Communicating Our needs in Springfield

On April 9th and 10th, representatives from our area met with legislators in Springfield to express concerns over the state budget and advocate for the needs of our communities. Mayor Craig was the only representative from Hanover Park.

Mayor Craig met with Rep Crespo and Speaker Michael Madigan about Sustainable Energy and working with ComEd. Additionally, they discussed the capitol bill and the understanding that this is necessary for the State as legislators struggle with the funding and disagreement with the governor.












Speaker of the House, Michael Madigan and Mayor Craig












Mayor Craig and Rep. Fred Crespo, (D) 44th District

Rep. Crespo has been fully engaged seeking to help us find a solution to the Wind Generator and Sustainable Energy issues. The law passed last year does not work for School Districts in the Urban Area, and he has taken on a personal commitment to assist us with the dilemma we face today.










This photo with Senator Millner was from the Senate floor where Mayor Craig was invited by the Senator to discuss the issues of Hanover Park and our local issues. Senator Millner was very instrumental in assisting in working with the Illinois EPA Executive Director on our local concerns with the Mallard Lake Landfill.










Mayor Saverino of Carol Stream and Mayor Craig

Mayor Saverineo of Carol Stream and Mayor Craig met with area representatives who are all concerned with funding for a new capitol bill. The capitol bill is past due and given the lack of trust between the legislators and the Governor, as shared openly by all legislators including Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie. The legislators cannot push a bill to the Governor if he intends to reassign the dollars to his personal priorities.










Mayor Craig; Sylvia Layne, Trustee Addison; Representative Franco Coladipietro (R), 45th District; Larry Hartwig, Addison Mayor

The discussion with Rep Coladipietro centered the need to have the State continue to fund the Village's needs in a timely basis. The Village cannot afford to have any reductions in our portion of State Taxes to fund other projects. There was a discussion about fairness in new taxes, mandates from our legislators that impact local government's ability to pay need to include the local governments and the Illinois Municipal league.

Pensions were another key issue discussed with legislators. The DuPage Mayors' and Managers' goal to legislators was to preserve the Long-Term solvency of Public Safety Pension Funds via SB 2090 and HB 4905. The DuPage leaders asked for a moratorium on pension benefit increases and the ability to maximize investment revenues. Legislators universally stated that they would include those paying the pension bills (Villages and Cities) with the pension groups (Police/fire) and those issues where there is agreement those Bills would be considered or moved out of committee. That comment came from Kwame Raoul, Senate Chairman on Pensions and Investments Committee. Mayor Craig also met with a local Firefighter who was lobbying in Springfield and they also seek fair enhancements that do not overburden the Villages ability to pay.

Mayor Craig had a long and beneficial conversation with Representative Randy Ramey concerning the needs of Hanover Park residents in his area of town. His assistant attended the landfill hearings, Representative Ramey was knowledgeable on the matters there.

Mayor Craig had brief discussions with Rep. Froehlich and Sen. Noland to affirm our previous commitment to Energy Issues and finding solutions that will work to bring us off foreign oil dependency and tax savings of sustainable Wind Energy solutions.

Today is Earth Day

Today is Earth Day, and people around the world are recognizing the value of being good stewards to our planet. Clearly, the idea of protecting our environment is becoming not just something nice to do. It is something that protects our quality of life and saves our finances as well.

I thought I'd take this opportunity to highlight some environmental issues. First, the Mallard Lake Landfill cleanup is coming along very well. The Illinois EAP and the landfill operator are working together to take care of this issue very professionally. Second, I continue to work with our school leaders on the proposed wind generator. This is an issue that warrants discussion and consideration, we've been doing that on a regular basis with all our Legislators. Third, I am pleased that our Village's Environmental Committee has had several meetings and we are seeing impact already. We will be receiving florescent bulbs shortly due to committee diligence to come together earlier this year.

There are many ways that each of us can conserve resources. For instance, we can work to save on water, turn off the lights, and recycle whenever possible. If all of us take simple actions like this, then together we can have a make a big difference.

Happy Earth Day,

Rod...

Mawell Street May 17

The Village released the following press release about Maxwell Street on May 17:

Maxwell Street is the Village’s semiannual community garage sale and flea market. Items sold range from collectibles to garage sale bargains! The spring event will be held Saturday, May 17, 2008 in the commuter lot at Lake Street and Barrington Road from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis with a limit of two spaces per vendor. Applications for spaces are available at the Village Hall or on the Village’s web site www.hpil.org . Each space is 9 feet wide by 18 feet deep for $15.00

Sale of live animals is prohibited. Absolutely no food products can be sold without Village approval.

Maxwell Street West provides a great opportunity for people who have items they would like to sell but do not want to have a garage sale!

Items sold range from collectibles to garage sale bargains! Stop by and enjoy a fantastic day of shopping.

To reserve a space, call the Village Clerk's office at 630/372-4220.

This event is wheelchair accessible. There is no admission fee. Stop by and enjoy a fantastic day of shopping.

Lions Day Breakfast

Here is a photo from the Lions Day Breakfast, which was held as part of the Village's 50th Anniversary Celebration. The Hanover Park Lions Club is one of the organizations that enriches our community and makes our hometown a great place to live.

Congratulations to "Go Cool"

It is great that even in these challenging economic times, we see growth continue. Congratulations to our newest resturant Go Cool at 2020 Army Trail Road in Sandpiper Plaza near County Farm Road. I hope you'll stop by for Indian food.

Daily Herald: New Hanover Park center looks to give kids a chance

Today's Herald has an article entitled, New Hanover Park center looks to give kids a chance, which is about the great work being done by the DuCAP team led by Jennie Swanson, pastor of the nearby Living Christ Lutheran Church, and many great leaders. (Also, see this post on this blog back in November)