EVERGREEN PARK, IL—As Election Day approaches, I want to speak directly to my fellow parents here in Evergreen Park—the ones rushing between after-school pickup, sports practices, and homework dinners. In the middle of our busy daily lives, we have a critical decision on the Nov. 3 ballot that will define the future of our village for decades: the referendum for a new Central Middle School.
Take a moment to think back to your childhood. Most of us grew up attending schools that were built, maintained, and funded by a previous generation of adults who invested in us. They made sacrifices so that we could learn in safe, modern, and modern-equipped classrooms. Today, it is our turn to pay that legacy forward. Our kids deserve the same modern educational environment that was provided for us.
I know that bringing up property taxes is always a sensitive topic, especially when every household budget is carefully managed. But we need to look at the bigger picture. The temporary financial sting of a modest tax adjustment passes quickly, but the permanent damage of neglecting our school infrastructure lasts for generations.
If we fail to build a school that meets basic modern standards, the consequences won't stay inside the classroom. Failing infrastructure drags down home equity, weakens community safety, and erodes the civic pride that makes Evergreen Park such a special place to raise a family. Strong, modern schools anchor property values for every homeowner on every block—period.
It is not enough for us just to cast our own "Yes" votes. We need every parent in District 124 to talk to two or three neighbors this week. Talk to the empty nesters on your block, talk to your friends at the park, and remind them why this investment matters.
Our children and EP itself are counting on us to show up for them at the ballot box. Let's do our duty, protect our community's future, and Vote YES for a new Central Middle School on November 3rd.
Tim Scanlon
Citizens for a New Central Middle School
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