Village Free Press_042220

Vol. IV No. 17 Pritzker cancels rest of school year, PAGE 6

Two Maywood workers contract COVID-19 Village extends state of emergency until May 31

APRIL 22, 2020

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Maywood mourns Betty Lemons, PAGE 5

DEMANDS: Hines VA workers protest outside of the hospital’s Fifth and Roosevelt entrance on April 17.

The workers were calling for hazard pay, PPE and COVID-19 testing for all.

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Two Maywood employees have been diagnosed with COVID-19, Maywood Village Manager Willie Norfleet said during a COVID-19 town hall held April 14.

At the meeting, Norfleet also announced that the village is extending its state of emergency by another month to May 31.

The manager added that the village may also establish a 6 p.m. cutoff point for all liquor sold in the village.

Norfleet indicated that the confirmed cases were both in the community development department, which the manager has since shut down. Norfleet first announced that there were possible cases of COVID-19 within Village Hall during a regular board meeting on April 7, when he said that a retired village worker had also tested positive for the virus.

On April 14, Norfleet said that since the Maywood Board of Trustees unanimously declared a state of emergency on March See MAYWOOD WORKERS on page 3

Photo: Shanel Romain

Hines employees protest working conditions

Workers calling for hazard pay, PPE, other demands at VA hospital with 45 COVID-19 cases, 3 inpatient deaths

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Healthcare workers at five hospitals in the Chicago area,

including Edward Hines VA Hospital, 5000 S. 5th Ave. in Hines, stood in the cold during shift change on Friday afternoon to protest working

conditions at those facilities.

The coordinated action took place moments after state lawmakers, activists and healthcare workers hosted

a video press conference to highlight their needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, which include personal protective See HINES PROTEST on page 4

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Village Free Press | April 22, 2020

OUT and ABOUT 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 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. © 2020 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

Community puts on car parade to support workers renovating Westlake Hospital Dozens of community members hopped in their cars on Friday afternoon to participate in a small show of thanks.

State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (7th), along with Melrose Park Mayor Ron Serpico, invited residents to participate in a car parade to support the construction workers “who have been working around the clock to reopen Westlake Hospital and bring a vital COVID-19 treatment center to our community,” according to a statement released Thursday by Welch’s office.

“I am so grateful for the round the clock work that the Army Corps of Engineers

and local construction workers have put in to reopen Westlake,” Welch said in the statement. “I encourage residents who have some free time tomorrow to join our car parade and show support for the folks working to reopen Westlake as well as all health care workers, first responders, and essential personnel working during this time of crisis.”

Area first responders celebrate 1-year-old’s birthday with ride-by

The family of 1-year-old Aranza Salas, of Maywood, was supposed to celebrate her first birthday with a bang, but the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent stay-at-home order put a damper in what had been grand plans (including

a gathering planned for 200 people), Maywood Police spokeswoman Carmen Rivera said.

On April 17, the Broadview Police Department and the Maywood Fire Department joined Maywood Police in a short procession, which took place in vicinity of the Salas’ family home on the 1800 block of South 18th Street in Maywood.

Little Aranza got a chance to see the procession outside of her window, her eyes wide open, as her relatives stood in the window of the family’s home — all smiles.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

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Village Free Press | April 22, 2020

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NEWS briefs Three nursing homes in Proviso Township have COVID-19 outbreaks According to a Chicago Tribune analysis of data released on April 19 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration, at least 1,860 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 286 COVID-19-related deaths can be traced to nursing homes in the state.

“That’s nearly a fourth of all coronavirus deaths reported in Illinois,” the Tribune reports.

Pritzker released a list of all longterm care facilities reporting at least five confirmed cases of COVID-19. Three longterm facilities in Proviso Township were on that list. § Symphony at Aria in Hillside (5 cases, 2 deaths) § Westchester Health and Rehabilitation Center (43 cases, 9 deaths) § Aperion Care Forest Park (5 cases, 1 death) More than two weeks ago, ABC 7 reported that family members and friends of the Westchester Health and Rehabilitation Center were “worried about loved ones” at the facility.

At that time, only two COVID-19-related deaths were reported.

State releases map of drive-up Wi-Fi hotspots As students across Illinois get accustomed to remote learning, state agencies have released a new tool aimed at connecting

MAYWOOD WORKERS Out sick from page 1 17, Village Hall and other villageowned facilities have undergone at least two deep cleanings and Village Hall has been closed to the public.

Norfleet said that by closing Village Hall, there’s “an opportunity to sterilize the entire building and not just limit it to that particular department.” He added that the affected employees self-isolated for seven days while they waited for their test results.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Norfleet said that the state of emergency will be pushed back to at least May 31, from the original target end date of April 30.

A variety of enforcement

those who need internet to drive-up Wi-Fi hotspots.

The interactive map is searchable by ZIP code and municipality, and the hotspots contain information as to how internet service can be accessed. As of April 15, the map had 200 hotspots aimed at allowing students and parents or guardians to continue social distancing by remaining in their cars while using the internet.

The Bellwood Public Library, 600 Bohland Ave. in Bellwood, is the only hot spot within the Village Free Press service area. The Hillside Public Library, 405 Hillside Ave. in Hillside, and the Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Blvd. in Forest Park, are close by.

State college fund for low-income students raises $550K [Capitol News Illinois] State education officials announced on April 18 that an emergency fund to help low-income college students disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic has raised $550,000.

The money raised by private funders will be allocated to public universities and community colleges based on the number and percentage of low-income students that they serve. Illinois universities serve more than 50,000 low-income students, while community colleges serve more than 81,000 according to the release.

“While colleges and universities are doing all they can to help students during this pandemic, vulnerable students still face the unstable housing, food insecurity,

measures and services will be postponed while the village’s state of emergency is in effect. For instance, all water shutoffs will be suspended and overnight parking restrictions lifted. In addition, services like the village’s senior bus will be suspended.

Earlier this month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker extended the state’s stayat-home order to April 30. It had initially been scheduled to last until April 7. While the order is in effect, all non-essential activity is prohibited.

Maywood Chief Valdimir Talley said on Tuesday that the Maywood Police Department will start rigorously enforcing the order by citing residents who are seen outside at night.

“We’re going to be challenging people, if you’re outside [in the evening] and there’s no reason for you to be out there … you will be cited,” Talley said. “We’re going to very strenuously enforce the governor’s order.”

or lack computer equipment and internet access,” Ginger Ostro, executive director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, said in the release. “This fund will help meet those needs.”

The fund will be administered by the Southern Illinois University Foundation.

All part-time and full-time students in good standing will be eligible for money, which will be given as grants that do not need to be paid back.

Students should contact their school directly for more information and how to apply.

Lightford makes Chicago Magazine’s ’50 Most Powerful Women in Chicago’ list Chicago Magazine recently released its annual list of The 50 Most Powerful Women in Chicago.

“They come from all over the city and from every field, but those who made the rankings have one thing in common: They’ve got clout, and they know how to use it,” the magazine explained.

At least one on the list, state Sen. Kimberly Lightford, comes from Maywood.

The veteran state lawmaker landed at #30 on the list, behind some other familiar names, such as Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (#1), Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle (#6), Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx (#10), and ahead of some other noteworthy women like World Business Chicago CEO Andrea Zopp (#37) and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas (#44).

That rigor may extend to alcohol sales, Norfleet said, although any decision on regulating liquor sold in the village won’t happen until days or weeks from now.

“There’s a great possibility that we will begin to suspend alcohol sales in Maywood,” Norfleet said, adding that the suspension will be in effect for the duration of the village’s state of emergency.

“The police chief is thinking to discount those sales at 6 p.m.,” Norfleet said. “We know Chicago and other communities are holding their sales to 9 p.m., which means any community that extends beyond that particular time, you’ll get those individuals coming out to Maywood potentially to make those purchases.”

Norfleet said that the village’s liquor commission and trustee board will have the ultimate say about the proposed regulation.

Explaining Lightford’s inclusion on the list, the magazine points out that her “bill to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025 — the culmination of a fight she’s been leading for a decade — had passed. Now she’s got her sights set on funding early childhood education.”

Employee blows whistle on Bellwood clothing store violating state order According to an April 15 news report by CBS 2, an employee at Tops and Bottoms, a clothing store at 219 Mannheim Rd. in Bellwood, blew the whistle on store owners for operating the store despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s orders that all nonessential business activity be suspended.

The employee recorded a video showing the store still operational and has alleged that, once word got out, store management retaliated against him.

The employee, Aldo Colunga, said that staff would sneak customers inside the store through a basement door.

“The only way that we can stop this and reduce the spread of this is to stay home and following the guidelines,” Colunga said. “Like I said, you don’t need to be fresh.

You don’t need to go and buy a new outfit.

For what?”

Bellwood Police Chief Jimenez Allen told CBS “that his officers have visited the store within recent days and have given them a warning to shut down and listen to the governor’s order- adding that they are keeping a close watch.”

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

Emergency measures in place until at least May 31

• Residents are now required to utilize online payment options and the bill collection box

outside of Village Hall, 40 Madison St. The box is next to the US postbox. Maywood Finance Director Lanya Satchell said that the village should be ready to process online payments in roughly a week. Residents will not be penalized if they cannot make payments until then, she said.

• Water shutoffs have been suspended and penalties will not be applied to utility bills.

• Contact between village employees and business will be limited to phone, email and post mail communication.

• The village’s community development department will take only pre-arranged appointments.

• Municipal court has been suspended • All meetings, events and activities scheduled to take place the Maywood Multipurpose Building, 200 S. 5th Ave., and at Council Chambers, 125 S. 5th Ave., have been suspended.

This includes Friday meetings of the Maywood Senior Club and activities in the Multipurpose Building’s gymnasium.

• The village’s senior bus service has been suspended.

• Maywood Alternative Policing Strategies (MAPS) meetings have been suspended.

• Committee and commission meetings will be limited to members only and closed to the public.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

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Village Free Press | April 22, 2020

Lawmaker calling for boycott of big banks Rep. Emanuel “Chris”Welch blast banks like JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America for restricting access to COVID-19 loans for small businesses

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

A state lawmaker is urging people to boycott large banks like JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America for allegedly making the process of applying for federal COVID-19 emergency small business loans harder than it has to be, especially for minority business owners.

“I’m encouraging folks to boycott big banks until they remove their restrictive policies that keep these funds from small businesses — especially small businesses of color,” said state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (7th).

Welch has created a change.org petition demanding big banks “treat black businesses equitably during COVID-19.” The petition has so far garnered 170 signatures of its goal of 200.

The federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program — the third phase of the CARES Act, which Congress passed in March to address the COVID-19 pandemic — was supposed to give $350 billion to banks across the country to lend out to small businesses suffering from the mass closures that have been enacted by states in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. As long as businesses use at least 75 percent of the funding on payroll, most of the loan is forgiven.

But much of the funding, which is now

HINES PROTEST Voicing concerns from page 1 equipment (PPE), a wider availability of testing and hazard pay.

“I’ve listened to low-wage workers throughout this crisis,” said Illinois state Sen. Robert Peters (13th). “Healthcare workers are telling us they need PPE, widespread testing and hazard pay. We can’t just have a situation where we’re giving them a round of applause.”

Jefferey Haggins, a steward who works at Loretto Hospital in Chicago’s Austin community, joined the Zoom videoconference from his hospital bed in an ICU, where he was being treated for COVID-19.

“With a lack of PPE, we don’t feel protected,” Haggins said. “They give us a mask to wear and hand sanitizers and gloves, but it’s not enough. You have to fight, scratch and claw to get the below basic necessities.”

After the call, a small group of roughly a half dozen Hines workers stood wearing masks outside of the hospital’s gated

used up, went to large corporations like the Chicago-based restaurant chain Potbelly Corporation, which got a $10 million federal loan on April 10, according to a recent New York Post report.

“The so-called PPP loans were aimed at helping companies with up to 500 employees cover payroll and overhead costs,” The Post reported. “But lawmakers expanded eligibility for restaurants so that companies could apply as long as they had no more than 500 workers at any single location.”

In addition, lenders like JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America reserved the federal funds to customers who already have outstanding loans with the banks, therefore shutting out many small businesses without existing loans or even ones that had paid off loans.

“One business owner who has a children’s clothing store in South Florida got rejected

by Bank of America and tweeted that it was ‘appalling,’” according to a Yahoo Finance report, which added that the woman “had taken loans out from Bank of America before, but because those loans were paid off, she also was not eligible.”

In a statement, Bank of America told Yahoo Finance that “its ‘near-term priority’ are its nearly 1 million small business borrowing clients: ‘As the administration has made clear, going to your current lending bank is the fastest route to completion.’”

In a statement, Welch cited a 2016 study

by economists at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, “which found that first year black businesses are 7 times less likely to receive a bank loan that white businesses and twice less likely to use business credit cards.”

Many customers of large banks also complained about the many technical glitches and bureaucratic layers they met while trying to apply for the federal loans.

“Their response to increased applications was not to scale up capacity, but rather, to turn away those most in need,” Welch said of the large banks.

“The restrictive lending policies of big banks are stopping small businesses from receiving PPP funding,” Welch said.

“This was not designed to be a handout to banks that allows them to pick and choose recipients — it’s meant to provide immediate assistance to small businesses, so they can keep playing their employees.”

Welch highlighted the challenges that Stacey Armstrong, the owner of Sha-Poppin Gourmet Popcorn, 10352 Roosevelt Rd. in Westchester, experienced trying to secure a PPP loan through Chase Bank.

During an interview on April 18, Armstrong said that she encountered “several error messages” that appeared on her computer screen during the application process.

“That continued for days, several times a day,” she said. “Finally, I got a call from the

entrance on Fifth and Roosevelt. Standing six feet apart, they held up signs to drivers passing by that read: “Healthcare Heroes Need: PPE, Testing for Hazard Pay to Keep Us Alive.”

As of April 18, there have been 5,261 confirmed cases of COVID-19 diagnosed and treated at Veterans Affairs facilities across the country. Those facilities have had 315 COVID-19 inpatient deaths, according to publicly available data provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs. At Hines, there have been 45 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and three inpatient deaths.

Greg Kelley, the president of SEIU Healthcare Illinois, has said in the past that hospital workers should at least be paid time and a half while working during the pandemic and should also be eligible for two weeks of paid sick leave.

“It’s important that we hear from them, protect them and give them what they need, as they all take care of us,” Kelley said during the April 18 video conference.

The volume of COVID-19 patients and inadequate safety conditions at the hospital has even non-frontline employees at Hines concerned about coming into work when they can telework from home instead.

Earlier this month, a range of Hines employees — including social workers, dietitians and psychiatrists — spoke out when James Doelling, Hines’ new director, sent them an email asking them to return to work “as the center prepared for a surge of veterans in needs of services,” according to an April 5 Chicago Sun-Times report. ”I’m concerned as a clinical provider that we’re going to be risking the lives of veterans and employees as they create this COVID-19 petri dish at the hospital for no reason,” one social worker, who requested anonymity, told the Sun-Times.

Germaine Clarno, the president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 781, told the Sun-Times that Doelling’s order “is bringing employees in ‘unnecessarily’ and putting everyone at the hospital at risk.” ”They’re being told to come into Hines, sit altogether in one office all day, and they can’t even go see the patients in the wards because of precautionary measures,” Clarno told the Sun-Times.

Doelling did not respond to the Sun-Times’ requests for comment and could not be reached by phone on April 18.

A Moveon.org petition urging Doelling

midwest vice president of Chase and she was apologetic that my application didn’t go through. Her answer was that, if I wanted, I could change banks and she’d understand, which was really unacceptable to me. It lets me know that they really don’t care.”

Armstrong said that she eventually got PPP funding through a local credit union, where the application process was a lot easier.

“They were hands-on,” she said. “I communicated back and forth with them through email. They responded very quickly. It was a very easy process. It’s unfortunate that the larger banks don’t have the capability of doing the same thing that a credit union or small bank can do.”

Armstrong, who has had to adjust her hours, said that the federal funding is a step in the right direction.

“I employ a lot of young people in high school and in college, so I’m able to at least keep them here for a certain amount of time,” she said. “I can pay them, because they’ve been very dedicated to me.”

Sha-Poppin is open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Although no one can come into the store, she’s taking orders over the phone, which customers can place at the door and receive in their cars. The number is (877) 742-7671.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

against banning telework at Hines had garnered 816 signatures by April 18.

“If you do not allow telework, Veterans, staff, and their families will be negatively impacted,” the petition states. “Other VA’s have implemented telework and California is a clear demonstration of how this will back fire. You already have the evidence of this.”

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

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Village Free Press | April 22, 2020

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Betty Lemons, quick-witted legend, dies at 101 Lemons was born, raised and lived a century in Maywood

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Betty Doris Lemons, a community anchor who lived her whole life in Maywood, died on April 13. She was 101. Her daughter, Nedra Fox, said that her mother had been hospitalized with numerous ailments before she was sent to her home on the 200 block of South 11th Avenue roughly two weeks ago.

“She was a legend and she lived a long, beautiful life,” Fox said on April 15. “We don’t have anything to be sad about. We’re going to miss her, but she’s at peace.”

Fox said that her mother was well-known for her generosity, but Lemons did not flaunt her largesse.

“She was a giving person and she helped so many people,” Fox said. “Nobody knows how many people she helped, because she never said nothing about it. She taught people how to cleanup and how to fix old things and bring them back to life.”

Lemons was born June 3, 1918 at 610 S. 13th Ave. in Maywood, inside the home where Canaan AME Church, one of Maywood’s oldest, was started, she said in a 2018 interview with Village Free Press, parts of which are replicated below.

Her father died when she was just 3 years old. So it was left to her mother, “Mama Mae” Logan, to anchor the house and raise Lemons and her four older siblings — many of whom were born in nearby Oak Park.

Lemons’ older sister, Gladys Logan, died

several years ago in Maywood at 98. She would’ve been 102 if she were alive today, Lemons said at the time.

“I’d never saw my mother with a man,” Lemons recalled. “She was a widow with five children. She paid all the bills. She’d always say, ‘Jesus is my husband.’”

Lemons attended Washington Elementary School (“our class was the first class to graduate from that building in 1932”) and Proviso East High School.

“When I went to Proviso, we couldn’t belong to any of the social clubs because we were black,” she said.

When she graduated from East, in 1936, she went to work in a high-end Oak Park retail store before eventually working as a school bus driver for 20 years.

In 1939, she married her husband, Obie H. Lemons, who worked at Illinois Bell Telephone Company for 43 years. Obie had perfect attendance by the time he retired.

The Lemons had three children. Fox is the only child alive. Obie died some two decades ago.

When Lemons wasn’t working, she was anchoring her house and her community.

Twice she’d been diagnosed with cancer.

Twice she’d beaten it.

People around the community knew her as Bett — her preferred name — the woman legendary for giving new life to things others might throw away and for attending everyone’s funeral.

file

A BEAUTIFUL LIFE: Betty Lemons, on the porch of her Maywood home in 2018.

Lemons died on April 13, at 101.

“I’ve picked up a many of stuff,” Lemons said two years ago, adding that she even helped furnish former Cook County Recorder of Deeds Eugene “Gene” Moore’s first apartment.

“Plenty of people I’ve given things to, but I don’t remember,” she said. “When you give from the heart you don’t remember what you did for them.”

Lemons was comfortable in her old age,

sporting the wit and alertness of someone decades younger. Life, in turn, had been good to Lemons.

“I’ve been a rich poor woman all my life,” she said. “I’ve never wanted for anything.

I’ve never been without a penny or unable to pay my bills. Anything I’ve wanted I’ve been able to get it.”

On April 15, Fox said her mother loved Maywood and life so much she never wanted to leave.

“She was born here and the house she was born in, is still standing,” Fox said. “She’s never left. She loved her family and her community. That’s why people loved her and she went to almost everybody’s funeral.”

Channeling her mother’s characteristic humor and wit, Fox said Lemons wasn’t exactly looking forward to her own.

“At the funerals, everybody would look for her and she’d tell them, ‘When I die, I want you to tell them that death wasn’t on my agenda. It was rough here, but I liked it.’

She’d say, ‘I don’t think my feet can stand those streets of gold. I know I gotta go, but I don’t want to go. If God sent a bus, I’d tell him, ‘Let me take the next one!’”

Fox said arrangements for her mother will take place this Friday at Johnson and Miller Funeral Home. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there can be no more than 10 people at the funeral home and no more than 10 people at the cemetery.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

Ted Leverenz, influential lawmaker, dies at 78 Leverenz lived in Melrose Park, once represented Maywood in Illinois House

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Ted E. Leverenz, a former state lawmaker who once represented Maywood in the Illinois House, died on April 8. He was 78 years old. His death was confirmed by relatives, who said that in lieu of flowers, individuals can give donations to the American Lung Association.

Leverenz, who lived in Melrose Park at the time of his death, served as a state representative for the 51st House District, which used to encompass Maywood, where Leverenz once lived, before his appointment to the Illinois Senate in the early 1990s.

During his time in Springfield, Leverenz rose to become chairman of the powerful Illinois House Appropriations Committee at a time when the House only had one such committee. There are now six, according to journalist Rich Miller.

Laurence Msall, the president of the Civic Federation — the 125-year-old government research group — said Leverenz “was the legislative and State Appropriations Crowned Prince of the Illinois House when I showed up as the end of the bench gopher and agency staffer in 1984 … Ted was admired by us because he was powerful and yet he seemed to take more time to explain things to young staffers,” Msall wrote in a tribute on Miller’s influential Capitol Fax blog.

“Ted not only knew how to move legislation, but also how to move government and have a raucous time stirring up the trouble necessary to move the people on both sides of the aisle,” Msall wrote. “The honorable Ted Leverenz also cared fiercely for his family, friends, and constituents.”

Leverenz’s daughter, Tracy, wrote on Facebook that “heaven is celebrating with

joy his homecoming and ‘Never Had A Bad Day’ has a whole new meaning! He was a kind, caring, public servant, who worked tirelessly for the community in numerous ways.”

State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (7th), who currently represents Maywood and most of Proviso Township in the House, paid tribute to Leverenz on Twitter.

“Our community has lost a long time public servant,” Welch wrote. “He served jn the Illinois House from 1975-1991 and in the Illinois Senate from 1991-1993. He was a fighter, and he loved public office.

According to his obituary, Leverenz was married to “Kathleen Jarecki-Leverenz and father of Tracy (William Bergh) Leigh Bergh, Kevin (Jamie Francis-Leverenz) Leverenz, Brian (Gina) Jarecki, and Michael (Chirag Badlani) Jarecki. Gentle grandpa to Melanie, Christina, Abigail, Ethan, Brian,

photo provided

THE FIGHTER: Ted Leverenz, who died on April 8 at 78, once represented Maywood in the Illinois House.

Jr., and Ronen. Dear brother of Thomas (Sonia) Leverenz and uncle to many.”

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

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Village Free Press | April 22, 2020

D209 board demands minority hires for summer projects Board urges Gilbane to meet 15% threshold for minority hires

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Planned construction on the first phase of Proviso Township High School District 209’s Facility Master Plan will proceed as scheduled this summer despite the COVID-19 pandemic, but before the ground breaks, D209 board members are urging the firm overseeing the construction to make sure that local residents, particularly minorities, are well-represented in the work force.

During a regular board meeting on April 14, Paul Starck-King, the district’s chief business official, outlined the range of work scheduled to take place at Proviso East, Proviso West and Proviso Math and Science Academy in the summer.

According to Starck-King’s PowerPoint presentation, major construction includes

parking renovations and reconfigurations at all three schools, among other improvements. But board members were adamant that Gilbane Building Company, the firm hired as the district’s contract manager responsible for overseeing construction, meet a minimum 15 percent minority hiring benchmark that the board set.

“We gave specific criteria that Gilbane said they would match, so we want to hold them to that contract,” said board member Rodney Alexander.

Echoing Alexander’s concern, board member Sam Valtierrez said that he wants to see how Gilbane’s sub-contracting methodology works.

“We want to see the methodology they’ll use to hire minority contractors from this district,” Valtierrez said. “We want to see the plan laid out.”

Starck-King said that, based on a preliminary report from Gilbane, around 6.5 percent of sub-contractors hired to work the first phase summer construction projects are minority.

“We know that is not our target, so they’ll start giving us proposals and thoughts

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about how to reach that percentage,” Starck-King said. “Numbers are being tracked to address your issues. They’re disappointed, but we’re doing what we can to get those numbers up.”

Starck-King said that at a community outreach event designed to connect with potential minority contractors in the area, some prospective contractors expressed concerns that the bid package was too large and that their bonding wasn’t big enough, among other challenges.

Alexander said that those challenges should not be impediments to Gilbane meeting the board’s minimum threshold.

“I’m expecting them to modify their requirements to make sure those numbers are met in whatever way is legal, ethical and moral,” Alexander said.

The D209 board approved the district’s Facility Master Plan last year. The upcoming summer construction work is the start of the plan’s roughly $77 million first phase construction period, which his expected to last through 2022.

Upcoming D209 summer 2020 projects PMSA Repairing and reconfiguring parking lot “for better arrival and dismissal traffic control” Improving green space around campus Installing on-site outdoor physical education space Replacing marquee sign at First and Roosevelt

Proviso West Expanding/updating Career and Technical Education Facilities Replacing/repairing hot water storage tanks Renovating north student parking lot Replacing/repairing failing exterior wall panels replacing/ repairing items identified under Health and Life Safety review process

Proviso East Relocating student parking from First Avenue Updating and relocating faculty/staff parking to the main campus Updating Family and Consumer Sciences, and Culinary Arts labs Installing phased air conditioning, starting with third floor Replacing/repairing hot water storage tanks Replacing marquee sign at First and Madison Installing publicly accessible and school usable play fields and walking track with adjacent playground replacing/ repairing items identified under Health and Life Safety review process CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

IL schools closed for rest of academic year Pritzker says students will continue e-learning

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois

Schools will not return for in-person learning this academic year as Gov. JB Pritzker announced last Friday that remote learning will continue for all pre-k through 12th grade students.

“I’ve said time and time again, our decisions must follow the science and the science says our students can’t go back to their normal routine this school year,” Pritzker said.

The announcement came the same day the Illinois Department of Public Health announced 1,842 new cases of novel coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, in Illinois, including 62 additional deaths. The new cases were the most in a single day in

the state.

The virus is now confirmed in 92 of 102 counties as Henderson and Wayne counties reported their first cases. IDPH has now confirmed 27,575 cases including 1,134 deaths in the state.

A total of 130,163 have now been tested for the virus, an increase of 7,574 from last Thursday.

“Please, for people who are experiencing illness and want to get tested, I do want to alert that we do have increased testing capacity,” IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said.

She said those looking to get tested should visit dph.illinois.gov\COVID19 to find sites where testing is happening.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

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Village Free Press | April 22, 2020

Take the Census Online TODAY!

www.2020census.gov

By Phone: English: 844-330-2020 / Spanish: 844-468-2020 Participation Rates

4.19.2020

1

Western Springs

71.0%

2

Westchester

66.8%

3

La Grange Park

65.9%

4

Brookfield

65.3%

5

Berkeley

60.2%

6

North Riverside

59.0%

7

Bellwood

57.2%

8

Broadview

55.1%

9

Hillside

54.1%

10

Forest Park

53.6%

11

Northlake

50.7%

12

Maywood

48.1%

13

Melrose Park

41.7%

14

Stone Park

31.0%

HOUSING

EDUCATION

I COUNT INFRASTRUCTURE

YOU COUNT HEALTH CARE SOCIAL SERVICES

WE ALL COUNT

FAIR REPRESENTATION

To learn more visit www.ProvisoCensus2020.com For more information contact: Nathaniel George Booker Proviso Census 2020 Awareness & Education nathaniel@provisocensus2020.com

"Funded by IDHS. The contents are solely the responsibility of the author"

7

8

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Village Free Press | April 22, 2020

County releases map tracking suburban COVID-19 deaths Another new map gauges suburbs’ social vulnerability to COVID-19

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

On April 16, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle unveiled two new data tools to give suburban Cook County residents a glimpse into the impact of COVID-19.

The Cook County Medical Examiner COVID-19 Dashboard provides updates to the public on the number of COVID-19-related deaths in suburban Cook County. The data can be broken down by suburb, race, gender, age and date.

“The COVID-19 Dashboard provides direct, transparent access to critical information about coronavirus deaths in the County for public health agencies, medical professionals, first responders, journalists, policymakers and residents,” Preckwinkle explained in a statement.

The county’s interactive Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) Map provides information that details which suburban areas are most vulnerable to COVID-19’s spread based on a variety of demographic indicators, such as poverty and unemployment rates, minority status and household composition.

As of April 16, the county’s data portal

showed the following number of COVID-19 deaths by suburb: Bellwood (3), Broadview (1), Maywood (2), Melrose Park (4), Stone Park (1) and Westchester (3). The portal had no information for Hillside.

African-American residents comprised seven of the 14 total deaths in those six Proviso Township suburbs. All of the cases were individuals over 50 years old, with the vast majority comprising individuals over 70 years old. One fatality involved a person in their 50s, one involved a person in their 60s and one involved a person in their 30s.

As of April 16, the county’s COVID-19 Surveillance Data portal showed the following number of confirmed COVID-19 cases by suburb: Bellwood (140), Broadview (27), Hillside (38), Maywood (106), Melrose Park (111), Stone Park (26), and Westchester (64).

Across suburban Cook County, as of April 16, there were 6,429 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 248 deaths.

According to county officials, the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) breaks up areas by census tracts and ranks each tract on “15 social factors and groups them into four related themes,” which include the following:

§ Socioeconomic Status – Population below poverty line, number of unemployed residents, household income, and population with no high school diploma § Household Composition – Population aged 65 or older, aged 17 or younger, residents with a disability, and singleparent households § Minority Status and Language – Population part of a racial/ethnic minority and that speak English “less than well” § Housing & Transportation – Multi-unit structures, mobile homes, overcrowded housing, no access to a vehicle, and institutional group quarters Possible SVI scores “range from 0 (lowest vulnerability) to 1 (highest vulnerability),” county officials explain on the website.

Collectively, the bulk of Proviso Township has an SVI score of around 0.67. By comparison, all of Cook County has an SVI score of 0.57.

Those areas that tend to be most vulnerable, according to the data, are places that are predominantly minority and lowincome.

Two census tracts in Melrose Park and Maywood have the highest SVI scores of anywhere in Proviso Township, with SVI scores of 0.99 and 0.91, respectively.

The county’s public health department has been tracking the number of COVID-19 cases in the suburbs for weeks now at COVID-19 Surveillance Data portal, but the launch of these two additional data portals gives the public even more insight into the racial disparity of COVID-19’s spread, Preckwinkle said.

As of April 16, the county’s Medical Examiner recorded 703 COVID-19-related deaths in suburban Cook County, with African Americans accounting for 353 of those deaths, or roughly half, even blacks are only around 23 percent of Cook County’s population.

“Take a look at the communities most impacted by COVID-19 and then look at the Social Vulnerability Index – you’ll see a direct link between the deaths we are seeing and the communities where these individuals resided,” said Preckwinkle. “Our communities of color are once again the ones hit the hardest and the long-term social and economic effects to these communities will be felt for many years to come.”

thevillagefreepress.org

Village Free Press | April 22, 2020

9

Dems pick former GOP state rep for county board seat Frank Aguilar to replace Jeffrey Tobolski as 16th District commissioner

By BOB UPHUES Riverside-Brookfield Landmark

Democratic committeemen representing Cook County’s 16th District, which covers parts of Melrose Park and Stone Park, met in Berwyn on April 15 to choose a candidate to fill the vacancy created March 31 with the resignation of Jeffrey Tobolski.

In the end, they chose Frank Aguilar, a former Republican state representative who has close ties to Cicero President Larry Dominic, works as the director of community affairs for the Town of Cicero and is a member and former chairman of the Morton College Board of Trustees.

Aguilar, who did not respond an email from the Landmark seeking comment, was chosen from a field of at least six candidates who presented themselves to the committee, which met to select replacement at the Italian-American Civic Organization in Berwyn.

Aguilar will serve the remainder of Tobolski’s term, which expires in 2022.

Tobolski resigned as both Cook County Commissioner and McCook mayor six months after his offices and home were

raided by federal agents as part of a wideranging probe into corruption in the Chicago suburbs.

Tobolski has not been charged with any crime. Two of his close allies, former Chicago aviation official William Helm and his county chief-of-staff Patrick Doherty, have been indicted as a result of that federal investigation.

Each candidate to replace Tobolski was given a chance to make a brief personal pitch before the committee. Due to social distancing requirements as a result of the governor’s order prohibiting gathering of more than 10 people, the candidates waited in their cars to be called in and escorted into the building.

A small group from a Cicero/Berwyn political action committee called Rizoma Collective gathered outside the ItalianAmerican Civic Organization building to protest Aguilar’s selection, focusing on his performance as Morton College Board chairman.

“Under Aguilar’s tenure as chair of the Morton College Board of Trustees, Morton College was put on notice by the Higher Learning Commission for concerns about governance and the ‘operation and behavior of its board members,’” the group said in an emailed statement to the Landmark.

“Aguilar failed Morton College, and we believe he will also fail Cook County.”

In addition to Aguilar, the candidates

included Lyons Township Clerk Michael Porfirio, Franklin Park Trustee Andy Ybarra, Berwyn/Cicero realtor Eduardo Garcia and Melrose Park attorney Tony Favela, who served as treasurer of Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s campaign committee in his successful run to represent the 4th Congressional District in 2018.

A sixth candidate was Phil Huckleberry, a software engineer and a relatively new resident of Brookfield, who moved with his family from Chicago less than two years ago.

Though he’s new to the political scene in the suburbs, Huckleberry said he served on his Local School Council in the city and in 2004 and 2006 ran for state representative in Normal.

Township committeemen present at the April 15 meeting included the committee chairman, Berwyn Mayor Robert Lovero, as well as Steve Landek of Lyons Township, Vince Cainkar of Stickney Township, Blanca Vargas of Cicero Township and state Rep. Aaron Ortiz, committeeman for Chicago’s 14th Ward. Barrett Pederson of Leyden Township reportedly attended the meeting by teleconference before arriving late to the meeting.

It’s unclear whether Karen Yarbrough of Proviso Township attended in person.

Huckleberry said Yarbrough, who is also Cook County Clerk, was “definitely” not present when he was interviewed.

State Rep. Mike Zalewski, the Democratic

VILLAGE perspective My experience as a healthcare worker and a mom during the COVID-19 pandemic A few months ago, I was given the opportunity to join the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, also known as CSPL. There, I volunteer on the Census 2020 committee and participate in many other community events.

As a mother and healthcare worker, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous effect on my life.

Professionally, my health is at risk, but I know it is for a good cause. I live with profound stress, knowing that at any moment I could be exposed and that ultimately I am also risking my children and husband being exposed to the virus.

The limited supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) workers have, and the little known effectiveness it has, has really made me worried when going to work.

I want community members to understand how severely this virus can affect their health. Healthcare workers are risking their lives for everyone else. For those not obeying

the shelter in place rule, I want you to understand the danger you are putting yourself and others in. Non-clinical and clinical staff who are not working in the hospital are being deployed to help, without a choice. We need all communities on the same page, so that together we can fight this pandemic.

With the amount of new positive COVID-19 cases that are being detected, all hospitals will be, if they aren’t already, left with a severe lack of space and equipment to properly provide care for people. How are we supposed to control this virus when we don’t have beds, supplies, and equipment for everyone?

For this reason, CSPL organized to generate broad community support to encourage Governor J.B. Pritzker to reopen Westlake Hospital. State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch was critical in this process through his tireless advocacy for the reopening of Westlake. I was thrilled to hear the news on April 2, when Governor Pritzker announced that Westlake

Hospital would be reopened sometime during April. This decision is timely, prudent and necessary in helping our state address this public health crisis.

The reopening of Westlake Hospital also serves as a vital sign of hope for our communities when we need it now more than ever. The effort to reopen Westlake was truly a community effort and I’m grateful to Governor Pritzker, Rep. Welch and all of the members of CSPL. As a health care worker and as a mother, I want to thank everyone for their sacrifices and for practicing social distancing from those we love even though what we now need the most are hugs, love and support from them. Together we will get through this crisis.

Thank you for all of your prayers and support.

Aurelia Herrera, of Maywood, is a mother, CSPL member and a certified medical assistant who works for an outpatient clinic in Addison. She lives in Maywood.

committeeman for Riverside Township, did not attend the meeting but confirmed that he gave his proxy to Lovero.

Reportedly the committee took several straw votes before settling on Aguilar as the consensus candidate.

“Given the complexity of the COVID-19 dynamic, I thought Mayor Lovero did the best he could under difficult circumstances,” said Zalewski in an email. “I look forward to working with Commissioner Aguilar.”

Asked who he supported for the position, Zalewski responded that he felt Porfirio was a string candidate.

“As for who I backed, I have strong feelings that Mike Porfirio is a rising star in the party and if not today, then soon deserves a seat at the table very soon,” Zalewski said.

“The complexity of the district — a majority of voters of Latino descent — produced a complicated process that resulted in a consensus candidate.”

As a Republican, Aguilar served as a state representative for the 24th District from 2002-04. He was famously defeated in the 2004 general election by a Democrat who did not campaign and was widely believed to have been a ghost candidate sponsored by Aguilar himself.

Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez won election to the position at the next election in 2006 and has held the post since.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

Mailman of Songs

in memory of John Prine 1946 – 2020 You quit your day job delivering mail to deliver music—troubadouring through the seasons with a guitar strapped over your shoulder like a mailbag laden with fifty years of songs. Music became your civic duty. Today is Good Friday.

It has been three days since you left us kneeling in front of your songs.

Sometimes—still sheltered-in-place— we stare out our closed windows and feel a bit closer to you as we watch the viral clouds of this April still spewing shards of glass.

We have borrowed your blue umbrella— and placed it on the shoulder of the world.

Have you started your Heavenly agenda?

If so, we have a favor to ask.

When you get to the tilt-a-whirl, will you give that pretty girl a kiss for us, too?

Steven M. Smith, of North Syracuse, New York, is the director of the Writing Center at the State University of New York at Oswego. His poems have appeared in publications such as Rattle, Poem, Old Red Kimono and Mudfish.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

10

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Village Free Press | April 22, 2020

Don’t be scared or intimidated.

Proud to partner with Michael Romain and the village free press the Village Free Press

Let us help you figure out your finances!

Vol. III No. 37

SEPTEMBER 11, 2019

A sampling of the top dishes at Taste of Melrose Park, PAGE 8

Maywood remembers Bataan, PAGE 2

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Three’s company

Go Big Accounting has the solution…Fix my QB.

As PMSA’s enrollment increases, D209 looks to replicate the school at East and West

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Classes are the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Global Business Center 840 17th Avenue Maywood, IL 60153

If all goes according to an ambitious plan laid out by administrators last week, there will not be one Proviso Math and Science Academy in Proviso Township High Schools District 209 — there will essentially be three.

In a lengthy interview on Sept. 4, D209 Supt. Jesse Rodriguez explained that the district is seeking to open math and science academies at Proviso East and Proviso West that replicate PMSA’s academic curriculum while continuing to increase the student population at the selective enrollment school in Forest Park.

Rodriguez said that the expansion will benefit students in the district who have the capability of excelling in PMSA’s academically rigorous curriculum, which notably includes the International Baccalaureate Diploma program.

The program allows high school students the opportunity to earn college credits and is considered by some education experts to See PMSA on page 5

NO STOPPING HIM: Tim Bannon, 14, was born without arms, but that hasn’t stopped him from competing in a triathlon and on the football field. The Hillside teenager wants to be the kicker for the freshman team.

SHANEL ROMAIN

Proviso West football player born with no arms lights up the field Tim Bannon, 14, wants to be the kicker on the freshman football team

By SHANEL ROMAIN Contributor

Tim Bannon, a 14-year-old Proviso West High School freshman, doesn’t want or need your sympathy or stares or sentimental

statements about how inspiring he is, although he knows that he’ll get those responses. And that’s OK. Tim’s going to do what he wants regardless of how people respond to him.

The Hillside teenager spent the latter part of his summer preparing for the Chicago Triathlon (that’s a roughly mile-long run, a 200-meter swim and around four miles of See TIM BANNON on page 6

TIRED OF PAYING ATM FEES?

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PROVISO TOWNSHIP’S COMMUNITY BANK 1759 N. Mannheim Rd. | Stone Park, IL 60165 708-483-0030 | www.provisobank.com Proviso Community Bank is a branch of Hinsdale Bank & Trust Company.

Cost: $50/month (with the scholarship) plus QuickBooks subscription (if you already have one).

To register online and get information, go to: www.fixmyqb.live/ Have questions?

Call 708-975-6059.

141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 708.613.3300 | OakPark.com

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Village Free Press | April 22, 2020

11

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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, NA Plaintiff, -v.MARLA PHIPPS, AL JAMES GEE, SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Defendants 15 CH 18625 612 SOUTH 21ST 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 March 14, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 22, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 612 SOUTH 21ST AVENUE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153 Property Index No. 15-10-319-0150000 The real estate is improved with a single family home with a detached two car garage.

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, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. 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.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088.

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 312-346-9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 13408 Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 15 CH 18625 TJSC#: 40-414 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 # 15 CH 18625 I3149089

for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. 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.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088.

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 312-346-9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 270885 Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 19 CH 09624 TJSC#: 39-7641 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 # 19 CH 09624 I3149102

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR THE CIM TRUST 2016-2, MORTGAGE-BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2016-2; Plaintiff, vs.

ERIC D. DIXON, SR.; KIMBERLY JORDAN DIXON; UNKNOWN OWNERS, GENERALLY AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 18 CH 1505 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 Friday, May 22, 2020 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. 15-17-111-021-0000.

Commonly known as 338 N. Forest Avenue, Hillside, IL 60162.

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 Mr. Anthony Porto at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Kluever & Platt, L.L.C., 150 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (312) 2360077. SFS.3257A INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3149960

ILF1808013 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3150051

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, Alexander Potestivo, POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 263-0003. Please refer to file number 113166.

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.

POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610 Chicago IL, 60606 312-263-0003 E-Mail: ilpleadings@potestivolaw.com Attorney File No. 113166 Attorney Code. 43932 Case Number: 15 CH 00329 TJSC#: 40-790 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 # 15 CH 00329 I3149325

the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. 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) 7949876 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. 14-19-07410 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019 CH 10179 TJSC#: 40-1043 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 # 2019 CH 10179 I3150163

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.JACQUELINE THOMAS, WEST SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION AGENCY Defendants 19 CH 09624 1418 SOUTH 19TH 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 November 25, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 27, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1418 SOUTH 19TH AVENUE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153 Property Index No. 15-15-116-0260000 The real estate is improved with a white vinyl siding, one story single family home, detached two car garage.

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, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1

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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NEW DAY FUNDING, LLC & NDF PARTNERS, LLC, Plaintiff, vs.

WILLIE JONES; BRENDA JONES; MIDLAND FUNDING, LLC; CAPITAL ONE BANK (USA) N.A.; BRANCH 825 N.A.L.C. CREDIT UNION; DISCOVER BANK; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendants, 18 CH 12371 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 Wednesday, May 27, 2020 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: Commonly known as 20 47th Ave., Bellwood, IL 60104-1004.

P.I.N. 15-08-202-015.

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 Ms. Mary E. Spitz at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Sottile & Barile, LLC, 7530 Lucerne Drive, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130. (440) 572-1512.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE UNDER THE INDENTURE RELATING TO IMH ASSETS CORP, COLLATERALIZED ASSET-BACKED BONDS, SERIES 2005-4 Plaintiff, -v.ANTONIO S. PEREZ A/K/A ANTONIO PEREZ, ELIDA PEREZ, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC, AS NOMINEE FOR INTERVALE MORTGAGE CORPORATION, PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, LLC, THE CITY OF NORTHLAKE Defendants 15 CH 00329 127 S. PRATER AVENUE Northlake, IL 60164 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on May 17, 2018, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 5, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 127 S. PRATER AVENUE, Northlake, IL 60164 Property Index No. 15-05-111-0080000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $234,819.80.

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, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. 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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION GUARANTEED RATE, INC. Plaintiff, -v.JOSE R. OLVERA Defendants 2019 CH 10179 1841 PORTSMOUTH AVE 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 February 14, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 19, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1841 PORTSMOUTH AVE, WESTCHESTER, IL 60154 Property Index No. 15-21-312-0090000 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, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at

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Village Free Press | April 22, 2020

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