Board Meeting: Final Redevelopment Plan Presented, Filming Standards in Revision

Also: modification to Mécénat hours approved, updates on roadway construction and Ridgewood fire station.

Board/Voting Meeting: Outdoor Liquor Hours Debate, Police Chief Receives Certification

Also: note about assessments, repavings around town and landscaping around the Ridgewood fire station.

Combined Board Meeting Rescheduled for July 18

After power outages forced a cancellation on Monday, the Board of Trustees have also cancelled the July 25th meeting and called a combined meeting on the 18th.

Storm Strips Village of Power Again, Cancels Board Meeting

A ComEd spokesman called the storm "the worst in decades" for power outages; nearly a million ComEd customers lost power.

Cook County Unveils 'Transparency, Accountability' Program

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced county departments will set and track goals through the STAR system.

Federal Building Renamed for Former Congressman Bill Lipinski

The Western Springs-based former representative’s name will grace the Federal Railroad Retirement Board Building in honor of his work on transportation issues.

Plan Commission Unanimously Approves Redevelopment Plan

While some residents continue to voice concern over aspects of the vision, the Commission moves forward towards officially adopting the plan.

Voting Meeting: Rec Center Improvements, Music Makers Rezoning Approved

Also: new form of tax assessments hinted at, several bids awarded for various projects.

Public Works: Tree Debris to Be Picked Up This Week

In a message sent out using the Village’s emergency notifications system, the Public Works Department announces that all remaining branches will be picked up over the course of the week.

Western Springs' Mosquito Fighting Efforts Underway

Village works with Desplaines Valley Mosquito Abatement District on treating pests

Board Meeting: Graduating Peer Jury Recognized, WSBA Scholarships

Minor details dominate rest of meeting, the first full one for new trustees.

Plan Commission Continues Tweaking Village's Downtown Redevelopment Plan

After about two and half years of creating a Downtown Redevelopment Plan, the city is nearly finished.

Controversial New Music Makers Building Approved

After a traffic study and promises for specific restrictions on traffic flow, the Western Springs Plan Commission has approved the building construction.

Cook County to Issue Civil Union Licenses June 1

County clerk offices across Illinois will open early next week to celebrate the bill going into effect.

What the 2010 Census Tells Us

Jump in Hispanic population saves Illinois from population loss.

Voting Meeting: Three New Trustees Sworn In, Lawn Avenue Vacancy Passes

The newest trustees joined the Village Board on Monday as three others stepped down; also, several votes are passed.

Board Meeting: Declassified 2010 Minutes Show Lawsuit Threat from Pleasantview

Also: fence heights, Forest Hills sidewalk, SSN protection plan and president’s plea to oppose funding cuts.

Redevelopment Plan Would Substantially Alter Village Downtown Over 15 Years

Guidelines for development are laid out; next public hearing on the plan will be May 31st.

Final Election Results and Notes for Western Springs

The final results, plus highest and lowest neighborhood turnouts and some interesting notes on vote counts.

Concerned Field Park Residents Delay Plan for New Music Makers Building

Locals with homes near the proposed site expressed worries about parking and traffic overloads, convincing the Plan Commission to recommend a study.

Board Meeting: Redevlopment Plan, Music Makers Building Proposed, South Fire Station Staffing

Also: FEMA blizzard grant, SJC festival moves forward, Public Works announcements.

Turf Field Referendum Soundly Defeated At Polls

Pars, Sprague Jr. fall short in bids to serve on school boards.

Taxpayer Advocates Call For Civic Engagement

In Day Five of our series, Patch shares what elected officials and advocates wish Cook County residents would do.

Local Taxing Bodies Find Profit in Cooperatives

In Day Four of our series, Patch gives you the inside scoop on powerful organizations you may not know exist within the world of property taxes.

Exemptions 'Tinker' with Your Homeowner Property Tax

In Day Three of our series, Patch explains the reasons why you may be paying more than your neighbor in residential property tax.

Voting Meeting: BOLI Approves Funds to Finish Timber Trails Unit 1

Reverse-osmosis plant moves forward, cars purchased for police department, raffle license fee voted in; board holds executive session to discuss litigation.

VIDEO: Understanding Your Cook County Property Taxes

In this week-long series, Patch takes Cook County property owners on an adventure into the world of taxes and their impact on you.

Ridgewood Fire Station Update: Exterior Site Work About to Begin

Interior nearly completed; workers hope for ahead-of-schedule grand opening in mid-May.

Referendum Meeting on Synthetic Field Tax Raise Shows Mostly Support for Proposal

New information came to light as residents questioned the Park Board and a TurfField spokesman about specifics of the proposed referendum.

Board Meeting: Is Your March Madness Bracket Technically Illegal?

Trustees tackle the tricky issue of how to keep village code in line with state law without crossing over into absurdity, and also discuss future of former Vaughn’s.

Everything You Need to Know About the Spring Rock Turf Field Referendum

In preparation for Tuesday’s referendum meeting, here’s a distillation of the most important information about the synthetic-field proposal and its proposed property-tax raise.

Voting Meeting: Chicken Controversy, Local Heroes Honored, Garden Club Recognized

Also: liquor licenses approved for Mecenat, $168K for south fire station, $125K fiber-optic cable plan codified, $90K for tree-removal service and $95K for well reconstruction.

Board Meeting: Business Zoning in Commonwealth, Ogden Crossing, Work on 'Well No. 4'

Changes in poultry regulations, liquor license application, big kudos for excellent job with snow removal.