The above letter was submitted by the Northwest Municipal Conference, a regional association of Illinois governing bodies that represents more than one million residents. Stay tuned to Patch for more on the story. Like your local Patch on Facebook to join the conversation. 

State Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-18th) and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) will be hosting a phone and utility bill clinic in Evanston to help consumers cut their billing costs by hundreds of dollars a year. Related: Legislators Grill ComEd at Public Hearing A CUB study has estimated that Illinois callers could be overpaying by more than $1 billion a year—but most could enjoy big savings by making a few simple changes on their phone bills. CUB has shown customers how to save millions of dollars through their website, www.CitizensUtilityBoard.org, and free clinics that give tips on how to slash …

Both of Marie Murphy School’s co-ed varsity and junior varsity soccer teams were undefeated this year during the recent North Shore Independence Conference games; each with a record of seven wins and no losses.  Four other teams competing in the conference came from Sunset Ridge, Wilmette, Christian Heritage Academy and Glencoe. Chad Henley, who served as coach for the two teams, said, “It was an outstanding season for both teams, and I congratulate the players for a job well done.” Earlier: Marie Murphy Girls Basketball Goes Undefeated, Wins Conference The 17 members of the co-ed varsity …

The following letter to the editor was also submitted to the Wilmette Park District's Board of Commissioners. The message comes from resident Gina B. Kennedy. Read more on the Thornwood Park ice rink debate. Dear Commissioners, I am writing in regard to the proposal under consideration by the board to build an outdoor ice rink at Thornwood Park. I know that you have received quite a few letters and other comments regarding the proposed rink, particularly from homeowners in close proximity to the park who will be most affected by it. While I am sympathetic to their concerns about the …

The following is a message from the Village of Wilmette. Stay tuned to Patch for more on the potential zoning coverage. Check out our previous coverage. In 2009, the Village convened the Ad Hoc Zoning Ordinance Review Committee to direct and oversee the research and ordinance drafting work of the project consultant, Camiros LLC of Chicago. The Committee most recently has focused on the R1 single family zoning requirements. The Committee is reviewing a proposal to create up to nine R1 subdistricts out of the current R1 district. Creating additional residential subdistricts would allow for the …

Between 1861 through 1865 this nation lost 620,000 men, a staggering two percent of the population, to war. This brutal conflict, known as the American Civil War, pitted state against state, brother against brother. To commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, and to try to answer the question of how a civilized nation could engage in a war so costly in human sacrifice, the Wilmette Public Library will present a five-part reading and discussion series entitled “Let’s Talk About It : Making Sense of the American Civil War." Moderated by Civil War scholar and Wilmette resident Mary …

The following is a letter to the editor from Wilmette resident Kara McAlister. Like Wilmette-Kenilworth Patch on Facebook to join the discussion. In response to the letter about a "High Majority of Thornwood Park Neighbors Oppose Ice Rink," I would like to disagree with that assumption!! Unfortunately, it seems that the "letter," that went out regarding a recreational rink in Thornwood Park has been misread and misinterpreted. The letter that I read and received from the Park District is a proposal and states that in a "preliminary review of this request (for an ice rink in Thornwood Park) …

The following is a letter to the editor from Barbara and Bob Murray, who live on Dartmouth Street near Thornwood Park. Many Kenilworth Gardens families are excited about the opening proposal for an ice surface at Thornwood Park. Most kids get home from school in the winter and play video games and eat junk food. If they have activities - most likely they are indoors and their parents are driving them to/from these indoor activities. Earlier: Read more about the Thornwood Park debate. Why not create a positive, outdoor activity which would build 'community' and strengthen neighborhood ties. …

The following is a Letter to the Editor from a Wilmette resident who neighbors Thornwood Park on Kenilworth Avenue, Jody Franson. Read more on the Thornwood Ice Park here. Like Wilmett-Kenilworth Patch on Facebook to join the conversation. Recently, residents surrounding Thornwood Park in Wilmette were notified that a plan for a “hockey only” ice rink is in the works to be installed in the green space of Thornwood Park. This proposed ice rink would have lighting installed, boards and dashers surrounding the ice surface. After polling the families around Thornwood Park, it has been revealed …

Above is an internal letter from the Wilmette Harbor Association that was sent out to members Aug. 12 regarding updates on the harbor's lease renewal process. Earlier: WPD Considers Management Agreement on Harbor Lease Check out WHA's internal letter it submitted in July, as well as the opinions of some residents and the Wilmette Park District on the issue. Stay tuned to Patch for more updates. Like us on Facebook to join the discussion. 

The above letter was submitted by Wilmette Village President Chris Canning during a llinois House Public Utilities Committee hearing in Highland Park Tuesday. State Rep. Karen May (D-Highland Park) arranged the meeting in the northern suburbs after more than 1.2 million ComEd customers were left without power in the aftermath of storms June 21 and July 11. Earlier: Wilmette Family Shares Struggles of Days Without Power Read Patch's coverage of the event and stay tuned for more updates on the issue. 

The following is a letter from Chalet Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center in Wilmette: Despite this year’s wet spring and summer’s recent sporadic heavy storms, many local landscapes are starting to show signs of dry soil and drought. Tony Fulmer, retail manager for Chalet Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center in Wilmette, offers tips on how to water newly planted trees and shrubs efficiently and effectively. “We like the analogy of newly planted trees and shrubs being like intensive care patients,” Fulmer says. “For example, for trees and shrubs that are sold in ball and burlap form as much as …

The following is an internal letter from the Wilmette Harbor Association that was sent out to members regarding the harbor's lease renewal. Check out residents' opinions and the Park District's opinion on the lease issue. Stay tuned to Patch for more updates.  With hope, this letter will clarify some of the facts regarding the future of the Wilmette Harbor Association (WHA) and outline the status of our 50 year lease which is set to expire in July of 2012. The WHA has been the tenant of the property known as Wilmette Harbor for more than 75 years. The property is owned by the Metropolitan …

The following is a response from the Wilmette Park District to concerns raised regarding the potential purchase of the Wilmette Harbor lease.  The “Open Letter to Residents of Wilmette” currently being circulated to the media in regard to the lease of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) with the Wilmette Harbor Association (WHA) does not accurately portray the Wilmette Park District’s position in this matter. The Park District has reached no definitive conclusion to be involved in the harbor’s operations other than to study the issue further. In the fall of 2010 the Park …

The following is a letter to the editor from Wilmette resident Dave Keenan. It has been signed by 100 residents, according to Keenan. The Wilmette Park District is considering spending more of your tax dollars on an ill-conceived plan to take over operations of Wilmette Harbor. You can prevent this by calling or emailing right now to let them know you do not want your tax dollars spent subsidizing such activities. Background: For 75 years, a not-for-profit organization called the Wilmette Harbor Association (WHA) has operated Wilmette Harbor pursuant to a lease with the Metropolitan Water …

The following is a letter to the editor from Wilmette resident Mike Boyer. Recently, the Village of Wilmette asked the question: What should be done with Elmwood Avenue Beach? Since most people in Wilmette have never heard of Elmwood Avenue Beach, I did some research. In 1899 the Village of Wilmette realized that there was no parkland or access to the beach, except for a few strips of Village controlled land. As a result, the Village made the resolution that a developing place like Wilmette needed to establish and maintain a public park system for future residents. Nine years later, 61 …

The Regina Dominican Panther Track and Field team competed on Thursday 5/12 at the IHSA Class 2A Chicago (Jones) Sectional at Hanson Stadium in Chicago, Illinois. The team took 3rd place overall and scored 72 points. The Panthers captured three individual IHSA Sectional titles and will be sending three athletes to the IHSA State Championship to compete in four different events.Heather Bucher '12 of Chicago captured her second consecutive IHSA Sectional title in the 300m Low Hurdles (51.01) and also advanced to State in the 100m High Hurdles (2nd place in 19.37). Bucher is the first girl in …

The following is a letter from the Northwest Municipal Conference, which is a regional association of Illinois municipalities and townships. Illinois residents will face even higher taxes and devastating cuts in essential services if Springfield politicians get their way and don’t return hundreds of millions of dollars already paid by local taxpayers that are legally owed to local communities. Like Illinois families, cities and villages have been making significant sacrifices and cutting back during these tough economic times, slashing programs, curbing constituent services, delaying projects…

The following is a letter from Wilmette resident Dan Fogel. This is a story about the environment, but it isn’t controversial and it doesn’t require you to understand or take sides in which scientific study is right. Apropos to Mother’s Day, this is the environmental story about doing what your mom told you many times while you were growing up – pick up after yourself.    I live near the Wilmette Community Playfield (nominally at 702 Locust Road, but there are entrances near Highcrest Middle School, off Birchwood, Pomona and an easement off Meadow). While less discussed in the Wilmette …

The following is a letter to the editor from 15-year Wilmette resident, Danielle Mergner. Submit your opinions on lakefront development to andrea.hart@patch.com. As the Wilmette Park District begins its assessment of the lakefront to establish a long-range master plan, I think it's critical that the Commission and public remember the cost implications, and accordingly tax implications, to any projects suggested to rejuvenate the lakefront. On the heels of a 33 percent income tax increase from the State of Illinois AND an 18 percent property tax increase for District 39, the taxpayer can ill …