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La Grange Park trustees back planning for June ‘60526’ community celebration amid budget questions
Summary
Trustees gave staff direction to continue planning a June 5, 2026 “Zip Code Day” celebration in Memorial Park, citing community benefits, but several trustees pressed staff to clarify costs, park-district permissions and funding options including sponsorships and vendor fees.
Trustees of the Village of La Grange Park on Dec. 13 directed staff to continue planning a community "Zip Code Day" festival set for June 5, 2026, while pressing for clearer cost estimates and agreements with the park district.
The administration committee presented a refined event concept that includes two live bands, family activities, a three-dimensional photo-op and food trucks in a beer tent. Staff told the board Memorial Park is being held for the date and that the village’s FY25–26 budget includes $5,000 in planning funds but most event expenditures would occur in FY26–27.
Trustee counsel said the written report lists an estimated total cost of $33,200 and asked whether Memorial Park usage permission and cost-sharing or restoration compensation had been secured. Maggie, the staff member leading planning, said the park district has the date on hold and staff will engage on logistics and any turf or facility concerns. "They are holding that date for us at Memorial Park," Maggie said.
Trustees focused on how the village would pay the gap between planning funds and estimated costs. Trustee counsel suggested charging vendors a portion of sales or using color-coded vendor tickets to help reimburse village expenses. Trustee Caputo called a 25% vendor fee unlikely to be accepted by vendors and urged more practical vendor-fee structures; Trustee Sheehan urged caution about spending a large amount solely to recognize the ZIP code and suggested pursuing a revenue-neutral approach or a revived "Party in the Park" format.
President DeCicchio said sponsorships and partnerships with the chamber and park district could lower net costs and described the proposal as a feasible one-day festival. Youth commissioners Beatrix and Kennedy spoke in favor of the event; Kennedy told trustees many local teenagers would likely attend.
Board members did not adopt a motion to appropriate full event funding at the meeting but gave staff consensus direction to continue planning, pursue sponsorships, and return with additional detail on costs, park-district agreements, vendor arrangements and a timeline for deposits (bands and other contracted elements).
Next steps: staff will continue negotiations with the park district, develop sponsorship and vendor-revenue options, and present more detailed budget and logistics at a future meeting for formal authorization.
