A lot can happen in a year — and Park Ridge had its share of memorable events that dominated the headlines in 2023. Here’s a look at the stories that garnered our attention in the last 12 months.
Pickwick Theatre Drama: The Pickwick Theatre, Park Ridge’s 1928 art-deco masterpiece, was scheduled to show its last film on Jan. 12, as co-owners Dino Vlahakis and Dave Loomos had announced their retirement a month earlier. But soon after their intention became public, interest arose from other operators hoping to keep the theater running. In July, it was announced that the Copernicus Foundation would lead a new arrangement, dubbed Copernicus @ The Pickwick.
While Vlahakis and Loomos still own the building, the plan called for the Copernicus Center to organize the entertainment at the theater’s 900-seat main auditorium. The other four smaller theaters in the building continue to show movies. The plan for the future is expected to include a split between films and live events during the first year of operations, with a greater emphasis on live theater moving forward, including Broadway-style musicals and shows, according to the new management team. In October, the Park Ridge City Council tentatively approved the sale of alcohol for specific events at the Pickwick.
Maine South Football Forfeits Games: In March, Maine South High School was sanctioned by the Illinois High School Association, causing them to forfeit the results of their 2022 football season because of using ineligible players who lived outside of the school’s attendance boundaries. The action caused Maine South to invalidate nine victories from the 2022 season, including two playoff games. The program was also placed on probation through the 2023-2024 season. “We fully support the IHSA and accept the sanctions,” said District 207 Superintendent Ken Wallace. “Along with Maine South football coach David Inserra, we will work diligently to ensure this never happens again. Coach Inserra is a dedicated educator and coach, and we know that he will work tirelessly with us to eliminate this issue.”
Chicago Police Sergeant Acquitted in Aggravated Battery Trial: In a case that made national news, Chicago Police Sgt. Michael Vitellaro was acquitted of official misconduct and aggravated battery after a three-day trial in June. During an incident that happened a year earlier, the off-duty Vitellaro was accused of overreacting with rage when his son’s bike was stolen. He saw a teen handling the bike outside of a Starbucks in Park Ridge and wrestled the then-14-year-old to the ground and pinned him to the sidewalk. Prosecutors charged him with two counts of official misconduct and another of aggravated battery, and he was found not guilty of all three counts by Judge Paul Pavlus in Cook County Circuit Court. Later in June after the criminal trial, the boy’s family filed a lawsuit in civil court against Vitellaro and the Chicago Police Department.
Park Ridge Park District to Raise Taxes 6.01%: In November, the Park Ridge Park District announced its plans to raise its tax levy 6.01% from the previous year. The additional money will go toward repairs and additions to the district’s parks and facilities, including Hinkley Park, Centennial Park and South Park.
Cannabis Dispensary Opens: The Park Ridge City Council has undertaken much debate about opening a cannabis dispensary since Illinois permitted recreational cannabis in 2019. In September, the first facility officially opened its doors when Sociale, 1036 West Higgins Road, held its grand opening. A second dispensary, planned for 10 West Higgins Road, was also granted a permit after much contentious debate in the summer of 2022. However, due to delays, the window for the permit closed. If the owner decides to proceed with the project, he would need to go through the entire approval process again to get re-approved at this location.
New Police Chief: In September, Robert Kampwirth was sworn in as the new police chief of Park Ridge. He received unanimous approval from the aldermen on city council after serving as interim chief since the retirement of Frank Kaminski in May. “What I want to do is work with the community to find solutions,” he told the Pioneer Press at his swearing in. “I want to collaborate with community groups, community partners, and parents, especially if you’re talking about kids, schools, things like that, to work together.”
District 64 Superintendent Resigns: In January, Park Ridge-Niles Community Consolidated School District 64 Superintendent Eric Olson resigned, citing “irreconcilable differences” between himself and the Board of Education. He served through the end of the school year, and his resignation was effective on June 30. On July 1, Ben Collins, the former principal of Maine South High School, took over as the new superintendent of District 64.
District 207 Hires New Superintendent: Maine Township High School District 207 also hired a new superintendent this year. Superintendent Ken Wallace will retire at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, and the Board of Education announced Dec. 20 that his replacement will be Dr. Tatiana Bonuma, who currently serves as the deputy superintendent in Leyden High School District 212.
Changes in City Council: In the April 4 elections for Park Ridge City Council, Joseph Steinfels was elected to be the new 5th Ward Alderman, replacing outgoing Ald. Charlie Melidosian. In the 7th Ward, Mwende Lefler won election for the first time after being appointed in July 2022 to replace Ald. Marty Joyce, who moved out of the area and resigned. 1st Ward Ald. John Moran ran unopposed and retained his seat on the council, while Maureen “Kelly” Gannon Lawerence joined the city council after winning her 3rd Ward race, also running unopposed. She succeeded Ald. Gail Wilkening, who retired this year.
Rash of Street Signs Stolen: In about two weeks between March and April, between 20 and 30 street signs were stolen from around Park Ridge, typically the amount removed in an entire year. City officials were unsure who took the signs or why, but public works employees quickly replaced them.
Maine East Completes $85 Renovation: In September, students returning to Maine East High School saw the results of three years of renovations completed at the school, costing about $85 million. The projects were funded by a 2018 referendum, and included an updating of the school’s HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, new flooring and lighting throughout the building, and an expanded cafeteria, which allows the 1,800 student body to eat lunch within two school periods.
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More Pickleball Courts Coming: In February, Park Ridge Park District Commissioners approved a proposal to add to the number of pickleball courts in the area. Two tennis courts at Northeast Park will be converted to pickleball courts to accommodate the growing interest in the sport.
Maine South’s ‘Addams Family’ Wins Best Production in Illinois: In May, Maine South High School’s theatrical production of “The Addams Family” was awarded Best Production in the state of Illinois by Broadway in Chicago.
City Council Rejects 11-Unit Building: The Park Ridge City Council unanimously rejected an 11-unit commercial and residential development envisioned in the city’s South Park neighborhood on the 800 block of West Talcott Road. The owner of the property, which is currently a parking lot, planned to market luxury apartment units to empty nesters looking to stay in the area. The City Council was asked to approve the project as a planned unit development, also called a PUD, but aldermen worried that doing so would lower the city’s standards for what kind of development could or could not use this type of application.
“I don’t want Park Ridge to be seen as a place where we don’t have any standards,” said 2nd Ward Ald. Fred Sanchez. “A PUD should not be used as a means to circumvent our normal zoning code, and I feel like that’s exactly what’s happening here.”