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Advocate for Prospect Heights' multifamily housing residents dies

A former Prospect Heights alderman, who represented residents living in the city's multifamily housing district on its east side, has died.

Darlene Ahlstedt served on the city council from 1997-2007. She passed away on Wednesday. Ahlstedt was 68.

Former Alderman Gregory Koeppen remembers serving with Ahlstedt on the council. He described her as a loyal public servant who worked diligently to improve conditions on the city's east side.

"She always had the interests of her residents at heart," said Koeppen, who served on the council from 1995-2003 and is now executive director of the Grayslake Fire Commission and the Lake County Farm Bureau.

"Whether they were renters or owners," he added, "she was committed to ensuring the area was safe, clean and a place that residents would be proud to call home."

Ahlstedt did call the east side home. She lived and worked at Quincy Park, managing its condominium association. Consequently, she knew many of its residents and quickly became their advocate.

"She developed relationships there," says Prospect Heights Police Chief Alan Steffen. "She knew many of the children who lived there and she was a mentor to them."

As an alderman, Ahlstedt worked closely with the Prospect Heights Police Department to advance safety measures within the ward. She also attended the Citizens' Police Academy, and after graduating, she volunteered in an outreach program directed at young people.

"We all worked together to address their needs," Steffen added. "We wanted to make sure the kids knew that someone cared about them."

At the end of her time on the council, acting Prospect Heights Mayor Patrick Ludvigsen nominated Ahlstedt to fill a vacancy on the Chicago Executive Airport Board, a role she formerly held from 2003-2005.

"She saw the airport as an economic engine for both Prospect Heights and Wheeling," Koeppen added, "and worked closely to make the airport more user-friendly for pilots, and also a compatible neighbor for residents of both communities."

Though she stopped representing her community in an official capacity 10 years ago, Ahlstedt continued to lobby for their needs. Last year, she appeared before the city council to oppose a parking lot for trucks that was being proposed for city-owned land on the east side.

Ahlstedt cited potential flooding issues, with the parking lot preventing a natural stormwater flow toward the Des Plaines River. As a result, council members agreed to revisit the plan.

"Darlene was a true public servant and advocate," Steffen said.

Services are pending.

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