berwynfoia

Berwyn Police Report on Fight at Ald. Leja’s 3rd Ward Meeting On Thursday, November 3, 2022, at 3rd Ward Alderman Richard Leja’s quarterly ward meeting, a physical fight occurred between two residents. The Berwyn Police report lists the victim as David Schaefer and the offender as Richard Centracco. At the time of the incident, Schaefer […]

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Berwyn Alderman Scott Lennon Sued for First Amendment Violations for Blocking Constituents on Social Media in Retaliation for their Expression of Opposing Viewpoints Berwyn residents Luz Chavez and Stephen Taylor have filed a proposed class action lawsuit alleging that Scott Lennon, alderman of Berwyn’s First Ward, is violating their First Amendment rights by blocking them from his

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WhyBerwyn.net is a collection of government documents, data, voting records, and historical events to increase transparency and civic education and participation in Berwyn. WhyBerwyn.net is powered by regular residents of Berwyn committed to community, transparency, and social justice. Founded by Luz Chavez.

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Politically Connected Board Appointments Continue at Morton High School District 201 On Wednesday, April 13, 2022, the Morton High School District 201 Board interviewed three candidates to fill the board vacancy of Melissa Cundari, who announced her resignation in March. The board application stated: “To be appointed to fill a school board vacancy, a person must

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A growing number of Berwyn residents are questioning the City of Berwyn’s plans for the $31.9M in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds it received.

According to the Brooking Institution’s ARPA Investment Tracker, the national average being spent on public safety is 2.3%. The City of Berwyn has allocated 10 times that amount to the Berwyn Police and Fire Departments.

A comparison with other Illinois municipalities, most notably nearby Oak Park, which received $38.9M in ARPA funds, revealed that Berwyn involved no community input into their process of determining how to allocate the funds.

Check out the comparison chart above and an overview of Cook County‘s ARPA funds to the right. Then read more below about how the controversy over Berwyn’s ARPA plan unfolded.

Berwyn’s Plan for ARPA Funds Reveals Lack of Community Input, Disproportionate Allocation to Berwyn Police ​ Read More »