Live: Tuesday Night Village Board Meeting

We're live blogging the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting.

8:26 p.m.

Approval for a parking variation has been granted. The developer is hoping to get construction underway in a few weeks. Permits have been submitted.

Competitive bidding has been waived in favor of local auto dealer Hawk Ford on leased construction equipment and a police van. The village will benefit from the sales tax revenue.

Bob Steit is commenting on Japan and Libya.

While yesterday is the first day of spring, Streit said to be mindful that yesterday was also the first day of tornado season and reminded everyone that next month is the 44th anniversary of the 1967 tornado when 31 people died.

And we’re going into executive session.

Deetjen said to be sure to blog that “the boys were in compliance with the social media network.”

8:20 p.m.

Competitive bidding has been waived in favor of local auto dealer Hawk Ford. The village will benefit from the sales tax revenue.

8:11 p.m.

No village manager’s report from Larry Deetjen.

And we’re on the consent agenda … everything is approved except for items B, C and D.

Developer is making presentation for a new development at 10201 S. Cicero to be called the Southland Health Center.

8 p.m. - Trustees Reports

Jerry Hurckes (Dist. 1)

Opening day west side baseball – Saturday April 16; parade at 9:30 a.m.; first game at noon.

Hurckes just let everyone know that we are live blogging tonight’s meeting.

Tom Duhig (Dist. 4)

Tom Duhig’s is updating everyone on street light outages, most caused by the February blizzard. FEMA is offering funding to repair 23 streetlights, which cost between $170-$200 to repair. The village is still waiting for parts from distributors.

A discussion of streetlights ensues.

Lights are out around Oak Lawn Lake because of problems with the control box.

 Tom Phelan (Dist. 6)

Year 2 of aggressive street repair project in the 6th District. Improvements will start in May; streets won’t be unpaved for too long because of kids falling down on ungrinded streets.

7:32 p.m.

No Mayor Heilmann; Trustees Carol Quinlan and Alex Olejniczak are also absent.

Trustee Quinlan is on vacation.

Streit is appointed president pro temp; Hurckes is moving down.

Hurkces just read a statement from Heilmann:

"As many of you know, my wife Erica had major surgery ... my place is with her and my children ... I look forward to returning to the always relaxing atmosphere of the village board."

7:23 p.m. - The board room at village hall is packed with children, their parents and grandparents. The kids are here to collect their Police and Fire Safety Coloring Contest awards.

Trustee Tom Duhig and Village Clerk Jane Quinlan just walked in.

Trustees Tom Phelan, Bob Streit and Jerry Hurckes are here.