The Lake Forest Podcast

In this episode of the Lake Forest Podcast, Pete Jansons and Joe Weiss dive into the latest news and happenings around Lake Forest! 🏡 From the recent LuLuLemon looting incident 👟 to the closing of Einstein Bagels 🥯 and a discussion on the local favorite Once Upon a Bagel 🍩, there's plenty of local buzz. Plus, Pete shares his wild experience in Vegas 🎰 and the incredible Sphere holographic concert 🎤! Don't miss out on their takes on politics 🗳️, football 🏈, and local businesses.

Make sure to like 👍, comment 💬, and subscribe 🔔 for more exciting Lake Forest updates!

Key Moments:

0:002:54 Presidential Debate

6:31 Are we better off?

7:50 Who runs the Republican Party?

9:20 Trump got ganged up on?

10:30 Voters don’t care about policies?

12:20 Are Haitians eating ducks clip?

16:50 Will Trump debate again?

17:30 Keystone pipeline shutdown vs ramping up USA oil production?

18:40 Learnings from this election year

21:10 Who is running Republicans in Illinois?

21:50 9/11

23:35 Lulu looted again

24:40 Chris Rock Lulu Lemon [   • Chris Rock addresses THE WOKE and LUL...  ]

26:37 Einstein Bagels shuts down clip [   • Einstein Bros Bagels SHUTS DOWN in La...  ]

29:08 Bootery closed

31:48 Pete’s Vegas trip

32:25 Chicago Bears stunk up their first game

34:48 Sphere Las Vegas

37:25 Pete’s plane etiquette story

41:17 Vegas deals

43:19 James Earl Jones passed

45:10 Scouts 2-0 QB Dan Van Kamp

48:48 Open Lands lawsuit

#LakeForestPodcast #LuLuLooted #EinsteinBagels #OnceUponABagel #LasVegasSphere #LocalPolitics #FootballTalk #ChicagoSports #LakeForestNews #PeteJansons #JoeWeiss #FantasyFootball #BagelWars #VegasVacation

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: After 30 years in Market Square, Einstein Bros. Bagels in Lake Forest has suddenly closed its doors. The decision was made by corporate, not the property. But don’t worry, bagel lovers! You can still enjoy delicious bagels at local favorites like Once Upon a Bagel, and for breakfast treats, Gerhard's is still here to serve! 🍩

Find out more about what’s next for this iconic spot and stay tuned for future updates on new tenants in Market Square.

#EinsteinBrosBagels #LakeForestIL #MarketSquare #LakeForestPodcast #LocalNews #BagelLovers #OnceUponaBagel #GerhardsBakery #LakeForestUpdates #shorts

Stay informed and engaged with your community! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Lake Forest updates.

Key Moments:

0:00

3:44 Scouts win

4:00 Skoo Walker – 30 years announcing for the Lake Forest High School Scouts (Clip)

9:35 Chicago Bears talk – Ryan Poles, Boston College, Hard Knocks

10:40 Forrester Hotel reference from Hard Knocks

12:30 Shoutout to FAHD at Deerpath Inn

16:15 City Council meeting regarding water main going in

1:08:53 Chief John Burke – Lake Forest, Illinois Police sworn in

1:15:18 Small businesses affected by Deerpath water main project

1:16:40 Mary Grube – 30 years at Gerhard’s (Clip)

1:18:40 Ted Notz – Pro Temp

1:21:56 Kathy Czerniak – Bank Lane update

1:23:31 Kathy Czerniak (Clip) from City Council meeting

1:42:45 Open lands portion

1:45:10 Kudos to the city for getting grants for the Deerpath water main project ($2 million)

1:48:40 Moved to Florida (Clip)

#LakeForest #JohnBurke #KathyCzerniak #MaryCole #RyanPoles #ToddNotz #SkooWalker #DeerpathRoad #BankLane #WaterMainProject #ChicagoBears #HardKnocks #ForresterHotel #FAHD #DeerpathInn #Gerhards #Openlands #SmallBusiness #ScoutsWin #LakeForestPolice #Illinois #Grants #MovedToFlorida

🎙️ Join us as we sit down with Skoo Walker, the voice of the Lake Forest Scouts for 30 years and one of the original co-hosts of the Lake Forest Podcast. Skoo shares his journey, experiences, and the history of Lake Forest. From his start in sports to his thoughts on local politics, Skoo covers it all. Don't miss this engaging episode filled with insights, nostalgia, and community stories!

Key Moments:

0:00 – Intro and show supporters

2:31 – Skoo Walker joins the show

5:34 – Skoo: A Lake Forest Illinois lifer

8:50 – How Skoo got started in sports

13:40 – Thoughts on Caucus bylaws

18:15 – Skoo's experience interviewing with the Caucus

20:30 – Deerpath Golf Club renovations

21:00 – Opposition to city projects

22:00 – Shopping cart corrals at Jewel

25:00 – Lake Forest will not turn into Highland Park

27:50 – Thoughts on Parents Care

29:28 – Skoo's interest in hearing Frank McCormick speak about Parents Care

30:40 – Non-transparency group discussion

40:00 – New businesses in town

42:20 – Lake Forest High School football player not on the Wall of Fame

43:20 – Ara Goshgarian as fullback for Lake Forest

44:00 – John Lazzaretto clip    • John Lazzaretto Founder of Bandits La...  47:24 – How Lake Forest High School football looks this year

49:00 – When is the home opener?

49:56 – Thoughts on turf at the high school

54:34 – Turf at Deerpath Park

55:10 – Do we need a new Parks and Rec building?

55:50 – Should we have tournaments at Deerpath Park?

#LakeForestPodcast, #SkooWalker, #LakeForestHighSchool, #Illinois, #LocalSports, #HighSchoolFootball, #Community, #LakeForestIL, #Podcast, #LakeForestScouts

In this important episode of the Lake Forest Podcast, hosts Pete Jansons and Joe Weiss sit down with Dr. Matt Montgomery, Superintendent of District 67, to discuss the recent hiring issue at Cherokee School. Dr. Montgomery provides a detailed account of the hiring oversight, the immediate actions taken to address the situation, and the ongoing improvements to the district’s hiring processes. The conversation highlights the challenges of maintaining high standards, the district’s commitment to transparency, and the importance of community trust.

Key Moments:

0:00 Pete and Joe pre-show banter

3:15 Parents Care Clip    • 🚨 Disturbing Cherokee School Hire Spa...  3:24 Dr. Montgomery Past Shows    • Superintendent Matt Montgomery and Sc...      • 🚨 Cherokee School Issues & Mental Hea...  3:40 Meet and Greet at Gerhard's for Republican candidates Mary Cole, Ben Grum, Jim Carris, and Carla Wyckoff Saturday 8-23-24, 9 am-11 am

5:27 Joe's thoughts on DNC in Chicago and Palestine Protesters

10:21 Eric Rinehart and Kamala Harris https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q...11:50 Dr. Matt Montgomery Superintendent

12:46 What happened? https://secure.smore.com/n/xv6s0-augu... Matt Montgomery letter

14:14 Google search could have caught this bad hire: https://kenoshacountyeye.com/2024/05/...20:11 Who is in charge of hiring?

22:00 Somebody needs to be fired

23:30 Parents Care says they brought this to Dr. Montgomery's attention

26:55 Is there a checklist for hiring that includes an internet search?

30:00 Is there a culture of staff being afraid to bring issues to Dr. Montgomery?

31:50 Whistleblower process?

38:00 Faith's Law issues

39:50 How can we fix Faith's Law?

43:30 Pass the trash

44:40 Philippe and Pete bet over FOIA process

50:30 Are Illinois school districts too small with too much administration?

55:00 Let's close out on a positive note with a highlight reel

57:00 Lake Forest High School best high school in Lake County https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-ma...59:00 Lake Forest High School Success Metrics https://www.lakeforestschools.org/d67...

Dr. Montgomery explains the hiring oversight at Cherokee School

Actions taken to strengthen hiring practices moving forward

The role of transparency and accountability in school administration

How District 67 is addressing the community’s concerns

This episode offers valuable insights into the complexities of school administration and the district's dedication to ensuring a safe and effective learning environment. Like, comment, and subscribe for more updates from the Lake Forest Podcast.

#LakeForestPodcast #DrMontgomery #District67 #CherokeeSchool #HiringIssue #SchoolLeadership #CommunityTrust #Education #HRPractices #SchoolSafety #IllinoisEducation

🎙️ In this intense episode of the Lake Forest Podcast, Joe Weiss takes a critical look at the disturbing hire at Cherokee School and the failures in District 67's hiring process. Meanwhile, Pete Jansons airs his grievances with Jeff Brincat and Philippe Melin from Parents Care, highlighting issues like their lack of clear success metrics and refusal to engage with Dr. Montgomery. ❌ They also discuss concerns over Frank McCormick's divisive social media presence.

Heads up: This conversation gets heated, and a couple of colorful words slip through—so ear muffs for the little ones! 🔊 Join us for a no-holds-barred discussion where nothing is off the table, much like a spirited debate at your local bar. 🍻 Tune in and be part of the conversation!

0:004:17 Jeff Brincat and Philippe Melin, Board Members of Parents Care https://www.parentscare.org/4:40 Issue with Hire at District 67 https://secure.smore.com/n/xv6s0-augu... https://kenoshacountyeye.com/2024/05/...4:55 Pete's Issues with Parents Care:

Lack of Specific, Measurable Goals:

Parents Care advocates for academic rigor, transparency, and responsible budgeting but fails to provide specific, measurable benchmarks for success.

Undefined Metrics for Success:

They don’t articulate clear targets or outcomes that would allow the community to evaluate whether the schools are meeting expectations.

Passing Responsibility to Dr. Montgomery:

They often claim it’s Dr. Montgomery’s job to define these metrics, which doesn’t make sense for an oversight group that should be setting its own standards for success.

Pointing Fingers Without Offering Solutions:

They frequently criticize the school district when things go wrong but don’t provide clear, actionable solutions or a vision of what success looks like.

Leadership Accountability and Conduct:

Frank McCormick’s divisive and inflammatory social media posts reflect poorly on the organization and are inconsistent with the values expected of an educational advocacy group.

Potential for Polarization:

McCormick’s behavior risks alienating parts of the community, undermining the inclusive and respectful dialogue necessary for effective advocacy.

8:30 What should the scoring be? 80%

10:27 Matt Montgomery Clip    • 🚨 Cherokee School Issues & Mental Hea...  12:19 Frank McCormick’s social media presence https://x.com/CBHeresy12:50 Philippe's response to Pete

14:15 District 67 Hiring Issue in the news https://kenoshacountyeye.com/2024/05/...22:10 According to Parents Care, what should the school do differently in hiring?

24:00 Red Flags in Hiring

24:50 Steps to take before hiring someone, i.e., look them up on Google

25:45 Matt Montgomery letter https://secure.smore.com/n/xv6s0-augu...31:55 What can the school say when asked for a referral?

34:10 Once the school found out it was a bad hire, they terminated immediately.

35:05 Why doesn’t Parents Care wait to get all the info before spouting off?

39:50 Jeff Brincat did not like Matt Montgomery’s response to the issue.

41:38 How many bad hires should the school district have?

42:00 Matt Montgomery’s explanations on bad hires.

47:59 Jeff Brincat says there is a culture of people at the schools afraid to come forward.

52:35 Pass the Trash

54:00 Brad Schneider Clip    • 🎙️ Rep. Brad Schneider: Balancing 10t...  #LakeForestPodcast #District67 #ParentsCare #SchoolSafety #CherokeeSchool #Education

🚤 Dive into this episode of the Lake Forest Podcast with Uncle Mike Sanaghan, joining us from the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri! 🏞️ Mike shares how life in Missouri compares to Illinois, touching on everything from friendlier neighbors 👫 to the calming lifestyle 🌿. We discuss crime rates 🚔, gun rights 🔫, and how Missouri has lowered his blood pressure ❤️. Plus, find out why the Lake of the Ozarks has more shoreline than California 🏖️ and get the scoop on the famous boat races 🛥️.

🏆 Topics Covered:

Missouri vs. Illinois 🏠

1968 DNC and Chicago memories 🕊️

The shift from Democrat to Republican 🇺🇸

Donald Trump’s impact on politics 🤔

The history of Meigs Field in Chicago ✈️

📅 Don't miss out—hit that subscribe button and turn on notifications for more insightful discussions! 🔔

Key Moments:

0:002:32 - Uncle Mike Sanaghan joins the show from Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, and talks about how much better he is off in Missouri than in Illinois.

4:17 - Mike Sanaghan Story

4:47 - People are nicer in Missouri

5:12 - Crime? Prosecution

5:42 - More people carry guns in Missouri, especially women

6:21 - You always start out as a Democrat in Chicago; Richard J. Daley process

6:52 - 1968 DNC: Not one shot was fired.

7:32 - College Kids today vs. 1968

7:57 - Much calmer in Lake of the Ozarks

8:17 - Much freer to speak in Missouri; blood pressure went down

9:07 - Boat Races in Lake of The Ozarks https://lakeoftheozarksshootout.com/

10:11 - Lake of the Ozarks has more shoreline than California https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_of_the_Ozarks

10:34 - Presidential Election

12:37 - What was a 60's Democrat compared to today?

13:27 - What happened to turn Mike from a Democrat to a Republican?

15:47 - Why does Donald Trump say stupid things?

16:17 - Meigs Field and Richard M. Daley https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meigs_Field

17:27 - Illinois to Florida Clip

18:07 - Toll bridge in Lake of the Ozarks

19:37 - Uncle Eddie Shout Out

#LakeForestPodcast #MissouriLife #IllinoisToMissouri #LakeOfTheOzarks #MikeSanaghan #PoliticalChange #1968DNC #GunRights #BoatRaces #PresidentialElection #MeigsField #DonaldTrump #MissouriVsIllinois #PodcastDiscussion #MidwestLife #OzarksShoreline

In this critical episode of the Lake Forest Podcast, Mary Cole, Lake Bluff Trustee and candidate for Lake County State’s Attorney, joins us once again to discuss the pressing issues facing Lake County. From the tragic shooting in Round Lake Beach to the challenges posed by the Safety Act, Mary breaks down why this election is more important than ever.

🌟 Key Topics Covered:

The tragic case of Valeria Rodriguez and what it reveals about Lake County’s criminal justice system

The impact of the Safety Act on local law enforcement and public safety

Why Mary Cole believes Lake County needs a change in leadership

The stark differences between Mary Cole’s vision and that of her opponent, Eric Reinhardt

The importance of every vote in the upcoming State’s Attorney election

👉 Get involved: Visit MaryForCounty.com to learn more, donate, or volunteer to support Mary’s campaign. https://www.maryforlakecounty.com/

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth discussions on the Lake Forest Podcast!

#LakeForestPodcast #MaryCole #LakeCounty #CrimeAndSafety #LakeCountyElections #StateAttorneyRace #RoundLakeBeach #SafetyAct #CriminalJusticeReform #Vote2024

Join us for a lively recap of the Lake Forest Day Parade! 🎉 We discuss the challenges of distributing Mardi Gras beads, and Coach Steve Sarauer and President Emily Savage talk about Lake Forest Scouts Hockey. 🏒 Explore the Scouts' Christmas Tree Sale and get a glimpse of the Northshore Bin Cleaners with Chris. Learn how the parade numbering works, and meet some of the parade's standout participants, including the Buffalo Creek Brass Band and local political figures like Andy Dakin and Carla Wycoff. 🎶

We dive into community updates with Jeff Urso, discussing his ventures with Donatis, Bratskis, and the Prairie Bar. 🍕🥨🍻 Experience the excitement of the parade, from meeting Lake Forest's finest to spotting Pete Jansons' #1 fan, John Looby, and more. Catch up on the latest happenings and plans for next year's festival with Cathy Czerniak's help. 🚔

Don't miss our interview with Jeff Urso at Duffers Pub, where he shares insights about local business and community growth. 🌟

Key Moments:

0:00 Mardi Gras Bead Issue

6:55 Lake Forest Scouts Hockey https://www.scouthockey.com/ Coach Steve Sarauer and President Emily Savage

7:45 Scouts Hockey Christmas Tree Sale https://www.scouthockey.com/about/chr...9:23 Chris with Northshore Bin Cleaners https://northshorebincleaners.com/10:40 How the Lake Forest Parade numbering works and issues with giving out beads to the audience

11:33 Buffalo Creek Brass Band, Buffalo Grove, IL

12:16 Andy Dakin Float https://www.dalkinforlakecounty.com/m...12:25 Lorrie Fitzgerald dangles with beads

12:35 Carla Wycoff https://carlawyckoff.com/13:01 Jim Carris for Congress https://carrisforcongress.com/13:45 Ben Grum for Lake County https://www.grumforlakecounty.com/13:55 Michelle Parnell Aesthetic Lounge https://theaestheticloungemedspa.com/ https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/i...15:05 Buffalo Creek Brass Band, Buffalo Grove, IL, one more time

17:49 Saying hi to the car wash guys at the BP on Western http://www.carspacarwashes.com/catego...18:50 Meeting Lake Forest's Finest giving beads

19:45 Pete's "Bruddah" Taxi driver https://www.americantaxi.com/20:22 Pete Jansons #1 Fan John Looby https://lakeforestflowers.com/about-l...20:55 More Lake Forest Copper Love

21:30 Otto Dancing Clinic

21:43 Announcers read Lake Forest Podcast, missed 1/2 of it

21:58 Congressman Brad Schneider https://schneider.house.gov/22:11 Jim Carris crashing interview

22:48 End of Parade hydrating at Duffers Pub with Jeff Urso https://dufferspub.com/index.html23:11 Bead learnings from this year

23:50 Brand Update from Jeff Urso - Donatis https://donatispizza.com/donatis-cate..., Bratskis   / bratskis-100093462404551  , and Prairie Bar https://www.prairiebar.com/24:38 Next year, with Cathy Czerniak's help, we will do a festival at the end of Duffers

25:00 Beautiful experience at Duffers with windows open

25:15 Jeff Urso upbringing

25:50 Tocco Restaurant opening next to Duffers https://tocconorth.com/25:55 High-End Italian Grocery store coming in behind Duffers

26:10 Secret Basement Lot under Duffers

27:13 Dollar Wings

28:13 What's happening in Lake Forest? Joe Oriti, Lake Forest Caucus President, Bagpipes and Bonfires, and the New Police Station

29:45 Cops in Lake Forest are the best

30:07 Jeff Urso's son graduated shout out AJ and his new boss Rod

30:55 Lantern business in trouble? Shout out to Kosta for 20 years, shout out to Joe Knesley and Chiefs

31:58 Jim Carris Posse Arrives

#LakeForestDayParade #MardiGrasBeads #ScoutsHockey #EmilySavage #SteveSarauer #NorthshoreBinCleaners #BuffaloCreekBrassBand #AndyDakin #CarlaWycoff #JimCarris #BenGrum #MichelleParnell #BradSchneider #JohnLooby #JeffUrso #DuffersPub #Donatis

In this episode of the Lake Forest Podcast, we dive deep into the city's financial landscape with Alderman Jed Morris. Learn about the city's strategic financial planning, the future of the police station, and how Lake Forest manages to keep taxes low while maintaining top-notch services. Discover how Lake Forest's AAA bond rating benefits the community, and explore the balance between historical preservation and progress. Join us for an enlightening discussion on the city's fiscal health and upcoming projects. Don't miss this engaging conversation on how Lake Forest continues to thrive. 🌟💬

0:002:40 Jed Morris Background

4:30 Moody's Bond Evaluation

9:46 School Bond and Expenses: What is Over Bonding?

11:09 Susan Garrett brought up Over Bonding?

11:50 Jed Morris Screen Share on Bonds

14:20 Self-Imposed Tax Cap?

19:20 Building a new police station from scratch vs. utilizing existing building

20:40 Rob Lansing Clip

21:25 Lake Forest Triple Crown in Finance

25:20 Senator Garrett's comment on spending to fix the streets

27:50 Deerpath and Green Bay Water Main Issue

31:45 Issue at Sheridan School and police response

34:30 Jed's thoughts regarding the podcast and what's going to pop up in the future regarding misinformation

38:39 What did Randy Tack do to help fix pension obligations

45:40 Tournaments at Deerpath Park?

49:05 Block the box and Jed's residence on McKinley

52:00 Preserving History and Balance

52:50 Why are there so many open storefronts in Market Square?

55:20 Tax Increment Financing: How do you deal with it?

Jed Morris Bio:

Jed Morris moved to his current home in the 1st Ward in 1975 after living in Chicago for four years.

He attended Northwestern University from 1963-1967, earning a BA degree. After graduation, he served as an officer in the US Navy for three years. He returned to the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, where he earned an MBA degree in Finance and Accounting. He joined the accounting firm of Arthur Young and Co. in 1971 as a Certified Public Accountant in their auditing and accounting practice.

Jed and his wife, Kate, raised two children in Lake Forest. Both of their children returned to Lake Forest after their respective marriages, and they are now raising their children. Jed has one grandson attending Everett School and three grandsons in High School and Middle School.

After several years in the AY&Co audit practice, Jed moved into their consulting division. He focused on consulting for local and state governments. He did extensive consulting work for the City of Chicago, Cook County, and the State of Illinois. He went on to lead their Midwest Public Sector consulting practice.

Following the merger of Arthur Young and Ernst & Whinney, he left the firm in 1989 and, with other associates, formed a technology consulting practice, Whitman-Hart, focusing on IBM mid-range computer technology. This firm became the most prominent US technology consulting company, focusing on the IBM mid-range technology platform. In 1999, Jed went to London to supervise the acquisition of a UK Consulting practice.

Jed has served the Ward One alderman from 2017 through 2023. In his role as an alderman, he was also the Chairman of the City Council Finance Committee. The committee approved the annual City budget and the annual property tax levy. He served on the City’s Pension Committee. He participated in the change in the pension fund contribution modeling in order to create a level yearly funding plan. He served as the Lake Forest Planning Commission member in 1997 and 1998. He left the Planning Commission before his term was completed due to the assignment in London. He worked on the Elawa and Middle Fork Farms project with Open Lands during his term. The project has become a “go-to” resource for the community and an example of creative community development.

He served as the City representative on the Gorton Community Center Board of Directors. He was the head of the Finance Committee. As such, he was responsible for ensuring that the City’s interest in the revitalized facility was maintained and that the Board provided good stewardship for the Center.

#LakeForest #CityFinance #AldermanJedMorris #PoliceStation #BondRating #PublicSector #CommunityDevelopment #podcastlife