District 97 School Board Member Found Dead in Melrose Park

Update: The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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Peter Traczyk, a member of the Oak Park Elementary School District 97, was found dead Saturday near West North Avenue and Riverwoods Drive.

Foul play is not suspected, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office told the Chicago Sun-Times, and the medical examiner scheduled an autopsy Sunday.

Traczyk was 48.

The Sun-Times reported he was found around 11:50 a.m. Saturday in Thatcher Woods, Melrose Park. The Chicago Tribune said he was found in Sunset Bridge Meadow, Melrose Park.

He had been a District 97 board member since 2007, according to the district website. He was running in the upcoming April 7 election for a spot on the Oak Park River Forest High School District 200 school board, according to the Cook County elections website.

Traczyk served as the District 97 board president for 2010 to 2011. He was a member of Oak Park River Forest High School’s Citizen’s Committee and Financial Advisory Committee, the District 97 website stated. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in economics.

The District 97 board of education released the following statement regarding Traczyk’s unexpected death.

“We are incredibly shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of our friend and colleague Peter Traczyk. There are no words that can truly express the enormity of this loss for our district and community,” the statement said.

“Peter was a dedicated public servant whose passion, altruism and leadership had a profound and lasting impact not only on our schools, but on the entire Village of Oak Park. We will miss his brilliance and infectious sense of humor, which left an indelible mark on all who had the great honor and privilege of serving alongside him on the board during the past eight years. We will also always remember and be inspired by the strong work ethic, integrity and tireless commitment he displayed on a daily basis. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”