News Flash

As we celebrate 100 YEARS of Richton Park, we’re excited to honor Black excellence, creativity, and innovation in a BIG way! Join us for our Black History Celebration, proudly hosted by the Richton Park Human Relations Commission, as we spotlight Black Inventors throughout history and their powerful impact on the world. LIVE entertainment Special exhibits & interactive activities Guest speakers & special performances️ Vendors & more!Saturday, February 71:00 – 4:00 PMRichton Park Community Center4445 Sauk TrailFREE & open to the community!Bring your family, bring your friends, and come celebrate culture, history, and innovation as we kick off an unforgettable Centennial year together. This is one you don’t want to miss! 🙌🏾✨#RichtonPark #RP100 #RichtonParkCentennial #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackInventors #CommunityPride #CelebrateBlackHistory #YourHome

Back by popular demand, we're hosting our 3rd annual Cornhole Tournament April 11th! This 16-Team, family friendly, fun-filled tournament will bring the community together, build amazing connections, and support the Friends of Post 311 Foundation. The tournament will feature 16 teams in a single elimination bracket format.

Each team will have 4 players that rotate each round during tournament play. All 4 players are expected to participate. Last year, the Foundation took the gold hardware. Let's see who the team is to beat in 2026!

To participate, please visit https://www.friendsofpost311.org/Last year, we raised over $8,000 and we are hoping to double that amount in 2026. It is our intent to hold this special event to honor our veterans annually and to grow it as a beacon of Cornhole fun in the South Suburbs.Learn everything about us, what we're about, and our mission for community and people.

The Village of Richton Park is proud to announce the launch of a monumental, yearlong celebration honoring its 100th Anniversary - a century marked by growth, resilience, diverse cultural roots, and an unwavering commitment to community. Since its incorporation on June 8, 1926, Richton Park has transformed from a small settlement along historic Indigenous pathways into a vibrant, forward-thinking suburb recognized for its progress, inclusivity, and innovation.

The Centennial Celebration, beginning January 2026, will highlight Richton Park’s rich past, dynamic present, and illustrious future through special events, storytelling, public art, commemorative items, and community engagement initiatives.

The Village of Richton Park, located in Chicago’s Southland region, is committed to providing a safe, business friendly environment supported by fiscally responsible governance. The Village focuses on long term financial stability while creating an atmosphere that supports residents, businesses, and future growth.

Wasiu Fashina, Assistant Village Manager and Director of Finance, plays a key role in guiding the Village’s financial strategy. In his position, he helps oversee financial operationsand ensures that public funds are managed responsibly to support both short-term needs and long-term planning.

The Village was introduced to IMET through the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA). After being introduced to IMET, Richton Park evaluated its investment options to ensure safety and competitive returns. . “We decided to invest with IMET because it could provide a competitive rate of return while maintaining the safety of our investments compared to similar investments,” Wasiu explained. A key objective at the time was to diversify the Village’s investments while maintaining safety and liquidity.

Today, Richton Park primarily uses its IMET investments as reserve funds, supporting the Village’s broader financial framework. IMET has helped the Village generate investment income while prioritizing the safety of principal, aligning closely with Richton Park’s prudent and disciplined approach to public funds management.

When reflecting on his experience working with IMET, Wasiu highlighted the responsiveness and communication of the IMET team, led by Executive Director Sofia Anastopoulos and Associate Director Ethan Lord. He noted the prompt responses to inquiries, as well as pleasant and effective communication, as meaningful aspects of the partnership. Wasiu also noted that the IMET newsletters have also served as a valuable resource, helping the Village stay informed on market conditions and investment trends relevant to public agencies.

For other public agencies considering IMET, Wasiu offered practical advice. “IMET is a solid investment tool for both the long term and the short-term," he shared. He also emphasized the importance of remaining aware of market volatility and staying informed as conditions change.

To learn more about the Village of Richton Park, visit www.richtonpark.org.

To learn more about IMET, visit IMET.com.

Alicia Maria Ruiz is a respected leader in community development, urban planning, real estate, and public service, with a career dedicated to expanding opportunity and advancing equity in the communities she serves. Alicia is now serving as the Director of Community Development for the Village of Richton Park. Where she will focus on guiding thoughtful growth, strengthening neighborhood vitality, and ensuring transparent, resident-centered development practices.

Alicia brings more than two decades of experience as the Principal Owner of AMR Real Estate, a women- and minority-owned brokerage committed to making homeownership more accessible—particularly for working families and underrepresented communities. Her professional work has consistently centered on housing equity, reinvestment, and community engagement, grounded in the belief that homeownership is a right, not a privilege.

From 2017 to 2025, Alicia made history as the first elected Latina Alderman of Berwyn, Illinois, representing the Sixth Ward. During her tenure, she served as Aldermanic Chair of the Public Works, Parking, Trees, Traffic, Streets & Sewers Committee, where she led infrastructure investments, neighborhood improvements, and service-focused initiatives that improved quality of life across the city. She also spearheaded impactful programs such as the Sixth Ward Beautification and Adopt-A-Block initiatives, regular community engagement forums, and citywide efforts including the Adelante Award for Women, Young Latina Day Proclamation, subsidized free vehicle stickers for Veterans, and the Hispanic Heritage Parade and Festival.

Born and raised in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood as the eldest of five siblings, Alicia brings a deep understanding of grassroots leadership and the importance of community-driven solutions. Her leadership extends beyond elected office through service as Chair of the Chicago Association of Realtors West Towns Chapter and Foundation Board of Trustees, President of the Prairie Oak Elementary School PTO, and Commissioner on Berwyn’s Zoning Board of Appeals and Historic Preservation Commissions.

In Richton Park, Alicia’s goals include strengthening planning and zoning practices, streamlining permitting and inspections, supporting local businesses and reinvestment, advancing and moving key initiatives through collaboration and transparency. She holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is most proud of her role as a mother and grandmother.

A Century of Community • Progress • Promise

The Village of Richton Park is proud to announce the launch of a monumental, yearlong celebration honoring its 100th Anniversary - a century marked by growth, resilience, diverse cultural roots, and an unwavering commitment to community. Since its incorporation on June 8, 1926, Richton Park has transformed from a small settlement along historic Indigenous pathways into a vibrant, forward-thinking suburb recognized for its progress, inclusivity, and innovation.

The Centennial Celebration, beginning January 2026, will highlight Richton Park’s rich past, dynamic present, and illustrious future through special events, storytelling, public art, commemorative items, and community engagement initiatives. Learn more at http://richtonpark.org/Centennial

A Legacy Rooted in History

Long before Richton Park became an incorporated village, its land served as a crossroads of cultures and a passageway for people seeking new horizons. Sauk Trail, today a central artery of the community, was once a significant route used by Native American tribes for travel, trade, and connection across the region.

Richton Park is also part of the nation’s profound story of freedom. Historical accounts indicate that areas within the region served as stopovers on the Underground Railroad, providing refuge and hope to enslaved Africans and African Americans seeking liberation. This legacy of courage and compassion continues to inspire the community’s values.Through the decades, Richton Park has evolved from a modest railroad community to a flourishing municipality known for its neighborhoods, parks, schools, cultural diversity, and strong civic pride. Today, residents enjoy a community that honors its heritage while embracing progress and opportunity.

A Century of Growth - A Future of Momentum

Over 100 years, Richton Park has grown into a thriving community that champions opportunity, economic development, environmental sustainability, public safety, educational excellence, and quality of life. The Centennial Year serves not only as a reflection of past achievements, but as a declaration of the Village’s commitment to the decades ahead.“Our Centennial is more than a milestone, it is a celebration of who we have been, who we are now, and who we continue to become,” says Village President Rick Reinbold. “From our historic roots along Sauk Trail to our modern advancements, Richton Park’s story is one of unity, resilience, and bright possibility. In 2026, we invite everyone - residents, businesses, partners, and visitors, to celebrate this remarkable journey with us.”

A Yearlong Celebration: 2026 Centennial Events & Experiences

The entire year of 2026 will be dedicated to honoring Richton Park’s past, present, and future through a vibrant series of community events, creative initiatives, and commemorative projects. Highlights will include:

• Centennial-Themed Signature EventsMajor Village events throughout the year - festivals, concerts, parades, and cultural celebrations, will feature special centennial displays, recognition moments, and more. Flagship Centennial events consisting of Resident Appreciation Day and more.
• Community Storytelling & Historical ExhibitsResidents will be invited to share memories, photos, and stories, which will be featured digitally in Centennial content, and in public locations to honor generational narratives. Please email RP100@richtonpark.org to share.
• Public Art & Visual DisplaysCentennial branding will be visible throughout the Village via banners, billboards, posters, and public installations celebrating Richton Park’s identity and progress.
• Digital Campaigns & Social Media FeaturesA yearlong digital storytelling series will highlight historical milestones, notable residents, community change-makers, and visions for the future.
• Commemorative Merchandise & CollectiblesLimited-edition centennial items - guidebooks, commemorative coins, apparel, and keepsakes to take home a piece of village history. Both free and for-purchase.
• Special Community Engagement InitiativesYouth projects, themed contests, and legacy activities will bring all generations together in celebration.

Honoring the Past. Celebrating the Present. Inspiring the Future.

Richton Park’s 100th Anniversary is a once-in-a-lifetime event, an opportunity to reflect on the Village’s remarkable transformation and honor those who paved the way, all while empowering the next century of growth, unity, and community advancement.

Throughout 2026, the Village encourages all residents, families, business owners, partners, community stakeholders, and visitors to participate in the celebration and share in the pride of this historic milestone.