The Best Prom Money Can Buy: South Suburban Spending Habits

We called on our Facebook fans from across the south suburbs to share their experiences dealing with the expenses of a modern-day prom.

For some, prom is the apex of the high school experience—a magical night to be looked back on with nostalgia for years to come.  Others will recount it as a well-dressed ten-ton credit-munching beast with an insatiable appetite. Like Matt L., our Tinley Park Patch Facebook friend who needed several years to pay his parents off his parents for a prom loan. Or Angie S. from Oak Lawn, who budgeted $1,000 for her daughters’ proms (and she’s not the exception). Now that we’re in the heart of prom season, we were curious to hear about the financial impact prom has on the typical south suburban family. How much does the average local family spend on a prom, and who foots the bill? Mom and dad, or the teens? We asked our Facebook fans across the …

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Orland to Spend $1.13 Million on La Grange Widening Prep

This will make over $3 million dollars total invested in power line burial by the village of Orland Park.

Orland Park plans on spending an additional $1.13 million to bury power lines largely between 144th Street and 147th Street in preparation of the La Grange Road widening project, the Chicago Tribune reports. This expenditure adds to the $1.97 million already spent burying lines between Southwest Highway and 144th Place. "We always intended to do up to 147th," Public Works and Engineering Chairman Ed Schussler told the Tribune. "It's just that with the last project, it made more sense to stop at 144th Place." Many of the overhead lines would have been relocated at no additional cost by ComEd, but village officials opted to spend the extra money for aesthetic and practical reasons. "We feel it makes the community more attractive, and you …

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Campaign Contributions: Election 2011

Patch compiled available data from the Illinois State Board of Elections about contributions made to the various candidates and their respective parties.

Signs, events and literature handouts all cost money. With that in mind, Patch gathered available data on campaign contributions for the various candidates running in the April 5 election. Some of the funds candidates raised come out of his or her own pockets, while some of it constitutes loans rather than gifts. Those candidates on a slate will have redundant contributions—in other words, money was donated to a slate but shows up under an individual candidate’s name in a search. The following lists contributions made between Jan. 1, 2010 and April 1, 2011. (note: no contributions were listed for any of the school board candidates)

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Issue Rundown: Orland Park Village Board Candidates on Planning Budgets

Candidates campaigning for a seat on the Orland Park Village board shared their views on how to fill a possible budget gap.

The following answers are taken from issue-focused questionnaires, where candidates for Orland Park Village Board were given the option to reply in writing, sit down for an in-person interview or participate in a phone interview. Answers are posted in the order questionnaires were returned or interviews were held. Trustees and staff plugged a $1.8 million budget gap this fall by increasing certain fees and fines, including vehicle stickers, without cutting staff. Is there anything you would have done differently? John Brudnak (phone interview) You have to look at cutting staff. At the school board we cut staff, now we’re looking at the administrative level. At my company, everybody took a hit, from top management to the lowest guy in the …

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Frugal Family: Vision, Battery Power, Tans and Legos

A short list of great deals in the area for the money-conscious family.

This week, we scoured our local sources to come up with great deals on kid’s glasses, batteries, and tanning. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: 1. LENS CRAFTERS Deal: 50% off lenses with a frame purchase. This deal includes no-lines, bifocals, and sunglasses made with your prescription. Print your coupon here. Restrictions apply. See retailer for details. Good through: 4/2/11 2. All Charged Up Battery Store Deal: Getting ready for spring repairs but your power tools have lost their charge? Get your old drill’s battery rebuilt. Get 10% off all battery rebuilds at All Charged Up Battery. See its website for pricing and details. Good through: Offer can expire at anytime. 3. LA TAN Deal: LA Tan is offering $50 …

Rear View

In The Rear View: Orland Park Board Hopefuls Sound Off and Surviving the Japan Tsunami

We look back at a week where Orland Park Village Board candidates faced off, an Orland Hills man described his experience in Japan during the earthquake and tsunami and moms contemplated on bullying.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R) and U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Hinsdale) visited Orland Park for a town hall meeting at Carl Sandburg High School, where they made their cases to fix the rising national debt. Kirk also pointed out some unsettling aspects of Illinois’ finances compared to other states and countries, before area resident either praised or chided the politicians. Orland Park doesn’t want the state to meddle with their Tax Increment Finance district managing. The Illinois General Assembly is contemplating legislation that would give them more control over TIFs in individual towns, cities and villages, and Orland Park wants no part of it. This week our Moms Council offered thoughts on approaching children about bullying, whether they are…

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2011 Election Issues: Blair Rhode, Orland Fire Protection District Trustee Candidate

As a follow-up to our initial and more-biographical questionnaire, we asked candidates to answer issue-specific questions about the positions for which they are campaigning.

The race for the Orland Fire Protection District Board of Trustees has four candidates vying for two open seats. Patch spoke with candidate Blair Rhode recently about how he believes the district is perceived and steps to rework the finances. Orland Park Patch: What are the biggest problems facing the district? How do you propose to solve them? Blair Rhode: When a Tinley trustee heard that I was going to run for Orland Fire Trustee he said, “Why would Blair want to muddy his name with that district? Everybody knows that it is the most corrupt district around.” That is a sad comment on a great group of fire fighters.  I know many of the Orland Firefighters and they are quality people.  I have had several occasions to need the services of …

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Frugal Family

Frugal Family: Computer Starting, T-Shirts and Kids Meals

A short list of great deals in the area for the money-conscious family.

This week, we scoured our local sources to come up with great deals on PC set up, hair cuts, kids meals and clothing. 1. STAPLES Getting a new PC up and running can be a daunting task. You’ve got to get it ready to run, put all your data on it, and then figure out how to work the thing. Don’t fret! Staples makes it easy. Deal: Buy any new PC and get free PC setup, data transfer, and Microsoft online training. Restrictions apply. See your local Staples (or its weekly ad) for details. Good through: 4/2/11 2. La Coutoure HAIR STUDIO Thinking about dying your hair red for St. Patrick’s day? Why not also get it cut for free? Deal: Get a free haircut with any full color service (valued at more than $32.00) Good through: Offer may change at any …

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Frugal Family

Frugal Family: Deals on Pictures, Pet Food, Celtic Music and Film

A short list of great deals in the area for the money-conscious family.

This week, we scoured our local sources to come up with great deals on baby photos, auto care, movies, Celtic music and pet food. Remember, you are a big part of this column. Let us hear about the deals you've seen. Just add them in our comment box. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: 1. OLAN MILLS PORTRAIT STUDIO IN KMART Yes, we know your baby is the cutest baby ever. Why not get free pictures? Deal: Receive one 8 x 10, two 5 x 7s, and 8 wallet-sized baby portraits free. Print your coupon here. Good through: Sunday, March 6. Valid for children 3 months and younger only. 2. PETSMART Get ready for the purrrrfect deal. Deal: Buy one bag of IAMS Cat or Dog Food (4 lb. cat food or up to 8 lb. dog food) and get one …

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Over 5 Years, Enrollment in District 135 Drops by 591 Students

Staff believe a stagnant economy and housing market have led to a decline in numbers since 2005.

Projections for the number of students attending Orland School District 135 are continuing in a downward direction that began in 2005. The total number of students enrolled throughout all 10 District 135 schools fell by 591, from 5,856 at the beginning of the 2005-06 school year to 5,265 for the 2010-11 year. Board of Education members were given a report at the Feb. 14 committee meeting on enrollment numbers that illustrated the decline. Why the drop? “I think it’s the housing market,” said Colleen Schultz, District 135 assistant superintendent of student services and director of special education. “It really started when the economy started going flat. We’re hoping that when the economy comes around enrollment will rise again, especially…

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