Message from Mayor Grasso Regarding Facility Needs & Financing

I would like your input on the Village's space needs. Two separate studies have concluded that we must construct either a new police facility or Village Hall and that the current combined facility cannot be expanded in a cost effective manner to house both. The interior of the current facility can be renovated. The Trustees and I have left “no stone unturned” in deciding how best to meet and finance these needs; including my request to study consolidation of police forces with Willowbrook in a building along Madison Street that appeared to offer significant facility and operational savings. That study did not convince the Trustees that consolidation was the best answer. Thus, the two options left us are: renovation of the interior of the current facility plus construction of either a (1) new Police facility or (2) Village Hall, on village property immediately south of the existing facility along County Line Road. Either option will be very expensive to build.

Cost estimates for either a new police facility or Village Hall are in the $9 million range with renovation of the current facility in the range of $1.0 to $2.0 million. In November 2006, residents approved a ½% sales tax increase to help fund a possible new police facility, hire additional police officers, purchase additional police equipment and help balance future year budgets. The Board instituted half of that increase (¼%) and will consider whether to institute the other half in July, 2009. We have allocated those funds so far to hire two additional police officers, purchase police equipment and otherwise balance the budget. However, the issue of a new police facility (renovate the Village Hall), or vice versa, remains. So does the larger issue: how to best finance either option. Because of overall declining sales taxes in the Village from all businesses, rising costs facing all municipal governments, and the seemingly astronomical costs of constructing either new facility, the sales tax increase, including sales tax projections from the Village Center, is not expected to cover the cost to finance construction of a new facility and renovate the existing building.

The Board is considering both options and financing choices that include a combination of bonds, proceeds from one-time contribution from each condominium unit at the Village Center (see the article below), use of existing equity and the sale of Village-owned properties.

I would appreciate your comments on any aspect of this important process, especially the fundamental question: Assuming costs to be substantially equal, should the Village build a new police facility and renovate the existing combined building for a Village Hall, or build a new Village Hall and renovate the existing space for the police? Please call or write me at: (630) 654-4500 or ggrasso@grassolaw.com. Thank you for your time and consideration of these matters.

Sign up for E-Briefs

Village E-mail Alerts are Coming Soon!  Would you like to receive weekly e-mail alerts from the Village of Burr Ridge with information on current and future events, programs and meetings? Sign up for E-Briefs by sending an e-mail today to enroll@burr-ridge.gov. Please include the words “E-Briefs” in your subject line and provide your name, mailing address and e-mail address in the content of the e-mail. E-Briefs will begin May 1st.

Sidewalk Improvements Planned for 2008

The Village of Burr Ridge is pleased to report that substantial sidewalk improvements are scheduled for construction this summer.  2008 proposed sidewalk improvements will include the following projects:

83rd Street Sidewalk:

A new sidewalk will be constructed on the south side of 83^rd Street between S. Frontage Road and County Line Road.  This project will be largely funded through federal grant funds which have been awarded to the Village for this purpose.  The sidewalk is expected to be under construction in late spring, and completed by early summer.  Plans will be available for public viewing; please contact Village Engineer, Paul May for more information (630) 323-4733.  This project will also be presented at the March 13 Pathway Commission meeting, which will be held at 7:00 PM at Village Hall.

County Line Road and 91st Street:

91st Street:

County Line Road:

Village Receives Complaints Regarding Solicitation on Behalf of "Burr Ridge Police Association"

Recently, the Village has received multiple complaints from residents that they are being solicited over the telephone and in-person for donations under the guise of the "Burr Ridge Police Association."  Some residents have reported threats and other aggressive behaviors by these solicitors and have requested police assistance on numerous occasions.  If residents or businesses are being threatened or unduly pressured they should dial 9-1-1 for assistance. 

It is our understanding that the Metropolitan Alliance of Police, under the guise of the "Burr Ridge Police Association", is once again soliciting residents and businesses for contributions.  Please be aware that neither the Village of Burr Ridge nor the Burr Ridge Police Department is involved in or condones this action.  The "Burr Ridge Police Association" is essentially a local affiliate of a police union known as the Metropolitan Alliance of Police (M.A.P.).  Members of the Burr Ridge Police Department are not allowed to participate in solicitations of this type.

Any contribution to this organization (M.A.P.), as with any other, should be made freely and openly on the basis of an informed, individual choice and should not be made as a result of undue pressure, lack of understanding of the nature of the group, misrepresentation or any other form of harassment. If residents or businesses have been contacted by this organization and feel that they have been misinformed or harassed in any way, it is suggested that they call the organization and ask for their money back. Also, it is suggested that they ask for the name of the person to whom they are speaking, so, if misstatements are made, they can be attributed back to those individuals responsible.

Burr Ridge has a fine and dedicated Police Department. Please be assured that they are well paid, well equipped and well trained.  For example:

• The Village has recently completed negotiations for a new contract that provides for an increase in the maximum salary for Police Officers of 17% over a four-year period.

• Effective May 1, 2007 the current salary range for Police Officers is $49,590 - $71,904. This will increase again by 4.25% beginning May 1, 2008.  The current salary range for Police Corporals is $52,577 - $77,271 and Sergeants is $58,502 - $84,844.

• The average salary of a Burr Ridge Police Officer in fiscal year 2007-08 is over $65,071, with half of all officers at the top of the pay range ($71,904).  All Corporals and Sergeants are at the top of the pay range.

• In addition, on average Officers make over $7,500 per year in overtime, Corporals $15,000 and Sergeants $12,000.

• The Village pays 90% of employee and 75% of dependents’ health and dental insurance for each employee.  In addition, the Village pays for a $50,000 life insurance policy for each employee.

• The Village supplies each Officer with a weapon, bulletproof vest and uniforms upon employment, and an additional $550 per year in the form of a uniform allowance.

• Based on requests from our Officers, the Village budgeted $6,000 in education/tuition reimbursements for Police Department employees in fiscal year 2007-08.  Also, the Police Department's training budget for fiscal year 2007-08 is $35,000.

• Burr Ridge Officers, Corporals and Sergeants participant in an excellent pension plan that allows them to retire as early as age 50 with 20 years of service.

• Total Police Department personnel costs per sworn employee for Fiscal Year 2007-08 are as follows:

Cook County Offers Free Prescription Discount Card

Cook County has launched a prescription discount card program in association with the National Association of Counties (NACo) that offers average savings of 20% off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.  The Cook County prescription discount card offers significant savings for uninsured and underinsured residents of the County, and even those fortunate to have prescription coverage can use the card to save money on drugs that are not covered by their health plan. 

What are the benefits? 

To learn more, visit www.caremark.com/naco to look up a participating pharmacy, a price estimate for your prescription, check drug interactions or read news articles from leading health journals.  You can also call toll free 1-877-321-2652.

Veterans Memorial Committee Shares Progress

Local residents may have noticed that the Burr Ridge Veterans Memorial fund raising “thermometer” located at Plainfield and County Line Roads has been moving up in recent months.  The Committee has shared that it has raised nearly $200,000 towards its goal of $270,000. 

“We are delighted with the progress we have made toward this goal in the last year. We are so thankful for the many donors who have supported the Memorial,” shared Committee Chair Tim Vaclav.

The project received two big boosts when it received the proceeds from the 50^th anniversary celebration of the Village. This totaled approximately $50,000, raised through the sale of banners and the proceeds from the anniversary dinner/dance and raffle.   “Like the committee, I, too, believe that all veterans from all branches of the military, whether they served during times of peace or conflict, deserve a Memorial in our community. It will be a very special place,” said Mayor Gary Grasso.

A recent gift of $25,000, from Maurice “Hank” Greenberg, CEO of C.V. Starr & Co. in New York, helped moved the thermometer to the “Navy” level.  Committee member, Stephen Zaher, an Army Ranger veteran of WWII, learned that Mr. Greenberg also served as a Ranger in the War.  Zaher wrote him a letter about the Memorial and Mr. Greenberg called him.  “He asked me if I knew the commanding officer of the 5^th Battalion, to which I replied, Lt. Colonel Max Schneider,” said Zaher.  Greenberg said, “You’re right!”  I was just testing you to see if you were for real. I am going to send a $25,000 contribution.”   

This support has been most heartening for the members of the Committee and the drive is on to finish the fund raising soon.  Donors of $1,000 or more will receive permanent recognition at the Memorial and donations of any amount are gratefully received.  Commemorative bricks are available for purchase for $100.

“We want to see that thermometer reach the top so we can get the construction going,” shared Vaclav who can be reached at 630-323-8181.  Contributions may be sent to the Burr Ridge Veterans Memorial, 80 Burr Ridge Parkway, PMB #132, Burr Ridge, Illinois 60527.

DuPage County Offers Free Prescription Discount Card

DuPage County is pleased to announce the creation of a new and innovative program that will provide residents with some relief from the high costs of prescription drugs. This new program - called “DuPage Rx” - helps consumers save money on their prescription medications any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance.   

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Village Board Smoking Ban Ordinance

BURR RIDGE VILLAGE CODE

Chapter 44 added by Ordinance 1067, dated April 10, 2006

Sec. 44.01 - Findings                      

A.         Secondhand smoke, which contains 4,000 chemicals, 63 of which cause cancer, is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and the National Cancer Institute determined in 2000 (Monograph #10) that secondhand smoke is responsible for the early deaths of as many as 65,000 Americans annually.

B.         Numerous studies have found that tobacco smoke is a major contributor to indoor air pollution, and that breathing secondhand smoke (also known as environmental tobacco smoke) is a cause of disease in healthy nonsmokers, including heart disease, strokes, respiratory disease, and lung cancer.

C.         The Public Health Service’s National Toxicology Program has listed secondhand smoke as a known carcinogen (U.S. DHHS, 2000, citing Cal. EPA, 1997).

D.         The ills of smoking and secondhand smoke are well documented in all of the independent medical studies and secondhand smoke is particularly hazardous to elderly people, individuals with cardiovascular disease, and individuals with impaired respiratory function, including asthmatics and those with obstructive airway disease.

E.         Children exposed to secondhand smoke have an increased risk of asthma, respiratory infections, sudden death syndrome, development abnormalities, and cancer.

F.         The Americans With Disabilities Act, which requires that disabled persons have access to public places and workplaces, deems impaired respiratory function to be a disability.

G.         (1)       The U.S. Surgeon General has determined that the simple separation of smokers and nonsmokers within the same air space may reduce, but does not eliminate, the exposure of nonsmokers to secondhand smoke; (2) the Environmental Protection Agency has determined that secondhand smoke cannot be reduced to safe levels in businesses by high rates of ventilation; (3) air cleaners, which are only capable of filtering the particulate matter and odors in smoke, do not eliminate the known toxins in secondhand smoke; (4) American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) bases its ventilation standards on totally smoke-free environments because it cannot determine a safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, which contains cancer-causing chemicals, and ASHRAE acknowledges that the technology does not exist that can remove from the air chemicals that cause cancer.

H.         A recently promulgated ASHRAE Position Document on Environmental Tobacco Smoke concludes that, at present, the only means of eliminating health risks associated with indoor exposure is to ban all smoking activity.

I.          The ASHRAE Position Document further concludes that no current ventilation, air cleaning or other technologies have been demonstrated to control health risks from environmental tobacco smoke exposure in spaces where smoking occurs.

J.          A significant amount of secondhand smoke exposure occurs in the workplace, and employees who work in smoke-filled businesses suffer a 25% to 50% higher risk of heart attack and higher rates of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as increased acute respiratory disease and a measurable decrease in lung function

K.         Smoke-filled workplaces result in higher worker absenteeism due to respiratory disease, lower productivity, higher cleaning and maintenance costs, increased health insurance rates and increased liability claims for diseases related to exposure to secondhand smoke.

L.         Numerous economic analyses examining restaurant and hotel receipts and controlling for economic variables have shown either no difference or a positive economic impact after enactment of laws requiring workplaces to be smoke-free

M.        Creation of smoke-free workplaces is sound economic policy and provides the maximum level of employee health and safety.

N.        Smoking is a potential cause of fires, cigarette and cigar burns and ash stains on merchandise and fixtures, and contributes to the economic damage of businesses.

O.         The Mayor and Board of Trustees find and declare that the purposes of this Chapter are (1) to protect the public health and welfare by prohibiting smoking in all public places and places of employment, and (2) to guarantee the right of nonsmokers to breathe smoke-free air which shall have priority over the desire to smoke.

Sec. 44.02 - Definitions

Open Air Dining Area:  Any seating area within the Village open to the air that is accessory to a restaurant, hotel, cafeteria, club, or other public place engaged in purveying commercial food or beverage service where members of the public, members or guests are invited to sit and receive food and beverage service for a consideration.

Outdoor Venue:  Any outdoor theater, amphitheater, plaza, street, or other improved area that is used as a public venue or forum to which members of the general public are invited to listen, view or otherwise participate in an outdoor event within the Village.

Park:  Any public park or recreation area within the Village that is open to and used by the general public.

Picnic:  Any gathering of 6 or more persons, when a permit is issued to the group for such purpose by the Park District.

Public Place:  Any open air dining area (as defined herein), park (as defined herein), outdoor venue (as defined herein), or enclosed indoor area used by the general public and/or to which the general public is invited or permitted, or which serves as a place of employment, including but not limited to:

A.         Health care facilities, nursing homes, food service establishments, restaurants, taverns/bars, retail food stores, banquet halls, commercial establishments, indoor theatres, libraries, museums, concert halls, public conveyances, educational facilities, auditoriums, arenas, common or public areas of condominium buildings and health care facilities (including nursing home care facilities), Laundromats, public transportation facilities, marketing establishments, educational facilities, retail stores, convention facilities, bingo facilities, galleries, shopping malls, arenas and meeting rooms, polling places, school or other government buildings, offices and office buildings, factories, warehouses and other places of work.

B.         Restrooms, lobbies, reception areas, hallways, offices, elevators, and other common areas.

C.         Meeting places, meeting or conference rooms, cafeterias, room chambers, places of public assembly, offices used by more than one employee, residences (other than single-family detached homes) used as a day care facility.

D.         Taxis and vehicles of public conveyance.

E.         Facilities used for exhibiting a motion picture, stage, drama, lecture, musical recital or other similar performance.

A public place does NOT include:

A.         Private single-family detached residences except where used as a day care facility.

B.         Rooms rented for the purposes of living or sleeping quarters.

Sec. 44.03 - Village-owned Facilities

All enclosed vehicles and facilities, including without limitation buildings and vehicles owned, leased or operated by the Village of Burr Ridge, shall be subject to the provisions of this Chapter 44

Sec. 44.04 - Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places

Smoking shall be prohibited in all enclosed public places and places of employment within the Village of Burr Ridge                       

Sec. 44.05 - Prohibition of Smoking in Unenclosed Public Places and Outdoor Venues

A.         It is unlawful to smoke in the following unenclosed public places and/or events:

1.         The seating areas of all outdoor arenas, stadiums and amphitheaters.

2.         Public parks and recreation areas within 15 feet of any play area, any playground, or any scheduled activity group of any kind including but not limited to a game, show, party, event or similar activity, but excluding, however, parades and picnics.

3.         School grounds.

4.         Public sidewalks within 15 feet of a public entrance, but excluding any person who is temporarily in such area for the purpose of walking or traversing through such area.

5.         Public sidewalks within 15 feet of an open air dining area, but excluding any person who is temporarily in such area for the purpose of walking or traversing through such area.

6.         At any scheduled outdoor event to which the public is permitted or invited, including but not limited to games, shows, festivals, parties or any similar event or activity, excluding, however, parades and picnics.

B.         It is unlawful to smoke in or within 15 feet of an outdoor venue during the time that an outdoor event is taking place.

Sec. 44.06 - Prohibition of Smoking in Open Air Dining.

A.         It is unlawful to smoke in any open air dining area.

B.         It is unlawful for the owner or other person in control of an open air dining area knowingly to permit smoking in that open air dining area.

C.         It is unlawful to smoke within 15 feet of an open air dining area.

Sec. 44.07 - Reasonable Distance 

Smoking is prohibited within fifteen feet (15’) of any entrance to an enclosed area in which smoking is prohibited.

Sec. 44.08 - Declaration of Establishment as Non-smoking

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter 44, an owner, operator, manager or other person in control of an establishment, facility or outdoor area may declare that entire establishment, facility or outdoor area as a non-smoking place.

Sec. 44.09 - Non-retaliation

No person or employer shall discharge, refuse to hire or in any manner retaliate against an employee, applicant for employment or customer because that employee, applicant or customer exercises any rights afforded by this Chapter or reports or attempts to prosecute a violation of this Chapter.

Sec. 44.10 - Violations and Penalties

A.         A person who smokes in an area where smoking is prohibited by this Chapter 44 shall be guilty of an infraction, punishable by a fine not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the first violation, fifty dollars ($50.00) for the second violation and one hundred dollars ($100) for all subsequent violations.

B.         A person who owns, manages, operates or otherwise controls a public place or place of employment and who fails to comply with the provisions of this Chapter shall be guilty of an infraction, punishable by:

1.         A fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) for the first violation.

2.         A fine not more than five hundred dollars ($500) for the second violation within one (1) year of the first violation.

3.         A fine not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for each additional violation within one (1) year and a sixty (60) day suspension or revocation of any permit or license issued to the person for the premises on which the violation occurred.

C.         Each day on which a violation of this Chapter occurs shall be considered a separate and distinct violation.

Sec. 44.11 - Other Applicable Laws

This Chapter shall not be interpreted or be construed to permit smoking where it is otherwise restricted by other applicable laws.

Sec. 44.12 - Severability

If any provision, clause, sentence or paragraph of this Chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall be held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions of this Chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Chapter are declared to be severable.

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Sprinkling Restrictions May 15 - September 15

The approach of spring means the beginning of lawn sprinkling restrictions that are required for all communities receiving water from Lake Michigan.

Lawn sprinkling is permitted 18 hours per day, three days per week, with sprinkling hours regulated May 15 through September 15.  We appreciate your full cooperation in complying with the following regulations governing lawn sprinkling:

Remember! Taking full advantage of hours when lawn sprinkling is permitted could result in higher bi-monthly water bills.  For information on current water rates, read our Administrator's budget message regarding the debt service fund.

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You can now obtain a copy of the Employment Application online.   Click here for the pdf file.  Don't have adobe acrobat reader?  Click here to download a copy.  PLEASE NOTE: This application should not be submitted for Police Officer positions.  See the listing below for more information.