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W E D N E S D A Y
May 24, 2023 Vol. 43, No. 43
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JOURNAL @oakpark
Funding cut from OPEDC will instead go to cover costs of staff restructuring By STACEY SHERIDAN Senior Reporter
We have four kids, seven grandkids and four great-grandkids. I want to see them grow up. And I have to stick around to help take care of Lucy.” According to Don Jensen, one of Hakes’ cycling buddies and a retired
The Oak Park village board officially cut funding for the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation during its May 22 meeting – the same meeting where a proclamation was read honoring departing OPEDC Executive Director John Lynch for his service to the village. Lynch is returning to the private sector. Trustee Cory Wesley, former OPEDC board chair, was the sole vote against the measure, which passed 5-1 with Trustee Chibuike Enyia absent from the meeting. Cutting the OPEDC’s funding is part of a wider restructuring of village staff and the remaking of the organizational chart. The steps were recommended by village staff to address the pending retirement of Tammie
See HAKES on page 16
See VILLAGE HALL on page 10
At 88, Bob Hakes isn’t taking breaks Contributing Reporter
If one were looking for a reason to continue exercising well into what is typically considered “old age,” one need look no further than Bob Hakes. At 88, Hakes is still biking 20 to 25 miles, three
Page B1
Village Hall departments reorganized
Always looking forward By JESSICA MACKINNON
Special section
of Oak Park and River Forest
SARA JANZ
days a week, and running or swimming, depending on the season, twice a week. He golfs on Thursdays. On Sundays he watches the morning news shows with his wife Lucy, because, you know, you gotta take a break sometimes. “I want to be around for a while,” said Hakes, “and I have a lot more left.
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