I’ve been laying low as the “VOTE YES’s” and “VOTE NO’s” have flown back and forth other the past several weeks regarding the referendum on tomorrow’s ballot.

At this late hour I offer the following regarding my experience and perspective as a member of the Steering Committee intimately involved in the planning of what you’ll be deciding tomorrow –I hope you find it useful.

This plan is based on simple common sense. It’s a plan that provides a safe, properly equipped, and educationally sound learning environment that affords our kids a well rounded educational experience – not more nor less than required. My colleagues, Ed, Mary, David, Tripp and Richard served with
me as citizen-members of the Steering committee and it was our recommendation to the Broader Steering Committee that forms the foundation of what you will be voting on tomorrow. A combination of architects, developer, and an investment banker, we took very seriously our role in crafting the
recommended improvements so that they reflect the genuine needs of our students.

District taxpayers were well served by the consulting brought into the process. Validation of the scope of work and its associated costs was demanded by those that rejected the last referendum. In this process you got it. Perkins and Will, the architectural planning partner, Gilbane, the Construction Manager, and Building Technology Consultants who executed the forensic analysis of the Highland Park 1914 buildings all did an exemplary job in equipping the Steering Committee with meaningful options and data grounded in the realities of our buildings.

Because of their efforts what we vote on tomorrow is a robust plan that renovates when possible, builds when necessary and as a result provides us all with value for the dollars to be expended. Believe it.

Who wouldn’t rather pay less than more? For those that are moved mostly by the economics of the referendum and the impact it will have on our taxes. I can’t argue with you and don’t want to try. I’d rather pay less if it made sense to do so. But in this instance that is not the case. I am not prepared to
“kick the pebble down the path” paying less today only to see my tax bill inflated in the coming years because existing problems requiring solutions today were not addressed proactively.

It was a privilege to serve as a member of the Steering Committee. As an architect I have participated in many similar master planning efforts and this was among the finest to which I’ve belonged. This planning process was built on broad-based citizen participation over many months. The result was
arrived at in a truly organic way, the way all great projects begin. For those that are inclined to believe that there was some predetermined end to what was recommended – nothing could be further from the truth. I am so happy I was able to volunteer and contribute to the effort.

My four kids have long since left happy days at DHS and moved on to successes beyond but I remain very grateful for what they received in those years. Grateful not only to the teachers, staff and friends that made it such a meaningful and valuable time in their lives but also to the many unknown citizens of Deerfield and Highland Park who planned and invested in the schools in the years before the Wylies moved to Deerfield. It was their vision, concern and commitment to the students and families that came after them that made sure DHS and HPHS they were prepared for when my kids arrived. Now it is
my turn to pay it forward, to invest in the next generation as those before invested in mine.

With great confidence I’ll be voting “YES” tomorrow. I ask you to do the same.

Matthew J. Wylie, AIA LEED AP
Steering Committee Member

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Officials gathered Monday to kick off an exhibit on the legacy of Jan Karski, who during World War II alerted the United States and the Western Allies that the Nazis were perpetrating the Holocaust in German-occupied Poland.

State Treasurer Dan Rutherford and Polish Consul Paulina Kapuscinska led the ceremony, which was organized by the Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Chicago. The exhibit, which explores the legacy of Karski, whom some call a "real-life James Bond," is on loan from the Polish History Museum in Poland. 

The exhibit may be viewed through April 23 at the Daley Center, 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The ceremony took place on April 8, known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Yom Hashoah.                       

As a young officer in the Polish government in exile, Karski was the first to bring the free world an eyewitness account of the destruction of the Jewish people in German-occupied Poland while there was still time to act, according to a statement from Rutherford's office.

Karski is deeply respected by many today for his attempt to stop the Holocaust.  On May 29, 2012, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Karski with America’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It was presented to Adam Daniel Rotfeld, Poland’s former foreign minister and himself a Jewish Holocaust survivor, according to Rutherford's office.

For more information, see the Jan Karski Educational Foundation site.

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When Tracy Garcia goes out for a walk, she will say "hello" to a dog being walked before greeting the owner.

“I’m more of an animal person first," says the founder of It's a Pittie Rescue, a nonprofit pit bull rescue organization serving the Chicago area. "I guess because I have been caring for animals since I was a child. I started with baby birds and after working at Forest South Animal Hospital, I developed my skills with other animals including wildlife. ...

"I can’t really pinpoint why I chose to work with pit bulls. I started about 10 years ago and haven’t stopped since."

Q. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve taken on?

A. My biggest challenge has been trying to change people’s perception of the American Pit Bull Terrier. The media has really ruined the image of the breed. Most of the newspapers rarely publish a positive story about a pit bull, they love to sensationalize the negative or even spin it into something that it never was. 

Q. What inspired you to take on this challenge?

A. My inspiration for taking on this challenge is to be a voice for the voiceless. There is no happy medium involved with this breed. You tend to have people hate the breed and want them extinct. Then there are people like myself and others involved in rescue who are always trying to change people’s perception of the breed and love them unconditionally.

Q. What will you do when you succeed?

A. I’m not sure we will ever be able to achieve our goal in changing people’s minds about the breed, but we will never stop trying. It’s A Pittie Rescue takes on this challenge every day. The plea to help needy dogs is never ending.

Our voicemail, e-mail, Facebook and rescue pages are flooded every day with people looking for a pitbull in need. We recently took in a dog named Petunia who was picked up in the south suburbs after being set on fire. More than 20 percent of her body is covered in burns. A few days after being rescued she gave birth to five healthy puppies and is doing her best to take care of them in her painful state. In addition to Petunia, It’s A Pittie has several other dogs who are also in need. Maybe not in a way Petunia is, but in need nonetheless.

Eleven hours after this interview, Petunia died of her burns. To see other dogs that need a home or foster home, please visit It's a Pittie's Facebook page or the Chicago Heights-based agency's website at www.rescueapittie.org.

About this column: We’re dedicating the month of April and May to telling the stories of people locally and statewide who have overcome the impossible, creating positive change in their own lives, or in communities. Sponsored by Grape-Nuts.

Three men were taken into custody by Deerfield Police on Monday night after a chase by car and foot after a reported armed robbery, according to a news release by the Deerfield Police Department and information provided by Bannockburn Police Chief Ron Price.

The case was handled by Deerfield Police with assistance from other departments including Bannockburn, according to Price.

Deerfield Police received a 911 call at approximately 7:41 p.m. reporting an armed robbery in progress at the T-Mobile store located in the 100 block of South Waukegan Road, according to the release.

An officer in the area noticed a vehicle fleeing the scene and followed it to the vicinity of Interstate 94 and Half Day Road, according to the release. “They left the tollway and crashed their car into the median at Half Day Road,” Price said. They fled on foot.

Two subjects were taken into custody within minutes and the third was apprehended approximately 90 minutes later hiding in an office building, according to the release.

One of the suspects was apprehended by Bannockburn Lt. Jack Heneghan near the Half Day Road interchange, according to Price. “He was in the right place at the right time,” Price said. “No one was hurt.”

The second suspect was caught at the La Quinta Inn by a Deerfield officer, according to Price. Bannockburn Officer George Roberts took the third suspect into custody after he found him hiding in a restroom at the Bannockburn Executive Plaza at 2275 Half Day Road, according to Price.

The names of the offenders have not yet been released, according to the release.

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Plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Weinzweig, of Highland Park's JW Plastic Surgery, was recently honored in Peru for the charitable work he has been doing through "Komedyplast," an organization he founded which provides free craniofacial surgeries for children born with skull deformities.

Victor Isla Rojas, the President of the Congress of the Republic of Peru, presented Dr. Weinzweig with a Certificate of Honor for the extraordinary care he is providing.

Dr. Weinzweig, is a board certified plastic surgeon and founder/executive director of Komedyplast, an international non-profit organization whose members make a lasting difference in the lives of children throughout the world while also bringing laughter and hope to the kids and their families.

Komedyplast members include volunteer craniofacial surgeons, anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, medical clinicians and professional clowns who travel to developing countries to volunteer their services to children who suffer with craniofacial abnormalities.

Since it’s inception eight years ago, Komedyplast has provided complex craniofacial surgical care for more than 150 children who would otherwise not be able to afford treatment.

Last week, the group returned from its latest mission to Peru where they were able to change the lives of twenty more children. A local Peruvian news station ran this story. In addition to providing surgical care for children, Komedyplast offers specialty training for local physicians and surgeons and also develops programs for local children that build character and self-esteem. Komedyplast Craniofacial Research Grant Program provides two grants each year to support craniofacial research.

The Peruvian government is supportive of the work being done and plans closer collaboration with Komedyplast in the future.

Submitted press release

The Lake County Forest Preserve DistrictBoard of Commissioners named a new executive director Tuesday to lead the district—one of the nation’s top conservation agencies and the second largest forest preserve district in the state of Illinois.

Following an extensive recruitment and selection process, the board approved a contract with Alex Ty Kovach, of Akeley, Minn., to serve as the district’s next executive director, effective June 12.

Kovach succeeds Tom Hahn who retired March 29 after 14 years of service, nine in the top position. Deputy Executive Director Andy Kimmel will serve as interim executive director until Kovach officially begins work.

“We are excited about this new chapter as we welcome Ty to the Forest Preserve team. Ty’s career spans both the public and private sectors, and his proven leadership success will serve our agency well as he takes on his new role as executive director,” said President Ann Maine, Lake County Forest Preserves.

“We look forward to working together with Ty to advance our goals to open new forest preserves to the public, extend our trail system, and preserve and restore natural areas and wildlife habitat across the county in a financially-responsible way.”

As leader of the agency, Kovach will oversee management of more than 30,000 acres of land, 168 miles of trails, three public golf courses, public access to the Fox River, award-winning education programs and events, and facilities of special interest including Independence Grove, Ryerson Conservation Area, the Lake County Discovery Museum and Greenbelt Cultural Center.

Upon accepting the position, Kovach said, "The success of the Lake County Forest Preserves and the pride that the county residents have is so evident that from the moment I arrived there I knew I wanted to be part of it and do my best to continue to move the organization forward. I take a long-range view of landscapes and see the Lake County Forest Preserves as the custodian of a very important resource. We need to be thinking of future generations as decisions are made and resources are managed."

About Kovach

Kovach received a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from Bemidji State University in Minnesota, and brings a diverse background of national and international leadership experience in both the public and private sectors.

Since early 2012, Kovach has been working internationally as chief executive officer for Cabo Delgado Investments Limited, which owns and manages a group of private islands and coastal forest land in the Republic of Mozambique in southeast Africa. Home to some of the most significant habitats and marine wildlife in the Indian Ocean, the island and coastal concessions total over 110,000 acres.

The cluster of islands and their associated reefs are protected in partnership with the World Wildlife Federation, and managed for ecotourism, wildlife conservation and community development. As head of the organization, Kovach developed and implemented strategies to finance the project, and established public and private partnerships to protect the land.

Kovach also currently serves on the board of directors for the Mukoque Construcoes Limitada, an organization that provides design, engineering and commercial construction services across Mozambique.

Prior to his work at Cabo Delgado Investments, Kovach worked five years as chief operations officer for the Mustique Company Limited on the 1,400-acre private island of Mustique, part of the island country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the West Indies. Managing a staff of 800, Kovach led operation of the company and its subsidiaries, as well as a variety of conservation initiatives such as reforestation of the Grenadine Islands, reef protection and shoreline and beach restoration.

In the public realm, Kovach served 15 years, seven as operations manager, for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources managing strategic planning, policy and budget development and regional programs.

Submitted by the Lake County Forest Preserve District

Patch is your source for local election results.

This is where we will post updated election results once the polls close at 7 p.m. today.

Residents of Township High School District 113 in Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood, Bannockburn and Riverwoods will determine whether the District will pass a referendum to spend $89 million to renovate Deerfield and Highland Park High Schools.

Click here to read Patch's coverage of the referendum till now, including news stories and opinion pieces from Patch readers involved in the planning process for the referendum or leading the opposition against it.

For more Highland Park election results, click here. For Deerfield election results, click here.

There are three openings on Township High School District 113 Board of Education. The candidates are Julie Starkman Gordon, Dave Greenberg, Annette Lidawer, Stacey Meyer and Mark Mulert.

For news about Deerfield and Highland Park in your mailbox every day, subscribe to the Patch newsletter. For more news and updates, like Highland Park and Deerfield Patch on Facebook.

Tuesday is election day in Highland Park.

Five people are running to fill three seats on the Highland Park City Council. Three people are running to fill two spots on the Park District Board. Six people are running for four spots on the North Shore School District 112 Board.

For District 113 referendum and school board results, click here.

Polls close at 7 p.m. Results will be posted soon after.

Click here to see Patch's election coverage up till now.

The information below comes from the Lake County County Clerk.

For complete Highland Park news and updates, sign up for our free newsletter, "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Patch is your source for local election results.

This is where we will post updated election results once the polls close at 7 p.m. today.

Voters in West Deerfield Township will elect a supervisor, clerk, assessor and four trustees. The assessor’ race is uncontested. All candidates were sent questionnaires. Click on the names of those who returned the questionnaires to read their full profile.

The candidates for supervisor are Alyson Feiger and Jack Koenig. Click on their name below for more information.

• Alyson Feiger
• Jack Koenig

The candidates for clerk are Kristen Scott and Linda Kozil.

Click the candidate’s name to read the profile.

• Kristen Scott
• Linda Kozil

There are four openings for West Deerfield Township Trustee. Below is the list of candidates who ran. All candidates were sent questionnaires. Click on the names of those who returned the questionnaires to read their full profile.

Click on the names below for additional information.

• John Lesiotis - D
• Ron Levitsky - D
• Ron Schwartz - D
• Jack Strom - D
• Douglas Bennett - R
• Todd Bogwill - R
• Marc Brown - R
• Pat Falkowski - R

Patch is your source for local election results.

This is where we will post updated election results once the polls close on April 9, 2013.

There were two openings on the College of Lake County board. Below is the list of candidates who ran. All candidates were sent questionnaires. Click on the names of those who returned the questionnaires to read their full profile.

The candidates include Philip J. Carrigan, of Waukegan; Jeanne Marie Dauray, of Round Lake; retired vice president of student development Darl E. Drummond, of Gurnee; incumbent trustee John W. Lumber, of Ingleside; and incumbent trustee Barbara D. Oilschlager, of Grayslake.

The 6-year terms of John W. Lumber and Barbara D. Oilschlager expire in 2013.

• Philip J. Carrigan
• Jeanne Marie Dauray
• Darl E. Drummond
• John W. Lumber
• Barbara D. Oilschlager

Editor's note: Polls close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. For results about the referendum and District 113 school board, click here. For all other Highland Park election results, click here.

Cold, rainy weather did not stop Highland Park residents from coming out to vote on Tuesday.

As of 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 485 votes had been cast at Lincoln Elementary School. The school was getting about 50 votes per hour, according to Site Manager Kipp Wilson.

Though many voters admitted to using "cheat sheets" for the Park Board, City Council and School Board races, there was one issue that they had clearly done their homework for: the District 113 referendum.

Read all of Patch's coverage on the referendum here.

"We feel it's necessary," said Mike Grossman, who voted in favor of the $89 million bond referendum, along with his wife, Fran. 

The referendum would pay for major renovations to Highland Park and Deerfield High Schools. The couple also voted in favor of the unsuccessful 2011 referendum.

"You can't just keep patching it up, putting bandaids on the problem," said Fran Grossman.

The couple has lived in Highland Park since 1972. They voted for Kim Stone, Alyssa Knobel and Dan Kaufman in the City Council race. They would like to see the City Council do more to help downtown Highland Park.

"We all want those empty storefronts filled," Mike Grossman said.

Fred Putz spent the day outside of Lincoln Elementary School, holding up a sign urging residents to vote against the referendum. 

"I get a lot of thumbs up," said Putz, a volunteer for Education First, the community group that opposes the referendum. 

Putz arrived at 6 a.m. and said he would be there till polls closed. In 2011, Education First was able to place people at polling places in shifts throughout the day. They're size has diminished, according to Putz.

"We had a bigger team," Putz said. "We've lost a little momentum."

Lucy Minor is another Highland Park resident who voted in favor of the referendum. She said that education is the most important component of the community.

"I went to school here, my children went to school in the same district," Minor said. She's lived in Highland Park since 1951. 

Minor also voiced concern for Highland Park's downtown, though she was less sure of what the City Council could do to help.

"It just depends on what the rent prices are," she said of the empty storefronts in downtown. "And if the [Highland Park restaurants] have the talent for attracting customers." 

Steve Rudman, another Highland Park resident, also voted for the referendum. He is the varisty tennis coach at Highland Park High School. For him, the referendum was the biggest draw to vote.

"My whole reason for coming out was because of the referendum," Rudman said.

Carl Lambrecht, who made an unsuccessful bid for the District 113 School Board in 2011, voted against the referendum. He voted for District 113 school board candidates David Greenberg, Annette Lidawer and Stacey Meyer. Greenberg also ran in 2011. All three support the referendum, along with the other two candidates.

"Greenberg is very enthusiastic about reducing costs," Lambrecht said.

Carol and Andre Leib, a Highland Park couple that voted against the 2011 referendum, voted in favor of this one. 

"We have grandchildren that go to school in Highland Park," Andre Leib said.

The couple said they said they have mixed emotions about their decision. 

"I'm not looking forward to a tax increase," Andre said. "Had I not had any grandchildren, I probably would have voted no."

The couple also voted for Kaufman, Knobel and Stone for City Council. They also said that they were concerned with how the economy is affecting downtown Highland Park.

"We loved Corner Bakery," Carol Leib said. "Something is not right that these businesses cannot make it."

The couple would like to see more restaurants with an appealing mix of affordable as well as pricier options, like City Park Grill and Players Grill. They'd also like more affordable retail.

"Most of my friends don't come here to shop," Carol Leib said. 

Terry Clutter, who has lived in Highland Park for 20 years, also voted against the 2011 referendum and in favor of the one on the ballot this year. He was swayed by the fact that some of people who opposed the last referendum worked on the plan for this one and are now in favor of it.

"This is also a good time to be borrowing money," he said, referring to low interest rates. "Now is the time to do it." 

Putz and I weren't the only people who showed up to Lincoln Elementary School to speak to voters. District 112 candidate Samantha Stolberg also stopped by to encourage people walking into the school to cast their ballots for her.

"At 6 a.m. this morning I started campaigning," she said. "Everybody has been very, very friendly."

Stolberg said that she would be watching the results come in from her home with her family and a few close friends.

"We'll either toast for a victory," she said, "or we'll toast to campaigning as well as we could."

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Editor's note: This letter is in response to the passage of the District 113 referendum. For more background on the referendum, click here.

Of course we are disappointed with the outcome, but there are no regrets.

Nevertheless, when Education First decided to campaign against the referendum, its members did so knowing the risks involved with taking the position we did. We all knew our position would be unpopular and come under severe criticism at times, but we took our position because we believed then, as we do now, that it was the right thing to do for the community.

If nothing else, the existence of an opposition group sparked a healthy debate on the issues facing D113 residents when it comes to how to finance not only improvements to our high schools, but their ongoing maintenance. Education First has always recognized and advocated for the need to address the structural shortcomings of both high schools as part of the quest for better educated students, within reason.

We sincerely believe the community is better off as a result of our work and hope that in the future more residents take a greater interest in not just the overall management of D113, but how it uses its financial resources, as the community as a whole will be better off for it. 

Frank Pirri
Chairman, Education First in 113

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Editor's note: This letter is in response to thepassage of the District 113 referendum. For more background on the referendum, click here.

This is an exciting time for District 113. We would like to thank the community for supporting the passage of the referendum and our efforts to improve Deerfield and Highland Park High Schools’ facilities.

This has been a long process that has involved hundreds of community members, District 113 staff, and students. Their input and feedback was invaluable; the process was enhanced because of the inclusion of varying points of view. We would like to thank the hundreds of individuals who spent thousands of hours assessing the needs of our students and schools.

The passage of the referendum ensures that District 113 will be able to move forward with renovations to address the infrastructure and programmatic challenges faced by the high schools. We will continue to keep community members up-to-date on the progress and involved in the process.

We are excited about the future of our high schools and once again thank the community for its support!

Harvey Cohen
District 113 Board of Education President 

George Fornero
District 113 Superintendent  

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We all love holidays right? Special foods, special activities, time spent with people we love. However, there aren't that many Holidays between Easter and Memorial Day that the whole family can look forward to. (Mother's Day is the most important Day of the year in my opinion but somehow the rest of the family doesn't seem to get all that excited about it.)

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So, instead of waiting around for the next major Holiday, why not create your own? I was inspired when I came across a fun posting on Creating Your Own Family Holiday over at RookieMoms.com. How fun would that be!?! Maybe you don’t get to take off of work for your own invented Holiday, but any reason to celebrate ranks high on the family fun meter. And, what a great opportunity to use your imagination and creativity.

Here’s my take on how this could work – Why not let each person in the family come up with a Holiday idea and you can vote on it. Or, make it a tradition and put the ideas in a hat and draw one idea to be celebrated that year. If you love celebrations, why limit yourself to just one customized Holiday? Let each person in the family get their own Day! Here are some of my family's ideas for a customized, family Holiday:

1. Family Movie Festival. Pick a Saturday or Sunday for a family movie festival. Everyone in the family gets to pick their favorite movie to watch. Lounge the day away in your pajamas and watch these classic movies with plenty of snacks. End the day by watching some of your favorite home movies or ask Grandma and Grandpa to come over with movies of you when you were a kid. The kids will love it! If your family is super creative you could actually make your own movie. What a great way to preserve some memories and show how your kids are growing every year. Here's a post with several ideas on how to make Family Movie Night more fun that you could incorporate into your marathon. 

2. Summer Gardening Day. This Holiday is a way to get ready for your favorite summer foods. Take a day and create a summer garden as a family. Everyone gets to pick a vegetable or fruit they really look forward to eating in the summer and you work together to plan out and plant the family garden. Whether you love strawberries in June or tomatoes in late July have fun digging in the dirt on your special Holiday. Here are 4 Fun Kids Summer Gardening Projects you could also incorporate into your day.

3. All Things Chocolate Festival. I don't know why this isn't a National Holiday already. A day where you celebrate all things chocolate by having it at every meal. Figure out how to add chocolate to every dish you eat that day. Search for recipes online for inspiration. Here's a super easy but super delicious Chocolate Fondue recipe.

4. Our Family Gives Back Day. Spend the day helping out various charities. Call some of your local charities and ask if there is something you can do as a family to help out. Before the Holiday, here's how to Talk to Your Kids about the Importance of Giving Back.

5. Family Adventure Day. Grab a map with a 2-hour driving radius from where you live. Have one of the kids close their eyes and stick a pin into the map. You now have a destination for your adventure. Look up the town on Google and see what interesting things or restaurants there might be in that town and head out to discover a new place.

If you could create your own family Holiday, what would it be? 

************

Sue Kirchner is a family fun coach, blogger, kids party planner, and weekly contributor to Patch.com. Sue and her family fun ideas have been featured on TV, newspapers, magazines, blogs, as well as her own family fun site ChocolateCakeMoments.com.

For more news and updates, "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

It is a sincere honor to be elected to serve as your councilman.

Campaigns are not as much about the candidate as they are about the community they want to serve. As involved as I have been in Highland Park, this additional opportunity to meet and listen to thousands of residents to discuss concerns, ideas, or just to share community pride was a reminder that many hands, hearts and minds contribute to the success of our community. Each conversation underscored our collective commitment to improving our quality of life in Highland Park.

I am ready to get to work on the mission and responsibilities of our City government: Planning, economic development, managing our money and investing in the long-term strength of our infrastructure, our public safety, human services, environment, and the wonderful events and programs that make Highland Park special.

As your elected councilman, my commitment to you remains the same as during the campaign: I will work diligently, tirelessly and with integrity in your interest.
Again, thank you for placing your faith in me and for your dedication to our community. It has been humbling to receive so much support from so many of you and an honor to receive the endorsement of so many state and local leaders. We are blessed to live in such a devoted, interested and active community.

Together, we will continue to build a bright future for Highland Park.

Alyssa Knobel
Highland Park City Councilman - Elect

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In case you missed it, Tuesday was kind of a big deal in Highland Park.

The contentious District 113 referendum passed, which means five years of renovations will soon begin to Highland Park and Deerfield High Schools.

New people will soon join the District 113 School Board, the District 112 School Board, the Park Board and the City Council.

In addition to maintaining the district, new members to 113 face the daunting task of beginning the execution of the $114 million renovation plan.

New members to District 112 face a school board that recently had to cut teachers to trim its budget and underwent tense negotiations to end a short teachers' strike.

New members on the City Council face pressures from residents to do something about the still-shuttered, still-city-owned Highland Park Theatre.

And the one new member on the Park Board comes in just as the board is preparing to begin its massive Rosewood Beach redevelopment project.

Here's a recap of the election.

News

District 113 referendum passes
Knobel, Kaufman, Stone Win City Council Race
Referendum is Biggest Draw for Highland Park Voters
Oilschlager and Carrigan Projected Winners in CLC Election
Feiger, Scott Win West Deerfield Township Races
New Director Named to Forest Preserve District

Opinion

Councilman-Elect is 'Ready to get to Work'
District 113 Superintendent: 'This is an Exciting Time'
District 113 Referendum Opponents 'Disappointed'

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The information below comes from the Highland Park Police Department.

Driving under the influence

April 1: Nicolas Schambari (24) of the 12900 block of Wadworth Road, Beach Park wasarrested and charged with Driving under the influence of alcohol, Hit and Run,Uninsured motor vehicle, improper lane usage, failure to carry drivers license, failureto wear seatbelt and use of a cellular device while driving after police responded toa single vehicle accident with injuries on March 29, 2013 near Clavey Road and theEdens Expressway . Schambari was released on a personal recognizance bond with acourt date of April 26, 2013 at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, Illinois.

April 3: Paul Davis (51) of the 2000 block of St. Johns Avenue, Highland Park was arrestedand charged with Driving under the influence of alcohol, no valid driver’s license andregistration suspended for no insurance after being stopped by police in the 2000 blockof St. Johns Avenue, Highland Park. Davis was released on a personal recognizancebond with a court date of May 10, 2013 at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, Illinois.

April 3: Jeffrey Wampler (47) of the 300 block of Basswood Road, Lake Forest was arrestedand charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, improper lane usage andspeeding after being stopped by police in the 2000 block of Skokie Valley Road,Highland Park. Wampler was released on a personal recognizance bond with a courtdate of April 26, 2013 at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, Illinois. 

Criminal damage to property

April 1: Police on routine patrol located a mirror hanging above the sinks in the men’s bathroomat a facility in the 1800 block of Sunset Road were cracked and spider webbed frombeing struck with an object.

Theft

April 2: Police are investigating a report of an employee theft. It was reported that severalpieces of jewelry had been stolen by a member of a cleaning service that was found tohave stolen from other houses. The incident occurred in the 300 block of Ridge Road,Highland Park.

April 2: Police are investigating a report of a theft. It was reported that a female in her late 20'swith dark hair and dark sunglasses in an older model red 4 door VW Jetta drove off without paying for $59.61 in gasoline. The incident occurred in the 0-100 block of LakeCook Road, Highland Park.

April 4: Police are investigating a report of a theft. It was reported that a ring was taken from avehicle or was accidently vacuumed up while being serviced at a business in the 1900block of First Street, Highland Park.

April 7: Police are investigating a report of a theft. It was reported that while utilizing the tennis courts in the 700 block of Deer Creek Parkway, Highland Park, a white Iphone 4s in apink case was accidentally left unattended and was subsequently stolen.

Reckless conduct/Possession of fireworks

April 3: Kenneth Timmons (48) of the 800 block of Burton Avenue, Highland Park was arrestedand charged with reckless conduct and possession of fireworks after police respondedto a complaint of a large box of fireworks being set off in front of a residence in the 800 block of Burton Avenue, Highland Park. Timmons was released on a personal recognizance bond with a court date of May 8, 2013 at 301 Greenleaf Street, Park City,Illinois.

Burglary from motor vehicle

April 4: Police are investigating a report of a burglary from motor vehicle. It was reported that ablue Toyota Sienna parked in the 1100 block of Park Avenue at approximately 12:00PM had the front driver side window smashed. A purse was taken.

April 4: Police are investigating a report of a burglary from motor vehicle. It was reported thata silver Mercedes parked in the 1100 block of Park Avenue at approximately 12:00PMhad the front driver side window smashed. A purse was taken.

Driving while license revoked

April 4: Sean Poppert (28) of the 1300 block of South Vail Avenue, Arlington Heights wasarrested and charged with Use Of Wireless Telephone and Electronic Device whileDriving, Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle, Driving While License Revoked andObstructing a Police Officer after being stopped by police in the 600 block of CentralAvenue, Highland Park. Poppert was released on a personal recognizance bond with acourt date of June 3, 2013 at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, Illinois.

Consumption of alcohol by minor

April 4: Mikayla Bernardi (18) of the 700 block of Elm Place, Highland Park and MichelleVazquez (18) of the 1200 block of Central Avenue, Highland Park were both citedadministratively for consumption of alcohol by a minor after being located by policein the 1800 block of St. Johns Avenue, Highland Park. Bernardi and Vazquez have acourt date of May 16, 2013 at City Hall, 1707 St. Johns Avenue, Highland Park. MiloBrown (23) of the 1100 block of N. Lawler, Chicago, who was located with Bernardi andVazquez was found to have a failure to appear warrant for DUI from Chicago. Brownwas turned over to Chicago Police.

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Petitioners proposing a new Panera Bread on Second Street in Highland Park riled up the city council this week by presenting a plan for trash removal that differed from the concept that was previously discussed, reported the Chicago Tribune.

The tension and miscommunication forced the petitioners out of the meeting for a while, though an understanding was ultimately reached. Council members voted 5-2 to grant final approval for an easement in a municipal lot for a pedestrian walkway. Trash removal will be accessed through the lot, which will have parking restrictions for this reason, according to the Tribune.

Panera is expected to open in about six months. Currently, the Panera stores closest to Highland Park are located in Deerfield.

The United States Postal Service has backed off a plan to stop Saturday mail delivery, citing lack of cooperation from Congress, ABC News reports. 

The USPS Board of Governors said restrictive language prevents it from going ahead with the plan to eliminate Saturday delivery of mail by Aug. 1, according to a USPS statement.

"The Board continues to support the transition to a new national delivery schedule. Such a transition will generate approximately $2 billion in annual cost savings and is a necessary part of a larger five-year business plan to restore the Postal Service to long-term financial stability," according to the USPS statement. 

In February, USPS said its current business model of delivery mail six days a week is no longer sustainable and must change to remain an integral part of the American community. The U.S. Postal Service is the only federal agency required to pre-fund health benefits for retirees, and those costs are escalating quickly. 

A Rasmussen poll on mail delivery in 2012 showed “Three-out-of-four Americans (75%) would prefer the U.S. Postal Service cut mail delivery to five days a week rather than receive government subsidies to cover ongoing losses.”

A USA Today/Gallup poll in 2010 found the majority of U.S. residents surveyed were ok with eliminating Saturday delivery. The March 2010 telephone survey of 999 adults revealed people age 55 and older were more likely than younger people to have used the mail to pay a bill or send a letter in the past two weeks.