monday, April 6. Call 748-5454 to make your reservation. Callers are asked not leave a voicemail message when making a reser-vation.

LeaRn aBout eLite PoLiCe units

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office will come to the Shirley J. Green Senior Center on Tues-day, April 7 at 10 a.m. to discuss the Hostage Barricade Terrorist Team.

The elite team is comprised of cross-trained officers from the Sheriff’s Police who assist Cook County and other requesting law

enforcement agencies with 24-hour tactical response to high risk or critical incidents.

Please call the Senior Center at (708) 748-5454 to sign up.

S.A.L.T. is an extension of the Cook County Sheriff’s Senior Law Enforcement Academy. Refresh-ments will be served.

Extended Wednesday hoursThe Clerk’s and Assessor’s Offices are open every Wednesday until

7 p.m. to better serve the residents of Rich Township.

aaRP meets april 20The Rich Township Chapter of AARP will host its monthly meet-

ing at 1:15 p.m. on Monday, April 20 at the CNN Senior Dining site, located at the Shirley J. Green Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, Park Forest. After the usual order of business, a guest speaker will offer an informative program. Refreshments will be served. More information is at 748-5454.

senior Companions needed

Volunteers are needed for Rich Township’s Senior Companion Pro-gram. Volunteers will receive a tax-free monthly stipend, mileage and meals allowance and paid holidays. Applicants must be 60 years of age or older, live in south suburban Cook County, and meet income guidelines. Preference will be given to applicants who own a car. Se-nior companions visit frail, homebound senior citizens for at least 15 hours a week. More information is with Commodore Edmond, direc-tor of the Senior Companion Program, at 228-5038.

apply for passports at Rich township

Passports are now required for all travel outside the continental limits of the United States.

The Rich Township Clerk’s Office is a Passport Acceptance Facility and is currently processing passport applications.

All the forms necessary to apply for a passport are available at the Township Office, 22013 Governors Hwy., Richton Park.

The total processing fee is $100 for individuals 16 years of age or older; and $85 for children under the age of 16. The fees and require-ments are exactly the same at all passport acceptance facilities.

Processing takes approximately 4-6 weeks from the date of application.

An applicant must bring in proof of citizenship, such as a certified copy of a birth cer-tificate; two headshot photos against a white background; and identi-fication, such as a driv-er’s license or state iden-tification.

The U.S. Department of State now requires ev-eryone, including children, to appear in person at the passport facility.

Passports are processed 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fri-day; and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Call Deputy Clerk Debbie Pascarella at 748-6722 for more information.

senior Fair 2009 set for May 15

The public is invited to Senior Fair 2009 on Friday, May 15, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Rich Township’s Shirley J. Green Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, in Downtown Park Forest.

The fair will offer information about services and activities avail-able to seniors by agencies in the south suburban area. Toward the end of the fair, there will be a raf-fle with great prizes. A large item donated by the Senior Fair will also be raffled off.

The event is a joint venture between the Park Forest Rotary Club, the Park Forest Senior Com-

mission and Rich Township. Fur-ther information is at 748-5454.

Those 60 years of age and older are welcome to have lunch at the Community Nutrition Net-work Senior Dining site located in the Senior Center. The suggested donation is $2.25. Those interest-ed in having lunch are asked to call 747-2700 in advance to make a reservation. The only require-ment to have lunch is that you or your spouse be 60 years of age or older. If you need transportation, reduced fair rides are available by calling Rich Township Transpor-tation at 748-6727.

VoLunteeR FoR hungeR WaLk

The Rich Township Food Pan-try needs walkers to take part in the Greater Chi-cago Food De-pository’s annual Hunger Walk on Saturday, June 20, along Chicago’s beautiful Mon-trose Harbor.

Proceeds from the 2 1/2-mile walk will help the Township Food Pantry provide food to the more than 2,000 people every month.

A bus will de-part from the Township Office at 7:30 a.m. and should return home by 1 p.m. The walk begins at 9:30 a.m. Re-

freshments, snacks and a t-shirt will be provided to all walkers.

Pledge sheets can be picked up at the Town-ship Office, 22013 Governors High-way, Richton Park. Those who cannot attend may spon-sor a walker or send a donation to the Township. Every pledge di-rectly benefits the Rich Township Pantry.

Pa r t i c i p an t s who would like to ride the Town-ship bus to the Hunger Walk may call Pantry Direc-tor Vicki Sline at

748-6722.

8 Rich Township RepoRT spRing 2009

Your Rich Township Officials

SupervisorAl Riley748-6722

ClerkBobbie G.King748-6722

AssessorCarol Ranieri748-6722

CollectorCarol Marshall748-6722

Highway CommissionerCalvinJordan747-3616

TrusteeTherese H.Goodrich748-6722

TrusteeElliott H.Johnson748-6722

TrusteeMannyHoffman748-6722

TrusteeKarenCaesar-Smith748-6722

Township AdministratorTimBradford748-6722

editor’s noteThe Rich Township Report is written,

edited and photographed by Mary Paleologos, Public Information Director for the Township. Layout and Design by Cory Ottenwess.

Seniors Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Jack Foreman

Norm PepinRoad Commissioner Calvin Jordan distributes his sur-prise St. Patrick’s Day gifts to senior citizens at the party.

(From left) Township Administrator Tim Bradford, Park Forest Police Chief Tom Fleming, CNN Site Director Sandra O’Neill, and Park Forest Manager Tom Mick.

Mary Bjorkland

Are you a senior citizen who wants to socialize more, or enjoy a nutritious lunch while making new friends? Start enjoying the companionship of hundreds of other seniors simply by making a phone call to Senior Services Director Sally Fuhrmann at 748-5454 or CNN Site Director Sandra O’Neill at 747-2700. Or stop by the Senior Center at 297 Liberty Drive, downtown Park Forest.

Clerk Bobbie King serves lunch to seniors.