Loading...
2021 Fall Newsletter WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 OAK BROOK OAK BROOK Quarterly Newsletter | Volume 98 - Fall 2021 news President Gopal Lalmalani, M.D., M.B.A Clerk Charlotte K. Pruss | Trustee Laurence Herman Trustee Michael Manzo Trustee Jim Nagle Trustee Suresh Reddy Trustee Edward Tiesenga Trustee Asif Yusuf 2 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 OAK BROOK news 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Message from Dr. Gopal Lalmalani 4 From The Manager’s Desk Community News 3 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 Gopal G. Lalmalani, M.D., M.B.A. Village President 630.368.5026 glalmalani@oak-brook.org President’s Message By Dr. Gopal Lalmalani Dear Friends and Neighbors, Once again summer has slipped by very quickly. After some major hindrances, the Bath & Tennis Club pool was able to open this past season. I would like to thank all of our loyal members for their patience during this unparalleled time. I would also like to convey my appreciation to our Interim Village Manager Jim Kruger who stepped up to guide the operations and our Public Works staff, under the leadership of Rick Valent, for their dedication and extraordinary efforts during this season. Even though our partnership with the Oak Brook Park District will not continue, the Village of Oak Brook staff and our Sports Core Advisory Committee will be diligently working to ensure the quality experience that Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club members expect and deserve will endure. The Oak Brook Golf Club is having a phenomenal year, rounds of golf are at all-time high levels and the patio, bar and grill are seeing an increase in patronage. Kudos to the OBGC staff; their hard work and commitment are evident in the quality experience they have cultivated. The Oak Brook Polo season has just ended. We are excited to announce that the Village of Oak Brook has entered into a 12 year agreement with Pineoaks Partners to bring Polo to the Cecil Smith Field, commonly known as Butler National Golf Course’s driving range. This will allow for safe play and a more enjoyable spectator experience. It is an exciting time for new development in the Village. We recently celebrated the much anticipated opening of RH. Their beautiful 60,000 square foot building with indoor and outdoor space and a breathtaking Rooftop Restaurant & Park is a must see and a welcome addition to Oakbrook Center. Recent restaurant openings include Blanco Cocina & Cantina which boasts a fresh twist on Mexican favorites in a friendly atmosphere and is located at 2022 Spring Rd. Sweetgreen is a destination for delicious food that is both healthy and locally sourced; it recently opened at 1817 Oakbrook Center. Real Urban BBQ has reopened under new management offering the same great BBQ that we’ve come to expect. Also, next month, Polo Ralph Lauren, featuring their classic styles and renowned customer service will open at 630 Oakbrook Center. Fogo De Chao Steakhouse will bring their upscale, all-you-can-eat tableside- carved Brazilian meat and extensive wine list to 1205 22nd St. And at 1828 Oakbrook Center, Puttshack, a 25,000 square foot entertainment venue, which includes four mini-golf courses, food, drinks and private event space, will be ready for patrons. Lastly, as we navigate through vaccines and boosters we are reminded of how far we have come in the struggle with COVID-19. If we stay the course we will see this through as a community. As always, our Trustees, staff, and I are here to serve you. Please feel free to contact any of us with your thoughts, ideas and concerns. Kind Regards, 4 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 From the Manager’s Desk Halloween Trick or Treat Hours on Sunday, October 31, 2021 will be from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm. The Village of Oak Brook believes that parents are the best judges of their children’s participation in Halloween activities. In the current COVID-19 environment, the Village is taking the position that parents need to make the decision as to whether or not their children engage in Halloween activities. For parents' reference, the CDC recently released information on low, medium and high-risk Halloween activities, including ideas for at-home, virtual and physically distanced alternatives. It is the Village’s hope that residents have the opportunity to celebrate Halloween in a way that they are comfortable with while continuing to exercise the safety protocol The Municipal Electric Aggregation contract with Dynegy Energy will be expiring in October 2021. Village resident and small businesses, who opted into the Municipal Electric Aggregation Program, will return to ComEd’s electricity supply after their October meter read date. Letters from ComEd will be sent to customers shortly to confirm the switch along with the exact switching date. The Village will continue to watch the market and will conduct the bid process for electricity supply when pricing is more competitive so that our residents and small businesses can realize a savings. If you have any questions, please contact Rania Serences, Senior Purchasing Assistant, at 630-368-5164. 5 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 It is hard to believe that summer is over already. Between masks on, masks off, masks on; the waiting for consumer goods, the push for vaccinations and the worry about a potential “second wave” I know that everyone has been on edge. Along with the pressures of daily life, we have seen some increases in criminal activity throughout the region. Unfortunately there is a segment of the population who sees this pandemic and the political discord as a good time to commit crime and detract from society rather than add to it. Your police department continues to be ever vigilant and ready to keep our community safe. We have been able to maintain a majority of our staffing in the past year as well as continue to attract quality candidates from other agencies. We will be featured on WGN TV News in the next couple of weeks in a story talking about some of the excellent Chicago police officers looking for opportunities in the suburbs and starting their law enforcement careers over. We have been fortunate to receive three of those such officers as well as another six from other departments who have been attracted to the Oak Brook Police Department. Much of the credit for this goes to our community for the wonderful support we always receive from our residents that contradicts the national media rhetoric. I also want to give credit to our Village Board for recognizing how important crime prevention and public safety is and gives us the resources to be able to continue providing the best possible services to our community. I know that many of our businesses have told me that they have seen an increase because of the feeling of safety their employees and customer base has coming to Oak Brook. While we do have a safe community, as I mentioned we are seeing an increase in some criminal incidents. We need all of you to help us keep Oak Brook safe. Please lock vehicles, set residential burglar alarm when you leave, and please do not let anyone in your home that claims to be from the village and wants to test your tap water. We still experience ruse burglaries to unsuspecting, trusting victims who let offenders into their homes. Please call 9-1-1 whenever in doubt. You are not bothering us and do not think for a moment that you are misusing the system. We want you to call, even if it turns out to be a false alarm. We would rather go on a dozen false alarm calls than one where you are an unfortunate victim. Lastly, we were very excited to be able to get out and see so many of you at two very important public events over the end of summer. First was our annual Torch Run for Special Olympics Golf Outing that raised a significant amount for Special Olympics and put the police department in one of the top tier departments once again because of your generosity. Secondly, the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 Healing Field was a tremendous success and a heartwarming event. Thank you to all of the volunteers and attendees for making it such a memorable event. We plan to restart our Citizens’ Police Academy this spring as well. Please keep watch for sign up details to come. Police News By James Kruger James Kruger Police Chief 630.368.8710 jkruger@oak-brook.org 6 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 Fire Prevention Week is October 3 – 9, 2021 The theme is: Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety As the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week™ for more than 95 years, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has announced “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety™” as the theme for Fire Prevention Week 2021, October 3-9. From beeps to chirps, this year’s campaign works to better educate the public about the sounds smoke alarms make, what those sounds mean, and how to respond to them. According to the latest NFPA “Smoke Alarms in the U.S.” report, working smoke alarms in the home reduce the risk of dying in a reported fire by more than half. However, almost three out of five home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms (41 percent) or smoke alarms that failed to operate (16 percent); missing or non -functional power sources, including missing or disconnected batteries, dead batteries, and disconnected hardwired alarms or other AC power issues, are the most common factors when smoke alarms fail to operate. People tend to remove smoke alarm batteries or dismantle alarms altogether when the alarm begins to chirp as a result of low batteries or the alarm is no longer working properly, or when experiencing nuisance alarms. These behaviors present serious risks to safety that can have tragic consequences in the event of a fire. This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety,” helps people better understand the reasons smoke alarms may sound and provides the know-how to effectively address them. The campaign also addresses special considerations for the deaf and hard of hearing, along with information about carbon monoxide alarms. Key messages for “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” include:  When a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide (CO) alarm sounds, respond immediately by exiting the home as quickly as possible.  If your alarm begins to chirp, it may mean that the batteries are running low and need to be replaced. If the alarm continues to chirp after the batteries are replaced, or the alarm is more than 10 years old, it is time to replace the alarm.  Test all smoke and CO alarms monthly. Press the test button to make sure the alarm is working.  If there is someone in your household who is deaf or hard of hearing, install bed shaker and strobe light alarms that will alert that person to fire.  Know the difference between the sound of a smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide alarm – three beeps for smoke alarms; four beeps for carbon monoxide alarms. For more information about Fire Prevention Week, October 3-9, 2021, and this year’s theme, “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety,” along with a wealth of resources to help promote the campaign locally, visit fpw.org. Fire Safety & Information By James Arie 7 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 Escape Planning Plan Ahead! If a fire breaks out in your home, you may have only a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Everyone needs to know what to do and where to go if there is a fire. Facts A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire. Install smoke alarms inside every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.  According to an NFPA survey, only one of every three American households have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.  While 71% of Americans have an escape plan in case of a fire, only 47% of those have practiced it. (An escape plan that is not practiced is a false sense of security.)  One-third of American households who made an estimate thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening. The time available is often less. And only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out! (When a fire occurs precious minutes and seconds go by very fast. Fire doubles in size every minute. The longer you are in the house on fire, the less likely it becomes to be able to safely escape. The life you save may be your own life.) Tips on escaping a house on fire MAKE a home escape plan. Draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows. Discuss the plan with everyone in your home. KNOW at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure that all doors and windows leading outside open easily so you can quickly escape. HAVE an outside designated meeting place (a tree, light pole, mailbox) a safe distance from the home where everyone should meet. PRACTICE your home fire drill at night and during the day with everyone in your home, twice a year. (If you don’t routinely practice the home fire drill, family members forget. Ideally, it is practiced often enough so that if/when escape from a fire is necessary, the response by all family members is automatic.) PRACTICE using different ways out. (If you only rely only on one route, what happens if that route is blocked?) TEACH children how to escape on their own in case you can ’t help them. (Stay low and crawl. Do not stand up in smoke. The conditions will be worse and you can easily become disoriented while being exposed to high heat conditions and very toxic thick smoke.) CLOSE doors behind you as you leave. GO to the designated meeting place so everyone can be accounted for. Once there, stay there. IF THE SMOKE ALARM SOUNDS If the smoke alarm sounds, GET OUT AND STAY OUT. NEVER go back inside for people, pets, belongings. (There are countless incidents where family members of all ages who have escaped the house fire only to decide to go back inside. Tragic outcomes include serious injuries or death. NEVER EVER GO BACK INSIDE. If you have to escape through smoke, GET LOW AND GO under the smoke to your way out. Your best chance of survival involves staying low where there is less heat and smoke, and crawling out as quickly as possible.) CALL 9-1-1 from outside your home. (Do not waste valuable time by using a telephone inside of a house on fire. Remember that fire doubles in size every minute, so escaping will be more difficult and dangerous the longer you are inside of the house.) For more information on fire safety, feel free to contact the Oak Brook Fire Department at 630-368-5200. Have a fire safe day!!! Fire By James Arie James Arie Interim Fire Chief 630.368.5200 jarie@oak-brook.org 8 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 Public Works News By Rick Valent The Storm Sewer’s Impact Did you ever wonder where the water goes when you pour it down the drain? Water discarded through household drains flow through the sanitary sewer system to a wastewater treatment plant. Storm drains on the other hand flow directly to receiving waters such as lakes, rivers, ponds, creeks or wetland areas. In the Village of Oak Brook, stormwater flows through pipes, drains, and ditches to places like Salt, Ginger, and Lacey Creeks or other wetlands. Each of these support their own habitat and wildlife, which is why it is greatly important to be cautious about what is introduced into the stormwater system. How the Village Helps – The proper maintenance of the stormwater system is one of many priorities for the Public Works Department. Storm pipes and drains are cleaned regularly of debris and trash. Street sweeping efforts are routinely conducted to keep roads safe for motorists, but also to prevent foreign objects from flowing into the stormwater system. In addition, snow plow trucks have control systems that automatically adjust the quantity of de-icing material which allows for a more consistent application rate resulting in reduced chloride levels. How You can Help – There are a number of things you can do to help maintain and preserve natural waters and wetlands for years to come: Pickup litter. Litter and debris often clog storm pipes and drains preventing water from reaching its destination. Worse yet, litter travels throughout the stormwater system to collector streams or waters and has a significant impact on the natural habitat. Use cleaning chemicals that are more environmentally friendly when cleaning your car in the driveway. Commercial car washes dispose of their used water into the sanitary sewer, but residents who wash their cars in the driveway often let the dirty soapy water flow down the storm sewer. Cleanup after pets. Not only is it just a neighborly courtesy, but when it rains animal waste is washed to the stormwater system and ultimately finds its way to natural waters or wetlands where it contaminates the habitat. Properly dispose of chemicals. When working on your car, cleaning up from home improvement projects, or disposing of household chemicals, keep these from being disposed of in the stormwater system. Instead contact your local recycling facilities, auto shop, or even hardware stores to see if they accept old or unused chemicals. Definitely don’t pour them into your yard or wash them down storm drains. Let your pool water sit. When it ’s time to drain your pool, stop adding chemicals to your pool to allow the chlorine and other chemicals to break down and the pH to neutralize. Slowly release the water into your yard and let it soak in the ground. If that ’s not an option, drain the water down storm sewer drain only after it is chemical free and pH neutralized. The entire stormwater system is important to the quality of life that the Oak Brook community enjoys. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that the impacts of our actions are not felt downstream. For more information on storm sewers and what you can do to help maintain waterways and wetlands, visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s website at https://www.epa.gov/npdes or contact the Village at 630- 368-5000. Rick Valent Director of Public Works 630.368.5270 rvalent@oak-brook.org 9 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 Public Works News 10 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 Development Services Information By Tony Budzikowski NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM Community Rating System (CRS) Outreach CRS The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program that recognizes and encourages communities to practice floodplain management that exceeds the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Over 1,500 communities participate in the CRS nationwide including the Village of Oak Brook. In CRS communities, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risks resulting from the community’s efforts that address the three (3) goals of the program: 1. Reduce and avoid flood damage to insurable properties, 2. Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of NFIP, and 3. Foster comprehensive floodplain management. Oak Brook is a CRS Class 7 community. This class entitles Oak Brook residential and commercial property owners to a 15% discount on their flood insurance premium. Each CRS class improvement produces greater discounts on flood insurance premiums for properties in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Flood Safety The best time to prepare for a flood is before it happens. Village of Oak Brook property owners have experienced flooding from creeks and sewer backups in the past. As homeowners, there are a few things that you should know about flood safety, preventing flood damage, flood plain regulation, and insurance. A number of precautions should be taken in the event of a flood. Electricity and gas should be turned off if your home is being flooded. Walking through flood water should be avoided especially if the flood water is moving rapidly as drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths, mostly during flash floods. Currents can be deceptive; six inches of moving water can knock you off of your feet. If you walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to ensure that the ground is still there. Do not drive through a flooded area as more people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Don’t drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed-out. After exposure to flood water, residents are advised to contact their health practitioner regarding a tetanus shot if they have not received one in a while. Preventing Flood Damage The Village provides advice and will make site visits to assess and provide suggestions on how to retrofit buildings to prevent flood damage. There are generally five approaches to retrofitting: elevation, barriers, dry flood proofing, wet flood proofing and basement protection. Other property protection measures include grading, ditch cleaning, moving furniture and sandbagging. The Village has adopted the DuPage County Stormwater Ordinance. As such, all changes in impermeable surfaces within the village, i.e. driveways, patios, sports courts, slabs, sidewalks, etc. require the approval of a building permit to ensure compliance with applicable ordinance requirements. For information on these and other flood protection issues, please contact the Village Engineer at 630-368-5144. Flood Plain Development Development in or near a flood plain is allowed only upon application and issuance of the appropriate Village permits. Flood plain map information is available through the Development Services Department. If you are planning to add, remodel, build, fill, or otherwise develop in a flood plain or if you 11 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 Tony Budzikowski Development Services Director 630.368.5104 tbudzikowski@oak-brook.org Development Services By Tony Budzikowski witness what you believe to be illegal flood plain construction, please contact the Village Engineer at 630-368-5144. Village code states that existing structures shall not be enlarged, replaced or structurally altered unless the changes meet the applicable code requirements. If the changes constitute substantial improvement to a building in a flood plain, then the entire building will need to meet these requirements. Substantial improvement is when the cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvements to a building equals or exceeds 50% of the market value. Substantially damaged buildings must also be brought up to the same standards. Enforcement of this requirement is achieved through the permitting process. Flood Insurance The Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 helps to ensure that you will be protected from financial loss caused by flooding. Backed by the Federal Government, flood insurance is available to residents across the country that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It provides coverage that most homeowners insurance does not (e.g. coverage for damage to structures and contents from flooding, flood- related erosion, etc.). In all of these communities, you can purchase flood insurance from any licensed property or casualty insurance agent, broker or company. You must have flood insurance to get secured financing to buy, build or improve structures in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA’s). Lending institutions that are federally regulated and insured must determine if the building is in a SFHA and require flood insurance on conventional home mortgage loans, FHA loans, VA loans, second mortgages, home equity loans, home improvement loans, construction loans and commercial loans. Flood insurance coverage is an asset to you as a borrower. It reimburses you for financial losses from flood damage. The law protects you from being uninsured and having to rely on a costly federal disaster loan after a flood. This loan is the same as another mortgage that must be paid back with interest. Flood insurance protects your most important investment. It is considerably less expensive than federal disaster loans and is 100% backed by the federal government. Call the National Flood Insurance Program at 1-800-427-4661 for specific questions related to flood insurance. Protect Natural Flood Plain Functions Refrain from dumping foreign chemicals and substances such as herbicides, oils, greases, etc. into storm sewers or roadside ditches. Storm sewers and ditches eventually discharge to our creeks and will have adverse impacts on natural wildlife habitat. If you see broken silt fences or significant volumes of mud tracked off of construction sites, please call the Development Services Department at 630-368-5101 to report. These materials will end up in our creeks and can reduce flood storage. For More Information If you have question about the information in this article, please contact the Village’s CRS Coordinator at 630-368-5101. In addition, the Village maintains a selection of publications pertaining to the National Flood Insurance Program at the Oak Brook Library. Please take advantage of these resources by visiting the Oak Brook Library at 600 Oak Brook Road. Finally, you may also visit the Federal Emergency Management Agencies website at www.FEMA.gov for additional flood related information. 12 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 Information Technology Services By Jim Fox Jim Fox Director of Information Technology Services 630.368.5174 jfox@oak-brook.org Smart911 - Are you Ready for Emergencies? The Emergency Telephone System Board of DuPage County offers Smart 911, a free innovative public safety service. Smart911 is available in DuPage County and all participating dispatch centers across the United States. Smart911 enhances the information that a 911 call can provide and helps first responders help you faster during an emergency. More than 26,000 DuPage County households have already signed up - and you can too. How Does It Work? Citizens create an online profile through a secure website at www.Smart911.com. This profile contains information that might be important in an emergency. If you place a 911 call anywhere within DuPage County, your profile is displayed to the 911 dispatcher at the Emergency Communications Center, and the information is relayed to first responders. Your profile is only visible to the 911 dispatcher when you dial 911. How Does Smart911 Help? Seconds count in an emergency, and first responders who are better informed can help you faster. Smart911 can help with: Mobile phones: Approximately 72% of 911 calls come from mobile phones. These numbers are not listed with an address, and an exact location can’t always be determined by GPS. Smart911 displays the address of the mobile phone user and will track the call via GPS, even if the call is disconnected. Missing children: It can take up to an hour to acquire an accurate photo of a child and disseminate it. When you provide a child’s photo in your Smart911 profile, it can be forwarded immediately to officers in the field or news channels. Unresponsive callers: Individuals may not be able to speak because they are unconscious, have a medical condition or be in a situation where it is dangerous to speak. Smart911 medical information will be displayed so that first responders will know of existing medical conditions and how to treat them. House fire or carbon monoxide alarms: The Smart911 profile can list family members, photos, bedroom locations and even pets to assist fire fighters in more quickly locating everyone to rescue or render aid. What Details Are Shared? You decide. Smart911 allows you to store any critical care and emergency rescue information in your online profile. Information can include children's photos, medical conditions, vehicle information, home addresses of mobile phone callers, disabilities, orders of protection, restraining orders or other rescue-related information. It’s secure and confidential - see Smart911’s Privacy Policy at http://www.smart911.com/privacy-policyContent.html How Do I Register? The registration process is quick and easy - just four simple steps! After completing the steps, you will have a chance to add optional information or edit the information you have provided. You must complete every step, or the service will not work until you have added and confirmed a phone number. Smart911 will also remind you to update your profile every six months. Click the green Smart911 button to register now. Who can sign up? Smart 911 is a national service that is available free to everyone. We encourage anyone who lives, works or visits DuPage County to create a profile to help our first responders better serve you when you dial 911. The service can be especially valuable to households with young children, seniors, or anyone with a physical or mental disability. Sign up today—and tell your family and friends about this valuable service, too. 13 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 Library - Notes By Jacob Post Fall is a busy time of year for families. Children are back in school and parents return to the tasks of homework help and planning fun and educational activities to enjoy the season. The Oak Brook Public Library is the perfect place to help you accomplish these goals. Our skilled librarians can direct students to the best resources that will help keep them at the top of their class. Whether it is research help or standardized test preparation, the Library can be of service. Once all the homework is turned in, it is time for a little fall fun. The Youth Services Department will be continuing with virtual programming and pickup crafts through the remainder of 2021. Visit the Library’s YouTube channel to watch our virtual pro- graming and subscribe for all the latest additions. Upcoming programs include the Language Labs of Westmont providing a virtual Spanish story time and craft featuring Día de Los Muertos (Day of The Dead) and professional artist Terri Murphy sharing some of her artistic techniques in Zen- tangled Animals. The Library is also looking forward to participating in Oak Brook Park Dis- trict’s Haunted Halloween Trail on October 16 as well as the Butler School District 53 PTO ’s Trunk and Treat on October 29. It will be great to see all the kids in their costumes, as we are una- ble to hold our annual Halloween party this year. The Adult Services Department has brought back in-person programing this fall. Weekly pro- grams include Current Events, Pinochle, Tech Help and Knitting, while twice a month there is a new English Language Conversation Group. Come in on Thursday, October 14 for a coin apprais- al program and then come back on Tuesday, October 26 for a local history program on Kid- dieland. On Thursday, November 4, local artist Terri Murphy will instruct attendees on how to emboss designs on aluminum sheets. For more detailed information on these programs and more, please visit the Library’s website . Stop by the Library’s north parking lot on Saturday, October 23 between 10 am and noon to take advantage of the document shredding services provided by Re/Max and the LN Group. Finally this October the Friends of the Oak Brook Public Library hold their annual Used Book Sale. This sale has over 7,500 gently used items that are carefully selected from generous dona- tions. The items are organized by genre and include a wide array of DVDs and CDs. Do not miss this wonderful opportunity to find treasured titles at low prices. The sale runs from Thursday, Oc- tober 21 to Saturday, October 23. There is an early entrance fee of $5 per person to enter the sale on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 am. After 10:30 am, there is no entry fee for the remainder of the sale. Cash or check will be accepted. Members of the Friends are permitted free early entry. If you want first crack at the books and want to save $5, become a member of the Friends today! We are also looking for volunteers to help set up and assist with the sale. If interested, please contact the Library. As we wrap up another year filled with uncertainty and changing regulations, we would like to thank all our patrons for helping us to provide the community with a safe place to visit. Jacob Post Head Librarian 630.368.7706 jpost@oak-brook.org 14 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 Village Clerk By Charlotte Pruss Charlotte Pruss Village Clerk 630.368.5052 cpurss@oak-brook.org The Village Clerk is an elected official, serving a four year term. It is the responsibility of the Clerk's Office to: This office is also accountable for updating the Municipal Code Book which contains all the ordinances pertaining to and governing the Village of Oak Brook. The book, formatted for easy printing, is available on the village website, www.oak-brook.org. Voter Registration These services are available at the municipal complex during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) for both Cook and DuPage County residents. In order to register, residents must bring two pieces of identification. At least one of the items must have the resident’s current Oak Brook address. If the resident is a naturalized citizen, naturalization information must be provided. Freedom of Information (FOIA) Requests Any request for a record from the Village must be submitted through a FOIA Request. If you are seeking information regarding a medical record, you will also need to complete a Medical Records Release Form. These forms are available at all Vil- lage locations or may be printed off the website, www.oak-brook.org. Further information is available on our website or by calling the Clerk’s office at 630-368-5034 or 630-368-5036 LIVE STREAMING — VILLAGE BOARD MEETINGS Live streaming of Village Board meetings is now available. The Village Board typically meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m., with exception of the fourth Tuesday of the months of June, Au- gust, and December. Live streaming can be viewed via the Village’s website at www.oak-brook.org under the Government heading, then go to Village Board, and then to Live Stream. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Charlotte Pruss, Village Clerk, at 630-368-5052.  Maintain all Village Records  Process Licensing  Take Board Meeting Minutes  Coordinate Local Election Information 15 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 Golf By Sean Creed Sean Creed Golf Club Manager 630.368.6460 screed@oak-brook.org Oak Brook Golf Club has been having an exceptional year. The golf course and driving range operated at full capacity throughout the summer months, and we’ve seen a significant surge in golf memberships, league participation and small group outings. The Patio parties were very well attended and we are looking forward to continuing to bring those to our patrons next season. Our food and beverage operation was able to navigate through increased costs and a labor shortage to still have a remarkable and highly successful year. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this happen. As we enter October, I invite you to take advantage of the mild autumn weather and beautiful fall colors at the Club. Come play 18 holes with family and friends, hit a few balls on the driving range or enjoy a meal or beverage on the patio. The Bar and Restaurant is a great venue for sports enthusiasts. MLB playoffs, NFL and college football games will be featured daily. Lastly, closing out the fall tournament schedule, the Club will host the Freeman Cup and the Bob Miller Scramble. The driving range will close on October 31st, but the golf course will remain open as long as weather permits. Thank you for another great season and continued support of the Oak Brook Golf Club! 16 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 Finance Information By Jason Paprocki 2022 Budget Process The Village’s budget is a management plan that details how valuable resources will be allocated to address community priorities and organizational objectives for the Village of Oak Brook. The Village of Oak Brook’s budget process is underway for the next fiscal year (January 1 – December 31, 2022). Key steps along the way are outlined below: 1. At the first Board of Trustees meeting in July, the Village Board is presented a financial overview, as well as key assumptions to be used in the 2022 proposed budget. At this time, the Village Board also provides staff feedback on key objectives they would like to see in the proposed budget. 2. Village department directors develop their budgets during July and August and submit their funding requests to the Village Manager and Finance Director in late August. 3. The Village Manager and Finance Director consider available revenues as the starting point to developing a draft budget. During September, there will be numerous meetings with key staff to discuss and evaluate departmental funding requests. Adjustments to budget requests are made to adhere to the level of projected revenues for the upcoming year. 4. During October, a proposed 2022 budget and 5-year financial plan is prepared by the Finance Department. Copies of the finalized draft documents will be posted online and available for viewing at the Village Hall and Library in late October. 5. The Village Board will hold two budget workshop meetings in early November to discuss the 2022 proposed budget. Residents are invited to attend these meetings or submit comments on the proposed budget. The meetings will also be broadcast and available for viewing online. Please check the Village ’s website for scheduled dates. 6. At the December 14, 2021 regularly scheduled Village Board meeting, a public hearing will take place regarding the 2022 Budget. Residents may participate in the public hearing. Given the outcome of the public hearing, the adoption of the final 2022 budget may occur during the same Board meeting. 7. In early 2022, the adopted budget will be sent to the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for consideration for its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. Oak Brook has previously won this award 10 times. The budget is an ongoing process combining citizen input, Village Board vision and direction, and staff recommendations to me et community needs. The Village of Oak Brook strives to adopt a balanced budget that is open to citizen input and participation. Each resident can have a voice in deciding what the budget will be spent on and how it will be paid for before i t is adopted. Budget comments and suggestions may be submitted in a number of ways:  Email Interim Village Manager/Police Chief James Kruger (jkruger@oak-brook.org) or Finance Director Jason Paprocki (jpaprocki@oak-brook.org).  Reach out to the Village President and Board of Trustees.  Attend a Village Board meeting (second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7 p.m., 1200 Oak Brook Rd.) and speak during the Public Comment portion.  Attend a Budget Workshop at Village Hall. GFOA Budget Award The Village of Oak Brook has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2021 Annual Budget from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). This award was created to encourage and assist state and local governments prepare high quality budget documents. In order to receive the award, a budget document must be rated as proficient or outst anding by at least two of the three independent reviewers in a number of categories. This marks the 10 th consecutive year the Village has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The 2021 Annual Budget, as well as a condensed executive summary of the budget, can be found on the Village ’s website at: https://www.oak-brook.org/304/Financial-Documents. Jason Paprocki Finance Director 630.368.5070 jpaprocki@oak-brook.org 17 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 Bath & Tennis Club By Marianne Long How to Host a College or Company Recruiting Event Though it’s the digital age, college or company recruitment events are important as ever. Whether someone is a curious or more serious candidate, in-person recruitment events allow them to place a name to a face with a potential employer or college they’re interested in learning more about. That added layer of trust building remains necessary for both parties. At Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club, we have hosted numerous college recruiting events for prospective students looking to connect with potential colleges and universities. Here’s how we can help you create a relaxing, stimulating environment for your next event. CHOOSE A VENUE THAT WILL IMPRESS YOUR GUESTS For any college or company recruitment event, it’s important to provide an airy, open atmosphere with plenty of flexibility. Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club offers a private, all-inclusive setting that makes for an ideal location for any gathering. Your guests will enjoy versatile indoor and outdoor spaces that encourage them to move about the venue freely as well as have the opportunity to meet and interact with other attendees. Make a first impression in the spacious, well-lit clubhouse while leaving room for guests to enjoy a few moments out on the patio and take in the calming woodland views. We understand that every budget is different, which is why we remain transparent and provide up-front pricing. DETERMINE THE STYLE OF YOUR EVENT Not every recruiting event has the same purpose. There is a difference between a hiring mixer, networking event and job/college fair. A mixer gives companies and colleges the opportunity to get to know candidates and interact with them in Becky Brown Photography Other appealing amenities include:  Two bars  Climate control indoors  Wood -beamed vaulted ceilings  Four bathrooms  Large patio  Wireless internet  Cordless microphone & podium  On-site parking 18 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021 Bath & Tennis Club By Marianne Long a casual way. Everyone should feel comfortable enough to mingle and get to know one another. Providing an elegant yet laid-back setting and offering refreshments and hors d'oeuvres is a great way to break the ice and keep the conversations flowing. Other recruiting events, like job fairs, have higher stakes. Companies that are seeking to attract and hire top talent should focus on creating an event that makes them stand out. Ways to do this include providing business cards and helpful handouts, giving away branded swag and maybe even coordinating a raffle for attendees. When planning a college fair, it’s important to use the space wisely. A floor plan that gives prospective students a chance to move from table to table and also relax during breaks is essential. If you’re looking to host a networking event, space is a key factor. There is often a lot of energy circulating about the room and people to meet. Your guests should have plenty of room to have more serious elevator pitch conversations and also be able to break away for a moment for a quick bite to eat and readjustment. CHOOSE A MENU THAT FITS THE STYLE OF THE EVENT Depending on the length of your event, it’s essential to consider providing food that will keep your event attendees engaged. Having the right flow of small bites or buffet offerings will make for a more enjoyable event for everyone. Our experienced catering partner, Tasty Catering, has been providing award-winning catering and exceptional service to businesses across Chicagoland for over 30 years. They help us to ensure a variety of fresh, delicious menu options and professional event service for recruitment and all different types of corporate events. When you have your event at Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club, you will benefit from a stress-free experience that makes you look good. PROMOTE YOUR EVENT Don’t forget to build hype around your college or company recruiting event! If you’re having a mixer or fair, you should most certainly promote it on the online job and college boards and also spread the message across Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to mention important information like date, location and time, but also mention a brief overview of the timeline and any food and drinks that will be provided. If you’re looking for a private location for your important recruitment efforts, we’d be happy to provide the backdrop and service to match. Please reach out today for more information, please call the Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club at 630.368.6442. M Lindsay Photography 19 WWW.OAK-BROOK.ORG | Fall 2021