La Grange Park Residents Ask Lipinski's Help in Saving Post Office

At a Monday night open house at , residents got a chance to talk with Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and village officials about their concerns over .

"I will take all of these concerns," Lipinski said, "and continue to work with [President Discipio] to keep this post office open."

Lipinski stayed for about 30 minutes, and promised to take their concerns back to Washington D.C.

But the main purpose of the night's meeting was to allow residents to send their thoughts directly to post office officials in Washington D.C.

"The purpose of the meeting is to hear from you," Julia Cedillo, village manager, told the attendees.

Following Lipinski's comments, residents were invited to participate in a video journal organized by the Village. Residents with something to say about the post office could record a video message that will be edited and sent to post office officials.

A post office representative was not present at the open house, and the crowd was small—but no less vocal— 2011 on the topic at the . Residents at the meeting continued to say that getting to a nearby post office location will be a burden—especially with a lack of nearby parking at the La Grange branch.

"It really will be a hardship if they take everything away from us," said resident James Smith.

The village will know by March 1, Cedillo said, whether their branch will be closing. A single resident can choose to appeal the ruling if the branch does close.

According to President Discipio, he is also considering ways to work with the post office to keep it from closing. He has suggested that the price of rent may be a factor in the local branch closing. If so, the post office could find a smaller, cheaper location in the village, and continue basic services like selling stamps and keeping P.O. Boxes.