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Mayor Jack Lind began the Feb. 4 Chicago Ridge Village Board meeting by praising first responders, village staff, residents and charitable organizations for their swift response to a devastating fire on Jan. 25. The fire at an apartment building on Brooks Lane left dozens of residents displaced.
“We were extremely lucky there were no injuries to the residents or firefighters,” Lind said, also thanking neighboring fire departments for their quick response.
While firefighters battled the blaze, the village’s Emergency Management Agency building was turned into an overnight shelter and donation drop-off site. The Chicago Ridge Lions Club organized the donation drive.
“We especially thank the residents of Chicago Ridge who turned up in a time of need and made us so proud,” Lind said. “They took generosity and compassion to a whole new level. The response even impressed the American Red Cross. It was a tragic event, but it was a test for us and we succeeded.”
Vince and Rosa Bentivenga, owners of Rosa’s Pizza at 9909 S. Harlem Ave., were also honored at the meeting. The Palos Hills couple, who emigrated from Calabria, Italy, in the 1960s, are retiring after 40 years. The pizzeria will be closing on Saturday, Feb. 15.
“Everyone who lives in Chicago Ridge must have eaten at the restaurant at least 20 times,” said Lind. “I know they host a lot of our clubs and organizations. We are really sad to see them go.”
Village Clerk Barbara Harrison read a proclamation honoring the couple and their family, including their daughters, Josephine and Lea; son, Louie; and six grandchildren.
“They spent a lot more time here than at home,” said Josephine, who was working at the restaurant on Monday.
“You meant a lot to the village,” Trustee Ed Kowalski told them at the meeting. “Rosa’s Pizza donated food to the victims of the fire,” he added. “It was very touching, and we are going to miss them.”
When asked about his retirement plans, Vince Bentivenga joked, “I plan to sleep for a week.”
Later in the meeting, at Kowalski’s request, the board directed village attorneys to explore creating an ordinance requiring owners of multifamily rental properties to notify tenants about the availability of renter’s insurance.
“Most of the residents who were affected by the fire were not even aware that there was such a thing as rental insurance that would have helped them replace goods,” said Kowalski.
When Trustees Bill McFarland and Elaine Davenport asked what the ordinance would actually require, Kowalski stressed that property owners would only have to inform renters in writing that the insurance is available. They would not have to provide it themselves, and renters would not be required to buy it.
On a 3-3 vote, the board rejected a request for a liquor license needed for Thornton’s gas station at 10559 S. Harlem Ave. to offer video gaming. McFarland, Davenport and Kowalski voted against it. Since Lind serves as both a trustee and mayor since being appointed mayor to replace Chuck Tokar in 2023, there was no tie-breaking vote.
“I don’t like the idea of serving alcohol at a gas station,” said Kowalski afterward. “We also weren’t given any design plans showing how the gaming area would fit into the layout of the business. The owners may try again later.”
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