A bright red heart bobs along 107th Street, waving at passing cars outside Valley Inn, a Palos Hills staple at 8300 W. 107th St. Some drivers honk and wave back. Others slow down, doing a double take. Inside, customers pull out their phones, eager to capture the moment.
For three years, Ruby the Heart has been a familiar sight at local businesses, bringing smiles and sparking conversations. But behind the oversized costume, her identity remained a mystery—until now.
Kylie O’Connell, a lifelong Palos Hills resident, is ready to reveal herself as the woman inside the town’s beloved mascot.
O’Connell has been the face—albeit hidden—of Ruby since the mascot’s inception. “At first, I thought it was just going to be a one-time thing for Valentine’s Day,” O’Connell said. “But then we started getting requests for Ruby at different events, and it just took off.”
Ruby’s creation was a collaborative idea between O’Connell and her mother, Ald. Donna O’Connell.
“We were brainstorming for an economic development initiative, and I designed the ‘I Heart Palos Hills’ logo,” Donna O’Connell said. “Then we thought, why not make a mascot? We found the perfect heart costume online, and Ruby was born.” The heart theme was a natural choice, symbolizing the strong sense of community and love that Palos Hills residents have for their town.
Since then, Ruby has become a staple at grand openings, community celebrations, and local business visits. During a recent outing, Ruby stopped by the Photography by Angel Studio to pose for pictures, popped into Cake n’ Bake for a cake pop, and visited Valley Inn, where the famous peanut butter sandwich was a must-try.
At Photography by Angel Studio, Ruby took center stage, posing for a playful photo shoot. Owner Angel Malone was excited to host Ruby, capturing moments that highlighted the mascot’s joyful presence.
“It’s not every day you get to photograph a walking heart,” Malone said. “Ruby truly brings out the fun in people.” The session also provided a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the energy and effort that goes into bringing the mascot to life, including carefully planned poses and expressive gestures to convey personality despite Ruby’s silent nature.
At Valley Inn, customers welcomed Ruby with enthusiasm. “She’s a fun addition to the neighborhood,” said Joe Kowski, a customer. “It’s something different, something to talk about. We could all use a little more heart around here—literally.”
The restaurant, a Palos Hills staple since 1972, has seen its fair share of regulars, and Ruby is no exception. “She usually goes for the fried chicken, but the peanut butter and jelly sandwich is also a favorite,” said Becky Ristucci, whose family has owned Valley Inn for generations.
The peanut butter and jelly sandwich at Valley Inn has been on the menu for decades and has an unexpected backstory. Originally listed as a joke inspired by the 1995 movie Four Rooms, the sandwich caught customers’ attention due to its eye-catching $95 price tag.
“A lot of people see it and do a double take,” Ristucci said. “It’s been a running gag for years. One time, a customer even went out, bought his own peanut butter and jelly, and asked our chef to make it for him—with American cheese. We didn’t quite understand that part, but he was serious!”
The humor behind it aligns well with Ruby’s lighthearted presence, adding to the fun and quirky nature of the mascot’s visits.
Over at Cake n’ Bake, owner Wasfia Shalabi shared her excitement about Ruby’s visits. “This is the third time we’ve had her here,” Shalabi said. “She brings so much positivity—we love to see her.”
Cake n’ Bake has embraced Ruby as a regular, always preparing a special treat for her visits.
“She always gets the heart mousse cake or a vanilla cake pop,” Shalabi added. “We like to think of this as one of her favorite places to hang out.”
Among Ruby’s many community appearances, one of O’Connell’s favorite moments was at Friendship Fest, an annual celebration in Palos Hills.
“It was incredible,” she said. “There were so many kids excited to see Ruby. She danced to live music, high-fived festival goers, and even got to be part of the fireworks finale. The energy was amazing.”
The event solidified Ruby’s role as more than just a mascot—she had become a symbol of local pride and togetherness.
“It’s funny because at first, I didn’t realize how much people would love Ruby,” O’Connell said. “Now, I hear people asking, ‘Is the heart going to be there?’ It’s really special to see how much joy Ruby brings.”
Beyond her work as Ruby, O’Connell has deep ties to community engagement. She has worked for the Bridgeview Park District for 15 years and runs a small business where she dons other costumes, such as the Grinch and the Easter Bunny, for events.
One of her biggest passions is paranormal investigation. “I’ve been investigating for 10 years and even hosted my own paranormal convention in 2019 that sold out with over a thousand attendees,” she said. “I’m hoping to bring it back soon.”
Balancing all these roles can be a challenge, especially with Ruby’s increasing popularity.
“Scheduling is tough. Sometimes I have to adjust my work hours or fit in appearances between my other commitments,” she said. “But I love doing it because I love my community.”
While many suspected Ruby’s identity, O’Connell managed to keep it largely under wraps—except for a few slip-ups.
“Sometimes my mom would call out my name while I was in costume, and I’d have to play it off,” she laughed. “Once, at an event, a little kid kept pointing at me and whispering, ‘I know who you are!’ That made it hard to keep a straight face.”
But after three years, she felt it was time to let people in on the secret. “I want them to understand that I do this out of love for Palos Hills.”
As for the logistics of being Ruby, O’Connell said the costume is surprisingly comfortable, though maneuvering through tight spaces can be tricky. “I have to pivot sideways to get through doors, and I’ve developed certain gestures to communicate since Ruby doesn’t talk,” she said.
“It’s kind of like being a mime—you read the room and use exaggerated motions to engage with people.”
Ruby’s physical presence requires a lot of energy, and O’Connell joked that she stays in shape by getting her steps in at Bennett Park—one of her favorite local spots.
Ruby’s presence has left a lasting impact on the community, creating memorable interactions and strengthening local engagement.
“Even after we left one of the businesses, a guy at the bar turned around and asked, ‘So what’s the deal with the heart?’” O’Connell said. “Ruby starts conversations. She brings people together.”
As she continues her work as both Ruby and Kylie, O’Connell remains dedicated to her hometown. “I’ve lived in Palos Hills my whole life, and I just want to give back,” she said. “If Ruby can make people smile, then I’m doing something right.”
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