News Briefs: Ouilmette Way is ready in Wilmette; children's fair time in Winnetka; challenger emerges for Illinois' 57th district

Jul 31, 2023

After months of delay, Ouilmette Way in Wilmette is complete.

The multi-use pathway from Wilmette Avenue to 12th Street just north of Central Avenue received the finishing touches — inscribed brick pavers and gateway signage — at the end of May.

The restoration project was the brainchild of the Village's Sesquicentennial Committee, which organized community events and collaborations throughout 2022.

Initially, Ouilmette Way was supposed to be ready in late summer 2022, but materials delays and other supply-chain issues delayed the work. The path includes decorative lighting, landscaping and a bricked pedestrian walkway.

The project reportedly cost $563,045, about $24,000 over budget. The Village spent about $343,000 while $100,000 came via a donation from North Shore Community Bank and another $120,000 from streetscape funds provided by developer Optima Inc.

The beloved Winnetka Children's Fair returns for its 76th year on Friday-Saturday, June 9-10, at the Winnetka Village Green.

The family tradition from the Winnetka Community Nursery School will run from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on June 9 and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on June 10, and it will include camel and pony rides, inflatables, arcade games, a petting zoo, live music, a balloon artist, 50/50 raffle and more.

Admission is free to the children's fair but tickets (rides, games, food) and merchandise are on say now on the Winnetka Community Nursery School's website.

The first fair was held in 1945 in a family's backyard and now unites more than 400 volunteers each year, according to the WCNS. All funds raised at the fair support the school's programming, professional development and capital improvements.

Tracy Katz Muhl (D-Northbrook) announced on May 30 that she will seek a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives, serving the state's 57th District.

Rep. Jonathan Carroll currently represents the district, which for 2023 expanded to cover portions portions of Glencoe, Winnetka and Northfield, as well as Northbrook, Buffalo Grove and more.

It is unclear if Carroll will run for re-election, and the representative's use of campaign funds came into question last year, according to a report by The Journal & Topics.

An attorney, Muhl is the Northfield Township Democratic committeeperson and former District 28 School Board president. She is endorsed by U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider and State Sen. Laura Fine, among others.

"Our district and state face real challenges. We’ve been dancing around key issues for decades," she said in a statement. "We’ve made progress, but we haven't been able to make the necessary hard decisions needed to consistently balance budgets, fully fund education, and provide equitable access and opportunity to everyone in Illinois.

"Our district needs a strong and representative voice in Springfield that can speak for our communities. I have the tenacity, problem-solving skills, and conviction to listen, understand, and build consensus at a time when mistrust and fear can make it hard to get things done. I bring decades of advocacy reflecting the values of our district and a record of producing real results."

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Joe Coughlin is a co-founder and the editor in chief of The Record. He leads investigative reporting and reports on anything else needed. Joe has been recognized for his investigative reporting and sports reporting, feature writing and photojournalism. Follow Joe on Twitter @joec2319

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