1 Foreclosure crisis hits Berwyn, big time

More than 900 properties in Berwyn were in foreclosure by the end of 2008. It was an unprecedented percentage of foreclosed-on buildings, most of which were residential properties. More than 5 percent of the “City of Homes” housing stock was in foreclosure, in part because of adjustable-rate mortgages, mass layoffs from small and mega businesses, and skyrocketing prices on gasoline and consumer products.

2 Hawthorne loses bid for 10th casino license

Hawthorne Race Course officials lost out on the chance Nov. 14 to continue vying for the highly coveted 10th casino license after Illinois Gaming Board members selected three other bidders as finalists. Hawthorne’s development group bid $150 million for the license.

The race course straddles the Cicero-Stickney border. Even former Chicago Bears coach “Iron Mike” Ditka backed Hawthorne’s proposal, saying he planned to build a restaurant on the site.

The three finalists were bids from Rosemont, Waukegan and Des Plaines. Illinois Gaming Board members didn’t grant Hawthorne a single vote, and ultimately tapped Des Plaines as the recipient of the state’s 10th and final casino license.

3 Wild winter weather socks region in December

A series of severe snowstorms in December, mixed with rain and freezing temperatures left residents throughout the Chicago area slip-sliding out of 2008. Residents and motorists reported to area hospitals for slips and falls on the ice or car crashes, and police and fire officials in Berwyn even reported slipping on patches of ice and suffering injuries last month while on calls.

According to the National Weather Service, the Chicago area received 21.9 inches of snow last month, more than any month last year. The second runner-up was snowfall recorded in February, at 21.8 inches. And the most snowfall recorded in one day last year actually was a tie: 4.8 inches on both March 21 and Dec. 16.

4 City layoffs result in longer wait time for services

Berwyn officials last year laid off staff throughout the city in a measure aimed at saving money in the annual budget — which was already in the red halfway through the year. Fifteen jobs were cut, including 12 layoffs, meant to help reduce the $2 million budget shortfall last year.

The Berwyn Public Library’s director Bill Hensley lost five positions and a sixth position remained unfilled. The library scaled back programs offered to patrons and eliminated Sunday hours.

5 Gasoline prices soar in ’08

Prices at the pump reached more than $4 a gallon for regular fuel last year, with the owners of the most fuel-efficient car feeling the pinch — maybe not quite so much as those who drive SUVs, Hummers, firetrucks and Public Works Department vehicles. Residents already grappling with economic challenges, and municipalities facing cost overruns or budget deficits, experienced ever-mounting gasoline bills.

6 Methadone clinic rejected, approved, rejected

The owners of an Evanston methadone clinic who tried unsuccessfully to open a clinic in Berwyn this year are seeking at least $1 million in damages after filing a federal lawsuit against the city on Nov. 21. The couple also seeks a court order forcing the city to allow the clinic to open, an unspecified amount in compensatory damages, attorneys fees and court costs.

In the civil suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago by clinic owner Elizabeth Buonauro and her husband, Sal R. Sotille, accused the city of Berwyn of violating the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, federal Rehabilitation Act and their 14th Amendment right to equal protection after first approving, then denying, the clinic’s business license.

Plans for the medical clinic in the Depot District in Berwyn earlier this year drew sharp criticism after the initial approval. Their attorney, Robert Carson, said they view it as a denial of civil rights, and that City Council members reacted to community opposition amid thoughts of re-election in spring 2009.

Methadone is a substance often used to treat heroin addicts, and must be distributed by a health care provider.

The clinic was to be at 3245 Grove Ave. Sotille would have served as assistant director and Buonauro as executive director of The Bobby Buonauro Clinic.

Hundreds of protesters packed a municipal parking lot in the 3300 block of Grove Avenue on July 16, near the proposed site of the methadone clinic. Opponents said that they feared drug addicts would come into the area, bringing more crime.

7 District 201 implements new school dress code

All students attending Morton J. Sterling District 201 high schools started the 2008-09 school year dressed in new uniforms. It is a first for the four-school district, which has campuses in Berwyn and Cicero. Students must wear khaki-colored bottoms and white tops in a move to try to combat gang-influenced clothing, teenage one-upmanship and skimpy clothing.

8 Infamous Spindle felled in Cermak Plaza

The Spindle made famous in the movie “Wayne’s World” was scheduled to come down in 2007 but received a brief reprieve, until coming down in 2008 from its long-time post in Cermak Plaza. Complications in bringing down the infamous car kabob, and building a Walgreens Drug Store in its place, allowed the Spindle to remain in Cermak Plaza until May.

Saving the Spindle became an international effort, thanks in part to an Internet campaign. Ultimately all that was left of the eight-car kabob, which rose 50 feet high, was a short stub in the lot.

9 Salt prices soar

Local municipalities were forced to become creative in their quest to melt snow and ice on local roadways this winter after salt prices climbed to double or triple typical costs. Some communities could have purchased salt at $89 a ton — only to be told it would cost an additional $2,000 for the truck in which to haul the salt, said Berwyn Public Works Director Patrick Ryan.

Last year, public works staff used close to 8,000 tons of rock salt, whereas Ryan said they typically used 4,000 tons. The price jumped from about $35 a ton in 2007 to $105 a ton last year for rock salt. Ryan said they requested 4,500 tons in 2008 but were only to receive about 1,900 tons through the state contract. For that 1,900 tons, Berwyn will be charged $199,500.

10 Cell tower proposed for Proksa Park

A T-Mobile cell phone tower, which representatives said would resemble a flag pole, was proposed for a spot in Proksa Park last year in a move to help the Berwyn Park District gain more money.

The deal to have the 120-foot cell tower in the park would have generated about $25,000 for the Park District, but community opposition sunk the deal in the fall.