Village Free Press_022118

the village free press

Vol. II No. 7

@village_free

FEBRUARY 21, 2018

@maywoodnews

Proviso East hires new football coach Union rule a factor in teacher Oliver Speller getting job over Scottie Ware

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Proviso East High School has a new varsity football coach — a teacher who, although highly qualified for the position, was not the candidate many community members had in mind for the job.

During a regular meeting on Feb. 13, the Proviso Township High Schools District 209 school board voted unanimously to approve the hiring of Oliver Speller as the school’s third head football coach in five years — a decision board members made begrudgingly. Board member Sam Valtiarrez abstained.

Speller will replace Dewan White, Sr., whose contract the district decided not to renew after White’s second winless season last year.

The board’s overall reluctance to appoint Speller, many members said, was largely due to the fact that the other top candidate for the position — sophomore football coach Scottie Ware — came so See EAST FOOTBALL COACH on page 6

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thevillagefreepress.org MAKING HIS OWN HISTORY: Aaron Peppers, a Maywood resident and police officer, is the first African American to run all 25 events in the Rock n’ Roll Marathon Series. In 2016, he was inducted into Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame. You won’t believe what he had to do to get the honor. Read more on page 3.

SHANEL ROMAIN

Winter produce market pops up in Maywood Forty Acres Market, setup on Feb. 17 at 200 S. 5th Ave., looking to return

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Dozens of Maywood residents, and even some people from other towns, flowed in and out of the village’s Multipurpose Building, 200 S. 5th Ave., in Maywood, on

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Track & Field, PAGE 6

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Feb. 17, for a first-of-its-kind winter pop-up produce market.

Shoppers perused the makeshift bazaar, which featured greens, snap peas, carrots, tomatoes, apples, bananas, grapes, mangoes and other fresh produce.

The event was sponsored by Maywood

trustee Isiah Brandon, who invited Forty Acres Fresh Market — the organization behind the produce market — to sell its baskets of fresh goods.

Elizabeth Abunaw, the market’s founder See WINTER PRODUCE MARKET on page 8

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Village Free Press | February 21, 2018

OUT and ABOUT Bellwood mayor honored for helping student having a seizure during East-West game the village free press Editor & Publisher Michael Romain Strategic Consultant Kamil Brady Advertising Director Dawn Ferencak Editorial Designer Debbie Becker Advertising Design Support Andrew Mead Mark Moroney

During a regular meeting on Feb. 13, the Proviso Township High Schools District 209 school board honored Bellwood Mayor Andre Harvey for his efforts to help a student who was having a seizure at a Proviso East vs. Proviso West basketball game on Feb. 3.

“We have this big incident happening, a student is on the floor, [Harvey] is there working with the student, we secured the perimeter to make sure everything is fine and we let him lead,” said D209 Supt. Jesse Rodriguez during Tuesday’s meeting. “He did it with passion, dedication and a strong commitment to service.”

Harvey said that he had noticed the student’s medical problems while he was leaving the game.

“I think, by faith, I happened to be leaving and at the time a young lady happened to be having a seizure,” Harvey said. “I was a firefighter for 26 years, so without hesitation, something came over me to help the young lady as much as I could.”

Harvey said that he stood by the student, administering

medical aid, despite the efforts of some first responders to get him to leave.

“People were like, ‘Get out of here, you shouldn’t be down here,’ but I’m a firefighter and I was going to stay down there,” Harvey said, adding that he helped the student until the ambulance came to take her to a local hospital. She eventually recovered and was in good condition by the end of the night, he said.

Harvey said he was adamant to give credit where credit is due. Proviso East won the game 72 to 61, so the mayor came to the meeting in a Pirate blue suit.

“I’m so proud to have grown up in Proviso Township and to have been raised by Proviso Township,” said Harvey, a graduate of Proviso West. “It takes an entire village to raise a kid.

HOW TO REACH US Village Free Press c/o Wednesday Journal 141 S. Oak Park Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE: 773-626-6332 FAX: (708) 467-9066 thevillagefreepress.org Twitter: @village_free Facebook: @maywoodnews The Village Free Press is published weekly

by Michael Romain. It is distributed free of charge at locations throughout Maywood.

Quilts on parade If you haven’t gotten over to the Maywood Public Library, 121 S. 5th Ave., in Maywood, you should do so now. As soon as you enter the library’s chasm-like entryway, you’re struck by a colorful array of quilts suspended overhead, as if floating.

The works of art were created by the quilting class that meets at the library each Tuesday, from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more info on the course, call (708) 343-1847.

© 2018 Village Free Press We’re proud to partner with Wednesday Journal, Inc.

Publisher Dan Haley

“To learn to be human is to develop through the give and take of communication an effective sense of being an individually distinctive member of a community.”

—John Dewey

The public chimes in on safety On Saturday, Feb. 18, Proviso Partners For Health convened a public safety meeting at the Maywood Park District, 921 S. 9th Ave., in Maywood, to provide residents with a platform to speak about safety concerns and to come up with solutions. Read more about the meeting online or in next week’s print edition.

Proviso students experience Wakanda Nation On Saturday, Feb. 17, at Melrose Park Cinemark Theaters, 1001 W. North Ave., in Melrose Park, roughly 200 students from across the Proviso Township area attended a screening of the new “Black Panther” movie, courtesy of Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin (1st).

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Village Free Press | February 21, 2018

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Maywood reignites finance body, breaks up top position The finance subcommittee to reconvene, asst. mngr. position vacant

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

During a Feb. 6 regular meeting, the Maywood Board of Trustees unanimously decided to reactivate the board’s finance committee, which has been dormant since Mayor Edwenna Perkins took office in 2013.

Maywood trustee Ron Rivers was absent.

Perkins put the matter on the agenda of last week’s meeting and asked if any trustees would volunteer to serve on the committee.

Trustees Antonio Sanchez, Isiah Brandon Melvin Lightford and Kimyada Wellington volunteered to be on the committee.

According to attorney Michael Jurusik, the finance committee is a sub-committee of the board that meets regularly to look in detail at finance-related issues, such as monthly, quarterly and annual village expenditures; draft budgets; and village fees.

The sub-committee only makes recommendations to the board of trustees.

Members are appointed by the mayor and they may or may not be members of the village board.

The committee’s inactivity dates back to Perkins’ first year in office, when she couldn’t get enough trustees to volunteer for the committee to make a quorum.

Eventually, though, enough trustees agreed to make the sub-committee a committee of the whole, but before a vote could be called on the matter, Perkins tabled it. The committee has not met in roughly five years.

At the Feb. 6 meeting, Perkins said that the reactivated finance committee will begin meeting once a month in the coming weeks.

Top management position separated During a Feb. 6 regular board meeting, the Maywood Board of Trustees voted 6 to 0 in favor of an ordinance that separates the positions of assistant village manager and director of community development.

Trustee Ron Rivers was absent from the meeting.

The vote reverses an ordinance established in 2013 that combined the two “at-will” positions into one. David Myers, the village employee who was hired that year and had been serving in the dual roles since they were combined, will now only function as director of community development.

During last week’s meeting, Maywood Village Manager Willie Norfleet, Jr., hinted that the village could be looking to hire an assistant village manager position in the future.

“There is a vacancy … which will be worked out,” he said.

Village officials did not go into detail during the meeting about why the positions were being separated.

According to the language of the new ordinance, the organization change was made “to better serve the village residents, property owners, business owners and the

public.”

A Jan. 31 memo drafted by village attorney Michael Jurusik notes that the assistant village manager’s duties “will no longer including supervising the Department of Community Development; however, per the direction of the village manager, the assistant village manager’s duties could include supervising one or more village departments.”

As of 2016, Myers’ salary while working in both positions was $101,910, according to the Better Government Association’s payroll database. Village officials did not discuss how Myers’ pay would be affected by the organizational change and how much was budgeted for the assistant village manager position.

Norfleet could not be reached for comment on last Wednesday afternoon.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

VILLAGE people

Aaron Peppers, 50, runs the world One day last March, Maywood police officer Aaron Peppers, 50, woke up one morning in Dallas, Tex., to run a half-marathon, took a shower, and hopped on a plane to Mexico City, Mexico for another race that night.

Some months later, Peppers was in Shenzhen, China.

“I ran my race, finished, took a shower, got on a plane and 16 hours later was in Los Angeles to run a halfmarathon there,” the Maywood native said during a recent phone interview.

Peppers participates in the Rock n’ Roll Marathon Series, which holds running events around the world throughout the year. The events often feature “marathon with bands along the course celebrating each participant,” according to the organization’s website.

Last year, the Maywood native and 24-year veteran of the village’s police force made Rock n’ Roll history when he became the first African American to run all 25 running events in the series — which took him to places like New Orleans, Nashville, Brooklyn, Liverpool, Montreal, Dublin and Madrid.

Peppers had already distinguished himself in 2016, when he ran the 15 races necessary to make the Rock n’ Roll’s Hall of Fame.

And as if running, literally, across

SHANEL ROMAIN

PEP IN HIS STEP: Clockwise from top right: Aaron Peppers poses with his medals and his two grandsons at his Maywood home. Peppers in St. Louis during a Rock n’ Roll marathon. His wife, Shawn,hangs more medals on the veteran officer’s neck.

the globe isn’t enough, Peppers juggles a full-time job, master’s degree and personal trainer certification studies, substitute teaching duties at District 209 and the demands of family life.

How does he do it?

“My wife [Shawn] is serious about her nutrition, so I eat balanced meals,” he said. “I don’t eat a lot. I don’t eat fast food. And I just have an unbelievable work ethic that carries over into all aspects of my life. That’s just the type of person I am.”

Another important source of his zeal, Peppers said, were the many conversations he had over the years with his neighbor, Wash Wesley — the Maywood man widely considered to have been the state’s oldest resident when he died in 2015 at 112 years old.

Wesley was a deacon at his Maywood church who drove long after he turned 100.

“We used to have conversations and he probably never knew just how those conversations inspired me,” Peppers said. “Just the little things he said. Every day, he got up and he wanted to see life. A lot of people take that for granted. It’s a blessing to wake up every day. We might as well make it fun.”

Read more about Peppers online at thevillagefreepress.org.

— Michael Romain

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Village Free Press | February 21, 2018

Park district’s ‘809 building’ headed for renovations The building could be turned into a recreation center by year’s end

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Renovations on the Maywood Park District’s building at 809 W. Madison St. are scheduled to start in the summer and could be completed before the year is out, according to park district officials.

The park district commission recently opened up the bidding process to interested contractors. The bidding process ends on Feb. 23.

“We’re looking at possibly starting construction as early as June and finishing

by December,” said Dawn Williams-Rone, the president of the Maywood Park District Commission, during an interview on Feb. 14.

Williams-Rone said that the district secured funding from a bank. She did not specify the size of the loan, referring that question to Lonette Hall, the park district’s executive director. Hall could not be reached for comment on last Wednesday afternoon.

In addition to the bank loan, the park

district will also lean on $285,000 in TIF funds approved by the Maywood Board of Trustees last September. According to park district officials, the renovation of the 809 Madison building will cost approximately $1.8 million.

Bill Hampton’s vacancy The park district commission has not yet started to grapple with the process of filling a vacancy on the five-person governing body left by the death of Commissioner Bill Hampton, who died on Feb. 8.

Commissioner President Dawn Williams-Rone said on Feb. 14 that the commission intends on interviewing possible candidates, but that the details of the process have not been finalized.

Hampton’s funeral is scheduled to take place on Friday.

The majority of that money will come from a reimbursable $1.6 million state grant, which required the village to provide 20 percent of matching funds. The TIF funds and the bank loan will cover the park district’s matching share.

The renovations of the 809 Madison building, officials said, will transform a facility that has been empty for more than 15 years, into a recreation center that will feature multipurpose rooms, conference rooms, a room designated for sewing and quilt-making, a music studio and fitness rooms, among other amenities.

Baptist Retirement Home headed for renovation?

Last year, the park district wrapped up renovations of the parking lot and grounds surrounding the 809 Madison building.

During a Feb. 6 regular meeting, Angela Smith, Maywood’s business development coordinator, said that the Baptist Retirement

Home, a former senior living community located at 316 Randolph that has been vacant years, could undergo renovations.

Work to return the building back to its original use had started several years ago, but stopped abruptly for reasons that have not been fleshed out publicly.

At last week’s meeting, Smith said that the building is still owned by a bank and that “the developer was looking for tax credits to get the project up and going.” Smith said those tax credits were recently approved by the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

Once completed, the building would feature 125 units of supportive living. Smith said that the bank, which she did not specify, is looking to “turn over the property to the developer in the next couple of months, so we should see permits, building plans and things of that sort coming in.”

In the meantime, she said, the bank is still required to maintain the property.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

Build them a home and they’ll come

Maya Bird-Murphy starts nonprofit to make architecture welcoming for area minorities

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Maya Bird-Murphy knows intimately the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. As a young child growing up in Oak Park, she toured the famous architect’s home and studio, and marveled over the maple wood Froebel building blocks that are an intricate part of Wright’s style. She often walked among the skyscrapers downtown, where her father worked.

By her senior year at Oak Park and River Forest High School in 2011, she had made up her mind. She would be an architect herself — the decision cemented when she earned the Russell C. Lissuzzo scholarship, named after local architect Russ Lissuzzo and given to students who plan to major in architecture in college.

Bird-Murphy enrolled at Ball State University in Indiana, where she was often the only African American in her classes and the only black in her entire graduating class to leave with an architecture degree.

“I think there was one African American professor in the architecture school the whole time I was there,” Bird-Murphy, 25, recalled during a recent phone interview.

“We never learned about black designers.

I got a very good education, but there were always these awkward moments.”

Bird-Murphy recounted one of the more awkward moments in the thesis statement she drafted for Chicago Mobile Makers — a

nonprofit organization she started to help young elementary and high school students, particularly minorities, discover careers in the architecture, construction and design fields.

“I sat in a class where we watched ‘The Help’ as a historical guide to understanding racism and space,” Bird-Murphy recalled.

“Architecture school was not made for me.”

The OPRF graduate said that she believes the sense of alienation she felt during her undergraduate studies — and still feels while working at a Chicago firm on her way to becoming a full-fledged, licensed architect — is one reason for the dearth of minority and women in the field.

According to 2017 data by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, fewer than 1 in 5 new architects identify as a racial minority and roughly 2 in 5 identify as women.

The absence of people of color, in particular, she said, translates into a dominant design perspective that barely deals with, yet alone confronts, issues such as

affordability, poverty and gentrification.

The inanimate buildings too often take precedence over living, breathing people, she said.

“In America, space segregates and encourages inequality,” BirdMurphy said. “Eightyfive percent of the people who are building buildings in this country are white, but most of the people who [live and work] in them, and who live in segregated areas, are not white.

The architecture profession and the built world is elitist and inaccessible. Non-white people must have a way to change their own spaces.”

Bird-Murphy’s organization — which includes five other people, including three architectural designers, a Chicago teacher and a writer — offers free and low-cost youth workshops encompassing design, architecture, digital fabrication, basic construction and place-making in Chicago communities.”

According to its website, Chicago Mobile Makers seeks to expand “the variety

MAYA BIRD-MURPHY

of people entering the field will create more diverse workplaces, leading to more equitable decision making and design.

American spaces must reflect America.”

Currently, the organization can host entry-level workshops in schools and other community spaces, but Bird-Murphy and her team hope to scale up their capacity to offer workshops within a “mobile makerspace — a retrofitted step van that allows students to comfortably work inside or outside,” according to the website. The ultimate goal is to “someday have a permanent ‘hub’ for all our making needs.”

Bird-Murphy said she hopes her organization can help convince people that architecture should be a right.

“This is making architecture accessible to those who don’t go downtown or who aren’t exposed to the buildings or to really well-designed spaces,” she said. “My whole point isn’t that these kids need to become architects.

“It’s just showing kids they can work with their hands and for the kids who want to go into careers in the design and architecture fields,” Bird-Murphy said. “We want to advocate for them and for diverse workplaces, because that will create better design and better buildings for all people.”

For more information on Chicago Mobile Makers, visit: chicagomobilemakers.org/.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

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Village Free Press | February 21, 2018

February 21 – 28

Big Week Be a better ally for immigrants’ rights On Saturday, Feb. 24, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at 6941-A W. North Ave., in Oak Park, PASO West Suburban Action will host a legislative platform workshop for allies of immigrants’ rights in Illinois. To sign-up, or for more info, contact: Maria Torres at: maria@ pasoaction.org.

Hear from the first black on the White House Secret Service detail On Saturday, Feb. 24, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Maywood Public Library, 121 S. 5th Ave., in Maywood, the Women’s Community Leadership Council will celebrate Black History Month with Abraham Bolden, the

author of The Echo from Dealey Plaza.

Bolden will share his story, as told in his book, about his journey as the first AfricanAmerican on the White House Secret Service detail and his quest for justice after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.

Close out Black History Month with a bang On Wednesday, Feb. 28, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at Irving Middle School, 805 S. 17th Ave., in Maywood, School District 89 will celebrate Black History with a Family Night featuring music, dance performances, soul food and more.

Vendors will have books, clothing and jewelry available for purchase. All are welcome!

Area leaders react to Florida mass shooting Local students, administrators and a lawmaker offer solutions, advice

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

The Feb. 14 shooting at a high school in Parkland, Fla., where a semi-automatictoting 19-year-old killed 17 people, garnered some reaction among local community leaders, particularly in area schools.

Maywood-Melrose Park-Broadview School District 89 Supt. David Negron wrote in a Feb. 15 letter addressed to parents and posted online that “too often we need to send a letter outlining how we will respond to tragedy.

Once again, we are watching terrible events

unfold in our living rooms, and I am sure you are fielding questions from your children.”

Negron said that if D89 students bring up the Florida shooting in class, teachers will “simply acknowledge the question/ comment, encourage children to ask parents if they want more information, and redirect our students back to the lesson or activity.”

Along with reassuring the students that the school is safe, Negron said that teachers will also refer students to social workers if this becomes necessary.

Negron also listed several resources for

families to utilize, including numerous guides from the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists advising parents/ guardians on how to talk to children about difficult news.

Proviso Township High Schools District 209 Supt. Jesse Rodriguez also released a statement for families.

“These horrible events remind us of the importance of evaluating and implementing our practices,” he said. Read full article online at thevillagefreepress.org.

Treat your heart to health On Saturday, Feb. 24, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Westlake Hospital-Brewster Hall, 1400 p W. Superior St., in Melrose Park, state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (7th), District 89 and the American Heart Association will host Heart Fest: A Festival of Health and Wellness.

Reserve your spot for free health screenings, healthy cooking presentations, exercise demos and more by calling (844) 793-6534.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

Seeking Local Contractors Housing Helpers, Inc., a local non-profit redeveloper of foreclosed homes, is now accepting Statements of Qualifications for Contractors and Sub-Contractors.

Please email housinghelpersinc@gmail.com to request the RFQ packet.

NEWS briefs Urban Partnership Bank, which has branches in Bellwood, for sale Crain’s Chicago Business reported on Thursday that Urban Partnership Bank, which was established after ShoreBank failed in 2010, “is seeking a buyer.” The bank has a branch located at 4310 St. Charles Rd., in Bellwood.

The bank, Crain’s reports, “has hired investment bank Sandler O’Neill & Partners to gauge interest as the bank determines whether it should remain a small, independent bank or join forces with a larger player, Chairman David Vitale said in an interview.”

Last year, the bank posted profits for the first time since its creation, earning $7.4 million, Crain’s notes, “but that was only after booking $10.6 million held in loan-loss reserves as the quality of the bank’s loan portfolio has improved.”

The bank, Vitale told Crain’s, “kept a lot

of people in their homes. We kept a lot of businesses open, we kept a lot of churches open.” The publication added that UPB was able to form a profitable commercial lending operation.

Vitale reassured the bank’s clients that it is profitable and that it will continue serving its communities “well.”

Maywood man gets 16 years for weapon charges in DuPage County A Maywood man was recently sentenced to 16 years in prison on Feb. 15 after he pleaded guilty to “two counts of illegal possession of a firearm by a street gang member,” according to the Chicago Tribune and multiple other media outlets.

Michael H. Jones, 32, of the 1000 block of South 16th St., in Maywood, was charged in 2013 after local police, during a traffic stop, dis-

covered that he had a semi-automatic pistol.

Bellwood Chamber’s $1,000 scholarship application process is now open The application process for the 2018 Bellwood Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Award is now open.

The scholarship is awarded “to a student who has a strong academic performance, provides service to the community, demonstrates financial need and is committed to continuing his/her education by obtaining an associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferably in business, although other majors will be considered,” according to the language in the application.

For more information, contact Carl Williams, the scholarship chairperson, at (708) 945-9858.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

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www.housinghelpersinc.org

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Village Free Press | February 21, 2018

VILLAGE sports Youth baseball registration still open

Proviso East hosts Greg Foster invitational

Boys 800 Meter | Varsity Jamonte Flowers, second, 2:04.88

Local youth baseball programs are currently registering participants. Below is a list of area youth baseball programs that are still taking players for the upcoming 2018 season:

Last Saturday, Proviso East hosted the 2018 Greg Foster Indoor Invitational at the indoor track on the campus of Proviso West.

Schools invited included Bolingbrook, Cahokia, Crete-Monee, Downers Grove South, Glenbard South, Grayslake Central, Lake Park, Lindblom, Mather, Metea Valley, Oswego East, Payton Prep, Proviso East, Rockford East, Romeoville, St. Laurence, Stagg, and Thornton Fractional North.

The following are results from Proviso East track and field participants:

Boys 4x200 Meter Relay | Frosh/Soph Willie Rouse, Devon Lee, Isaiah Tyler Robert Hunter, tenth, 1:47.56

Athletic Konnection Little League The Athletic Konnection, based in Maywood, is accepting players 4 to 14 years old. Registration ends March 31. The fee is $80. To register click here. The program is also looking for sponsors. For more info, and/ or to register, visit: www.athletickonnection. com/.

Broadview Youth Baseball The Broadview Little League is accepting participants. The league is open to boys and girls, ages 4 to 14 years old, and registration fees range from $75 (T-ball for players ages 4 to 6) to $185 (majors for players 11 to 12).

Birth certificates and proof of residency will be required. For any questions, or to register, contact broadviewbaseball@gmail. com, or call Coach Little at (708) 466-3016.

EAST FOOTBALL COACH New start from page 1 members, some of whom questioned the district’s hiring process.

Board members said that they were nonetheless bound by a rule in the teacher’s contract stipulating that when choosing between candidates with roughly equal qualifications for the job, the district should give the coaching contract to the teacher. The head varsity football coach gets a stipend of roughly $8,000.

“In the event there are two equal candidates and we can’t make a decision, we have to give preference to the teacher,” said D209 member Amanda Grant. “Legally, that is written in stone.”

According to his LinkedIn profile, Speller has taught biology for over 15 years and was head football coach at Westinghouse High School in Chicago from 2000 to 2005. In 2004, the latest year for which a record can be found on MaxPreps, the high school sports website, Westinghouse was 4-3.

And as head football coach at Rich Central High School in Olympia Fields, Speller compiled a total record of 15-21 from 2007 until 2010, according to MaxPreps.

Scottie Ware, who had compiled a winning record last season as head coach at the freshman and sophomore level, was also an assistant coach under White.

“I think I attended every Proviso East football game this past year and at every game, all I heard was, ‘Scottie Ware, Scottie Ware,’” said board member Ned

Boys 55 Meter Dash | Varsity Moses Ikechukwu Biosah finished fifth 6.68, Deonte Bryant seventh 6.75 Boys 200 Meter Dash | Frosh/Soph Devon Lee finished eight 25.54

Boys 1600 Meter | Frosh/Soph Johathan Garcia, seventh, 5:08.47

Boys 4x200 Meter Relay | Varsity Troy Blaylock, Corey Mason, Jeramia Sowell, Akahri Pope, seventh, 1:39.05 Boys 4x400 Meter Relay | Frosh/Soph Juan Lopez, Jeromiah Moore, Camilo Medina, Erick Lozano, eighth, 4:05.66 Boys 4x400 Meter | Varsity Moses Ikechukwu Biosah, Deonte Bryant, Donte Love, Jamonte Flowers, First, 3:32.52 Boys 4x800 Meter Relay | Frosh/ Soph Erick Lozano, Jordan Radcliff, Miguel Saucedo, Gonzalo Ruvalchua ninth 12:26.82

Boys 200 Meter Dash | Varsity Corey Mason, tenth, 24.50

Boys 4x800 Meter Relay | Varsity Alfohso Hernandez, Donovan Davis, Derrick Potts, Donte Love ninth 9:35.96

Boys 400 Meter Dash | Varsity Moses Ikechukwu Biosah, third, 52.25

Boys 600 Meter Run | Frosh/Soph Camilo Medina, third, 1:35.33

Boys 800 Meter | Frosh/Soph Camilo Medina, first, 2:09.94

Boys 600 Meter Run | Varsity Donte Love, third, 1:28.80

Wagner during the Feb. 13 meeting, where he referenced the sophomore team’s 7-2 record during the 2016 season. “It felt like something was happening, that the football program was coming back. I’m puzzled.”

At least six people spoke in support of Ware’s hiring during the meeting, including Edward Alexander — the president of the Maywood BUCS athletic organization, which includes a football program that has operated in Maywood for roughly three decades. Last year, the program did not field a team due to low enrollment.

“Scottie has been instrumental in working with our program,” Alexander said. “If there was a process that was utilized to evaluate and bring on a coach … how do you do that with a guy we don’t know, the kids don’t know him, we’ve never seen him.

Unless we build a relationship [from the ground-up] with the youth program, we will never succeed at the upper level.”

Other people speaking in support of Ware during the meeting said that, in addition to his credentials, Ware’s candidacy is also distinguished due to his upbringing in Maywood.

“Our Maywood young men need to have a Maywood coach,” one man said.

Dr. Kim Echols, D209’s assistant superintendent for human resources and technology, said that that approximately 30 candidates applied for the head coaching position — 22 of them people who came from outside of the district.

She said that the process was facilitated

by Dr. Brian Colbert, East’s athletic director and assistant principal, and included a committee comprising parents, community members, coaches, faculty and students.

Echols said that the district was looking for candidates’ prior football experience, both as players and coaches; their defensive and offensive philosophies; and their academic plans for students, among other criteria.

“The pool was narrowed to 12 candidates — four internal and 8 external,” Echols said, adding that three finalists were interviewed

by Dr. Patrick Hardy, Proviso East’s principal. Echols said that Spellers was “was clearly the front-runner.”

“This was a fair and clean process,” Echols said.

Board members had initially considered tabling the motion to vote on Spellers’ hire, but eventually backed off of that notion.

Some members said that a further review of the process would be pointless considering the district would still be unable to get around the contractual obligation; moreover, they added, more time would be lost for a headless football team that soon will need to start training and conditioning ahead of a new season.

“At the end of the day, the union’s contract will prevail,” said D209 board member Della Patterson, who added that she was part of the negotiating team that approved a new teacher’s contract last year.

Board members and district administrators still wanted to make sure that they did not appear to be dismissing the public’s concerns.

“It’s not that we don’t hear the community, it’s just that this was a negotiated contract with the union,” said D209 board member Claudia Medina.

“Staying true to contracts is something that we embrace and want to do,” said D209 superintendent Dr. Jesse Rodriguez. “We

Maywood Irving Tigers lost downstate, but win at home with Portis visit The Maywood Irving Tigers basketball team has been riding on a cloud lately. The team made history on Feb. 7, when they defeated Calumet City Dolton, 42 to 38, during a game in Markham to advance to the Elite 8 in the Illinois Elementary School Association’s state basketball tournament.

The Tigers were the first team in the history of Maywood-Melrose ParkBroadview District 89 to go that far in the IESA’s tournament, which was held in Urbana last week.

The Tigers may have fallen to Bolingbrook Jane Addams, 52 to 44, during first round action, but they haven’t stopped floating on cloud nine.

On Feb. 14, students at the school got a special Valentine’s Day gift from Chicago Bulls power forward Bobby Portis, who stopped in during a surprise visit.

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also have the public that came forward and shared concerns, which is important to us.

It’s important that we respond to them and listen to their concerns.”

District 209 board President Theresa Kelly said that the most the public can do at this point is pressure the union to remove that clause from the teachers’ contract, so that a similar conflict doesn’t happen in the future.

“This shows that you’re going to need to come out and get that clause out of the contract,” Kelly said.

Ultimately though, the district’s problem is a good one to have, said Rodriguez, who, like many board members, added that he is a fan of both Speller and Ware.

“We are in a very good situation,” the superintendent said. “We have two excellent candidates for this opportunity. I’m at a crossroads, because the administration did its due diligence, but we owe it to the public to listen to them … We also have our labor unions.”

Board member Rodney Alexander said that the situation was a “dilemma of the system” that community members must educate themselves on.

“We can’t get the coach who is invested, who the people want, because we are bound by a contract,” Alexander says. “These are processes that we as a board have to go by.

It’s not that we did not hear you. We have systems.”

In the meantime, Alexander recommended that the public give Speller a chance.

“I challenge you to get behind this coach, support this coach,” he said. “Because whether we do or not, it’s going to impact our community and our school.”

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Village Free Press | February 21, 2018

7

Bill Hampton laid to rest

During local leader’s Feb. 15 funeral, mourners urged public to remember

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Several hundred people filled the sanctuary of Proviso Baptist Church, 1116 S. 5th Ave., in Maywood, on Feb. 16, to pay their respects to William Edward Hampton — the brother of the slain Black Panther leader Fred Hampton and a Maywood Park District commissioner.

Hampton, most widely known as Bill, died on Feb. 8 after undergoing an unspecified surgical procedure. He was 72 years old.

Many of those who spoke during the service remembered Hampton’s revered historical memory and his efforts to perpetuate his brother’s memory.

“I knew Bill for almost 50 years and his work was to keep Fred’s memory and that history alive,” said Flint Taylor, the Hampton family’s longtime attorney. “He brought that history into the present. He taught that history. He was a brilliant historian.”

As a testament to Bill’s success, Taylor said that he had been in court during the Friday service and needed to ask the judge for a recess. The case was related to former Chicago police commander Jon Burge’s notorious torture operation that took place in the 1970s and 1980s. “[When I told him I needed a recess to come to Bill’s funeral], the judge sent his respects,” Taylor said.

There were those among the speakers who were actors in the historical drama that played out in the wake of Fred Hampton’s 1969 assassination at the hands of Chicago police, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office and the FBI. Fred Hampton, Jr., 48, was in his mother’s womb as she slept next to Fred in their West Side apartment and was nearly killed herself as officers riddled the civil rights leader’s body during an early morning raid.

The son of the Illinois Black Panther Party chairman, who is himself the chairman of the Black Panther Party Cubs, said that the government seemed to have predicted the kind of leader his father would become.

“The FBI placed a tap on my grandma’s phone when Fred was 14 years old,” he said.

Congressman Danny K. Davis (7th) said that, while he never knew Fred personally, the beginnings of a decades-long bond with Bill, their sister, Frances, and their mother, Iberia, formed the night after the Black Panther leader’s death.

Davis said that as he sat with the Hamptons inside of a noted Chicago funeral home known for burying slain revolutionaries, the fear drummed up after Fred’s death had not abated.

“We were scared, we weren’t sure if the police were going to come in,” he said.

“Right there on Roosevelt Road.”

Rev. Albert Sampson — the influential clergyman, activist and organizer who worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther

VFP

REST IN POWER: Mourners pack Proviso Baptist Church in Maywood on Feb. 16 for William Hampton’s funeral services. Hampton, the brother of slain civil rights leader Fred Hampton, died on Feb. 8.

King, Jr. and was an assistant to Rev. Ralph Abernathy — recalled the genesis of the Fred Hampton Scholarship Fund, which Bill had organized and administered since 1971.

“In my discussions with the Hampton family, I found out that Fred wanted to be a lawyer,” Sampson said, adding that those conversations prompted Abernathy to commit $1,000 to a nascent foundation for young people with the same ambitions.

Under Bill’s guidance, roughly 200 scholarships had been given out since then.

Quincy Johnson, a close friend of Bill’s, lauded the Hampton family’s efforts, led

by Bill, to burnish Fred’s memory — from keeping up the scholarship fund to mounting a campaign to pressure Maywood officials to name a Maywood swimming pool (and the street where it’s located) after Fred.

Those efforts, Johnson recalled, were not frictionless.

“The U.S. government put all of their resources into destroying that history,” Johnson said.

Sampson recalled local efforts to raze any memory of Fred’s assassination or the political threat that Fred and the Panthers, and even King, presented that undergirded it. Sampson said that the city tore down the Chicago apartment building where King stayed while living on the West Side during his struggle for open housing.

And “they tore down Fred Hampton’s house so there would be no vestige of history there,” Sampson said.

Davis, illustrating what the process of forgetting looks like on the national level, said that the Panthers were an inspiration for the country’s School Breakfast Program and they fought for sickle cell screening. “[The Panthers were influences on] the nutrition program that [President Donald] Trump is talking about cutting,” Davis said, referencing Trump’s proposal to cut a significant portion of the funding for the

food stamp program and introduce boxed food.

Martha Allen, one of Bill’s relatives, said that she would sometimes travel down streets with Bill as he exhibited a tour guide’s recollection of historical events and people that once happened in those spaces.

“We’ve got to teach our young people their

history,” Allen said.

Others who spoke praised Bill for his quiet perseverance even as he dealt with health struggles that he often kept to himself.

Bishop Claude Porter, who delivered the eulogy, said that he’d seen Bill not long before his death. The park district commissioner was handing out food, Porter said.

Last year, Bill helped cut the ribbon on the park district’s renovated grounds on the corner of 9th Ave. and Madison St. Rory Kennedy — the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy and the sister of Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Kennedy — was Bill’s guest of honor.

“Bill gave us a history and catapulted us forward,” said Arnettra Burnside, a park district commissioner. “He had a very strong will.”

Sy Bounds, a friend of Bill’s, said that he would like to see Bill’s legacy perpetuated — just as he perpetuated Fred’s. Bounds said that he would like to see the park district renamed after the Hampton family, perhaps the apartment where the family lived made into a learning museum, among other ideas.

“Let’s make this history thing happen,” Bounds said.

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8

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Village Free Press | February 21, 2018

WINTER PRODUCE MARKET Fills a void from page 1 and operator, said that the focus of the market is to provide “fresh, affordable produce in under-served communities.”

The goal, she said, is to open a permanent low-cost produce market in Chicago’s West Side Austin community within a year, and possibly more.

“Phase one of that goal is operating popup markets where we sell a full selection of fresh fruits and vegetables at an affordable price,” she said in an email.

Saturday’s market in Maywood was the result of a connection Brandon made with Maywood native and healthy foods guru Regina Thomas Dillard, who introduced the trustee to Abunaw.

Dillard, a raw food/vegan chef, instructor, and wellness advocate — is also the author of FEED: Living Food Recipes to be Made and Eaten with Love, a wellness cookbook published last year.

Dillard offered free samples of a vegetable wrap during the market, which went on from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

“I think it’s very much important that we work beyond the barriers that are in our community,” Brandon said. “As elected officials, we are charged and challenged with

bringing in more resources for our residents.

Access to quality produce is a challenge here in the community, so I saw an opportunity after talking with Regina.”

Since 2016, when Aldi left the village, Maywood has been without a fullservice, national chain grocery store. The Maywood Multicultural Farmers Market, started in 2007 and closed down in 2012.

The year before, Maywood Market, an independent full-service grocery store that had been in business for less than two years, also closed its doors.

Saturday’s produce market is in line with a range of small, micro-scale alternatives to national and independent, brick-andmortar food providers. The small initiatives have popped up to fill the void in an area that is widely perceived to be a food desert.

The most visible local initiative is the Proviso Partners Giving Garden, a small lot on Madison St. in Maywood, right across the

street from Proviso East High School and adjacent ReUse Depot.

Last summer, the garden’s full-time

gardener, Christopher Epps, 36, grew several thousand pounds of produce, including carrots, egg plants, bell peppers, collard greens, Brussels sprouts, Swiss chard, tomato, rhubarb, basil, cilantro, dill — all of it grown organically on a sliver of land that’s roughly the size of someone’s backyard.

In the summer, high school students sell the produce at a farm stand set up along Madison Street. What isn’t sold is given away to local soup kitchens and individual residents.

Abunaw’s winter produce market, like the Giving Garden, has received rave reviews from local residents looking for healthy, fresh produce at affordable prices.

“I think this is a great idea — the fresher the better,” said Maywood resident Loretta Kirksey. “I think Maywood should continue to do something like this for the community.

I love this. It’s great.”

Maywood Village Manager Willie Norfleet, Jr., who did his own shopping, said that the market fills a void both locally and nationwide.

“This fills more than a void in the community, it feels a void across the nation in terms of people having access to nice, wholesome food to live on,” Norfleet said.

“People are interested in getting nice, wholesome food at very reasonable prices.”

Brandon and Abunaw said that they had initially only planned the market as a oneoff event, but before the day was over, the two were talking about making the market a regular, perhaps monthly, occurrence.

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Village Free Press | February 21, 2018

9

VILLAGE perspectives

The answers to our prayers is action Still reeling from the senseless murder of Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer, on last Wednesday, our nation was once again rocked by a devastating mass shooting. The calls for change and prayer that followed would lead one to believe that those precious lives tragically taken from their families, friends, and loved ones would lead to the support of comprehensive gun control laws and community strategies that address gun violence.

History has shown us that a lack of action has led to hollow messaging. For example, as of this week, Congress has failed to act on ‘bump stocks,’ and over 240 people have been shot in Chicago in 2018.

While many throw their hands in despair over continued gun violence, their heads are turned away from the needed measures to create systemic change. Legislation and strategies to protect people from being murdered by firearms do exist. Unfortunately, such legislation is ignored and strategies tragically underutilized. Lobbying, dismissive attitudes, and the fickle nature of memory have created a cycle of repetitive tragedy.

What will it take for us as a society to wake up? Now is the time to fight for a future free of gun violence. We must create opportunity and push for common sense laws and poli-

cies that make our communities safer.

My heart goes out to the individuals and families that have been touched by gun violence. We all should pray daily for the end of gun violence, but prayer without action is powerless. For gun violence to end, our actions must define us, not our words.

Gun violence is a symptom of interconnected issues, which requires interconnected solutions. Gun violence takes the lives of the innocent, plagues our communities, links to domestic violence, and leads to mass shootings. Not one of us is immune to gun violence and unless we treat root causes, generations to come will be afflicted.

As communities, we must fight for universal background checks, a federal ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines, a federal ban on bump stocks, expansion of mental health treatment, campaign finance reform, banning those convicted of domestic violence from gun ownership, ending the war on drugs, investing in our communities, placing focus on community policing, and bringing Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms into the technological age.

Current loopholes in federal gun laws exempts unlicensed sellers from having to perform any background check before selling firearms. The advent of the internet has

further exacerbated this issue. With such loopholes, gun violence is dramatically increased as guns are placed in the hands of illegal buyers and gun traffickers. We must demand universal background checks at the federal level.

Between 1994 and 2004, there was a federal ban on military-style semi-automatic assault rifles. When the ban expired, mass shooting deaths soared and continue to devastate our nation. Passing a federal ban on assault weapons, high capacity magazines, and bump stocks is common sense legislation as each are devices of war, not hunting.

There is a crises as mental health facilities continue to close in several cities. When one person is shot, hundreds of people are affected. Children and families wake up daily with post-traumatic stress disorder or as one Chicago activist put it, ‘continuous traumatic stress disorder,’ as witnessing gun violence leads to symptoms of PTSD and full diagnoses. We must fight to expand mental health treatment to address the aftermath of gun violence.

Following a mass shooting, the NRA expresses openness to change yet blocks any action from occurring as outrage subsides.

Members of Congress call for change, call for moments of silence, and send their

thoughts and prayers, yet no progress is made on meaningful gun legislation.

The significant money the NRA puts into supporting or opposing congressional candidates is the root cause of this inaction.

Citizens United has also allowed billionaire influencers like the Koch brothers to funnel millions to the NRA to influence elections.

Reversing Citizens United would lead to gun reform.

Studies have shown a direct correlation between firearms and violence against women.

The presence of a firearm during a domestic violence incident increases the likelihood of a homicide by 500 percent. Domestic abusers should not be allowed to own firearms.

The solutions exist, but they are being ignored and underfunded. What will it take?

Whose son, whose daughter, whose mother, whose father, whose school, whose police department, whose family, whose community will have to be impacted before we wake up as a nation and fight for the changes required to end gun violence? These questions shouldn’t have to be answered, but until we do what is right, unfortunately they will be.

From here on out, the answer to our prayers is action.

— Anthony Clark, IL 7th Congressional District Candidate

A one-man movement to help the homeless John Netherly, founder of the Bedrock Movement, is on a mission

By TOM HOLMES Forest Park Review

They found Miss Bernice dead in a doorway. Forest Park resident John Netherly said he knew that would happen. He had been pleading with police for months to take Miss Bernice to a hospital or mental health facility, telling officers the woman was not mentally capable of making decisions in her best interest.

“There’s nothing we can do,” Netherly heard in return. The homeless woman then passed alone of a drug overdose on Jan. 24, after refusing Netherly’s offer to connect her with a social service, temporary housing, mental health or other agency.

Netherly is the founder of the Bedrock Movement, a nonprofit that serves those like Miss Bernice who choose to sleep on the street instead of in a shelter. A 2016 survey by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that, of the 952 people researchers counted as being homeless in the Chicago suburbs in 2016, 110 were unsheltered. In the city, 1,243 of the 5,889 were sleeping outside. The Northern Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross

has recently recognized overworked. He decided Netherly’s work with the he would focus his energy homeless, and nominaton the disadvantaged and ed him to receive a comhas worked with the menmunity service award at tally ill for 15 years, and its annual Heroes Breakis presently employed fast in May.

by Presence Behavioral Netherly has spent his Health as a behavioral life serving the homehealth technician. less and mentally ill. His Since Netherly is unfather, who balled as a married and works the Harlem Globetrotter benight shift at Presence, fore working at the post he spends six days a office for 40 years, and week travelling to the mother would often cook West and South Sides of meals and hand them out Chicago and tending to ALEXA ROGALS in front of shelters. the needs of the homeNetherly went on to John Netherly, outside of the Forest less. This experience study ways to give back, Park Transit Station. gave credence to his susearning a master’s depicion that most, if not gree in social work from Dominican Uni- all, of the people who choose to live on the versity, a master’s in urban ministry from street do so because they are mentally ill.

He said he has established trust with many Moody Theological Seminary and a master’s in business management at National Louis of the people he meets on the streets because the most important thing he does is to listen University.

At seminary school, Netherly learned that to their stories.

“When I see a person on a bench or in a homeless ministry is underserved. And, that those who serve this population, are often park who I suspect from my years of expe-

rience is homeless, I go up to them and say, ‘Hello, my name is John, and I’m a social worker. Please tell me your story,” he said.

Netherly listens and then asks them what they need. It might be a cup of coffee or a bus pass. He has given out tents and sleeping bags. Sometimes he’ll rent a room at a cheap motel and make appointments for homeless to shower while he cleans their clothes at a nearby laundromat. He swears by the Australia-based Backpack Bed for the Homeless, a company that makes sleeping bags that keep people warm in zero degree weather.

Netherly kept it hidden from his family and friends for about 10 years that he served the homeless. I “didn’t feel it was a big deal or that no one really cared,” he wrote on his website. It took his friend Pastor Rickey Kendrick to tell him how important his work really was. In 2014, Netherly founded the Bedrock Movement, which “exists to help the homeless [and] mentally ill, receive dignity, safety, and empowerment for a high-quality of life on a daily basis,” according to its mission statement.

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Village Free Press | February 21, 2018

Public Notice: Your Right to Know PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Here comes BONAFIDE AUTO INC, corporate address of 4160 US HIGHWAY 69 S, LUFKIN, TX 75901 making a good faith attempt to inform SHANIKA L GREEN “Owner”, residential and mailing address of 8811 S ELIZABETH, CHICAGO, IL 60620 and EXETER FINANCE “Lienholder”, mailing address of P.O. Box 166008 Irving, TX 75016, of the intent to enforce a mechanics lien pursuant to ILLINOIS 770 ILCS 45/1 attached to the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 (VIN# WDDGF81X48F187734) “Property” being held as collateral. A public auction will be held at 1906 S 22ND AVE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153 on March 8, 2018 (3/8/18). Competitive bidding will begin promptly at 9:00 AM with the last bid being heard at 9:30 AM. Property will be sold “as is” to the highest cash bidder.

BONAFIDE AUTO INC and officers reserves all rights including the right to refuse any bid for any reason.

Published in Forest Park Review 2/14, 2/21, 2/28/2018

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING LLC Plaintiff, -v.IRENE BOLDON AKA IRENE BOLDEN, BOMAC CAPITAL MORTGAGE, INC., UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING BY AND THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ONEMAIN FINANCIAL SERVICES OF ILLINOIS, INC. FKA SPRINGLEAF FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. Defendants 17 CH 08965 5155 MADISON STREET HILLSIDE, IL 60162 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 19, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 20, 2018, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 5155 MADISON STREET, HILLSIDE, IL 60162 Property Index No. 15-18-200-0120000.

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $240,922.13.

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

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR 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, contact Plaintiff’s attorney: HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC, 111 East Main Street, DECATUR, IL 62523, (217) 422-1719 Please refer to file number 2120-13693.

If the sale is not confirmed for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the purchase price paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC 111 East Main Street DECATUR, IL 62523 (217) 422-1719 Fax #: (217) 422-1754 CookPleadings@hsbattys.com Attorney File No. 2120-13693 Attorney Code. 40387 Case Number: 17 CH 08965 TJSC#: 37-11231 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.

I3072267

Defendants 17 CH 3742 1331 HEIDORN AVENUE Westchester, IL 60154 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 18, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 20, 2018, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1331 HEIDORN AVENUE, Westchester, IL 60154 Property Index No. 15-20-107-0370000.

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $275,177.78.

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, contact The sales clerk, SHAPIRO KREISMAN & ASSOCIATES, LLC, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL 60015, (847) 2911717 For information call between the hours of 1pm–3pm. Please refer to file number 17-082530.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

SHAPIRO KREISMAN &

ASSOCIATES, LLC 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301 Bannockburn, IL 60015 (847) 291-1717 E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com Attorney File No. 17-082530 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 17 CH 3742 TJSC#: 37-11339 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.

I3074128

(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: Visit our website at service.atty-pierce.com. between the hours of 3 and 5pm. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC, Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60602. Tel No. (312) 416-5500.

Please refer to file number 252422.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 416-5500 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 252422 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 16 CH 10017 TJSC#: 38-942 I3075920

PACIFIC UNION FINANCIAL, LLC Plaintiff, vs.

UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF SHIRLEY J. POWELL; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; COMMUNITY HOME FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.; TEANEACHIE LATASHIA POWELL TEANEACHIE L. POWELL AKA TEANEACHIE POWELL; GERALD NORDGREN SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE ESTATE OF SHIRLEY J. POWELL; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants, 16 CH 7809 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 Tuesday, March 20, 2018 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. 15-15-230-015-0000.

Commonly known as 1606 South 13th Avenue , Maywood, Illinois 60153.

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, Anselmo Lindberg & Associates, LLC, 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563-1890. (630) 453-6960. For Bidding instructions visit www.alolawgroup.com 24 hours prior to sale. F16050206 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3076373

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 or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-17-11752.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE 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. 14-17-11752 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2017 CH 10915 TJSC#: 37-10788 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.

I3075908

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION MIDFIRST BANK Plaintiff, -v.REYNALDO MORA, JR., MYRA MORA

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS, INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-5 Plaintiff, -v.0 JOSE ARROYO, MARIBEL GARRIDO, MIDLAND FUNDING LLC, PCS RECEIVABLES CORP. A/K/A PRIME ACCEPTANCE CORP. Defendants 16 CH 10017 923 DIVISION STREET MELROSE PARK, IL 60160 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 8, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 9, 2018, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 923 DIVISION STREET, MELROSE PARK, IL 60160 Property Index No. 15-03-224-0190000.

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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION DITECH FINANCIAL LLC; Plaintiff, vs.

FELIPE J BELTRAN AKA FELIPE BELTRAN; MARGO A. BELTRAN AKA MARGO BELTRAN; Defendants, 17 CH 11325 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 Tuesday, March 20, 2018 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. 15-13-312-020-0000.

Commonly known as 1105 Dunlop Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130.

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 Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 17-027008 F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3076362 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, -v.ANDRZEJ KORNATOWSKI, ANTONINA KULIG Defendants 2017 CH 10915 2843 ROSE ST FRANKLIN PARK, IL 60131 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 28, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 26, 2018, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 2843 ROSE ST, FRANKLIN PARK, IL 60131 Property Index No. 12-27-120-0030000; 12-27-120-004-0000.

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.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR NEWCASTLE MORTGAGE SECURITIES TRUST 2007-1; Plaintiff, vs.

GILBERTO CERVANTES; CITIBANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FKA CITIBANK

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Village Free Press | February 21, 2018

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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

(SOUTH DAKOTA) NATIONAL ASSOCIATION; Defendants, 17 CH 11478 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, March 26, 2018 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. 15-03-410-011-0000.

Commonly known as 1310 North 14th Avenue, Melrose Park, IL 60160.

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 Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 17-026346 F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3077112

ON BEHALF OF HSI ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2006-HE2 Plaintiff, -v.MARIA J. ESCARENO A/K/A MARIA ESCARENO, MAURO ESCARENO, SOURCE ONE MORTGAGE CORPORATION Defendants 17 CH 957 1607 SOUTH 16TH AVENUE Maywood, IL 60153 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 2, 2018, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 3, 2018, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 1607 SOUTH 16TH AVENUE, Maywood, IL 60153 Property Index No. 15-15-228-0030000.

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $290,855.35.

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, contact The sales clerk, SHAPIRO KREISMAN & ASSOCIATES, LLC, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL 60015, (847) 2911717 For information call between the hours of 1pm–3pm. Please refer to file number 16-081598.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor,

Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

SHAPIRO KREISMAN & ASSOCIATES, LLC 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301 Bannockburn, IL 60015 (847) 291-1717 E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com Attorney File No. 16-081598 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 17 CH 957 TJSC#: 38-311 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.

I3074886

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE

It’s about community.

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Village Free Press | February 21, 2018

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