Village Free Press_112019

the village free press Vol. III No. 47

PMSA students go Broadway, PAGE 7

Grifols reps defend plasma donation center Officials attended Nov. 4 info session to address residents’ concerns about donation center at 215 Madison St.

NOVEMBER 20, 2019

We’re rethinking ng how we’re doing ng journalism, PAGE 9

theVillageFreePress.org TESTING GROUND: ComEd’s new tech labs, which were unveiled on Nov. 15 in Maywood, feature real-time digital simulators that allow the utility to test out equipment before it’s used in the field.

SHANEL ROMAIN

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

When news broke in August that a blood plasma center would move into the building where Aldi — the only thing approximating a full-service grocery store in Maywood — had once been, many residents expressed alarm and frustration. They were concerned that the center, located at 215 Madison St., would attract loitering drug addicts and other criminal elements, and possibly even students at Proviso East High School, which is located just across the street from the facility.

During a public meeting held Nov. 4 at the Lightford Recreation Center, 809 W. Madison St. in Maywood, officials with Griffons addressed those concerns and See GRIFOLS on page 1

Back to the future

ComEd unveils state-of-the-art energy labs in Maywood

By MICHAEL ROMAIN & SHANEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter / Contributor

Last month, a windy wintery storm swept the Chicago area. Tree limbs toppled power lines, resulting in thousands of customers who experienced temporary power outages.

On Nov. 15, ComEd unveiled two state-ofthe-art laboratories based at its Technical Center, 1319 S. 1st Ave. in Maywood, that

are designed to give the utility space to test out the kind of solutions that might make power outages related to extreme weather and other emergencies a thing of the past.

During a ceremony held Friday morning at the Technical Center, ComEd officials and other community leaders dedicated the Grid of the Future Lab and a Forensics lab.

The Grid of the Future Lab will conduct

real-time digital simulations on a range of new technologies — from the components of a microgrid cluster that ComEd is currently building in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood to a super-fast electrical vehicle charger.

Back in April, ComEd announced that it had successfully conducted a test “proving See COMED on page 4

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Village Free Press | November 20, 2019

OUT and ABOUT the village free press Editor & Publisher Michael Romain Strategic Consultant Kamil Brady Advertising Director Dawn Ferencak Editorial Designer Debbie Becker

D209 students make their voices heard

Advertising Design Support Andrew Mead, Mark Moroney

Students from Proviso East, Proviso West and PMSA who are members of the Superintendent Students Advisory Board met on Nov. 14 to develop information about the student experience at their schools to be shared with the superintendent and the administration.

HOW TO REACH US

Westchester Dollar General opens, toy drive happening

Village Free Press c/o Wednesday Journal 141 S. Oak Park Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE: 773-626-6332 FAX: (708) 467-9066

On Nov. 16, the Economic Development Committee conducted a ribbon cutting at Dollar General in Westchester and they also have a box for children or families in need this Christmas.

The Westchester Social & Service Committee is the benefactor. If you know a family in Westchester that is in need, please email thewac2017@gmail.com.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

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. © 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

VILLAGE people

Burden Langworthy, former Maywood police officer and community pillar, dies at 72 Burden Langworthy, a former Maywood Police officer and longtime Maywood Park District security guard, died from natural causes on Nov. 13. He was 72. Langworthy’s death was confirmed by multiple Maywood Park District officials, including Dawn Williams, a park district commissioner, who described Langworthy as a “gentle spirit.”

“I will miss your gentle spirit and quiet demeanor and you were always there at our Park District ready to give a hand and taking care of all of us,” Williams wrote in a Facebook post. “Especially our senior crochet club ladies every Monday and Wednesday, getting their room set up and assisting them with their bags.”

“He was a good pillar of the community,” said Steve Smiley, a park district supervisor.

Langworthy was an active member of Impact Community Church, which holds weekly services inside of the park district’s headquarters. During service on Nov. 17, Impact Pastor Anthony Pelegrino brought the chair Langworthy would sit in each week to the front of the service and draped it in the U.S. flag.

“Week in and week out you showed up with snow, rain or sunshine to help us at Impact,” Pelegrino wrote in a statement

he posted to his Facebook page. “We always could count on Mr. Langworthy. We love you and you will be missed. He truly had a great character and demeanor about him that showed love, kindness and a willingness to help.”

Langworthy was also a Master Mason, and member of Jeptha Lodge #90 and and Dorcas #92, where he was elevated to the office of Worthy Patron, friends and relatives said.

“You always sat at the front desk drinking your coffee and reading your newspaper and talking to everyone that entered the building,” Williams said.

Funeral services for Langworthy will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23, at Miracle Revival Cathedral, 2010 St. Charles Rd. in Maywood.

The wake will be 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., while the funeral will be 11 a.m. to noon. The burial will take place at Oak Ridge Cemetery, 4301 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Hillside. The repast will take place at the Maywood Park District, 921 S. 9th Ave. in Maywood.

Flowers can be sent directly to the church and delivered on Saturday only, relatives said.

BURDEN LANGWORTHY

— Michael Romain

thevillagefreepress.org

GRIFOLS

Addressing concerns from page 1 sought to bolster the benefits that a blood plasma center might bring to the village.

The center could be open before the year is out.

Colin Seal, the corporate public affairs manager with Grifols, said that although people must be between 18 and 69 years old to donate, he’s confident that few, if any, high school students will frequent the center.

The extensive screening process itself would be a strong deterrent, considering that prospective donors are required to have a driver’s license, proof of residency and proof of their social security, he explained. They’ll also be required to undergo an extensive medical examination, during which they’ll be asked about their medical history.

“High schoolers are not our donor base,” Seal said. “We’re not worried about them …

This isn’t the only center we’ve had within walking distance of a high school.”

Addressing worries among residents that the establishment would attract loiterers and criminal elements, Seal said that loitering isn’t tolerated, and that the center will have a security guard and a “sophisticated security” system. He added that many of its donors, particularly regular donors, often “self-police,” meaning that they actively discourage bad behavior.

Seal also said that the screening process frustrates drug users, because it reveals diseases such as HIV and STDs. People who have those diseases cannot donate blood plasma. The average payout per donation will be roughly $35 to $40 at the Maywood center. People are limited to donating twice a week.

Scott McCabe, who will manage the Maywood center, said that doesn’t expect any quality of life problems, either.

“We try to make sure that a community is inside there,” said McCabe, who added that he’s already joined the Maywood Chamber

Village Free Press | November 20, 2019 of Commerce. Seal and McCabe said that they also met many village officials during the Maywood Police Department’s National Night Out event this summer.

Sandra Smiley, a center manager at a Grifols blood plasma center in Chicago, said that her center sees about 1,200 to 1,500 people a week without incident. She also lauded her center’s community outreach efforts, which include donating to various food and toy drives, among other initiatives.

McCabe said that he’ll be looking to do similar community outreach initiatives with Maywood nonprofits. He also said that, while Grifols already contracts with companies for various things like supplies, he still sees an opportunity to utilize local businesses, such as nearby restaurants who can provide catered food to the center.

Seal said that the new Maywood center will employ roughly 42 staffers when it opens, with possible plans to hire even more people as demand grows. He said that there will be 12 nurses on site initially. He said that Grifols invested $2.5 million to $3 million in the new center, which will feature state-of-the-art technology that will facilitate a paperless data system.

When asked how many people will be hired from within the community, Seal, Smiley and McCabe said that most employees are hired locally. Seal said that a Maywood woman who works at the Chicago center will be transferred once the Maywood facility opens, so that she can be closer to her place of employment.

Asked what criteria made Maywood an attractive place to locate a blood plasma center, Seal said that officials determined that the local donor base — which is the population of people 18 and over who live within a 12-mile radius of the center— is healthy enough to sustain a plasma center.

He said they were also pleased with the location — which is right off of a Pace bus line, roughly a mile away from the CTA Blue Line in Forest Park and near ample parking.

Seal said that the local economic impact on Maywood in the form of employee payroll, donor fees and general business activity could be an estimated $4 million a

year. As an example, he said that the Super Save gas station nearby can expect at least a 30 percent increase in sales as a result of the blood plasma center.

None of that economic impact comes from sales taxes. There will, however, be property tax revenue coming from the development.

Grifols will pay rent to Troutman & Dams, the development firm that bought the building from Aldi after the store closed in 2016. Back in August, the Maywood Board of Trustees voted against approving a tax break for the firm, which may likely have translated into lower rent for Grifols.

James Troutman, a principal at Troutman & Dams, said that his firm could easily see a $114,000 tax bill next year. A Class 7A tax break would have reduced that bill to around $46,000 — a roughly $68,000 decrease, Troutman said.

After hearing the officials’ explanations, the roughly dozen community members who attended the Nov. 4 meeting said that they were grateful that Grifols showed up and addressed their concerns, but that the company still needs to build public trust.

“What you have said sounds good, but you have to prove yourselves, because we in this town have lost a lot,” said one woman.

“We’ve gone through some difficult times in Maywood,” said another woman. “We’re glad to have you be part of the community, but we want to make sure that as we extend our arms to welcome you, that your intentions are genuine and reciprocal.”

“We appreciate the investment that you are making, and all that you said is good,” one man said. “I think what you are hearing is that we don’t want to see Maywood colonialized. We want to see residents have employment opportunities and be reflected in the leadership of the organization.”

Maywood Trustee Nathaniel Booker, who organized the meeting and was the only village board member in attendance, said that he was cautiously optimistic.

“Speaking to their corporate team and the site management team has given me hope that this will be a positive and beneficial relationship,” Booker said.

“Their willingness and interest in

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partnering with STEM programming, nonprofits in the community and the Chamber of Commerce to utilize local businesses for contracts and more makes me feel we need to continue great discussion and progressive dialogue to ensure we are doing what is be for our residents and community,” he said.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

Maywood Board tables proposed ordinance regulating age of blood plasma donors A proposed ordinance that would increase the minimum age of blood plasma donors from 18 to 21 has been tabled by the Maywood Board of Trustees. The ordinance was brought up as a possible means of preventing students at Proviso East High School from donating blood plasma at the Grifols blood plasma center set to open later this year.

During a regular meeting held Nov. 6, Colin Seal, the corporate public affairs manager with Grifols, told board members during public comment that the proposed ordinance wasn’t a good idea. The age of blood plasma donors is regulated by the state, he said.

Seal and an attorney with Grifols, who also spoke, both urged the board to meet with the company before voting on the ordinance. During a community meeting on Nov. 4, Seal said that high school students will not be among the center’s donor base.

The board is expected to take up the proposed ordinance again at its next board meeting on Nov. 25.

D209 appoints interim principal at Proviso West News comes after unspecified incident on Nov. 15 at West

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Proviso Township High Schools District 209 officials announced on Nov. 18 that they made a series of “temporary leadership changes” in the district, including appointing an interim principal at Proviso West to replace the school’s current principal.

On Friday, an unspecified disturbance happened at the Hillside high school. The district has not disclosed the details or the

nature of the disturbance.

In a statement released Monday afternoon, D200 Communications Director Cynthia Moreno said that on Friday, Nov. 15, “decisions “impacting Proviso East, Proviso West, and PMSA were executed in the best interest of the School District. The decision is in conformity with Board Policy 5:240 and Section 1 of the Employment Contracts for Administrators.”

Moreno said that the district has appointed Proviso East Assistant Principal Fred Aguirre as interim principal at Proviso West, replacing Principal Nia Abdullah.

They’ve also appointed Brandon Gale, Proviso Math and Science Academy’s lead security manager, as interim security manager at West, replacing Proviso West Security Manager Levertis Robinson.

Moreno also responded to widely circulated rumors that Abdullah had been escorted out of the building on Friday and possibly terminated — claims that, so far, Village Free Press has not independently verified.

“The rumors are invalid as the employee was not escorted out or fired,” Moreno explained in an email, adding that “the

dignity and privacy of all employees is a priority to me.”

Moreno also explained that both East and PMSA “must adjust to the temporary changes in personnel.” So far, the district hasn’t said whether or not they’ll assign personnel to step in for Aguirre and Gale while they’re both at West.

“The Board of Education is aware for the development and they will function as a judicial body at the appropriate time,” Moreno said.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

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Village Free Press | November 20, 2019

Attend a turkey giveaway and grand opening for People Loan Club

Big Week

On Saturday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m., at People Cab Company, 200 30th Ave. in Bellwood, there will be a pre-Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway sponsored by People Cab Company and Rizza Cars. In addition, People Cab Company will host a grand opening for People Loan Club, LLC., 11 a.m., at 238 Mannheim Rd. in Bellwood.

November 20 – 27

Discuss Curious Proviso On Wednesday, Nov. 20, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Bellwood Public Library, 600 Bohland Ave. in Bellwood, local author and historian Robert C. Cox will read and discuss selected passages from his new book, Curious Proviso, which examines the past, present and future of Proviso East High School.

For more info, call (708) 547-7393.

Attend Walther Christian Academy’s Open House On Thursday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m., at Walther Christian Academy, 900 Chicago Ave. in Melrose Park, Walther will host an Open

COMED

High-tech from page 1 that the Bronzeville Community Microgrid can keep power flowing in the event of an emergency,” according to a statement the company released at the time. “The ‘simulated islanding’ test checked the resiliency of the microgrid by mimicking events that have the potential to affect power delivery, including major weather events or cyber security or acts of terrorism.”

At the new labs in Maywood, ComEd will test many of the solar and wind technologies that will allow Bronzeville’s microgrid to generate power, even if it disconnects from the main electricity grid.

Shay Bahramirad, ComEd’s vice president, engineering and smart grid, said that the new labs took 11 months to build and feature state-of-the-art technology, such as an X-ray machine that takes 3-D photos of equipment.

“This lab will help the four million customers who are in our service territory,” Bahramirad said on Friday. “Our equipment is exposed to weather-related issues, wild fires and lots of other things. These labs will allow us to learn about how to improve our equipment and to work closely with manufacturers to come up with products that will make the system more reliable and resilient.”

Make a turkey outline House. This is a great opportunity to tour the campus, meet the teachers, speak with current students and learn more about what makes Walther such a great place for students to learn.

At the Open House you will receive information about scholarships and financial aid opportunities. For more info,

On Saturday, Nov. 23, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Maywood Public Library, 121 S. 5th Ave. in Maywood (Rm. 201), make a turkey with the outline of your hand and decorate it! The most festive turkey will be featured on our web page. Supplies available. RSVP required.

To sign up or for more info, call (708) 343-1847 or go online to maywoodlibrary.org.

See ‘Ugly Dolls’

Witness Santa arrive by helicopter in Melrose Park

On Thursday, Nov. 21, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Bellwood Public Library, 600 Bohland Ave. in Bellwood, the children’s department will host a free screening of the movie “Ugly Dolls.”

No registration is required. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. For more info, call (708) 547-7393.

Andrew Morris, a senior engineer with ComEd, said that the labs will particularly focus on system failures like power outages in order to understand the reasons for the failures and how to prevent them in the future.

“With the new space, we’re able to utilize new tools and new technologies,” he said.

“We can mimic the problems [our workers] are facing in the field, so if there are issues with material we just installed or any other problems, we can simulate them here. If there’s new material we need to introduce, now we can introduce it here.”

“This is the next big thing,” said Mark McGranaghan, vice president, integrated grid, for the Electric Power Research Institute, a California-based nonprofit that conducts research into various facets of power generation and energy. “It’s very important for us to be working with thought leaders like ComEd and Exelon, because this is the technology that gets developed that everyone will use around the world.”

Terence Donnelly, ComEd’s president and COO, said that the new labs will also allow the utility to test out new technologies and practices in a simulated environment, where the stakes are not as high as they are in the field.

“This industry is risk-averse and conservative for a reason,” Donnelly said Friday. “I think that’s a reason of strength. It’s not something to beat ourselves up about. We run a big power grid. But it’s great to have a lab, because we’re able to try out new things with a little more

On Sunday, Nov. 24, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Winston Plaza, 1254 Winston Plaza in Melrose Park, Santa will arrive by helicopter. Featuring a magic show, kids crafts, balloon artists and more. Free photo with Santa with purchase. Visit winstonplaza.com for more details.

Learn about fossils in our area On Sunday, Nov. 24, 1 p.m., at Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave. in River Forest, join paleontologist Daniel Troiani of Triton College for an engaging presentation and hands-on look at fossils of our area. Ages 10 & up.

This event is free. For more info, contact (708) 366-6530 or trailside.museum@ cookcountyil.gov.

Consider volunteering for, donating to Gene Moore legacy dinner LOOK AHEAD: On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Second Baptist Church, 436 S. 13th Ave. in Maywood, the Thanksgiving Day Feast in remembrance of the late Eugene “Gene” Moore (former state representative and Cook County Recorder of Deeds), will take place. The dinner feeds senior citizens, the homeless and people in need.

Volunteers and donations are needed!

For more info, call Shavonne Henry, chairperson, at (708) 904-3073, or Sue Henry at (708) 525-9067, or email henry0166@gmail. com. Mail monetary donations to: Protosoma Inc., PO Box 462, Maywood, IL 60153.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

SHANEL ROMAIN

GRAND OPENING: ComEd President and COO Terence Donnelly, third from right, cuts the ribbon on the new Grid of the Future and Forensics laboratories at ComEd’s Maywood campus, as Shay Bahramirad, center, and Maywood Mayor Edwenna Perkins, second from right, look on. margin of error than we’re accustomed to in a more risk-free environment.”

ComEd contracted with Chicago-based Steve and Filip Design, which oversaw the labs’ interior design and commissioned artist Christophe Gausparro to create new artwork for the space.

“ComEd wanted a collaborative environment and they wanted a space that was open and more casual,” said designer Steve Somojyi, a Steve and Filip Design principal.

Guasparro said that his “inhabitable installation” was inspired by the grid of the future.

“I made an analogy between electrical

impulses that power the heart and how that relates to the creation of electricity on the grid itself,” the artist said.

Bahramirad said that the Grid of the Future Lab will be located on the first floor while the Forensics lab will be on the second floor of a facility that was built back in 1927 and expanded in 1946.

“Back in the 1940s, this used to be a lab and there was a motto that said, ‘We make everything better,’” Bahramirad said. “A lot of the equipment they used to use is here and it looks like a museum. We’ve brought it back to the future again.”

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

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Village Free Press | November 20, 2019

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New digital docuseries explores ins, outs of gun violence ‘Firsthand: Gun Violence’ goes beyond the headlines, explores lives of five survivors

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Reality Allah, an outreach worker with READI Chicago, an organization dedicated to lowering the number of shootings and homicides in the city by engaging the people most likely to shoot or be shot, walks into the home of a prospective client who is on house arrest and notices something.

“Is that a bullet hole?” Allah said, pointing to the living room window.

India Hart, a teenager in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood, lives on a manicured block but attends a school eight blocks away where students play cards to pass the time because the teachers keep quitting.

Hart has Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the result of witnessing family members get shot during a balloon release in 2018, held to celebrate the birthday of her uncle, who was killed the previous year.

Hart said her father and the mother of her uncle’s 3-year-old child were both wounded during the shooting.

“After this event, I couldn’t sleep at night,” she said. “I kept replaying everything in my head. It was crazy to me. I was worried about where I was going. I was nervous in school.

Loud noises made me nervous.”

Allah and Hart are among five people profiled in Firsthand: Gun Violence, a 15part documentary directed and produced

by Oak Park native and 1992 Oak Park and River Forest High School graduate Dan Protess.

The serial documentary began streaming online at wttw.com/firsthand on Nov. 12.

The documentary is part of WTTW’s new multi-platform initiative that also includes six stories reported in partnership with The Trace, the nonprofit news outlet that covers gun violence; it includes five “Talks” by experts who have proposed a series of community solutions to the city’s gun violence epidemic; a discussion guide; and a series of public screenings and dialogues with experts and policymakers.

“There’s a gap in the coverage of gun violence in Chicago,” said Protess during a recent interview. “Maybe you get to meet one person in an article, but often you open the paper on Monday morning and there’s a death toll with little explanation about what happened in these shootings, let alone follow up about how this person has been impacted.

“As a journalist, I get to have the most remarkable experiences that transform me in a way that our audience will never fully

experience,” Protess said. “One of my goals with this project was to make sure there was as little behind the scenes as possible, so the second we showed up, the camera was rolling and we tried to capture everything.”

The series opens with Allah and another man reacting to a shooting that happened 15 minutes ago during a scene shot in broad daylight. A grown man on a bike, a bystander, breaks down crying. The man who was shot (seven times, it turns out) was a friend of his. The man survived.

That opening scene (we see a man walking and talking and in the next moment witness the aftermath of the shooting that nearly took his life) underscores Hart’s accounts of her own experience with gun violence and its attendant trauma later in the series.

It’s downright gut-wrenching to learn that, in the weeks leading up to prom and graduation, Hart experiences yet another tragedy.

Protess said the experience of embedding himself in the lives of these survivors taught him there are no clear-cut heroes and villains in the city’s sad saga of gun violence. He said he also learned just how deeply divided the Chicago area is.

“It’s so valuable to get out of your comfort zone and get to know people,” Protess

said. “For this series, we were filming at someone’s house who just lost her son, and I was literally in view of [West Suburban Medical Center], where I was born. That’s just the reality.”

The multifaceted engagement of the WTTW docuseries is reminiscent of Kartemquin’s outreach efforts for the 10part docuseries America to Me, which aired last year on Starz, and included a series of public screenings, community discussions and online guides about racial equity. The film, directed by Oak Parker Steve James, was about OPRF’s long struggles with racial inequity.

“Community engagement is absolutely a trend in filmmaking, as well as in the nonprofit world,” Protess said. “In the old days, you’d put your film out there and hope people would discuss it and ask the right questions, but over time we’ve realized that we can be part of that process. We can lead the discussion about issues surrounding our films.”

To watch the series, visit: https:// interactive.wttw.com/firsthand/gunviolence.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

Area nursing home sued for neglect Aperion Care, 8200 Roosevelt Rd. in Forest Park, sued by family of man who bled to death in 2018

By MARIA MAXHAM Forest Park Review

Aperion Care in Forest Park is being sued by the family of a Bolingbrook man who bled to death at the facility in October 2018.

The suit, filed on Oct. 29 in Cook County Circuit Court, charges the nursing home with negligence for not checking the condition of Jaime Hernandez, 66. It seeks monetary damages and “cites 17 specific failures of the nursing home to properly care for Mr. Hernandez.”

Hernandez, whose family has hired the Chicago law firm Levin & Perconti to represent them, was admitted to the nursing home following a kidney transplant.

The suit alleges that the facility knew Hernandez needed to be checked regularly, since a dialysis catheter following a kidney transplant had left him at risk for a circulatory condition in his left forearm.

He was reportedly found on Oct. 25, 2018 in a pool of blood in his bathroom at Aperion Forest Park, 8200 Roosevelt Road. He had been at the nursing facility since Oct. 8.

According to Margaret Battersy Black of Levin & Perconti, standard practice at

Aperion is to check on residents at least every two hours. Additionally, Hernandez’s doctor’s orders required he be checked on at least three times a day to look for infection or abnormality, but records allegedly show this was not done.

Forest Park Chief of Police Tom Aftanas confirmed that video they obtained showed Hernandez had not been checked on at the two-hour mark as was standard practice at Aperion.

To make matters worse for Hernandez’s family, when they went to his room to retrieve his belongings, they noticed his iPhone was missing. They allege it was stolen by a staff member who had no reason to be in the patient’s room. Police found outstanding warrants on the staff member from Iowa, but Aperion had only checked an Illinois database for criminal background information when they hired him.

Frederick Frankel, general counsel for Aperion, said in an email that “given the ongoing litigation we are unable to comment on this matter at this time.”

Medicare has given Aperion Care Forest Park an overall rating of one out of five stars, a “much below average” status.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there were four licensure violations reported in July of 2019. These violations were related to resident care policies, general requirements for nursing and personal care, medical care, and abuse and neglect.

Aperion Care Forest Park is owned by David Berkowitz and Yosef Meystel, who purchased the former Pavilion Forest Park at the same address in 2007. At the time, Pavilion had racked up tens of thousands of dollars in fines from the Illinois Department of Health under its previous ownership.

Berkowitz and Meystel began operating the facility as Berkshire Nursing and Rehab, and the facility was sued by an 82-year-old man who said he was struck in the eye by a nursing assistant in 2008. The blow was so hard that he required surgery, and he sued Berkshire for $50,000.

In 2018, the Rock Island Dispatch Argus reported that Aperion Care in East Moline, owned by Meystel, was fined $75,000 by the Illinois Department of Public Health for the death of a resident and the escape of another.

According to the Dispatch, the nursing home was fined $50,000 for the accidental

strangulation death of a resident and $25,000 when a resident escaped and was found partially clothed, wandering on a road, in 38-degree weather.

Meystel has been in trouble for nursing homes even earlier than that. In 2005, Emerald Park Health Care Center in Evergreen Park was shut down. The facility was being overseen by Meystel at the time and had run up at least 168 violations from the state during Meystel’s tenure, according to information from Nursing Home Law Center, a law firm.

The Chicago Tribune did a story in 2005 about the violations, which included the facility housing 10 sex offenders, two of whom were not registered, and failing to supervise and protect a resident with a sexually transmitted disease who became pregnant after allegedly sleeping with other residents in exchange for cigarettes and favors.

According to the Forest Park Review in 2008, Meystel said there were circumstances beyond his control at Evergreen Park, and that by the time he took over, it was already too late.

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Village Free Press | November 20, 2019

PTHS D209 Outlines Facility Master Plan 2019-2022 Projects

T

he Proviso Township High Schools District 209 (PTHS D209) Facility Master Plan (FMP) was developed through a collaborative process that provides a long-term framework for the future development of our educational facilities and funding needs driven by equity, empowerment, and excellence.

Due to the dynamic nature of the FMP and in an effort to ensure transparent and engaging on-going communication during the FMP process, PTHS D209 developed an “At A Glance” publication that summarizes the FMP capital projects budget distribution and Phase 1 (2019-2022) projects. The At A Glance publication can be found on the D209 website at www.pths209.org under Community Outreach and Public Relations.

The FMP process was initiated in September 2017 to establish a longterm strategy for the next ten years that accomplishes the following: • Reflects community priorities and values • Projects future investments protecting District assets • Establishes a timeline for proactive initiation and implementation • Maximizes taxpayer investment in education

• Addresses academic, site, and infrastructure needs One of the most important functions for District leaders is to ensure the District’s facilities remain safe, secure, and support the instructional needs of current and future students of PTHS D209. As such, FMP Phase 1 consists of a $76.9 million investment in the future of PTHS D209 students. The money allocated for the FMP was the result of the District’s ability to achieve financial stability. Today, PTHS D209 has earned an A+ bond rating and a state-designated financial recognition of 3.9/4.0. Superintendent Jesse J. Rodriguez further explained that, “D209 functions in a structured manner guided by policies with best practices focused on future sustainability for financial planning.”

Some of the capital projects in Phase 1 that have already been completed for the 2018-2019 school year include Health and Life Safety projects at all three schools and a $1.3 milliondollar renovation of the Proviso West Fieldhouse which has allowed PTHS D209 to ensure that student-athletes have the equipment and facilities they need to take their achievements to the next level.

The capital projects scheduled for school years 2020-2022 will allow PTHS D209 to offer students state of the art educational facilities that are safe and improve the teaching and learning

environment. The upcoming projects include but are not limited to new Career and Technical Education facilities (such as culinary arts and advanced manufacturing classrooms), improved parking and traffic control, and airconditioned classrooms at Proviso East and Proviso West. Other anticipated capital projects include the renovation of the Proviso East Football stadium, the relocation of the Proviso East auto shop, and the improvement of secured entrances at Proviso West.

The PTHS D209 Board of Education and Superintendent Rodriguez invite you to hear more about the FMP on Tuesday, December 3rd at 6:00 p.m. at the Hillside Village Hall located at 425 N. Hillside Ave. and on Thursday, December 5th at 6:00 p.m. at the Village of Maywood Board Room Chambers at 125 S. 5th Ave. For additional information on the FMP, please visit the D209 website at www. pths209.org under Community Outreach and Public Relations.

Over the next ten years PTHS D209 will continue to make significant investments in its schools as they are committed to providing the highest quality education, where learning, leadership, service, and researchbased practices ensure equitable and meaningful opportunities for all students.

PROVISO TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOLS DISTRICT 209

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Village Free Press | November 20, 2019

7

PMSA students put on a full Broadway show ‘In the Heights’ stretches students, promotes skills development

By MARIA MAXHAM Forest Park Review

Proviso Math and Science Academy (PMSA) students didn’t take any shortcuts during their performances of In the Heights, a Lin-Manuel Miranda musical, on Nov. 7, 8 and 9. The students danced and sang musical numbers that ranged from poignant duets to get-up-and-dance numbers like “Carnaval del Barrio.”

The musical takes place in the neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City and chronicles the experiences of the residents over three days as they go through life-altering experiences that change the directions of their lives and solidify their commitments to one another and to the neighborhood.

Matthew Brown, faculty director of the musical and choral instructor at PMSA, has a reputation for producing ambitious shows at the high school, both with his choruses and in the school’s theater performances.

Brown said this particular production was “a very large undertaking.”

“This was not the junior version of the musical,” he said. “It was a full-length Broadway show, and the kids were on it from day one.”

He and PMSA teacher Amanda Duvall, who served as faculty director for In the Heights, let the students oversee everything.

“We took a back seat to let the students take the lead,” said Brown. “They did everything, from directing to choreographing to performing. The music that the band performed is the exact same music that professional musicians play during the musical.

These kids put on a full Broadway musical.”

The schedule was grueling, with rehearsals sometimes lasting till 8 p.m. But the cast and crew seemed unfazed by the time needed to prepare.

One of the main characters in the show, Usnavi De La Vega, was played by PMSA sophomore Sebastian Arrendondo, who said balancing the demands of curriculum and the musical wasn’t a problem.

It was Arrendondo’s first time performing in a play or musical — or being on stage at all for that matter — and

he was surprised to get the part.

“Getting to be a part of this was exciting,” said Arrendondo, who plans to audition for more roles in the future.

Sophomore Edidya Soloman, who played the part of Vanessa, said she’d had small parts in plays before, but this was her first time as a lead in a musical.

“I was surprised and terrified when I got the part,” she said. “I loved being in the musical. It was tiring, and the practices were long, but it was an amazing experience. I’m sad it’s over.”

Junior Yirenny Cordero, who has been in PMSA performances before, worked as assistant tech director and choreographer for the production along with Calvin Castillo, assistant director and choreographer.

“It was such a cool experience,” said Cordero. The decision to work behind the scenes instead of as a performer was the right thing, she said, since she’s currently also acting as stage manager in a production of Matilda at the Theater of Western Springs.

Additional cast included Katrina Sager,

Elian Pena, Kalaya Melancon, Zora Murphy, Khari Muhammad, Julian Elizondo, Amie Isfan, Arianna Cordova, Diamond Hatchett, Isaiah Raglin, Diego Diaz and America Acosta.

Brown said he loves seeing the students learn and grow with each practice and performance. And his goal is to eventually organize a district-wide performance, including PMSA, Proviso East and Proviso West.

“Bringing all three schools together would be fantastic,” said Brown.

ALEX ROGALS

OFF-BROADWAY: Proviso Math and Science Academy students performed In the Heights, a Lin-Manuel Miranda musical, on Nov. 7, 8 and 9.

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Village Free Press | November 20, 2019

PUBLISHER’S perspective

We’re rethinking how we do journalism

By MICHAEL ROMAIN

trainings.”

Publisher

On Nov. 16, the Village Free Press was pleased to host Temple University’s Andrea Wenzel and Thomas Jefferson University’s Lettrell Crittenden, both from Pennsylvania and both affiliated with the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University in New York, for an enlightening workshop on how to improve local journalism in Proviso Township.

Among the roughly 30 attendees were three journalism professors (not including Wenzel and Crittenden), a former Wall Street Journal reporter, a newspaper publisher (myself not included), a mayor, a former park district commissioner and an array of key community stakeholders in Proviso Township.

We discussed the findings from three focus groups in Maywood that Wenzel and Crittenden conducted for their research.

Those findings were distilled in an illuminating report published recently in the Columbia Journalism Review. You can read that report here. Here are some key takeaways from those focus groups that are included in the CJR article: “Residents identified several community issues that they would like to see more accountability reporting on—including local developments, taxes, and schools.

“Participants wanted easier access to and contacts for local resources for services and opportunities, as well as listings of community events.

“Community members identified a need for more bilingual resources and outreach to Spanish speaking residents. This outreach was positioned as a potential pathway to bridge between African American and Latinx residents in Proviso Township.

“Residents suggested media outlets, particularly city-wide outlets, work to balance negative coverage with more solutions-oriented coverage.

“The positive experiences residents noted they had with journalists were almost always with journalists of color and/or outlets that were led by people of color.

“Participants expressed an appreciation for hyperlocal outlets like the Village Free Press and others, but they recognized that resource constraints limited what these outlets were able to achieve at present.

“Participants had ideas for ways to make local news coverage more inclusive and participatory—including discussion groups with community members, citizen information ambassadors from different neighborhoods, and youth journalism

We also listened to some wonderful ideas from some of the leading lights in local journalism, including Harry Backlund, the director of operations and business strategy and co-founder at City Bureau, a journalism lab based on the South Side; and Madeleine Bair, the founder of El Timpano, a community news initiative designed to serve Latino immigrants in Oakland, Ca. In addition, Wenzel and Crittenden shared some aspects

insight and constructive criticism about VFP’s coverage, share potential story ideas or big events to include in our community calendar, discuss story angles and even learn some important skills, such as how to write press releases.

Community news ambassadors In the coming weeks, we’re going to be looking for people to become community news ambassadors who will help facilitate

Melrose Park.

We’ll also grade these taxing bodies on their transparency based on a variety of criteria (such as whether or not they post their agendas online, provide video of meetings, etc.). For an understanding of how this might look, consider this tool that City Bureau developed (click here).

Census awareness Finally, next week, we’ll launch what we’re calling #ProvisoCounts, which was inspired by a similar initiative called #BrooklynCounts (credit where credit’s due). This project will involve VFP doing

NEW IDEAS: Roughly 30 community members and journalism experts gathered in Maywood to discuss how to improve the landscape of local media in Proviso Township.

SHANEL ROMAIN

of their work with the Germantown Info Hub, a free information resource “of and for residents of the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia.”

Attendees then broke out into groups to brainstorm ways of improving the local information and news landscape in Proviso Township and to improve how Village Free Press serves our readers.

Thanks to the ideas of some deeply engaged community members, I’ve committed VFP to the following action items that we plan on executing within the next two months.

A community editorial meeting We’re going to take some inspiration from Madeleine Bair, whose El Timpano conducts quarterly community editorial meetings, which are basically regular meetings open to the public that will allow residents to give

and possibly m o d e r a t e discussions in those open community editorial meetings, provide us with tips and leads for possible news stories, maybe even contribute content to the newspaper on a regular basis, help boost our fundraising efforts, help hold us accountable for our coverage and more.

Tracking government accountability Harry Backlund inspired us to start regularly tracking the transparency of our local taxing bodies. Next week, we’ll start publishing regular reminders of public meetings, posting agendas (sometimes annotated to give readers background information) and links to meeting video/ audio (if it exists) for all of the taxing bodies in Maywood, Bellwood, Broadview and

everything we can to ensure that residents in Proviso Township are properly informed of, and participate in, the 2020 Census. Some #ProvisoCounts initiatives will include VFP interviewing residents about the Census, publishing Census-related stories at least twice a month and producing creative content that will drive home why the Census is important to residents and how not participating will affect them in a very concrete way. We welcome more of your ideas for this effort.

We need you, so if you’re interested in helping out with any or all of these initiatives, please email me at thevillagefreepress@ gmail.com or call me at (708) 359-9148.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

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Village Free Press | November 20, 2019

9

Therapeutic farm in Maywood wins $1K grant

Knockout Farm, which employs disabled teens and young adults by growing artisan pickles, was among three nationwide winners

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

An urban farm designed to provide enrichment for teens and young adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities has put Maywood on the national map.

Knockout Farm, which is a therapeutic urban garden operated on the site of ReUse Depot, 50 Madison St. in Maywood, was one of only three therapeutic gardens across the country to win grants and in-kind donations from several sponsoring organizations.

The 2,500-square-foot space is an arm of Opportunity Knocks, a River Forest nonprofit that serves young people with developmental disabilities in Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest. The nonprofit has operated the Knockout Farm through a land use partnership with ReUse since 2016. Knockout Farm is one of three social enterprises that Opportunity Knocks operates.

Renee Rotatori, Opportunity Knocks’ development director, said on Nov. 4 that the organization submitted an application for the National Garden Bureau’s Therapeutic Garden Grant program in the summer.

In September, the NGB announced that

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VENDORS

American Meadows, Sakata Seed America and Corona Tools — administered an online voting contest for the three finalists. Corona Tools donated (drum roll) … the tools.

“The first place winner of the online voting will receive $3,000 from the program to enhance the garden’s good works and continue its mission,” Greenhouse Grower reported at the time. “Second and third place winners will receive $1,000 each to continue Courtesy Opportunity Knocks their garden’s respective missions.”

MADE IN MAYWOOD: An Opportunity Knocks participant Knockout Farm came (they’re called Warriors) sells the popular Knockout Pickles in second place while that are grown at Knockout Farm in Maywood.

Wilmot Botanical Garden, Gainesville, Fla. came in Knockout Farm was among three finalists third in the voting. Magee Rehabilitation for grants totaling $5,000, in addition to Hospital, Philadelphia got the first-place in-kind donations of tools from one of the grant.

“Through the NGB Therapeutic Garden sponsoring entities.

According to Greenhouse Grower, four Grant program, we hope to expand the nonprofits — the National Garden Bureau, knowledge and benefits of gardening to

BLACK FRIDAY/SATURDAY

SUPER SALE

everyone,” Diane Blazek, NGB’s executive director, told Greenhouse Growers.

“These benefits are especially important to individuals suffering with physical, mental, or emotional burdens. Gardens and gardening are therapeutic in the truest sense of the word.”

Rotatori said that the grant money will support the farm’s operations and help Opportunity Knocks with various infrastructure improvements. Participants in Opportunity Knocks benefit from a range of programming at the farm, including an employment program that pays participants to help grow and bring to market the enterprise’s branded artisan pickles, called Knockout Pickles, which are sold locally in jars and distributed in area restaurants and retailers like Sugar Beet in Oak Park.

“We’re looking to extend our growing season through tunnels, install some paved areas that open up classroom space for our programming, so our participants have shaded areas to sit while we conduct programs on the farm site,” she said.

For more information about Opportunity Knocks, or Knockout Farms, visit the website at: https://www.opportunityknocksnow.org/.

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

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Village Free Press | November 20, 2019

State passes law capping RX insulin costs

Bill headed to Gov. Pritzker’s desk caps at $100 out-of-pocket price insurers can charge those with state-regulated insurance

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois

SPRINGFIELD — A cap on prescription insulin costs for some health insurance plans is headed to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who said on Nov. 14 he looks forward to signing the measure.

Supporters of the bill gathered at the Illinois State Capitol on Nov. 14 to celebrate the passage of Senate Bill 667 and make clear the legislation was only part of a larger effort to hold prescription drug manufacturers and insurance companies accountable.

“It’s time to fix this broken system. It’s time to stop the tweaks. It’s time to stop the half measures. It’s time to stop passing the buck. That will not lower drug prices,” said William McNary, co-director of Citizen Action Illinois. “We need policies that will hold drug companies accountable and make medicines affordable and to take away the corporation’s power to put profits over people’s health.”

McNary said drug companies have artificially run up the price of insulin.

The bill will not affect the price drug manufacturers set for insulin, however.

Rather, it caps, at $100, the out-of-pocket price insurers can charge for the drug for those who have insurance regulated by the state. This includes those purchasing their insurance on the marketplace, and state employee insurance plans, among others.

The bill takes effect in January 2021.

The bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, said it would not apply to plans offered by large employers governed by the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act because the state cannot preempt federal law.

It is estimated to affect approximately 20 percent, or 260,000, of the state’s 1.3 million insulin users.

While McNary called the Illinois bill a “significant step,” he said federal action is still needed to address rising prescription drug prices across the board, and Guzzardi agreed.

His bill passed with significant bipartisan majorities in each chamber, as representatives of the prescription drug and insurance industries listed themselves as “neutral” on the measure.

Guzzardi said he negotiated amendments

to the bill to bring industry groups to a point of neutrality in order to strengthen the roll call.

One of those concessions was including an annual increase to the $100 price cap at the same rate of the medical care component of the Consumer Price Index of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The amendment also removes “intravenous” insulin from the cap and shifts the responsibility of creating a report on the cause of rising insulin prices to the Illinois Department of Insurance from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.

Guzzardi also said that, beyond the amendments, public pressure helped get the industry advocates to a neutral position.

“They knew that this was coming. And they saw the power and the movement behind this bill, and they realized that it was not going to be a good look to stand in its way,” Guzzardi said. “That’s how we beat them on this issue. And that’s how we’re going to beat them on all the issues to come.”

In floor debate Wednesday, however, Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, R-Elmhurst, said industry groups were neutral because they knew they

could continue to rake in profits by shifting costs to other areas such as premiums and deductibles.

“The reason industry players are neutral on this bill is because they know it’s really not going to cut costs, it’s going to make a redistribution of costs,” she said. “It’s going to shift them from one player to the other, but the players are still going to get paid.”

Pritzker, a Democrat, has been advocating for the measure for the past month and released a statement declaring his intent to sign the bill.

“It’s fitting that on World Diabetes Day, Illinois has taken bold action to protect our residents’ health, rather than force them to use lower quality medication or even ration their supply,” the governor said in a statement. “We are proud that Illinois continues to be a national leader in ensuring health care is a right and not a privilege. … I look forward to signing this legislation and continuing my commitment to ensuring Illinois residents have access to comprehensive, high-quality and affordable health care coverage.”

CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

Madison Street fashion house creates custom clothes Latrina Brown, owner of Taj B in Forest Park, went from fighting crime to making couture

By MARIA MAXHAM Forest Park Review

Forest Park resident Latrina Brown wants to bring a brand-new concept to Madison Street.

Her boutique, Taj B at 7516 Madison, is an upscale evening-wear fashion house that creates customized gowns and suits, which Brown sews herself. The ribbon cutting for her shop was on Nov. 2.

The former Cook County sheriff has long wanted to go into fashion, but her life took a detour when she pursued a career in law enforcement and had children.

“I was a young mother,” she said. “But it taught me a lot about responsibility and determination.”

When her second son was in college, she resigned from her position as sheriff and went back to college at IIT’s Institute of Design to get a degree in fashion design. After she graduated in 2015, she went to California for a few years, where she gained experience in the fashion industry.

Last year, she moved to Forest Park where her son and grandchild live.

“I’ve participated in LA Fashion Week and London Fashion Week,” said Brown. “My dream is to start my own fashion house, not just a boutique.

I know that’s a huge undertaking, but I think it’s important to have big dreams.”

At Taj B, she wants to give people the dress of their fantasies, with a completely customized fit. “People have different bodies and shapes. I want to make

LATRINA BROWN

my clients something that fits them perfectly.”

The process involves coming in for a consultation and looking at her book of designs. Brown listens carefully to the needs of the customer, including details of the event as well as what a person is comfortable wearing. She aims for a two-week turnaround time, and prices depend on how involved the dress is. Beading, for example, takes more time and work. Brown makes everything herself.

Her love of fashion started early, when her uncle, Al Brown, let her help him with his fashion lines.

“He would sketch these beautiful dresses,” she said. “Then he’d take fabric and toss it, cut it, and sew it. He never used a pattern. It was magic to see how the design went from paper to an actual dress on a model.”

She’s planning events for her shop, including fashions shows and Sip & Sew nights, where guests can learn basic — or advanced — sewing skills while sipping wine. She’d also like to work with high school students during prom season to get the dress of their dreams.

A member of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce, Brown said all the other business owners are great. “This has been such a good experience so far. Everyone is so personable and kind. The town and businesses are amazing.”

The business is named after her children; the first initials of their names are T, A and J. CONTACT: thevillagefreepress@gmail.com

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Village Free Press | November 20, 2019

11

Public Notice: Your Right to Know 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 KONDAUR CAPITAL CORPORATION; Plaintiff, vs.

PEDRO MALDONADO; MAYRA K. PONCE; PROSPECT MORTGAGE LLC; Defendants, 16 CH 13939 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 Thursday, December 12, 2019 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. 15-09-211-020-0000.

Commonly known as 328 31st Avenue, Bellwood, IL 60104.

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. 17-001438 F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3136378

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION MID AMERICA MORTGAGE, INC Plaintiff, vs.

ANDRES TEUTLA; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 18 CH 9464 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 Thursday, December 19, 2019 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. 15-04-109-014-0000.

Commonly known as 1719 North 40th Avenue, Stone Park, Illinois 60165.

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.

F18030325 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3136925 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A MR. COOPER Plaintiff, -v.STEVEN BARTELS A/K/A STEVEN L. BARTELS, MIA BARTELS A/K/A MIA D. BARTELS, THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWABS MASTER TRUST, REVOLVING HOME EQUITY LOAN ASSET BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2004-T, BURLEV LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, MIDLAND FUNDING LLC Defendants 19 CH 6221 10616 NEWBURY STREET 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 September 23, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 26, 2019, 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 10616 NEWBURY STREET, WESTCHESTER, IL 60154 Property Index No. 15-29-226-0520000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $274,842.22.

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,

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 25, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 27, 2019, 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 2027 SOUTH 4TH AVENUE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153 Property Index No. 15-14-321-0090000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $174,170.95.

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.

For information, The sales clerk,

SHAPIRO KREISMAN & ASSOCIATES, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 2911717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 19-090019.

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. 19-090019 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 19 CH 3746 TJSC#: 39-6196 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 3746 I3137275

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION BAYVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC; Plaintiff, vs.

UNKOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF WILLIE G. HENRY; FLORENCETTA HENRY; TCF NATIONAL BANK; ANITA HENRY; COURTNEY HENRY; EBONEE HENRY; MERCEDES HENRY; TIARA HENRY; JACK LYDON, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF WILLIE G. HENRY; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF FLORENCETTA HENRY, IF ANY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 17 CH 13529 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 Thursday, December 12, 2019 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. 15-09-315-063-0000.

Commonly known as 635 Rice Avenue, Bellwood, IL 60104.

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 Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 360-9455.

W17-0871 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3136379

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.

For information, The sales clerk, SHAPIRO KREISMAN & ASSOCIATES, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 2911717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 19-090649.

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. 19-090649 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 19 CH 6221 TJSC#: 39-6115 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 6221 I3137272

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, HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 111 East Main Street, DECATUR, IL, 62523 (217) 422-1719.

Please refer to file number 212015421.

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 E-Mail: CookPleadings@hsbattys. com Attorney File No. 2120-15421 Attorney Code. 40387 Case Number: 18 CH 12928 TJSC#: 39-6840 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 # 18 CH 12928 I3137099

real estate: Commonly known as 1011 S 13TH AVE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153 Property Index No. 15-15-204-008 The real estate is improved with a multi-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, 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 sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 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. 14-18-08548 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2018 CH 09957 TJSC#: 39-7232 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 # 2018 CH 09957 I3137825

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION MIDFIRST BANK Plaintiff, -v.TERRANCE PATTON, CRYSTAL PATTON, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Defendants 19 CH 3746 2027 SOUTH 4TH AVENUE MAYWOOD, IL 60153 NOTICE OF SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.SHARI D. HERRON, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING BY AND THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Defendants 18 CH 12928 2316 S. 23RD AVE. BROADVIEW, IL 60155 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 22, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 30, 2019, 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 2316 S. 23RD AVE., BROADVIEW, IL 60155 Property Index No. 15-22-109-0520000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $52,348.05.

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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.SHERANEY FORD Defendants 2018 CH 09957 1011 S 13TH AVE 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 August 22, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 17, 2019, 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

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Village Free Press | November 20, 2019

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