By Kevin Gosztola, Editor

On June 20, the Elmwood Park Advocate held its fourth “Community Conversation” of 2026. We were up against a beautiful sunny day, and there was less of a turnout. But since everyone in the room had regularly attended our conversations, the newsletter was able to have a more open and honest discussion.

We held our first Community Conversation a year ago, and it focused on the lack of local journalism in Elmwood Park. At the time, the Elmwood Park Advocate was just an idea. The conversation was our way of seeing if residents would show any interest in a newsletter.

This conversation was an opportunity to collect positive and negative feedback on the role of the newsletter so far. We also asked those in the room what they would like to see published in the coming year.

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One of the first comments involved being afraid to speak openly. The person said they had sometimes wondered what was acceptable to say at our conversations, and how political they should be. In their view, if a person has the facts to back up their opinion, they should be able to express that opinion.

A longtime resident said they were drawn to the Elmwood Park Advocate because it was focused on opening up a broader conversation about journalism and how more residents in the community could have a voice in important matters. They personally do not spend a lot of time on Facebook, and they saw the potential for the newsletter to do positive information sharing. It could share details about events that were happening or offer lists of garage sales that are happening on garage sale weekends.

“I like the mix of what you’ve done,” another resident said, including the history of the bungalow homes and the way that the newsletter could highlight what has changed in the village. As a 13-year resident, they mentioned that the newsletter could constructively challenge some of the popular stereotypes of the village—along with sharing upcoming library programs or village events.

There are several Facebook community groups, which have a way of dividing residents, one resident argued. Several of them are known to censor posts from residents. Or they are filled with advertisements for people promoting their businesses. To them, the value of the Elmwood Park Advocate has been that it makes local news accessible to all people. They liked the articles that have been provocative or directly confronted elected representatives and local officials.

As the conversation progressed, a few people in the room addressed the supposedly controversial nature of some of the newsletter’s reporting and writing. What one person liked was that opinion posts are clearly labeled as editorials. But then there are articles that are researched and based entirely in fact, and what they have noticed is if it does not match a person’s worldview then that person might dismiss it as a bunch of complaining.

We all look at things from our biased viewpoints, one resident said. Is it political simply to cover the day-to-day actions of a political body in the village?

Yet another resident recognized that the Elmwood Park Advocate makes it possible for the community to pay closer attention to certain issues.

During the last part of the conversation, several suggestions were offered. The first suggestion was that the newsletter put together posts with bullet points on village developments for those who maybe do not want to read the lengthier articles.

Other suggestions included audio versions of articles as well as translations for residents who speak Spanish, Polish, Ukrainian, and other languages.

Looking ahead, the Elmwood Park Advocate will be participating in the village’s 4th of July parade.

This is a not-for-profit newsletter and should be allowed to participate without paying $100. But since some village officials have had trouble accepting the fact that we should not be treated as a commercial organization, we paid the entry fee.

The Elmwood Park Advocate hired Seth Greenberg, a photographer, college student, and village resident, to take photos for us while he is home for the summer. But it costs money to pay him for his work, and in the next month or two, the newsletter will take a step toward becoming a reader-supported newsletter by enabling paid subscriptions.

We will be back with our next Community Conversation in September. Our focus will be the school district. In the meantime, enjoy your summer.

A study from Rebuild Local News found that the lack of journalism in communities results in increased costs “in the form of higher taxes or cuts in services.”

“Local governments borrow money through the municipal bond market to finance crucial infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, highways, and water systems,” according to Matthew Baker and Dermot Murphy who authored the study. But they are “more likely to engage in wasteful spending in ‘news deserts’ which have zero newspaper outlets.”

This results in municipal bond lenders asking for “higher interest rates as compensation for the risk of lending to an unmonitored local government that engages in wasteful spending.”

“In the United States, 21.2% of the population lives in a news desert; within these news deserts, the total incremental borrowing cost is $1.1 billion per year, and the associated per household cost burden is $38 per year,” according to the study.

The Village of Elmwood Park had a newspaper called the Elm Leaves, which was founded in 1913. Residents can still subscribe to the Elm Leaves. It is on the newspaper rack at the library, and village officials use it to circulate public notices for hearings, bids for contracts, and the disposal of records, etc, that are required by law. But the newspaper no longer employs reporters dedicated to regularly writing and reporting on Elmwood Park.

Editions of the Elm Leaves tend to cover several suburban Chicago communities, like Elmhurst, La Grange, Naperville, and Oak Park. Specific coverage of Elmwood Park rarely appears in the newspaper, which means that in many respects Elmwood Park is largely a news desert.

Also, the study confirmed that neighboring local governments with “robust news coverage do not see any increase in municipal borrowing costs.”

We do not know if Elmwood Park’s borrowing costs are substantially higher than, for example, Oak Park or River Forest which benefits from the Wednesday Journal.

The Elmwood Park Advocate, which started a little more than year ago, has tried to make up for the lack of local journalism, and several articles have called attention to questionable spending decisions.

We intend to do more accountability journalism that can benefit residents. Yet as a volunteer organization with no budget, there is only so much that the newsletter can do. It will be a while before it grows enough to fill the void.

Fortunately, we have seen remarkable engagement and interest from residents who recognize the value of community news.

On Saturday, June 20, at 3 pm, we invite residents to join us at the Elmwood Park Public Library in the Ferrentino Room.

We will celebrate our first year, offer feedback on our reporting and writing, and discuss the role that the Elmwood Park Advocate should play in the community. (RSVP here.)

More details on this event can be found here.

It was one year ago that the Elmwood Park Advocate started holding “Community Conversations” at the library.

On Saturday, June 20, at 3 pm, we invite residents to join us, celebrate our first year, and offer feedback on our reporting, writing, and community engagement. (RSVP here.)

The very first “Community Conversation” was focused on how Elmwood Park residents stay informed about developments in the village and the lack of local journalism. This was our way of seeing whether you all would take an interest in this newsletter and support our work.

Consistently, twenty or more people attended the conversations we held at the library on traffic safety, ICE operations and the village’s response, making the village more capable of withstanding extreme weather, and how Elmwood Park has changed over the past decades.

We kicked off this year’s series by focusing on parks and open spaces in the village. Our conversation in May was about the library’s decision to reduce its normal hours of operation.

You all have made what we do a tremendous success, and in order to go forward, it is the Elmwood Park Advocate’s responsibility to ask you what you’d like from us. You do the talking. We’ll listen.

How can we continue to build this newsletter so that it benefits you and strengthens this community? What does journalism mean to you?

We will have cake and refreshments in the Ferrentino Room of the library. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors, and we’ll see you at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 20.

*Note: The Elmwood Park Public Library has permitted resident-led groups to use meeting spaces as a community service. The Library neither sponsors nor endorses this event, the speaker(s), or the organization

Hello,

Thank you for your engagement and interest in our reporting on the Elmwood Park Public Library’s cuts to evening hours.

New library hours went into effect on June 1. The library now closes at 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 6 p.m. on Friday.

The library conducted a survey during "Trivia Night" on April 30. The survey asked 24 attendees about the library's plans to cut evening hours. But the survey was never shared more widely. The library board voted to eliminate hours without additional feedback from residents or library visitors.

Considering the likelihood that the library will use the initial cuts to justify further cuts to hours in the evenings (and possibly mornings), the Elmwood Park Advocate is circulating a version of the library's survey—go here.

Typos in the original survey were removed, and some of the available choices were made more clear. The questions were also updated to reflect the change to hours that just went into effect.

Whether you are for or against the cuts, please take a moment to share your perspective with us. We’ll pass along your responses to the library, and we’ll also use what you share to ensure that our publication remains focused on what matters most to residents when it comes to the library.

Fill out the survey here.

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By Kevin Gosztola, Editor

On May 30, the Elmwood Park Advocate held its third “Community Conversation” of 2026. It was admittedly not the best time to hold a gathering. Everyone agreed that there were fewer people due to graduation parties and the beginning of summer break.

Still, 12 people showed up to discuss the Elmwood Park Public Library and the cuts to evening hours that go into effect on June 1.

Although the meeting was not organized by the library, it was the first public opportunity in the library for residents seeking to learn about the changes to hours and share their perspectives.

The discussion began with residents describing what the library means to them. Also, since we were at a library, everyone shared what they were reading now.

One resident spoke about how their kids like to do the scavenger hunts. Often, they stay late at the library and staff has to shoo them out. Another person, who is a second generation Elmwood Park, shared how he recently watched an immigrant mother stand in the library with their child as staff helped her make copies. It reminded him of a similar experience with his Irish mother decades ago.

“I love this library so much,” a working mom shared. While growing up, she recalled coming to the library to escape the heat. The library is a “haven for people whose AC doesn’t work so well.” She praised the selection of children’s books at the library.

A retired 25-year resident said it can be difficult to find newer books at the library. Sometimes he’ll just buy the book instead of waiting. Later, another resident said they are usually successful in making requests for books. They have fond memories of coming to the library with their niece, who really enjoyed the clubs and movie events.

One working mom mentioned that she often uses the library for business, and even the rooms are useful for arranging meetings. Yet another retired resident admitted that they have not used the library that much lately. They wondered if the library has a book club or a series of events on Elmwood Park history. (When informed that there are history events, they said that the website is not that easy to navigate.)

The discussion veered into a serious consideration of the problems facing the library and whether anyone is concerned about the amount of tax dollars that goes into the library. No person had a particularly strong attitude about library funding.

Library Trustee Mike Monahan was in attendance. He was the only trustee who voted against cutting library evening hours. After introducing himself, Mike clarified some information and answered a few questions. He said about $200 in tax money goes into the library from each resident.

The retired 25-year resident said he believed that a library should purchase books that are representative of broad range of subjects. They specifically emphasized the value of physical books, rather than electronic books.

Another working mom suggested that the library do a better job of making documents that show what they spend available to the public. They also were concerned about when the library board has scheduled its board meetings and committee meetings. It is difficult for working people to attend.

Baker & Taylor, a major book distributor for libraries, declared bankruptcy after a failed buyout and abruptly shut down in 2025. Mike provided a little background on how this affected the library. It somewhat explained why the library stopped purchasing books and other materials last year.

Though as I emphasized, Cook County’s property tax distribution delays presented cash flow problems that became a severe challenge for the library. I do not believe that the library has been particularly clear or consistent with residents about the fact that this meant the library was not buying books, audiobooks, DVDs, or video games, even though there were funds available in the budget. They held on to the funds after taking out a loan to help the library get through the fiscal year.

More questions were raised about library spending, since hours are being cut in the evening. The second working mom in attendance wanted an explanation for why the library spent so much money on lawyers at Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins.

Did the library look at how many people are here during each hour of the day when determining whether to make cuts to hours? The answer is yes, based upon patron interactions. But several agreed that it did not make a lot of sense to vote on reducing hours—and then put in a people counter after the vote.

After I outlined the amount of money that was not spent on books and other materials last year, the question was posed: Will this affect library funds? As in, will the amount of funds available for books go down because the library did not use the funds last year?

The residents in the room represented a decent cross-section of Elmwood Park. They were retirees and parents with demanding work schedules. The majority could see the benefit to expanding library hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

We closed with some final thoughts about whether there will be more cuts in the future. Because the logic behind cutting the 8-9 p.m. hour on weekdays also could be used by the library director and library board to justify closing at 7 p.m. or 6 p.m. on certain days.

The working mom said the library is a public good. Copies of books and information need to be readily available, especially in the age of AI where major tech companies are trying to privatize knowledge and force people to pay fees if they wish to obtain access.

Yet another person agreed. “The library is a public resource and should be optimized for the public. My taxes rise each year, but the library is providing less.” And, “It’s unclear how the saved funds will be redistributed,” referring to money saved by cutting hours.

The second working mom said the library should have held public meetings (perhaps, like this community conversation) at varying times and on different days to collect input from as many taxpaying residents as possible prior to cutting library hours.

The Elmwood Park Advocate made a copy of the survey that the library handed out to 24 participants at a “Trivia Night.” It was shared with attendees, and in the coming days, the Elmwood Park Advocate will invite readers and Facebook page followers to fill out this survey. That way we can spread more information about what residents think about evening hours at the library.

Finally, the newsletter will hold its next “Community Conversation” on Saturday, June 20. We’ll share an announcement soon.

By Don Shanahan, Resident Movie Critic

Here in Elmwood Park, many schools—public and private—are ending their school years in the next two weeks. That begins summer break, which is often a season of freedom and relaxation for families and teachers alike.

Speaking as the resident film critic, the summer months tend to bring the fun stuff to the movie theater. But we know how expensive those trips have become. Fortunately, for families worried about spending too much at the movies, several local groups and theater chains offer excellent deals to see kid-friendly movies (all rated G or PG).

Let’s take a look at the schedules and slates of what is available in and around Elmwood Park.

‘MOVIES IN THE PARK’

We’ll start with the closest event. The Village of Elmwood Park and the Elmwood Park Library are sponsoring two movie events at Central Park (75th Avenue and Fullerton). The first is the hilarious animated hit, “Dog Man,” on June 25. It will be followed by 2025’s live-action “Lilo & Stitch” on July 16.

Both events start at dusk, and you can’t beat the price of FREE. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and your own snacks and refreshments!

CINEMARK’S ‘SUMMER MOVIE CLUBHOUSE’

The next nearest venue is the Cinemark theater in Melrose Park. The theater chain runs the “Summer Movie Clubhouse” series from June 1 to August 6. The movies are at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, with additional screenings throughout the week for the affordable ticket price of $1.75 per person. Cinemark also offers $1-off deals on snack packs and combos.

Here is the lineup of movies coming to the Melrose Park Cinemark:

June 1-4: “Paddington”

June 8-12: “Sonic the Hedgehog”

June 15-18: “KPop Demon Hunters Sing-a-Long”

June 22-25: “Shrek Forever After”

June 29-July 2: “The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants”

July 6-9: “A Minecraft Movie”

July 13-16: “Dog Man”

July 20-23: “How to Train Your Dragon” (2025)

July 27-30: “The Bad Guys 2”

August 3-6: “Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie”

AMC’s ‘SUMMER MOVIE CAMP’

The AMC “Summer Movie Camp” plays family films every Monday and Wednesday from June 22 to August 12. Their ticket price sits at $3.00. AMC locations within a short commuting range of Elmwood Park are the Norridge, Galewood Crossing, and Rosemont theaters.

H”ere is the lineup of movies coming to AMC:

June 22 and 24: “Paddington in Peru”

June 29 and July 1: “David”

July 6 and 8: “How to Train Your Dragon” (2025)

July 13 and 15: “The Lego Movie”

July 20 and 22: “Sonic the Hedgehog 3”

July 27 and 29: “The Bad Guys 2”

August 3 and 5: “The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants”

August 10 and 12: “Muppet Treasure Island”

CLASSIC CINEMAS’ ‘WEDNESDAY MORNING MOVIE SERIES’

The historic Lake Theater in Oak Park (south on Harlem Avenue) is part of the wonderful Classic Cinemas chain. Their annual family series returns with nine sensory-friendly movies at the price of $2.00. As always, the best part of Classic Cinemas is their free refills on any size of popcorn or drink.

Also, the Lake location can be rather busy. If you would like to avoid larger crowds, the North Riverside Mall location is also running the same deal and series.

Here is the lineup of movies coming to the Lake Theater in Oak Park:

June 3: “How to Train Your Dragon” (2025)

June 10: “Smurfs”

June 17: “KPop Demon Hunters”

June 24: “Dog Man”

July 8: “The Bad Guys 2”

July 15: “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants”

July 22: “Paddington in Peru”

July 29: “A Minecraft Movie”

August 6: “Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie”

REGAL’S ‘SUMMER MOVIE EXPRESS’

If your travel range takes you more into Chicago, the Regal Cinemas chain has its Summer Movie Express 2026 promotion. Of all the chains, they have the cheapest ticket price at $1, the most showings (two choices weekly, Monday through Thursday), and the longest series—spanning from June 1 to August 15. That said, it will take a patient haul through traffic to reach their City North (2600 N. Western Avenue) or Webster Place (1471 W. Webster Avenue) locations.

Here’s the lineup of movies coming to Regal theaters:

Week of June 1: “Sing” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem”

Week of June 8: “Kung Fu Panda 4” and “David”

Week of June 15: “KPop Demon Hunters and “The Wild Robot”

Week of June 22: “The Bad Guys 2 and “The Garfield Movie”

Week of June 29: “A Minecraft Movie” and “Sonic the Hedgehog 2”

Week of July 6: “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” and “How to Train Your Dragon” (2025)

Week of July 13: “Scoob!”

Week of July 20: “Animal Farm” and “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants”

Week of July 27: “Dog Man” and “Paddington in Peru”

Week of August 3: “Charlie the Wonderdog” and “Despicable Me 4”

Week of August 10: “The Sandlot” and “Muppet Treasure Island”

As you can see, there are plenty of common titles available at the various promotions. Mark your calendars and spread out week to week for the best plan so that you can see as many as desired.

My first must-see pick, as the anointed local authority, is the original “Paddington” at the Cinemark Melrose Park from June 1-4.

If you have to see the Oscar-winning “KPop Demon Hunters” for the 138th time, you might as well go for the “sing-along” version happening from June 15-18 at Cinemark.

After that, I favor the older movies that are rarely screened in theaters. The chance to see “The Sandlot” at Regal’s Summer Movie Express the week of August 10 or “Muppet Treasure Island” the same week at Regal or AMC locations is hard to pass up.

Enjoy your summer, everyone! See you at the movies!

Don Shanahan is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic and the editor-in-chief of Film Obsessive and Every Movie Has a Lesson. In addition to Chicago Indie Critics, he is part of the internationally recognized Critics Choice Association. He also owns and operates the Free Blockbuster box on the 2600 block of 75th Court, where those passing by may “take a movie/leave a movie” in the spirit of sharing a little art and culture with the community.

In the 1999 comedy “Office Space,” two consultants are hired to help a company called Initech run their daily operations more efficiently. They are known as “the Bobs,” and the company hires them to downsize and satisfy shareholders.

The Bobs engage in financial optimization and invite Initech employees into a conference room to prove their value to the company. They get rid of “glitches” in the payroll system. But the Bobs are oblivious to inefficiencies among the bosses at the company.

Library Director Michael Consiglio and Library Board President Chris Pesko, who is up for re-election in 2027, remind me of “the Bobs.” As far as the public knows, they do not intend to identify staff for layoffs. However, the optimization favored by the library director and library president, such as cutting normal library hours, barely addresses real management issues.

A “Comprehensive [Frequently Asked Questions] and Response Guide” [PDF] on “adjusting” evening hours is clear. The library does not have a “budget shortfall.” There is no “financial crisis.”

From Consiglio:

Like the Bobs in “Office Space,” the library director and the library board seem to believe that they are simply fixing glitches. The fact that the library has normally been open on weeknights until 9 p.m. was a glitch, and after May 31, that glitch will be eliminated.

The library purchased a “Thermal People-Counter” from Murphy Security Solutions to further their optimization. The counter is similar to technology that retailers like Walmart or Target use to monitor their business. With installation, it cost $4,142. It was purchased before the library board voted to reduce library hours but installed after the board shortened hours.

I do not understand how this “optimization” is good for taxpaying Elmwood Park residents. Consiglio already had usage data to make the case for reducing hours. Yet in the middle of “cash flow challenges,” the library director spent thousands of dollars.

Which begs the question: does the library intend to push for more cuts to evening hours? Or eliminate morning hours?

According to the library, reducing evening hours results in “annual payroll savings” that total $39,427. Except the library could save a lot more money if did not spend so much money on lawyers from Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins.

From May 2025 to April of this year, the library budgeted $14,000 for legal expenses. It spent $61,645. That is $47,000 higher than the budgeted amount, but KTJ partner Carmen Forte Jr. is a former library board president.

Due to this conflict of interest, the library director and library board president dare not speak a word about runaway legal expenses.

The library insists it is not in a crisis. “However, we are managing a real cash flow timing challenge created by Cook County distribution delays.” But the library director and library board have not adequately communicated the severity of this “challenge” to residents.

In the last year, the library dramatically slashed the number of books and audio visual materials that it typically purchases.

The library budgeted $40,000 for adult books. It spent only $10,591. It budgeted $9,000 for adult audiobooks. It spent zero dollars.

Thirty-two thousand dollars was budgeted for children’s books. The library spent only $14,015. It budgeted $8,000 for young adult or teen books. It spent $150.

When it came to adult materials, the library budgeted $8,000 for DVDs. It spent only $2,004. The library budgeted $3,000 for video games. It spent only $350. The library budgeted $4,000 for youth audio visual materials. It spent only $72.

Zero DVDs and video games were purchased for teens, even though the library budgeted $7,000.

For a library to remain relevant to a community, it is critically important to constantly add to its collection. But the library stopped making purchases due to Cook County mismanagement, and to me, that signifies a crisis.

Also, the library director and library board believe that teenagers will not use the library in the summer so the library should close earlier. Of course, teenagers are less likely to visit if they cannot find new materials that are of interest.

“Efficiency gains” from cutting hours will supposedly go toward expanding book and media collections. However, that is misleading. The library under spent by $82,416 and would have to spend more than that amount to expand the collections, which it cannot do because of constraints created by Democrats’ mismanagement of the Cook County property tax system.

The reality is that the library’s ideas for “optimization” are too narrowly based in corporate consultant culture. To preserve access, resources, and services for all residents at all hours of the day, the library must fight for dollars from the village that are necessary to maintain a publicly funded library.

Yet so far, it is unclear if the library director and library board have the fortitude or will to engage in this kind of advocacy.

The Elmwood Park Advocate takes the position that public libraries are vital to communities, and since the newsletter benefits from the library, it is our responsibility to speak up. We encourage you to sign this petition, and tell the library to restore normal hours.

Additionally, on Saturday, May 30, at 3 p.m. we will hold our latest “Community Conversation” in the library’s Ferrentino Room. The topic this month will focus on the importance of the library and what residents think about the library’s “management optimization” or elimination of evening hours. (RSVP here.)

By Kevin Gosztola, Editor

The village demolished a house nearby Arezzo Jewelers and the BP gas station in order to develop another parking lot for North Avenue businesses.

Located at 1613 North 76th Avenue, the property had long been an eyesore. It had broken and boarded up windows, as well as a tree and overgrown vegetation that enveloped the house.

On April 20, the Elmwood Park Plan, Zoning and Development (PZD) Commission held a public hearing in the village chambers to approve rezoning so the village could create another parking lot.

Village Manager Paul Volpe, who presented the proposal to the commission, said the village has done this “over 10 times now.”

“In this particular case, acquiring this property and creating a parking lot here first and foremost probably cures a blight at this location that has plagued this village for probably 20+ years,” Volpe said. “Certainly longer than I’ve been here. I’ve been here 14 years.”

Volpe indicated that the mouth of the alley will be widened. “It will certainly help with traffic flow at the intersection of 76th Avenue and the alley, which if you’ve traveled that alley [it’s] very narrow.”

With the construction of a new Greek restaurant named Ethos Taverna at 7528 West North Avenue, the additional spaces created will be available for patrons.

The village board approved rezoning on May 4, and days later, a tree was removed and excavator went to work tearing down the shabby house.

Back in November, the village board passed and approved the real estate purchase at this address. The acquisition closed on January 5 and cost the village $320,000, which is lower than the average value for similar properties.

The village made several real estate purchases in 2025 that involved the demolition of homes and the construction of public parking lots for businesses along North Avenue. One particular address, 1612 North 77th Avenue, was a source of discontent among neighboring residents.

But at the public hearing in April, there were no objections to ridding Elmwood Park of this dump.

One resident named George, who presumably was notified of the hearing because he lives nearby, said he had lived in Elmwood Park for 36 years. “I’m quite familiar with the traffic in the area over the last few years.

He suggested that the village install a “big stop sign” to prevent accidents and slow down vehicles driving “back and forth at high speed.”

Generally, the village’s redevelopment along North Avenue is part of a longer term plan that stems from the establishment of a tax increment financing district, or TIF district, on March 2, 2015.

“The TIF stretches from Wabansia Avenue on the north to North Avenue on the south, and from Harlem Avenue on the east to 72nd Court on the west,” according to the Pioneer Press.

When the village’s comprehensive plan was drafted in the early 2010s, officials considered the need for “design guidelines” that could aid the village as it built parking lots and established “landscaping” that screened those lots.

However, the Elmwood Park Advocate submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records containing design guidelines, and Village Clerk Gina Pesko said that the village “maintains no documents specific” to the request.

That strongly suggests that village management never followed the recommendation to create guidelines that could provide some direction as parking lots are built next to residents’ homes.

*Below is audio of the Plan, Zoning, and Development Commission public hearing(s) on April 20, 2025, that was obtained through FOIA.

On Saturday, May 30, at 3 p.m., the Elmwood Park Advocate will hold a “Community Conversation” at the Elmwood Park Public Library on the importance of the library to the village.

Libraries are broadly recognized as essential spaces that function as pillars of our democracy.

We invite residents to share what the library means to them, which programs they like to attend, what resources and services are valuable, and how often they visit the library. The conversation will also focus on preventing unnecessary cuts to resources, services, and hours of operation. (You can RSVP here.)

Numerous libraries throughout the United States face increased threats that include book bans, censorship, cash flow problems, and losses of funding that result in impacts to working people.

The present political administration in Washington, D.C., pushed to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which put library services for millions at risk. But in April, just before National Library Week, a settlement was reached with the Justice Department that saved funding for libraries.

Fortunately, the library is not experiencing any major financial crisis. The attack on federal library funding did not substantially affect the library. But the Elmwood Park library does have a temporary cash flow problem as a result of Cook County property tax distribution delays.

What do you think of the risks that our library faces? Do you have any questions or concerns about how the library operates? And what should we as residents do to preserve the library for current and future generations?

We will have coffee and bakery treats. Invite your family, friends, or neighbors, and we will see you at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.

*Note: The Elmwood Park Public Library has permitted resident-led groups to use meeting spaces as a community service. The Library neither sponsors nor endorses this event, the speaker(s), or the organization.

[Editor’s Note: At the May library board meeting, editor Kevin Gosztola delivered a public comment in opposition to the library cutting evening hours (see bottom of the report). He previously wrote an editorial against the cuts as well.]

By Kevin Gosztola, Editor

Trustees voted to cut Elmwood Park Public Library evening hours on weekdays. Only Library Board trustee Mike Monahan spoke in favor of keeping the library open and voted against the proposal.

Also, due to the lack of data on library use, Library Director Michael Consiglio said that the library purchased a “counter.” However, the director and trustees still proceeded with the vote instead of waiting for relevant data to be collected.

The Elmwood Park Advocate obtained the receipt for a “thermal people counter” that the library purchased from Murphy Security Solutions in La Grange, Illinois.

At the board’s April meeting, Consiglio said, “If I had $4,000, we’d have the best door counter up on top, which I want to buy, but I can’t buy it. Because we all understand that we need that.” But he insisted that the library could not spend $4,000 on a counter. The device was scheduled to arrive on May 21 for installation.

Consiglio said before the board voted to reduce hours that later in the year the library might revisit the hours of operation. “If the data supports [staying open], we will support it.”

“Okay, so how would data support a decision to review this?” Monahan asked, since the library will no longer be open for residents during the hour that should be tracked.

Library Board President Chris Pesko said that he was satisfied with the “analysis” shared by Consiglio. He backed closing the library earlier on weekdays.

Pesko further suggested that the annual survey at the Taste of Elmwood Park could ask residents if they would like the library to go back to its regular schedule. Consiglio supported this idea.

“Having three kids that have gone through everything—and they’re adults now, summertime, the library usage went way down as opposed to when it was in school,” Trustee Peter Fosco said.

“Like I said, we’re going to the summertime. Everybody wants to be out. Everybody wants to be outside. Everybody wants to play on the jungle gym. Everybody wants to do their thing with the longer hours.”

Fosco added, “In summertime, if we get an opportunity to save the money, I think that’s kind of the way to go. We’re going to revisit it.”

Trustee Alice Balundis agreed. “I see the possibility of this. It’s summertime. Summertime’s coming up, and people are not going to be at the library.” She too said let’s revisit cutting evening hours after the board reduces the hours.

While the trustees focused on the summer to push through cuts to library hours, that was not part of the library director’s reasoning for reducing hours back in April.

“My concern, and why I don’t think it’s a good idea, is I feel like there should be more evening programs,” Monahan countered. “At 7 o’clock is a time that programs should start. But until 8:30, I think attendance would be better. I think the summer, at 8 o’clock, the sun is still up. It does not feel late to be closing.”

Monahan raised the matter of $60,000 in legal expenses and whether those expenses could be reduced first before cutting library hours. “I feel like there’s better ways to save money. I don’t see a justification for cutting the hours. I think it’s ill-advised and short-sighted.”

But Fosco insisted, “The amount of traffic from the numbers that I read here, and you have significantly anything before 8 o’clock, you’re there. Anything after 8 o’clock, the numbers are minuscule comparatively.”

What Fosco referred to were “6,011 patron interactions” that Consiglio said the library tracked over four months. As the Elmwood Park Advocate previously reported, 91 percent occurred from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Only 8.6 percent occurred in the evenings. “Just 2.6% occur in that final 8- to 9- PM hour.”

But trustees did not consider the fact that the library is only open 5-9 p.m. four days a week. There are more daytime hours, which skewed the percentage for the last hour of that the library was open.

Additionally, the percentage was further skewed by including Friday evening, even though it was already understood that residents use the library far less during this time. That is why the library board cut evening hours at the board’s April meeting.

The library’s unscientific survey of “patron demand” may have missed dozens of residents who were already in the library before 8 p.m. and left the library prior to closing time without interacting with staff.

Initially, Consiglio said that reducing hours would save the library a little more than $39,000 a year. But that number included money saved by cutting Friday hours, which was not part of the vote. When questioned, Consiglio clarified that the amount saved by cutting hours between Monday and Thursday would be closer to $21,000 a year.

Meredith Zinanni, a library board candidate in 2025, opposed the cuts and wrote to the library board. “At the April 2026 meeting, Trustee Pesko stated that Elmwood Park is a working class community to explain why staff could not be given more time off.  But closing the library an hour earlier on weeknights harms those very same working people.”

“Programs get most of the attention at library board meetings, but it is equally valuable to ensure that our entire community has access to books and other media, research tools, and study spaces.  Where else can students gather in a quiet space to work alone or on a group project when home is not an option? Or get help from our skilled library staff?” 

Zinanni contended, “A student with an after-school job—or adults working outside the home—may not be able to get to the library until at least 7 PM, and we should not be making it more difficult for them.”

None of the trustees addressed the potential impact to parents and other adults, who may wish to use the library in the evenings for work or studying.

Update: The article was updated on May 14 to include details about the counter that was purchased by the library on April 20.

Elmwood Park Advocate Editor Kevin Gosztola’s Public Comment

From the Volunteer Staff Of The Elmwood Park Advocate:

One year ago, a group of village residents launched the Elmwood Park Advocate. We set out to build a community newsletter that could make up for the lack of local news reporting on the village.

What we achieved in a year greatly exceeded our expectations, and that is owed to the Elmwood Park residents who engaged with the newsletter’s reporting and writing and participated in “Community Conversations” that we held at the library.

The first year was a result of trial and error, mixed with a fair amount of experimenting. Some of what we tried worked. Yet through it all, the newsletter accumulated over 1,000 followers on our Facebook page. Traffic to our articles doubled, tripled, and in a few instances, quadrupled.

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From the beginning, the Elmwood Park Advocate searched for stories to cover that reflected the interests of residents, like code enforcement related to weeds and “high grass.” We reported on the village’s purchase of homes that were then demolished and replaced with parking lots. These stories sparked a range of responses from residents, and we shared feedback that we received with readers.

The Elmwood Park Advocate demonstrated its value when ICE and the Border Patrol were conducting operations in Chicago and surrounding communities, including Elmwood Park. We tracked landscapers and roofers who were detained, cutting through the misinformation and rumors that spread about ICE’s presence in Elmwood Park. The newsletter also offered a platform to those in the community, who wished to share their frustration with how Village President Angelo “Skip” Saviano and Superintendent Dr. Leah Gauthier responded to the fear generated by ICE.

Early in 2025, the newsletter uncovered the fact that Gauthier and the school district had deleted nearly all of the school board meeting videos broadcast to YouTube. We brought this to the attention of the Cook County Local Records Commission, and members pledged to look into the district’s destruction of public records.

We interviewed both John Carrozza and Jarrett Knox, who competed in the Democratic primary for a Cook County judge position. It was the Elmwood Park Advocate’s first election coverage, and by educating voters on one of the few contested judicial races, the newsletter increased its credibility.

Those who attended our “Community Conversations,” as well as readers, are well aware that the library initially challenged the Elmwood Park Advocate when we tried to use the library’s main meeting room for free. The library board largely went along with this effort to discourage the newsletter from using the library to engage with residents and gather news.

But the Elmwood Park Advocate stood its ground. The library backed down and changed the meeting room policy so that all residents could reserve rooms without being forced to pay $100/hour. We created positive change.

Along with the reporting that the newsletter published on records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, deputy editor Sara Lindsay, writer Ann Lindsay, and film critic Don Shanahan contributed dozens of articles.

“I’m deeply proud of the work we’ve done over the past year and everything the newsletter has grown into. As someone who is not a journalist or writer by trade, stepping into this role was far outside my comfort zone, but it has been absolutely worth it,” Sara Lindsay shared.

“Over the last year, I’ve learned so much about Elmwood Park, its history, its challenges, and most importantly, its people.”

“One of the best parts of this experience has been meeting so many wonderful people and helping create spaces for conversation and community,” Sara Lindsay added. “Access to information matters, and I’m grateful that we’ve been able to provide that for the people of Elmwood Park.”

“Having seen the Advocate’s development since its inception, it has blossomed into something I couldn’t have predicted,” Ann Lindsay said. “It’s not only a source of hyperlocal news. It’s a point of connection for many residents.”

“Through ‘Community Conversations,’ I met and connected with residents whose perspectives differed from mine but whose passion for a safe, flourishing village was the same as my own.”

“Achieving the village we all want can only be done through access to information, honest storytelling and a commitment to transparency,” Ann Lindsay contended. “The Advocate always strives for all three, and I’m grateful that it has helped me become a more informed and engaged resident.”

Shanahan said, “At its core, the Advocate is the epitome of ‘neighbors helping neighbors.’ The good folks writing for this online publication are actual citizens of this community, not disconnected journalists on the outside looking in from some assigned beat beyond our borders. I think that’s a trait of investment and commitment that has been lost in local journalism for too long.”

“The Advocate has empowered citizens to raise the bar for our shared civic accountability. We needed that around here. When done right, that process of shared information and ensuing social reaction becomes a partnership in the name of responsibility over some kind of political confrontation.”

“As for my small part as the resident film critic, I find pride in providing balance where I can,” Shanahan stated. “This fine village is more than its conflicts and obstacles. There’s a collection of cultures and demographics eager for entertainment. There’s a blue-collar, fun-loving heart here in Elmwood Park that wants to relax after long days of work and maximize family time. I am one of those very people.”

Editor Kevin Gosztola declared, “We are part of this community. We tell stories, share information, and ignite discussion about our village because we have a deep commitment to our neighbors and this place that we call home.”

“Thank you to everyone who has supported, read, shared, contributed, or simply stopped to talk with us along the way,” Sara Lindsay said.

We’re excited to keep growing in our second year. If you have comments or suggestions that may help us improve the Elmwood Park Advocate, email newsletter@elmwoodparkadvocate.org

Most Viewed Articles Published During The First Year

What Elmwood Park Residents Should Know If Confronted By ICE

‘It’s A Terrible Situation’: Village President Responds To Elmwood Park Residents’ Concerns About ICE

Former Elmwood Park Fire Chief Faces Criminal Charges For Allegedly Shutting Tiny Tap Employee In Cooler

‘Free America’ Protest In Elmwood Park Marks Anniversary Of Trump’s Second Term

Meet The Candidates Running In The 11th Judicial Subcircuit Race

Library Director Would Like The Power To Police Residents’ Speech

ICE Targets More Landscapers Working In Elmwood Park

Editorial: Elmwood Park School District Silent As ICE Spreads Fear

Letter To The Editor: A Clear Conflict of Interest

School District Destroyed Nearly All Of Its Archive Of Board Meeting Videos

[Editor’s Note: Elmwood Park Advocate Editor Kevin Gosztola has openly opposed the library’s proposal to cut library hours, arguing that it is unnecessary. Also, the library released programming data but did not provide data on “patron demand” when responding to a records request from the Elmwood Park Advocate. That data on library use was finally shared after cutting weekday hours on May 11.]

By Kevin Gosztola, Editor

Elmwood Park Public Library Director Michael Consiglio claimed that data he compiled would show that the library should cut evening hours on weekdays. However, the data, which the Elmwood Park Advocate obtained, only accounts for residents who attend library programs.

The library does not count the number of residents who use the library because it is a quiet space for work or studying. The number of people browsing and reading books, newspapers, magazines, or using other resources and services is also unknown. Plus, oddly, this data does not include checkout data.

On May 11, the library board will vote on cuts to weekday hours. The agenda claims that the “adjustment” will reflect “actual patron usage patterns,” support “more efficient allocation of staff resources,” and align with the library’s commitment to “responsible financial management without reducing programs or service quality.”

But the library has collected minimal data on “patron usage patterns” during evening hours.

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The library board voted to reduce Friday hours at its monthly meeting in April, however, a separate proposal to close at 8 p.m. on weekdays was tabled until May.

In the meantime, Consiglio agreed to share a “full analysis” or data that he compiled on library use.

The newsletter submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for this data. What the newsletter received is a spreadsheet [PDF] of programs, like “Trivia Night,” “Elvis,” or “Puzzle Race.” It indicates what weekday the program is held, how many times a year it happens, the number of attendees, and the average attendance. Each of these programs end after 8 p.m. and could be affected by the cuts.

Importantly, the data contains no additional statistics that would be useful to persuading residents that the library should not be open until 9 p.m. on weekdays.

After Consiglio shared the data that he had mentioned in April, the Elmwood Park Advocate asked the library director how the programming data supported cuts to library hours. He responded with data that was withheld or not provided when the newsletter requested “aggregate data on patron use.”

Consiglio indicated that the library tracked 6,011 patron interactions over four months. Ninety-one percent occurred from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Only 8.6 percent occurred in the evenings. “Just 2.6% occur in that final 8- to 9- PM hour.”

However, the math does not quite add up. Spread across four evening hours, the average per-hour share would be 2.15 percent, which means 8-9 p.m. is above the evening average.

The library is open 9-5 p.m. during six days of the week. It is only open 5-9 p.m. four days a week. There are more daytime hours, which lowers the percentages for the evenings, and Friday was included, despite the fact that patrons use the library far less on Friday nights (which is why the library board cut the hours).

Also, the data on patron interactions overlooks residents who enter the library and do not interact with staff, especially when they are leaving before closing time.

The response from Consiglio mentioned that the library “surveyed Trivia Night participants about shifting from 7:00-8:30 PM to 6:30-8:00 PM. 91.7% said it works.” Only 1 person would be impacted because they commute “from a western suburb.” Again, that data is limited to participation in programming.

Library Board Trustee Mike Monahan, who urged the library board to table cuts to library hours, said at the April meeting, “The important thing is we don’t have any data for any of this.” He mentioned that the library has no “gate counts.”

“There are people who come here at six o’clock and they’re not leaving until 8:30. And they’re just not being counted,” Monahan later added.

Consiglio shot back, “If I had $4,000, we’d have the best door counter.” He said that the library understands the data would be valuable. “But I can’t go out and spend $4,000 on it,” he insisted.

During the April meeting, Consiglio did not explicitly mention Cook County’s property tax distribution delays as a reason why library hours needed to be reduced. But when asked for comment, he raised the delays, which have financially impacted the library for the past six to seven months.

“We don’t need proactive cuts. We need to see where we can save our cash during this temporary situation,” Consiglio told the Elmwood Park Advocate. “The library showed incredible growth over three years. We’re not in crisis. We’re managing Cook County’s tax distribution delays.”

The library director maintained that the reduction of evening hours would save the library $39,427 annually. “That’s significant when you have [two-plus] months of cash reserves and Cook County delays. This isn’t unique to Elmwood Park. Libraries across Illinois face the same crisis as Cook County.”

Back in August 2025, Consiglio addressed Cook County’s delays as it became clear that the library would need to take out a loan to weather the impact. “We don’t have large reserves so this impacts us greatly.” He acknowledged that a number of libraries keep six to nine months of reserves.

It is common for libraries to have three to six months of reserves. The library board could increase their cash reserves, however, the Village of Elmwood Park would play some role in approving that increase. Library Board President Chris Pesko and other library board trustees have chosen not to publicly push for an increase in reserves.

In April, the Chicago Tribune reported that “Cook County property tax bills will be late again this year,” as they were in 2025. That means that the library will again confront the reality that it does not have enough funds in reserve.

The Elmwood Park Advocate asked Pesko if the library would be better positioned to deal with Cook County’s mismanagement if the village allowed the library to hold a larger amount of cash reserves. As of publication, Pesko did not respond.

Once the problems with Cook County tax distribution are resolved, Consiglio said the library will continue to operate “with all its growth. But right now, we need to be smart about managing cash to ensure we start [fiscal year] 2026-27 on solid ground.” [The new fiscal year started on May 1.]

Early February, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas provided a property tax update, which said that 97 percent of the tax money levied had been distributed. It is unclear what tax money the library is still waiting to receive.

At the April meeting, Monahan argued that the “programming budget is massively inflated.” If the library is going to reduce hours, then Monahan said the programming budget should not be the size of a library, like Elmhurst Library, which is open until 9 p.m. (Consiglio said, “You’re right,” when Monahan made this point.)

The library budgeted $14,000 for legal expenses during the previous fiscal year. However, according to a document obtained through a FOIA request, the library spent $19,000 on legal expenses between July and October 2025. Part of those legal expenses stemmed from attempts to restrict the newsletter’s use of the library’s main meeting room, which the library director and library board eventually abandoned.

A library the size of the Elmwood Park Public Library would typically budget an average of $7,000-$14,000 on legal expenses.

It is unknown what the library paid Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins between November 1 and April 30. However, if spending occurred at the same rate for the rest of the fiscal year, then legal expenses likely exceeded $30,000. Some of that money could have gone toward maintaining the library’s regular weekday hours.

By Sara Lindsay, Deputy Editor

Elmwood Park resident Ronnie Holloway is recovering from a devastating loss after thieves stole an estimated $100,000 in merchandise from his Northwest Side business earlier this month.

Holloway lives in Elmwood Park with his wife and two young children and owns Elite Sports Cards and Comics in Chicago’s Dunning neighborhood.

In the very early morning hours of April 24, according to reporting from Block Club Chicago, two individuals smashed through the storefront window and headed straight for high-value inventory.

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Instead of taking cash, the burglars appeared to target specific items, quickly moving toward display cases containing rare Pokémon cards and premium sports collectibles.

The break-in lasted only a matter of minutes, with Holloway telling Block Club that the thieves were after sealed card packs, including a case of newly released football cards valued at around $20,000.

Police say the break-in happened around 2 a.m. with the suspects entering, gathering merchandise, and fleeing within minutes. No arrests have been reported, according to NBC Chicago.

For Holloway, the impact goes far beyond the financial loss.

“If you know Ronnie, you know how much of his heart and soul lives inside Elite Sports Cards & Comics,” his wife wrote in a message shared with supporters. “This shop isn’t just a business to him. It’s years of hard work, long days, and genuine care for every person who walks through the door.”

This was not the first time that the Holloway’s business was targeted. According to Block Club, his Lincoln Square location was broken into twice in 2022. In one instance, a suspect cut through brick around a rear window, removed security bars, and stole nearly $100,000 worth of cards.

The value of trading cards has surged in recent years and small specialty shops like Holloway’s have increasingly become targets for theft. Rare cards can be resold quickly, often with little traceability, making them especially attractive to criminals.

Despite the setback, Holloway is determined to rebuild. Members of the community are rallying support. Holloway’s wife started a GoFundMe to help their family recover some of their losses and keep the business open.

By Kevin Gosztola, Editor

On April 25, the Elmwood Park Advocate held its second “Community Conversation” of 2026. Around 20 people gathered at the Elmwood Park Public Library to discuss parks and recreational spaces in the village.

The newsletter dedicated this gathering to 20-year Elmwood Park resident Donna Clesen, who died in December. She led the Garden Club and regularly attended our conversations in 2025.

At the last conversation of the year, Donna said the village had “become more of a fortress.” She believed that the village had not paid enough attention to the importance of open spaces.

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The discussion began with everyone speaking about the parks that they go to the most. One resident said they live by John Mills Elementary School and go to Triangle Park and the school.

Another resident said they live near Bambi Park. They go to Bambi, John Mills, and Triangle Park because that is where all their kids’ friends like to play. Plus, they use the Elmgrove Park splash pad, but that was “broken half of the year.”

An older couple mentioned that they spend time at Centennial Park. The gardens are there. A mom of two children, who are six and eight years old, said that they use Triangle Park, Elmgrove Park, Bambi, and Elmwood Park Elementary.

Yet another mom of two children, who are four and seven years old, said they go to Triangle Park, Bambi Park, and the Elmgrove splash pad. She wonders, however, why there is not more shade at Elmgrove. They also eat lunch at Central Park, since it has chess boards.

One resident, who uses the exercise equipment at Centennial Park, suggested that the village prioritize more benches and trees. It is “more important” for people in town houses or rental units “without yards or green spaces,” they added.

A new resident of Elmwood Park, who lives across from Fire Station #2 and is starting a family, mentioned that they were here to learn about the village. They noticed the kids playing whiffle ball in the baseball field.

A longtime resident who has lived in the village since 1963 spoke about growing up in the city of Chicago. What they came to appreciate is that “parks, sidewalks, and alleys make a neighborhood.” That’s what is special about Elmwood Park.

One of several moms in attendance shared how they appreciated the Central Park yoga and ice skating. The yoga, hosted by The Barre, was a “really good experience.”

Additionally, the same mom mentioned that her family spends time at Kiddie Korral Park on 75th Court and Dickens Avenue. She is concerned about the plans to eliminate trees and not replace them. A dad of two children also expressed similar frustration with this decision.

The grant application asked the village to describe how the project had involved local planning and coordination, such as public input. What the village identified was the “Comprehensive Plan” for the future of Elmwood Park that was developed from 2011-2013.

A mom questioned whether this qualified as community engagement for the Kiddie Korral redevelopment project. What is described in the grant application was not specifically part of the comprehensive plan. Was there really any public notice prior to creating designs?

Adding to this sentiment, another mom said that they used to live in Galewood, where there were a number of town hall meetings on the future of the site of the Mars factory that shut down. She wished that the village would hold similar meetings on parks (as well as other issues).

“Most of the people [on the boards] don’t have small children anymore,” she said. “We are more involved than our parents are [or were]. We as a community should push for more information.”

“I don’t think it’s too late,” one dad said. “Go to the [village] board meetings,” and raise concerns. They wondered why there is no commission specifically dedicated to parks and recreational spaces. “There should be one.”

The conversation veered into worries about building a third splash pad in Elmwood Park as part of the Kiddie Korral redevelopment project. One parent said that they did not like that the splash pad was right next to the playground because then you have to have a change of clothes for your children. They like how Elmgrove Park is just a splash pad because “you have to be intentional” about going to play in the water.

A mom described how the Elmgrove splash pad had a problem with “water pressure.” The streams only go knee high. So kids bring buckets and fill them with water. Public works employees were there several times in 2025, trying to figure out what to do to fix the splash pad.

“Your kids are [not] little forever,” one older resident said. There should be consideration about how the splash pad limits multi-use of parks. Or as one dad put it, the village should encourage “normal social use.” The parks really should be “mixed age spaces.”

Back in 2013, the comprehensive plan recommended that the village create a list of “potential sites” for additional parkland. I mentioned that the village apparently never compiled such a list, even though it is a good idea. Residents really do care about parks and recreational spaces.

But as one resident in attendance contended, those involved in the Plan, Zoning and Development Commission simply believe that there is less profit to be made in parks. This resident objected to the way in which homes are demolished to build parking lots for businesses along North Avenue.

Several in the room agreed that it would be a benefit to restaurants on North Avenue if there was a green space for dining outside. In the same way that the village buys a home and paves a lot for parking, it could instead develop it for those who want to dine during the warmer months in a less crowded atmosphere—particularly during peak hours.

Finally, one dad in the room mentioned that there is talk of moving village hall to Grand Avenue. He suggested that the community “get ahead of that.” If the village maintains it is too late to properly redevelop Kiddie Korral as a green space, then he believes residents should insist that they put trees or a park at the site of the village hall.

The newsletter plans to hold another “Community Conversation” in May. Details will be shared soon.

By Kevin Gosztola, Editor

More than a decade ago, the Village of Elmwood Park adopted a “Comprehensive Plan” that recommended that the village identify potential sites for additional parkland. However, it does not appear that village management ever followed through and put together a list.

The comprehensive plan, dated March 12, 2013, outlined a “vision for the community” that would "guide “development and investment decisions.” It contained a “national resources space strategy” and suggested that the village “create an inventory of parcels that are either Village-owned, privately-owned and vacant, or tax delinquent as a list of potential ‘first-tier’ sites” that could be “converted” into park spaces.

The Elmwood Park Advocate submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request on April 6 that asked for a copy of the village’s list of “potential sites for additional park space.” Village Clerk Gina Pesko claimed the village contains “no documents in response” to the newsletter’s request.

Village manager Paul Volpe was asked by the newsletter if the village had ever attempted to create an inventory of potential sites, and if no, why the village did not follow through with this recommendation. At the time of publication, Volpe had not responded.

The comprehensive plan remains a guiding document for the village. Assistant Village Manager Kim Napolitano mentioned the plan in the application for a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to help pay for a new Kiddie Korral Park.

In 2011, residents urged the village during the “comprehensive planning process” to continue to “acquire land and convert it to public parks.”

“Elmwood Park leaders, residents, and other stakeholders expressed the importance of maintaining and enhancing Elmwood Park’s open space and natural resources,” the comprehensive plan noted.

It further acknowledged that the “amount and availability of park space is significantly lower than standards established for even the densest urban areas of the Chicago metropolitan region.”

“Open space is the second largest land use, occupying 91 acres or 10.4 percent of the Village,” according to the comprehensive plan. “Most of this acreage, however, belongs to the Oak Park Country Club and is not accessible to the public. The Club’s property covers roughly 82 acres in the west-central area of Elmwood Park and also extends into River Grove and River Forest.”

Smaller parks, as of March 2013, made up “roughly 4.4 acres of open space,” with the rest of the open space in Elmwood Park lying within the Forest Preserves of Cook County in the southwest part of the village.

The comprehensive plan also recommended that the village “contact private landowners of parcels” on the list to “discuss the landowner’s intent for the future use of the land and the possibility for conversion to park land.”

In 2008, a “Community Parks and Recreation Master Plan” that the village adopted said that “park space should expand to the greatest extent possible.”

Elmgrove Park was completed and unveiled on July 2, 2024. It was constructed on the former site of the New Horizon Temple.

Throughout the past 13 years, the village has purchased parcels of land near North Avenue but not to create parkland or open space that could possibly be used by “Restaurant Row” patrons. The village constructed parking lots on this land.

During outreach for the comprehensive plan, the village recognized that residents view parks as an important issue, and residents complained about “the need for better communication.”

Based upon records that the Elmwood Park Advocate obtained, it is hard to tell if Volpe or any other official involved in village management seriously engaged in community outreach prior to undertaking the Kiddie Korral redesign project.

JOIN US FOR A ‘COMMUNITY CONVERSATION’ ON PARKS AND RECREATIONAL SPACES:

On Saturday, April 25, at 3 p.m., the Elmwood Park Advocate will hold a “Community Conversation” at the Elmwood Park Public Library on parks and recreational spaces. We’ll meet in the Ferrentino Room.

Elmwood Park has several parks: Bambi Park, Centennial Park, Central Park, Elmgrove Park, Kathy Torpe Park, Kiddie Korral, Skate Park, and Triangle Park.

We’ll invite residents to discuss the time that they spend in our local parks, what they appreciate about the parks, and what they would like to see improved or updated. The conversation will also consider how Elmwood Park utilizes open spaces and how further spaces could potentially be developed. (You can RSVP here.)

By Kevin Gosztola, Editor

Before the year is over, the Village of Elmwood Park plans to demolish the Kiddie Korral playground and build an entirely new park for recreation that will cost about $1.3 million.

Nearly half of the expenses will be paid for with an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The remaining will be covered by a “cash match.” (The source of the “match” was not identified.)

The new playground will have “rubber safety surface” underneath the equipment, replacing the dirt and mulch. New fencing, landscaping, lights, benches, and tables will be installed, along with a gazebo.

Two of the three trees will be cut down, and a splash pad will be added to the park, raising concerns that the park may be hotter during the summer due to the lack of shade.

On January 26, the village announced that it had received a $600,000 OSLAD grant and mentioned several of the upgrades envisioned for the 27-year-old Kiddie Korral playground. It suggested that “families” had requested “new park amenities, especially water features.”

The Elmwood Park Advocate submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for a copy of the village’s grant application, including concept designs, which the village had not shared with residents yet.

From October 1, 2026, to March 30, 2027, the park will be torn down and rebuilt. No contract for construction has been awarded to any company yet, and the village plans to review bids for the project later in the summer.

A key reason for replacing the playground is liability concerns. The application submitted by Assistant Village Manager Kim Napolitano indicated that the equipment has “significantly deteriorated over time” and “poses safety risks.” Plus, the playground does not meet Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) “accessibility standards.”

“[T]he outdated playground will be replaced with modern, inclusive play structures that provide a safe and engaging environment for children and youth of all abilities,” the application stated.

According to the application, “The project will also include replacing existing asphalt sidewalks with new concrete pathways, installing perimeter fencing for safety and security, installing rubber safety surfacing, adding a gazebo and seating area with an ADA-accessible table, and incorporating security lighting to enhance visibility and safety during evening hours.”

An itemized list of new playground equipment includes two slides, a spinner, a bouncy horse, and an eight-person swing set.

Napolitano claimed that the village has “received strong support from the community and does not anticipate any opposition.” However, the Elmwood Park Advocate asked for records that would reflect community engagement, including public meetings, town halls, or small group dialogues.

No records other than a few emails were provided [PDF]. It is unclear what outreach was done by the village prior to applying for the grant.

The application refers to residents who previously identified the “need for accessible open space and preservation of current sources” as part of the village’s “Comprehensive Plan” [PDF], but that plan was adopted more than a decade ago in 2013.

In January, resident Mike Monahan, who is also a library board trustee, emailed Al Schmidt, who is the village’s director of parks and recreation. “If there’s not already plans finalized, is there a way for residents like me to be involved? That park is very important to me and my family as we’ve used it hundreds of times and plan to continue for at least 8 more years.”

Schmidt incorrectly stated that a “contract to build” was already awarded. Orion Galey, the vice president of Christopher B. Burke Engineering, then told Monahan, the grant application required a “preliminary design” and that created “some constraints with regards to making alterations now that the funding is in place.” He shared concept plans with Monahan.

However, according to the state DNR’s manual for OSLAD grants [PDF], it says, “Throughout the course of development, it may become necessary to change [the] scope, plans and/or specifications.” If that happens, the village is allowed to seek DNR approval for “any project change orders that represent significant deviations from the approved plans or anything over a 10% change.”

Monahan said it was “very disappointing” that 30 percent of the space will be a “splash pad that can only be used for three months of the year.” He asked if there was any way to save the trees. “The beauty of the trees and the shade they provide are the best part of the park.”

Two months passed with no reply, and Monahan raised his concern again on March 25. “I’m disappointed that I never received a response to my last email. Orion said feedback is welcome, and the exchange just ended.”

“Is it too late to avoid cutting down established trees for this plan? The park will be ruined if you proceed with this plan,” Monahan stated.

Village Manager Paul Volpe harshly responded, “While I’m glad you have shared your opinion, I emphatically disagree that the park will be ruined by the proposed plan. Regardless, we will look into the trees and advise accordingly.”

After the nudge, Galey finally offered an update. “In the middle of the park, there are two green ash trees, both of which unfortunately have emerald ash borer. With their health declining, removal is necessary as part of the project to ensure safety and longevity for the park.”

“However, I’m happy to share that the beautiful bald cypress in the northwest corner will remain,” Galey added. “Based on your feedback, we are also adding a new triumph elm tree to the plan, which will be located within the berm area.”

According to the village, emerald ash borer has killed “countless ash trees” in Elmwood Park in recent years. That is partly why the village has pursued an initiative to restore the community’s tree canopy.

Galey further noted that the redesign for the park includes “four new river birch trees, twenty new arborvitae,” and a “diverse selection” of shrubs, perennials, and grasses.

In a comment shared with the Elmwood Park Advocate, Monahan said the park isn’t only used by younger children. “Tweens, teens, and adults” use the park, and they do not typically use splash pads. The village already has two splash pads. “What we need is shade and open play areas.”

Previously, the village received OSLAD grants for the pickleball courts in the Circle and Centennial Park, which was built after the Elmwood Park Presbyterian Church was torn down in November 2012.

For an article published in January 2013, Elmwood Park Village President Peter Silvestri told the Elm Leaves newspaper, “We’ve been committed for the last 20 years to [creating] more open space. Whenever you get the opportunity to create some open space, it’s a good deal for the community.”

YOU’RE INVITED: On Saturday, April 25, at 3 p.m., the Elmwood Park Advocate will hold a “Community Conversation” at the Elmwood Park Public Library on parks and recreational spaces. We’ll meet in the Ferrentino Room.

Elmwood Park has several parks: Bambi Park, Centennial Park, Central Park, Elmgrove Park, Kathy Torpe Park, Kiddie Korral, Skate Park, and Triangle Park.

We’ll invite residents to discuss the time that they spend in our local parks, what they appreciate about the parks, and what they would like to see improved or updated. The conversation will also consider how Elmwood Park utilizes open spaces and how further spaces could potentially be developed. (You can RSVP here.)

[UPDATE - 8:20 PM April 13, 2026: NEWS: Library trustees voted to cut Friday hours and tabled the proposal to cut Monday-Thursday hours. The library will now close on Friday at 6 p.m.

A proposal to cut weekday hours was tabled after Library Trustee Mike Monahan asked for data on library use to support cutting hours. Library Board President Chris Pesko backed the idea of tabling until additional data was shared. Director Michael Consiglio agreed to share data, and the library board will vote on cutting weekday hours on May 11.

By Kevin Gosztola, Editor

The library plans to cut weekday hours, which will reduce access to taxpaying residents who may wish to use resources and services during the evenings.

Library board trustees will vote on the proposed cuts at the board’s monthly meeting on April 13. It is my view as the editor of the Elmwood Park Advocate that cutting hours is unnecessary and not based on any financial need. It also goes against one of the library’s main goals for the community.

In the library’s “strategic plan” for 2025-2027, which exists to guide “decision-making,” it says that the library will “increase accessibility by extending operating hours to accommodate patrons with varying schedules, particularly during evenings and weekends.”

Suddenly, Library Director Michael Consiglio has asked the library board to shorten hours to 9 a.m to 8 p.m. on weekdays and to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday.

The reasoning offered is vague: changing the hours would reflect “actual patron usage patterns,” support “more efficient allocation of staff resources,” and align with the library’s “ongoing commitment to responsible financial management without reducing programs or service quality.”

But as someone who has regularly attended library board meetings and followed library committee meetings, I do not recall any prior budgetary concerns about library hours. The library has the funds for keeping the library open in the evenings.

I attended a library finance committee meeting on March 9. “We’re about $200,000 under pure expense,” Consiglio declared. “That’s a good thing.” He indicated that the library had done a good job of holding down expenses while dealing with a crisis that was largely a result of Cook County mismanagement.

Cutting hours would likely reduce programs and service quality. It means residents will have eight fewer hours during the week to access technology, such as computers and Wi-Fi, as well as study rooms.

Groups that reserve meeting room spaces will have to adjust their plans for gathering with their neighbors. Typically, evening events would not begin until 6 p.m. at the earliest. Since staff has previously asked for a half hour to break down the meeting room before close, groups could only use these spaces until 7:30 p.m. There would no longer be any Friday evening events.

Let’s say someone wished to plan an event for veterans the week before Memorial Day. Perhaps, they would like to show a documentary and discuss it afterward. They would have to schedule it at 5 or 5:30 p.m, when many are just getting off work or eating dinner with their families.

The library is a well-established branch, and under Illinois Library Association standards, it is encouraged to have 68 hours of operation for a population of nearly 24,000 residents. By cutting hours, the library falls below that standard to 65 hours.

Finally, when the library board votes on cutting library hours, it will be the first time that most residents learn about this decision. There was no public community outreach or consideration for those who work during the day who may be impacted. The library director simply determined that the library does not need to stay open any later.

Those who follow the Elmwood Park Advocate on Facebook already know about this decision. One resident reacted, “It seems odd to cut the hours without a clear, transparent plan shared with the community for the savings.”

Two additional residents expressed a similar concern that cutting hours is not ideal, but it is especially baffling when the library has not also shared how the savings will be applied.

Undoubtedly, the library director and library board president will say that these are very minimal cuts, and that they are just being careful about how they spend taxpayer dollars. Yet once supposedly minor cuts to the library are made, it becomes easier to apply more cuts.

Before residents know it, something that was off the table many months ago will be on the chopping block. When that happens, it may be too late to stop the library or library board from taking away access to that resource or service.

On Saturday, April 25, at 3 p.m., the Elmwood Park Advocate will hold a “Community Conversation” at the Elmwood Park Public Library on parks and recreational spaces. We’ll meet in the Ferrentino Room.

Elmwood Park has several parks: Bambi Park, Centennial Park, Central Park, Elmgrove Park, Kathy Torpe Park, Kiddie Korral, Skate Park, and Triangle Park.

We’ll invite residents to discuss the time that they spend in our local parks, what they appreciate about the parks, and what they would like to see improved or updated. The conversation will also consider how Elmwood Park utilizes open spaces and how further spaces could potentially be developed. (You can RSVP here.)

After receiving a state grant, the Village of Elmwood Park is constructing a new Kiddie Korral park at Dickens Avenue and 75th Court. The park has been a part of residents’ lives for 27 years, and yet as far as the newsletter can tell, very little outreach to residents has been done.

The Elmwood Park Advocate obtained plans for the Kiddie Korral redesign and will incorporate the plans into a wider discussion about what residents need and value when it comes to parks. How do we ensure that parks in the village continue to benefit residents? Should the village do more to engage residents on plans for parks and recreational spaces?

We will have coffee and bakery treats. Invite your family, friends, or neighbors, and we’ll see you at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 25.

*Note: The Elmwood Park Public Library has permitted resident-led groups to use meeting spaces as a community service. The Library neither sponsors nor endorses this event, the speaker(s), or the organization

As long as this is the school district’s policy, the Elmwood Park Advocate will republish regular board meeting videos to ensure that this information remains accessible to community residents.

Board meeting videos are posted without edits, additions, or anything removed. Aside from this voice over, this is the public record as it was created by the school district.

Subscribe now

As long as this is the school district’s policy, the Elmwood Park Advocate will republish regular board meeting videos to ensure that this information remains accessible to community residents.

Board meeting videos are posted without edits, additions, or anything removed. Aside from this voice over, this is the public record as it was created by the school district.

Subscribe now