Oak Park Villager of the Year runner-up: Jim Kelly

Oak Park retiree was involved in a little bit of everything in 2011

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 10:00 PM

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Jim Kelly

Complete Villager of the Year coverage

Oak Park Villager of the Year

• Peter Traczyk

Runners-up

• Sophia Lloyd 
• Jim Kelly
• Deirdre Brennan

 

River Forest Villager of the Year

• John Rigas

Runners-up

• John Phelan
• Donna Carroll

By Marty Stempniak

Staff Reporter

Oak Parker Jim Kelly sometimes tells friends that he's been busier in retirement than he ever was while working a 9 to 5.

That's because the 64-year-old local activist has gotten involved with a little bit of everything in Oak Park, from managing a political campaign, to helping moderate a forum about a gun store opening on Roosevelt Road.

When asked why he stays so immersed in the community, Kelly cited a quote from playwright Tony Kushner. "The whole point of citizenship is that one admits to a personal stake and to the potential derivation of benefit in giving to and sacrificing for the community," Kelly quoted. "When we step into our citizen selves, we step into that part of our lives, our souls, that exist only in relationship to each other."

"I thought that was a damn good quote and pretty much summarized my motivation for being this involved in the village."

While he stayed active in 2011, Kelly's involvement goes back years. He was one of the founders of the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association in the late 1980s. And when south Oak Park was embroiled in controversy while crews endlessly dug up the environmentally contaminated Barrie Park several years ago, he was one of the founders of the South East Oak Park Community Organization.

In 2011, OPALGA was able to pay off the debt that it piled up during the recession, which nearly led to the group disappearing. Kelly also was one of the chairmen of a successful 15th annual gala for the organization, the proceeds of which were donated to local organizations, rather than helping to pay off debt.

Years after the Barrie project wrapped up, SEOPCO remains a force in south Oak Park. It held two notable forums in 2011 — one related to District 97's referendum to raise property taxes, the other to a gun store opening in Oak Park.

Also this year, Kelly co-managed the Village Manager Association political campaign for Ray Johnson, Adam Salzman and Bob Tucker, three politicos who all gained spots on the Oak Park village board in April. He also started his second year as head of the Community Involvement Commission, and served on a committee related to the beautification of Roosevelt Road.