The summer went by so quickly, kids are back in school, leaves are changing colors, and crisp mornings are upon us.

Recapping the summer months, the Taste of Oak Brook was another beautiful summer day. We had a great turnout again this year with approximately 20,000 + people enjoying the day. Many thanks to all of our sponsors, especially the McDonald’s Corporation, whose co-sponsorship of the Taste of Oak Brook and the fireworks display allows the Village to host this community event annually.

The 2018 Oak Brook Athlete of the Year Award winners were also recognized on stage at the Taste of Oak Brook. The Athlete of the Year Award was started by Oak Brook founder Paul Butler in 1974. Nominations are sought for outstanding senior athletes each from nine public and private high schools serving Oak Brook residents. This year, Lauren Cox from St. Ignatius was presented with the award for her exceptional participation in swimming, and Jacob Mondeschean from Montini High School, was presented with the award for his extraordinary participation in cross country and track and field. The names of each winner are engraved on a trophy that is on display at the Oak Brook Park District Family Recreation Center. Each winner receives a certificate and is recognized by the Village Board at a Board meeting with a proclamation plaque.

Despite the couple of rainouts this year, Polo in Oak Brook has once again been a great success. Pineoak Partners welcomed several international teams and outstanding themes for polo matches. The final two matches will be held on September 22nd with the United States Polo Association (USPA) Board of Governors Match and September 23rd hosting the United States Polo Association for the U.S. Open Polo Alumni Match here in Oak Brook.

For the past year, the Village Board has been listening to the residents living around the Oak Brook Hills Hotel in Westmont. They have voiced concerns regarding the traffic congestion that might have been generated with the construction of the Aquatic Natatorium and the seven story apartment complex located on the property. I am happy to inform the residents that the Natatorium has been relocated farther south to Ty Warner Park. If and when the apartment development comes forward again to the Village of Westmont, it would have to go through an entire new approval process as the development has now changed without the natatorium.

The Board recently held a Committee of the Whole Meeting to receive input on the 2018 Commercial Areas Revitalization Draft Plan prior to sending it on the Plan Commission for the public hearing. The meeting was very well attended. Both residents and members of the business community offered input about the plan document. The Plan was commissioned to update our Commercial Areas along the 22nd Street corridor and other vital areas as we move into the future enabling Oak Brook to retain and attract a vibrant business community. However, all new developments or re-developments will have to be well thought out, measured, and shaped so as not to affect the uniqueness, natural beauty, and tranquility of Oak Brook. Additionally, new projects adjacent to residential areas will require that we sit down with the neighboring residents so to address their concerns, and then have an open dialogue with all involved in an attempt to reach an amicable consensus. The Plan Commission will discuss the plan in the upcoming months and then it will come back to the Village Board for final approval.

As we put together this newsletter, staff is busy crunching numbers for the 2019 budget. Two budget meetings will be held in November and are open to anyone who wishes to attend. Visit our website for meeting dates and times.

As always, the Trustees, the staff, and I are available to you at all times. We are here to serve you. Feel free to call, email or meet any of us if you have any thoughts, ideas or concerns.

Kind regards,

Gopal G. Lalmalani, M.D., M.B.A