Village Notes: Foreclosure Prevention Meeting, Vehicle Stickers Due

The following is a collection of announcements from the official Western Springs Village website:

IFPN meeting in Berwyn

The State of Illinois has created the new Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN) to help advise homeowners who are facing potential foreclosures. The IFPN will be holding its first meeting on Saturday, Mar. 31 at Morton West High School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

IFPN's services include counseling, legal advice, mortgage payment assistance and tips for avoiding fraud. More information is available at the IFPN website, in this IFPN brochure, or by calling the IFPN hotline at 855-533-7411.

Vehicle sticker purchase

Vehicle stickers for 2012-2013 must be displayed by April 2 to avoid penalty fees.

Stickers can be purchased at Village Hall during ordinary hours (Mon-Thu 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Fri 7:30 a.m.-noon) or at a special opening on Saturday, Mar. 31 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. They can also be purchased online through this location.

Shared-services proposal sought

The Village of Western Springs, along with neighboring La Grange and La Grange Park, have tentatively agreed to support a shared-services agreement for coordinating police, fire and EMS services and dispatch capability. The three villages are now seeking a proposal from "interested and qualified public-safety consultants" for conducting a feasibility study on the concept.

"The anticipated Feasibility Study will evaluate the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of consolidating the public safety dispatching functions of all three Villages," read the official request on the Village website. "Additionally the Feasibility Study will include detailed costs and benefits of the consolidation and a related implementation plan for the recommended solution."

Complete details for submitting proposals can be found in this document.

Neighborhood Watch program

Neighborhood Watch programs have been developing in Western Springs over the last few years. Programs bind residents together to work with each other and with the "to reduce crime, solve problems and improve the quality of life in your neighborhood."

People interested in starting a neighborhood watch in their own Western Springs neighborhood should contact Officer Danielle Stevens of the WSPD at dstevens@wsprings.com or at 708-246-8540.

Openlands proposal information

A special page on the Village website has been set up to be devoted to information about Timber Trails Unit II and to preserve the undeveloped land as a park.

The page includes multiple letters sent from Village staff to Openlands, along with background information like annexation resolutions from 2004 (with the phrase "economically self-supporting" highlighted,) the subdivision plat (planned development) and the Unit II notice of sale from 2007.

Red Light Photo Enforcement FAQs

Answers to a number of frequently-asked questions about the Village's Red Light Photo Enforcement program are available on the Village's website. An informational brochure about the program is also available.

Additional questions can be directed to WSPD Deputy Chief Brian Budds at 708-246-8540.