Kathy Burke
Meet Kathy Burke
"People come together and they do things for you […] You’re living in a community that really cares about its neighbors.”
Biography
Mrs. Burke has lived in Western Springs for 41 years. Originally from the Southside of Chicago, she graduated from Maria High School in Chicago before attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After college, she and her husband John married in 1979. They decided to locate to Western Springs in 1982 while house hunting. Western Springs was desirable because of the type of housing available, the convenience of transportation to work, and neighborhood schools within walking distance. Mrs. Burke held several positions during her work career. Having earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health, she began her career with the American Cancer Society. Later Mrs. Burke shifted to health insurance where she was an account manager in Employee Benefits and Wellness Services. Mrs. Burke has three children and two of them live close to her.
Conversation Topics
During the conversation, the people Mrs. Burke talked about her family, her children going to school in D101, Mr. Chick and Dr. Barnhart, and those involved in some tragedies in Western Springs, like a family crushed by a tree during a storm, and Matthew Ryan, who was killed in a car crash by a drunk driver.
Some places Mrs. Burke talked about were her childhood homes in Marquette Park (Chicago), Beverly (not in California), and finally ending up in Western Springs because it was within 15 miles of where her parents lived and where her husband's parents lived. Next, she talked about her Western Springs home and neighborhood and all the important buildings and businesses in our town. Some of theses businesses include the Spaghetti Bowl, Bolands Ice Cream Shop (Snackers Cafe moved into this space), Odegaard's Dry Cleaners, Elite Fitness, Little Bit of Italy, Casey’s, Oberweis, Salerno’s, The Creative Door, Tischler's, Foxford Station, Community Bank of Western Springs, Dominick's, and Mariano’s.
Mrs. Burke’s reason for moving here because for her family, the community, and the education. The village was an excellent choice for a family house. Her kids could walk to school in a safe environment, while she and her husband could walk to the train for their work in Chicago.
Holding On to History
Mrs. Burke has a lot of personal history in Western Springs given the decades she has spent here. One part of that history is from when her children were students in District 101. She saved their McClure yearbook from 2001 as a way to remember what their time here was like.
Way Back in the '80s
This is a photo of the yearbook of one of Mrs. Burke's Denny from when he was in 3rd grade at Field Park Elementary. The photos were in black and white which shows how long they have been in this community and that they went to the elementary school. The people in the 80’s looked way different from the way people look now. For example, clothes and haircuts where much different.
Homes Change Too
Mrs. Burke said that the biggest changes she has noticed since moving here is that today small houses are being knocked down and replaced by bigger, more expensive homes. Since her family wanted to stay in town but needed more room and saw home prices were rising, they decided to renovate their house instead.
Western Springs Story
Kathy Burke is a long time Western Springs resident. She is one of Ms. Janicek’s close friends (Ms. Janicek is an aide in our classroom). They have been friends since they attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; they even shared a dorm room. Mrs. Burke's story is important because in 1982, after college, she moved her family to Western Springs and raised her three kids here. One significant event she experienced while living in Western Springs was the 9/11 attacks. Mrs. Burke’s kids went to Field Park, McClure Junior High, and Lyons Township High School. Mrs. Burke still lives in Western Springs.
What Makes Western Springs Special
Mrs. Burke talked about the different places and events in Western Springs that make it a great place to raise a family and stay active.
Specific places that are special to her and her family are Field Park Elementary School and McClure Junior High School (where her kids went to school) as well as Spring Rock Park.
The Memorial Day Parade is a Western Springs tradition that is very special to her as well as many other residents.
Concerts on the green, summer camps, and the theater are also favorite memories of the Burke Family.
Changes Seen in Western Springs
Mrs. Burke said that the greatest changes she has seen is that little homes are now demolished to build bigger homes instead of families adding on to their smaller homes as their families grew. To be able to stay in town even though her family needed more space, the Burkes made additions to their home. They still live there to this day.
Mrs. Burke also talked about how different businesses have come and gone from buildings in downtown Western Springs and how other bigger buildings in the town have changed over the years like the additions at LT South and St. John of the Cross as well as the new pool at LT High School. She also described the closing of Maurice Clark Elementary School and the importance of building the underpass so kids can get to school safely.
A thing Mrs. Burke said was a horrifying historical event was 9/11. She remembers hearing about it and was terror struck. It was a solemn day for all of America.
Describe Western Springs in 3 Words
Community: Mrs. Burke described our village as quaint, quiet, and very safe.
Neighborly: She talked about our sense of belonging and how the village comes together to help out
Willingness: Our village is always willing to find somewhere to help out other people.
Artists' Sketches
Citation
Burke, Kathy. Personal Interview. 16 May 2023.