Warn of ‘Scams’ in Oak Lawn

Village Board Also Approves New 1st District Trustee

Several senior scams have been reported in the Village of Oak Lawn, and they were among the topics of discussion at the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting on Tuesday.{{more}}

Trustee Alex Olejniczak (2nd) stated that offenders are calling seniors, pretending to be the police.

One senior couple listened to what the Òpolice” had to say, and ended up giving them $9,000, said Olejniczak.

ÒIf you know a senior, please let them know not to trust anybody that’s on the phone, no matter what they say,” said Olejniczak.

Another scam that has been reported is offenders coming to seniors’ homes, asking to see their power lines or something in their backyards.

When the senior shows the offender what they are requesting, a second offender will walk through the front door and ransack the home.

Also, the board decided that the trick-or-treating hours in Oak Lawn will be from 3 to 7 p.m.

Olejniczak then went on to say that the senior snow shoveling program will be up and running again through December.

ÒWe just want to make sure that we have enough resources for our seniors,” said Olejniczak.

A meeting with ComEd will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7 at Oak Lawn Community High School, 9400 Southwest Highway.

This meeting will give residents a chance to ask questions about the power outages that have happened this year.

St. Gerald’s Oktoberfest and chili cook-off will take place next week. St. Gerald Parish is at 9310 S. 55th Court, Oak Lawn.

To join the cook-off, the fee is $15. For the rest of the night, the fee is $35. This fee includes food, drinks, raffles and a bonfire.

Olejniczak then noted that the Oak Lawn Community High School Homecoming is this weekend.

The Spartans will host the Argo Argonauts Friday, October 14th at 7 p.m.

Trustee Robert Streit (3rd) stated that new traffic lights for pedestrians will be installed at 95th Street and Cicero Avenue and at 95th Street and Kostner Avenue.

The pedestrian walk sign will have a countdown so residents can cross the street safely.

Trustee Carol Quinlan (5th) stated that she received a call from a senior resident who was attacked by a loose dog while she was walking her own dog.

Quinlan requested that the village look into updating the fines for loose dogs.

ÒI think the fines need to be stiffer,” said Quinlan.

In other business, Village Manager Larry Deetjen stated that Oak Lawn was able to repave 48 streets.

Deetjen said streets that still need to be finished will be completed by the end of construction season, which is Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Items approved on Mayor Dave Heilmann’s consent agenda included, a request to approve the Planning and Development Commission referral for variation from size and duration requirements to allow Advocate to install a temporary ÒComing Soon” construction sign at 4440 W. 95th St.; a request to approve the lowest bid for demolition of the properties at 6200/6202 W. 99th St., 9816 S. Melvina Ave., and 9801 Southwest Highway to KLF Demolition; and a request to approve putting up a tent in front of Avenue Flower Shop to celebrate the anniversary of the wine bar on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 10630 S. Cicero Ave.

In his Village President’s report, Heilmann requested an approval of replacement to fill the vacated seat of former 1st District Trustee Jerry Hurckes.

Heilmann told the board that he selected Cindy Trautsch to fill the seat. The selection was approved by the rest of the board.

ÒI very much enjoyed meeting each of the candidates” said Heilmann. ÒThey’re all great people.”

Heilmann concluded the meeting by appointing Diane Racine (1st District), Rafal Banik (2nd District) and John Benware (5th District) to the Architectural Review and Design Commission; and Jack Baker (5th District) was appointed to the Business Development Commission.