Oak Park school board member found dead in forest

MELROSE PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- Oak Park school board member Peter Traczyk was found dead in Thatcher Woods Saturday morning near West North Avenue and Riverwoods Drive in Melrose Park, the medical examiner's office confirmed.

Details about the cause or circumstances of Traczyk's death have not been released. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday.

Traczyk, 48, had served as a board member for Oak Park Elementary Scholl District 97 since 2007, according to the district's website, and served as board president in 2010 and 2011.

"We are incredibly shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of our friend and colleague," the district said in a statement on their website. "There are no words that can truly express the enormity of this loss for our district and community."

"Peter was a dedicated public servant whose passion, altruism and leadership had a profound and lasting impact not only on our two schools, but on the entire Village of Oak Park," the statement continued. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time."