Oak Lawn Officials continue to ignore needs of senior population

On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, I attended a special meeting of the Oak Lawn Public Library Board at which the future of the Oak Lawn Senior Center was discussed. In attendance were Oak Lawn Library Board members, Mayor Vorderer, and approximately 25 senior residents of Oak Lawn. A presentation was made regarding the vision for space in the Oak Lawn Public Library for the seniors in place of their current space at the old McGuggan Middle School. This proposed senior area, called Encore, would be a flex space on the first floor which could be closed with a glass partition. This space, at a cost of approximately $348,000, would be approximately 2,000 square feet and could accommodate up to 135 people.

The conversations have been ongoing between the Library and the Village to create a multi-purpose space that could be used for senior events. The space as currently envisioned would not be a dedicated senior space, but would be available for use for senior programs. Library Director Carol Williams also indicated that no current library staff works on senior programming and this added space might require an additional hire.

The seniors in attendance were clearly unhappy with this proposed “solution” for a senior center. Meeting attendees voiced concerns about lack of accessible parking, limited space for large events, lack of storage space for equipment, and noise from senior events disrupting the library environment. Almost to a person, these Oak Lawn seniors indicated their desire to remain at McGuggan. One participant noted that no one planning the new space has even seen the current space, much less had conversations with seniors about how the space is currently used.

What I personally was appalled by at this meeting were Mayor Vorderer’s dismissive and, frankly, rude comments to the seniors in attendance. Were some of the public comments off topic and repetitive? Absolutely. Should the meeting have been more structured to avoid people talking over one another? Sure. But Mayor Vorderer’s comment, “If you don’t like it here, there are other options”, was rude and unacceptable. Telling a group of long-term residents who care enough to give you feedback that they should just move is deplorable.

At this meeting, one of the residents brought up monies budgeted by the 101st General Assembly in 2019 specifically for the Oak Lawn Senior Center. I did some research and found the Public Act which mentions those funds: Public Act 101-0029 (eff. 7-1-2019). On page 87, Section 530 funds $400,000 for Oak Lawn Senior Center infrastructure improvements. On page 211, Section 180 funds $500,000 for the Oak Lawn Senior Center.

I have contacted Illinois State Senator Bill Cunningham, Illinois State Representative Kelly Burke and Illinois State Representative Fran Hurley to get clarification about this $900,000 worth of grants earmarked by the state for the Oak Lawn Senior Center. Were the funds disbursed? If so, to which government body? And were those grant funds used for the purposes outlined in Public Act 1010-0029?

In 2020, 19% of the Oak Lawn population is over 65 years of age. Many are long term residents who have supported the community and paid taxes for years. Over a decade ago, seniors were promised a new home for the senior center. Now they are being offered one multipurpose room in the library which would not be dedicated to senior programming.

The senior citizens of Oak Lawn have had nothing but hollow promises and the run-around for quite some time. They deserve better. I would very much like to ensure that the grant funding allocated by the state of Illinois is accounted for and that our elected officials provide our seniors with a space that meets their needs.