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U.S. Census Bureau is Looking for Census Takers
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Wheeling, Illinois - January 28, 2009 - During the month of February, the Census Bureau will conducting employment testing in Wheeling for positions related to the 2010 Census. These are temporary part-time jobs with flexible schedules. Many people in the area are needed, as a thorough and accurate census is important for everyone in the local community. Hiring will begin during the first quarter of 2009. Pay in this area will be between $13 and $17 per hour. Census employees receive paid training and mileage reimbursement. Experience is not necessary, but applicants must pass a qualifying employment test.

Testing in Wheeling will be conducted on the following dates.

2/5/2009 Village of Wheeling Council Chambers 255 W. Dundee Road 9:30 AM 2/12/2009 Village of Wheeling Council Chambers 255 W. Dundee Road 9:30 AM 2/19/2009 Village of Wheeling Council Chambers 255 W. Dundee Road 9:30 AM 2/26/2009 Village of Wheeling Council Chambers 255 W. Dundee Road 9:30 AM

Interested applicants must bring identification to the test session. If a US passport is presented that is the only document needed. Alternatively, a driver's license/state-issued ID may be presented along with a Social Security card or birth certificate. The test and application process takes approximately 1½ hours to complete.

For more information visit www.2010censusjobs.gov

For other testing dates and locations call 1-866-861-2010.

Wheeling Conducts Business Survey
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CLICK HERE TO TAKE OUR BUSINESS SURVEY

Wheeling, Illinois - November 19, 2008 - The Village of Wheeling, in cooperation with the Wheeling/Prospect Heights Area Chamber of Commerce, is conducting a survey of Wheeling businesses and asks for the thoughtful participation of local businesses.

This survey process is conducted every several years to gather thoughts and observations from local business owners and is designed to develop an understanding of the future plans of local businesses. This insight will be critical in the village's evaluation of new programs and procedures in the coming year that will support continued growth in the business community.

An online form has been structured that can be completed simply by logging onto the Village website: www.wheelingil.gov

Local businesses can simply log on and follow the link to the online survey.

Responses will be compiled with all survey respondents, and will be reported in general terms that will not include company's specific responses or contact information. Contact information is requested only in the event that follow up for clarification is needed or to further discuss any particular comment that is provided. The only individuals who will review the completed surveys will be:

Peter Vadopalas, Director of Economic Development, Village of Wheeling Office: (847) 229-4718

and

Cathy Powers, Executive Director, Wheeling/Prospect Heights Chamber of Commerce Office: (847) 541-0170

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE BUSINESS SURVEY

Please feel free to contact either office with any questions or comments; before, after, or while completing the survey form. The candid input of each Wheeling business is important to the community.

Wheeling Hosts Community Blood Drive
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Wheeling, Illinois - October 23, 2008 - the Village of Wheeling and the Wheeling Board of Health will be hosting a blood drive from 1:30 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at the Fire Station on Dundee Road adjacent to the Village Hall.

Blood donors of all types are needed every day…for critically ill patients, accident victims, people needing surgery and those patients suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer and leukemia. If all eligible people would donate, there would never be a blood shortage.

Appointments are greatly appreciated for our blood drive. To schedule an appointment, please call Beverly Slaby at 847-229-4768 or e-mail her at bslaby@wheelingil.gov.

There will be door prizes of gift certificates from Wheeling Restaurants. Please donate to help save lives. Walk-ins are always welcomed!

Superdawg Breaks Ground in Wheeling
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Wheeling, Illinois - September 23, 2008 - The world-famous dancing hot dogs that have served as the official ambassadors of Superdawg for 60-plus years have been featured in every publication from USA Today to TIME……and now they are officially bringing their blinking eyes to Wheeling.

Last August Village Officials first unveiled plans to bring just the second free-standing Superdawg to Milwaukee Ave. The original founders of Superdawg, Maurie and Flaurie Berman and son Scott Berman have been working on development plans and are now ready to turn the dirt and start construction.

The Village Board will be the first to stick shovels in the ground at a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony to take place at the new location, 335 S. Milwaukee Avenue, on Friday, September 26th at 4pm.

The new 'American Graffiti'-esque restaurant will be built immediately to the north of another iconic name in the restaurant business, Bob Chinn's Crabhouse. The site will have 46 indoor seats, a landscaped picnic area and 71 drive in spaces with outdoor menus.

While the new Superdawg is slated to have a modern, almost futuristic look, architectural staples like the blue control tower, the blue and white diamond pattern and of course, the dancing hot dogs will be prominent features in the new design.

"Since we made the announcement last year the phones haven't stopped ringing asking when Superdawg is coming," says Peter Vadopalas, Director of Economic Development for the Village of Wheeling. "People are excited to eat the first superdawgs served up in Wheeling and we are excited to add Superdawg to Restaurant Row."

According to both the Berman family and Village Officials the first superdawg and fries should be served up in early Spring 2009.

Village President Declares State of Emergency Due to Flooding
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Wheeling, Illinois - September 19, 2008 - The Village of Wheeling has suffered from a flooding that occurred on Saturday, September 13, 2008 and Sunday, September 14, 2008 causing severe damage to public and private property, disruption of utility services, and endangerment of the health and safety of the citizens of the Village of Wheeling within the disaster area.

Therefore, Acting Village President Dean S. Argiris has declared a state of emergency authorized under local ordinance and Illinois State Statute on behalf of the Village of Wheeling and will execute for and on behalf of the Village of Wheeling, to coordinate the necessary response and recovery activities necessary to bring said disaster to a rapid conclusion for the best interest of the residents of Wheeling pursuant to the Cook County Emergency Management Agency Ordinance as amended, and the Illinois Emergency Management Act (20ILCS3305) as amended.

A proclamation will be filed with the Village of Wheeling Clerk's Office and shall expire after seven (7) days, unless terminated by Dean S. Argiris as principle executive officer of the Village of Wheeling, or unless extended as required by local ordinance.

If your home received flood damage, please call the Village of Wheeling at (847) 459-2633. This is an automated answering system and messages will be retrieved several times a day. When calling this number, please leave the following information:

• Name
• Address
• Daytime telephone number
• Brief description of the flood damage in your home

The Village of Wheeling has adopted a floodplain ordinance that requires that permits be obtained for any repair or reconstruction of flood damaged structures. Special conditions apply to substantially damaged buildings. A building is considered substantially damaged when the cost of repairs are 50% or more of the structure's pre-flood market value. If the building is found to be substantially damaged, the structure should not be repaired until compliance with the floodplain ordinance is demonstrated. In some cases, this may involve either elevating or flood proofing the structure so the potential for future flood damages are reduced.

All electrical and plumbing repairs may only be made by a licensed, professional electrician or plumber. A building permit is required for all demolition, remodeling, reconstruction, electrical repairs, plumbing repairs, and/or replacement of heating/air conditioning systems. A building permit must be obtained to ensure that all repairs are done properly and safely. Please contact the Community Development Department at 847-459-2620 with permit questions and requirements.

Village and Park District Finalize Land Swap
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Wheeling, Illinois - August 13, 2007 - Village Manager J. Mark Rooney announced that the Village of Wheeling and the Wheeling Park District are scheduled to approve a land swap today enabling the Village to move forward with its plans to construct a new village hall.

Market Square Hosts Fundraiser
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Wheeling, Illinois - August 8, 2007 The Market Square Restaurant will be hosting the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance's 3rd Annual Pig Roast to benefit 'Camp I Am Me' for young burn survivors on September 8, 2007. 'Camp I Am Me' is a benefit sponsored by the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance which provides a setting for young burn survivors to share their common experiences and play while not feeling self-conscious about their scars. It costs approximately $1,800 to send a child to 'Camp I Am Me' but the families never incur a fee as all costs are paid through fundraisers.

The pig roast on September 8, 2007 will take place from 11am - 5pm in the Market Square parking lot at 600 W. Dundee Road. There will be food, drinks, kid's games, entertainment and hourly raffles. The cost for food and one drink is $10. Kids under 12 eat for free. All proceeds will go toward the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance's 'Camp I Am Me'. The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance is a non-profit organization.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Announces Floodplain Open Houses
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Wheeling, Illinois - April 17, 2007 -  The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is hosting three Open Houses on behalf of FEMA to present newly produced digital flood rate maps (FIRMs), for Cook County, Illinois. The revised maps are effective April 16, 2007.

Each Open House will include a 15-20 minute presentation followed by free time to review materials and ask questions. All Cook County residents are invited and encouraged to attend. This will be an opportunity for citizens to ask questions and learn about the National Flood Insurance Program. Cook County has been charged with digitizing and updating the FIRM maps for the entire county. Village of Wheeling staff is currently reviewing the revised maps, but there is no indication of any changes being necessary.

The General Public Sessions are being held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The dates, times and locations are listed below. The closest session for Wheeling residents is on Wednesday May 9, 2007, at the Mount Prospect Public Library, in Meeting Room A.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007 South Holland Community Center 501 E. 170th Street South Holland, Illinois - Free parking available on site

Wednesday, May 9, 2007 Mount Prospect Public Library, Meeting Room A 10 South Emerson Street Mount Prospect, Illinois - Free parking available in adjacent structure and on the street

Thursday, May 10, 2007 University of Illinois Chicago Student Center East - Room 302 750 South Halsted Chicago, Illinois - Paid parking available across the street. Metered street parking also available

Questions regarding the Open House Meetings should be directed to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources:

Shelly Fuller John Bishop 847-608-3100, ext. 2018 217-782-4435 shelly.fuller@illinois.gov John.Bishop@illinois.gov

More information about the Flood Map Modernization Program is available on the web at http://dnr.state.il.us/Flood/ .

Stone Named Police Chief
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Wheeling, Illinois - October 9, 2006 - Village Manager F. Wallace Douthwaite announced that Deputy Chief John Stone has been named Police Chief effective October 6, 2006. Stone had been acting Police Chief since John Popadowski's retirement August 18.

"John has shown quickly that he has the leadership abilities and traits I like in a police chief," Douthwaite said. "Additionally, he has been with the department for a number of years in a variety of roles and has a good understanding of the department's mission and goals."

Stone began his law enforcement career 29 years ago in Wheeling and has never worked for another department. The United States Marine Corps Veteran looks forward to the new challenge, but readily admits that the mission of the department remains the same, serve the people of Wheeling.

"I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity and appreciate the confidence the manager and Board of Trustees has in me to lead this department," Stone said. "While my duties and responsibilities will change a bit, I'm still working side-by-side many talented, professional and dedicated men and women which obviously makes it much easier to succeed."

Village Hammered by Torrential Downpours
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Wheeling, Illinois - October 3, 2006 - According to Village of Wheeling Public Works officials, 95 percent of all Village streets are open following last night's torrential downpour. Public Works crews were recalled at approximately 7:30 p.m. October 2 and worked through the night to clear catch basins that had become clogged with debris and leaves.

"There was very little damage caused by the wind, but tons of leaves and debris blocked grates and catch basins around town which led to flooding in some areas," said Chuck Spratt, Public Works Director. "Our guys' biggest challenge was keeping the drains clear so the water could recede."

Officials did say that the Will Rogers Memorial Diversion Channel worked as designed to filter excess water into the Des Plaines River. As of Tuesday morning, the river was flowing and not exceeding bank levels.

"Besides the extreme rate of downpour, we also had to deal with power outages which obviously caused sump pumps to quit working that led to some basement flooding," said Steve Morris, Public Works Utility Superintendent.

The west portion of Wheeling was hit the hardest and Public Works crews are working diligently to drain the retention pond by Lakeside Villas to both aid in an efficient recovery time and prepare for forecasted rain this evening. Updated information will become available on the Village of Wheeling website, Channel 17 and local media outlets.

"We are aware that potentially heavy rains are forecasted for this evening and ask the community to help us by clearing the grates and drains on their streets so water can recede as quickly as possible if flooding occurs again," said Keith MacIssac, Fire Chief.

Officials remind everyone to be cautious around flooded streets, ponds, creeks, etc. and not drive into flooded areas or play in overflowing rivers, creeks, ponds, detention basins, etc.

Lang Named Director of Community Development
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Wheeling, Illinois - September 25, 2006 - Village Manager F. Wallace Douthwaite announced that James Lang has been named to the position of Director of Economic Development, effective October 1.  Lang has been the Public Relations Director for the Village since 2003. "Since January of this year, James has been an important part of our economic development team," Douthwaite said. "Over the last few months, he has been doing the lion's share of our economic development efforts and has performed admirably. As it looks like Ken Bonder will be retiring towards the end of the year I thought it best to promote James and make him the full-time economic development point person."

Building a Safer World Together - Building Safety Week,
May 7-13 
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Wheeling, -April 17, 2006 -Building code is the job of professionals who work in the Community Development Department and the Fire Prevention Bureau. During the week of May 7-13, your local building department will be a part of the worldwide celebration of Building Safety Week. Building Safety Week raises public awareness of building safety to promote the use, enforcement and understanding of building safety and fire prevention codes to protect lives and property. "Building a Safer World Together" is the theme of Building Safety Week 2006.

Building code regulations in the Village of Wheeling help to ensure that homes, schools, workplaces and other buildings are as safe as possible. Codes address all aspects of construction including structural integrity, electrical, mechanical, plumbing systems and property maintenance. "Building and code officials are here to help the public understand building safety issues," said Jim Kelly, Building Director. "In this age of do-it-yourselfers it becomes extremely important for homeowners to work with the Village of Wheeling to make sure their residence fully complies with building safety codes."

The importance of regulating and enforcing building codes is, unfortunately, often overlooked until a catastrophic tragedy occurs. The inspection of buildings during and after construction by inspectors from the Community Development Department and Fire Department helps to ensure that buildings in the community are safe places to live, work, play and learn. The Community Development Department also enforces property maintenance regulations, reviews plans and issues building permits. Building Safety Week, first observed in 1980, is sponsored by the International Code Foundation, an organization dedicated to changing the devastating effects of natural disasters and other building tragedies worldwide by promoting ideas, methods and technologies that encourage the construction of durable, buildings and homes.

The Village of Wheeling is an active member of the Code Council, a membership organization dedicated to building safety and fire prevention. The International Code Council develops codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council.

Wheeling Named 'Tree City USA,' Receives Growth Award
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Wheeling, -April 5, 2006 -The Illinois Department of Natural Resources in with the National Arbor Day Foundation recently awarded Village of Wheeling its 16th consecutive 'Tree City USA' distinction and fourth consecutive 'Growth Award' for its efforts in promoting a viable tree program.

"We take a lot of pride in and enhancing the aesthetics and environmental health of our Village and it is nice to be recognized," said Edwards, Village Forester.

A community must meet certain criteria to become a 'Tree City' including having a tree board forester, implement enforce a tree care ordinance and follow a Community Forestry annual budget of at least $2 per capita. In addition, an Arbor Day Proclamation and celebration must be observed. According to Edwards, this year's Arbor Day celebration is scheduled for 10am April 28 at Walt School and will the Pavilion Senior Center choir as well as the planting of a tree.

The 'Growth Award' was established by the National Arbor Day Foundation lo recognize environmental improvement encourage higher levels of care throughout America.

"Each year the Village tries to come up with new ideas and to enhance our efforts and year we teamed up the Park District to supply our wood chips use at their parks," Edwards said. He added that he already anticipates receiving a 'Growth Award' next year for recent revisions the Village recently adopted regarding its tree The changes in the ordinance ensures landscaping efforts, tree replacement and general aesthetic enhancements are as various developments come Wheeling.

Wheeling Special Census Results in Population Increase
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Wheeling, Illinois -March 8,2006 - 5810 = $580,000. Winning lotto Not exactly, unless you are the Village of Wheeling. Village officials special census conducted in December resulted in 5,8 10 additional this year, officially bringing Wheeling's population to 40,306.

"Our next regularly scheduled census was scheduled to take place in 2010," said Ken Bonder, Assistant Village Manager. "Due to the of residential development that has occurred the last couple of years we thought it prudent to request the special census as it would result in additional revenue sharing from the state. That being said, we were pleasantly surprised with the total."

The 5,800 individuals will result in approximately $580,000 to the Village over the next five years leading up to the regular census in 2010. "The Village Board realized that a special census would allow us to tap another revenue source without using property tax," Bonder said. "The results will bring the Village almost $2 million dollars we would have overlooked. "The additional funds will go into the Motor Fuel Tax Fund and General Fund.

"This was a pretty drastic increase in population and it directly the efforts of the Village to enhance and improve Wheeling," said Lang, Public Relations Director. "Future development and redevelopment projects will undoubtedly keep our population rising as more and more people are making Wheeling their 'Community of Choice.'

Wheeling Finance Department Receives Special Recognition 
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Wheeling, Illinois -January 4, 2006 -The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) recently awarded the Village of Wheeling with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Village of Wheeling's Finance Department for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The of Achievement of the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

"This recognition is really validation for the work the entire department does in maintaining a solid financial structure that allows the Village to run smoothly," said Michael Mondschain, Director of Finance.

The CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive 'spirit of full disclosure' to clearly communicate its financial story and potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association sewing approximately 16,000 government professionals with offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Wheeling Police Looks to Crack Down on DUI'S During Holidays
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Wheeling, Illinois -December 5, 2005-The Wheeling Police in conjunction with the Buffalo Grove Police Department, will be conducting a driving under the (DUI) crackdown called 'Providing a Safe Run on Route 21' for the next two weekends. According to Tom Pilewski, Police Safe Communities Coordinator, the initiative will include a Roadside Safety Checkpoint (RSC) the weekend of December 17-18.

"As part of 'Providing a Safe Run on Route 21' Wheeling Police Officers will be conducting an RSC from approximately 9 am Saturday, December to approximately 2pm Sunday, December 18 along Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling," Pilewski said. "While we always encourage drivers to be safe and responsible and not drink and drive, we take extra precaution during the holiday season with an increase in traffic due to shopping, parties, etc."

Communities along Milwaukee Ave. from the Chicago city limits to the border will be conducting various 'Providing a Safe Run on Route 21' programs throughout the month of December. This initiative is funded through a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation. For more information regarding this and other traffic safety programs, call the Wheeling Police at 847-459-2632.

Pavilion Senior Center Hosts 'Achieving Happiness Forum'
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Wheeling, Illinois - November 10, 2005 - Our very constitution is founded on the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. However, achieving a level of happiness while juggling family, job and general life responsibilities can seem almost impossible to achieve…but it doesn't have to be that way. Jan Christiansen, MSW, Social Worker, will host a Community Awareness Education Forum, 'How to Be Happy,' from 1 to 2 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, November 30 at the Pavilion Senior Center, 199 N. First Street, Wheeling. The forum will focus on making ourselves happy, especially in the face of adversity. Christiansen will discuss some quick pick-me-ups as well as some helpful tips on how to strive for happiness at all times in light of trying to create the proverbial 'perfect life.' For more information, contact Jan Christiansen, Social Worker, at 847-459-2670.

Wheeling Fire Department Presented With Safety Award
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Wheeling, Illinois - November 10, 2005 - The Wheeling Fire Department was recently named a recipient of a Life Safety Achievement Award for 2004 by the Residential Fire Safety Institute (RFSI). The RFSI is a partnership of the United States Fire Administration, State Fire Marshals and various fire/safety agencies and organizations. For more than a decade, the Life Safety Achievement Award has recognized the local fire prevention activities that contribute to the reduction of lives lost in residential fires.

The Life Safety Award is based upon compliance with the following criteria: Documented fire prevention activities; Documented public education program; No documented fire deaths within the past calendar year.

Wheeling was one of 792 fire departments nationwide to be recognized and has received the Life Safety Award six of the last seven years. This award is a direct result of the department's public education programs, combined with a strong emphasis on code enforcement, that has created a fire safe culture within the community whose benefits are becoming more apparent each year.

"This award is the direct result of fire prevention efforts made by all members of the Wheeling Fire Department," said Keith MacIsaac, Fire Chief. "However, particular attention should be given to the specific efforts of the Fire Prevention Bureau, led by Fire Marshal Milt Lemke, and the Public Education Committee, led by Lt./Paramedic Bart Burns. These two groups have clearly had a profound impact on the relatively low fire incident rate experienced by the Village of Wheeling over the past decade."

Wheeling Partners With Marine Corps Reserve for Toys for Tots
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Wheeling, Illinois – November 7, 2005 – Believe it or not, we are in the twilight of another year, meaning the holiday season is upon us. This time of year oftentimes brings out the best in the human spirit, and the Village of Wheeling invites you to participate in an annual tradition that fosters a spirit of peace on earth, goodwill to all.

The Village is once again partnering with the United States Marine Corps Reserve to ensure that every child ‘has a little Christmas.’ Individuals are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys in the front lobby of Village Hall, the Pavilion Senior Center, Public Works Headquarters and the Ram Restaurant and Brewery. Bob Chinn’s Crabhouse will also be collecting toys beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving. Toys will be collected until Friday, December 16.

Over the past 14 years, the Toys for Tots Foundation has collected and distributed more than 55.5 million toys valued at more than $284 million. Last year, more than 40,000 needy children in the Northern Chicago Zone received toys thanks to people just like you; let’s do our part again this year.

For more information, call 847-459-2600 or log onto www.toysfortots.org.

Memorial, Services Scheduled for Wheeling Public Works Employee
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Wheeling, Illinois - October 5, 2005 - Visitation for Chris Brown, a Village of Wheeling Public Works employee who passed away Monday, is scheduled for 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 7 at Kolssak's Funeral Home, 189 S. Milwaukee Avenue with a memorial service beginning at 8 p.m.

Funeral services are scheduled for 5 p.m., Sunday, October 9 at the Christian Church of Spencer, 157 S. Montgomery Street, Spencer, IN 47460. The West End Parrish Funeral Home is coordinating visitation and services in Spencer [www.westparrishpedigo.com].

Donations are being accepted at Village Hall, 255 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling, IL 60090 for the Haley Brown Education Fund. Checks should be made out to the Village of Wheeling with the memo line stating 'education fund.'

Wheeling Public Works Employee Dies Suddenly
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Wheeling, Illinois - October 4, 2005 - A Village of Wheeling Public Works employee collapsed and became unresponsive at approximately 10:45 a.m. yesterday while performing routine maintenance at the Village's south water pumping station. Chris Brown, a Utilities Division Maintenance Operator, was taken by ambulance to Glenbrook Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The 37-year-old had been with the Public Works Department since 1997.

"There are no words to express our shock and grief at Chris' sudden passing," said Chuck Spratt, Director of Public Works. "Our thoughts and prayers are certainly with his family during this trying time."

Brown, a native of Spencer, Indiana, was a United States Army veteran who served during the first Gulf War.

The Lake in the Hills resident is survived by his wife, 5-year-old daughter and parents; funeral arrangements are pending.

According to Village officials, the cause of death is unknown and under investigation.

Wheeling Special Census Scheduled; Workers Needed
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Wheeling, Illinois - September 27, 2005 - Due to annexations and numerous residential development projects, the Village of Wheeling will be conducting a partial special census this fall. The Village's next official census was not scheduled until 2011 resulting in the decision to contact the United States Census Bureau to conduct this special count.

According to Village officials, numerous employment positions will need to be filled including crew leaders, enumerators and clerical staff. Applicant criteria includes: " Prospective applicants should be at least 18-years-old; persons may be hired at age 16 or 17-years-old if they meet the conditions of employment set by state and local laws, and driving is not a function of the job.

" Prospective enumerators and crew leaders must have a valid drivers license and a vehicle available for their use, have the ability to hear responses and to read questionnaires, be able to work several hours per day (minimum of 20 hours per week) which often includes a lot of walking and climbing stairs, be available for day, evening and weekend work, as needed, and be available to attend a three-day training session. In addition, they must have a private, corded home telephone.

Applicants can begin picking up applications at Village Hall, 255 W. Dundee Road, October 3 and register for position testing. Each applicant will need to register with him or her name, mailing address and telephone number. Applicants will receive a 'Notice to Report for Testing' postcard if they meet all criteria and be given a date/location where they will take the U.S. Census Bureau exam.

"Enumerators will be physically walking from door-to-door counting residents, clerical positions will be tabulating results and crew leaders will be scheduling shifts for enumerators and ensuring they are in the right neighborhoods," said Ken Bonder, Assistant Village Manager. "We anticipate that the special census of the newly annexed areas should mean that our population will increase between 3,000 to 4,000 persons which will result in increased revenue sharing for the Village.

Katrina Efforts Continue; Many Months of Recovery Ahead 
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Wheeling, Illinois – September 13, 2005 – Residents, organizations and companies wishing to make monetary donations towards the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund can drop them off or mail them to the Village of Wheeling, 255 W. Dundee Road. Checks need to be made out to the Village of Wheeling. The memo line of the check should be clearly marked with ‘Hurricane Relief Fund.’ The Village Board has pledged to match 50 cents for every dollar donated, up to $5,000. “Once we’ve raised a significant amount of money, the Village is hoping to designate a particular town within the area of impact to ‘unofficially’ adopt,” said James Lang, Public Relations Director for the Village of Wheeling. “We’ll have our Village President and Board contact the political leaders of whichever town we select to determine the best method to assist them.”  

In addition to accepting donations at Village Hall, residents will have the option to donate via their water bill payment beginning with the next water billing cycle.

At Monday night’s Board meeting, Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac told how Firefighter/Paramedics Steven Mella and David Cafferkey had flown to Atlanta on September 7 as part of a mass deployment of firefighters and emergency technicians from around the country.  

“Steve and David have been on a whirlwind trip through Texas helping out at shelters in Austin, Arlington, Irving and Corpus Christi,” said MacIsaac. “As of Monday, September 12, they were scheduled to fly to a small town in south Texas for a few days before going to Orlando for a couple of days of training. Sometime next week they will actually be shipped into the ‘hurricane zone’ to help returning individuals with everything from filling out federal disaster loan applications to attending to day-to-day medical needs.”

Mella and Cafferkey are scheduled to be deployed for approximately 30 days. Lt./Paramedic Mike Burns and Firefighter/Paramedic Bryan Meisinger have received designated FEMA team numbers, but have yet to be activated for deployment.

Annual Water Flushing Scheduled to Begin Soon
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Wheeling, Illinois – September 12, 2005 - The Village of Wheeling’s annual fire hydrant flushing is scheduled to begin September 19, weather permitting, and run through the first week October.  

“The flushing is an important preventative maintenance program and is undertaken to remove particulate matter and corrosion from the system,” said Steve Morris, Utility Superintendent. “Residents may notice a little less water pressure and discoloration of their water during the flushing program, however, the water is completely safe to drink.” Residents are advised to check the color of the water before beginning laundry in order to prevent any staining.

Signs will be posted in areas designated for flushing one day in advance of the work.

Village Implements 'Katrina' Relief Efforts
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Wheeling, Illinois - September 6, 2005 - As America watches the unfathomable erosion of one of its iconic cities, Village of Wheeling officials are joining municipalities across the country to assist with relief efforts for New Orleans and the surrounding areas.

Residents, organizations and companies wishing to make monetary donations towards the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund can drop them off or mail them to the Village of Wheeling, 255 W. Dundee Road. Checks need to be made out to the Village of Wheeling. The memo line of the check should be clearly marked with 'Hurricane Relief Fund.' Village officials will work with the American Red Cross and other applicable agencies to ensure the donations are distributed to victims in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. "We've received a lot of calls asking what types of items people can donate," said James Lang, Public Relations Director for the Village of Wheeling. "Red Cross officials have advised that they need financial contributions rather than canned goods, clothing, etc. due to the difficulty in transporting those types of items to the impacted areas."

In addition, beginning with the next water billing cycle, residents will have the option to donate via their water bill payment.

"There has been a tremendous outpouring of support and concern across the country for our fellow Americans in New Orleans and the surrounding areas and Wheeling wants to help as much as possible," Lang added. "The Board of Trustees has pledged to match fifty cents for every dollar donated up to $5,000."

Also, in a mass display of intergovernmental cooperation, fire departments across the country, including Wheeling, have committed to sending two-man teams to the flood-ravaged areas. Firefighter/Paramedics Steven Mella and David Cafferkey are flying to Atlanta Wednesday morning to meet up with battalions of other firefighters who will assist in recovery efforts in the flooded region.

"As soon as the emergency assistance call came in, I had guys willing to leave that day," said Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac. "Steven and David are both experienced, outstanding firefighter/paramedics who will join firefighters and rescue technicians from across the country in what will undoubtedly be a grim recovery process."

Mella and Cafferkey are scheduled to be deployed for approximately 30 days. If necessary, Lt./Paramedic Mike Burns and Firefighter/Paramedic Bryan Meisinger are standing by to be deployed.

Wheeling Artist' Family Dedicates Original Artwork to Village
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Wheeling, Illinois - August 8, 2005 - The family of renowned Chicagoland artist William L. Rubin dedicated an original piece of artwork to the Village of Wheeling Board of Trustees during its August 8 meeting. The late artist's daughter, Pamela Brenghause, her husband Henry and children Georgine, Alan and Mitchell were on hand to see a piece of their father and grandfather's legacy officially dedicated to Wheeling.

Mr. Rubin and his wife Sylvia were 20-plus year residents of Wheeling and Ms. Brenghause thought it appropriate to dedicate a piece to the town he loved.

"Even though my father became a renowned artist primarily for his depictions of Chicago, both he and my mother loved Wheeling and were proud to be residents of the community," Brenghause said.

Rubin's ability to transfer reality into art enabled him to transition from a successful businessman to full-time artist in the late 1970's. According to a feature article in the December 12, 1983 Crain's Chicago Business, Mr. Rubin's artwork adorned the walls of corporate giants like Quaker Oats Co. and Dart and Kraft, Inc. In addition, Mr. Rubin was the only artist chosen to exhibit at the city's 150th birthday party. His daughter related that it still not uncommon to see her father's artwork in a variety of venues around town.

"My family and I were having dinner at Harry Caray's Restaurant and I noticed a painting of Wrigley Field that looked familiar," Brenghause said. "Upon inspection, sure enough, there was his signature in the lower right-hand corner; that was a really neat moment."

Although both Mr. and Mrs. Rubin have passed away, their memories will truly live on…meticulously painted over time on canvasses that bridge the past with the present. And the Village of Wheeling is honored to be a part of those memories.

In addition to the original piece dedicated to the Village, six other Rubin originals will be on display at Village Hall, 255 W. Dundee, until August 15.

Governor Blagojevich Officially Extends Crossroads TIF
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Wheeling, Illinois - July 25, 2005 - Governor Rod Blagojevich penned his signature to the Tax Increment Financing extension bill into law last week officially extending the Crossroads TIF until 2019. Prior to the extension, the TIF district had been scheduled to end in May, 2008.

"We're thrilled the Governor acted to extend the Crossroads TIF District," said Village President Greg Klatecki. "There are just too many projects in that TIF district that will not be complete by 2008 and this extension will allow us to maximize the potential of some recently acquired properties in the Crossroads District."

According to Michael Mondschain, Finance Director, the extension will allow the Village to pursue a variety of retail, restaurant and mixed-use development and redevelopment projects along Milwaukee Avenue. The Crossroads TIF District encompasses what is commonly known as 'Restaurant Row' and extends north to Strong Avenue and south to Manchester Road.

In keeping with Illinois legislative preferred procedure and policy, the Village sought and received the support of other taxing districts that are affected by the use of TIF districts as development tools. "Both District 21 and 214 as well as the park district gave their approval and support for the extension," Mondschain said. "The Village agreed to begin paying the school districts their share of TIF funds in December, 2005 that neither district would have seen until 2010, making this a win-win situation for all taxing districts involved."

Village Celebrates Nation's Birthday With Two-Day 'Freedom Fest'
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Wheeling, Illinois - June 6, 2005 - The Village of Wheeling is having a party and everyone is invited. In honor of Independence Day, the Village is hosting a two-day 'Freedom Fest' celebration, July 3-4 in the field between Village Hall and the Park District Community Recreation Center, featuring live music, food and drink, kids' activities, a parade and spectacular fireworks show.

"The Village Board decided to enhance its annual July 4 celebration by adding an additional day and a few other twists," said James Lang, Public Relations Director. "Staff has worked hard to put together an entertaining and fun-filled two days of food, music and activities and we'll be placing our weather order soon," he added.

The event kicks off at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 3, running until 10:30 p.m. and resumes at 1 p.m. July 4 and concludes with the last firework. Live music for July 3 includes country music group Virgil Kane, 80's cover band Selective Recall, the Blooze Brothers and up and coming rock band, Bellevue Suite. July 4 kicks off with a tribute to the kings (and queens) of Motown by BBI followed by critically acclaimed children's artist, Justin Roberts and the Not-Ready-For-Naptime-Players. Nationally known Elvis-impersonator Ronnie Navarra finishes up the afternoon, leading up to the 6 p.m. parade. Following the parade the Kimi Hayes Band begins the evening's entertainment and one of the most popular Chicago-area bands of the past 15 years, the Underwater People, concludes the two days of musical entertainment.

"We have assembled an outstanding line-up of live music that includes acts who have played venues like House of Blues, Milwaukee's Summer Fest, Cubby Bear, Navy Pier and Taste of Chicago to name a few," Lang said. "From rhythm and blues to rock and roll, there will be something for every type of music lover."

Kids and adults alike will enjoy other scheduled entertainment such as Mike Mauthe, a variety entertainer/magician, balloon artist, stilt-walker, juggler, etc. who will be performing two shows and participating in the parade and the return of the ever-popular Jesse White Tumblers.

A variety of activities such as the giant inflatable slide, moonwalk choo-choo train, wind tunnel crazy caterpillar, trackless choo-choo, Rocky Mountain Climbing Wall and the Extreme Peaks Climbing Wall will be sure to keep the kids entertained. Also scheduled to round out the entertainment are a children's magician and storyteller, Pit-Stop Productions Miniature Racing Cars, 'Seemore the Eagle,' 'Willy the Whale,' 'PW Paws,' 'McGruff the Crime Dog' and other life-size characters and fun activities such as face painting and various midway games.

No festival would be complete without food and drink, and the 'Taste of Wheeling' returns bigger and better than ever. Featured restaurants include: Bob Chinn's Crabhouse, Buca de beppo, The Oven, Tuscany, Golden Chef, Gyros Pit, Market Square, Wa-Pa-Ghetti's, Sauer's Bake Shop, Lupita's, Gators, Rocky Vander's, Knights of Columbus, VFW Post 66, Joe's Pizza and Danny Dogs and I Am Siam. New to this year's event will be a beer garden, provided by Skokie Valley Beverage of Wheeling.

"Some old favorites have returned, such as Sauer's with their funnel cakes, but it's always nice to shake the menu up a little with items like Gators award-winning hot wings and Bob Chinn's gumbo," Lang said. "The 'Taste' features a nice variety, nothing too expensive and items for the kids, such as hot dogs and hamburgers."

Event parking will be clearly identified and include the following lots off of Dundee Roads and Northgate Parkway: Wheeling Park District Community Center and Aquatic Center, Wickes' Furniture Lot and the Metra Station Lot. In addition, patrons can use the lots of Holmes Middle School and Heritage Park off of Wolf Road. "We encourage people to carpool, ride their bikes or walk in order to cut down on any potential traffic problems on Dundee Road and the surrounding areas," Lang said.

"We're extremely excited about this year's event and the chance to celebrate America's independence with both old and new friends," Lang concluded.

Foxboro Apartment Complex Completes Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program Certification Process
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Wheeling, Illinois - May 2, 2005 - Wheeling's Foxboro Apartment Complex recently became the first rental property in the Village to complete all three phases of the Crime-Free-Multi-Housing program resulting in complete certification. Foxboro's management began the first steps towards certification last year by taking the initial eight-hour training course. The program is designed to align rental property owners, managers and leasing staff with the police and fire departments in an effort to keep illegal activities out of rental properties.

"It was extremely important to get the first group through the program so we could get word out to other rental properties in town," said Sgt. Pet Panagakis, Crime Prevention Unit Supervisor.

Now that the Foxboro Complex is fully certified, management can post the C.F.M.H. signs on their property. Management can also utilize the C.F.M.H. logo which has achieved a high level of recognition in the United States and Canada. It has proven very effective in attracting honest residents looking for safe housing and has worked equally well in discouraging individuals who may target apartment complexes for criminal activity.

The program is a three-tiered certification process that involves [Phase I] an 8-hour training course, [Phase II] visual inspection of the property to assess physical security and general appearance of the property (must meet minimum security requirements) and [Phase III] the hosting of a safety social that involves property management, residents and police personnel. The success of the program is based entirely on reducing criminal activity at participating properties.

Throughout the certification process, the instructors focus on topics such as understanding crime prevention, common sense self defense, community rules regarding leases, combating crime problems, dealing with non-compliance and partnering with local police and fire personnel.

"The implementation of the procedures taught during the program is an important step towards achieving our goal of decreased crime," Panagakis said. "We encourage the managers to create a Crime Free Lease Addendum which cites specific actions that will be taken by management should a resident, or somebody under a resident's control, is involved in illegal or dangerous activity on or near the rental property. This step is important in that crime prevention measures are in place from the first day a potential resident walks in to sign a lease."

Making Homes, Schools and Workplaces Safer Together - Building Safety Week, May 8-14
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Wheeling, Illinois - May 1, 2005 - Building code enforcement is the job of professionals who work in the Community Development Department and the Fire Prevention Bureau. During the week of May 8-14, your local building department will be a part of the worldwide celebration of Building Safety Week. Building Safety Week raises public awareness of building safety to promote the use, enforcement and understanding of building safety and fire prevention codes to protect lives and property. "Making Homes, Schools and Workplaces Safer Together" is the theme of Building Safety Week 2005.

Building code regulations in the Village of Wheeling help to ensure that homes, schools, workplaces and other buildings are as safe as possible. Codes address all aspects of construction including structural integrity, electrical, mechanical, plumbing systems and property maintenance. "Building and code officials are here to help the public understand building safety issues," said James Kelly, Building Director. "In this age of do-it-yourselfers it becomes extremely important for homeowners to work with the Village of Wheeling to make sure their residence fully complies with building safety codes."

The importance of regulating and enforcing building codes is, unfortunately, often overlooked until a catastrophic tragedy occurs. The inspection of buildings during and after construction by inspectors from the Community Development Department and Fire Department helps to ensure that buildings in the community are safe places to live, work, play and learn. The Community Development Department also enforces property maintenance regulations, reviews building plans and issues building permits. Building Safety Week, first observed in 1980, is sponsored by the International Code Council Foundation, an organization dedicated to changing the devastating effects of natural disasters and other building tragedies worldwide by promoting ideas, methods and technologies that encourage the construction of durable, sustainable buildings and homes.

The Village of Wheeling is an active member of the International Code Council, a membership organization dedicated to building safety and fire prevention. The International Code Council develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council.

Westin-North Shore Looks to Call Wheeling Home
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Wheeling, Illinois - March 21, 2005 - Shovels and smiles took center stage at 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 18, 2005 as officials from Village of Wheeling, Mid-America Investment and Development Company and the Harp Group moved the first of what will be many shovels of dirt during the construction of the Westin North Shore Hotel. Actual demolition and construction is scheduled to begin in late spring with an early 2007 grand opening planned.

It was roughly one year ago to the day that developers from Mid-America outlined their proposal to build the estimated $114-million, 441-room Westin-North Shore Hotel to the Village Board, receiving a resounding seal of approval. The hotel, convention center and retail complex will occupy the area where the Wedgewood Riding Stables sit, as well as the vacant lot to the south, the Wonder Bread outlet and AAA Auto Sales on Milwaukee Ave. Mid-America Development has contracts to buy all of the land. The hotel itself will consist of an 18-story, 225-foot high tower and be the anchor of the 410,000 square-foot complex that will include retail and restaurant space, a bank and parking for approximately 900 vehicles.

"The Westin North Shore will be an exceptional facility that sets a new standard of excellence in the northern suburbs," said David Bossy, President of Mid-America. "The adjacent restaurants and retail stores we are developing will help attract guests to the hotel and create an exciting destination for residents of Wheeling and its neighboring communities."

Village officials are confident the hotel will not only enhance the Village's image, but have a dramatic impact on the economic landscape. "This will bring in money without putting the burden on the schools or the library," said President Greg Klatecki.

The project is projected to create 300 to 400 construction jobs and the equivalent of about 1,000 permanent full-time positions. In addition, the hotel and retail complex is expected to generate more than $100 million in real estate taxes, hotel taxes, sales taxes and telecommunications taxes over the next 22 years.

War on Terror Affects Village of Wheeling Administration
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Wheeling, Illinois - February 17, 2005 - The effects of the war on terrorism extended to the Wheeling government offices recently as J. Mark Rooney, Assistant Village Manager, and a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army reserve, was activated to serve an 18-month deployment in the middle east. Rooney's swift activation prompted the Village Board to authorize the execution of a contract with Miller Cooper & Company at its February 14 Board meeting for professional consulting services regarding the Assistant Village Manager's position.

Effective February 15, Kenneth M. Bonder will begin assuming the duties previously assigned to the Assistant Village Manager. Bonder is no stranger to the northwest suburbs or government management as his distinguished career included serving as both the Finance Director and Village Manager for Arlington Heights, City Manager for Prospect Heights and most recently Chief Financial Officer for the City of Palatine.

"We will certainly miss Mark and our thoughts, prayers and support go with him and his family as he serves our country in the middle east," said Greg Klatecki, Village President. "In Mark's absence, the Board felt that Ken's familiarity with the northwest suburbs combined with his almost 40-years of experience in government management would enable us to remain on schedule with all of the ongoing projects."

Bonder's first official day on the job is March 1.

Village Proposes Changes To Zoning Ordinance
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Wheeling, Illinois - February 14, 2005 - The Village of Wheeling Planning Division unveils its proposed changes to the Village Zoning Ordinance and accompanying map during a public hearing at the 7 p.m. February 24 Plan Commission meeting in Council Chambers, 255 W. Dundee Road. The proposed changes range from minor regulatory changes to the creation of new mixed-use zoning districts. According to Andrew Jennings, Village Planner, the new mixed-use zoning districts would integrate various uses such as residential, commercial and open space and be utilized in three areas within the Village. "The most prominent of the mixed-use districts would be a transit-oriented district intended to promote and jump start the development of Wheeling's Town Center," Jennings said. "Additional mixed-use districts would be located along Wolf Road between Dundee and Lake Cook Roads and along McHenry Road near Weiland Road." Another proposed major revision involves the designation of zoning districts for properties recently annexed into the Village. In most instances, the proposed zoning district matches current uses; however the proposed district along Milwaukee Avenue near the airport will promote commercial development rather than industrial. The last major proposal involves adjusting the boundaries of the single and multi-family zones along Strong Avenue in order to encourage a consistent housing character along each block front. Jennings added that in addition to the major changes, there were proposals for several minor regulatory changes that would be included during the hearing. "The majority of the regulatory changes involve standards and procedures in the zoning code, but two proposed changes will also have an impact on the zoning map," he said. "The two Planned Development Districts known as PD-3 and PD-4 will be consolidated into a single district called PDD and a new single family district called R-3A would be created to accommodate existing neighborhoods characterized by smaller lots." The new R-3A district affects those homes whose lot sizes do not meet minimum lot size requirements, and therefore require a variation for any construction or additions. The proposed small-lot district would allow additions to many homes without requiring the homeowner to go through the variation process. Other minor changes proposed include reducing the number of commercial zoning districts from five to three, introduction of bicycle parking standards, increased landscaping and buffer requirements and an adjustment to parking requirements including an increase in the requirements for multi-family developments.

Cook County Treasurer's Office Partners With Bank One
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Wheeling, Illinois - January 31, 2005 - The Cook County Treasurer's Office has entered into a new partnership with Bank One for acceptance of property tax payments. The new partnership replaces LaSalle Bank and takes effect with the first installment property tax bills that will be mailed at the end of January and due March 1, 2005.

This change means that Cook County residents can pay their property tax bills at any of the more than 250 Bank One locations in Chicagoland free of charge. Payment will no longer be accepted at any LaSalle Bank location.

For more information, contact the Cook County Treasurer's Office at 312-603-7117 or log onto www.cookcountytreasurer.com.

Trustee Trevor Lehmann dies after valiant battle against ALS disease
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Wheeling, Illinois – January 13, 2005 – After a valiant 10-month fight, Trustee Trevor Lehmann succumbed to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday, January 13, 2005. Lehmann, who had served on the Board of Trustees since 1997, was 37-years-old. 

“Today is an extremely sad day for Wheeling as we say good-bye to our friend and colleague,” said Village President Greg Klatecki. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Trevor’s family as we all mourn the passing of a man who truly loved this Village. Trevor dedicated his life to making Wheeling a better place to live and he will be missed and remembered.”

Visitation is scheduled for noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, January 16, 2005 at Kolssak Funeral Home, 189 S. Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at Kolssak Funeral Home and conclude with an 11 a.m. mass at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 181 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling. 

For more information contact: 
James Lang – Public Relations Coordinator – 847-459-2605
Dean Argiris – Village of Wheeling Trustee – 847-845-6990
Lou Kolssak – Director, Kolssak Funeral Home – 847-537-6600 

Village Board Pledges Financial Support for Tsunami Victims
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Wheeling, Illinois - January 6, 2005 - The Village of Wheeling Board of Trustees recently pledged $5000 in financial assistance towards the ever-growing relief fund for victims of the devastating tsunami that struck India and other parts of southeast Asia December 26.

Prior to asking the Board for its approval at Monday night's Board meeting, President Greg Klatecki stated that Wheeling's Swaminarayan Hindu Temple was quick to commit financial assistance to the September 11 disaster fund. "Our neighbors at the Swaminarayan Temple offered prayers, condolences and donated money in the aftermath of one of the darkest days in America's history and now, we need to do the same for them in the wake of this tragedy."

According to the Associated Press, the death toll will surpass 150,000 as a result of this unprecedented natural disaster and that the relief and reconstruction process could be more than a decade in duration.

Cash donations may be sent to The Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. Checks should be mailed to Head of Chancery, Embassy of India, 2107 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 20008. Envelopes should be marked "PM's National Relief Fund."

Wheeling Fire Department Says Stay Off Ice!
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Wheeling,Illinois - December 27, 2004 - The Wheeling area is surrounded by ponds, lakes, retention basins, drainage ditches in-ground pools and rivers. The Wheeling Fire Department encourages people to stay off any frozen body of water. This advice also includes the family pet, as adults and children will follow them onto the ice.

Each year more and more people become drowning victims of ice related accidents. All too often, the victims are children. The attraction of walking on ice is great and it takes less than one-third of a second for a victim to fall through the ice. Once in the water, victims immediately feel the effects of hypothermia. Survival depends on a quick rescue from the icy waters as self-rescue is very unlikely.

The strength of the ice is not determined by the thickness alone. Wind, rain, sunlight, water currents, temperature and temperature fluctuations all affect the strength of ice. Ice seldom freezes uniformly meaning it can be 12 inches thick in one location, and less than one inch thick just a short distance away. The appearance may look similar making a true judgment of thickness difficult. The only absolute in ice safety is to stay off of it.

Remember, the best advice is to stay off the ice unless it is with your ice skates at your local supervised rink.

Wheeling Restricts Use of Motorized Skateboards, Scooters
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Wheeling, Illinois – November 3, 2004 – A lack of state regulation as well as the growing potential for accidents prompted the Village of Wheeling to restrict the use of motorized skateboards and scooters within Village boundaries. The scooters, which have increased substantially in popularity with teenagers, are not classified as a license-required vehicle by the state and therefore not regulated by traffic laws.

“The Village has banned the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s) and dirt bikes on Village streets for several years, but the new scooters were not addressed specifically,” said Corporal Joe Schaff, Traffic Unit Supervisor. “Essentially, the scooters became an issue during the last 12 to 15 months due to their increased popularity.”

If an individual is caught riding a motorized skateboard or scooter, the device could be confiscated and a ticket could be issued. As this is a traffic offense, the offender would be required to appear in court and/or pay any associated fines. These devices can only be operated on private property with the owner’s consent.

“Adding motorized skateboards and scooters to the list of restricted vehicles in the Village was for the safety of the operators,” said John Popadowski, Police Chief. “Roadways like Dundee and Milwaukee are heavily traveled and the addition of a small, unregulated vehicle with a youthful operator just had too much potential for danger.”

Wheeling is not alone in restricting the scooters as Rolling Meadows and Cook County recently enacted restrictions on scooters, pocket bikes and motorized skateboards.

Village Kicks off Holiday Season With Lighting of Lights
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Wheeling, Illinois - November 1, 2004 - The Village of Wheeling invites all residents to usher in the holiday season and join together at the annual 'Lighting of the Lights' celebration beginning at 6 p.m. November 21 at Village Hall, 255 W. Dundee Road.

The New Dawns from Wheeling High School will perform seasonal selections, a certain couple from the North Pole will drop by and revelers can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies provided by Market Square Restaurant.

The event culminates with the official lighting of the Village with more than 75,000 lights being turned on in the village at the same time. Lights at Village Hall, Friendship Park Fountain, and along Lake-Cook Road and Milwaukee Avenue will be lit simultaneously officially ushering in the holidays. In addition, individuals are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for donation as the Village once again supports the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots holiday toy drive program. For more information, call 847-459-2600.

Village, Wheeling High School Create Television Partnership
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Wheeling, Illinois - October 28, 2004 - Oprah and Leno move over, there's a new show coming to TV sets in the near future. The Village of Wheeling's public access cable channel is going primetime thanks to a unique partnership with Wheeling High School. Beginning in November, the Village's public relations department and Wheeling High School's electronic media classes will produce a variety of public safety announcements and a video magazine show highlighting various aspects of the Village. Currently, Channel 17 is primarily used for broadcasting Village meetings and a continuous scroll of local events and happenings. According to James Lang, Public Relations Coordinator, this partnership will dramatically enhance the current program schedule.

"It has been a goal of mine to create a show for Channel 17 that would be less formal than a Board meeting and give our viewers a different look at their Village," Lang said. "When I learned that the high school had an electronic media department with some extremely talented students I decided to at least explore the possibility of creating a production team."

Lang, who has hosted cable shows for previous communities during his career, was admittedly skeptical in that the success of the show would be largely on the shoulders of high school students and not television professionals.

"I was willing to explore the possibility of working together, but didn't know what to expect in terms of production, camera and editing ability from the students," he said. "However, Jeff Bott, Mike Geist and Gary Freund [media department instructors and director] not only assured me their students were talented, but they showed me samples of their work that proved it."

The students currently produce, write, film and edit morning announcements for WCAT along with other projects covering various school-related activities. The production of PSA's and a show for the Village's cable channel will provide 'real-life' experience and insight into producing a variety of shows.

"Wheeling High School is very proud to take part in the partnership with the Village," said Geist. "Our department continually strives to include opportunities for students to engage in "real world" experiences. This type of partnership is extremely unique and allows our students opportunities far beyond any high school media experience I have witnessed."

November's initial production meetings will focus on public safety announcements for the police and fire departments and gradually lead up to the inaugural video magazine show.

Village Hosts Blood Drive, Holidays Traditionally Busy Time For Blood Banks
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Wheeling, Illinois - October 28, 2004 - The Village of Wheeling will be hosting a blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. November 10, 2004 at the Fire Station on Dundee Road adjacent to the Village Hall. From Village Health Officer Mike Boyle: Recently I heard from a friend regarding a personal experience regarding blood transfusions. He told me, "You know how important I feel blood donation is, but it really hit home a little over a year ago when my wife needed 5 transfusions and more than 12 pints over the course of our daughters birth. Then, our daughter needed it off and on during her six-month stay in the hospital. Thanks to those who donated, both are doing well today." His experience truly reinforces the belief that when you donate blood today it may be the gift of life for someone tomorrow. You may not truly realize it when you make your donation, but the blood you give today will be there to help save someone's life tomorrow. In turn, if you ever require blood transfusions at some time in your life, and 50 percent of us will, it will be there for you because someone donated to save yours. Please plan on coming to our drive to donate. Appointments are greatly appreciated and aid us in anticipated the number of people that will attend so that we can properly staff the event. It also helps us to try and prevent too many people from showing up at the same time. If you are coming, but are not able to set an appointment, please call so that you can find out when the hours with the shorter waits will be. For appointments or to let us know that you will walk-in, please call Mike Boyle at (847) 459-2621 or e-mail him at mboyle@wheelingil.gov.

We hope to see you at the blood drive.

Neighborhood Resource Center Hosts Open House, Collects Coats
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Wheeling, Illinois - October 20, 2004 - The Wheeling Police Department Crime Prevention Unit invites all residents to a Halloween Open House from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, October 30, 2004 at the Neighborhood Resource Center, 99 N. Wolf Road. This not-so-spooky event will feature child fingerprinting, identification photos, scary raffle prizes and apple cider with ghoulish snacks. Guests will also be treated to Halloween and Bicycle Safety Demonstrations, and visits from our Firefighters and McGruff the Crime Dog. Additionally, the Crime Prevention Unit will be unveiling and dedicating a mural painted by the Wheeling High School Art Department for the Neighborhood Resource Center.

During the Open House, the Crime Prevention Unit will be holding its annual used winter clothing giveaway (hats, scarves, gloves, etc) while supplies last for residents who may not be able to afford these items. Individuals who have winter clothing to donate can drop their items off at the Neighborhood Resource Center, 99 N.Wolf Road or at the Police Department Records Unit, 255 W. Dundee Road during normal business hours. This is a great opportunity to clean out your closets and help our residents in need stay warm this winter.

The open house and winter clothing giveaway would not be possible without the support of the Wheeling Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association and community contributions.

For more information regarding the open house or the winter clothing drive, contact Sgt. Pete Panagakis at (847) 459-2993

Pavilion Senior Center Hosts Inaugural Education Seminar, Understanding Depression: Myths & Moods
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Wheeling, Illinois - October 5, 2004 - In an effort to combat the effects depression has on the senior community, the Pavilion Senior Center hosts its inaugural education seminar, Understanding Depression: Myths & Moods in Adults from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, October 8 at the Center, 199 N. First Street, Wheeling. The free program features guest speakers Ravindra Chand, MD, NeuroPsychiatrist and Colleen Caron, RNC, MS, Older Adult Services Coordinator from Alexian Brother Behavioral Health Hospital. Seniors will have the opportunity to learn about signs and symptoms of depression, differential diagnosis between depression, grief and blues, incidence of depression in older adults, co-morbidity between depression and medical illnesses and the benefits of attending groups and seeking treatment. The program is free and depression screening will be available at the seminar. The program is the precursor to the Pavilion Senior Center's new depression support group, 'Freedom, Forgiveness and Fellowship,' which meets from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, November 12 and ever subsequent 2nd Friday of the month. This group will be ongoing for older adults who suffer from depression, feel sad or unhappy at times in their lives. Helpful resources, medical updates and guest speakers will be featured. For more information, contact Jan Christiansen, Social Worker, at 847-459-2670.

Wheeling Fire Department, Senior Center Offer Drive-Thru Shots
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Wheeling, Illinois - September 28, 2004 - The Pavilion Senior Center is teaming up with Cub Foods and the Wheeling Fire Department to offer a drive-thru flu and pneumonia shot clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 9 at the Wheeling Fire Department. The clinic is available for individuals ages 14-years-old and older who are either physically disabled or who have difficulty with mobility.

"This clinic is ideal for individuals who have trouble getting around because the pharmacist and shot technician administer shots to individuals who remain in their vehicles," said Nancy Janssen, Director of Senior Services. In addition to the shots, individuals can have their blood pressure taken and receive Village-oriented information.

Cost is $20 for a flu shot and $30 for the pneumonia shot. Individuals who have Medicare B will not need to bring cash or a check as Cub Food will bill Medicare directly. Individuals without Medicare Part B will need to bring the appropriate payment (no charge cards accepted). For more information, contact the Pavilion Senior Center at 847-459-2670.

Bicylce and Pedestrian Safety Week Slated for Sept. 27 - Oct. 1
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Wheeling, Illinois - September 22, 2004 -The Village of Wheeling, Wheeling Police Department Crime Prevention Unit and the Wheeling Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force have partnered together to promote the inaugural Bike and Pedestrian Safety Week, September 27 thru October 1. The week is designed to place an emphasis on the potentially dangerous relationship between vehicle operators, bicyclists and pedestrians and how everyone can do more to increase safety measures.

According to Officer John Abbio, Wheeling Police Bicycle Unit, most of the accidents involving automobiles and cyclists could have been prevented. "The majority of the accidents involving bikes and automobiles that we respond to occur because one of the operators did something unpredictable such as darting across a street or failing to completely stop at a stop sign."

One organization responsible for creating the safety week has actually undertaken the year-round challenge of making Wheeling a friendlier biking/walking Village. The Bicycle & Pedestrian Task Force, consisting of citizens, police officers, Village and park district staff, is drafting a plan to make Wheeling safer for bikers and walkers as well as encourage more individuals to walk and bike. "We are already focusing on solutions that will improve the walking and cycling environment in our Village," said Steve Boime, Wheeling Bike & Pedestrian Task Force. "We invite anyone interested in creating this strategic plan to join us at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at the Wheeling Park District Community Center."

Officer Scott Laverd, Wheeling Police Bicycle Unit, indicated that the Wheeling Police Department will take advantage of the safety week to educate drivers, cyclists and walkers on the importance of respecting each other's right to the road. "During the week we will be stopping drivers and bikers who are seen operating in an unsafe manner and reminding them that they each have a responsibility share the road safely," Laverd said.

Wheeling Senior Center Hosts First Flea Market & Craft Fair
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Wheeling, Illinois - September 2, 2003 - The Wheeling Pavilion Senior Center will be the site of the first Pavilion Flea Market and Craft Fair running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. September 13 and 14. The event serves as one of the larger fund raisers used to offset program costs throughout the year.

"We invite everyone to come out and shop for treasures or rent a table and earn a little extra spending money for you," said Nancy Janssen, Director of Senior Citizen Services. Individuals can donate their items to the Pavilion Senior Center to be sold or reserve a table and sell the items themselves. Table rentals are $15 for one day or $25 for the entire weekend.

In addition to the unique retail opportunities, a lunch bar will be available to satisfy the appetite you'll develop perusing new and old items alike. "This is the first year for this event and we're hoping for a great turnout," Janssen said. "Our seniors have worked hard preparing for the weekend and I'm confident everyone who attends will not only have a great time, but be pleasantly surprised with the items for sale."

For more information on the event or to reserve table space, call the senior center at 847-459-2670.

Wheeling Police Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program Graduates 1st Class
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Wheeling, Illinois – August 25, 2004 – The Wheeling Police Department’s inaugural Crime Free Multi-Housing class received their graduation certificates recently after completing the eight-hour course. The course is designed to align rental property owners, managers and leasing staff with the police and fire departments in an effort to keep illegal activities out of rental properties.

“It was extremely important to get the first group through the program so we could get word out to other rental properties in town,” said Sgt. Pet Panagakis, Crime Prevention Unit Supervisor. “Our first group of individuals was engaging and inquisitive and really enthusiastic about making their corner of the Village safer.”

The program is a three-tiered certification process that involves an 8-hour training course, visual inspection of the property to assess physical security and general appearance of the property and the hosting of a safety social that involves property management, residents and police personnel. The success of the program is based entirely on reducing criminal activity at participating properties.

“Although the training program was great, I was more impressed with the police department’s earnestness in building an ongoing partnership with us, even after the course was completed,” said Susan Porter, Foxboro Property Manager. “I would highly recommend every property manager in Wheeling take advantage of the resource provided by our police department.”

Throughout the certification process, the instructors focus on topics such as understanding crime prevention, common sense self defense, community rules regarding leases, combating crime problems, dealing with non-compliance and partnering with local police and fire personnel.

“The implementation of the procedures taught during the class is obviously important step towards achieving our goal of decreased crime,” Panagakis said. “We encourage the managers to create a Crime Free Lease Addendum which cites specific actions that will be taken by management should a resident, or somebody under a resident’s control, is involved in illegal or dangerous activity on or near the rental property. This step is important in that crime prevention measures are in place from the first day a potential resident walks in to sign a lease.”

For more information regarding the open house or the resource center, call 847-459-2679.

Wheeling Launches Streaming Video on Website
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Wheeling, Illinois - August 25, 2004 - Individuals who want to take a closer look at Wheeling can now do so without driving to the northwest suburbs thanks to a promotional video the Village recently launched on its website, www.wheelingil.gov. The video, which features a welcome from President Greg Klatecki and highlights economic development, parks and recreation/education and shopping and dining was a collaborative effort between CGI Communications and the Village's Public Relations Department.

"It's an extremely creative and innovative way to promote our Village," said James Lang, Public Relations Coordinator. "It was a little challenging being that CGI [Communications] is based in Rochester, New York, but the end product speaks for itself and I am proud to have been a part of the team that produced the inaugural streaming video presentation."

The video is accessible to anyone with internet access and is powered by e-LocalLink Internet TV. Visitors to the Village's website can click on the streaming video icon on the homepage and be immediately taken to the production. The streaming video program automatically detects the visitor's computer and internet connection speeds and launches the video accordingly.

"It's fairly easy to access, even for individuals who might not use a computer that often," Lang added. "The video will change on a monthly basis as new chapters are added and/or updated as the Village continues to grow and evolve."

The cost of the video was completely subsidized by the sale of promotional banners featuring Wheeling businesses and organizations. Installation of the new banners began August 23 with scheduled completion by September 1, weather permitting.

"I am ecstatic with the video and the promotional capabilities are endless, especially as we add chapters throughout the year," said Klatecki. "It's just another example of how Wheeling is trying to continually improve and be more proactive in marketing ourselves….we have a lot to be proud of."

Wheeling Police Host Inaugural Youth Police Academy
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Wheeling, Illinois – August 3, 2004 – The Wheeling Police Department hosts its inaugural Youth Police Academy for Wheeling students entering grades 6-8 this fall. The academy is slated to consist of five three-hour sessions beginning Saturday, August 28 and running through Saturday, September 11 (There will not be a session September 4 due to Labor Day).

“This youth academy is patterned after our extremely successful Citizens’ Police Academy with the intent to acquaint our youth with law enforcement’s role in the criminal justice system while providing an increased understanding of the tasks police officers face in our daily work,” said Sgt. Peter Panagakis, Crime Prevention Unit. “This will be the first youth academy and we’re striving to make it a mix of classroom and practical exercises that are pertinent to the environments these youth are in every day.”

The initial class will be an introduction and history of the Wheeling Police Department with the next four sessions covers field operations, tactical operations, investigations, crime scene processing, K-9, traffic and various other police topics. Instructors for each session will be officers from police personnel with years of training and real-life experiences in each specific subject.

“Because this program is made possible through a grant provided by the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant, there will be no cost to the participants,” Panagakis said.

Prospective students must fill out an application filled out and returned to the police department along with parental approval by August 21. Applications are available and can be returned to both the main Police Department, 255 W. Dundee Road and the Police Resource Center, 99 Wolf Rd. Applicants will be notified by the Crime Prevention Unit if selected.

For more information, contact Officer Dorann Swanson, Crime Prevention Unit, at 847-459-2679.

Wheeling Receives Excellence in Financial Reporting Award
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Wheeling, Illinois – June 2, 2004 – The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to the Village of Wheeling by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

“The Village was recognized because a lot of people were extremely diligent in ensuring financial responsibility was stressed throughout the entire fiscal year,” said Michael Mondschain, Finance Director. “I’m definitely like the manager of a world champion team; I may receive the ‘congratulatory’ letter from the GFOA, but my staff deserves all the credit for their attention to detail and professionalism.”

The CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive ‘spirit of full disclosure’ to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 15,000 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Wheeling Pavilion Senior Center Hosts Annual Auction Fundraiser
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Wheeling, Illinois – June 2, 2004 - The Wheeling Pavilion Senior Center hosts its annual auction fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 5, 199 N. First Street, Wheeling. The auction features a home bakery, various raffles, luncheon bar and drawings for random prizes.

“This is definitely or biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Nancy Janssen, Director of Senior Services. “We serve over 800 individuals aged 55-years and up through a variety of programs, services and events and the money we make from our annual auction goes a long way towards ensuring we maintain our high-level of service to the community.”

This year’s event is co-sponsored by the Pavilion Advisory Council, American Enterprise Bank, Corus Bank and the Wheeling Countryside – Pioneer Press.

The Pavilion Senior Center is a home-away-from-home to over 800 area older adults who depend on the Pavilion programs to alleviate loneliness, provide supportive services and to offer opportunities for area seniors’ creativity that will help them remain productive and independent members of our community.

For more information, contact Nancy Janssen at 847-459-2670.

Dundee Road Pedestrian Overpass Construction Scheduled to Begin
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Wheeling, Illinois – June 2, 2004 - The long awaited rehabilitation of the Dundee Road Pedestrian Overpass will begin during the week of June 7. Dundee Road will be closed the weekends of June 12/13 for demolition of the bridge and June 26/27 for the replacement of the superstructure. The closure will be from Schoenbeck Road to Elmhurst Road (IL RTE 83.) Traffic will be detoured on Schoenbeck Road/Hintz Road/Elmhurst Road. Construction is estimated for completion on August 20, 2004.

A Citizens Patrol member will be in front of the school directing the students to cross with the Crossing Guard at Schoenbeck Road.

If you have any questions, please contact the Engineering Department at 847-459-2985.

Village Begins Clean-Up Effort; Stresses Safety
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Wheeling, Illinois – May 27, 2004 – According to Village of Wheeling officials, the Des Plaines River has crested below initial forecasts and will now begin receding. According to the National Weather Service, the river stabilized in Des Plaines at around 6 a.m. and was measured at approximately 3.52 feet above flood level.

Clean-up efforts will begin immediately and efforts to turn on electricity, gas and sewage systems in the Fox Point subdivision could begin as soon as today, water levels permitting. Village inspectors will begin inspecting any homes/buildings affected by the water to determine their habitability.

Displaced residents should not return to their homes until directly notified by Village officials. All Residents are reminded that the river and Wheeling draining ditch are still above flood levels and extremely dangerous and should not be used for recreational purposes.

“We recognize that the end results could have been a lot worse,” said James Lang, Public Relations Coordinator. “However, the river is still extremely dangerous and it will take several days before the water recedes. That being said, we thank our residents for their cooperation during this stressful period and cross our fingers that we’ve seen the most water we’re going to see for awhile.”

Special Olympic Fund Raiser Raises $7,000 for Local Athletes
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Wheeling, Illinois – May 25, 2004 – The weekends excessively wet weather couldn’t dampen the spirits at the joint Wheeling/Buffalo Grove Police Department Special Olympics 2004 fundraiser May 22 at Kilcoyne’s in Wheeling. The event was a prelude to the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run scheduled for June 6.

Supporters turned out for the fundraiser, which featured a pig roast and raffle, despite the promise of occasional downpours. According to Bill Benson, Wheeling Police Commander, the event raised $7,000 for local Special Olympians. “The event was a huge success and it wouldn’t have happened without the generosity and support of Joe Kilcoyne [owner of Kilcoyne’s] and Mike Moran, who donated the pig,” Benson said. “The community really opened up their wallets and allowed us to raise $7,000 for Special Olympics.”

Special Olympics is the lone philanthropy supported by law enforcement agencies across Illinois. According to Steve Balinski, Buffalo Grove Police Chief, more than $2 million was raised last year utilizing grass roots fundraising efforts such as the pig roast. “We’ve been supporting Special Olympics and the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the past 16 years and all the effort is worth it because these athletes are really special people in our lives,” said Balinski. “We, as law enforcement professionals, really garner a sense of ownership regarding our support of Special Olympics and the athletes; it is an extremely rewarding partnership.”

Two athletes, Brian Hedlund of Hoffman Estates and Brett Benes of Wheeling, were on hand to meet some of their supporters and assist the two departments with raffle drawings. The athletes will be making the trip downstate to Illinois State University to compete in the Summer Games, June 11-13. A bowling fundraiser is scheduled for June 4 at Hawthorn Lanes in Vernon Hills starting at 6:30 p.m. This is the final fundraiser prior to the annual Torch Run which consists of law enforcement agencies running two-mile legs in their respective communities with the Special Olympics Torch and passing it to the next community. Wheeling’s contingent will receive the torch June 6.

The following businesses, organizations and individuals were instrumental in the success of this fundraiser: Wallace Construction, Market Square, Best Spa, Hackney’s, House of Rental, Chevy Chase Country Club, ADT Security, Town and Country, Anheuser Busch, Oak Terrace Beverage, Sysco, Sam’s Club, Gordon Food Service, Jerry’s Auto Body, Suburban Auto, Four Winds Golf Course, Hang Outs, Madden Communications, Hagg Press, Captain’s Quarters, AJ Services, Skokie Valley Beverage, Bailey, Banks & Biddle, Weld Mart, Old Munich Inn, Best Buy, Kilcoyne’s Redwood Inn, Cathy Austill and Mike Bledde of Vision Marketing.

Wheeling Police Department Honors  D.A.R.E. Graduates in Ceremony
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Wheeling, Illinois – May 24, 2004 –The Wheeling Police Department honored more than 120 fifth graders at Walt Whitman Elementary School during a Drug Abuse Resistance Education [DARE] graduation ceremony May 21. Police Officer John Abbio, DARE Coordinator at Whitman School, presided over the program that recognized each graduate with a ‘diploma.’

“It is definitely a challenging course to teach in that the kids also have their usual school work, but I’ve run into kids who graduated from the program and years later they still remember everything they learned,” Abbio said. “I’m extremely proud to be affiliated with the program and hopefully the state won’t cut funding so extreme that it becomes extinct. We’ve already been informed that next year’s program will have to be reduced to 10 weeks.”

Ralph Cook, Whitman School Principal, was pleased with the students’ performances throughout the entire program. “It’s a really great opportunity to show them how much we value their work in the program. My hope is that they will carry these life lessons on into middle school and later on in life,” stated Cook.

DARE, founded in 1983, is a 17-week course that teaches kids skills to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence. The police officer-led series focuses on techniques and lessons that will hopefully show students in grades Kindergarten-12th grade ways to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives.

For more information on DARE or any other Wheeling Police Department outreach program, call 847-459-2993.

Wheeling Police Department Hosts D.A.R.E, Graduation, Rockin' 
W/Cops
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Wheeling, Illinois - May 17, 2004 -The Wheeling Police Department kicks off the weekend by hosting a D.A.R.E. Graduation at Walt Whitman Elementary School on Friday and keeps the party going by sponsoring one of its extremely popular Rockin' with the Cops events at the Wheeling Park District Community Center Saturday.

The graduates of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program walk across the stage at 10 a.m. Friday, May 21 in the school's gymnasium, according to Police Officer and D.A.R.E. liaison John Abbio. "This is an exciting event for the kids and the department because there are countless departments and communities across the state that have had to cut the program," Abbio stated. "We believe strongly in the program and are committed to not only educating the kids about the dangers of drugs while they are in school, but reminding them that 'just saying no' should be a lifetime decision."

The weekend continues with a 'Rockin' with the Cops' youth outreach event that runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 22 at the Wheeling Park District Community Center, 333 W. Dundee Road. The event is designed to give area fifth, sixth and seventh grade students an opportunity to hang out with officers in a social environment. "We started this event last year to allow us [Wheeling Police Officers] an opportunity to not only provide a fun night of games, eating and swimming for the kids, but to really interact with these kids in an unofficial capacity," said Sgt. Pete Panagakis, Crime Prevention Unit. "The kids get to see us as normal people who like to hang out and have fun; not just as individuals in uniform enforcing the rules."

The event is held in conjunction with a grant from the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant [LLEBG] of Cook County. The LLEBG was provided by President John H. Stroger, Jr. and the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the Judicial Advisory Council. This project was supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs. "The entire evening is free of charge," Panagakis said. "The kids can enjoy pizza and soda, we'll have a DJ, the indoor aquatic facility will be available and I'm sure there will be some spirited games of basketball and volleyball taking place throughout the night."

Due to an overwhelming response last year, the program is limited to the first 350 kids who sign up. Registration and waiver forms are available at Holmes and London Middle Schools and Wheeling Grade Schools and should be turned into the respective Wheeling Police School Officers or homeroom teachers.

For more information, call 847-459-2993.

Senior Celebration Day Scheduled for Wednesday, May 12, 2004
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Wheeling, Illinois — May 4, 2004 — The Wheeling Pavilion Senior Center invites and encourages Wheeling-area seniors to participate in the 16th Annual Senior Celebration Day from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 12 at the Randhurst Shopping Center in Mount Prospect.

Free health screenings and testing for a variety of health issues including hearing, glaucoma, blood pressure, pulmonary function, stress and oral cancer will begin at 9:30 and run throughout the day. In addition, live entertainment, voter registration, fire and crime prevention safety tips and a variety of senior services informational booths will be available for participants. This year’s special guest speaker is Jesse White, Illinois Secretary of State. Complimentary refreshments from the Egg Factory and Trader Joe’s will be provided for the first 500 people and hourly prize drawings will be held throughout the event.

Bus transportation is available, but reservations must be made by calling the Wheeling Township at 847-259-7743. A $2 donation is requested for bus service. 

For information, call the Wheeling Pavilion Senior Center at 847-459-2670.

Dundee Road East and West Bound To Be Closed For Construction
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Wheeling, Illinois – April 20, 2004 - The Village of Wheeling has been informed by Metra that Dundee Road will be closed at the railroad track crossing due to construction [Dundee & Northgate] beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, April 27 and is scheduled to remain closed until May 11, weather permitting. The construction is part of Metra’s Capital Improvement Plan that calls for double tracking of the railway up through Antioch, IL. A detour route utilizing Dundee Road, Elmhurst Road, Hintz Road, and Milwaukee Avenue back to Dundee Road (both directions) has been proposed.

As Dundee is obviously a major thoroughfare for both morning and afternoon rush hours, commuters are advised to adjust their travel schedules for the duration of the construction.

For more information, contact the IHC Construction Field Office in Des Plaines at
847-759-1386.

Wheeling Fire Chief Receives Wayne Leucht Memorial Award
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Wheeling, Illinois – March 29, 2004 – The Northern Illinois Chapter of the National Fire Sprinkler Association and the Illinois Fire Prevention Association recently named Wheeling Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac the fifth recipient of the NFSA’s Wayne Leucht Memorial Award.

The award is named for fallen firefighter Wayne Leucht, Fire Inspector from the Northbrook Fire Department and was created to recognize members of the local fire service who personify the spirit and dedication of the fire service. The recipients are also recognized for their efforts to increase the use and knowledge of the life and property-saving benefits of fire sprinklers in their communities.

“We are very happy to recognize and applaud Keith’s professionalism and dedication to the fire service,” said Don Smith, Chairman of the Northern Illinois Chapter of the NFSA. “Because of Keith’s dedication and hard work, Wheeling is first on the Illinois list of fire-safe municipalities.”

“I’m honored to receive this award,” MacIsaac said. “I knew Wayne for many years and he was a great guy who had a passion and special way of getting his point across.” MacIsaac is only the fifth fire professional chosen by the NFSA for the memorial award. He will receive the award along with a $2,500 donation to the charity of his choice at the Ninth Annual Illinois Burn Prevention Invitational at the Glen Flora Country Club in Waukegan, June 7.

Village Announces Availability of 10th Annual Community Scholarship
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Wheeling, Illinois - March 5, 2004 - Village President Greg Klatecki is pleased to announce the availability of the 10th Annual Community Scholarship in cooperation with the Northwest Municipal Conference and the Workforce Board of Northern Cook County. As a result of a joint scholarship development campaign in the business community, the Village was provided with funds to award a scholarship(s) to pursue educational training, upgrading or retraining. "We're honored to partner with the NWMC and Workforce Board of Northern Cook County to provide our young people the opportunity to pursue their dreams via education," said President Klatecki. A President's Committee will select the scholarship winner(s). The scholarship(s) can be applied toward tuition, books and any other commensurate educational expenses.

The candidate must be: a resident of Wheeling; a United States citizen or permanent resident; demonstrate financial need; be a first-time, continuing or returning student and take coursework at an approved Illinois educational institution. Additional information regarding the eligibility and selection criteria for the scholarship is included with the application. Applications are available at Village Hall, 255 W. Dundee and on the Village's website - click here. Completed applications must be returned to Village Hall by 3 p.m. April 30, 2004.

Wheeling Special Events Commission Hosts Annual Spaghetti Dinner
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Wheeling, Illinois - March 2, 2004 - The Village of Wheeling Special Events Commission holds its annual all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner fundraiser from 2 to 6 p.m., March 28 at the AmVets Post #66, 700 Old McHenry Road, Wheeling. Proceeds help offset the cost of special events such as the July 4th Celebration and Taste of Wheeling.

The dinner consists of spaghetti and meatballs, salad, garlic bread and dessert and only costs $7 with children 5-years-old and younger eat for free. Tickets are only available at the door. The Commission sends a special thanks to Joe Mastrototaro and his staff at Wa-Pa-Ghetti's Pizza for once again catering the event and Market Square Restaurant for donating dessert.

For more information, contact Elaine Simpson, Special Events Commissioner, at
847-541-8692.

Village of Wheeling Hosts Community Blood Drive
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Wheeling, Illinois - February 26, 2004 - The Village of Wheeling will be hosting a blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. March 10, 2004 at the Fire Station on Dundee Road adjacent to the Village Hall.

Recently I heard from a friend who received his two-gallon donor pin from LifeSource. He told me, "You know how important I feel blood donation is, but it really hit home a little over a year ago when my wife needed 5 transfusions and more than 12 pints over the course of our daughters birth. Then, our daughter needed it off and on during her six-month stay in the hospital. Thanks to those who donated, both are doing well today. In fact, the other day we were out shopping and happened upon a mobile blood drive and we both donated."

You may not truly realize it when you make your donation, but the blood you give today will be there to help save someone's life tomorrow. In turn, if you ever require blood transfusions at some time in your life, and 50 percent of us will, it will be there for you because someone donated to save yours.

Appointments are greatly appreciated for our blood drive and aid us in anticipating the number of people that will attend so that LifeSource can properly staff the event. It also helps us prevent too many people from showing up at the same time which has created long wait times periodically in the past. If you plan on donating but are unable to set an appointment, please call so that you can find out when the hours with the shorter waits will be. For appointments or to let us know that you will walk-in, please call Mike Boyle at (847) 459-2621 or e-mail him at mboyle@wheelingil.gov.

Wheeling Receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
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Wheeling, Illinois - January 8, 2004 - The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) recently awarded the Village of Wheeling with the GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget. The award represents a significant achievement for Wheeling as it reflects the commitment of the Village Board and staff to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting. The recognition was for the Village's fiscal year that began May 1, 2003.

"We are obviously pleased and proud to be recognized by the GFOA for our efforts in creating and maintaining a fiscally responsible budget," said Mike Mondschain, Village of Wheeling Finance Director. "This is the 17th consecutive year the Village has been recognized and only four organizations throughout the entire state have received this award more consecutive years than Wheeling."

Wheeling had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation to be considered for the award. The GFOA determines how the overall budget serves as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communications device and must deem each component 'proficient.'

Since the inception of the GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program in 1984, approximately 900 organizations have been honored. This awards program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.

Wheeling Residents Provide Spirit of Holidays for Needy Kids
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Wheeling, Illinois - December 22, 2003 - Two members of the United States Marine Corps Reserve showed up at Wheeling's Village Hall last week and did a quick double take. Three boxes had grown to six and the overflow of toys extended down the hall. In the true spirit of the holidays, the residents and businesses of Wheeling had proved the economy was no match for the compassion of the human spirit.

"The toys started to accumulate about 10 days ago and within the last five days we were creating our own storage containers out of old computer boxes," said James Lang, Public Relations Coordinator. "It's impossible to place a price tag on the amount of caring and selflessness those boxes contained. Being involved with the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program really helps instill the meaning of the season and dissolve some of the cynicism and commercialism that accompanies this time of year."

Lang went on to say that more than 3,000 toys were donated during this year's campaign which ran from late October until December 18.

"I realize a heartfelt and humble thank you is a little contrite considering the amount of toys we collected, but on behalf of the Village President, Board of Trustees and staff…….thank you Wheeling."

Over the past 13 years, the Toys for Tots program has distributed an average of 9.9 million toys to 4.6 million needy children annually. Last year, more than 34,000 needy children in the Northern Chicago Zone received toys thanks to the efforts demonstrated by the people of Wheeling.

Wheeling Hosts 3rd Community Workshop for Metra Station Area
Land-Use Study
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Wheeling, Illinois - December 3, 2003 - The Village of Wheeling Metra Station Area Planning Study Project Committee met for what could have been the final time Tuesday evening at the Wheeling Park District Community Center. The committee, comprised of elected and appointed Village officials, Village staff, Park District representatives and local business leaders, has been working with consultants, the Regional Transit Authority, PACE and Metra on a land-use study around the Metra Station since July.

At a September public hearing, S.B. Friedman & Company, lead consultant, sub-consultants The Lakota Group and the Metro Transportation Group presented draft plans and strategies that resulted from the initial workshop conducted in July. The September "listening workshop" sought feedback, ideas and opinions from Village officials and staff, local business owners and organizations, developers, community organizations and residents on the recommended development opportunities and transit oriented district strategies for this study area. Input that was received was implemented into the proposed plan and presented to the committee Tuesday night. The Village Board recently approved a TIF district that encompasses the study area and is designed to support the plan. Village staff hopes to begin utilizing this initiative for development planning around the Metra train station soon.

"This plan is the result of a lot of cooperation and hard work between the committee, RTA, Pace, Metra, concerned residents, business leaders and our consultants," said Bill Whitmer, Director of Economic Development for the Village of Wheeling. "We're extremely pleased with the plan and hope to begin implementing it soon."

According to the committee, the plan is designed to be a 25-year outline for development focusing on the area surrounding the Metra train station.

"Good things happen when people work together for a common goal," said Greg Klatecki, Village of Wheeling President. "I'd especially like to thank the RTA for awarding us the grant that allowed us to create this plan."

Wheeling Officials Host Annexation Meetings
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Wheeling, Illinois - November 6, 2003 - The Village of Wheeling will host three information meetings for property owners affected by impending annexations. All affected property owners will receive a letter from the Village verifying their address to be within the annexation borders. The first meeting is 5 p.m. November 11 in the Village Hall Council Chambers, 255 W. Dundee Road. Subsequent meetings occur at 10 a.m. November 18 at Palwaukee Municipal Airport and 7 p.m. that same day in the Village Hall Council Chambers. Key staff members will be available to answer questions and provide information on police, fire, public works and other Village services that will provided upon annexation into the Village of Wheeling.

The Village Board will consider the annexations at 7:30 p.m. December 8 at the regularly scheduled Board meeting in Village Hall Council Chambers. The annexations are being considered under Section 7-1-13 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

Village Kicks Off Holiday Season With Annual 'Festival of Lights'
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Wheeling, Illinois - November 4, 2003 - The Wheeling Special Events Commission invites the residents of Wheeling to kick off this year's holiday season with the 7th annual Festival of Lights Celebration.  This year's event begins at 6 p.m. November 23 at Village Hall, 255 W. Dundee Road.

The Holmes Middle School Chorus will perform seasonal selections and revelers can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies donated by Market Square Restaurant. There will also be a special visit by Mr. and Mrs. Claus who will hear all the childrens' wishes for their holiday season.

The grand event is the official lighting of the Village with more than 75,000 lights being turned on in the village at the same time. Lights at Village Hall, Friendship Park Fountain, and along Lake-Cook Road and Milwaukee Avenue will be lit simultaneously......at least that is the plan. In addition, the Wheeling Park District will coordinate its lighting with the Village. New holiday decor will also adorn the fountain and be unveiled that day.  For more information, call 847-459-2666, ext. 4107.

Wheeling Officials Outline TIF Guidelines
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Wheeling, Illinois - October 30, 2003 - The Village will host a public hearing November 10 regarding the formation of a Tax Increment Financing District surrounding the Metra train station. The hearing will take place prior to the regularly scheduled Village Board Meeting at 7:30 p.m. in Village Hall Council Chambers, 255 W. Dundee Road. The new TIF would encompass the municipal buildings on Dundee Road and extend west of the Metra train tracks past Elmhurst Road and east of the tracks to the Wheeling drainage ditch.

Village officials conducted a joint review board meeting in early October to inform representatives from the library, park district, schools and other taxing bodies on how the TIF could affect them.

In a TIF, the Village can freeze the amount of property taxes paid to local taxing bodies for 23 years. Properties still pay increases in property taxes, but money generated by appreciation in property value in the district can be used to pay for improving properties within the district.

"The hearing allows residents both within and outside the proposed TIF district the opportunity to voice their opinions or simply learn more about the Village's plans," said Mark Rooney, Assistant to the Village Manager.

Wheeling Asks Residents to Help Others During Holiday Season
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Wheeling, Illinois - October 30, 2003 - As the holiday months rush at us like the toy train lapping the tree, it is important to remember that while the holidays are joyous for most, they are also difficult for many. That said, as you count down shopping days and hang lights imitating the Griswold home in 'Christmas Vacation,' the Village would like to ask your support of two programs that would help less fortunate individuals have a brighter holiday.

The Village is once again partnering with the United States Marine Corps Reserve to ensure that every child 'has a little Christmas.' Individuals are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys in the front lobby of Village Hall, 255 W. Dundee Road, and at Bill Stasek Chevrolet, 700 W. Dundee Road beginning October 20 and continuing until December 18. Over the past 13 years, the Toys for Tots program has distributed an average of 9.9 million toys to 4.6 million needy children annually. Last year, more than 34,000 needy children in the Northern Chicago Zone received toys thanks to people just like you; let's do our part again this year.

Another program the Village is supporting this year is the Merlin Muffler and Brake Snug Hugs for Kids. For 12 years, Merlin's has been collecting new and like-new, as well as hand-made winter clothing that is donated to Children's Home and Aid Society of Illinois. Since its inception, the Snug Hugs for Kids program has donated more than 150 tons of winter clothing to needy families.

This year's drive takes place from November 1 through December 10 and individuals are asked to take items directly to the Merlin Muffler & Brake Shop located at 90 Old McHenry Road. The Village thanks you for your support and wishes you and yours many happy returns for your kindness.

Wheeling Fire Department Presented With Safety Award 
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Wheeling, Illinois - October 30, 2003 - The Wheeling Fire Department has been presented with a Life Safety Achievement Award for 2002 by the Residential Fire Safety Institute (RFSI) as announced by Roy L. Marshall, Director for the RFSI.

For 10 years, the Life Safety Achievement Award has recognized the local fire prevention activities that contributed to reducing the number of lives lost in residential fires. Wheeling qualified for this award because it recorded zero fire deaths in structures during that respective calendar year. Although residential fires in the United States account for only 20 percent of all fires, they result in 80 percent of all fire deaths. The RFSI is committed to reducing that number.

“Experience tells us that fire prevention activity and public education can significantly reduce life and property loss from residential fires,” Marshall stated. “The Life Safety Achievement Award recognizes fire departments for their fire prevention efforts and encourages them to continually improve those efforts.”

“I salute the entire department for a job well done and thank the RFSI for recognizing the pride we take in keeping Wheeling safe,” said Keith MacIsaac, Fire Chief. “It’s always nice to be patted on the back and especially when the award recognizes that no lives were lost due to fire in Wheeling in 2002.”

Spratt Named Public Works Director
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Wheeling, Illinois - October 30, 2003 - F. Wallace Douthwaite, Village Manager, announced that Charles Spratt has been named to the position of Public Works Director, effective October 16. Spratt had been the acting director since August 18. Spratt is no stranger to the Wheeling Public Works department, having come on board in November 1995 as a Fleet Services Supervisor. He was promoted to the Building and Fleet Services Supervisor in November 1999 when the Building Maintenance and Fleet Services Divisions were combined. "Chuck is an extremely skilled Public Works professional, obviously familiar with the Village and has the respect of the men and women in our PW Department," Douthwaite said. "He is the right man for the job."

Village of Wheeling Hosts Community Blood Drive
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Wheeling, Illinois - October 30, 2003 - The Village of Wheeling Board of Health is pleased to announce that it is hosting a blood drive with LifeSource Blood Services from 2 to 7 p.m. November 12 in the bays of the fire station at Village Hall, 255 West Dundee Road.

If you want to participate in the blood drive, please contact Village Health Officer Michael Boyle at (847) 459-2621 or via e-mail at mboyle@wheelingil.gov to schedule an appointment for donating. If you cannot commit to a time, letting us know that you will be a walk-in will still enable us to plan for sufficient staff to operate the drive efficiently. In either case, please do not hesitate to stop by and donate.

Before coming to the drive, be certain that you eat a solid breakfast and lunch during the day. Also drink plenty of non-caffeinated beverages as well. It has been recommended that by drinking plenty of water in the days leading to the drive that veins become fuller and make the blood donation process easier.

Wheeling Proclaims October 25 as 'Make a Difference Day'
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Wheeling, Illinois – October 17, 2003 - In conjunction with Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s dedication and commitment to volunteerism, The Village of Wheeling will mark October 25 as ‘Make a Difference Day.’ Following the lead of the governor, President Greg Klatecki has signed an official proclamation celebrating volunteer efforts throughout Wheeling and the State of Illinois.

‘Make a Difference Day’ is our nation’s largest single day of volunteering. The event is sponsored by USA Weekend magazine in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation and takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. Last year, more than 3 million people volunteered accomplishing thousands of projects in hundreds of towns and helping more than 25 million people.

“Volunteering comes in many shapes and forms,” said James Lang, Public Relations Coordinator. “Volunteer efforts encompass everything from coat drives and eyeglass collection points to river clean-ups and neighborhood projects like the recent Paint-a-Thon. Although we ‘officially’ celebrate the spirit of the volunteer on October 25, we should all make an effort throughout the year to help those who need it.”

Wheeling Affected by Refuse Collection Strike
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Wheeling, Illinois - October 1, 2003 If the Teamsters Local 731 and 301 representing employees of refuse collection companies continue to proceed with a strike, garbage collection in the Village of Wheeling will be impacted. The Village contracts with Waste Management for its refuse and recycling collection. The Union announced the strike October 1, 2003.

Village officials will stay in contact with Waste Management representatives on a daily/hourly basis. If the strike continues, refuse collection will not occur on regularly scheduled pick-up days. If the strike were to be settled within the next 48 hours, pick up could extend to the following day(s).

"We've been monitoring the situation involving a potential strike and Village staff has devised contingency plans should the strike have any substantial duration," said Greg Klatecki, Village President. "Obviously, we're hoping the strike will be resolved quickly and we won't have to enact these plans."

During this work stoppage, residents are encouraged to pay special attention to their garbage and recycle as much of the material as possible. Using containers with tightly fitting lids and attempting to minimize the number of trash bags needed to dispose of your home's waste will reduce the refuse nuisance caused by the strike. Do not leave recyclables, yard waste or refuse at the curb. When the strike is over, normal garbage pickup will resume.

During the strike, the Village will continue to investigate contingency plans to protect resident public health and safety. To voice your concerns regarding the strike, please contact Waste Management at 847-520-0059. Residents can access strike updates as they are made available via the Village's website, www.wheelingil.gov, cable channel 17 and/or by calling 847-459-2666 extension 4200.

Wheeling Hosts 2nd Annual Community Workshop for Metra Station Area Land-Use Study
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Wheeling, Illinois - September 8, 2003 - The Village of Wheeling invites the public to participate in the second community workshop regarding the Metra station land use plan at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 23 at the Wheeling Park District, 333 W. Dundee Road, Rooms 204-205.

At the workshop, the consultants will present draft plans and strategies that resulted from the initial workshop conducted several weeks ago. This will be a "listening workshop" in which the consultant team will present the draft plans and strategies for review and feedback from workshop participants. According to Bill Whitmer, Wheeling's Director of Economic Development, the objective of this meeting is to achieve consensus from a variety of participants including Village officials and staff, local business owners and organizations, developers, community organizations and residents on the recommended development opportunities and transit oriented district strategies for this study area. A subsequent draft concept plan will be developed utilizing the input derived from the review workshop.

The Village is conducting this land-use study via a grant from the Regional Transportation Authority's Regional Technical Assistance Program. The public workshop will be led by S.B. Friedman & Company, lead consultant, sub-consultants The Lakota Group and Metro transportation Group and Village Metra Station Area Planning Study Project Committee.

Wheeling Pauses in Remembrance of Victims of 9-11-01 Attacks
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Wheeling, Illinois - September 4, 2003 - The Village of Wheeling will pause to remember the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at 8 a.m. September 11 in front of Village Hall, 255 W. Dundee Road.

The Wheeling Police and Fire chaplain will deliver a memorial message followed by a wreath-laying ceremony by President Greg Klatecki and the Village trustees. In addition, a trumpeter from Wheeling High School will be on hand to render taps as the Village observes a moment of silence. The public is invited to attend.

Prior to the memorial, President Klatecki will sign an official 'Day of Remembrance' proclamation at the regularly scheduled September 8 Board meeting.

"We planned a memorial with no fanfare in order to focus on the solemnity of the anniversary," said James Lang, Public Relations Coordinator. "Obviously, this is a date that is forever etched in America's mind, reminiscent of Pearl Harbor or Kennedy's assassination. Each of us who are old enough remembers where we were and what we were doing when those aircraft struck the World Trade Center, Pentagon and the field in Pennsylvania. We [the Village of Wheeling] simply want to join Americans everywhere in remembering and reflecting on one of the darkest hours that ever occurred on United States soil."

Wheeling Pavilion Center Host First Annual Flea Market and Craft Fair
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Wheeling, Illinois - September 2, 2003 - The Wheeling Pavilion Senior Center will be the site of the first Pavilion Flea Market and Craft Fair running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. September 13 and 14. The event serves as one of the larger fund raisers used to offset program costs throughout the year.

"We invite everyone to come out and shop for treasures or rent a table and earn a little extra spending money for you," said Nancy Janssen, Director of Senior Citizen Services. Individuals can donate their items to the Pavilion Senior Center to be sold or reserve a table and sell the items themselves. Table rentals are $15 for one day or $25 for the entire weekend.

In addition to the unique retail opportunities, a lunch bar will be available to satisfy the appetite you'll develop perusing new and old items alike. "This is the first year for this event and we're hoping for a great turnout," Janssen said. "Our seniors have worked hard preparing for the weekend and I'm confident everyone who attends will not only have a great time, but be pleasantly surprised with the items for sale."

For more information on the event or to reserve table space, call the senior center at 847-459-2670.

Wheeling High School Recognized for Exemplary Seat Belt Use
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Wheeling, Illinois – August 21, 2003 – Wheeling High School representative will receive  recognition awards from both the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at the 7:30 p.m. August 25 Village of Wheeling Board Meeting at Village Hall, 255 W. Dundee Road.  Wheeling High School earned the dual-recognition for achieving a high seat belt use compliance rate during a recent  ‘Buckle Up America High School Challenge.’ The students were surveyed in June following the May ‘Click It or Ticket’ mobilization campaign and had an 88 percent compliance rate.  

That two-week campaign was coordinated with the State and National ‘Click It or Ticket’ program and concluded with officers conducting a ‘Seat Belt Enforcement Zone’ in late May in front of Wheeling High School on Route 83. “This is a well-earned and deserved recognition for Wheeling High School ; the students, their parents and the administration should be very proud,” said John Popadowski, Chief of Police. “It’s very gratifying to see our young people embracing something that seems so simple, but is proven to save lives.”

Safety Programs like these are funded by the Wheeling Safe Communities Program with a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.

Wheeling Hosts Community Input Workshop for Metra Station
Area Land Use-Study
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Wheeling, Illinois - July 9, 2003 - The Village of Wheeling takes the next step in developing its land-use plan for the area surrounding its Metra Station by hosting a community workshop at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16 in the council chambers room at 255 W. Dundee Road. The Village is conducting this study via a grant from the Regional Transportation Authority's Regional Technical Assistance Program. The public workshop will be led by S.B. Friedman & Company, lead consultant, sub-consultants The Lakota Group and Metro Transportation Group and Village Metra Station Area Planning Study Project Committee.

The workshop is designed to determine goals and objectives of the study from a variety of participants including Village officials and staff, local business owners and organizations, developers, community organizations and residents. This will be a "listening workshop" in which the consultant team will obtain input from participants regarding what they do and do not want included in the station area plan. Depending on attendance, the workshop will be conducted in either a round-robin or sub-group format. "Essentially, we're hoping to gain firsthand knowledge from the people who live and work in and/or near the study area, as well as individuals who utilize the services and businesses that exist in the target area," said Bill Whitmer, Director of Economic Development. "By working together we can form opinions and insights that will help guide the consultant team in its analysis."

The development of the land-use plan began several months ago with a kick-off meeting that outlined the focus area. The approximately 145-acre study area targeted for development includes the area immediately surrounding the station south to the Heritage Lake Tributary and west over the rail tracks to the ComEd high lines. In addition, portions of Dundee Road from east of Northgate Park to the east to the London Middle School east property line on the west; and an area north of Dundee Road to the Wheeling drainage ditch.

Wheeling Police Commander Graduates From FBI National Academy
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Wheeling, Illinois - June 20, 2003 - Wheeling Police Commander John Stone recently joined an extremely elite group of law enforcement professionals when he graduated from the FBI National Academy Program t Quantico, Virginia. Stone was one of 234 law enforcement officers from 49 states, the District of Columbia, 20 international countries, three military organizations and four federal civilian organizations to complete the rigorous 10-week course.

Stone joined the Wheeling Police Department in November, 1977. He attained the rank of sergeant in 1989 and commander in 1996 and is currently in charge of the Patrol Division consisting of the Traffic and Tactical Units. According to John Popadowski, Chief of Police, the selection process is extremely competitive.

"Officers nominated to attend the academy undergo an extensive background check and interview process," Popadowski stated. "Admission is very limited with only one-half of one percent of law enforcement officers worldwide invited to attend. Obviously, we are extremely proud of John, his accomplishment and value his contributions to the department and the community."

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy Program, held at the FBI Academy, offers 10 weeks of advanced investigative, management and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their respective agencies. Training for the program is provided by FBI Academy instructional staff, Special Agents and other staff members holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognized internationally in their fields of expertise.

Since its inception in July, 1935, only 36,519 law enforcement professionals worldwide have graduated from the prestigious school.

'Click It or Ticket’ Campaign Results in Increased Awareness
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Wheeling , Illinois – June 19, 2003 – In conjunction with the National ‘Click It or Ticket’ initiative, the Wheeling Police Department conducted its own awareness campaign recently.  This initiative included school speed zone/seat belt enforcement during daytime hours, DUI/seat belt enforcement during nighttime hours, a Roadside Safety Checkpoint over Memorial Day weekend, and a Seat Belt Enforcement Zone May 31 towards the end of the statewide campaign.  659 citations and written warnings were issued including 443 for seat belt violations, 9 for child restraint violations and 83 speeding violations.  31 arrests were made including 8 for DUI, 18 for suspended/revoked or no drivers license, three for drug possession and two wanted on warrants.

“It was an extremely successful campaign,” said John Popadowski, Wheeling Police Chief. “Through the combined efforts of the Police Department, participating schools and citizens we were able to convey the importance of seat belt use and not driving if you’ve been drinking.”

  Three local schools participated in awareness efforts for this campaign and contributed to substantial increases in safety belt compliance rates at all three sites.  Based on Seat Belt Surveys taken this week, Walt Whitman School increased compliance to 76 percent while Mark Twain School was surveyed at 84 percent compliance.  Of special interest is Wheeling High School , which increased its compliance rate to 88 percent from 71 percent the year before.

“These results are not only indicative of our enforcement, but also the dedicated efforts of students and staff at the high school who promoted this campaign with morning video announcements and public service announcements developed and filmed by students in the video department,” said Tom Pilewski, Wheeling Police Safe Communities Coordinator. “We’re greatly appreciative and thank them for their support.”  

Wheeling Police Reminds To ‘Click It or Ticket’;  Don't Drink and Drive (Back to Top)

Wheeling, Illinois – May 14, 2003 – The Wheeling Police Department will conduct a two-week School Speed Zone and Seat Belt use enforcement effort beginning Monday, 
May 19. 

The two-week campaign is coordinated with the State and National ‘Click It or Ticket’ program and will conclude with officers conducting a ‘Seat Belt Enforcement Zone’ on Saturday, May 31 in front of Wheeling High School on Route 83. “It’s a fact that seat belts save lives,” said John Popadowski, Chief of Police. “The ‘Seat Belt Enforcement Zone’ serves as a reminder that not only is it imperative you wear your seat belt for your safety, it is also the law.”

This is the second time the enforcement zone concept will be utilized in Wheeling to create greater awareness about safety belt use and enforce compliance under the Village’s Seat Belt ordinance. 

In addition to the ‘Click it or Ticket’ campaign, officers will conduct a Roadside Safety Checkpoint (RSC) beginning at approximately 10 p.m. Friday, May 23 and lasting until approximately 2 a.m. Saturday, May 24. The primary focus of this event will be DUI enforcement but all other Illinois Vehicle Codes will be enforced as well.

The RSC intentionally coincides with the kickoff of Memorial Day weekend. “Unfortunately, the first holiday of summer has become marked by increased numbers of impaired drivers, traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities both locally and nationwide,” Popadowski stated. “It’s a simple message, and one that we preach on a daily basis not just holidays; if you drink, don’t drive.” Additional DUI selective enforcement patrols have also been scheduled during the entire holiday weekend.

Safety Programs like these are funded by the Wheeling Safe Communities Program with a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.

Wheeling Senior Center Seeks Volunteer Computer Teachers
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Wheeling, Illinois - May 9, 2003 The Village of Wheeling's Pavilion Senior Center seeks volunteers to assist with its extremely popular SeniorNet computer classes. The classes, begun in September 2002, are designed to teach area seniors how to use personal computers.

Due to the popular demand of these classes, the Center needs additional volunteers who will be trained as coaches and instructors. "Volunteers need to have some computer skills, particularly with mouse and keyboard use," said Nancy Janssen, Director of Senior Citizen Services. An information workshop will be conducted at 10 a.m. June 7 to answer any questions potential volunteers may have.

For more information on the SeniorNet program or to inquire about volunteering, call 847-459-2670. Information is also available on the internet at http://nsn.org/wgkhome/wsnlc.

Wheeling Plan Commission Hosts 5th Annual 'Brooms and Blooms'
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Wheeling, Illinois - May 7, 2003 - The Wheeling Plan Commission is seeking a few good volunteers to help brighten up the Village in its annual Blooms and Brooms spring clean-up. Participants will gather at Village Hall at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 17 and remove debris from Milwaukee Ave. and then plant flowers at various Village garden sites and key entry points.

This is the fifth year the Plan Commission has solicited volunteers to assist public works employees in cleaning and planting 'high profile' garden locations throughout the Village. "This is a great opportunity for residents to interact with Village officials and employees while knowing they are making a difference in the appearance of their community," said Ken Brady, Plan Commission Chairman.

According to David Kowal, Assistant Director of Public Works, all of the materials including tools, dirt, fertilizer and of course the flowers are provided by the Village for the annual event. In addition, the volunteers are treated to a cookout courtesy of the Plan Commission once the plantings are complete.

As an added feature, the Wheeling Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale that morning from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of Village Hall, 255 W. Dundee Rd. Various types of annuals, hanging baskets, perennials, herbs and vegetables will be on sale.

For more information on volunteering for the event or the Wheeling Garden Club, contact Ken Brady at 847-537-8642.

McHenry Road, Southbound, Closed for Construction
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Wheeling, Illinois - May 6, 2003 - The Wheeling Police Department announces that McHenry Road, southbound, will be closed from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, May 9 due to road construction/concrete pouring. Only northbound traffic will be permitted to traverse McHenry Road between Lake-Cook Road and Elmhurst Road. The Village apologizes for any inconveniences.

Wheeling Detective Walks for Children's Advocacy Center
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Wheeling , Illinois – May 2, 2003 – He’s seen a lot during his 14 years in law enforcement. Domestic disputes, homicides, burglaries…..eventually becoming jaded and cynical - desensitized to the lawlessness he confronted on a daily basis. Yet his hard work earned him a promotion to detective, and with that promotion came the kids.

“Once I was promoted to detective I began investigating a number of cases involving abused children,” said Wheeling Police Detective Jim Plovanich. “Every investigation was a highly emotional experience because I was dealing with kids who had been abused physically, emotionally and sexually…..often times traumatized to the point where communication with them was virtually impossible.”

That’s when Plovanich was introduced to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northwest Cook County. The C.A.C. is a non-profit organization that interviews and counsels children who are victims of sexual and physical abuse. Essentially, the organization becomes the liaison between the abuse victim and organizations such as the investigating police department, Department of Children and Family Services or the Cook County State ’s Attorney’s Office.

“The Children’s Advocacy Center is invaluable to us when we are attempting to communicate with an abused child,” Plovanich explained. “They are so caring and professional and treat the victims with maternal-like instincts; they rebuild the trust that was destroyed and make it possible for the victims to open up.”

Plovanich became so impressed with the people and mission of the C.A.C. that he decided to undertake a monumental fundraising effort on their behalf. “The C.A.C. exists primarily on the financial generosity of the caring citizens and businesses of the Northwest suburbs,” he said. “I wanted to do something to give back….I know first-hand the importance of the services they provide.”

That ‘Something’ became a ‘Walk Across Wyoming’ to benefit C.A.C. An incredible 400-mile, two-week trek across the rugged and scenic countryside of the state Plovanich became enamored with when he read Mountain Man, by Vardis Fisher. He will average 30-miles per day while carrying everything needed for sustenance on his back.

“I realize it sounds a little crazy for a person to walk across an entire state, but I’m accomplishing two things that are very important to me,” he said. “I have always wanted to embark on this type of adventure and now I have the inspiration [C.A.C.] needed to finally go for it.”

While Plovanich’s inspiration comes from the kids the C.A.C. helps, the people that make up the C.A.C. are pretty inspired by him.

“This is an unbelievable show of commitment and belief in what we do,” said Mark Parr, C.A.C. Director. “Obviously whatever funds he raises will be appreciated, but perhaps more important is the awareness he’s creating for an issue that still exists in our communities. He is an inspiration to everyone within the C.A.C.”

Plovanich begins his journey July 7 and expects to be back in Wheeling two weeks later. Any individuals or businesses interested helping Jim raise as much money as possible for the C.A.C. are encouraged to contact him at  847-459-2648.

Pavilion Senior Center Hosts Annual Family Fun Faire
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Wheeling, Illinois - April 29, 2003 - The Wheeling Pavilion Senior Center's annual Family Fun Faire runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 7. The event is considered the Center's premier fundraiser and will feature silent and live auctions, raffles, clowns, snacks, a bake sale and a luncheon bar.

The Center is seeking appropriate donations or services from local businesses and residents for the auctions. Proceeds from the auctions benefit activities for people over age 55 in Wheeling Prospect Heights and Buffalo Grove. Additional dollar donations will go the Senior Program fund to support various activities and services.

This year's event is sponsored in part by American Enterprise Bank, Century 21-Real Estate Wheeling, Corus Bank, The Countryside Press, Daily Herald and Kenny Construction Company.

For information, call the senior center at 847-459-2670.

Wheeling Township Senior Services Presents Spring Educational Forum
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Wheeling, Illinois - April 29, 2003 - The Wheeling Senior Citizens Commission hosts its Spring Educational Forum at 1 p.m. May 8 at the Pavilion Senior Center, 199 N. First Street. The Forum is designed to inform residents about the many services available from Wheeling Township.

Director of Senior and Disabled Services Sue Ellen Burlini will discuss the township's HATS (Help Available to Seniors) program. She will cover such subjects as transportation, the visiting nurse program and Meals-on-Wheels.

Assessor Dolores Stephan will provide information about the Cook county senior homestead exemption, senior tax freeze and the tax-deferred program.

For information, call the senior center at 847-459-2670.

Wheeling to Participate in 16th Annual Paint-A-Thon
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Wheeling, Illinois - April 29, 2003 The Village of Wheeling is grabbing its rollers and paint brushes and participating in the 16th Annual Community Paint-A-Thon scheduled for Saturday, September 6, 2003. The annual event is a unique community partnership designed to paint homes owned and occupied by seniors with limited financial resources.

"This is one of the most rewarding events we participate in," said Nancy Janssen, Director of Senior Citizen Services for Wheeling. "It's one day of hard work, camaraderie and an unbelievable outpouring of love."

Although the actual painting day is not until September, Janssen pointed out that interested individuals should begin the application process now. "Qualified home owners must be at least 60-years-old or have a permanent disability and cannot do the work themselves," Janssen said. "In addition, their annual income must not exceed $25,000. The selection committee does take into account excessive expenses like prescriptions and medical bills when determining eligibility."

At the heart of the event is the massive volunteer workforce that assembles for the one-day project. Once the homes are identified, teams of volunteers are assigned to scrape, prime and paint each house. Each team consists of one leader and approximately 20 workers. "There were approximately 650 volunteers at last year's event," Janssen said. "Obviously, this event could not happen without the kindness of many caring people."

Individuals who would like to be considered for the project or who are interested in volunteering can contact Nancy Janssen at 847-459-2670 or stop by the Wheeling Senior Citizens Center, 199 N. First Street.

Wheeling Police Offer Free Car Seat Inspection
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Wheeling, Illinois - April 28, 2003 - The Wheeling Police Department will conduct a free car seat inspection from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at Target, 1400 E. Lake Cook Road. The event is sponsored in part by Bill Stasek Chevrolet and the Wheeling Safe Communities Coalition.

The event is one of three the department hosts throughout the year. “Results from previous safety seat checks have shown that four out of five car seats are used incorrectly,” said Officer Dorann Swanson. “Car seats can be more tricky to install than you think; people are always surprised when you point out potential problems or accidents waiting to happen.”

Swanson is one of seven certified inspectors in the department. Certified inspectors must complete a stringent course taught by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. “The course basically teaches you how to inspect every nook and a cranny of a car seat and ensure your child is as safe as possible,” Swanson added.

For more information, contact the Wheeling Police Department at 847-459-2632.

Illinois Torch Run Raises Funds for Special Olympics
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Wheeling, Illinois - April 25, 2003 – Two miles. Two miles that symbolize heroism, an inspirational spirit and an overwhelming sense of pride in the athletes who participate in Illinois Special Olympics.

Wheeling Law Enforcement Officials will participate in the 2003 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois on June 8. Wheeling officers and staff will man the eighth leg of the annual run that raises funds for the more than 500,000 Special Olympians across Illinois. The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single largest year-round fund-raising event benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. Each year, more than 3,000 officers in Illinois run more than 1,500 miles carrying the Flame of Hope through their hometowns and deliver it to the State Summer Games.

Law Enforcement officials from Buffalo Grove will pass the torch to the Wheeling contingent at Lake-Cook and Milwaukee. The runners will proceed up Milwaukee Ave. to Hintz Road where the torch will be handed to officers from Prospect Heights. Each of the 15 to 20 Wheeling officers and staff members carrying the symbolic flame will have raised anywhere from $100 to $1,000 in contributions.

“The sole reason we do this is to raise money for an organization that is invaluable to thousands of physically challenged individuals in Illinois,” said Officer Mike Porzycki, 2003 Wheeling Torch Chairperson. “Collectively, Illinois law enforcement agencies have been able to raise millions of dollars over the years – two miles at a time.”

Commander Bill Benson has been running with the Wheeling contingent for 16 years. During that time he’s not only seen the amount of donations increase, the number of runners has also multiplied. “The first year we participated it was another officer and me,” Benson recounted. “Over the last 16 years we’ve been able to recruit additional runners which meant we raised more funds for the Special Olympics. It’s really an event we look forward to all year and there is such a spirit of camaraderie among each of the different departments that participates; we know we’re helping out a great cause.”

Individuals and/or organizations who are interested in contributing donations to Special Olympics Illinois via the Wheeling Police Department can contact Officer Mike Porzycki at 847-459-2632 or James Lang, Public Relations Coordinator at 847-459-2605. All donations are tax deductible.

“Thanks to the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Special Olympics Illinois is better able to reach more athletes and offer them more year-round training and competition opportunities," says Doug Snyder, Special Olympics Illinois President and CEO.

Wheeling Police Department Hosts 2nd Annual "Rockin' with the Cops"
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Wheeling, Illinois – April 18, 2003 – At first glance, the pairing of Wheeling Police Officers and middle-school age kids on a Saturday night might give one the impression something is amiss. Not so on May 3. The Wheeling Police Department hosts its 2nd Annual Rockin’ with the Cops Event from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at the Wheeling Park District Recreation Center, 333 W. Dundee Road.

The event is designed to give area fifth, sixth and seventh grade students an opportunity to hang out with officers in a social environment. “We started this event last year to allow us [Wheeling Police Officers] an opportunity to not only provide a fun night of games, eating and swimming for the kids, but to really interact with these kids in an unofficial capacity,” said Sgt. John Teevans, Crime Prevention Unit. “The kids get to see us as normal people who like to hang out and have fun; not just as individuals in uniform enforcing the rules.”

The event is held in conjunction with a grant from the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant [LLEBG] of Cook County. The LLEBG was provided by President John H. Stroger, Jr. and the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the Judicial Advisory Council. This project was supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs. “The entire evening is free of charge,” Teevans said. “The kids can enjoy pizza and soda, we’ll have a DJ, the indoor aquatic facility will be available and I’m sure there will be some spirited games of basketball and volleyball taking place throughout the night.”

While community outreach programs are common in most police departments, Wheeling takes pride in the fact that they host actual events for the youth. “I’m extremely proud of my officers for taking an active role in the lives of these kids away from the 9 to 5 of the job,” said John Popadowski, Police Chief. “In some cases, these kids do not have many positive adult role models in their lives and their perceptions of police officers are that we are individuals to avoid. Events like ‘Rockin’ with the Cops’ allow the officers and kids a chance to establish relationships based on friendship and trust.”

Due to an overwhelming response last year, the program is limited to the first 350 kids who sign up. Registration and waiver forms are available at Holmes and London Middle Schools and Wheeling Grade Schools and should be turned into the respective Wheeling Police School Officers or homeroom teachers by April 30. 

For more information, call 847-459-2990.

Arbor Day Tree Planting
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Wheeling, Illinois - April 15, 2003 - The Village of Wheeling invites you to its annual Arbor Day Celebration at 9 a.m. Friday, April 25 at Holmes Jr. High. Village representatives and students will mark the occasion by joining forces to plant an Autumn Purple Ash.

“This is a great opportunity for our students to interact with representatives of our Village government,” said Loretta Cordova, Holmes Jr. High teacher and Arbor Day Chairperson. “We’re extremely pleased that the Village chose to use Holmes for this year’s planting.”

According to Guy Kolberg, Director of Public Works, the commemorative tree actually replaces a diseased tree that had to be removed. This year’s Arbor Day planting coincides with the Village receiving its first National Arbor Day Growth Award.  Only Tree City USA recipients who demonstrate an increased dedication to not only planting additional trees, but educating the community receive the coveted Growth Award.  The Tree City USA Growth Award is provided by The National Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service, to recognize environmental improvement and encourage higher levels of tree care throughout America. This award is designed not only to recognize achievement, but also to communicate new ideas and help the leaders of all Tree City USAs plan for improving community tree care.

“We take great pride in the fact that Wheeling has been recognized as being a Tree City USA for the last 13 years,” Kolberg said. “Receiving our first Growth Award is indicative of our commitment to continuing the beautification process throughout our Village.”

Annual Water Flushing Scheduled to Begin Soon
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Wheeling, Illinois - April 15, 2003 - The Village of Wheeling’s Water Division will be conducting its annual fire hydrant flushing throughout May.

The Hydrant flushing is scheduled to commence on May 4, weather permitting, between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. and will continue until all portions of the water distribution system are completed. “The flushing is an important preventative maintenance program and is undertaken to remove particulate matter and corrosion from the system,” said Scott Lark, Water Division Supervisor. “Residents may notice a little less water pressure and discoloration of their water during the flushing program, however, the water is completely safe to drink.” Residents are advised to check the color of the water before beginning laundry in order to prevent any staining.

Signs will be posted in areas designated for flushing one day in advance of the work.

Should any citizens have concerns regarding the flushing program they may contact the Public Works Department at 459-2624 on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Village Announces Availability of 9th Annual Community Scholarship
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Wheeling, Illinois – April 11, 2003 – Village President Greg Klatecki is pleased to announce the availability of the 9^th Annual Community Scholarship in cooperation with the Northwest Municipal Conference and the Workforce Board of Northern Cook County. As a result of a joint scholarship development campaign in the business community, the Village was provided with funds to award a scholarship(s) to pursue educational training, upgrading or retraining. “We’re honored to partner with the NWMC and Workforce Board of Northern Cook County to provide our young people the opportunity to pursue their dreams via education,” said President Klatecki. A President’s Committee will select the scholarship winner(s). The scholarship(s) can be applied toward tuition, books and any other commensurate educational expenses.

For Celina Hidalgo, a 2001 scholarship recipient and current nursing student at William Rainey Harper College, the scholarship represented more than a financial reward. “When I received a Community Scholarship two years ago it made me realize there are people who believe in me and truly want me to succeed in my chosen career,” Hidalgo said. “I encourage any eligible candidate to apply for the scholarship; It has  meant a great deal to me in my pursuit of my nursing degree.”

The candidate must be: a resident of Wheeling; a United States citizen or permanent resident; demonstrate financial need; be a first-time, continuing or returning student and take coursework at an approved Illinois educational institution. Additional information regarding the eligibility and selection criteria for the scholarship is included with the application. Applications are available at Village Hall, 255 W. Dundee and on the Village’s website. Click here to download the Scholarship Form.  Completed applications must be returned to Village Hall by 3 p.m. May 16, 2003.

Wheeling Tentatively Approves Budget for Revised Fiscal Year
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Wheeling, Illinois - April 9, 2003 - The Village of Wheeling has tentatively approved a $37 million budget for a “short” fiscal year, beginning May 1 and ending December 31. The Board of Trustees opted for the revised financial period to align it with the calendar year. The final vote is scheduled to take place at the April 28 regularly scheduled Board Meeting.

“We want to have a better idea of our spending needs so that we can adjust the level of property taxes when levied instead of making estimates based on parts of two different years,” said Village Manager Wallace Douthwaite.

Douthwaite also said the move should save money in that capital-improvement bids can be made at a time when contractors are idle. “If we wait until spring, the contractors' calendars are likely to be full leading to higher costs when they squeeze us into their work schedules.”

The budget covers $6.4 million in capital improvements, including $966,000 for the planned widening and resurfacing of Wolf Rd. from Manchester Dr. to Milwaukee Ave. An additional $142,000 from tax-increment finance (TIF) funds also is earmarked for the project. Although the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has jurisdiction over Wolf Rd., it requires advance payment to begin work.

The Wolf Rd. contract will be let in September, making it part of the new fiscal year. However, most of the construction will take place in 2004. The widening of the roadway will provide for an 11-foot center turn lane, easing the congestion that now occurs due to motorists making left turns. In addition, new streetlights and an enclosed drainage system will be installed.

The budget allocates $580,000 to acquire flood-prone properties in the Wolf Rd. corridor. It will mark the second year of the acquisition program, which is being funded by a federal grant. Contracts for the current year have been let, but work has not yet begun.

The recent approval of the North TIF District, centering on N. Milwaukee Ave. from Strong St. to Lake Cook Rd., coupled with the planned Prairie Park condominium development, requires additional water delivery to the area. A 16-inch water transmission line costing $1.14 million will be built from Northgate Pkwy. to Wolf Ct. this summer. Funding came from monies originally allocated to the reconstruction of Wheeling Rd. from Dundee to Hintz Rds. That project will be included in the 2004 budget.

Other expenditures include $205,000 for construction of the Wheeling bicycle path from Dundee Rd. to Lake Cook Rd., which is being funded by an IDOT grant. Three firefighters and several administrative positions also will be added.

Wheeling Residents Affected by Upcoming Sidewalk Improvements
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Wheeling, Illinois – April 9, 2003 – Wheeling residents residing in the Hollywood Ridge subdivision will soon receive new sidewalks as part of the Village’s 2003 Sidewalk Removal and Replacement Program. The on-going, annual program is designed to remove and replace defective, cracked, heaved and potentially dangerous sidewalk squares. Work is scheduled to commence shortly and be completed in approximately three to four weeks, weather permitting, according to Public Works officials.

The Village is aware of the temporary inconveniences these improvements will undoubtedly cause. Every attempt will be made to minimize inconveniences associated with undesirable construction-related conditions and potential driveway closures during this project.

Some of the sidewalk squares scheduled for replacement are located immediately adjacent to private driveways and aprons. In cases where construction impedes private driveways and aprons, residents will not be able to park or drive on the concrete for 72 hours. Throughout the construction process, the police department will permit overnight parking along all streets located within the affected sections of the Hollywood Ridge subdivision.

Village officials thank the Hollywood Ridge subdivision residents in advance for their patience and cooperation and are confident the completed sidewalk improvements will outweigh any temporary inconveniences.

Lang Named Wheeling Public Relations Coordinator
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Wheeling, Illinois — March 26, 2003 — James Lang will join the Village of Wheeling on April 7 as public relations coordinator, Village Manager F. Wallace Douthwaite announced today. The position is new.

Lang, 30, is currently public information coordinator for River Trails Park District, Mt. Prospect, IL. He formerly was communications director for the Vernon Hills Park District

The position will be responsible for developing media news releases, producing the Village newsletter, Village Views, coordinating activities with the Special Events Commission, and other, related activities.

Lang holds a bachelors degree in journalism from Northwestern State University in Louisiana. He is currently a candidate for a master’s degree in business administration at the University of Phoenix.

Wheeling Board OK's Overhaul of "London Bridge"
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Wheeling, Illinois — March 20, 2003 — The Wheeling Board of Trustees has agreed in principle to reconstruct the 36-year-old pedestrian crosswalk over Dundee Rd. at Jack London Middle School. The 81-foot superstructure of the so-called “London bridge” will be replaced with a “bow-string” truss construction topped with a protective screen.

Plans call for installing corrugated steel topped with lightweight concrete to form the walkway. The stairs will be refurbished and repainted. The abutments will be faced with fieldstone similar to that used in other public spaces such as Cole Taylor-Friendship Park at Milwaukee Ave. and Dundee Rd.

The trustees approved a reconstruction budget of about $272,000 but excluded a proposal for accent landscape lighting, citing concerns about vandalism. The Public Works Department will install landscaping at a later date. It is estimated the project will be completed by fall.

The crosswalk had been targeted for demolition several years ago in favor of a traffic light at Cedar Dr., a move initially opposed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), which controls Dundee Rd. IDOT later ruled the Village may install a traffic light at that location or keep the overpass — but not both.

“Everyone is concerned about safety at that location,” said Village Manager Wallace Douthwaite. “We’re confident this solution, coupled with crossing guards, will offer maximum protection for children going to and from school.”

About 37,000 vehicles a day pass beneath the structure.

Finance Association Recognizes Village of Wheeling
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Wheeling, Illinois — March 20, 2003 — The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has bestowed its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting on the Village of Wheeling. The award is based on the Village’s comprehensive annual financial planning report.

The certificate is GFOA’s highest recognition in governmental accounting. The organization said the recognition “represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.”

A GFOA panel judged the comprehensive annual financial report against an established standard. One of the program’s objectives is demonstrating a “spirit of full disclosure” that motivates users to read the report.

Finance Director Michael Mondschain accepted the award on behalf of the Village.

Petersburg Place to Rise on N. Milwaukee Ave
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Wheeling, Illinois — February 12, 2003 — The Wheeling Board of Trustees has approved plans to build a new shopping plaza on N. Milwaukee Ave., next to the Shadow Bend residential complex. To be called Petersburg Place, the center will contain almost 17,000 square feet of office and retail space in two buildings.

The developer, Alexander Babitsky, plans to break ground on the project by spring. He anticipates a September completion date.

Petersburg Place will feature a brick exterior with gabled roofs, echoing other, recently built stores in the Village. The developer plans to attract high-quality retailers similar to the jewelry store already signed to a long-term lease. Negotiations are continuing for a Chicago bookstore and others to relocate to the property.

The plaza is expected to employ 35-50 people when it is fully occupied.

Petersburg Place lies within the Crossroads tax increment finance (TIF) district. The Board has not determined whether TIF funds will be awarded to help finance the $2 million in projected construction costs.

Wheeling Takes Over KMart Lease
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Wheeling, Illinois — February 10, 2003— The Wheeling Board of Trustees wants to guard the keys to the former KMart building on Dundee Rd. Toward that end, the Board voted to assume the lease on the building. The arrangement with Kimart, L.P., a Kmart subsidiary, ensures the property will be developed in accordance with existing Village code, the forthcoming comprehensive plan and the trustees’ vision of the changing face of Wheeling.

The 107,000 square foot building has been unoccupied since KMart Corp. announced a nationwide restructuring and closure of many stores two years ago. To date, various organizations have expressed interest in the property, including car dealers, grocery stores, museum and community interests.

Trustees found it in “the public health, safety and welfare” to acquire the lease. They had expressed concern that the building could be leased to a tenant not suitable for Wheeling’s continuing modernization.

The resolution adopting the arrangement said the move will allow the “Village to take an active role in fostering economic development; promoting the economic revitalization of the area in which the KMart Building is located through redevelopment; and by preventing blight.”

Wheeling PD Issues Warning: Beware of Scam Artists
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Wheeling, Illinois — January 24, 2003 — The Wheeling Police Department has issued a consumer alert against scam artists who have victimized several village residents. One episode involved deceptive utility repairs, while the other was a variation on a widespread sweepstakes fraud.

In the first scheme, a man masquerading as a utility-company employee approached a resident claiming that, because of problems in the area, he needed to check something in the house, according to Officer Dorann Swanson, of the Wheeling Crime Prevention Unit.

“The man carried an identification badge and a radio. While the homeowner was distracted, a second man entered the home and stole several items of value. The first man then abruptly left in a white van or sport-utility vehicle,” Swanson said.

Another resident fell victim to a telemarketer, who told her she had won the Canadian Lottery. To receive her winnings, however, she had to mail a check to pay the taxes. “The victim eagerly agreed,” Swanson said, “and mailed a money order for several thousand dollars to the address given. After several months and another phone call requesting more money, the victim realized she had been scammed.”

These scams come in different varieties, and the police department has issued guidelines to help residents from being victimized.

Home repair fraud or ruse entry.

•  If someone comes to the door claiming that they are there to "check" on cable connections,
    phone lines, power lines, water or electric meters, request identification. Keep the 'repair
    person' outside, with the door locked, and call the utility company to verify the person’s
    legitimacy. Do not let them in until you can confirm that their presence is authorized.

•  Beware of anyone offering to pave the driveway, repair the roof or paint the house with
    supplies "left over from another job in the neighborhood."

•  Use contractors that have established places of business or those recommended by a friend
    or family member.

•  Never pay cash or pay in advance. Always pay by check or money order.

•  Females may try to enter your home by appearing with a sick child, requesting to use your
    phone, asking for a glass of water or using another ploy. If they get in, they may be there to
    distract you while a confederate looks for valuables.

Sweepstakes scams.

•  Insist on receiving written information about a solicitor’s organization, but don’t be fooled
    by impressive-looking brochures. Check them out with the Better Business Bureau or the
    Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Affairs Office.

•  Never supply your credit card number, bank account number, Social Security number or
   any personal information over the phone unless you initiate the call.

•  Don’t act hastily. Always take your time to make a decision. If it sounds too good to be
    true, it probably is.

•  If a caller won’t answer your questions, hang up!

The Wheeling Police Department is warning residents to beware of anyone offering to do home repair jobs or claiming to be with a utility company. All utility employees will carry proper identification and will not object if you want to verify them with the company. Immediately report any suspicious behavior to the police.

For more information, contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 847-459-2693.

Klatecki Names Five as Wheeling Commissioners
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Wheeling, Illinois — January 20, 2003 — Wheeling President Greg Klatecki has filled five openings on three Village commissions, including the Economic Development Commission, the Human Rights Commission and the Special Events Commission.

Terry Bleecker, general manager of Rich Products Corp., Wheeling, will join the Economic Development Commission (EDC), which guides the Village’s efforts to attract and retain companies that support the business base. Rich Products is a food manufacturer. Also appointed to the EDC is Scott R. Blackwood,  who is vice president of operations at Wheeling-based Dearborn/CDT, a manufacturer of wire and cable products. Bleecker and Blackwood will serve for three years.

The Human Rights Commission will get two new members — Carol Samp, a Village resident for eight-and-a-half years, and Wendy Plotkin, who is in education and research at the University of Illinois, Chicago, Main Library. The Human Rights Commission is responsible for promoting diversity, mutual respect, cooperation and understanding within the Village. Both Samp and Plotkin will serve two-year terms.

Charles C. Spratt, a maintenance supervisor in the Wheeling Public Works Department, becomes the newest member of the recently reorganized Special Events Commission. His term will last for two years. The commission plans and organizes village-wide activities such as the July 4 parade and Taste of Wheeling, the holiday Festival of Lights and similar events.

“I deeply appreciate the willingness of these people, and all who serve on our boards and commissions, to volunteer their time to help move Wheeling ahead,” Klatecki said. “We elected officials, and all of our residents, need the insight, dedication and talent these commissioners provide.”

Wheeling Public Works Modernizes Construction-Planning Tools
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Wheeling, Illinois — January 17, 2003 — Remember the surveyors who used to peer through tripod-mounted “telescopes” and wave their arms at pole-wielding assistants down the road or up the hill? Well, there’ll be no more of that in the Wheeling Public Works Department, where the old surveyors’ telescopes, called “transits,” have gone to their Greater Reward.

As part of a larger effort to modernize and update its capabilities, the Department recently added two pieces of equipment, a “total station” and “data collector” to its surveying toolbox. The first device, a digital electronic distance measurement transit, maps the location and elevation of trees, curbs, driveways, sewer manholes, utility and street light poles, sidewalks, and other geographic features.

The transit then passes the information to the data collector. This handheld “electronic field book” stores the information for later downloading to a computer. Once computerized, the data integrate with specialized software to help the Department design roadways, water mains, and sewer projects.

“Now that we have three engineers with CAD [computer aided drafting] capabilities,” said Public Works Director Guy Kolberg, “we can proceed with streamlining our techniques to plan infrastructure projects. This new system will eliminate a lot of tedious manual drafting work.”

It will also save a significant amount of money. The Topcon Total Station and Ranger data collector, which cost less than $10,000, will eliminate the outsourcing previously done by private engineering or surveying consultants whose work can cost as much as $250,000 on a million-dollar job.

Clare Sloan Named Wheeling Assistant Village Planner
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Wheeling, Illinois — December 30, 2002 — Clare Sloan has joined the Wheeling Community Development Department as assistant village planner. A recent graduate of the University of Illinois at Champaign, Sloan, 22, holds a degree in regional and urban planning.

A native of Elmhurst (IL), Sloan participated in the planning of a residential neighborhood in Champaign. She also surveyed and analyzed attitudes of residents in a mixed-income housing project in England while studying at the University of Sheffield.

Sloan held an internship with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in Chicago, where she analyzed trading patterns and conducted floor surveillance for trade irregularities.

Sloan will work with and report to Village Planner Jeff Harris on issues of land use, long-term development goals, and implementing the comprehensive plan currently under development.

The Changing Face of Wheeling:
Wheeling Road Construction Tops 2003 Capital Improvements
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Wheeling, Illinois — December 17, 2002 — The Wheeling Public Works Department may budget more than $5 million in 2003 on a proposed capital improvement program that encompasses road work, sidewalk replacement, street lighting, new water mains and construction of a bicycle path. The capital improvement program will be presented to the Board of Trustees for its consideration and approval in early 2003.

Topping the list is the scheduled reconstruction of Wheeling Rd. from Dundee Rd. to Hintz Rd. The $2.5 million project will include widening the roadbed from Town St. (at the Metra parking lot) to Hintz Rd. One low-lying section, subject to flooding, will be raised. Plans also call for resurfacing from Town St. to Dundee Rd., and the widening and reconfiguration of the Wheeling-Dundee intersection, depending on land acquisition and final approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The area immediately around Town Rd. was rebuilt several years ago when the Metra station parking lot was constructed. It will not be resurfaced in 2003.

The Department will install 20-inch water mains, medians and landscaping on Wheeling Rd., south of Hintz, at a cost of $1 million. Work is targeted for completion by late summer.

New streetlights on Milwaukee Ave., from Hintz to Manchester, will illuminate the remainder of the highway not included in IDOT’s major reconstruction of Milwaukee Ave. six years ago. The Public Works Department will situate 33 poles and lamp standards at a cost of $182,000.

Crews will rework 3.2 miles of streets in the Dunhurst I and II subdivisions. The work will include replacement of some deteriorating curbs as well as resurfacing of the streets. The project will top off the installation of new water mains that took place over the past two years.

Hollywood Ridge, Poplar Grove and parts of the Dunhurst subdivisions will get new streetlights as part of the village’s long-term program to replace aging wood ComEd poles. Public works will spend $195,000 to install modern aluminum poles and light standards that conform to village specifications.

The department has targeted aging sidewalks for replacement throughout the village. Inspectors are presently evaluating the condition of the sidewalks and marking specific squares for reconstruction. The project will cost $100,000.

A long-planned undertaking to build a 1.84 mile bicycle path will take place in 2003. The trail will run from Dundee Rd. to Lake Cook Rd., where it will connect with an existing path north to the Buffalo Grove train station. The U.S. Department of Transportation will defray 80 percent of the $784,000 cost. Wheeling, as the “lead agency,” paid for the design in advance and will front the costs associated with construction inspections. The village will be reimbursed later.

Two additional projects affecting Wheeling, but under the jurisdiction of other agencies, also will occur next year. IDOT will complete the major overhaul of McHenry Rd. begun in 2002. Installation of new culverts to replace open drainage ditches is already under way. The roadbed will be widened to four lanes, plus a center left-turn lane. Additionally, the Rte. 83-McHenry Rd. intersection will be reconfigured. The work is scheduled for completion by late summer.

Canadian National Railway plans to close the Hintz Rd. crossing for about 10 days in early spring. Workers will install an industrial track to accommodate switching operations and clear traffic from the main line. The railroad also will install a new track from Dundee Rd. north to Deerfield Pkwy. as part of its long-term effort to add a second track to Antioch. The entire North Central section of the railroad will be double-tracked by 2005, allowing for twice as many commuter trains as currently possible.

Officers to Teach How It's Done at Wheeling Police Academy
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Wheeling, Illinois — December 15, 2002 — Police procedures and techniques will be the subject of the ninth annual Wheeling Citizens Police Academy, which begins Feb. 5 and runs until April 16, 2003. The 10-week program will provide participants with first-hand information on topics ranging from how department units function to law enforcement and community policing.

Academy instructors are drawn from department officers and personnel, who teach their areas of expertise. The instructors have broad training and experience, and the officers bring street experience into the classroom.

The initial session will include an introduction, an orientation and the history and organization of the police department. In the weeks that follow, instructors will explain such units as Patrol, Traffic, Crime Prevention/Community Relations, DARE, and Investigations. Law-enforcement will cover domestic violence, child abuse, use of force, major crimes and community policing.

Participation in the Academy requires a commitment of one night a week for the 10-week period. Classes are held one night a week from 7:00-9:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 255 W. Dundee Rd.

At the end of the Academy participants will ride in a patrol car for one shift to experience first-hand what officers see and hear, and how they apply their training.

Anyone who lives or works in the Village over the age of 21 may apply for the Academy. A criminal background check will be conducted on all applicants.

To apply, call or e-mail for an application. A printable application is available on the Forms and Permits page in the Reference Desk section of the Village Web site:
(http://www.wheelingil.gov/ReferenceDesk/FormsAndPermits.htm#PoliceDepartmentForms).

Applicants will be notified if they are selected for the next session. There is no charge for the Academy.

Wheeling Mines the Salt for Winter
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Wheeling, Illinois — December 5, 2002 — The Village of Wheeling is preparing to assault Old Man Winter with upwards of 1,800 tons of sodium chloride this snow season. That’s how much salt may be needed to keep 65 miles of streets clear of ice and snow during a “typical” winter. Over the past two decades, the village has used an average of 1,500-2,000 tons annually.

Thanks to a new storage bin, the village can store nearly 1,000 tons of salt. Previously, the public works department could store only 500 tons at a time.

“That meant we often ran low,” said Street Supervisor Jeff Kopper. “More than once we were only able to get fresh supplies until right before a new storm hit. That’s too close.”

Wheeling deploys 37 pieces of equipment, including six salt trucks, to clear all the streets within its jurisdiction. The village averages 28 salt runs and eight plow runs a year.

The number of streets cleared has remained relatively static, although the village assumed responsibility for Wolf Rd. between Marquardt Dr. and Manchester Dr. in the past two years. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) handles the rest of Wolf Rd. between Manchester and Milwaukee Ave. (That stretch will fall under the village’s jurisdiction after IDOT widens and resurfaces it in 2004.) IDOT also clears Wolf Rd. south of Marquardt.

Other local streets are under the jurisdiction of either IDOT or the Cook County Highway Department. In addition to parts of Wolf Rd., IDOT plows Dundee Rd., Elmhurst Rd.,

Milwaukee Ave., McHenry Rd., Palatine Rd., and Aptakisic Rd. For information or to report road-clearing problems, call 847-705-4222.

The Cook County Highway Department (847-827-1164) is responsible for Lake-Cook Rd., Schoenbeck Rd., Hintz Rd., Camp McDonald Rd., Buffalo Grove Rd., Old Buffalo Grove Rd., and Wheeling Rd. south of Palatine Rd.

Wheeling Names 3 Engineer to Public Works Posts
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Wheeling, Illinois — November 25, 2002 — The Wheeling Public Works Department has appointed three engineers to open positions as part of a recently announced restructuring and modernization process.

Licensed Professional Engineer Timothy M. Merrihew has become the Wheeling capital projects manager, occupying a position that had been vacant since Guy Kolberg assumed the position of public works director earlier this year.

Merrihew, a Wheeling resident, had worked for the public works department until 1999, when he joined SPACECO, Inc., in Rosemont. While there he worked on a variety of site-improvement plans for residential, commercial and industrial developments. More recently, he was a member of the Glenview Development Department, Engineering Division.

Merrihew holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Nebraska. He has 14 years experience in engineering design and construction experience, including more than two years in municipal engineering.

As capital projects manager, Merrihew is responsible for overseeing such activities as street repaving, water and sewer maintenance and upgrading, and streetlight installation.

Jayant Shah has joined public works to fill the newly created slot of staff engineer. He had been a member of the Water and Sewer Division with the City of Evanston starting in 1987 before coming to Wheeling. Previously he was a draftsman with B. H. Suhr & Co., of Evanston. His knowledge of computer-assisted drafting (CAD) techniques is significant in that the public works department is planning to upgrade its mapping capabilities from an outdated paper-based system to state-of-the art computerized techniques.

Shah holds a master’s degree in engineering and professional certificates for proficiency in drafting and various computer-related specialties.

Bill Herrmann joined the Wheeling Public Works Department as a civil engineer after stints with various private engineering and construction firms. He has supervised the design, development and construction of projects for Motorola, Waste Management, Harper College and Northbrook Park District. He also acted as village engineer for the Village of Fox Lake (IL), where he designed sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer and road rehabilitation projects. He has additional municipal experience with the Villages of Arlington Heights, Deer Park, Antioch and Chicago Ridge.

Like Shah, Herrmann brings to Wheeling a knowledge of CAD techniques. He was educated at Southern Illinois University and holds specialty certificates from the University of Wisconsin and the American Public Works Association, among others. He is a member of the American Water Works Association, the American Public Works Association and the American Society of Civil Engineers.  He is a resident of Antioch.

“The addition of these highly qualified engineers is a distinct step forward in meeting the needs of Wheeling residents,” said Public Works Director Guy Kolberg. “Before, we had to contract out for these services. Now, we can upgrade our capabilities, respond more quickly and save significantly in the process.”

Wheeling Reorganizes Special Events Commission
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Wheeling, Illinois — November 18, 2002 — The Village of Wheeling has established a new standing committee, the Special Events Commission, to plan and oversee village-sponsored community activities. The nine-member board succeeds the ad-hoc Special Events Committee, which had handled similar activities for five years.

Trustee Judy Abruscato will head the commission and also act as the official liaison from the Board of Trustees. The commission will operate on an allocated annual budget of $150,000.

Events under the commission’s jurisdiction include the annual Taste of Wheeling and 4th of July parade and fireworks, the “Festival of Lights” celebration held in November to kick off the holiday season, and a spring spaghetti dinner. The commission may also develop other events, such as the special commemoration of the September 11 attacks conducted earlier this year.

Trustee Patrick Horcher, who sponsored the measure establishing the commission, said, “The new ordinance provides a recognized structure for this body, effective oversight by the Board of Trustees and accountability for its plans and activities. It also opens to all residents of the village the process of filling commission openings.”

Members of the commission initially will serve terms of one or two years to ensure that all positions do not become open at once. Eventually, all terms will be two years in duration.

Commissioners named to the new panel by Village President Greg Klatecki and their terms include:

Linda Bressett (2)
Patricia Dzierzynski (1)
Clarice Jones -Turman (2)
George G. Hieber (1)
Randy S. Klocke (2)
Candice M. Simmons (1)
Village Clerk Elaine Simpson (2)
Stuart S. Sosin (1)

In another action, Klatecki appointed Georgia C Delaney to serve a two-year term on the Wheeling Senior Commission.

Another Bargain: 2nd Crash Truck Joins Wheeling Fire Dept
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Wheeling, Illinois — November 18, 2002 — The Wheeling Fire Department is about to double its firefighting capability for Palwaukee Municipal Airport. The department has purchased a second crash truck, formerly owned by the South Bend (IN) Regional Airport, for less than one-tenth of its estimated value.  Its recent delivery to Wheeling culminates more than six months of negotiations between the two agencies.

The additional M-1500 Oshkosh crash truck carries a water capacity of 1,500 gallons — 50% more than the 1,000-gallon volume of the current P-19 Oshkosh crash truck owned by the village. The vehicle, originally designed for use by the U.S. Force, can apply 1,000 gallons of foam solution per minute from remote-operated nozzles mounted on the front and top of the vehicle.

The latest unit is a 1979 model costing $5,000. The fire department plans to invest an additional $5,000 on minor repairs and modifications that include the installation of light bars, a siren, and lettering. Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac estimates the vehicle’s worth at between $80,000 and $100,000. A similar truck purchased new would cost more than $600,000. The vehicle should be ready for service sometime in December.

“This is part of an ongoing process to continually improve the level of service provided to the community and Palwaukee,” MacIsaac said. “Beyond the airport, these two trucks can be used to fight fires involving chemical tank trucks, chemical loading racks, large fuel spills, and rail car incidents.”

The P-19 crash truck became available four years ago following the closing of Glenview Naval Air Station. Wheeling obtained it for $3.00 through an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Glenview.

 “This vehicle will increase our ability to adequately handle the newer jet aircraft, such as the Gulfstream 500/550 and the Bombardier Global Express, as well as complement our existing fire suppression capabilities.” MacIsaac said.

Wheeling to Install Emergency Monitoring System
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Wheeling, Illinois — November 13, 2002 — A new $29,000 water-monitoring system is about to appear — or, rather, disappear — in the Village of Wheeling. The cell phone- and Internet-based system will keep an eye on the internal condition of storm water-pumping stations and sanitary lift stations (transfer points) to warn operators of emergencies or impending trouble.

The remote transmitting units (RTUs) will track power outages, high-water flows, and various conditions that could cause pumps to fail. Information from the system will be transmitted to the Internet by cell-phone technology. The RTUs also can be programmed to alert the Public Works Department by pager, email, and telephone.

“We could have installed dedicated telephone lines to provide the information, but that’s costly and unreliable since digging can sever phone lines,” said Sewer Division Supervisor Steve Morris, of the Wheeling Public Works Department. “This way, we can go to an Internet site and check ongoing conditions throughout the village. And it will let us identify problems before they become potentially costly emergencies.”

The RTUs will replace an existing system of sensors which activate a red warning light at the trouble site. Police patrols and alert citizens who see the warning lights notify Public Works personnel, who are dispatched to investigate.

“It’s an okay system,” said Morris of the existing installation, “but with the RTUs we won’t have to rely on sometimes fallible human intervention. Besides, we don’t have the resources to station someone at each of these locations 24 hours a day.”

Morris said the relatively small initial cost of the system will pay for itself many times over by preventing expensive pump breakdowns and possible backups onto private property. Additionally, rising water during heavy storms will be monitored at the Jeffrey Ave. bridge over the Wheeling Drainage Ditch and the Checker Storm Water Basin in Buffalo Grove to mitigate flooding.

The Board of Trustees approved the purchase of 10 RTUs from Gasvoda & Associates, of Calumet City. The concept, which is less than four years old, is in place in various communities around the country. However, except for a small pilot installation in the far-south suburb of Peotone, the Wheeling system will be the first of its kind in the Chicago area.

Wheeling President Addresses State of the Village
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Wheeling, Illinois — November 6, 2002 — Infrastructure updating, new housing and economic expansion are the engines driving Wheeling’s future, according to Village President Greg Klatecki in remarks prepared for the “Village Views” newsletter.

“We are completing the year-long process of revising and updating the village’s comprehensive plan,” Klatecki said. “It will provide guidance for orderly growth at key locations and marks the first time the plan has been updated since the mid-1980s.”

Klatecki said the plan will guide future efforts to establish a town center complete with housing, shops and possible entertainment facilities. “With the help of the Regional Transportation Authority, we’re conducting a study around the train station to determine the area’s future.”

A new tax-increment financing district is in the planning stage for N. Milwaukee Ave. and will be included in the broader comprehensive plan, according to Klatecki.

Klatecki pointed to the recent resurfacing of Dundee Rd. and the current overhaul of McHenry Rd. as projects that are contributing to the modernization of the village. “Open drainage ditches are being replaced with underground culverts, accompanied by a reconfiguration of the McHenry Rd.-Rte. 83 intersection and widening of the roadbed to connect with four lanes north of Lake Cook Rd.”

Klatecki also mentioned a number of housing developments, saying they will “accommodate an infusion of new arrivals representing a broad spectrum of residents who can contribute to the future growth of the community. Astor Place is under construction on the site of the old Wheeling Nursery and will provide an additional 250 residential units. Park Point, on McHenry Rd., is nearing completion, and a new housing project is in the planning process on the site of the former fence business on Wolf Ct.

Klatecki cited upgrades to the infrastructure as part of a broad effort to modernize village services. “A 10-year streetlight program is illuminating many neighborhoods that were once dark. We’re also replacing deteriorating water mains and storm sewers and looking at improving certain blighted or unimproved areas. Metra will soon add a second track from Wheeling north to expand access to commuter trains and speed the movement of freight through town. The Economic Development Department is working to attract new businesses that will expand the tax base and add to our ability to build on what we have.

Klatecki added that the blend of housing, business and municipal services, and ready access to the variety provided by the Chicago metropolitan area makes Wheeling “truly a community of choice.”

Wheeling Launches Phase 2 of Wireless 9-1-1 System
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Wheeling, Illinois — November 1, 2002 — Residents of Wheeling will get a new layer of emergency protection beginning in December. That’s when the Wheeling Fire Department will launch Phase II of its Wireless 9-1-1 service.

Thanks to new computer software and other technological advances, emergency dispatchers will be able to pinpoint to within approximately 1500 feet the location of anyone calling 9-1-1 in the village. Previously, dispatchers could only identify which receiver on a cellular tower was carrying the call but still had to rely on the caller’s description of nearby landmarks to locate the individual’s whereabouts. Each cell tower has three receivers, or “faces”, to receive calls in a 360-degree radius.

The latest implementation of the Wireless 9-1-1 system relies on longitude and latitude data imported into a geographic file that is displayed on a mapping program to define where people are. Triangulation of the caller’s signal strength allows for identification within an approximate quarter-mile area.

“While it isn’t a precise science yet,” said Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac, “it’s more focused and provides a new level of protection and safety to our residents. Our dispatchers will see the caller’s approximate location on a computer-generated map. This, combined with the signal being directly tied to longitude and latitude, is a significant enhancement of the current system.”

Chief MacIsaac said the program should be fully implemented for all cellular providers currently operating within the village during the first quarter of 2003. Wireless 9-1-1 calls that originate in Wheeling are received at the fire and emergency medical dispatch center jointly shared with the Glenview Fire Department. The Wheeling Police Dispatch Center handles all hard-wired, or “land-based,” 9-1-1 calls placed within the village.

The first phase of Wireless 9-1-1 service was introduced about a year ago. The final phase will go into operation sometime in 2004 or 2005. Based on global positioning satellite information, the third phase will pinpoint a caller’s location to within 300 feet.

Funds for Wireless 9-1-1 service come from a state surcharge on every cellular telephone with an Illinois billing address and are distributed according to municipal boundaries.

September 11 Memorial Service Set
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Wheeling, Illinois — August 16, 2002 — The Wheeling President and Board of Trustees invite the community to a candlelight service on Sept. 11 to commemorate last year’s terrorist attacks The service, focusing on a theme of “Reflections,” will honor those who died. It will begin at 8 p.m. at Village Hall, 255 W. Dundee Rd.

Noted Chicago sports and radio personality Wayne Messmer will be the featured singer and presenter. He has been the “voice” of the National Anthem for various local sports events, including games for the Chicago Cubs. He also produces “Messmer-izing Moments,” a series of motivational audio essays heard on a local radio station six times each weekday.

Candles for the event will be supplied by the Village of Wheeling.

“Reflections” Candlelight Service

8 p.m., Sept. 11, 2002

Opening remarks

Posting of the colors - Amvets post 66

“God Bless America” - Wayne Messmer

“Reflections” - remarks by Wayne Messmer

A tribute to Wheeling firefighters/paramedics and police officers: Police Chaplains Keith Plummer, pastor of Our Savior Free Church, and Don Medernach, of Abundant Life Worship Center in Arlington Heights.

Silent remembrance

“America the Beautiful” - Wayne Messmer

For further information call Trustee Judy Abruscato at 847-459-2666 ext. 4107.

Wheeling Organizes Emergency Response Unit
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Wheeling, Illinois — August 14, 2002 — The Village of Wheeling has developed an emergency response team designed to support police and firefighters in the event of a dislocating disaster. Known as the Community Assistance Relief Effort (CARE), the team will provide temporary shelter and basic living needs for up to 25 people in each of several designated areas in the Village.

Twenty-four CARE members will swing into action in any situation that might force people to relocate temporarily — from a fire or weather emergency, to a train disaster or flood. Team members have been certified by the Red Cross as a result of 20 hours of training in emergency shelter accommodations.

“This program supports police and firefighters by freeing them to deal with the immediate needs of the event that's occurring,” said Health Commissioner Pat Drewes, who has spearheaded the development of CARE.

CARE, Drewes said, is equipped to set up shelter for up to 25 people for up to 48 hours and provide emergency and personal-care needs. If the emergency continues longer than 48 hours, the Red Cross will assume long-term responsibility.

In the event of a more widespread incident, CARE is prepared to shelter up to 75 people at three different locations: the Senior Center, Village Council Chambers, and a third site still under consideration.

The program has been in development for almost two years. It began as a police and fire initiative with representatives of the Pavilion Senior Center to deal with a emergencies involving senior citizens. It evolved into a more comprehensive plan covering the entire village. The planning included developing guidelines for the shelter, food care, medical care.

CARE team members are graduates of the Wheeling Citizens Police Academy. About half are also members of VISION, the volunteer organization that conducts evening patrols for the police department. Several dry runs have helped the team review and test preparedness, including a drill with the Fire Department in June.

In the event of an emergency, CARE members will be notified by the Village’s CityWatch emergency computer system, which allows safety officials to notify the volunteers automatically by telephone.

“We are currently working to expand the program,” said Safe Communities Coordinator Tom Pilewski, who is the police liaison to the CARE effort. “Given Wheeling’s cultural diversity, we want to recruit volunteers in a multilingual format and make sure that we can move quickly in any part of the village during an emergency.”

James Kelly Appointed Wheeling Building Director
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Wheeling, Illinois — August 7, 2002 — The Village of Wheeling has named James F. Kelly, 47, as its new building director. Previously, He spent five years in a similar position with the City of Prospect Heights. Kelly replaces Dan Ozanich, who was promoted to director of community development two months ago.

Kelly brings 13 years of public-sector experience to his new position. In addition to his tenure with Prospect Heights, he served for eight years as plan examiner for the Village of Buffalo Grove. Prior to that, he owned a Prospect Heights general contracting firm, Midwest Contracting, from 1979 until 1989.

As building director, Kelly is responsible for all new residential and commercial construction in the village. He reviews proposed construction plans to ensure compliance with local building codes. He also oversees a staff of specialists who inspect all structural, plumbing and electrical work

Kelly was educated at Harper College and the University of Wisconsin’s Department of Engineering Professional Development at Madison.

Kelly was president of the Northwest Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) in 1999, when the organization was recognized by the national BOCA as Chapter of the

Year. He is a member of the Illinois Building Commission Communications Subcommittee. He serves on the McHenry County College Code Enforcement Education Advisory Committee and is coordinator for the Harper College Building Codes and Enforcement Certificate Program.

A resident of Arlington Heights, Kelly is married and the father of four children.

The Events of March 1-2, 2002: Wheeling Police Operator Holds It Together
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Wheeling, Illinois — August 2, 2002 — Christine Miller is one of those people who help hold things together. She’s a communications officer with the Wheeling Police Dept. She and her colleagues act as the command post, the glue, between residents and patrol officers — fielding telephone calls, responding to radio communications, sending and receiving teletype transmissions, coordinating events that spill across jurisdictions. Sometimes, things get complicated.

Take, for example, the events of March 1-2, 2002. How Christine Miller responded to those events earned her recognition from the Wheeling Police Department and her professional organization, the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials.

Here’s what happened:

Friday, March 1, 2002. Temperature: 33 degrees (F). Conditions: grey, with fog and two inches of snow on the ground.

5:30 p.m. Alan A. Woodhouse, 76, of Wheeling, pulls out of his daughter’s driveway in Inverness, headed for home. He becomes disoriented and makes a wrong turn onto Rand Rd.

Midnight. Checks into a hotel in Fontana, WI., 55 miles northwest of Wheeling, and telephones his wife, Eileen, saying he plans to stay the night and leave late the next morning.

Saturday, March 2, 2002.

11:30 a.m. Checks out of hotel.

1:00 p.m. Wife phones hotel to confirm checkout.

4:30 p.m. Using wireless telephone, tells wife, Eileen, he is stuck in a ditch. Mrs. Woodhouse notifies several law-enforcement agencies, including the Wheeling Police Department. Communication Officer Christine Miller takes the call and dispatches Patrol Officer Scott Laverd to take a missing-persons report. She enters Woodhouse in the “leads computer,” where “I found that several other agencies had already run checks on his license plates.”

6:41 p.m. Fontana is located in Walworth County, WI, so Miller phones the sheriff’s department there to confirm they are looking for Woodhouse.

Shortly, a McHenry County deputy sheriff calls, asking for further information. Almost simultaneously, Laverd radios to say he has Woodhouse on his wife’s telephone.

Miller sets up a three-way conversation with McHenry County and Laverd. Woodhouse describes what landmarks he has passed and what he sees from his position. The connection is broken.

Laverd provides Miller with Woodhouse’s wireless number and his carrier, Cingular Wireless. Miller pages the Cingular on-call worker for critical incidents.

8:15 p.m. Cingular Wireless representative returns call, traces Woodhouse’s number and reports the phone is on roaming status. Miller asks fellow Communications Officer Javier Alanis to apprise Radio Room Supervisor Cpl. Tom Lorenz of the situation and suggest that the Walworth County Sheriff’s Dept. contact US Cellular in Madison, WI, for a trace. Walworth reports US Cellular can’t help.

Miller and cooperating agencies become increasingly convinced Woodhouse is somewhere near the Illinois-Wisconsin border. But where?

Cingular Wireless representative reports she has found the cell code that has been transmitting Woodhouse’s calls. She suggests asking US Cellular to pinpoint the tower.

9:30 p.m. Miller gets the number for US Cellular’s technical-support department. A four-way conversation ensues, involving Miller, Lorenz and two technicians. The transmission tower carrying Woodhouse’s calls is quickly located — Durand, IL, in Winnebago County, 96 miles northwest of Wheeling.

Miller updates Winnebago County Sheriff’s Dept. Winnebago County notifies Illinois State Police and neighboring Stephenson County Sheriff’s Dept. Miller updates other agencies.

10:45 p.m. Winnebago County Sheriff launches a grid search in the areas suggested by US Cellular.

11:35 p.m. Miller obtains a list of Woodhouse’s medications and passes the information to Winnebago County, which announces that Woodhouse has been located, semi-conscious, in his ditched vehicle. Paramedics are dispatched to transport Woodhouse to Rockford Memorial Hospital.

11:48 p.m. Miller advises participants of the development and closes all leads. Woodhouse is hospitalized for observation and treatment of exposure. He had been in the ditch for more than seven hours.

Epilogue. Alan Woodhouse has fully recovered and resumed his life.

Communications Officer Miller has received the Wheeling Police Department’s

Lifesaving Award for her actions on March 1 and 2. She also has received special recognition from the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials.

“Christine Miller’s dedication and determination helped save a life,” said Wheeling Police Chief John Popadowski. “Her analytical thinking and mastery of the technology make her a great asset to Wheeling.”

Dundee Rd. Resurfacing Project Delayed
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Wheeling, Illinois - July 26, 2002 - The resurfacing of Dundee Rd. in Wheeling has been delayed for about 2½ weeks, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The project was scheduled to begin around July 28. However, weather-related delays in Cook County Highway Department's widening of the Lake Cook Rd. railroad bridge had a ripple effect on the Dundee Rd. work.

The Villages of Wheeling and Buffalo Grove, IDOT and Cook County agreed earlier to coordinate and stagger the two projects so that two major east-west highways would not be under construction simultaneously. Cook County Supervising Engineer John Beissel said he expects four lanes to be open by the week of August 12.

The opening of those lanes will trigger the Dundee roadwork. Initially, curb and gutter reconstruction will precede the repaving. The roadbed also will be patched with asphalt. IDOT Area Construction Supervisor Lee Schmidt said much of the patching will be done on weekends to minimize weekday traffic delays. The project involves no night work.

Traffic in the construction zone will be limited to one lane in each direction, Schmidt said. Merchants along the construction zone "will always have in-and-out access. If we have to patch in front of driveways we will provide at least half-access except in circumstances where that isn't possible." Schmidt said concrete curbs and gutters will require two days to cure before they are usable.

The project is expected to take 10 weeks to complete, with a scheduled target date of November 1. "The type of asphalt we're using requires warmer temperatures to cure," Schmidt said, "so we're under some time pressure."

When the Wheeling work section is finished, the resurfacing of Dundee Rd. will be complete. The eight-mile, $5.5 million project extended from work completed last year from Waukegan Rd. east, through Wheeling and Buffalo Grove. to Kennecott Dr. in Arlington Heights. The Wheeling segment is the only portion not yet finished.

Wheeling President Appoints 15 Commissioners, Seeks 4 More
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Wheeling, IL -- July 15, 2002 -- Wheeling President Greg Klatecki has reappointed 15 members to seven Village boards and commissions. The members, all residents of Wheeling, serve terms of 2-3 years, depending on their assignments.

"I have made these appointments based on the experience and performance of each individual," Klatecki said. "They've served the village well, and I expect they will build on their records."

The criteria for board-and-commission members include previous public service or volunteer work, relevant job experience, and how well nominees' views of the Village mesh with those of elected officials.

"It's essential to the Village that residents present their views on these boards and commissions," Klatecki said. "They live here and, in many cases, work here. They bring their opinions and the wishes of their neighbors to the public table."

Klatecki invited applications from residents who would like to serve on one of the Village's boards and commissions. Openings exist on the Economic Development Commission, the Board of Health, the Senior Citizens Commission, and the Human Rights Commission.

"We encourage our fellow residents to become involved in these important committees," Klatecki said. "They help guide the Wheeling Board of Trustees in our efforts to move the village ahead."

Applications are available at Village Hall, 255 W. Dundee Rd., or on the Village website at

http://wheelingil.gov/ReferenceDesk/FormsAndPermits/CommissionQuestionnaire:

Committee Appointees (terms shown in parentheses)

Board of Health (3 years) : Pat Drewes, Judith B. Cameron

Economic Development Commission (3) : John R. Flanagan, David Kolssak, Thomas R. Webber

Fire and Police Commission (3): Joseph Ratajczak

Human Rights Commission (2): William Maloney, Gary Hittleman

Plan Commission (3): Steven J. Boime, David S. Cantwell Pam Dorband

Police Pension Board (3) (should be 2 years): Glenn Hartman

Senior Citizens Commission (2): Ida (Dolly) Hein, Virginia Isherwood, Barbara Steinberg

Wheeling Seeks Blood Donors To Help Fill Area-Wide Shortage
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Wheeling, Illinois — June 25, 2002 — Levels in Chicago-area blood banks are down, and the Village of Wheeling wants to increase supplies with its July 10 blood drive.

“Many major cities, such as Chicago, typically use more blood than they collect,” said Wheeling Health Officer Mike Boyle. “That means we have to rely on blood shipped from other areas of the country to meet the need. We want to help reduce that reliance with a good turnout next month. Type O-negative, the so-called ‘universal blood type,’ is in especially short supply.”

Donors will be accommodated at the Wheeling Main Fire Station, 255 W. Dundee Rd., from 2:30 until 7 p.m.

Boyle offered several suggestions to make donors’ experience as easy and simple as possible. “People should eat within four hours prior to donating to bring blood levels up in the body,” he said. “Doing so will help make people stable and comfortable for donating.”

Boyle also suggested that donors drink adequate water — up to 12 glasses a day — for several days prior to donating. “Drinking plenty of water hydrates the veins,” he said, “and makes them easier to locate.”

The forthcoming blood drive will be held in cooperation with the American Red Cross, which encourages appointments for the blood drive to provide enough staffing to accommodate donors.

While appointments are encouraged, walk-ins will still be welcome. To make an appointment, call Mike Boyle at 847-459-2621, or e-mail him at mboyle@wheelingil.gov.

Donors must be at least 17 years old. Generally, people in good health are considered acceptable donors, although certain conditions may be grounds for deferral — such as a positive test for HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) , active tuberculosis, history of viral hepatitis after the age of 11, and pregnancy within the preceding six weeks. Other conditions may also cause temporary or permanent deferral.

Wheeling Public Works Department to Reorganize
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Wheeling, IL - May 31, 2002 - Winds of change are blowing through the Wheeling Public Works Department. Saddled with a growing list of capital-works projects, the department is moving to streamline its operations with the addition of three engineers, a new Capital Projects Manager, and expanded computer capabilities.

The reorganization, according to Public Works Director Guy Kolberg, will greatly speed the planning and execution of such projects as water main replacement, streetlight installation and the inspection of both public and private improvements. In the process, Kolberg anticipates the Village will save hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees now paid annually to outside consulting firms.

“We need to have instant snapshots of the Village infrastructure,” Kolberg said. “We will gain that capability once maps of streets, storm and sanitary sewers and water mains have been computerized.”

Hiring three engineers familiar with computer-aided-design concepts and software will facilitate the effort to convert paper records to electronic form. Kolberg pointed to the bottlenecks created when such agencies as Illinois Department of Transportation supply the department with plans on computer disks and files. Those files currently can be processed only after they are printed on paper.

“We can’t edit the plans without extensive hand work that slows our efforts and costs money,” Kolberg said.

Kolberg hopes to have the new personnel on board in the next few weeks, in time to support the planning process for the 2003 construction season.

Qualified engineers interested in applying for the new and open positions can obtain an application form by calling the Public Works Department at 847-459-2624.

West Nile Virus Confirmed in Wheeling Dead Crow
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Wheeling, Illinois — May 31, 2002 — A dead crow found in Wheeling has tested positive for the West Nile virus, according to Village Health Officer Michael Boyle. It is the second infected bird found in Cook County this year.

The crow had been collected and submitted to the Illinois Department of Agriculture for testing. The Department reported its findings on May 29, Boyle said.

As a result, Village health officials have issued a list of precautionary guidelines to reduce the risk of becoming infected by the virus.  Those guidelines include:

  ·   Stay indoors at dawn, dusk and in the early evening when mosquitoes are most active.

  ·   If you must be outdoors during high-risk times, wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-
      sleeve shirt.

  ·  Use insect repellent containing 25-35 percent DEET. Apply it sparingly to exposed skin or
     clothing as indicated on the repellent label. Consult a physician before using repellents on
     young children.

  ·  Check residential screens, including porches and patios, and repair any holes.

  ·  Eliminate stagnant water in birdbaths, ponds, flower pots, wading pools, old tires, gutters
     and other receptacles where mosquitoes breed.

  ·  Report any area that remains wet for more than a week to the Northwest Mosquito
     Abatement District at 847-537-2306.

Residents who find dead crows or blue jays should call Mike Boyle at 847-459-2621 or email him at mboyle@wheelingil.gov so the situation can be monitored. Wheeling officials will not collect additional birds.

Residents should dispose of any dead birds. While there is no risk of contracting the virus by handling the remains, health officials still recommend using a plastic bag or shovel to pick up the bird, sealing it in the bag, and depositing it in the garbage for routine pick up.

For more information go to the Wheeling website at www.wheelingil.gov and go to the Public Health Division page, http://www.idph.state.il.us or call Health Officer Michael Boyle at 847-459-2621.

Wheeling Wireless 911 Calls Mushroom
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Wheeling, Illinois — May 29, 2002 — Calls are coming in faster, emergency crews are being dispatched sooner, and Wheeling’s emergency response system has moved up a notch. That’s the effect since Wireless 911 went into operation in Wheeling last December at the Fire Department's new dispatch center, which is a joint venture with the Glenview Fire Department.  

"More than two out of three people own wireless telephones,” said Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac. “Before, people had to search for a pay telephone and find the change to operate it. Obviously, that took time. Now we learn about emergencies sooner than we once might have. It saves vital seconds on a call.”

In the last four months, emergency dispatchers have fielded 6,357 9-1-1 calls, of which 4,698 were from wireless sources. From its inception, Wireless 911 surged to around 74 percent of total 9-1-1 emergency calls. That figure jumped to 78 percent in April. Due to the proliferation of wireless telephones, dispatchers have received an average of more than two calls for each incident.

These life-saving advances are only a glimpse of what lies ahead in emergency response. By the end of 2002, dispatchers will be able to pinpoint an emergency location as close as 1,000 feet. Within 3-5 years, MacIsaac estimated, response teams will locate emergencies within 30 feet or less from a caller’s position, thanks to global positioning satellites.

“These future improvements will be a big step forward. They will eliminate the guesswork based on incomplete information from callers who may be under emotional stress. When people tell us they’re near a power tower, for example, we’ll know exactly where to find and help them,” MacIsaac concluded.

Family Fun Faire Scheduled
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Wheeling, Illinois — May 9, 2002 — The Wheeling Pavilion Senior Center will hold its annual Family Fun Faire on June 1, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. This family event will feature clowns, a rummage sale, raffles and live and silent auctions. An arts-and-crafts sale and a bake sale also will be held. American Enterprise Bank, Corus Bank, Hoyne Savings Bank, Kenny Construction Co. and The Daily Herald are co-sponsoring the Faire. The Senior Center is located at 190 N. First St. For information, call the Senior Center, 847-459-2670.


NW Suburbs to Mark Senior Celebration Day
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Wheeling, Illinois — May 9, 2002 — Eight northwest suburbs, including Wheeling, will observe Senior Celebration Day at Randhurst Shopping Center on May 15. The event, scheduled for 9 a.m.-4 p.m., is designed to celebrate the contributions of older adults to the quality of life in local communities. A full range of activities will cover health screenings, legal issues for older adults, voter registration, hearing aid battery checks, identification photos, and fire and crime-prevention tips. Information about senior services will be available. Also on the agenda will be hourly prize drawings, entertainment and complimentary refreshments for the first 500 attendees. For more information, call the Pavilion Senior Center at 847-459-2670.

Dan Ozanich Named Wheeling Community Development Director
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Wheeling, Illinois — April 30, 2002 — The Village of Wheeling has filled a top department vacancy by appointing Daniel J. Ozanich as director of community development. He had been acting director since November 2001.

Ozanich, who has been with the Village since 1988, will be responsible for department functions that include building inspection, planning, permits, property maintenance, plan review, zoning,  code compliance, and appearance issues. He will oversee a staff of 16. Previously, he was building director, a position he assumed in 1998.

“The Community Development Director supervises the work of staff members who help assure the long-range planning process, effective project development and building safety throughout the Village,” said Acting Village Manager Jim Grabowski. “Dan Ozanich brings a broad range of experience to the position. His familiarity with the Village ensures an orderly transition and a commitment to Wheeling’s future.”

Ozanich, a 1977 graduate of the University of Illinois, Chicago, is a licensed architect. Prior to joining the Village of Wheeling, he had extensive experience in private-sector enterprises that included manufacturing, construction, engineering and architectural design. He is a Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam conflict.

Wheeling Restaurant Meets with the President
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Wheeling, IL — April 25, 2002 — Four staff members of Bob Chinn’s CrabHouse in Wheeling met with President Bush today as part of a group of seven Chicago-area businesses recognized for their efforts to hire former welfare recipients. Chinn’s was the only restaurant chosen by the Welfare-to-Work Partnerships (BizLink - Chicago) to attend the “town hall” meeting at the White House.

The meeting presented the business perspective on welfare reform as part of the Partnerships’ Opportunity to Work Campaign. BizLink reported the initiative will inform Congress, local government agencies, the business community and the public that welfare reform is still a work in progress.

Chinn’s was cited for its Wheeling Retention Project developed in partnership with Inland Die Casting Company, also of Wheeling. The project began about a year and a half ago and includes an English-as-second-language (ESL) component and a food-safety certification program. More than 80 employees have been trained in the ESL classes, while another 26 have received food-safety certification.

“The project has helped us increase productivity and reduce turnover,” said Chinn’s General Manager Frank D’Angelo. “In an industry where turnover can reach 300 percent a year, we haven’t lost a single employee who has finished the program. It gives us a better product and provides people with a sense of purpose.”

ESL participants volunteered for the course and attended classes on their own time. D’Angelo said those who have completed the program “have inspired others to go through it for the first time.”

The Retention Project is seen as a model that can be implemented by the recently organized Restaurant Row Hospitality Group within the Wheeling/Prospect Heights Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The group was formed to promote its 40 member businesses in the hospitality industry and develop educational programs for management and staff.

The hospitality group will produce its first written publication next month in the form of a dining guide to Wheeling dining establishments. The guide and the hospitality group are supported through a partnership with the Village of Wheeling. The dining guide will be available at member restaurants, local convention and visitors bureaus, hotels, banquet halls and many public events.

Mrs. Illinois Recognized by Lt. Gov.
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Wheeling, Illinois — April 24, 2002 — Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood has bestowed the Woman of Achievement Award on Wheeling Resident Melissa Kolssak, who was Mrs. Illinois International 2001. Kolssak accepted the award during ceremonies in Chicago.

When Village President Greg Klatecki recommended Kolssak for the award, he pointed to her active support of the hospice ideal. As Wheeling’s representative to the Mrs. Illinois International 2001 pageant, Kolssak was able to carry the hospice message to both a state and an international audience.

Klatecki mentioned Kolssak’s involvement with the family business (Kolssak Funeral Home) as giving her a unique perspective about the need for counseling and support for the families of seriously ill people. She also works with the Rainbow Hospice, in Park Ridge, where she contributes her time at fund-raising events.

Kolssak, 32, has lived in Wheeling for nine years. She grew up in Park Ridge and attended  Main South High School. She is a graduate of Purdue University.

Village Streets and Sidewalks Targeted for Construction
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Wheeling, Illinois — April 22, 2002 — Residents in many Wheeling neighborhoods will see infrastructure improvements this year. More than seven miles of roadway are scheduled for work that includes resurfacing improvements, and spot concrete curb and gutter repairs.

A tentative starting date for construction has been set for May 6. The street-paving program will cost $907,000 for work done by Peter Baker & Sons general contractor, of Lake Bluff. The streets affected include those listed below.

STREET LIMITS

Arlington Club:
Arlington Dr.               Entire Roadway – Cobbler Dr. to Cobbler Dr.
Cobbler Ln.                Buffalo Grove Rd. to Arlington Dr.
Hadley Ct.                  Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Brittany Ct.                 Arlington Dr. to Arlington Dr.
Camden Ct.                Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Canbury Ct.                Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Shore Ct.                    Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Nottingham Ct.           Arlington Dr. to Arlington Dr.
Oakmeadow Ct.         Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Orrington Ct.              Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Aldgate Ct.                 Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Cheswick Ct.              Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Fairfield Ct.                 Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Ashton Ct.                  Arlington Dr. to Arlington Dr.
Glengary Ln.               Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Glengary Ct.               Glengary Ln. to cul-de-sac
Tulip Ct.                     Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Braeburn Ct.               Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Seville Ct.                   Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Warwick Ct.               Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Acorn Ct.                    Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Queens Ct.                  Arlington Dr. to Arlington Dr.
Broadway Ct.              Arlington Dr. to Arlington Dr.
Sheridan Ct.                Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Stratford Ct.                Arlington Dr. to Arlington Dr.
Pennsbury Ct.              Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac
Newburn Ct.               Arlington Dr. to cul-de-sac

Tahoe Village:
Tahoe Circle Dr.          Buffalo Grove Rd.to Lakeview Dr.
Shoshonee Tr.             Lakeview Dr. to West Lodge Tr.
West Lodge Tr.           Shoshonee Tr. to Tahoe Circle Dr.
Pueblo Tr.                   Delaware Tr. to West Lodge Tr.
Delaware Tr.               West Lodge Tr. to dead end
Bow Tr.                       Tahoe Circle Dr. to dead end
Crow Tr.                     South Chippewa Tr. to dead end
Dakota Tr.                   Tahoe Circle Dr. to dead end
Chippewa Tr.               Tahoe Circle Dr. to Tahoe Circle Dr.
Lakeview Dr.               Buffalo Grove Rd. to Lakeview Dr. East

Lakeside Villas:
Lakeside Circle Dr.      Hintz Rd.to Lakeside Circle Dr.
Clearwater Ln.             Lakeside Circle Dr. to dead end
Clearwater Dr.             Lakeside Circle Dr. to dead end
Clearwater Ct.             Clearwater Ln. to Clearwater Dr.
Cedarwood Ln.            Lakeside Circle Dr. to dead end
Cedarwood Ct.            Cedarwood Ln. to dead end
Ivy Ct.                          Barberry Ln. to dead end
Barberry Ln.                 Ivy Ct, to dead end
Bayside Ct.                   Bayside Ln. to Bayside Dr.
Candlewood Ct.           Lakeside Circle Dr. to dead end

Industrial Areas:
Foster Ave.                   Camp McDonald Rd.to Willow Rd.
Willow Rd.                    Wolf Rd. to Foster Ave.
Alderman Ave.              Wolf Rd. to cul-de-sac
Glenn Ave.                     Hintz Rd. to Carpenter Ave.
Shepard Ave.                 Glenn Ave. to dead end

Sidewalk Removal & Replacement Program

For the fifth year, the Public Works Department will remove and replace defective, damaged, and potentially dangerous sidewalk squares. This year the program will focus entirely on the Hollywood Ridge subdivision. Work will begin in late May or early June and will cost$125,000 to complete.

Finance Association Recognizes Village of Wheeling
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Wheeling, IL — April 19, 2002 — The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Village of Wheeling.

The association pointed to the Village’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) as meeting the “high standards of the program, including demonstrating a constructive ‘spirit of full financial disclosure’ to clearly communicate its financial story.” GFOA said Wheeling’s approach helps “motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

The certificate of achievement is the highest recognition in government accounting and financial reporting. This is the 22nd year Wheeling has received the award.

GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving about 14,000 government finance professionals.

Community Input Sought for Wheeling Comprehensive Plan
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Wheeling, Illinois - April 15, 2002 - Wheeling residents will have the chance to help Village planners establish development priorities over the next 10-20 years at a public forum to be conducted by the Plan Commission on May 16. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Village Hall Councilroom (255 W. Dundee Rd.).

The commission, which has been working since the first of the year to update the Village's comprehensive plan, is seeking input from both long-time residents and newer arrivals, commercial and industrial organizations, community groups and others interested in the Village's future. A variety of issues are under consideration, including:

        *  land-use patterns

        *  development objectives

        *  the possible location of a proposed town center

        *  improving the commercial corridors along Dundee Rd. and Milwaukee Ave.

"This meeting, along with professional guidance from the planning firm Camiros," said Plan Commission Chair Ken Brady, "will help us craft a vision for the future by highlighting Wheeling's strengths, opportunities and challenges as articulated by the community itself."

 Camiros, Ltd., a Chicago-based strategic planning firm with broad experience in comprehensive  and economic planning has laid the groundwork for the May 16 meeting. The company has conducted land-use analyses, identified trends and interviewed members of the Village's boards and commissions.

"What we do," said Jeanne Lindwall, Camiros principal consultant, "provides the 'why' for future activities by identifying what the community wants to see and making recommendations based on that feedback." The plan, when completed early next year, will guide future land use and form the basis for possible realignment of the Village's zoning ordinance.

"We need this plan," said Economic Development Director Bill Whitmer, "to help us focus our efforts in developing the economic infrastructure of Wheeling. The outcome will tell us which sectors need the most attention and where to direct our resources."

Whitmer pointed to the strong commercial and industrial base that already exists in Wheeling as one area that has received attention in recent years. "Those sectors make a significant contribution to the Village tax base," he said. "Without them, residential property taxes would undoubtedly be higher."

Whitmer said the emphasis areas of his department and the EconomicDevelopment Commission will reflect the policy suggested by the comprehensive plan. "If it is the desire of the community for us to center on, say, residential development as a key element for economic growth, that's where we'll go."

Wheeling 2002-2003 Budget in Balance
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Wheeling, Illinois — April 15, 2002 — Increasing public safety; maintaining and improving the street, water and sewer infrastructure; and providing top-quality services are the three main priority areas established by the Wheeling Board of Trustees in preparing the 2002-03 Village budget. The $55.3 million budget, which is projected to be in balance, was developed with an eye toward controlling expenditures and maintaining the Village’s fiscal health.

Several indicators provide evidence of Wheeling's financial strength. The rating agencies, Standard and Poor's and Fitch, have recognized Wheeling's financial health with a AA bond rating, one of the highest available to municipalities. In addition, the Village has sufficient reserves to meet three to six months of operating expenditures, and the level of outstanding general obligation debt is well under standards established for communities of similar size.

Where Does the Money Go?

Mostly it goes to areas that directly affect the quality of life for every village resident — streets, sewers, water delivery, police and fire protection. Also included are zoning and planning services, building inspection and plan review, economic development activities, snow plowing, traffic signal and street light maintenance, code enforcement, special events and a number of other services.

Of the total budget, 37.6% ($20.1 million) goes to capital outlay and improvements. Some of the larger projects include:

       • Dunhurst Water main replacement program

       • Street pavement improvements

       • Sidewalk right of way acquisition and sidewalk improvements

       • The acquisition and demolition of flood prone properties

       • Sanitary and storm sewer improvements

       • Completion of the water meter replacement program

       • Funding for an overhead plumbing loan program to reduce sewer
          backups

The budget also provides for the hiring of three firefighter-paramedics and a police officer to provide additional protection for the Village’s growing population.

Where Does the Money Come From?

Property Tax. The Village’s share of the average property-tax bill (about 10 percent) is among the lowest of all taxing agencies.  Property tax revenues, or $7.6 million, represent 14 percent of the total budget.

Sales Tax. Wheeling’s share of the state sales tax, plus the local home-rule sales tax generates $7.1 million, or almost 13 percent of the budget.

Water Sales. The Village receives about $5.6 million (10.1 percent in water and sewer fees. This revenue pays for the cost of delivering water to residents and businesses, as well as the cost of operating and maintaining the water and sewer system.

State Income Tax. The State of Illinois pays the Village $2.5 million as its share of income taxes collected from residents and businesses on a per-capita basis. Telecommunications Tax on telephones, cell phones, fax machines, etc. provides $2.2 million in revenue.

Residents with questions about the budget may call Village Hall, 847-459-2600. A copy of the budget will be available for review at Indian Trails Public Library beginning in June.

Wheeling H.S. Seniors Learn About College Reality
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Wheeling, Illinois - March 19, 2002 - Portrayals of college binge drinking and Spring Break excesses may be more myth than reality,  according to the Wheeling Police Safe Communities Program. Armed with a survey of 33 colleges and universities, a team of professionals and students from Eastern Illinois University (EIU) took that message to the senior class at Wheeling High School on March 19.

In a first-of-its-kind program in an Illinois high school, Safe Communities members from the Wheeling Police and Fire Departments arranged for a team of six EIU students to present the findings of a study known as the Illinois Core Baseline 2000, which indicated that stories of heavy drinking on campus are greatly exaggerated.

The study led to the development of an EIU program called SONOR (for "social norms"), in which students provide entertainment and recreational activities as alternatives to risky behaviors. Members of the SONOR program also discuss campus social norms, pointing out
that incoming freshmen shouldn't base their actions on misleading media portrayals.

"Many high school seniors will move on to college campuses next year with a misperception about how college students really act," said Wheeling Safe Communities Coordinator Tom Pilewski. "These incoming college freshmen often get into trouble trying to live up to false expectations."

Pilewski singled out annual media depictions of college students partying during Spring Break. "The reality is that 90 percent of all students work during Spring Break to help pay for their
education," he said, "but that isn't the picture most people see."

In fact, Pilewski said, 35 percent of those responding to the survey said they either did not drink or had fewer than six drinks a year.  Another 42.7 percent reported moderate use, meaning no more than once a week. Averaged across the students who responded, the survey shows that students in the study consume less than four drinks per week.

More than 8,000 Illinois college students participated in the survey by anonymously completing a lengthy questionnaire about many facets of their campus lives, including alcohol use. The survey found that binge drinking is the exception, not the norm, on campus. (Binge drinking is defined as four drinks at one sitting for women and five or more drinks for men in a two-week period.)

More than 1.4 million students nationwide have participated in the Illinois Core Baseline 2000 survey since its inception, with similar results from around the country.

The Wheeling Safe Communities Program is funded through a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.

Wheeling Fire Department Expands
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Wheeling, Illinois — March 14, 2002 — Wheeling Fire Department has added three firefighter-paramedics to staff a new ambulance in the first phase of a three-year expansion. The expansion, when completed, will raise the total emergency personnel in the department to 51 from 42.

“Recent growth in the community and an increase in medical emergency calls has caused paramedics from other departments to fill the gap when our existing ambulances were occupied,” said Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac.  “Additionally, future developments will be of greater density, and we need to be prepared.” The Board of Trustees included money in the General Fund to pay for the expansion, MacIssac said.

The newest firefighter-paramedics include John Bielik, 30, of Arlington Heights, who joins the Wheeling Fire Department after 10 years as certified firefighter in Prospect Heights. Brett Oftedahl, also 30, previously had been a certified firefighter-paramedic in Tinley Park. Matt Pierce, 27, is from Chicago; he had served with the U.S. Navy before accepting his new position in Wheeling.

The second group of three personnel will be hired starting in May, when Wheeling’s new fiscal year begins. The final three will be added later.

This marks the first expansion of the department in 10 years, according to MacIsaac. In addition to the ambulance, personnel also will help staff the department’s ladder tower truck. All emergency personnel in the Wheeling Fire Department are cross-trained as both firefighters and paramedics.

IDOT and Cook County Highway Department Reach Agreement Concerning Coordination of Dundee Road Rehab and Lake Cook Road Bridge Project at Canadian National Railroad
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Traffic in Buffalo Grove and Wheeling will flow better this construction season than it otherwise would have, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Villages of Buffalo Grove and Wheeling and the agencies responsible for arterial roadway construction.

In response to concerns of the Village Boards of Buffalo Grove and Wheeling, Village, County and State officials have reached agreement on coordinating the work schedules for those portions of the Lake Cook Road and Dundee Road construction projects to take place in Wheeling and Buffalo Grove.

Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has agreed to hold off repair work on the section of Dundee Road between Milwaukee Avenue and Buffalo Grove Road until mid-July when the work on Lake Cook Road has reestablished two lanes in both directions.

Work that is expected to start next month on Dundee Road between Kennicott Road and Waukegan Road is generally planned to be completed by about August 1st, except for the section between Buffalo Grove Road and Milwaukee Avenue, which will start in July and is expected to be completed in September.

This coordination represents a success for the Villages of Buffalo Grove and Wheeling and the Transportation Management Agency of Lake Cook which have been endeavoring to have closer interagency coordination of significant highway improvements.

For additional information, contact:

     ·    John Beissel, Supervising Engineer of the Cook County Highway Department
          (312-603-1612)

     ·    Lee Schmidt, Area Construction Supervisor of the Illinois Department of
          Transportation (847-705-4262)

     ·    Gregory Boysen, Buffalo Grove Director of Public Works (847-459-2547)

     ·    Richard Glenz, Wheeling Village Engineer (847-459-2985)

     ·   William J. Baltutis, Executive Director, TMA of Lake Cook (847-948-4023)

Wheeling to Begin Board Telecasts
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Wheeling, IL — February 20, 2002 — The Village of Wheeling will begin televising meetings of the Board of Trustees on March 11. The meetings will be aired live on cable Channel 17 and also taped for later rebroadcast.

The two cameras installed in the Councilroom will be manually controlled. The Village is seeking volunteers to direct the shots and handle such tasks as changing recording media (tape or disk) and other duties as required.

SoundVision of Elgin began installing the cameras, lights and an upgraded sound system in early January. The equipment will automatically determine which microphone is in use and shut off the others. The cameras, which can zoom in and out and pan back and forth, also will be linked to the audio system to focus on the current speaker.

For the present, the videotapes will be archived. Later, the Village anticipates possibly upgrading the system by adding a digital video disk (DVD) recorder for longer recording time and easier storage.

For more information, call Acting Village Manager Jim Grabowski at 847-459-2617.

Road Construction Season:  How it Will Affect Wheeling
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Wheeling, Illinois — February 13, 2002 — Wheeling’s Dundee Rd. is set for repaving. The McHenry Rd. bottleneck is about to be unblocked. And Wolf Rd. has been targeted for widening.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) plans to begin work on Dundee Rd. in late April or early May. Plans call for patching, milling and repaving the busy Rte. 68 from Kennicott Rd., east of Rte. 53 (Arlington Heights), to Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling and on to Waukegan Rd. in Northbrook. The project will complete the resurfacing of Dundee Rd. as it connects to a job finished last year from Waukegan Rd. east.

“Since this is not a Village of Wheeling project, unfortunately we have no control over construction schedules,” said Acting Public Works Director Guy Kolberg, “But we recognized the deteriorating condition of Dundee Rd. and encouraged IDOT to resurface the roadbed as soon as practical. There will be temporary dislocation of traffic, but the resulting improvements will provide motorists with smoother driving.”

Plote Construction Co., of Elgin, was the low bidder and has been awarded the $5.5 million contract. Construction is expected to start in early spring, with a completion date set for July 28, 2002. Traffic in the construction zone will be limited to one lane in each direction. Left turns will be prohibited at various times, but so-called “right-in, right-out” turns will not be affected.

Permanent overnight lane closures will occur until July 1 so construction crews can patch the concrete between Kennicott Rd. and Milwaukee Ave. After July 1, crews will work days only, with no nighttime lane closures. IDOT anticipates relatively few repairs to the roadbed, although some manhole covers will have to be raised to be flush with the new surface.

IDOT is also poised to make significant improvements on IL Rte. 83 from Dundee Rd. to Lake Cook Rd. in Wheeling. Construction will begin in late summer or early fall with utility work involving ComEd and Nicor Gas. The $8.1 million project will replace the present current drainage ditches with underground storm sewers. The sewer work will be done in stages, first on one side of the street, then on the other.

The present two-lane roadway will be removed and replaced with four lanes plus a left-turn lane serving both directions. The temporary traffic light at the intersection of McHenry Rd. and Lexington Dr. will become permanent. The intersection of McHenry Rd. and Rte. 83 will be widened and resurfaced. Engineers also will make modifications to the traffic signals. The project will be completed by late fall, 2003, with the exception of tree and shrubbery planting.

The Cook County Highway Department (CCHD) plans to begin work on the highway bridge over the Canadian National Railroad tracks on Lake Cook Rd. as early as mid-February, pending final construction plans. The bridge, between Northgate Pkwy. and Lexington Dr., will be widened, and one additional lane will be built in each direction. A five-foot sidewalk will be installed on the south side of the bridge. An 18-foot sidewalk will be added on the north side to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. The north sidewalk will connect with a proposed bicycle trail west of the bridge.

The early sub-structure bridgework will have little impact on traffic. However, CCHD anticipates that, starting in March, traffic will be redirected to two lanes on one side as work proceeds on the remaining two lanes and the construction of a third. The $6.4 million project is scheduled for completion by November 29, 2002.

Looking ahead, IDOT is planning to widen Wolf Rd. with the addition of a left turn lane serving both directions. The work will affect the area between Manchester Dr. and Milwaukee Ave. The project is scheduled for contract letting in late fall, 2003, and will involve the installation of storm sewers and 5-foot sidewalks. The temporary traffic light at the corner of Strong Ave. will become permanent. When IDOT completes the work to the Village’s satisfaction, control of that section will revert to the Village.

Wheeling Plans 2002 Capital Improvements
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Wheeling, Illinois — February 6, 2002— Wheeling’s long-term facelift efforts will get a boost in 2002, with the Public Works Department planning several extensive capital-improvement projects.

The Dunhurst I & II subdivisions will see water-main replacement, completing work begun last year. The new  water mains, constructed of ductile iron, replace aging cast-iron pipes that account for a significant failure rate. “This is an ambitious project,” said Water Division Supervisor Scott Lark, "but the residents’ quality of life will improve significantly. We won't have to dig up the parkway anymore, and residents won't lose service when the old mains fail and water service has to be shut off."

Public Works is also embarking on the fourth year of a 10-year program to install street lighting in many neighborhoods. The first three years of the program involved installation of new lighting in areas that were unlit. This year, Public Works may start replacing up to 54 wooden, and often deteriorated, ComEd poles with aluminum poles that are standard elsewhere in the Village. The work will focus on Hollywood Ridge, Poplar Grove and Dunhurst IV subdivisions. State highways under IDOT's control, such as Dundee Rd., are not affected by the lighting program, currently budgeted at $195,000 a year.

"There are no more lighting gaps in the Village. The Village’s subdivisions are fully lighted," said Street Supervisor Jeff Kopper. “Residents appreciate the poles, which are not only brand new but have all the junction wiring enclosed and out of sight.

The recently completed Wheeling Diversion Channel may be modified this year to       accommodate fiber optic cables owned by Ameritech. The phone company wants to install a box culvert at the north end of the channel as a resting place for its cables. Ameritech has committed $275,000 to the project — a joint effort with the Village, whose involvement has yet to be determined.

3 Wheeling Commissioners Take Seats; A Fourth Still Sought
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Wheeling, Illinois — February 4, 2002 — Wheeling President Greg Klatecki has named three Village residents to fill vacancies on three commissions.

Steven Boime, 47, formerly a member of the Human Rights Commission, will now sit on the Plan Commission. He is a former president and currently vice president of the Tahoe Village Condominium Association. He is a member of the Willow-Palatine Rd. Community Mobilization Team. An avid bicyclist, Boime is controller of Inplex, custom extruders of plastic tubing and profiles in Des Plaines.

Boime said he wants “to see Wheeling continue to progress and achieve a better quality of life. The Plan Commission is working on the Village’s comprehensive plan, which is a great opportunity to ensure that we are everything we can be in Wheeling.”

David Kolssak joins the Economic Development Commission. A Wheeling resident since age four, Kolssak attended Purdue University, where he received a management degree in 1991. He is managing partner at Turnkey Network Systems in Wheeling. Now 32, Kolssak said,  “I would like to be more aggressive in courting businesses and new technologies to the area. I want to make sure people looking to relocate their businesses look at Wheeling.”

Twenty-eight year resident Barbara Steinberg has taken a seat on the Senior Commission. Before retiring a year and a half ago, she worked for 20 years at Love Controls, an engineering company formerly based in Wheeling. Ms. Steinberg, 64, said she wants to “give back to the community now that our family is grown.” She has been an active volunteer in local schools and at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.

President Klatecki is seeking a suitable replacement to fill Steven Boime’s former seat on the Human Rights Commission.

Wheeling Blood Drive Set for March 13
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Wheeling, Illinois — January 22, 2002— The emergency blood supply needs to be replenished. Toward that end, the Wheeling Health Department is hosting a Community Blood Drive on March 13, 2002. The drive will be held at Fire Station 24, 255 W. Dundee Rd., next to Village Hall, from 2:30 until 7 p.m.

“Blood has a limited shelf life,” said Wheeling Health Officer Mike Boyle. “If it isn’t used within 41 days, it must be discarded. Blood that has been ‘turned over’ has to be replaced to maintain a ready supply.”

The forthcoming blood drive will be the first to be held in cooperation with the American Red Cross. The change was made to improve efficiency of the collection process.

Appointments for the blood drive are encouraged, although walk-ins will still be welcome. To make an appointment call Village Health Officer Michael Boyle at 847-459-2621, or e-mail him at mboyle@wheelingil.gov.

“We are interested in attracting both past donors and those who have never donated blood before,” Boyle said. “We need eligible donors.”

Wireless 911 Service Launched in Wheeling
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Wheeling, Illinois — January 18, 2002 — Wireless 911 service has arrived in Wheeling for cell phone and personal communication users. The system provides immediate access to both fire and police departments during emergency situations.

Before the system was fully implemented in late December, callers were required to contact their wireless operators, who attempted to route the call to the appropriate public safety agency.  If callers dialed 911 on their cellular phone, they received a recording that the service was not available in this area. Now, the nearest transmission tower takes the wireless 911 call and routes it to the dispatch center.

Wheeling shares its system with the Village of Glenview, which hosts the primary equipment facility. The state-of-the-art installation provides dispatchers with the caller’s wireless number, the name of the registered user, location of the transmission tower, and the direction of the call from the tower (north, south, etc.).

The project required the installation of new receiving equipment and multiple phone lines in the new dispatch center, located in the Glenview Fire Department, as well as development of a computer database based upon the geographic boundaries of the Village of Wheeling.

“Most wireless emergency calls eventually involve the fire department,” said Wheeling Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac. “Police calls are immediately routed to Wheeling Police Department dispatchers.” 

MacIsaac anticipates that, as technology advances, the system will be tied into global positioning satellites within the next five years. “When that happens, we’ll be able to pinpoint the caller’s position within a few feet instead of several yards.”

Begun in 1999, the project required coordination with all wireless providers and potential receivers of calls (such as Cook and Lake County Sheriff’s Departments; Illinois State Police; the Village of Northbrook; and Northwest Central Dispatch, which covers Prospect Heights, Arlington Heights and Buffalo Grove).

During the development period, the number of service providers shrank from 11 to seven due to consolidations and takeovers. The providers currently serving Wheeling include Cingular, Primeco, AT& T Wireless, Voicestream, Verizon, Sprint PCS, and Nextel. The recent conclusion of agreements with two companies gave the Village universal 911 service.

The system is funded with a monthly surcharge of 75 cents on every cellular phone with a billing address in the Village. More than half, 48 cents, goes to Wheeling to pay for the dispatching service and maintenance of dispatch-center equipment.  The balance is retained by the wireless providers to maintain routing equipment and continue enhancing the 911 service.  The funding rate and distribution formula are stipulated by state law.

Wheeling Resident to Compete in the NFL/Gatorade Punt
Pass and Kick Contest
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Wheeling, Illinois – January 18, 2002 – Wheeling resident Bridget Urbanus will compete in the NFL/Gatorade Punt, Pass, and Kick Contest in Pittsburgh this Sunday morning (January 20), prior to the AFC Divisional Playoff Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.  Bridget is nine years old.

In order to make the trip to Pittsburgh, Bridget had to win local contests in the Chicago area.  She is one of the four girls who will compete for national honors.  Bridget and the other contestants are scheduled to appear on-field during halftime, with the announcement of the contest winners scheduled to be made between the 3rd and 4th quarters.

The Steelers/Ravens game will be televised on CBS (Channel 2) beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Wheeling Seeks Guidance from Residents
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Wheeling, Illinois — January 14, 2002 — The Village of Wheeling is looking for a few, good residents interested in helping guide the Village’s future. Currently, openings exist on the Plan Commission, the Economic Development Commission and the Senior Commission.  All commissions serve as an advisory body to the President and Board of Trustees, with respect to the general welfare of the citizens in the Village

The seven members of the Plan Commission are preparing a comprehensive plan to guide, direct and control growth and development or redevelopment of the Village. The Commission also acts as the Sign Code Board of Appeals and the Appearance Review Commission.

The Plan Commission routinely holds hearings to review proposed site plans for commercial, industrial, and retail developments within the Village. The commission conducts hearings and makes recommendations to the Village Board.

The nine Economic Development Commissioners promote economic growth within the Village. In conjunction with the Director of Economic Development, they identify and evaluate business development or redevelopment, help prepare promotional materials, develop marketing strategies to retain existing businesses and attract new ones. Filling vacant buildings and attracting new companies who want to build on available land are priorities for these commissioners.

Senior Commissioners guide the activities of the Pavilion Senior Center, overseeing the needs of older residents. The commission serves as an advisory body to the President and Board of Trustees, the Village Manager, and other government agencies with respect to the general policies of the Pavilion Senior Center.

Members of Wheeling commissions are appointed by Village President Greg Klatecki. Terms are three years on the Plan and Economic Development Commissions and two years on the Senior Commission.

Applications are available on the Wheeling website at http://www.wheelingil.gov/ReferenceDesk/FormsAndPermits.htm#Municpal. Then click on Municipal Forms. Applications also may be picked up during normal business hours at Village Hall, 255 W. Dundee Rd.

Wheeling Prepares for 2002 Citizens Police Academy
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Wheeling, Illinois — December 19, 2001 — How do Wheeling police officers patrol the streets? How does an evidence technician operate? How often do officers qualify in the shooting range? Those questions and many more will be answered during the eighth annual Citizens Police Academy, which begins February 6, 2002. The ten-week program will provide participants with first-hand information on topics ranging from how department units function to law enforcement and community policing.

“The Academy promotes understanding between citizens and the police through education,” said Sgt. Terrie Wisnewski, who heads the Crime Prevention Unit. “We acquaint citizens with the role of law enforcement in the criminal justice system and provide insight into the operations of daily police work.”

Academy instructors are drawn from department officers and personnel, who teach their own areas of expertise. The instructors have broad training and experience, and the officers bring street experience into the classroom.

The initial session will include an introduction, an orientation and the history and organization of the police department. In the weeks that follow, instructors will explain such units as Patrol, Traffic, Crime Prevention/Community Relations, DARE and Investigations. Law-enforcement issues to be covered span domestic violence, child abuse, use of force, major crimes and c