'Raucous' Music Outside LTHS South Campus: Neighbor

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – A neighbor of Lyons Township High School's South Campus complained this week about "raucous, superfluous music."

Ruthann Vihon, who lives in the 4700 block of Howard Avenue, spoke to the Lyons Township High School board.

Her house is near South Campus' baseball and football fields.

Vihon, who served on the school board in the 1990s, said she was there when the school installed lights at Bennett football field.

"At that time, members of the athletic department and the administration worked with neighbors regarding parking and noise concerns," Vihon said. "In fact, members of the athletic department put up temporary parking signs each home game until permanent signs were installed."

She asked the board to ensure the school remains a "conscientious" neighbor committed to following the village's noise regulations.

She also requested the board respect the commitments of its predecessors on the use of Bennett Field and surrounding athletic fields.

"We're asking that the recent addition of raucous, superfluous music such as that being played during various sports practices such as baseball be curtailed," Vihon said.

She also said the school should share with neighbors its policies for the use of another "potentially disruptive addition to our living environment" – a new video scoreboard at the football field.

"As with most matters of change, considerate and inclusive communication may be the key," she said.

The school board doesn't respond to public comments during its meetings.