OAK LAWN 100 YEAR ANNIVERS ARY OFFICE OF THE MAYOR DAVE HEILMANN 9446 South Raymond Avenue MAYOR Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453 (708) 636-4400 Fax (708) 636-8606 dheilmann@oaklawn · il.gov May 16, 2009 Dear Friends and Families of Oak Lawn: The Village of Oak Lawn is proud to honor its 1O Oth Anniversary. This year we come together to celebrate 100 years of history that has shaped our Village and made it into the vibrant community that it is today, one based upon faith, family, and inseparable south-side friendships. Oak Lawn has grown from its humble beginnings as a farming community to a thriving municipality of 56,000 residents, with more new families coming every day. We focus our energies on bringing exciting new developments to the community, while protecting the values that have always made this a special place to live. Our desire was not to mark this 1O Oth Anniversary by just one day of celebration, but rather 100 days of events for Oak Lawn families. It kicks off with our Centennial Ball on May 16, 2009 and concludes with the Fall On The Green/1QOth Year Anniversary Festival in September. In between, we have a number of terrific events "On The Green" that families are sure to enjoy. A few events you will see this summer are the Oak Lawn Carnival, The Classic Car Show, Birthday Bash SKFamily Run, Free Summer Concerts and Movie Nights, and much more. Of course we'll also be bringing back our July 4 parade which grows in popularity every year. Oak Lawn will also see its first ever public art display. Giant Rocking Chairs have been built with private donations and then painted by Oak Lawn school children as a special way of involving them in our Centennial tribute. These will be displayed on 95th Street this summer and are bound to catch your attention. On behalf of the Village Board, staff, and our families, I thank all who have contributed to making this, our 1O Oth year, the greatest yet in the wonderful history of Oak Lawn. JVeryY trulya younrs, ;L_ Dave Heilmann Mayor, Village of Oak Lawn OAK LAWN 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY STATE OF ILLINOIS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS 62706 Pat Quinn GOVERNOR February 24, 2009 Village of Oak Lawn 9446 South Raymond A venue Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453 Congratulations! As Governor, and on behalf of the people of the State of Illinois, it is my pleasure to congratulate the Village of Oak Lawn as you celebrate the 1001 Anniversary of your founding. h This is indeed a significant and meaningful milestone for your citizens and for the people of Illinois as a whole. It takes a great deal of hard work and diligence to create the foundation for a successful community. One hundred years ago that foundation was established, and you have continued to build upon it ever since. I am proud of each and every person who has contributed to the prosperity of Oak Lawn, and I have no doubt that there are many more prosperous years ahead for your community. It is my honor to join in commemorating your Centennial. I offer my best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable celebration, and continued longevity for the Village of Oak Lawn. Sincerely, ~{R~ Pat Quinn Governor OAK LAWN 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL STATE OF ILLINOIS Lisa Madigan April 29, 2009 ATIORNEY GENERAL Honorable Dave Heilmann Village of Oak Lawn 9446 South Raymond Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453 Dear Mayor Heilmann and Residents of Oak Lawn, Congratulations on the centennial anniversary of your beautiful village. Oak Lawn embodies the values and ideals of the American dream. For over a hundred years, families of all nationalities have called Oak Lawn home. Since the early 201h Century, young couples have chosen Oak Lawn as a great place to raise their families. The last century has been marked by tremendous growth and moments of great tragedy. Even in the darkest days following the tornado of 1967, the people of Oak Lawn pulled together - comforting each other and helping those in need. In those dark moments, Oak Lawn became more than just another village; it became a symbol of rebirth and resiliency. Today, Oak Lawn residents have so much of which to be proud -a world-class trauma center, beautiful parks, excellent schools, a redeveloped downtown and a new children's museum. As you begin your second century as a village, the future is very promising. Again, congratulations on your 100 years of accomplishments. Enjoy a year of great celebration. Sincerely, ~ig!f+ Attorney General OAK LAWN 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CONGRESSMAN DAN LIPINSKI Proudly Serving the Village of Oak Lawn & the 3rd District of Illinois CHILDREN'S r r MU5EUM This material was not paid for at govenunent expense. OAK LAWN 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY THE VILLAGE OF OAK LAWN THE VILLAGE GOVERNMENT MAYOR ..................................................................... Dave Heilmann VILLAGE CLERK ............................................. Jane M. Quinlan, CMC DISTRICT 1 .................................................................. Jerry Hurckes DISTRICT 2 .............................................................. Alex Olejniczak DISTRICT 3 ................................................................... Robert Streit DISTRICT 4 ............................................................... Thomas Duhig DISTRICT 5 ............................................................. Carol R. Quinlan DISTRICT 6 ............................................................ Thomas E. Phelan THE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATION VILLAGE MANAGER .................................................... Larry Deetjen DEPARTMENT HEADS FINANCE DIRECTOR ................................................... Brian Hanigan BUSINESS OPERATIONS ................................................ Chad Weiler FIRE CHIEF ................................................................ Ernest Russell POLICE CHIEF ....................................................... William Villanova EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS ................................. Stacy Guercio PUBLIC WORKS ............................................................ Steve Barrett COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ...................................... Jack Gallagher HUMAN RESOURCES ................................................... Dan Omiecinski OAK LAWN 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY What was here before Oak Lawn became incorporated? Business of the day; agriculture Cook School & Oak Lawn Station (Depot) In 1842, a land broker named Julian Hatch purchased 1,273 acres of land that make up contemporary Oak Lawn. The first settler was John Simpson who purchased land along modem day 95th Street. By 1860 this area was known as Black Oaks Grove and already had its first school. A large number of German immigrants were drawn to settle in the area after the Civil War and organized Trinity Lutheran Church. Agriculture was the business of the day. The closest commercial establishments, including the Post Office, were located in Blue Island 10 miles away. The Wabash Railroad was constructed, and the first passenger train arrived at the Oak Lawn Station in 1882. In the early 1900's two more churches were organized. The first story of the new Cook School was constructed. Population was just under 300. A new gas pipeline was to be constructed in neighboring communities. The time had come for the residents to have a voice in area projects; it was time for this community to become incorporated. Trinity Lutheran Church. Dedicated in 1881. OAK LAWN 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Oak Lawn Government 1st Village President-James Montgomery In February 1907, residents gathered at Larson's Hall 5305 W 95th Street to discuss the incorporation. On March 9, 1909 temporary officers were elected. April 20, 1909 James Montgomery, an attorney, was named the first President of the new municipality. Elected Officials have served the Village of Oak Lawn for the past 100 years. Date Mayor Clerk Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee 1909 J. Montgomery W.Aulwurm 1909 J. Montgomery W.Aulwurm F. Harnew C. Benck J. Wilson A. Singleton W. Krueger A. Armstrong 09·1910 J. Montgomery C. Schultz F. Harnew C. Benck J. Covington A. Singleton W. Krueger A. Armstrong 1911 J. Montgomery C. Schultz F. Harnew C. Benck E. Elvidge C. Schmidt W. Krueger A. Armstrong 1912 J. Montgomery W. Gaddis F. Harnew C. Benck E. Elvidge C. Schmidt W. Krueger A. Armstrong 1913 F. Harnew W. Gaddis A. Reik C. Benck E. Elvidge C. Schmidt W. Krueger A. Armstrong 1914 F. Harnew W. Hopkins A. Reik C. Benck E. Elvidge C. Schmidt J. Schultz W. Gaddis 191"5 F. Harnew W. Hopkins A. ReikA. Piper J. Montgomery C. Schmidt J. Schultz W. Gaddis 1916 F. Harnew A. Utt A. Reik A. Piper J. Montgomery F. Fortin J. Schultz W. Gaddis 1917 W. Gaddis A. Utt A. Reik A. Piper J. Montgomery F. Fortin J. Schultz J. Bohne 1918 W. Gaddis A. Utt A. Reik A. Piper J. Montgomery F. Fortin C. Schmidt E. Mecklenburg 1919 W. Gaddis A. Utt A. Reik W.Aulwurm A. Hilgendorf F. Fortin W. O'Brien E. Mecklenburg 1920 W. Gaddis A. Utt A. Reik W. Aulwurm A. Hilgendorf F. Fortin A. Ivey F. Winthers 1921 F. Fortin A. Utt G. Hoffman W.Aulwurm A. Hilgendorf G. Smeatham N. Schmalen F. Winthers 1922 F. Fortin A. Utt J. Montgomery W.Aulwurm A. Hilgendorf G. Smeatham N. Schmalen F. Winthers 1923 F. Fortin A. Utt J. Montgomery W. Aulwurm A. Hilgendorf G. Smeatham N. Schmalen F. Winthers 1924 F. Fortin A. Utt J. Montgomery W. Schultz A. Hilgendorf A. Kluch N. Schmalen W. Vick 1925 J. Emery A. Utt J. Montgomery W. Schultz W. Early F. Winthers N. Schmalen W. Vick 1926 J. Emery A. Utt J. Montgomery W. Schultz W. Early F. Winthers F. Schmidt W. Vick 1927 F. Harnew A Utt J. Montgomery W. Schultz G. Piper F. Winthers F. Schmidt W. Vick 1928 F. Harnew F. Schmidt J. Montgomery W. Schultz G. Piper F. Winthers 0. Brandt H. Larsen 1929 F. Harnew F. Schmidt J. Montgomery W. Vick J. Clay1on N. Petersen 0. Brandt H. Larsen 1930 F. Harnew F. Schmidt S. Smilde W. Vick J. Clay1on N. Petersen 0. Brandt H. Larsen 1931-1932 F. Harnew F. Schmidt S. Smilde A. Verschave G. Piper H. Heersma I. Behrend H. Larsen 1933 A. Hilgendorf F. Schmidt G. Hoffman G. Law H. Deruiter A. Pauls, Sr. I. Behrend J. Gumbos 1934 A. Hilgendorf A. Smutney G. Hoffman G. Law H. Deruiter A. Pauls, Sr. I. Behrend M. Powley 1935· 1936 A. Brandt A. Smutney F. Winthers J. Davies H. Deruiter J. Skalski C. Greager M. Powley 1937·1938A. Brandt A. Smutney 0. Koch J. Davies H. Deruiter J. Skalski C. Greager M. Powley 1939-1940 A. Brandt A. Smutney 0. Koch A. Larson H. Deruiter J. Skalski C. Greager M. Powley 1941· 1942 A. Brandt A. Smutney O'Koch A. Larson W. Kaup J. Skalski S. Hickey W. Reed 1943-1944 A. Brandt A. Smutney W. Brunn A. Larson W. Kaup J. Skalski S. Hickey W. Reed 1945· 1946 C. Larsen A. Smutney E. Hanegan W. Brunn M. Mann 0. Christensen J. Skalski T. Collings G. Wilson OAK LAWN 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Date Mayor Clerk Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee 1947-1948 C. Larsen E. Hanegan W. Brunn M. Mann 0. Christensen H. Rech T. Collings G. Wilson 1949-1950 T. Collings W. Gaddis W. Brunn M. Mann 0. Christensen H. Rech R. Rausch G. Wilson 1951-1952 T. Collings W. Gaddis C. Felstead M. Mann 0. Christensen P. Gump, Jr. R. Rausch G. Wilso E. Ratajik 1953-1954 H. Wick R. Parke C. Felstead R. Gieselmann F. Dumke M. Migitz P. Gump, Jr. G. Wilson E. Mortenson 1955-1956 H. Wick R. Parke G. Frankland R. Scheffers F. Dumke M. Migitz R. Gieselmann R. Gresher 1957-1958 H. Wick R. Parke G. Frankland R. Scheffers F. Dumke A. Groenier J. Dwyer R. Gresher R. Gieselmann 1959-1960 H. Wick R. Parke G. Frankland H. Yourell F. Dumke A. Groenier J. Dwyer R. Gresher 1961-1962 F. Dumke R. Parke G. Frankland H. Yourell R. Munch L. Cole J. Dwyer S. Randall 1963-1964 F. Dumke R. Parke E. Kolb G. Frankland S. Randall R. Munch L. Cole E. Roche J. Dwyer 1965-1966 F. Dumke Ernest F. Kolb Glenn Frankland Sinclair Randall Ralph Munch Leonard Cole Edward Roche James E. Dwyer 1967-1968 F. Dumke Ernest F. Kolb Glenn Frankland Sinclair Randall Ralph Munch Leonard Cole Phillip Special James E. Dwyer 1970 F. Dumke Ernest F. Kolb Glenn Frankland Sinclair Randall Ralph Munch Leonard Cole Phillip Special James E. D~er George H. Sc urwanz 1971-1972 F. Dumke Ernest F. Kolb Harold W. Bacon Sinclair Randall Herbert V. Huskey Robert Johannsen Dr. Carl S. Venkus James E. Dwyer 1973 Dr. T. Powell Ernest F. Kolb Harold W. Bacon John J. Hardek Herbert V. Huskey Alice B. Ihrig Dr. Carl S. Venkus David E. Morris 1973-1974 F. Dumke Ernest F. Kolb Harold W. Bacon John J. Hardek Herbert V. Huskey Alice B. Ihrig Dr. Carl S. Venkus David E. Morris 1975-1976 F. Dumke Ernest F. Kolb Lester E. Anderson Harold E. Bacon John M. Cleveland, Jr. John J. Hardek Joseph D. Vogrich Mildred M. O'Connell (District 1) (District 2) (District 3) (District 4) (District5) (District 6) 1977-1978 Ernest F. Kolb A. Jayne Powers Lester E. Anderson Ron M. Stancik John M. Cleveland, Jr. John J. Hardek Joseph D. Vogrich Jerome A. Bergamini (District 1) (District 2) (District 3) (District 4) (District5) (District 6) 1979-1980 Ernest F. Kolb A. Jayne Powers Lester E. Anderson Ron M. Stancik Charles J. Melaun John J. Hardek John F. Petrozza Jerome A. Bergamini (District 1) (District2) (District 3} (District4) (District 5) (District 6) 1981-1982 Ernest F. Kolb A. Jayne Powers Lester E. Anderson Ron M. Stancik Charles J. Melaun Robert W. Bruce John F. Petrozza Jerome A. Bergamini (District 1) (District 2) (District 3) (District4) (District 5) (District 6) 1983-1984 Ernest F. Kolb A. Jayne Powers William P. Hefka Ron M. Stancik Michele Collings Robert W. Bruce Joseph D. Vogrich Jerome A. Bergamini (District 1) (District 2) (District 3) (District4) (District 5) (District 6) 1985-1986 Ernest F. Kolb A. Jayne Powers William P. Hefka Ron M. Stancik Michele Collings Edward Barron Joseph D. Vogrich Jerome A. Bergamini (District 1} (District 2) (District 3) (District4) (District 5) (District 6) 1987-1988 Ernest F. Kolb A. Jayne Powers William P. Hefka Ron M. Stancik Michele Collings Edward Barron Joseph D. Vogrich Jerome A. Bergamini (District 1) (District 2) (District3) (District 4) (District 5) (District6) 1989-1990 Ernest F. Kolb A. Jayne Powers William P. Hefka Ron M. Stancik Michele Collings Edward Barron Joseph D. Vogrich Harold Mozwecz (District 1) (District 2) wistrict3) (District 4) (District5) (District6) esigned 7/31/90 J. Quinn Mucker 1/91-4/91 1991-1992 Ernest F. Kolb A. Jayne Powers William P. Hefka Ron. Stancik Robert Streit Edward Barron Marjorie Ann Joy Harold Mozwecz wistrict1) (District 2) (District3} wistrict4) (District 5) (District 6) esigned 3/15/93 esigned 9/22/92 Steven Rosenbaum Sept 92 -April 93 1993-1994 Ernest F. Kolb A. Jayne Powers 1C~r il Holesha Ron Stancik Robert Streit Michael D. Walsh Marjorie Ann Joy William C. Keane istrict ~ (District 2) (District 3) (District4) (District 5) (District 6) ppointe 5/11 /93 1995-1996 Ernest F. Kolb A. Jayne Powers C~ril Holesha Ron Stancik Robert Streit Michael D. Walsh Marjorie Ann Joy William C. Keane ( istrict 1} (District 2) (District3) (District 4) (District5) (District 6) 1997-1998 Ernest F. Kolb A. Jayne Powers C~ril Holesha Ron Stancik Robert Streit Steven Rosenbaum MarJ°rie Ann Joy William C. Keane ~ istrict 1) (District 2) (District 3} (District 4) (Dis rict 5) (District6) esigned 10/1 /98 Jerry Rurckes Appointed 10/1/ 98 1999-2000 Ernest F. Kolb A. Jayne Powers Jer~ Hurckes Ron Stancik Robert Streit Steven Rosenbaum Marjorie Ann Joy William C. Keane (Dis rict 1) (District2) (District 3) (District 4) (District 5) (District 6) 2001-2002 Ernest F. Kolb A. Jayne Powers Jer~ Hurckes Ron Stancik Robert Streit Steven Rosenbaum Marjorie Ann Joy William C. Keane (Dis rict 1) (District 2) (District 3) (District 4) (District 5) (District 6) 2003-2004 Ernest F. Kolb A. Jayne Powers Jer~ Hurckes Ron Stancik . Robert Streit Steven Rosenbaum Mar\orie Ann Joy William C. Keane R. I. P. 6/29/03 (Dis rict 1) (District 2) (District3) (District 4) (Dis rict 5) (District6) Ronald M. Stanc1k 10/14/03 2005-2006 Dave Heilmann Jane M. Quinlan Jer~ Hurckes Alex Ole~niczak Robert Streit Steven Rosenbaum Marjorie Ann Joy Thomas E. Phelan (Dis rict 1) (District ) (District 3) (District 4) (District 5) (District 6) 2007-2008 Dave Heilmann Jane M. Quinlan Jer~ Hurckes Alex Ole~niczak Robert Streit Steven Rosenbaum Carol R. Quinlan Thomas E. Phelan (Dis rict 1) (District ) (District 3) (District4) (District 5) (District 6) 2009-2010 Dave Heilmann Jane M. Quinlan Jer~ Hurckes Alex Ole~niczak Robert Streit Thomas Duhig Carol R. Quinlan Thomas E. Phelan (Dis rict 1) (District ) (District3) (District 4) (District 5) (District 6) OAK LAWN 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Oak Lawn Village Hall In 1909, Larsen's Hall, located at 5305 West 95th Street, was used for meetings and elections in anticipation of the Village of Oak Lawn's incorporation; and then was used as the new Village's offices. In 1953, using donated materials and labor, residents and volunteers built a village office between the old Village Hall and the Fire Station. In 1958, construction began on a proper Village Larson Hall Hall. A municipal parking lot was begun, and the new Village Hall was dedicated in 1959. Today, the Municipal Center is at the very heart of village life and the focal point for many community activities. The building is home to the Police Department and Fire House 3. It also provides the necessary space for daily municipal functions for our community. The auditorium is the meeting place for the Village Board of Trustees and also serves as the court room for our Adjudication Officer. The general offices which house our Finance Department are located on the main floor and the Engineering Department is on the lower level. The lower level also includes a target range for our Police Department. The second floor accommodates our legislative offices. First Municipal Building as viewed from the south west side of 95th Street. Below: Village Hall, 5232 Dumke Drive, 1958 Lower Left: First Municipal building included the Police and Fire Departments and also Village offices