Daily Herald's 2009 Newsmakers

Northwest suburban 2009 newsmakers (click here to read entire article)
Daily Herald Staff Report
Published: 12/28/2009 11:59 AM

The Northwest suburbs had their share of newsmakers in 2009, like every other year. Here are several of the people we talked about during the past 12 months.

Hanover Park Mayor Rodney Craig:

He isn't the most popular figure in Hanover Park, but he became one of the most visible in 2009, when residents turned to Hanover Park Village President Rod Craig for answers when a sudden surge of violence struck the village.

Four murders occurred within two weeks in late May and early June, and the seemingly isolated slayings were preceded by several gang-related stabbings and shootings.

Craig spoke openly to reporters and to the nervous public in front of packed school gyms to start off gang awareness forums led by police. He tapped former Police Chief Ron Moser to take over as village manager, led an effort to secure stimulus money to hire more police officers, and called on area leaders to take part in a public safety committee he formed. In November, village officials approved a new $19 million police station, to replace the department's current cramped quarters.

The village of Hanover Park has been quieter for the last six months. And that's welcome news to its leader.

(click here to read entire article)

Sister Cities Reception for Mayor of Valparaiso, Zacatecas

Earlier this month, I was pleased to participate in the Sister Cities Reception for the Mayor of Valparaiso, Zacatecas. We had a great exchange with Mayor Ruiz Gonzalez.

Hanover Park to build police station

I wanted to share this article from the Daily Herald about the actions taken by our Board of Trustees.
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Hanover Park to build police station
By Kimberly Pohl | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 12/17/2009 12:00 AM

Hanover Park trustees scoffed earlier this year at a presentation proposing a new police station and village hall renovations to the tune of $27 million.

It took numerous meetings and revisions, but officials are now on board with plans to scrap the renovations and build a more modest 52,000-square-foot police station for $19 million. Plans to update an aging village hall have been put on hold indefinitely.

"We all want to drive Cadillacs, but that's not practical," Trustee Bill Cannon said. "The original excessive proposal was everybody's wish list and now it's been cut down to an efficient, responsible construction model to provide a police station our village so desperately needs."

A unanimous board recently approved steps toward a potential summer 2010 groundbreaking at 2015 W. Lake St, just east of the municipal complex. Specifically, they authorized the hiring of legal counsel to oversee the bond issue, contract negotiations with the architectural firm for final design of the facility, and a search to select a construction manager.

It's a welcome development for the Hanover Park Police Department, which has pushed for an expanded facility since 1998. Police Chief David Webb said that when the current police station was built, the department employed a total of 46 officers and civilian employees. Today, there are 102 officers and civilian employees.

"We are extremely cramped," Webb said. "We even had to convert a garage into an office for six people."

Village Manager Ron Moser, the former police chief, said preliminary numbers show minimal increases to property taxes. Should the village borrow $14 million, a property owner with a house worth $185,000 would annually pay $29 more in Cook County and $36 more in DuPage County.

Among the first steps is the demolition of the existing Mid-America buildings at the police station's future site after the tenants vacate in the spring. The village will also raze the existing salt storage facility and build a new one behind village hall. The police station annex at 2152 W. Lake St. will eventually be torn down.

Meanwhile, it will take at least five or six months from when architects begin work on the station's final design to the time construction can begin.

Cannon said that despite the negative financial climate, Hanover Park wasn't as dependent on sales tax revenue as its neighbors and therefore hasn't been as hard hit by the economy.

"We're in decent shape and can take advantage of the low cost of borrowing through bonds and contractors are desperate for work so we're able to get a bigger bang for the buck," Cannon said.

IDOT passes on Bensenville for western bypass around O'Hare

I wanted to share this link to a recent Herald article about proposed changes to the Elgin-O'hare:
IDOT passes on Bensenville for western bypass around O'Hare. We are happy that things are moving forward, but we are also closely watching how this will impact Hanover Park.

Village Announces Promotion of Officer Villanueva to Sergeant

Some more good news to pass along:

Village Announces Promotion of Officer Villanueva to Sergeant

The Hanover Park Police Department is proud to announce the promotion of Ofc. Eric Villanueva to the position of Sergeant. Sgt. Villanueva was promoted on November 22, 2009 and was sworn in at the Village Board meeting on December 3, 2009.

Sgt. Villanueva was hired on October 8, 1990 and has been with the Police Department for nineteen years. During this time Sgt. Villanueva has served in a variety of positions including Patrol Officer, Tactical Officer, and Investigator. While assigned to the Patrol Division, Sgt. Villanueva was a Field Training Officer where he was responsible for the training of new recruits. Sgt. Villanueva also served as an Assistant Team Leader where he was responsible for supervising his shift in the absence of a Sergeant. Sgt. Villanueva is currently the Deputy Commander of the Police Department’s Crisis Resolution Team and is a member of the NIPAS Mobile Field Force. During Sgt. Villanueva’s career he has received four Department Commendations, two Unit Meritorious Awards and numerous Letters of Recognition.

Hanover Park Chronic Nuisance Abatement Ordinance

I wanted to share this release, which came from a recent police email alert:
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Hanover Park Chronic Nuisance Abatement Ordinance

The Village and Police Department are committed to increasing the community livability within the village. A very effective program the police department administers is the Chronic Nuisance Abatement Program.

A Chronic nuisance property means a property upon which two or more nuisance activities within a 6 month period have occurred as a result of any two separate factual events that have been independently investigated by any law enforcement agency.

Once a chronic nuisance property has been identified, the Police Department begins the process by notifying the property owner by mail of the violation. The owner is advised in the letter that two (2) chronic nuisance property incidents within a 6-month period will require the owner to appear at an administrative hearing held at the Village Hall. At this hearing the owner can be fined $ 750.00 if they are found in violation of the ordinance.

In most cases the owner of an identified chronic nuisance property simply abates the nuisance and no further action is required. Police calls for service have been significantly reduced as a result of this ordinance.

Hanover Park Welcomes Four News Officers

I wanted to share this piece of information from the Village's enews letter.
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The Hanover Park Police Department welcomed four new police officers to the department this month.

Sabina Lomeli was hired on November 3, 2009. Prior to being hired as a police officer, Sabina served as a Desk Officer for the Hanover Park Police Department for two years. Sabina served in the United States Air Force for four years and was deployed to Iraq in 2005. Sabina is currently serving in the United States Naval Reserves. Sabina attended McHenry Community College where she took courses in Criminal Justice.

Jeff Palace and Tim McNulty were hired on November 17, 2009. Prior to Palace being hired he was employed by the Bartlett Police Department as a Community Service Officer. Palace received an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from the College of DuPage. Tim McNulty attended Eastern Illinois University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. McNulty is currently serving in the Selective Marine Corp Reserve as a 1st Lieutenant.

Zachary Hayes was hired on November 24, 2009. Hayes attended Illinois State University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Hayes previously served an internship with the Elgin Police Department.

The new officers will be sworn in at the Hanover Park Village Board meeting on December 3, 2009 and will begin attending the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy on January 4, 2010.

Tree Lighting Event, Tomorrow Night!

Tree Trimming in Hanover Park. Everyone should join us Friday at 6:15 PM to welcome in the Holiday Season, Santa, enjoy the Marionettes, Hot Chocolate, Dancers, and Springwood / Greenbrook singers.