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Mount Prospect offers advice to Wheeling in handling 'Idol'

All the policing plans, crowd-control counsel and motorcade management strategies in the world can't truly prepare a community for the spectacle that is an “American Idol” hometown visit.

But Wheeling officials gearing up for Haley Reinhart's arrival have done their best, with their experienced neighbors in Mount Prospect proving to be invaluable advisers.

“The best advice I can give them is to expect the unexpected and go with the flow,” said Maura El Metennani, Mount Prospect spokeswoman.

El Metennani knows what she's talking about. A year ago, she had the exhaustive job of overseeing the Hometown Celebration for Lee DeWyze, paint store employee by day and lead singer by night.

DeWyze was a phenomenon. He was mobbed at every stop on his daylong celebration, culminating with 40,000 fans for his concert at Arlington Park that evening.

He won the ninth season of “American Idol,” with an estimated 3,000 screaming fans gathered for a final viewing party at Village Green.

That, combined with the hometown celebration, cost Mount Prospect about $40,000, officials estimate.

The Wheeling and Mount Prospect Police Departments met last week to share materials, plans and stories from last year, El Metennani said.

She also sat down with Wheeling's Director of Economic Development, Peter Vadopalas, to discuss strategies — be it the importance of communicating with Fox network producers, or bracing for the high-decibel swarms of shrieking teenage girls.

“I think (Mount Prospect) interpreted the experience as a great promotional opportunity for the community,” Vadopalas said. “It's already been a great economic tool for us in terms of restaurants hosting viewing parties and we know people are coming into town for this.”

El Metennani said that even after a year, the shared experience and community spirit that DeWyze's success brought Mount Prospect remains.

“People remember how everyone really came together and bonded over one of our own residents,” she said. “That feeling of pride still lingers.”

Reinhart stopped at Fox News Chicago's studio Friday night where she revealed she loves how warm Midwesterners are, that she's a Bulls, Bears and White Sox fan, and that you may just see her at Bob Chinn's restaurant in Wheeling this weekend — she's missed the surf and turf.

She also addressed the belief that the Idol judges seem to save all their criticism for her.

“Off camera, they're all really warm, wonderful people, “ Reinhart said. But she felt she had to defend her song choices, she said.

And the Idol contestant she's grown closest to? Frequent duet partner Casey Abrams. Reinhart said the two had a special relationship —fueled by their love of jazz, of course.

Reinhart said she's excited to play at the same venue DeWyze did last year, and perhaps in a hint of things to come tonight, closed the newscast with a lovely a cappella version of Cole Porter's “Night and Day.”

Mount Prospect Mayor Irvana Wilks, who hopes to attend the Arlington Park show, said she's rooting for Reinhart, knowing the joy a win will bring both the 20-year-old and Wheeling.

“I really wish Haley luck,” Wilks said. “We've all been crossing our fingers for her.”

Ÿ Daily Herald staff writer Kathleen Danes contributed to this report