February 2016

VILLAGE PRESIDENT, ROBERT “BOB” KOLOSH

Village of Thornton Newsletter

Village Hall

115 E Margaret St Thornton, Illinois 60476 Phone (708) 877-4456

Fax (708) 877-4458

www.thornton60476.com

Hours Monday - Friday

9am - 5pm Saturday

9am - 12pm

VILLAGE PRESIDENT Robert “Bob” Kolosh

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR Doug Beckman

CLERK/COLLECTOR Debbie Pisarzewski

DEPUTY CLERK

Nerissa Major

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Kathie Parise

NEWSLETTER EDITOR Sharlee Dunlop

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Ernest “Bo” Kaye

Kim Atkinson

Tom Ehlers

Joseph Pisarzewski

David Hudson

Debra Paris

Visit us at www.thornton60476.com for agendas and meeting packets. Meetings are

open to the public.

Village Committee Meetings

are held on the first and

third Mondays of every

month at 7:00pm. Village

Board Meetings are immedi-

ately following at 7:30pm.

The Planning and Develop-

ment Commission Meetings

are held on the second

Wednesday of the month

at 7:30pm.

I would like to wish all of our residents a Happy New Year with the hope that you will all have a great 2016! The winter so far has been great for all of our residents and staff. On the few days we have had snow, the Public Works De-partment, as usual, has done a fantastic job of keeping our village streets clean and salted. Again this year, our Fire Department will be plowing over 100 drive-ways for our Senior/Disabled Driveway Program.

As was presented in February of 2015, I would like to inform our residents of the continued improvements within the village, regarding our current and new busi-nesses. Here are a few of the highlights:

Continued success of Jimbooo’s Beef and Catering.

Skyline Furniture Corporate Headquarters completed - $1.1 million dollar project.

Harcros Chemicals Inc. continues to invest at their Canal Street location. Estimated total project is approximately $2 million dollars.

Extensive progress on the Thorn Creek Senior Living Center with an anticipated grand opening soon - $11-$12 million dollar investment.

The Soltis Distillery is making progress in their remodel for an anticipated invest-ment of $3-$5 million dollars.

Thank you to John Melendez for relocating and investing $100,000 to remodel JDM Collision at 601 N Williams St, with the hope of expansion in the future.

The Thornton Fire Department took delivery of a new ambulance this spring - paid in full.

Public Works took delivery of a new Superintendent truck and 3-ton dump truck both vehicles are paid in full.

The exterior upgrades to the Recreation/Community Center and Police Department are finished.

Sale of land for Menards expansion for $406,000, including a negotiated a Sales Tax Revenue Sharing Agreement with Homewood. Thornton will receive a mini-mum of $35,000 per year, with the potential for more over the next 20 years.

Sale of property to MWRD for $108,315.

All proceeds from land sales are deposited into a Capital Fund for future village improvements.

We have accomplished much in the village and have continued progress, bring-ing new revenue to our village which allows us to make much needed improve-ments for all of our residents. Major upcoming projects for 2016:

The Thornton Village Board is currently reviewing a water main, valve replacement and road resurfacing project of approximately $255,000. This project continues our investment in much needed infrastructure rebuilding program.

Our new Public Works Facility tentatively scheduled to begin this Spring.

I would like to congratulate Melissa Doud on her new position as Executive As-sistant for the South Suburban Mayors and Managers and thank her for the five plus years of dedicated service to the Village of Thornton. Good luck from all of us! I would also like to welcome Nerissa Major to the position of Deputy Clerk. Good luck Nerissa!

Continued on the next page...

February 2016

VILLAGE PRESIDENT...CONTINUED

TAX LEVY Every December the Board must make one of the hardest decisions that any Board has to make and that is deciding whether or not to raise taxes. Unfortunately, the Village has experienced, and will continue to experience, increases in costs in trying to pro-vide the same level of service that all residents should expect from their Village government. Below is just a short list of some of the increases the Village Board had to consider in December when deciding on the tax levy:

Garbage Collection + $9,880.00 9-1-1 Dispatch fees + $3,729.00 Employee Health & Dental Insurance + $51,808.00 Village General Insurance + $4,658.00 Employees (cost of living, seniority, etc.) includes contributions to pension payments, Social Security, Medicare, etc.) + $48,638.00 Total + $118,713.00 The Village Board and staff are committed to enact cost cutting measures whenever possible. Village staff was cut significantly during the recession of 2008-2009. Further staff cuts would have a significant impact on services, especially in public safety. Therefore, to keep services at their current level, the Board voted to pass a 4.89% tax levy increase. This will be a $40 increase for the year for the average home in Thornton.

THORNTON RESERVOIR The Thornton Reservoir, a project solely under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Water Recla-mation District (MWRD), went online around Thanksgiving. The Village has had a few complaints about the odor. We were able to ascertain a website and phone number where residents and business owners could call about odor complaints and that information on our website. We have combined our efforts with South Holland to have a united front on this issue. The Vice-President of MWRD advised that they will be spending $1 million on odor control. They will be adding 13 new aerators for a total of 20. They will also be installing misters on the edge of the perimeter to create a ‘water vapor bubble’ over the reservoir, and finally they have recently started pumping fresh water from the transitional reservoir into the Thornton Reservoir. The tran-sitional reservoir only holds excess water from Thorn Creek. MWRD believes these efforts will greatly reduce or contain odors from the Thornton Reservoir. The Village encourages residents/business owners to call MWRD if problems continue. We will monitor the situation as well and do what we can to insist MWRD responds to the concerns of our citizens.

Congratulations to Charles Szabo on his appointment as Deputy Chief for the Thornton Police Department and to Art Schweitzer on his promotion to Assistant Chief for the Thornton Fire De-partment. We wish you both all the best in your new positions!

In closing, I would like to say how proud I am to be part of such a great team effort this year and in years past. I would like to thank the Trustees, our administration and all of our employees. This progress, which benefits all of our residents and the entire Village of Thornton, would not have been accomplished without their hard work and support. A special thanks to our Adminis-trator, Doug Beckman, for coordinating these many projects along with our department heads.

Have a wonderful Easter everyone!

Bob

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR, DOUG BECKMAN

February 2016

VILLAGE CLERK

Shhhh! Don’t tell Mother Nature that it’s winter and we are supposed to get snow! I like it just like it is – maybe just a little warmer.

A lot has been happening here at the Village Hall. Melissa Doud, the Deputy Clerk for the last five years, has accept-ed a position elsewhere. Now we have Nerissa Major from the Recreation/Community Center working as Deputy Clerk part-time; and Kathy Parise from the Police Department working as Executive Assistant part-time. Although Melissa will be sorely missed, things are coming together quickly; and soon the Clerk’s office will be running as effi-ciently as the residents expect.

Start getting your stuff together for the Annual Spring Village Wide Garage Sale. The date is scheduled for May 21 from 9:00am to 4:00pm. The participation list begins in April; but I’m giving you a heads up if you want to participate.

Dog tags for 2016 went on sale January 1st. According to village ordinance, all dogs must have village tags. The cost

is only $2.00; and proof of current rabies vaccine is required. Village vehicle stickers go on sale May 1. Again, I’m only giving residents a little notice. Last year, the Board changed the dates of the stickers to coincide with the new fiscal year which begins May 1. So stickers will go on sale Monday, May 2; they must be displayed on your vehicle by May 31; and prices double June 15. It has been brought to my attention there are still many automobiles in Thornton that do not have vehicle stickers. Please be aware that this is not fair to your neighbors that do purchase stickers; and a greater effort will be made this year to make sure all automobiles in Thornton have Village stickers. By the way, the color this year is lime green!

The Village received a notice from SSMMA that the Illinois State Treasurer has 1,926 claims for Thornton residents equaling approximately $350,412.36 in funds. It’s really easy to check if you might be owed money by the State. Go on line to www.icash.illinois.gov and type in your name, or the names of friends and family. It will tell you immediately if you’re owed money. Like I said, it’s easy and what have you got to lose?

The primary election is March 15. Remember, Thornton only has two voting facilities – The Recreation/Community Center (North of Queens Lane) and The Village Hall (South of Queens Lane). Also available at the Village Hall are applications to have your ballot mailed directly to your home.

By the way, Joe and I LOVE being grandparents!!! Take care . . .

Debbie Pisarzewski

Debbie Pisarzewski, Village Clerk/Collector

Nerissa Major, Deputy Clerk

115 E Margaret St

Thornton, Illinois 60476 Phone (708) 877-4456

Fax (708) 877-4458

February 2016

TTHORNTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Glenn Beckman, Chief of Police Charles Szabo, Deputy Chief

700 Park Avenue

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8am to 4pm Saturday 9am - 12pm

(708) 877-2531 Non-Emergency (708) 877-4440 Records

(708) 877-5525 Fax

2015 UPDATES The Police Department has strived to become full staffed. Full-time officers James Mullins and Kevin Paluch were hired to replace officers that had left the department. Both Officer Mullins and Paluch were police officers in other departments. Additionally, Charles Szabo was promoted to Deputy Chief. Deputy Chief Szabo has been with the department for over 23 years and he is the first Deputy Chief the department has had since 2012. Dominic DeMarchi and Patty Kappos both went through the Illinois Law Enforcement part-time Academy. Officer DeMarchi has completed his Field Training Program and is currently assigned to a patrol shift. Officer Kappos is working her way through the Field Training Program and is looking forward to being released. In 2015, the Police Department had 2,076 calls for service. They included answering disturbance calls, handling calls for residence assistance, criminal complaint calls, etc. The Police Department also initiated 1,490 traffic stops in 2015.

KEEP YOURSELF SAFE AND SECURE Occasionally, just like in every other community, Thornton has a rash of car break-ins. This is when an unknown offender or offenders walk around a three or four block area and test cars to see if they are unlocked. When a car is found unlocked it is quickly rummaged through for money or other small sellable items. Our patrol officers do a very good job of making sure the Village remains a safe place to live, but they can’t do it alone. Here are some things homeowners can do to help out:

Lock doors on houses and garages and make sure personal items (bikes, skateboards, sports equipment, etc.) are not left out.

Lock the doors on all vehicles. Items like GPS’s and IPASS’s should be taken in for the night or locked in a glove box. Don’t leave items on the dashboard or center console that would make it attractive for a burglar to break in to.

Leave outside porch and garage lights on at night as criminals usually avoid well-lit places.

Don’t advertise on social places like Facebook that you’ll be going out of town as the information can be passed from people you know to people you don’t.

Most importantly, if you see something that looks out of the ordinary – CALL. Although our officers try to cover as much of the Village during their shift, they can’t be everywhere at once.

VEHICLE PARKING ORDINANCE REMINDER Refer to section 9-4-2.

Parking is not allowed in the area between the front of a residence and the roadway except on a driveway.

Parking is not allowed upon any parkway except in case of emergency.

Contact the building department for a number of options available to residents about driveway expansions.

Residents in violation of this ordinance initially will be notified by mail.

Refer to section 9-4-3

Parking contrary to traffic flow is prohibited

Refer to section 9-4-2-2

Vehicles must be removed from the street during snowfall of two or more inches.

February 2016

TTHORNTON RECREATION & COMMUNITY CENTER

Hours

Monday - Friday 9am - 8pm

Saturday 9am - 1pm

PROGRAMS

Pinochle every Thursday 1:00pm

Hand & Foot every Friday 5:00pm

Alcoholics Anonymous

FREE Senior Fitness Center (62+)

E.S.L. Conversation Class every Wed 12:00pm

Scout Meetings

PARKS AND GROUNDS

Charles P Nason Park, Highland Avenue

Walter Diekelman Park N Kinzie St

Marian Mikrut Memorial Park, Pawnee Drive

Hubbard Park, 102 N Hubbard St.

Skate Park, Park Avenue

Memorial Park NW corner of Williams and Eleanor St

COMMUNITY SERVICES

K-9 Training Academy

T.O.P.S.

Recycling

Party, Conference Room, Field and Pavilion Rentals

Table and Chair Rentals

First Aid Equipment Rentals

Memorial Paver Program - coming soon!

Sharlee Dunlop, Director of Parks and Recreation Amy Potwin, Assistant Director

701 Highland Avenue

(708) 877-4454 (708) 564-5078 Fax thorntonrec@yahoo.com

TYBL (Thornton Youth Baseball League)

Co Ed T-Ball

Ages 4-6

$65

NSA SOFTBALL LEAGUES

Co Ed Mon./Men’s Wed.

$500 per team

No alcohol allowed on village property

Sign up now!

EGG HUNTS

Saturday, March 19th

Little Ones Ages 0-5 11:00 AM

Flashlight Hunt Ages 6-10 8:00 PM

Now accepting applications for the 10th annual

MARKET IN THE PARK!

OPENING DAY JUNE 15!

Fitness Center Special!

BOGO expires March 31st

Youth Zumba Every Thursday 5:00 PM

JUJITSU CLASSES Ages 5+

Farewell to Winter Clinic February 20th

What is Five Play? Assorted weekly programs for only $5.00 each. These

classes range from artistic to active play!

Ages vary.

PRESCHOOL RESIDENT REGISTRATION

Ages 3-5

Thursday, March 17th

6:30 PM

Children Welcome

SENIOR BINGO LUNCHEONS

12:00 PM

February 22– Pasta

March 14th - Chicken

April 11th - Hot Dogs

FIVE PLAY:

Cookie Decorating, February 10, 2:30 PM Grades K-8

Dodgeball, February 17, 2:30 PM Grades K-5

Shoot Around, February 24, 2:30 PM Grades 2-8

FIVE PLAY:

Sand Art, March 2, 2:30 PM Ages 3-6 yrs

Bingo & Pizza, March 5, 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Bring the Family!

Fishy Fun, March 9th, 2:30 PM Grades K-8

FIVE PLAY:

Bird Seed Crafts, March 16, 2:30 PM Grades K-8

Drama and Improv, March 23, 2:30 PM Grades 3-8

Bean Bag Toss, March 30, 2:30 PM Grades 2-6

2015 in review! Our facility and participants benefited from many needed upgrades! Our Preschool and All-Purpose rooms have new window treatments. We purchased new banquet tables and fold-ing chairs. We were able to upgrade our technology; both Preschool rooms have new computers and internet access. Thanks to Public Works for installing the new Sun Shade at Nason Park, as well as several new picnic tables in our parks. We were most proud in 2015 to celebrate the 10 year anniversaries of our Preschool Educator AMY POTWIN and our jujitsu dojo KODENKAN ACADEMY. We hope to continue upgrading and improving in 2016! Happy New Year! -Sharlee

February 2016

THORNTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

David Habecker, Fire Chief Joe Eaker, Deputy Fire Chief

Art Schweitzer, Assistant Fire Chief

115 E Margaret Street (708) 877-4459 Non-Emergency

(708) 877-1506 Fax

Fact

Almost half of all home decoration fires are started by candles.

New Year Updates Fire Department

2015 brought an increase in the number of calls for the Fire Department. We responded to 639 calls last year up from 602. 405 of our calls this year were emergency medical calls.

As part of our restructure we had some personnel changes. Glenn Schlesser was promoted to Captain, Tom Stegenga was promoted to Lieutenant, and finally Art Schweitzer was appointed as the Assistant Fire Chief. A/C Schweit-zer is also filling the role of Fire Inspector left open by Jim Mazurkiewicz when he stepped down from the position effective December 1, 2015.

The Fire Department participated in the “Come Home to Thornton Weekend” hosting a corn roast on Friday July 31 to kick off the reunion weekend. The event was a success and like the Memorial Day Parade and Holiday Happen-ings gave us a chance to give something back to the community that supports our organization.

Building & Zoning

In 2015, the Department issued 198 permits for construction and repair

throughout the Village. Those permits generated $33,876, which includes in-

spection fees. Estimated project costs last year was $3,211,120. These figures

include 2 significant projects, which the Mayor mentioned: Harcross Chemical

and JDM Collision. While the Thorn creek Senior Living facility is going strong

and keeping us busy, the fees for that project were paid last year.

Fire Safety Tips

Be sure every level of your home has a working smoke alarm, and be sure

to check and clean it on a monthly basis.

Be sure your home has working CO detectors outside of sleeping areas.

Plan and practice a home escape plan with your family.

Feel free to contact the Thornton Fire Department for advice if you have a

question on Home Fire Safety.

February 2016

THORNTON PUBLIC WORKS

Russ Oberman, Superintendent Bryan Roberts, Assistant Superintendent

321 E Harriet Street

Office Hours: Monday – Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm After hours: Call Lynwood dispatch 708-758-4744 ext. #1

Maintenance tech is on call 24 hours, 7 days a week.

(708) 877-4462 (708) 877-1627 Fax

Just a short review of 2015 major projects and purchases by the Public Works Department. The year started with some major building upgrades and repairs to the Police Department and Recreation/Community Center. Also the street resurfacing project in the neighborhood North of the Police Department was finished.

Public Works had some personnel changes in 2015, myself, (Russ Oberman) was appointed as Superintendent in April and soon followed with the hiring of Colleen Hill in May.

The Public Works Department received a new Ford f-250 pick-up and in early December we picked up our new International dump truck. We did hydrant flushing and repairs to all hydrants throughout town along with the completion of the inspection and repair of the remaining sanitary man holes. We also had to replace one of our pumps in the south pumping station.

February 2016

BULK RATE

U.S. Postage

P A I D

Thornton, IL

60476

Permit No. 8

POSTAL CUSTOMER

THORNTON, ILLINOIS 60476

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS 2015

ANOTHER SUCCESS! What a great event! From the light parade and tree lighting to the Open

House at the museum, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Thanks

to our participating businesses throughout the village for their goodies and

refreshments. Performances were entertaining and events were exciting.

Thanks to Mr. Lemmon and the Wolcott Junior Choir for their performance!

Thanks also to the businesses and organizations who made monetary

donations, to those who opened their doors for us to visit, to everyone who

helped with the organizing, but especially to those who attended the vari-

ous activities throughout the weekend.

This was the tenth year for this holiday event and it’s not too early to think

about 2016. Mark your calendar now and shop those early holiday sales

for lights and other decorations to trim your house and yard. And while

you’re at it, pick up a few to decorate your vehicle for the Fire Department’s

light parade! Watch the NEWSLETTER and check the website for more

details throughout the year.

We’re always looking for new ideas to include and also for new people to

volunteer to make it all happen. WE REALLY NEED YOUR INPUT!! LET

US HEAR FROM YOU!! Please contact Janet Sanders (877-6137) or Deb-

bie Pisarzewski (877-4456).

A bit of history from

The Thornton Historical Society As we drive east on Margaret St./Thornton-Lansing/Ridge Rd., we cross a small creek, forests and then pass the Cook County Wampum Lake Preserve. (Ridge Road was so named because it ran along the southern shore of Lake Michigan.) Before settlers arrived in 1934, the area was inhabited by Indians. At one time, the Wampum Lake area was a huge Indian fortification. (There was no lake at that time.) In 1832, the U. S. Government purchased a vast amount of land from the Indians. The land was purchased in the Tippecanoe Treaty; it took in an area from Indiana to Chicago’s western suburbs. The tribes were moved from this area to Oklahoma. The first settlers arrived to find forests with an abundance of wildlife and a creek 40 feet wide and 10 feet deep. Most of the early settlers had farms. Soon, there was a post office, a saw mill, and a steamship line that traded goods between Thornton and Blue Island via Thorn Creek and the Calumet River. Several quarries had been dug and a brewery built. Mr. Hoxie purchased property from the west side of Thorn Creek to the Grand Trunk Railway tracks where he raised prize-winning cattle. His proper-ty was eventually purchased by the Cook County Forest Preserve District. In the late 1950’s, Interstate 80 was built. Soil from the Hoxie site was used to fill along the highway. Today, we enjoy picnics, fishing, and cross coun-try skiing at Wampum Lake.