West Cook News

The Village of La Grange Park Board of Trustees met on April 25 and heard a routine water systems report from Trustee Michael Sheehan followed by a presentation by Village Public Works Superintendent John Jandek about the Illinois Section of American Water Works Association’s (ISAWWA) Ambassador program.

The ISAWWA is an organization that is dedicated to advocating for safe and sustainable water access for residents. Sheehan said that the ambassador program was “created to elevate public perception, knowledge and consumer education of the water industry.” He noted that the village will help accomplish that goal through partnering with the organization and providing the requirements of the program. Those requirements include monthly topics and lessons shared through social media, the Village website, educational videos, infographics and newsletters. The Village has earned the Gold Level Award for its participation in the program.

“There are three levels of this award: bronze, silver and gold—which vary to the amount of topics and time put into the program,” Sheehan said in the meeting. “We have earned the Gold Level Award, meeting all the required standards plus the elective portions. This will now be a yearly program that Public Works will participate in to engage the public and teach them the value and importance of water. Therefore, congratulations to Public Works and staff for achieving this award of water conservation. To the Sustainability Commission and to all the residents, definitely a thing that we have to, we're very blessed to have Lake Michigan water, so we have to do everything we can to keep it safe and clean and drinkable.”

Jandek spoke about basic aspects of what Public Works does, as well as how it educates the community on those practices. La Grande Park has had publication education efforts, worked with elected officials and also kept the village’s industry practices and knowledge up to date on the latest standards.

“We want to do everything that we can in Public Works and in the water industry to let everybody know everything there is to know about safe drinking water,” he said.

Jandek also discussed the department’s involvement in community outreach opportunities such as National Public Works Week and National Toilet Month. He noted that those education initiatives call for posts on social media with infographics and good information.

“If somebody wants to listen, we’re going to talk,” Jandek said.