"Your fun destination" is the slogan of the Park District of La Grange, and that's what the district's executive director, Dean Bissias, wants to provide for the La Grange community. The park district aims to meet the demand for resources supporting the large number of soccer, baseball and basketball players in La Grange. "We have a great relationship with the Chicago White Sox," Mr. Bissias says. "The White Sox rent space from us and the players do camps for kids in the off season."
The park district is currently adapting to its new facility, a former warehouse the village converted in 2006 (for the previous 80 years, the district had operated out of a 1,200-square-foot house). The current facility sports high ceilings, spacious common areas with flat-screen TVs, giant windows and a gymnasium with several full basketball courts encircled by a running track. For more information, visit the Park District of La Grange Web site.
The La Grange Department of Public Works has the responsibility of maintaining much of the infrastructure of La Grange. The department cares for public streets, alleys, sidewalks and the associated signage of the village, performing services including snow removal and leaf pick-up. Additionally, it handles the maintenance of municipal buildings and the central business district's street-scape. The department also oversees the operation of sewers, water mains and potable water for the village.
The Township of Lyons is a government body that supplements city and village governments, and in essence serves as the government for unincorporated areas, in its jurisdiction.
The Township of Lyons covers the communities of Bedford Park, Bridgeview, Brookfield, Burr Ridge, Countryside, Hickory Hills, Hinsdale, Hodgkins, Indian Head Park, Justice, La Grange, Lyons, McCook, Riverside, Summit, Western Springs, Willow Springs, La Grange Highlands, Pleasantdale and Ridgewood.
Lyons Township Supervisor Russ Hartigan, who functions as the township CEO, said the township is very involved and provides a lot of services, from general assistance to rent and utility bill support to senior transportation.
"The office is open for any problem," Hartigan said. "Certainly call us if it cannot be handled in local government."
Before serving as supervisor since 2008, Hartigan, an attorney by trade, was a Lyons Township trustee, the president of the Lyons Township Mental Health Commission, and a trustee in Western Springs.