September 2013 V V V ILLAGE ILLAGE ILLAGE OF OF OF H H H ODGKINS ODGKINS ODGKINS www.villageofhodgkins.org COMMUNICATOR Noel B. Cummings T he beginning of September marks the traditional end of summer. I hope that our residents enjoyed the Annual Quarry Days Village Picnic. The Village and the Park District put a lot of work in this annual event for the benefit of our residents. This year marks an important anniversary for our village. The creation of our first TIF (Tax Increment Finance) District which covers the Quarry Shopping Center, is set to expire on December 15th, 2013. On that date, our tax obligations to develop that TIF will be completely paid off. This goal has been a long time in the works and will be a great asset to the village and our financial security in the future. The Quarry Shopping Center opened about 23 years ago with the Celozzi-Ettleson Cadillac Dealership. Now, the Ettleson-Cadillac-Buick dealership is doing well, along with Advantage Chevrolet, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Target and all the additional stores and restaurants. While not part of the Quarry Shopping Center, I might add that the AMC Theater and Menards are also doing well. Despite all this success, there is one unfinished piece of the commercial development goal set in TIF #1. The east side of East Avenue has a lot of work to be done. As you can see, some things have occurred: the old Hilltop Tavern property was acquired and the building demolished; several houses along East Avenue have been acquired by Don Schure from D & S Trucking Center for purposes of a new truck sales show room. I can tell you, we have been working with some other property owners along East Avenue to accomplish a complete makeover to the east side of East Avenue. This is the north entrance to our Village and is important to improve the appearance and will draw additional retail businesses into the mall area. We have just recently obtained a commitment from “Ben’s Rental” of Countryside to relocate to the old Hilltop Tavern property. This will compliment both Menards and the Ben’s Rental business. We are still in talks with two more businesses who may be interested in the East Avenue locations. These new buildings and businesses will improve the appearance of the East Avenue properties and will bring a solid tax base and revenue structure for the village in the long term. There is still lots of development to work on in the meantime. I hope to report more progress in the very near future. NOEL OEL OEL B. C B. C B. CUMMINGS UMMINGS UMMINGS VILLAGE ILLAGE ILLAGE PRESIDENT RESIDENT RESIDENT Message From The Mayor:
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September 2013 VVVILLAGEILLAGEILLAGE OFOFOF HHHODGKINSODGKINSODGKINS
www.villageofhodgkins.org
COMMUNICATOR
Noel B. Cummings
T he beginning of September marks the traditional end of summer.
I hope that our residents enjoyed the Annual Quarry Days Village
Picnic. The Village and the Park District put a lot of work in this annual
event for the benefit of our residents.
This year marks an important anniversary for our village. The
creation of our first TIF (Tax Increment Finance) District which covers
the Quarry Shopping Center, is set to expire on December 15th, 2013.
On that date, our tax obligations to develop that TIF will be completely
paid off. This goal has been a long time in the works and will be a great
asset to the village and our financial security in the future.
The Quarry Shopping Center opened about 23 years ago with the
Celozzi-Ettleson Cadillac Dealership. Now, the Ettleson-Cadillac-Buick
dealership is doing well, along with Advantage Chevrolet, Sam’s Club,
Walmart, Target and all the additional stores and restaurants. While not
part of the Quarry Shopping Center, I might add that the AMC Theater
and Menards are also doing well.
Despite all this success, there is one unfinished piece of the
commercial development goal set in TIF #1. The east side of East
Avenue has a lot of work to be done. As you can see, some things have
occurred: the old Hilltop Tavern property was acquired and the building demolished; several houses along
East Avenue have been acquired by Don Schure from D & S Trucking Center for purposes of a new truck
sales show room.
I can tell you, we have been working with some other property owners along East Avenue to accomplish a
complete makeover to the east side of East Avenue. This is the north entrance to our Village and is
important to improve the appearance and will draw additional retail businesses into the mall area. We have
just recently obtained a commitment from “Ben’s Rental” of Countryside to relocate to the old Hilltop
Tavern property. This will compliment both Menards and the Ben’s Rental business. We are still in talks
with two more businesses who may be interested in the East Avenue locations. These new buildings and
businesses will improve the appearance of the East Avenue properties and will bring a solid tax base and
revenue structure for the village in the long term.
There is still lots of development to work on in the meantime. I hope to report more progress in the very
near future.
NNNOELOELOEL B. CB. CB. CUMMINGSUMMINGSUMMINGS VVVILLAGEILLAGEILLAGE PPPRESIDENTRESIDENTRESIDENT
Message From The Mayor:
Page 2
THE HODGKINS VILLAGE COMMUNICATOR
HELP WANTED: HODGKINS POLICE DEPARTMENT
Patrol Officer
The Hodgkins Police Department is in the process of creating a Two (2) Year eligibility list for the position
of Patrol Officer. Application packets will be available at the Police Department, 6015 Lenzi Avenue
starting on September 6th, 2013 between the hours of 8:00 am and 10:00 pm. The completed application
packet must be turned in by 4:00 pm on September 26th, 2013. There is a Non-Refundable application
packet fee of $25.00. For More Information you can contact the Hodgkins Police Department at 708-352-
4623 or go to: www.theblueline.com
Part Time Records Clerk
The Hodgkins Police Department is currently looking to fill a Part-Time Records Clerk position. The
position will require computer data entry and assorted office duties. It will be a daytime position from 9:00
am to 2:00 pm for Two (2) or Three (3) days per week (hours and days are subject to change). Applicants
must pass a background check and interview process. Further information and applications will be available
at the Hodgkins Village Hall and Police Department starting on September 18th, 2013.
The Village has received numerous complaints about the excessive noise from the
Burlington Northern Railroad. Residents have complained about the whistle blowing at
the two crossings, at Santa Fe Drive and at 67th Street. In addition, complaints have been
made about the whistles being blown excessively in the rail yard itself.
A town hall style meeting was held at the village hall in June with the Illinois
Commerce Commission and Representatives from Burlington Northern Railroad. About
30 concerned and angry residents attended and voiced their displeasure with the officials.
Mr. Brian Vercruysse of the Illinois Commerce Commission answered many questions and urged
residents to make a log of when the train whistles are being excessive. The ICC can then follow up on
specific dates and times with the railroad.
The Village is maintaining a record book of complaints. If you hear a train whistle and feel that it is
excessive, call and register the date and time with the Village Hall. If it happens in the evening hours or
overnight, try and call the Village Hall the next day with the information. All records will then be forwarded
to the Illinois Commerce Commission to be investigated.
Page 3
HODGKINS VILLAGE OFFICIALS
CONTACT ANY OF THESE OFFICIALS BY TELEPHONE AT:
HODGKINS VILLAGE HALL 579-6700
Village President Noel B. Cummings
Village Clerk Claude Sexton
Trustee Don Cuttill
Trustee Vicky Moxley
Trustee Larry Rice
Trustee Paul Struve
Trustee Hugh Rhodes
Trustee Phillip H. Kringlie
Village Comptroller Melody Salerno
Deputy Clerk Sharon Wells
Village Attorney John T. O’Connell
Village Attorney Tim Callahan
Chief of Police Ernest Millsap
THE HODGKINS VILLAGE COMMUNICATOR
2013 Real Estate Tax &
Garbage Rebates
T he Village of Hodgkins Board of Trustees
have approved the 2013 Real Estate Tax/
Garbage rebates for the seventh year, at the
August 12th, 2013 Village Board Meeting.
If you are a homeowner, and received a
homeowners exemption on your 2012 Second
Installment Property Tax, you are eligible
for a tax rebate. Please submit a copy of
your 2012 Second Installment tax bill along
with your proof of payment. Proof of
payment may be a receipt from Chase
Bank or a front and back copy of your
cancelled check. If your bank/mortgage
company pays your taxes you will need to provide a copy of the
transaction in which your taxes were paid from your escrow account.
Mobile Home residents and those residents that rent or lease an
apartment and have resided there as of January 1, 2013 are eligible
for a garbage rebate. These rebates will be available beginning
November 19th, 2013 through December 20th, 2013.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your tax rebate,
please contact the Village Hall 579-6700.
The Hodgkins Police Department wants to remind our resi-
dents that unlicensed recreational vehicles are not legal for
street use. Golf carts, ATV’s, mini-bikes, go carts and vehicle
like these that are not licensed and registered through the
H odgkins school is looking for your support and all you need is a pair of scissors. The Hodgkins Elementary School collects Box
Tops for Education. For every box top the school redeems, they receive 10¢. All you have to do is collect them and turn them into the school, library, village hall, or anyone of the school children. If you would like a list of participating products, feel free to stop by the Village Hall for a printed list. From the proceeds the PTO receives from the Box Tops, we are able to provide field trips, grants, and various donations to the school. Don’t forget to ask your relatives near or far. If you are an internet shopper you can help to. Simply log onto
www.boxtops4education.com and create a profile. Make sure you select Hodgkins Elementary School as your supporting School. Once your profile is set up you can start earning eboxtops®. In addition to shopping online you can earn bonus box tops for our school. Get those scissors ready and cut away!
mittee preserves the way of life and progress of the Village since it’s beginning to present day. Respecting the families, entities, and artifacts that represent the history of the Village of Hodg-kins is priority. Displaying the history of the Village of Hodg-kins for the community to view in a safe organized way will be done to the best of our abilities. The Historical Society building is located at 6511 Kane Avenue. You may know it as the old village hall and fire department or the community center. The hours of operation are being worked on and will be posted soon. Countless hours have gone into renovating the building and preparing it to be the new home of the Historical Society. The Centennial Committee did research, gathered photographs, oral and written histories from resi-dents for the Centennial Celebrations in 1996. They have given the present Historical Society a wealth of information to work with. The Historical Society Committee has taken tours of other local Historical Societies and gained knowledge and insight as to how items are cata-loged and preserved. We have spent the summer cataloging and preserving the photographs and arti-facts that we do have at the present time. We will be asking for donations of any artifacts and photo-
Exhibits Include: Quarry, Fire Department, Police Department, Village Government, WWI, WWII, Korean, and Viet-nam military items, School, Churches, Businesses, Home life of the past and Fashions of the past are what will be on display. We ask the residents to ponder these exhibits and think about artifacts that
you may have that can be added to our inventory. We plan to have a list available of possible items that you may have during Quarry Days. We may have special exhibits throughout the year and asking for
items to be brought in for exhibits. An example of a special exhibit would be Christmas Ornaments of the Past. We ask for loans of the ornaments you may have to put on display. You may have ideas for
exhibits and we would love to hear about them.
graphs that represent the past. There are two ways to donate an item. One you can gift the item to the Historical Society, which is the preferred method or loan an item to the Histori-cal Society. Each item will be cataloged and properly cared for. The Historical Society will have
files on the homes in the residential area of Hodg-kins. We need you to help fill the files with infor-mation about your home. Take a picture of your home at present and your family. If you have any photographs of your home before renovations and knowledge of previous occupants we would like to copy them for our files. The Historical Society functions on volunteerism. We welcome all who wish to volunteer hours to work on archiving photographs, artifacts, data en-try, and working during hours of operation. The Village of Hodgkins is part of a family’s history even if you have just moved to the area or are a life-long resident. Please come and join us in preserv-ing your family’s history.
Members of the Historical Society Committee: Alida Millsap, Ellen Diederich, Joy Caldwell,
Diane Knack, and Sue Cappa
Page 8
THE HODGKINS VILLAGE COMMUNICATOR
F or Sergeant Michael Cimino, this
year marked the end of a twelve-
year run as the Hodgkins DARE
officer. On April 24, Cimino stood
before a crowd of students, parents,
teachers, administrators, police, and
civic leaders at the 2013 DARE
Graduation, and addressed the group
for the last time in that capacity. He
expressed his thankfulness to the
police department for its full support
of him as he led DARE, to the
teachers who assisted him over the
years, and to the parents for entrusting
their children with him on all the
outings and activities that make up such a large
portion of the program. He also thanked Sergeant
Chris Milojevich, former Hodgkins DARE officer
and current Youth Division Supervisor, for giving
him the opportunity to run the DARE program, as
well as the freedom to run it his own way.
Police Officer Matthew Hosteny will now take
on the DARE duties, picking up where Cimino
leaves off. Cimino expressed his full
confidence that DARE is in capable hands
with the new DARE officer.
“I’m sure [Hosteny] will do a great
job, as he’s young and he already has a
good relationship with the kids,” said
Cimino.
Speaking of the joys of working with his
DARE classes, Cimino had this to say: “I think
what I will miss most is seeing the enthusiasm of the
kids when I would walk in. Kids get very excited
about DARE activities.”
Cimino was also quick to admit that he had been
changed by the experience. “It’s
helped me to look at law
enforcement through the eyes of
sixth-graders, and how they view
police officers,” he said. “It’s
made me more mindful and aware of
our image in the community. I’m
proud that, as a DARE officer, I was
able to be a positive adult figure, and in
particular a positive law enforcement
figure, in so many children’s lives.
Often, because I taught multiple
siblings in succession over several
years, and interacted with their parents
and siblings over and over, I had the
feeling of being a part of their family.”
The Hodgkins DARE program was
started in January of 1991 by former
Chief Rich Stewart and Dep. Chief
Hugh Rhodes. Youth Division
Supervisor Ofc. Phil Kringlie recommended
Milojevich and the program was set in motion. Ofc.
Milojevich ran the program for nine years. During
his tenure as DARE officer, Milojevich started the
practice of taking the kids on field trips and doing
community service projects, such as raking leaves
for the elderly and fundraising for flood victims and
a children’s home for the abused. He first contacted
Cimino, who had already been a juvenile
officer for two years at that time, about DARE
in 2000, to see if he would be interested
in becoming the new DARE officer. He
later turned the program completely over
to Cimino, in 2001. Milojevich knew
firsthand how effective creative freedom
could be in energizing a program, and he
wanted to pass that along.
“I wanted him to run DARE as he saw fit, to
make the program his own,” Milojevich said. “I
didn’t want to intrude on his ideas. I was given free
reign, and I wanted him to have the same
opportunity.”
Congratulations Sgt. Cimino
for your service as Hodgkins
DARE Officer for the past 12
years!
By: Rodney Cummings
Sgt. Mike Cimino
Page 9
THE HODGKINS VILLAGE COMMUNICATOR
Beginning October 1st, 2013 the Hodgkins Historical Society will be open: Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
The 2nd Sunday of each month from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Newly Elected Officials
Sworn-In
At the May 13th, 2013 Village Board meeting, two newly elected Trustees were sworn into office by
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Pat Rogers. Both officials are Retired Hodgkins Police Chiefs.
Trustee Hugh Rhodes retired as Police Chief in 2005 and was appointed by Village President Noel
Cummings as Village Trustee in September 2012 to fill a vacant seat on the board. Rhodes was
elected on April 9th to fill the 2 year Trustee position. Trustee Phil Kringlie retired as Police Chief in
2012. He was elected on April 9th to fill a 4 year term of Village Trustee. Photo’s Courtesy of Dianna Knack
Keep Saving Those Pop Tabs!
Hodgkins resident Brenda Kringlie is still collecting the
aluminum tabs. In the next issue of this newsletter we will
have an update on the latest total. We were with 75 pounds
of making that One Million Tab mark!! So keep saving the tabs for the Ronald
McDonald House Charities!
You can drop them off at the Village Hall, Police Department or give us a call and
If you are 55 or older come join a winning team: The Hodgkins & Mc Cook Aging Well Team
We meet every third Wednesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. at the Hodgkins Village Hall lower level. I believe you will receive great value from our monthly meetings and get togethers in 2013. I am looking forward to seeing some new faces. Feel free to bring a friend or come solo and meet new ones.
CALLING ALL SENIORSCALLING ALL SENIORS
In Memoriam
DON CUTTILL VILLAGE TRUSTEE
The Hodgkins Police Department mourns the loss of former police officer Billy Johnson. Ofc.
Johnson served on the police department from 1979-1989. He grew up in Hodgkins and is survived
by his wife Liz, and children Jonathon, Rebecca, Jordan and Ally and 3 Grandchildren,
Brother Bo Johnson and Sister Debbie Herman
Officer Billy Johnson
1955—2013
Rest In Peace Brother
THE HODGKINS VILLAGE COMMUNICATOR
Page 12
12:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Village of Hodgkins Blood Drive
To schedule your appointment please call 708-579-6700.
9:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Rules of the Road Review Course
presented by Secretary of State
The Rules of the Road Course is designed to give drivers the knowledge and
confidence needed to renew or obtain a driver's license. The review course
combines an explanation of the driving exam with a practice written exam.
10:00 A.M.- 2:00 P.M.
Secretary of State Mobile Unit
Services offered:
Driver’s License Renewal
State ID Cards
Duplicate License
Corrected License
Vision Screening
Vehicle Renewal Stickers
Illinois ICASH-Discover what’s yours
Through the I-Cash program, the Illinois State Treasurer’s Unclaimed
Property Division connects state residents with their unclaimed property.
C oyotes have become a frequent sight in Cook County in
the past few years. Populations of the species, which
were indigenous to northern Illinois, have returned in
recent decades in greater numbers. Since coyotes favor
undeveloped land, this is particularly noticeable in the
vicinity of Cook County Forest Preserves.
Hodgkins has one forest preserve, Theodore Stone
Woods, and is bordered by another, Sunset Meadows, just to
the west. Coyotes have been spotted frequently in and around Hodgkins for many years now.
Although coyotes tend to avoid humans, there are circumstances that can increase human-
coyote contact, which can often become a nuisance to humans and deadly to the coyote.
According to the Audubon Society of Portland and the Cook County Department of Animal
and Rabies Control, there are a number of strategies the public can adopt in order to reduce
conflict with coyotes:
Be sure to supervise children and pets outdoors. House pets should be kept indoors or in
controlled access to the outdoors (walking on leashes and/or confining in a fenced-in
yard)
Never feed a coyote
If you see a coyote in or near your yard, shout and make loud noises to signal they are
not welcome
Remove any fallen fruit from your yard
Never approach a coyote. Cornered coyotes will bite, and habituation to humans is the
primary cause of aggressive foraging around yards. Teach children to respect wildlife
from a distance
Cover and secure household garbage
Consider installing a motion-sensitive outdoor lighting system if coyotes become a
frequent visitor to your property
If a coyote becomes a nuisance by aggressively following children or animals, or if they are
repeatedly spotted in yards during the day, they should be removed by professionals. If you
encounter an aggressive or threatening coyote, contact the:
Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control
10220 S. 76th
Ave.
Bridgeview, IL 60455
708-974-6140
You may also contact the Hodgkins Police Department
at (708) 352-4476
Page 14
THE HODGKINS VILLAGE COMMUNICATOR
Congratulations Airman 1st Class Cameron Cottrell
Hodgkins resident Cameron Cottrell graduated from Lyons Township High School last summer. Cameron thought hard about his future and what he wanted to do in life. After some friends joined the military, he started making a plan. Cameron is interested in Law Enforcement began to explore his options. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and left for Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas on February 26th, 2013. He graduated Basic on April 29th and then began Technical Training for the Air Force
Security Forces. He enlisted for 6 years of Active duty and 2 years inactive. Airman 1st Class Cottrell will report to Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico for his first duty station on August 29th. Congratulations Airman Cottrell and
Thanks For Serving!
Denise Cottrell and Son:
A1C Cameron Cottrell
Congratulations Airman 1st Class Jeremy L. Perkins
Hodgkins resident Jeremy Perkins graduated from Lyons Township High School in 2010. He worked for Dominick’s Food for 3 years and decided that he wanted to do something that would give him some great opportunities and learn a skill. So, in the
spring of 2012 he enlisted in the United States Air Force for Six (6) years. He attended Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He was then transferred to Fairfield Air Force Base for training and is currently stationed at Travis Air Force Base in California. Airman 1st Class Jeremy Perkins is training for Aero Space Mechanic and is learning to work on the Air Force Boeing C-17 Aircraft. Jeremy’s parents, grandparents and great-Grandparents live in Hodgkins and are extremely proud of his accomplishments! Congratulations Airman Perkins and
C-17 Globemaster III Thanks For Serving!
THE HODGKINS VILLAGE COMMUNICATOR
Page 15
THANKS FOR SERVING!
“Thanks For Serving”
Here are addresses of some of our active duty military. Why not send a card-
letter or package
Cpl. Valenzuela, Eliseo
1732 Bluecreek Rd.
Jacksonville, NC 28540
Son of Maria & Jesse Valenzuela
USMC at Camp LeJeune, N.C.
ITSA Robert Millsap
CS/CC
USS Momsen (DDG92)
FPO AP 96672-1307
Son of Residents
Vern & Diana Millsap
Spc. Steve Kovel Jr.
Cmr 454 Box 1854
APO AE 09250
Grandson of Resident Phyllis Kovel
US Army Stationed in Germany
CPT Brandon Cummings
2/2CR SFAT 2202
FOB Frontenac
APO, AE 09355
Grandson of Mayor Noel Cummings
U.S. Army Stationed in Afghanistan
Lt. Cody Sneed
HHC CO.– TF Fighting Eagles
APO AE 09355
Kandahar, Afghanistan
Grandson of Resident Ruth Sneed
US Army Stationed Afghanistan
Pfc. Merrill, Travis J.
7th Comm BN ARAD
Unit# 35611
FPO AP 96606-5611
Son of Resident Denise Merrill
USMC Stationed in Japan
Airman Merrill, Katie L.
53396 Lawrence Ct.
Box C337
McConnell AFB, KS 67221
Daughter of Resident Denise Merrill
US Air Force Stationed in Kansas
Spc. Christopher K. Reimer
CMR 445 Box 324
Apo, AE 09046-0004
Friend of Resident Tiffany Millsap
US Army Stationed in Germany
PO3 Hank Rhodes
3005 A. Valley Forge Court
Lemoore, Ca. 93246
Nephew of Ret. Chief Hugh Rhodes
US Navy Stationed with Pacific Fleet
AIC Jeremy L. Perkins
611 Hunter St., Unit 12
Travis, A.F.B. CA 94535-2332
Son of Residents
Robert & Jessica Drake
Recruit Alex Borrego
2nd BN Echo Co. Plt2105
38001 Midway Ave.
San Diego, CA. 92140
Son of Alex & Rosa Borrego
USMC Boot Camp
SGT Richard B. Engelhardt
B 2/238th GSAB
2-1TF Fighting Eagles 1st CAB
APO AE 09355
Brother of Resident Ann Clancy
US Army Stationed in Afghanistan
Don’t forget the Postal
Services we offer.!!
Presort
Standard
U.S. Postage Paid
LaGrange, Illinois
Permit No. 506 Village Hall Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 - 5:00 Phone: (708) 579-6700 Fax: (708) 579-6707