State of the Village Reception

Monday, February 12, 5:00 p.m., Posto 31, 1017 E. 31st St.

The Village is hosting a State of the Village reception at Posto 31 on Monday, February 12. Community members are welcome to join officials and staff for a recap of the Village’s accomplishments over the past year and a look ahead at what's to come.

Village Branding & Identity Plan

This week the Village issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for assistance with developing a Branding and Identity Plan. This plan will create a clear, strong and cohesive identity for the Village and will be used to implement streetscape improvements and improve signage and navigation. Consultants must submit proposals by March 15. For more information about the project, see the full RFP here.

Annual Tree Trimming Program

The Village’s annual tree trimming program began this week, and will take around one month to complete (pending weather). Tree trimming is conducted by Dawson’s Tree Service. The area included will be east of the IHB Railroad to Kemman Avenue, and from 31st Street to the southern limits of the Village. For any questions or concerns, please contact the Public Works Department at (708) 352-2922.

Seeking Arbor Day Nominations

National Arbor Day is April 26. The Village is accepting nominations to plant a tree in honor or memory of a person or group that has made a positive contribution to the community, or whose achievements deserve special recognition. To submit a nomination, download the nomination form or contact Sandy Bakalich for more information. Nominations will be accepted through April 5.

Additional Funding Available for Residential Sewer Backup Prevention Program

If you are concerned about stormwater and flooding, now is a great time to update your home to prevent sewer backup problems. Cook County has awarded $300,000 to the Village of La Grange Park for its Sewer Backup Prevention Program. These funds will be used to expand the Village’s existing program to reduce residential basement flooding from combined stormwater and sanitary sewage backups. To learn more about this unique opportunity to protect your home, visit: https://bit.ly/3H0Tsfo.

Free COVID-19/Flu Tests & Treatment

The Home Test to Treat program provides access to free COVID-19 and flu telehealth visits and treatment for anyone who tests positive for either condition. Treatment can be shipped to you or picked up at a local pharmacy at no cost for those eligible. Individuals who are uninsured, enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, IHS, or VA Healthcare can sign up today and receive free at-home COVID-19 or flu tests even if they are not currently positive. Sign up here: www.test2treat.org.

Upcoming Village Meetings & Events

Monday, February 5 - Sustainability Commission Meeting, 6:00 p.m., Public Works Building

Monday, February 12 - State of the Village Reception, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., Posto 31

Tuesday, February 13 - Village Board Work Session Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 27 - Commercial Revitalization Committee Meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, February 27 - Village Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Agendas are posted a minimum of 48 hours before a meeting. Some agendas may be available sooner. To view upcoming meeting agendas, click here. Meetings are held in the Village Hall Board Room unless otherwise noted.

Not receiving our emails directly? Click here to be added to our contacts. 

Enjoying E-Briefs? You may also like to sign up for our Police Department's weekly Safety Briefs email. To be added, email Braunty Baum.  

Yena Park Awarded Grant for Renovation

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources awarded the Community Park District a $600,000 OSLAD Grant for the renovation of Yena Park. Improvements to the park will include designated pickleball and nature-based play spaces, the addition of water fountains, ADA accessibility improvements, athletic field renovations, playground replacement, tennis court renovations, and the addition of a perimeter walking path around the entire park. The Community Park District says residents can look forward to celebrating the grand reopening of Yena Park in 2025. 

Nerf Warz (Ages 5 to 8; 8 to 12)

Monday, February 19, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. (ages 5 to 8), 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. (ages 8 to 12)

It’s school vs. school in our next session of Nerf Warz. Put on your school spirit wear, grab a few friends and battle in our Nerf Battleground to see which school comes out on top. We’ll bring the obstacles, barriers, foam darts, eye protection and fun. Participants: bring a dart gun, some friends and your school pride.

Adult Trivia Night

Thursday, February 29, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Mattone Restaurant, 9 E. 31st Street

Bring your friends, family or coworkers and compete to answer questions and win points. Register solo or in teams of four. Registration gets you pizza and a chance to win the grand prize!

Puzzlepalooza

April 22, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Do you think you have what it takes to be a puzzle champ? Four-person teams race against each other to finish the same 500-piece jigsaw puzzle. All ages welcome, but each table must have one 18+ year old.

Summer Camp Registration

Resident Registration Begins Thursday, February 16

Resident registration for summer camp starts soon. Visit our website for more information on the programs we are offering this summer. NEW – full day summer camp for ages 4 to 5!

Ready Teddy Preschool

Registration Begins Monday, February 12

Current resident Ready Teddy family registration begins Monday, February 12. All family resident registration starts Tuesday, February 13. Call for a school tour!

Visit www.communityparkdistrict.org to see our brochure or call (708) 354-4580 for more information!

Books Alive! Book Club

Monthly on the Fourth Tuesday, 2:00 p.m., Conference Room

Create an amazing habit and start reading! A great way to stay committed to reading is to participate in a book club. Our Books Alive! Book Club, for adults, meets the fourth Tuesday of every month. Titles are available one month prior at the Circulation Desk or often electronically, for free, on the platforms listed on our downloads page (lplibrary.org/downloads). If you would like to attend, register in our event calendar.

Short ‘n’ Sweet Book Club

Tuesday, February 20, 7:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall

Want to join a book club but don’t have time to read the books? Do you enjoy short stories and desserts? Either way, the Short ‘n’ Sweet Book Club is the place for you. Every month we’ll be discussing a classic short story while enjoying a tasty treat inspired by the text. For February: we will be discussing The Chaser by John Collier over Strawberry Vanilla Love Potion. Copies of the story can be picked up at the Library or read online. Registration required. For anyone interested, a Twilight Zone adaptation of the short story can be viewed on DailyMotion.

Romance & Regency with Bridgerton’s Julia Quinn

Tuesday, February 20, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., Online via Zoom

Julia Quinn, the #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning romance author, has written close to 40 novels including her popular series about the Bridgerton family which was adapted into an Emmy-nominated series on Netflix. Her newest novel, Queen Charlotte, is co-written with television pioneer Shonda Rhimes. It’s a powerful and romantic novel of Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotte and King George III’s great love story and how it sparked a societal shift. Learn more and register to join us online here.  

Temporary Location Reminder

555 N. La Grange Road will be closed until May 2024. Please visit us at our temporary location, First Baptist Church of La Grange, 21 N. Catherine Avenue, La Grange.

February Newsletter

Check out the La Grange Park Chamber of Commerce's February Newsletter for information on Chamber and community events, member spotlight, sales, and more!

Grow with the Chamber

To learn more about membership or to sign up, click here. Visit the La Grange Park Chamber of Commerce website for upcoming events around town.

League of Women Voters of the La Grange Area - Separation of Powers Program

Saturday, February 3, 1:00 p.m., Westchester Public Library, 10700 Canterbury St., Westchester  

The League of Women Voters® of the La Grange Area will sponsor a program on the separation of powers, featuring Professor Steven D. Schwinn of the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. The separation of powers impacts everything from environmental protection to civil rights to consumer financial protection. This issue is also impacting the Supreme Court—a change that could have numerous implications. Please join us to discuss these critical issues. No advance registration is required. This event is free of charge and open to the public. For more information, email us at league@lagrangearealwv.org. Visit our website at www.lagrangearealwv.org. 

Westchester Food Pantry - Souper Bowl 2024

Saturday, February 3, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Westchester Community Center, 10201 Bond Street, Westchester

Join the Westchester Food Pantry for this family-friendly fundraiser with all-you-can-eat soup from a spectacular line-up of local restaurants. There will be entertainment from The Windy City Elvis and Your One Man Band, Carl Anthony, as well as a silent auction and raffles. Seating is limited, so we encourage everyone to get their tickets early! For more information, see this flyer. Tickets can be purchased online here.

League of Women Voters of the La Grange Area - Housing Insecurity Program

Thursday, February 8, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., La Grange Public Library, 10 W. Cossitt Avenue, La Grange

The League of Women Voters® of the La Grange Area will sponsor an informative program on the struggles of housing insecurity. Erin Molek of BEDS will discuss the history of BEDS, the impact of BEDS in the community, and how to get involved. This event is free of charge and open to the public. For more information, email us at league@lagrangearealwv.org.

La Grange Area Historical Society February Events

444 S. La Grange Road, La Grange

The La Grange Area Historical Society has some exciting events coming up in February:

• Darling and Dapper Valentine Party: Saturday, February 10 and Sunday, February 11 at 2:00 p.m. - Visit the Vial House for a Valentine’s party tailored just for kids (ages 5+). Find out how children celebrated Valentine’s Day in the 1920s. There will be a special Valentine craft, photo booth fun, and festive food and drink will be served! All children must be accompanied by an adult and adults must also register.
• Adult Valentines Festivities: Wednesday, February 14, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. - Gather some friends or grab your sweetheart and join us at the Vial House for champagne, wine, handcrafted hors d’ oeuvres and desserts, and a visit to Valentine’s Day in 1924. Register here.
• Pre-Civil War Quilts: Secret Codes to Freedom on the Underground Railroad: Thursday, February 22, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Join Connie Martin as she tells the stories passed down from her great-grandmother Lizzie of how her family survived the antebellum period, and how they used quilts that contained hidden codes and secret messages to assist abolitionists - white and black - to guide enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad to Canada. Register here for this event.

Interfaith Community Partners - Volunteer Fair

Tuesday, February 13, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m., First Presbyterian Church of La Grange, 150 S. Ashland Avenue, La Grange

Join us at our upcoming event, where a multitude of organizations come together under one roof, offering you the perfect opportunity to make a difference in your community. Sip a cup of coffee and explore a diverse range of causes and find the perfect volunteer role that aligns with your passions and skills. Together, let's create a positive impact and build a stronger, more compassionate community.

La Grange Park Little League - Spring 2024 Registration

Now through Friday, February 16

Registration is now open for Spring 2024 tee ball, softball and baseball. Registration is open to all La Grange Park residents or to anyone that goes to a school in La Grange Park, ages 4 to 14. For more information and to register visit La Grange Park Little League's website.

League of Women Voters of the La Grange Area - Increasing Voter Engagement Program 

Thursday, February 22, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Lyons Township Office Community Room, 6404 Joliet Road, Countryside

The League of Women Voters® of the La Grange Area will sponsor a community chat with the Lyons township clerk about increasing voter engagement. Elyse Hoffenberg, The Clerk of the Township of Lyons, sees increasing voter engagement and access as a key priority of her office and will be discussing past, present, and future plans related to mobilizing more people in our community to vote. No advance registration is required. This event is free of charge and open to the public. For more information, email us at league@lagrangearealwv.org. Visit our website at www.lagrangearealwv.org. 

The Children's Community Closet

Friday, February 23, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 24, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 500 E. 31st Street, La Grange Park

The Children's Community Closet will be open on February 23 and 24 with children's clothing, shoes (newborn to 16) and maternity clothing free to all. Please see our Facebook page for more information and volunteer opportunities. We always need help for setup and takedown.

Interfaith Community Partners - Volunteer to Drive Today

Interfaith Community Partners (ICP) is a local non-profit organization that works together with volunteers to provide accompanied transportation for older adults who no longer drive. ICP is looking for passionate volunteers to make a difference in the lives of our older adult neighbors! Please contact ICP for a volunteer application at (708) 354-9328 or coordinatoricp@gmail.com. You also can visit the website for more information about volunteering.

Go Green La Grange - Sign up for Overflow Action Alert Text Messages

Did you know that snow and ice can cause too much water entering the sewer system? Sign up to receive Overflow Action Alert text messages year-round at this link. When we announce an Overflow Action Alert, you will be reminded to reduce your use of water before, during and after a storm to help prevent excess water from entering local sewers. Learn more on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago's website. 

La Grange Park-Brookfield Lions Club - Recycling Opportunity

The La Grange Park-Brookfield Lions Club is looking to collect eyeglasses, used/empty print cartridges, and even old house keys that collect in a junk drawer. All of these items can be recycled and repurposed to help someone in need. Items can be dropped off at: Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 West 31^st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513. Donations may be left in the Lions Club Donation Box by the main entrance.

BEDS Plus - Helping To End Homelessness

Working to end homelessness for over 30 years, BEDS Plus provides prevention of housing loss, emergency shelter, and permanent/transitional housing for formerly homeless individuals. If you see someone who is homeless and on the street, call BEDS Plus at 708-354-0858 and ask for the “Street Outreach Team.” Be sure and provide the location of the individual, time of day, and physical description. For more information please visit beds-plus.org.

Nicor Gas - Free Products and Services Offer

Did you know that Nicor Gas offers a free water-saving kit and a free weatherization kit to customers? Visit Nicor's website for more information on how to receive these free offers.

"Senior Only" Pop-Up DMV in Westchester

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 10300 W. Roosevelt Road, Westchester

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced his office is opening two additional Driver and Motor Vehicle facilities (DMVs) in Westchester and Addison. The “Senior Only” DMV Center in Westchester is a walk-in facility (no appointment needed) that offer the following Driver and Motor Vehicle Services: REAL IDs, driver’s licenses and state identification cards; vehicle registration stickers; organ and tissue donor registration; voter registration; and in-car driving tests. For more information, call 800-252-8980.

Interfaith Community Partners - Transportation Services

Interfaith Community Partners (ICP) is a local non-profit organization that offers rides to older adults who can no longer drive and do not require walking or wheel chair assistance. These rides are for appointments and shopping. If you are interested in this service, please call 708-354-9328 for a required screening.

Community Nutrition Network & Senior Services Association

Brookfield Colgrass Community Cafe & Meals on Wheels Program provides meals and resources to older adults (age 60+) and persons with disabilities to assist them in leading healthy lives. For more information, please visit their Facebook page.

Aging Well Neighborhood

Aging Care Connections provides classes and other special events through Aging Well Neighborhood. Offerings include a "Total Mind and Body Workout" and other fitness classes, interactive brain activities, and movie screenings and discussions around the arts.

Aging Care Connections – Congregate Meals Program

The Congregate Meals Program offers meal pickup or dine-in options. Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Anyone interested should call (708) 603-2269 to make a reservation. Reservations should be placed no later than 4:00 p.m. the day prior. A $3.00 suggested contribution (cash only) will be collected during pickup. If you have additional questions, please contact Aging Care Connections at (708) 354-1323.

Proviso Township - Meals on Wheels

Proviso Township Meals on Wheels is available at Proviso Community Café (1609 36th Avenue, Melrose Park). Pick-up hours are 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. Prior to coming, seniors should call 708-316-7488 to confirm that food is still available. Seniors may choose from one hot meal or five frozen meals. Visit their website for more information or call 708-316-7488. 

Proviso Township - Transportation Services

Proviso Township offers a free Senior Ride Program for residents ages 60+ who need transportation to and from medical facilities and other qualifying non-medical locations within the Township. The Senior Ride Program is a curb-to-curb service that requires all participants to be able to walk unassisted to and from the Township vehicle. Please register with the Senior Services Department by filling out the client agreement form. You can also register in-person at the Township office in Hillside or call 708-449-4307 and they will explain how to register via mail, email, or FAX. For more information, visit the website.

Proviso Township - Handyman Services

Do you know that ceiling fans help distribute heat evenly to your rooms. Are yours in good working order? When was the last time you changed the filters in your furnace? 

Contact the Proviso Handyman office to schedule an appointment or to register for our program, (708) 547-4001. The Proviso Township Handyman Program services homeowners over the age of 60 and disabled homeowners who are residents of Proviso Township.

Jen's Guesthouse - Meal Delivery Service

Jen’s Guesthouse in Willow Springs has offered to prepare and deliver meals free of cost to older adults, families with special needs, disabled individuals, and anyone in need during this difficult time. They can deliver to individuals in the following towns: La Grange, La Grange Park, Burr Ridge, Hodgkins, Countryside, Justice, Western Springs, and Lemont. If you are or know a person in need of a meal, please contact Jen’s Guesthouse at 708-839-8000 or dee@jensguesthouse.com. 

La Grange Park Fire Department Knox Box Program

The Village of La Grange Park Fire Department uses the Knox company rapid entry lock box system within our Village. This allows for firefighter and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) rapid entry in the event of emergencies, in most cases eliminating damage to doors or locks. For residential customers the use is voluntary, and can be a good choice for those who become incapacitated due to injury or illness. For more information, please visit our website or call us at 708-354-0225, and ask about our Knox Box program.