Village Free Press_042424

Loyola Medicine To Forgive $112M In Medical Debt

Forgiveness effort part of statewide proposal to eliminate $1B in medical debt for 340,000 Illinois residents

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Loyola Medicine recently announced that they’re joining a statewide effort to eliminate $1 billion in medical debt for 340,000 low-income Illinois residents.

Shawn Vincent, the president and CEO of Loyola Medicine, stood with Gov. JB Pritzker and Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle at a press conference in Chicago on April 15 to announce the hospital’s plans.

Vincent said Loyola will relieve $112 million in medical debt for over 60,000 individuals.

“Unfortunately, far too often, even low levels of medical debt means families across the country are unable to access the care they so desperately need,” Vincent said

He referenced a Kaiser Foundation survey that showed Americans with medical debt are “more than twice as likely as those without debt to postpone or even skip seeking healthcare services because of the cost.”

According to a statement provided by Gov. Pritzker’s office, 14% of Illinois residents have medical debt in collections.

Westchester’s Big Juneteenth Plans Mark

A Milestone

Plans include a day-long Community Celebration, Freedom Walk and flag-raising in village’s first major commemoration of the holiday

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Westchester Trustee Victoria Vann had only been sworn into office for about a month when she approached Village Presi-

dent Greg Hribal with an idea.

“I called President Hribal on a Friday and said, ‘Juneteenth is Wednesday, we have to do something,’” Vann recalled in an interview on April 18.

“The quickest thing I could do was a flag-raising ceremony,” she said. “It was a success. A lot of local mayors and community members came out and a resolution was read. Proviso West High School

Maywood Mayor Nathaniel George Booker, center, and Asia Ousley, Lumity’s director of community engagement and industry partners, third from left, stand with Lumity participants on April 8. Read the story on page 6.

Broadview gets $477K Green Energy Grant

Welch to become new Proviso Township committeeman

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JUNETEENTH

Big plans from page 1

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Opinion

Bellwood Library Brief

By AMY CRUMP Bellwood Library Executive Director

In January, a new law pertaining to public libraries went into effect. It is referred to as the Anti-Book Banning Law and it requires any Illinois public library to have a written policy prohibiting the practice of banning specific books or resources within a public library in order for that library to be eligible for State grants.

The Bellwood Library not only put such a policy in place in 2023, but as of January 2024, Bellwood Library Trustee Felicia Chase, with the support of the entire Board and myself, facilitates and leads the Bellwood Banned Book Club (BBB), a book club that reads the books that have been challenged nationally and meets to have an open forum discussion monthly. Thus far, they have read and discussed the following titles: “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson, “The Hate You Give” by Angie Thomas, “Stamped” by

Ibram X Kendi and Jason Reynolds, and “I Am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai. Chase’s special guests for the book club meetings have included Mayor Andre Harvey, County Commissioner Tara Stamps, and representatives from the Arab community for Arab-American Heritage Month.

Trustee Chase invites any interested people to attend the BBB meetings. The May meeting is scheduled for 15 at 7:00 and the selected title is Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. Hope to see you there!

Library Events next week

■ Tuesday 4/30, 12:30 p.m. | Soundbath Meditation | “Bathe” in the ambient sounds and vibrations from crystal singing bowls and other instruments, creating a sense of calm and peace.

■ Thursday, 5/2, 3:30 pm. | Coding Club (youth)

■ Saturday 5/4, 10 a.m. | Zumba

students recited poems. First responders and Black-owned businesses [participated].”

This year, with the full support of President Hribal, Vann not only has more time, but she has a larger budget and a committee to plan what’s likely to be Westchester’s biggest Juneteenth celebration ever.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the date when Union Army General Gordon Granger announced General Order No. 3, proclaiming that the enslaved people in Texas were free — two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

In 2021, federal lawmakers made Juneteenth a national holiday and Illinois made Juneteenth an official state holiday. Although Westchester made Juneteenth a paid holiday for village employees in 2023, it’s never had a big celebration on a scale hosted by nearby suburbs like Broadview and Forest Park. That will change this year in a big way. Vann said she and the Juneteenth Committee — which includes residents, village staffers, public works employees, Rev. Darius Brooks, pastor of Grace Central Church in Westchester, and representatives from the park district, library and District 92.5 — have some pretty grand plans. The villages of Broadview and Forest Park are also supporting this year’s planning efforts, Vann said.

“Juneteenth is a celebration for everyone, not a select few,” she said. “It is part of American history and culture, and it’s celebrated globally. It’s a wonderful demonstration of what unity looks like and how we are more alike than not. I think Westchester is an ideal

Westchester Trustee

Victoria Vann outside of Westchester Village Hall on April 18. The trustee is leading the planning effort ahead of the first major Juneteenth celebration in the village’s history.

place to host this event and it represents the community.”

Westchester’s Juneteenth celebration will take place on two days. On June 19, the village will host a Freedom Walk and flag-raising ceremony. Walkers will meet and line up by 9:45 a.m. at Broadview Missionary Baptist Church, 2100 S. 25th Ave. in Broadview and begin walking at 10 a.m. west toward Westchester Village Hall, 10300 W. Roosevelt Rd.

On June 22, the village will host a day-long Community Celebration in partnership with Forest Park that will feature music, food, a vendor market and fun activities at Gladstone Park, 850 Westchester Blvd., from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Vann said Westchester businesses can participate as vendors at no cost. Food truck fees will also be waived for Westchester food trucks. For non-Westchester businesses, the vendor fee is $50 while the food truck fee for non-Westchester food trucks is $150.

The trustee said students from Proviso West High School will perform again this year. Westchester School District 92.5 is holding a Juneteenth Essay Contest and the winner will have the opportunity to recite their essay during the flag-raising ceremony.

A traveling Juneteenth museum and Forest Park Commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin will donate an original woodcut by the noted artist Leopoldo Mendez entitled “Paul Robeson” on behalf of the residents of Forest Park.

“You’re really seeing a lot of support around this,” she said. “This is a perfect exhibit of what collaboration looks like.”

Westchester’s Juneteenth Committee is still looking for vendors and businesses to participate in the Community Celebration. For more information, contact Annie Canavan, Westchester administrative services coordinator, at (708) 345-0020 or acanavan@ westchester-il.gov.

MICHAEL ROMAIN

Topgolf-style Entertainment Venue Proposed For Bushwood Site

The owner of a cigar lounge in Maywood has plans to turn the old driving range into a more comprehensive entertainment center where golfing will mix with food and drinks

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

A developer has a plan to turn the former Bushwood Golf Practice Center and Driving Range, 30 Madison St. in Maywood, into a Topgolf-style driving range and entertainment complex.

Jeffrey A. Eton Jr., the president of Cooperative Solutions Group, a strategic consulting and management firm, presented the development proposal at a Maywood village board meeting on April 15.

Eaton, who is also a longtime Maywood resident and Maywood Park District commissioner, presented the plan on behalf of lead developer Greg Walker, the owner of Casa de Puros, a cigar lounge at 1117 S. 1st Ave. in Maywood.

Walker and his team of investors would first need to purchase the property from the village, which owns the vacant driving range after buying it from the Cook County Land Bank Authority in 2021.

Eaton said the developers plan to transform the old Bushwood range into “a worldclass, state-of-the-art off-course driving range

LOYOLA FORGIVENESS

from page 1

“However, communities of color are disproportionately impacted, with nearly 20% of the Illinois population in communities of color having accumulated medical debt in collections,” Pritzker’s office stated.

“Those struggling with the weight of medical debt face unique challenges, including an increased risk of bankruptcy,

and live entertainment venue” inspired by Topgolf, a national chain of sports entertainment complexes that features “an inclusive, high-tech golf game that everyone can enjoy, paired with an outstanding food and beverage menu, climate-controlled hitting bays and music,” according to its website.

Eaton said his market analysis has shown an increased demand for experiential golf entertainment, particularly among millennials and Generation Z, coupled with a rising interest in casual dining experiences with entertainment options.

“More people now play golf in the U.S. offcourse than they do on-course,” Eaton said, adding that in 2022 there were about 25.6 million on-course golfers compared to 27.9 million off-course participants — the “first time off-course has exceeded on-course.”

Eaton attributed the trend to advanced technology and increased accessibility to the sport among people with little to no golfing experience.

Eaton said the developers would renovate the site in three phases, hopefully starting in May.

The first phase would include acquiring the property and spending $805,000 to renovate the clubhouse into a restaurant, bar and live entertainment venue.

Phase two would start in November 2024 and would include spending $1.1 million to install an air-supported dome over the driving range.

Phase three would start in May 2025, with the installation of outdoor poles and netting at a cost of around $1.5 million.

Eventually, the developers would look to spend around $3 million to expand the existing clubhouse from 3,000 square feet to 18,000 square feet. The new facility would include

difficulties affording basic needs, and even pressure to forgo needed medical care,” the statement added.

In his FY 2025 budget address, the governor introduced a four-year plan to eliminate an estimated $4 billion in medical debt for over 1 million Illinois residents by partnering with Undue Medical Debt, a national nonprofit focused on abolishing burdensome medical debt and advocating for systemic changes to the U.S. medical industry.

By working with Undue Medical Debt, the State will pay one penny (on average) to buy

The former Bushwood Bushwood Golf Practice Center, 30 Madison St. in Maywood. A developer wants to turn the property into a Topgolf-style driving range and entertainment complex.

three levels. The top floor would feature a rooftop with a retractable glass enclosure.

Eaton addressed some of the challenges associated with the proposal, including the fact that the site sits above a former landfill, so the soil isn’t stable enough for heavy development on the property’s south end. Other challenges include the village’s high property taxes and an insufficient number of on-site parking spaces.

Eaton said the developers have plans to address those challenges. He said they’ll keep the driving range on the south end of the property intact and they have plans to identify offsite parking areas. Eaton said they might employ shuttle buses to transport people to and from the venue and have plans for controlling crowds that include utilizing private Maywood and River Forest police officers, and private security.

He said developers would offset the high property taxes by applying for a range of tax incentives and tax credits. In 2017, the property taxes on the 8-acre site were roughly $302,000.

Eaton said the proposed development will be owned by different limited liability corporations (LLCs), with each owning different aspects of the enterprise. One LLC will own the land and another will own the restaurant bar and driving range business, among others.

back and eliminate every one dollar of medical debt,” Pritzker’s statement explains.

Undue Medical Debt works with medical providers like hospitals and physicians’ groups to acquire medical debts belonging to people who are four times or below the federal poverty level or whose medical debt is at least 5% of their annual income.

“Debt is acquired in large portfolios for a fraction of their face value and then recipients of debt relief are notified with a branded envelope letting them know the good news: some or all of their medical debt has been

Eaton said to attract and retain customers, the venue will allow community members the opportunity to buy a partial ownership stake in one of the companies associated with the venue.

During the April 15 meeting, the village board directed staffers to start work on drafting a redevelopment agreement for the board to review before deciding whether or not to sell the land to Walker. If the board approves the sale, then the village would also need to hold a public hearing since the property sits within a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, said village attorney Michael Jurusik.

The village has entertained plans for the Bushwood property for several years. In 2018, the village formed a committee to explore developing the former driving range itself. That year, board members threw out a range of development ideas, including a municipal-owned parking lot or a space filled with solar panels. At the time, village staffers said if the village acquired the property through the Land Bank, it wouldn’t be able to turn the property over to a private developer. On April 15, however, Jurusik said “there are no indications of a restriction” on the sale of the property. Brothers Rick and Raffiella Hanson opened Bushwood in 2002 before closing the business in 2010.

erased,” Pritzker’s statement explains. Pritzker’s proposed FY25 budget includes spending $10 million to provide nearly $1 billion in medical debt relief for the first cohort of 340,000 Illinois residents.

The Cook County board has been working with Undue Medical Debt since 2022 to provide medical debt relief to residents.

“By utilizing a portion of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act Funds, Cook County has abolished nearly $350 million in medical debt to date, benefitting more than 200,000 people,” said Preckwinkle.

West40 Updates Community On St. Joe’s Plans

Most of the main high school building will be preserved while two buildings on the north side of campus will be demolished, reps say

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

During a village board meeting on April 9, West40 officials presented conceptual drawings and provided updates about their plans for the old St. Joe’s High School, 10900 W. Cermak Rd. in Westchester. The presentation comes ahead of planning and zoning requests West40 is required to submit.

Mark Kleisner, West40’s executive director, reassured board members that most of the main St. Joe’s building will be preserved. He said 90% of the building will be unchanged on the outside.

“Folks see this complex — the school and the campus — as one of the hallmarks of the community, so we don’t want to change that look too much,” he said. “We realize it’s important to our neighbors.”

Elizabeth Kelly, an attorney representing West40 with the firm Kriha Boucek, echoed Kleisner.

One of the two buildings on the north side of the St. Joe’s campus that West40 will demolish, possibly replacing them with green space.

before they can start demolition.

West40 purchased the old high school, which closed in 2021, for $8 million, with plans to turn the campus into a residential educational facility for up to 40 adolescent students who need intensive social and emotional support.

Kleisner said the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and Gov. JB Pritzker asked West40 to “build a model program to help foster care children in a residential setting.”

justice pathway,” he said. “This is not. This is foster care. We may have a few children who come from hospital situations like depression or something like that. But no one through juvenile justice.”

Kleisner said another question he’s frequently asked is whether or not the West40 St. Joe’s campus is too large for only 40 students. He said due to their challenged backgrounds, the young people will need much more space and resources than students in conventional schools.

“These are going to be children who have not had a great trajectory,” Kleisner said. “We see them needing a lot of support.”

Lezlie Fuhr, the director of programming for West40 at St. Joseph, said between 45 and 75 adult supervisors and other service providers will be employed at the site. Nine adults will staff the campus overnight.

“They’re not looking to tear down the building [and] put a new building in its place,” she said. “They’re looking to take the existing structure, modernize it, remodel it, but keep the core historical value of that building and what it offers and what it means to this community.”

Kleisner said West40 will demolish two buildings on the north side of the campus, with possible plans to replace them with green space. He said some West40 staffers “are lobbying for a pond.” He added that they’ve completed asbestos abatement for the north side buildings, which is necessary

West40 is a government entity that provides the 40 school districts in western Cook County with professional development and support for at-risk students. West40 also helps those districts stay in compliance with various policies and procedures.

Kleisner said DCFS will assign the foster kids to West40 and the students, who may likely be all boys, will be no older than 18 years old.

“I have frequently been asked if any of the students are coming through the juvenile

Kelly said West40 commissioned a traffic study for the site that concluded that there would be no changes to the traffic flow surrounding the campus. She said with far fewer students and staffers than the now-defunct St. Joe’s, the traffic impact will be even lighter than it was when the high school was operating.

West40 has hosted at least three public meetings about their plans for the St. Joe’s campus. Kleisner said West40 will plan another informational session soon. Village officials said they’ll let residents know more information about the upcoming when it’s finalized.

Broadview Gets $477K Federal Green Energy Grant

Suburb is one of 31 local governments in U.S. to receive the federal funding

BY MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

The village of Broadview was one of only 31 local governments across the U.S. to receive a federal grant to promote green energy.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced on April 4 that Broadview would get a $476,487 federal Energy Future Grant grant to advance the village’s energy strategy.

“On behalf of the Village of Broadview, I am immensely grateful to the U.S. Department of Energy for this Energy Future Grant,” said

Mayor Katrina Thompson. “The $476,487 grant is a win for our residents, our businesses, and our region because it will help empower us to build a cleaner, more sustainable Broadview for generations to come.”

“A lasting clean energy transition starts with state, local, and Tribal governments in the driver’s seat, taking the wheel in pursuit of their own unique clean energy strategies,” explained U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm in a statement.

“With support from the Energy Future Grants Program, local communities can devise their own projects to solve challenges, create new jobs, and make their clean energy goals a reality,” she said.

Mayor Thompson said the village will use its grant funding to make green energy more affordable and accessible for residents.

“Broadview’s Clean Energy Initiative aims

to provide hundreds of residents with reducedrate solar electricity,” according to Mayor Thompson’s statement.

“Key benefits, among others, will include new on-site and off-site community solar projects, an increased number of residents being trained and receiving jobs through new projects, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and greater access among disadvantaged communities to clean energy as measured by Illinois Solar for All subscriptions.”

The federal grant is one aspect of the village’s wider climate and green energy strategy, village officials explained.

In 2022, Broadview was one of 15 western Cook County suburbs that entered into a nonbinding agreement with the Cross Community Climate Collaborative (C4), an initiative Thompson co-founded alongside Oak Park Mayor Vicki Scaman and River Forest Mayor

Cathy Adduci. Participating suburbs pledged to halve 2010 greenhouse gas emission levels by 2030 and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“The municipalities are seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs for low-to-moderate income residents,” Mayor Thompson stated. “The job creation will come from enhancing solar energy access in the residential, commercial, municipal, and institutional sectors of our communities.”

According to Broadview’s statement, this is the first round of competitive awards granted through the Energy Future Grant program that was created in 2023. Broadview is now eligible to compete for approximately $1 million in the next phase of implementation.

Carbondale was the only other Illinois municipality to receive the Energy Future Grant funds.

Welch To Be Named Proviso Committeeman, House Dems Say

The Proviso Township Democratic Organization recommended House Speaker Welch to replace the late County Clerk Karen Yarbrough

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch appears poised to replace Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough as Proviso Township Democratic Committeeman, according to a statement released Friday evening by the Democrats for the Illinois House. Yarbrough died from an undisclosed illness on April 7.

House Democrats said Welch was “unanimously recommended” by the Proviso Township Democratic Organization (PTDO) “to serve as the new Proviso Township Committeeman in a meeting held Friday evening of the Executive Committee.”

NEWS briefs

Measles Cases Are Up

Suburban Cook County saw its second case of measles this year, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The Cook County Department of Public Health stated that “measles cases are on the rise globally and here in Illinois and Cook County we’ve seen an increase in measles cases as well. Two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine are 97% effective in preventing this highly contagious disease.”

According to Illinois Department of Health data, there have been 66 cases of measles in the state so far this year, the highest since at least 2010. For context, between 2010 and 2023, measles cases in the state ranged from 0 to 17. For more info on measles and vaccines, visit cookcountypublichealth.org/communicablediseases/measles/

Illinois Launches New Online Notary Service

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced on April 17 that residents can now get important documents notarized online. “Electronic Notarization, or “E-Notary,” will radically change the way people and use notary services, Giannoulias predicted,” the secretary’s office explained in a statement. “Without leaving the home or office, an individual or

Last week, Shia Kapos, of Politico Illinois, reported that a group of Proviso Township mayors “penned a letter to Democratic committee members saying a rogue group of people purporting to represent the party organization met in secret and without complying with party rules and attempted to appoint Clarence Thomas, a longtime aide to Yarbrough, as her replacement as a committeeperson.”

The mayors wrote that they “do not believe this was a legitimate appointment and should be declared invalid.”

According to the House Democrats’ statement, Thomas, who is president of the PTDO, “stepped in initially to fill the role of Committeeman” and “understood that Welch could carry on the legacy of Karen Yarbrough, while also bringing new ideas to the party and engaging new members.”

The statement added that Welch had “the support of every local mayor, labor leaders from throughout the state, and active Democrats throughout the township.”

The PTDO’s recommendation was scheduled to be ratified by the full Cook County Democratic Party on April 22. Party leaders will meet April 26 to fill Yarbrough’s county clerk seat.

business can have their documents notarized and signed electronically within minutes.”

“In keeping with our ongoing effort to modernize the Secretary of State’s office, E-Notary serves as a game-changer for Illinoisians by now providing a convenient way to notarize documents without leaving their home or office,” Giannoulias said. “Enabling commissioned notaries to work virtually makes the process faster and more secure for individuals and businesses alike.”

The secretary’s office said e-notary “allows both the customer and notary to sign with an electronic signature, to electronically attach both the notarial certificate and notary seal to a document.”

To find a notary who offers electronic notarization, customers can visit apps.ilsos.gov/ notarysearch. Customers will need a computer, phone or other device that supports audio-video communication and a valid form of identification to complete the notarization electronically.

Hillside Giving Out Pet Decals

Hillside is giving out pet rescue decals to residents who want them. Pet rescue decals, often placed on windows or doors of homes or vehicles, serve as visual indicators to emergency responders and neighbors that there are pets inside that may need assistance in case of an emergency. These decals typically include information about the number and

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch holds his first news conference after taking the Oath of Office to become speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives in the 102nd General Assembly on Jan. 13, 2021, at the Bank of Springfield Center.

types of pets in the household.

Visit Hillside Village Hall, 425 N. Hillside Ave. in Hillside, to pick up your Pet Alert Decal, or download and print the PDF copy from the village’s website at hillside-il.org/. It’s quick, easy, and could make all the difference in keeping your furry companions safe.

Taste Of Melrose Park Lineup Revealed

The village of Melrose Park announced the lineup of food vendors who will be at Taste of Melrose Park 2024, which runs from Aug. 30 through Sept. 1, at the Melrose Park Civic Center. To see the list, visit: facebook.com/ melroseparkil

Triton Celebrates 60 Years With A Range Of Events

Triton College will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year with a week of events from April 23 through April 28, and a 100-Year Capsule Sealing Ceremony in August.

■ Recovery of Triton’s 30-year Time Capsule | Wednesday, April 24 | The Triton community will unearth a 30-year time capsule containing treasured memories and keepsakes. Once recovered, these treasures will be on display at the Triton College Library beginning in May. Be sure to view what “rel-

ics” have been preserved for us to enjoy today.

■ Employee Day | Thursday, April 25, 2-4 p.m. | The college will recognize and celebrate faculty and staff and bid farewell to fellow colleagues in a special recognition and retirement ceremony.

■ Alumni Day | Friday, April 26 | Triton College will celebrate six alumni who have made a lasting impression over their 60-year history. They will be acknowledged at this year’s Annual Wall of Fame Induction.

■ Trojan Pride, Reaching for the Stars | Saturday, April 27| Celebrating Triton’s student-athletes. Attend the women’s softball double-header and, as part of your evening plans, head over to the Cernan Earth and Space Center for the “Habitat Earth: Living in a Connected World” feature show.

■ Car Show and Community Block Party | Sunday, April 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | (Rain date: Sunday, May 5) | Wish Triton College a happy anniversary at their community block party and participate in one of Triton’s most popular events—the Car Show! Check out classic cars and big rigs, along with a tour of Triton’s incredible Automotive Technology facilities and more.

■ 100-Year Capsule Sealing Ceremony | August 2024 | Join us as we leave behind today’s treasures for tomorrow’s students. | To submit an item for consideration for the 100-year time capsule, visit triton.edu/pages/ triton-college-at-60/100th-year-time-capsulecollection/

JUSTIN L. FOWLER OF THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER

STEM Training Center Coming To Maywood

The nonporofit Lumity will turn a distressed building at 1010 Madison St. into the Lumity Training Center

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

A Chicago nonprofit has plans to turn an empty building in Maywood into a center that trains young people for careers in Science, Technology, Math and Engineering (STEM) fields.

On April 8, Lumity officials gathered with local government leaders, village staffers and community members to mark the start of construction on the roughly 4,300-square-foot distressed commercial building at 1010 Madison St.

Kara Kennedy, Lumity’s executive director, said work on the building should be completed by the summer. She said the nonprofit will spend more than $800,000 t0 acquire the property and complete the gut renovation, which includes installing a replacement roof.

Once the building is finished, the Lumity Training Center will offer area young people “free, hands-on skills training to prepare youth for careers in construction, the building trades, healthcare, manufacturing and more – all grounded in STEM,” according to a statement issued by the nonprofit. They have a goal to

train and place 400 young people in jobs over the next three years.

Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Cook County Commissioner Tara Stamps attended the April 8 kick-off event. The KFC Foundation presented Lumity with a $10,000 check.

Kennedy said the nonprofit was looking to locate in Melrose Park, but ran into some challenges. That’s when her sights turned to Maywood.

“A colleague of mine who knows Mayor Booker introduced me,” she said. “We got together at a Starbucks less than two years ago. From there, he helped us find a location and in two weeks we were promoting our program and started recruiting.”

Mayor Booker said the village worked with the Cook County Land Bank Authority to identify a suitable property for Lumity’s purposes.

“I met Kara not even two years ago in Starbucks in Melrose Park,” Booker said. “We were talking about what we want for

Maywood and surrounding communities … The workforce development that will take place in this building is really going to be transformational to the Village of Eternal Light.”

In a statement, Lumity officials explained the training center will “feature a large workshop equipped with specialized power and hand tools, classrooms, counseling space, offices, and a youth lounge.

“Training for Lumity’s STEMWorks programs will be held at the center. These STEMWorks programs include Illinois Youth Investment, Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship, and YouthBuild Proviso Township.”

Asia Ousley, Lumity’s director of Community Engagement and Industry Partners, said she was overjoyed as someone who grew up in Maywood.

“I’m beyond excited,” she said. “This is poised to make a significant impact on the community by providing invaluable resources and opportunities for local youth.”

Ironworkers Local 63’s ‘House Of Glass’ Nearing Completion

The Broadview building, the future home of Local 63’s ‘newest curtainwall and window wall training center,’ is reminiscent of the Chicago skyline

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

If you’ve driven on the Eisenhower Expressway near 25th Avenue in Broadview recently you likely noticed the massive red IW 63 sign on a large black building. The new facility is the future home of the Ironworkers (IW) Local 63 Training School’s “newest curtainwall and window wall training center,”

US Glass Magazine reported last year.

The publication added: “IW 63 officials say the center will focus exclusively on training for curtainwalls, metal panel installations, storefronts, cranes and window walls.

The new facility is an expansion of the current campus, which trains members to erect unitized curtainwall systems, steel stairs and guardrails, ornamental and temporary fences, monuments and statues, as well as miscellaneous metals and glass handrails. IW 63 is located in Westchester, Ill.”

Paul Wende, IW 63’s business manager, told the publication that the union “wanted to design a ‘statement piece’ of who the organization is and what it’s about.

“We’re going to make the new facility a ‘glass house,’” Wende said. “We’re going to be doing all our glass training in the build-

ing, separating it from the other building and leaving it for the iron, burning, welding and all the good stuff. We haven’t spent as much money as we would have liked on glass training, now we’re rectifying that.”

Last year, IW 63 officials told US Glass that the 12,000-square-foot, 50-foot-tall building would be completed by this spring. IW 63 officials could not be immediately reached on Monday afternoon for comment.

But a trip on Monday to the construction site was enough to impress. The building’s Black glass, black frames and hourglass shape lend it an air of elegance, particularly when viewed from Beach Street. IW 63 officials told US Glass that the facility will change colors and reflections when the sun hits it. The building’s black glass seems an extension of the Chicago skyline, which commuters can see further east on the

Eisenhower. That may be deliberate.

“Ironworkers Local 63 has long had an impact on the Chicago skyline,” the trade publication Engineering News-Record Midwest reported earlier this year. “Their history goes back to the 19th century when the union was founded as the Architectural Iron Workers with 579 members.”

ENR Midwest added that IW 63 officials “are hoping that a new training facility will introduce a pipeline of new young workers to the field. The design for the structure […] was executed by Gensler’s Chicago office. The contractor is Skyline Construction.

“For the design and construction team, building the training facility was like putting together the pieces of puzzle, including installing a 5-ton bridge crane and creating exterior walls of flat curtainwall panels that were installed to look curved.”

Community members stand outside 1010 Madison St. in Maywood on April 8. The nonprofit Lumity plans to turn the building into a training center.

Defendants

sales.

cause on January 19, 2024,

for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 21, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 2337 S 14TH AVENUE, BROADVIEW, IL 60155 Property Index No. 15-22-211014-0000 The real estate is improved with a residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse

to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition.

The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100

BURR RIDGE IL, 60527

630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-23-06124

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2023 CH 08562

TJSC#: 44-227

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2023 CH 08562 I3242654

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

NEWREZ LLC DBA SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING; Plaintiff, vs.

MIKAELLA MARKOVA; ABN AMRO MORTGAGE GROUP, INC.; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 23 CH 6759

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, May 20, 2024 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 12-29-306-019-0000.

Commonly known as 273 Hayes Dr., Northlake, IL 60164.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act.

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563. (630) 453-6960. 1496193922 ADC

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3242002

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT

2022 CH 04608

2011 S 12TH AVENUE MAYWOOD, IL 60153

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 13, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 13, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 2011 S 12TH AVENUE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153

Property Index No. 15-15-421005-0000

The real estate is improved with a residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-03705

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2022 CH 04608

TJSC#: 44-857

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2022 CH 04608

I3242176

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING

Plaintiff, -v.VIRGINIA PABON A/K/A VIRGINIA ALEQUIN, CRISTOBAL PABON, DIANA LAW, PUBLIC GUARDIAN AS TEMPORARY GUARDIAN OF VIRGINIA ALEQUIN, A DISABLED PERSON

Defendants

2022 CH 11844 1739 N 23RD AVE

MELROSE PARK, IL 60160

NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 6, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 8, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1739 N 23RD AVE, MELROSE PARK, IL 60160 Property Index No. 15-03-110003-0000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day

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