Established 1958

Thanks to the advocacy efforts of Yorkville Alderman Joel Frieders, for the last two years, Hickory Hills has proudly proclaimed September as National Suicide Prevention and Action Month.  

In publicly discussing suicide, the entire community – from elected and appointed officials, city employees, first responders, to residents – is reminded of the importance of breaking the silence of stigma surrounding mental health.

Mayor Howley encourages everyone to remember that IT’S OK NOT TO BE OK, and that help is available. Visit hftd.org/find-help and type in your zip code for a list of vetted social services, including the local mental health resources in the Hickory Hills community.

To learn more about The National Suicide Prevention and Action Month Proclamation Project (NSPAMP), visit hftd.org/nspamp.

Full story available in the Hickory Hills Citizen

Despite the rain and gloom of the day, staff members and students from Shepard High School gathered the morning of Friday, September 11 for a socially-distanced remembrance of 9/11.

U.S. Air Force JROTC instructors Major (ret.) Dan Johnson and MSGT (ret.) Chris Saberniak organized a poignant ceremony that also served as lesson in history: None of their students had been born when the terrorist attacks happened.

The JROTC colorguard brought students to attention to start the ceremony. As trumpet players from the Shepard marching band performed ‘Taps,’ JROTC students lowered the American flag to half-staff while classmates saluted.

Students Nick Bucio, Kiana Gonzalez, Julia Sinisi and Chanel Talbott then took turns reading the presidential proclamation declaring September 11 as Patriot Day. 

Pictured: Shepard High School senior Jocelyn Anaya leads her U.S. Air Force JROTC classmates in a salute while other students lower the flag to half-staff during the remembrance of 9/11.

Full story available in the Hickory Hills Citizen

Hickory Hills was one of 26 Northern Illinois Communities awarded an Environmental Grant from ComEd and Openlands. 

To support habitats and other open-space projects throughout northern Illinois, ComEd and Openlands announced grants to 26 public agencies through the annual ComEd Green Region Program. 

Grantees each received a one-time grant of up to $10,000 to support and improve open space projects. To address the recent decline in pollinators in our service area, many of this year’s projects focus on enhancing pollinator habitats and protecting species, such as butterflies, bees and others. Illinois is home to thousands of native pollinator species, which provide critical support to our region’s flowering and food plant populations.  

Hickory Hills’ project will transform an unused area of turf grass into an established pollinator habitat. The habitat will support native pollinator species, educational signage and a public passive recreational area on 92nd Street just East of Kean Avenue. 

The plans are to break ground on this project next Spring.

Full story available in the Hickory Hills Citizen

The Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce will host the 20th Annual Business Showcase and Health Fair in conjunction with Oak Lawn Community High School’s Craft Fair on Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Oak Lawn Community High School. The event will be held outside in the student parking lot (95th & Austin Ave.)

Several businesses are expected to participate by showcasing their various products and services. 

Flu shots will be available from Walgreens Pharmacy from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring your insurance card or a copy for billing purposes. If you don’t have insurance, Walgreens will give a special discount. They will also have a full spectrum of healthcare providers, and more. 

For more information, or for an exhibitor application, call the Chamber office at 708-424-8300 or email office@oaklawnchamber.com. Booth fees are $50.00 for Chamber members and $100.00 for non-members. 

Full story available in the Hickory Hills Citizen