Village Free Press_121620

Vol. IV No. 51 Frida Kahlo inspires Maywood mural, PAGE 7

Westchester board considers video gambling proposals

DECEMBER 16, 2020

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Maywood mourns attorney Luther Spence, PAGE 3

DECK THE ENGINES: The village of Broadview hosted a Christmas parade on Dec. 13, replete with fire engines and police cars decked in holiday lights. More parade photos on page 8.

At Nov. 24 meeting, board pushes back on ‘gaming café’ concept for Le Petite Café, welcomes gaming for BP gas Shaun Sharma wants to turn stations property at 5245 St. Charles

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Rd. into Dream Event Space and Modern Banquet Hall During a Committee of the Whole

Berkeley’s Luis & Luigi could become banquet hall

Editor

meeting held Nov. 24, at Westchester Village Hall, 10300 Roosevelt Rd., the Westchester Village Board considered two separate proposals for video gambling licenses.

One — a proposal to turn the old Le Petite Cafe, 1855 S. Mannheim Rd., into a coffee See VIDEO GAMBLING on page 4

By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

In February, Shaun Sharma bought the shuttered Luis & Luigi’s Restaurant, 5245 St. Charles Rd. in Berkeley, in order to turn

it into the Dream Event Space and Modern Banquet Hall.

The area where the property is located isn’t zoned for banquet halls, which is why Sharma requested a zoning amendment that would allow him to operate the business as a special use.

During a regular meeting on Nov. 17, the Berkeley Village Board expressed support for “creating a text embedment zoning code that allows for event space and banquet hall, video gaming license and liquor license,” according to the meeting minutes.

The board did not take a final vote on the

proposal.

The banquet space will accommodate birthdays, weddings, receptions and other events. Sharma said his banquet hall will also be less expensive than the typical banquet space, with modern furnishings and amenities.

Since the space will not have a kitchen, Sharma will allow customers to utilize their own caterers, opening up potential business opportunities for nearby restaurants.

The first floor of Dream will have a bar and a video gaming lounge, while the second floor would have an outdoor deck.

See BANQUET HALL on page 4

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Village Free Press | December 16, 2020

OUT and ABOUT the village free press Editor & Publisher Michael Romain Senior Sales & Strategic Consultant Kamil Brady Editorial Designer Andrew Mead Advertising Design Support Debbie Becker, 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 Growing Community Media, NFP. Publisher Dan Haley

Sarah Garden’s 96th birthday party deserves a surprise caravan Sarah Garden has been living at the Maywood Phoenix Homes Apartments, 401 Green St. in Maywood, since 1987, said her friend, June Floyd.

Floyd was among a group of Garden’s friends and loved ones who planned a surprise birthday caravan outside of the senior living facility on Dec. 12, for Garden’s 96th birthday.

“She was the first person to move into the [senior apartments] in 1987,” Floyd said. “She deserves this.”

Bellwood Police spread holiday cheer On Dec. 12, Bellwood Police officers spread some holiday cheer to local children during

the Second Annual Shop with a Cop event.

The officers did the shopping, wrapped the presents and delivered them to children in their Squad Sleighs.

“The children were so excited and it brought a smile to all their faces, making it so enjoyable for the officers,” the department said on its Facebook page.

Berkeley holds annual Electric Lights Festival Berkeley’s annual Electric Lights Festival, located at 5819 Electric Ave. in Berkeley, has started and will run through Jan. 9, 2021, along the Prairie Path. Please follow social distancing guidelines when experiencing the display.

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“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 all photos | Shanel Romain

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Village Free Press | December 16, 2020

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Luther Spence, prominent Maywood attorney, dies at 77 Spence died Dec. 10, relative says COVID-19 the cause

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Luther Franklin Spence, a prominent attorney who also ran for a string of elected offices in Maywood, died on Dec. 5. He was 77 years old. His death was confirmed by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

McLaurin Funeral Home Inc. published Spence’s obituary. You can access the obituary by clicking here.

In a Facebook post, Keischa Lovelace, Spence’s niece, attributed his death to COVID-19. As of Dec. 10, the medical examiner had not released a cause of death.

Spence was a criminal defense and personal injury attorney who operated Luther Franklin Spence and Associates, 500 Lake St. in Maywood, for roughly a halfcentury, according to Lovelace. Spence’s wife of more than 50 years, Addie Spence, owned Pee Wee’s Daycare, 30 N. 5th Ave. in Maywood, which was located in the same building as the law firm.

“My uncle was my inspiration, my guide and my supporter,” Lovelace wrote.

Luther Spence/Facebook

A RICH LEGACY: Luther and Addie Spence inside of Pee Wee’s Daycare in Maywood.

Spence, a prominent attorney and political figure in Maywood, died on Dec. 5 at age 77. The couple was married for more than 50 years.

“Ranking right up there with my dad, my uncle had a great influence upon my life.

He was licensed to practice law in Illinois

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in 1975 and practiced right up until his hospitalization for Covid. Or should I say even in the hospital as he was giving directions on his cases from his hospital bed the day before he went on the ventilator.”

According to his obituary, Spence was born June 25, 1943, in Dunn, North Carolina.

He was the oldest of four children. He attended Allen University, in Columbia, South Carolina on a football scholarship and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He taught the subject at Shawtown High School in Lillington, North Carolina. He was also the high school’s basketball coach.

Spence completed summer enrichment courses at a variety of colleges, including Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he met Addie. The couple were married on Aug. 20, 1967. They traveled to Chicago for their honeymoon and ended up staying in the city. The couple had two children – the late Kevin Franklin and Kimberly Nichelle.

Spence would go on to teach and coach football at Proviso East High School, before launching a career in law enforcement at the Illinois Bureau of Investigation. He obtained his law degree from DePaul University in 1975 before founding the law firm that bears

his name.

“He didn’t want to retire; so yes, he was still practicing at 77 years old,” Lovelace wrote.

Spence was also well-known in Maywood politics. He launched numerous bids for mayor and trustee. In 2005, Spence ran for mayor against incumbent mayor Ralph Conner, Henderson Yarbrough Sr. (who would eventually go on to win the race), physician Byron F. Reed, and two Village Board members, Peggy Moore Alexander and Sheryl Washington, according to a Chicago Tribune report.

Ten years before that 2005 race, the Tribune reported, Spence lost a bid for mayor by just 250 votes. Spence ran for mayor in 2017 and, most recently, for village trustee as an independent candidate in 2019.

“Helping families and friends, nurturing young minds and loving life, family and friends will be his legacy,” according to Spence’s obituary.

A visitation service for Spence was held Dec. 12. Memorial services will also be held in Dunn, North Carolina, on Dec. 19, with a final graveyard services and the internment held in Reidsville, North Carolina on Dec. 20.

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Village Free Press | December 16, 2020

BANQUET HALL Coming soon from page 1 Sharma said that he wanted to have open floor plans that customers could easily customize depending on the event size and the nature of the event.

Sharma said he aimed for a modern, “tropical” design sensibility and color scheme. Dream will have two banquet halls on each of its two floors.

According to the staff report, Sharma wanted to have video gaming machines to “maximize business opportunities.” They would be available to the general public every day, generating a revenue stream on days with the Dream isn’t hosting events.

The report, prepared by Evanstonbased Teska Associates, recommended the approval of the zoning changes, arguing that a banquet hall would be a good fit for the largely commercial uses on that stretch of St. Charles Road.

The one issue the report flagged was that 25 existing parking spaces wouldn’t be enough to accommodate larger events.

The firm suggested negotiating the use of parking spaces on the nearby, residential stretch of Morris Avenue, noting that it’s something that should be negotiated with the neighbors.

Sharma said his proposal was sent to the

VIDEO GAMBLING Multiple requests from page 1 shop with limited video gaming — ran into some opposition from board members.

The other pitch, a proposal to introduce video gambling machines into two BP gas stations in town at 11201 W. Cermak Rd. And 825 Mannheim Rd. — was met with unanimous approval by board members.

No formal votes were taken on either proposal.

Alex Hutchinson, who said he was the financial director of operations for the investment firm Midwest Real Estate, explained that the firm wants to acquire the old Le Petite Cafe, which closed earlier this year.

He said that the firm would turn the roughly 2,600 square foot restaurant into a bakery and coffee shop that will also include an enclosed space containing six video gaming terminals. The space will be closed off from the restaurant.

“We have what’s called a gaming cafe model, where less than 12 percent of the overall footprint of the establishment will be dedicated to gaming,” Hutchinson said, adding that the concept is premised on “cafe first, gaming second.”

Hutchinson said MRE would lease the space to an entity that will operate the gaming cafe, which would seat around 30 to 35 patrons and include 24-25 parking spaces

SOMETHING NEW?: Shaun Sharma wants to turn the former Luis & Luigi’s in Berkeley into the Dream Event Space and Modern Banquet Hall, which will include a video gaming space inside.

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Planning & Zoning Commission, which must review the plan before the Village Board gives its final approval. Sharma said that he was told that the commission would consider the amendment in January.

He hopes Dream will be open by then and

expressed confidence that, despite various restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an economic recession, the space will be profitable.

“There are some unforeseen costs, but we know at the end of the day that it will

be profitable and that it does make sense,” Sharma said.

Berkeley village officials could not be immediately reached for comment on Sunday afternoon.

— down from the roughly 108 seats and 41 parking spots that Le Petite Cafe maintained, he said. Hutchinson added that the gaming cafe would also include a drive-thru. “[This would be] a little more professional, a little bit different than just a gaming parlor,” he said, explaining that many Illinois residents have grown weary of video gaming as the machines have proliferated across the state in recent years.

Although members of the Village Board said they appreciated the idea of opening a cafe in town, they were nonetheless wary of granting a gaming license to an unproven restaurant. Hutchinson said that MRE is planning on developing similar gaming cafes — a concept he said is unique to Illinois — in Highland Park, Wheaton and Olympia Fields. None of those other locations are open, yet, he said.

Some trustees were concerned about whether the gaming cafe would be more gaming and less cafe.

“I’m not opposed to gaming,” said Trustee Nick Steker. “I don’t have a problem with people with disposable money doing what they wish with it. But I’m not a fan of people proposing a concept and then it’s the bait and switch.

“I want to make sure that if, in fact, [you’re applying] to be a food establishment, that you truly establish yourself in town as a food establishment versus a gaming establishment that occasionally sells some bagels,” he said.

Steker added that he didn’t want to see the space that once housed Le Petite become

something other than a family restaurant — something that’s a rarity in Westchester.

“I do worry about losing a family place that’s ready to move in,” he said. “We don’t have too many in time and this one’s ready to go if the right one comes along.”

“I don’t want to see Westchester turn into a gaming town, at all,” said Trustee Angelo Calcagno. “I’m concerned that if you can survive on gambling, on the machines, then that will always be your main source of income.”

Westchester Village Manager Paul Nosek told Hutchinson that “the board has been really clear that they really want to see a restaurant” before suggesting that Hutchinson return to the board at a later date with a “stronger restaurant proposal” that shows potential revenue from food sales.

“You said gaming will not be the majority, but I don’t see how a limited menu that you described … will cut it,” Nosek said.

Hutchinson said he’ll email the board more information about the proposal. It’s not clear if and/or when he’ll return to the board with a revised concept.

Westchester at 11201 W. Cermak Rd. And 825 Mannheim Rd. He said both gas stations have empty spaces at each site for restaurants. They’re also looking to add an enclosed gaming room that will accommodate six video gaming machines at each site.

Tony said that the Mannheim Road location once hosted a Burger King before the restaurant stopped paying rent for three to four months and left. That space is now empty. ““With the current climate, gas sales are down 48 to 50 percent in certain stores,” Tony said. “And for two big hallmark BP locations to have empty restaurant spaces and see this decrease in sales — it hurts the operators a lot.”

Tony said the operators of the gas stations are in talks with several corporate food retailers, including Culver’s, Subway and Shark’s Fish and Chicken. They already operate two other gas stations that have restaurants and separate gaming rooms in Stone Park and Oswego, he said.

Steker said that, unlike Hutchinson’s proposal, the BP gas stations are already proven business players in town that are not likely to rely largely on revenue from video gaming.

On that basis, he said, “I don’t have a problem with [the BP requests for video gaming licenses] at all.”

All members of the Village Board voiced their support for the BP proposal.

BP gas stations seek gaming licenses, too One factor that contributed to the board’s reticence with the MRE proposal was that another business seeking gaming licenses was poised to present its own proposal during the same meeting.

Tony (who did not provide his last name) presented a proposal on behalf of his uncles, who operate two BP gas stations in

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Village Free Press | December 16, 2020

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VILLAGE people

West Side Lives Rev. Annette Barker, essential spiritual worker

By SHANEL ROMAIN Community Correspondent

Maywood resident Annette Barker may not be an essential worker in retail or the medical field, but as the co-pastor, alongside her husband Rev. Jerry Barker, of Christian Unity Baptist Church, 2140 Washington Blvd. in Bellwood, Pastor Annette has met the spiritual needs of the community throughout the pandemic.

I interviewed Barker on how COVID-19 has affected her church and how she’s met the spiritual needs of her flock.

On her role in the community I’m a community advocate. I basically reach out to the youth through our mentoring programs, Boys Succeed and Girls Succeed; but at the same time, our church is geared towards reaching out to our entire community, especially during this

How Covid-19 has affected her church We haven’t been together as a whole congregation since April. Our church is a close-knit, loving church and we love to hug. I myself am a hugger, so in that way it has affected us.

Besides not coming together physically, I don’t think we missed a beat. We have a lot of virtual classes CARRYING OUT HER CALLING: Rev. Annette Barker, the pastor throughout the week, of Christian Unity Baptist Church, talked about serving the in addition to Sunday spiritual needs of her community. morning Facebook Provided Live services.

We’ve had at least pandemic, with food drives and being there three people in our congregation who have for different people. We just try to reach the tested positive and one lady’s husband was needs of the community. very ill for nine months, including a stint in the ICU, and the Lord brought him out of it.

He’s home now and walking again. He’s recovered very well from that. This has

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brought us closer together as a congregation.

We came together in prayer, leaning on and trusting in God’s word and God has brought those with Covid out.

On the spiritual needs of people in the community A lot of people hid or suppressed their need for Christ with the assumption that they have more time, but I think COVID has alerted us this is a time for more repentance, to seek God and actually repent of our sins, repent of the relationship we’ve halfway had with Christ.

A lot of people are reaching out more through our Friday morning prayer line – (708) IL-PRAY2 – it’s amazing how many people reach out through that prayer line texting their prayer requests.

I can truly say that since this pandemic has been overwhelming. People from all walks of life, people you wouldn’t think would even text in are texting in and on the prayer line faithfully. People are looking for a way to connect and feel more spiritually attuned and closer to God. CONTACT: info@vfpress.news

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Village Free Press | December 16, 2020

Hillside board to go Zoom First Zoom board meetings held Dec. 14 and Dec. 21, officials said

By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

The village of Hillside recently announced that it will begin holding its regular board meetings by way of Zoom. The move comes several weeks after a group of local activists urged the board and village administrators to start doing meetings remotely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the village’s website, the Dec. 14 Board of the Whole meeting was scheduled to take place via Zoom. The Dec. 21 regular board meeting will be the first of its kind to be held via Zoom.

During a Nov. 23 meeting, activists Roger Romanelli and Amy Woodrick, who are both running for village trustees as part of the Hillside Neighbors slate, argued that since COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have

been increasing, the village’s in-person meetings were no longer safe for residents to attend. Romanelli and Woodcock urged the board to either livestream the meetings or broadcast them on Zoom.

Woodrick, who is a registered nurse, said that she didn’t feel that the in-person meeting was safe. Although the seats for the public were spaced several feet apart and everyone in attendance wore masks or face coverings, she felt that the measures weren’t enough.

“I’m a nurse and I’m disturbed that we have in-person meetings,” Woodrick said.

Romanelli argued that Hillside should at least broadcast the meetings on Zoom while the pandemic worsens.

“Until the crisis is well under control, please make the monthly village meetings accessible by phone and Internet, similar to [other governing bodies] across the country who are communicating safely,” he said.

At the time, Hillside Mayor Joseph Tamburino said that village administrators were too busy finalizing a consolidation of Hillside’s emergency dispatch services with nearby Westchester to set up a Zoom meeting

for the Nov. 23 meeting.

In a follow-up interview, Hillside Village Administrator Russ Wajda echoed Tamburino’s explanation, but added that village staffers were working to set up the technology to allow for remote meetings in the near future.

Wajda added that, unlike some other municipalities, Hillside doesn’t have the infrastructure to livestream meetings.

“We’re working to try to set up a more remote platform that we’re hoping to have for the next meeting, so that people would be able to log into Zoom and hear the trustees, and type in questions or comments,” Wajda said. “This is all new territory for us.”

In an interview on Dec. 11, after the village announced the Zoom meetings, Romanelli said he considers the village’s move toward Zoom as proof that Hillside Neighbor’s lobbying worked.

“I said at the onset that, during the

OUT and ABOUT Maywood Christmas Festival

Maywood Park District’s Grinch Parade

The village of Maywood held its annual Christmas Festival on Dec. 11. The event started at the Maywood Public Library, 121 S. 5th Ave., and went to the Metra Train Station at 5th and Main Street.

Residents enjoyed free food bundles, free warming gear and socks. Featuring outdoor entertainment for the whole family, including Maywood Fine Arts Dancers, DJ Brandon Barker and Christmas Carols by the Christian Unity Praise Team.

Watch from the comfort of your car to maintain social distancing.

On Dec. 12, the Maywood Park District and the Maywood Police Department hosted a Grinch Parade, where they passed out Grinch boxes full of food, coats and toys to Maywood families in need.

The entities will be raffling off 15 Grinch boxes for residents on Dec. 19. To register go to: sd89educationfoundation.org/ cares.

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pandemic, we should have the meetings on Zoom,” Romanelli said. “I’m very pleased that our neighborhood group and our candidates have moved the village to do the right thing.”

It’s not clear whether or not the village’s decision to utilize Zoom was prompted by Hillside Neighbors’ comments at the Nov. 23 meeting. Hillside officials could not be immediately reached for comment on Dec. 11.

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Village Free Press | December 16, 2020

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NEWS briefs The victim was identified as 55-yearold Lorenzo Williams of the Lawndale community in Chicago.

In a separate accident that happened earlier in the day, a Metra train traveling west near the Maywood station at 5th Avenue and Main Street hit a pedestrian on Dec. 10, according to news reports. A subsequent article by the Chicago SunTimes revealed that the pedestrian has since died.

Administration had to issue an emergency use authorization for the vaccine, which happened on Dec. 11.

New website lets Berkeley, Hillside residents give input into Prairie Path/ Taft Avenue corridor plan

Hines VA to get initial COVID-19 vaccine doses Hines Veterans Administration Hospital announced on Dec. 11 that they were selected as one of 37 VA hospitals in the country to receive initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. In a statement, Hines officials said the hospital was selected for its “ability to vaccinate large numbers of people and store the vaccines at extremely cold temperatures.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, Hines will start vaccinating health care personnel and veterans soon. In order for the vaccine to be issued, the Food and Drug

For the last several months, the villages of Berkeley and Hillside have been working alongside the Berkeley Park District and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) on a plan to develop the area surrounding the Illinois Prairie Path that runs through both villages and the portion of Taft Avenue, between the Path and Elm Avenue.

During a Berkeley Village Board meeting in October, CMAP officials said that the initial recommendations are expected to be released in February and the final plan is expected to be ready by June 2021.

In the meantime, though, Berkeley and Hillside residents can provide their input about what they want to see in the area by visiting a new website that CMAP has recently launched.

The Prairie Path and Taft Avenue Corridor Plan website can be found here: www.cmap.is/prairie-path-survey.

Bellwood Police put residents on notice about carjacking problem Two fatal accidents in Maywood on Dec. 10 One person was killed while another was injured during a crash that happened Dec. 10 on the Eisenhower Expressway in Maywood, according to a Chicago SunTimes report. The Illinois State Police told reporters that the crash happened at around 11:15 p.m. on the inbound Ike near 1st Avenue.

“There were two occupants of the vehicle that crashed, state police said. A man suffered fatal injuries while another person sustained minor injuries, according to state police,” the Sun-Times reports.

The Bellwood Police Department released this statement to their Facebook page last week: “On December 9, 2020 at approximately 10:00 pm there were two aggravated vehicular hijackings on the east side of Bellwood. One on the 1000 [block of] 25th Avenue and one on the 300 27th Avenue within hours of each other. The vehicles where taken at gunpoint [sic]. We are currently investigating both cases and welcome any video footage or information that may help us apprehend the people responsible. Please be aware of your surroundings and do not leave your vehicle running unoccupied even if you have the key/FOB.”

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Maywood restaurant taps local artist for fresh mural

Cielito Lindo Café commissioned Yekseny Guerrero to paint mural inspired by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo

By SHANEL ROMAIN Community Correspondent

If you ride down the 600 block of Lake Street in Maywood, you will notice what was once a brick wall has since been enhanced by a mural celebrating Mexican culture and art.

About a year ago, Cielito Lindo Cafe, 612 W. Lake St., reached out to the community via their Facebook page looking for local artists to give the wall of their building some character.

There were approximately four artists, including mural companies, that responded.

Ultimately, they chose 21-year-old Melrose Park resident Yekseny Guerrero. The mural was the first one she created.

“Local artists are the main thing for us,” said Ray Rosas, one of Cielito’s owners. “The fact that she is so young and has a desire to contribute to the community was the key

TAKING FLIGHT: The mural outside of Cielito Lindo Cafe in Maywood, which was created by Melrose Park artist Yekseny Guerrero, right. Guerrero studies art at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Shanel Romain

point for us. That’s why we went with her instead of just doing a commercial company.

This is what the restaurant is about.”

Guerrero, who studies art at Roosevelt University, was excited about creating her very first mural.

“I was really excited because this is something I really wanted to do,” she said.

“I followed up with them back in September.

“Originally I was going to do the pieces on

plywood for my school project, because this is also a part of that, but then I reached out to them one more time and we came to an agreement,” she said. “I can do my work for them for free, but they would also cover some of the costs.”

Rosas said Cielito also plans to open a coffee shop next door to the restaurant and Rosas said she plans to display more of her artwork in the shop once it’s open.

The mural stands 8 feet by 20 feet and it took Rosas five days to complete the artwork.

The mural is untitled. It depicts a butterfly and was inspired by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, whose face graces the mural.

The owners of Cielito Lindo Cafe said they encourage community members to pose for photos outside of the mural.

CONTACT: info@vfpress.news

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Village Free Press | December 16, 2020

GOOD TIDINGS THEY BRING: The village of Broadview held its Christmas Parade on Dec. 13. The event caught some bystanders and passersby off guard — a pleasant surprise. Village departments, including fire and police, along with the village’s mayor, Katrina Thompson, bottom left (wearing red Santa hat).

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Village Free Press | December 16, 2020

Area nonprofits team up to distribute food, clothing, other items to Proviso Township families Dec. 12

By SHANEL ROMAIN

Community Correspondent

On Dec. 12, the S.A.L.U.T.E Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Shannon Brown and Sterling Brown, made sure that at least 23 deserving families throughout the Proviso Township area receive fresh produce, a Walmart gift card and Puma merchandise.

In partnership with Athletic Konnection, AMOGUL Clothing, Danka Basketball League and JEM Baseball Training, the S.A.L.U.T.E foundation gathered at Rich Attitudes Retail shop, 705 S. 5th Ave. in Maywood, to pack bags of goods and groceries, in order to personally deliver the items for the third year in a row.

The organizers said they didn’t just want to give back for the holidays; they wanted to make their presence felt by the families and children in the community in which many of them were raised.

More than a dozen people unloaded a truckload of boxes full of groceries from the HOJO family Assistance program and walked them into Rich Attitudes retail shop.

PUMA duffle bags were filled with items like olive oil, fresh spinach, snacks and potatoes, among others. The items were then loaded into individual cars and trucks to be delivered to the homes of selected

up their block and community leaders headed to their door including the 7-foot former NBA player and Proviso East standout Steven Hunter.

“Boy it was a surprise! I thought it was like a few of them, but it was a whole gang of people! It reminded me of the sweepstakes that you see on TV with the big checks! I JOY TO THE WORLD: Devonte Smith, 8, of was like, ‘Ohh, we are about to Maywood, breaks out into a popular dance get one, let me get this luck!’” as Steven Hunter watches on Dec. 12. Right, said Tatiana Johnson. “This representatives from a variety of community is our first time getting lucky organizations and businesses, including the and receiving something like S.A.L.U.T.E foundation, Athletic Konnection, this.”

AMOGUL Clothing, Danka Basketball League On a scale of one to 10, and JEM Baseball Training made a Maywood Johnson asked her son, family’s holiday a lot brighter on Dec. 12.

Devonte Smith, 8, how excited Shanel Romain was he? families “1,500 excited!” Smith said, in the before breaking into a dance. community.

The S.A.L.U.T.E. Foundation will also The families were surprised and full of partner with 13th Positive to host the United excitement, because although they knew Front Toy Drive on Dec. 20, at Proviso East they were receiving something for the High School, 807 S. 1st Ave. in Maywood, holidays, they didn’t expect the special from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. attention that went with the gifts.

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For language disability accommodations 203216-4487 7/20 riveredgehospital.com

With limited exceptions, physicians are not employees or agents of this hospital.

For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website.

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Village Free Press | December 16, 2020

121 SUPER POWER CHARACTER TRAITS INSPIRING AND EMPOWERING YOUTH TO ACHIEVE THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL

CATALOG OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT BOOKLETS 1. Honesty

25. Critical Thinking

2. Integrity

26. Participating in School Activities

3. Courage 4. Wisdom

27. Participating in Church Activities

5. Strength 6. Obeying the Law

Accumulate 7. Care and Consideration Wealth 8. Patriotism and Loyalty

Valuing Yourself

Care & Consideration

Creating

Church Activities

29. Beautifying

9. Obedience and Respect to Parents & Teachers

30. Valuing Yourself 31. Enjoying Your Work

10. Thankfulness 11. Reading & Learning

Thankful

12. Counting & Computing 13. Creating & Developing 14. Forgiveness

Respectful

School Activities

Memorizing Wisdom

15. Self Control 16. Resilience 17. Planning to Achieve Goals

Reading

19. Creating Genius

Calculating

Integrity

Planning

21. Seeing Gaps Between What is and What Should Be

24. Memorizing

38. Determination

Being Kind

39. Perseverance

Honesty

23. Visualizing

36. Celebrating African American History & Culture 37. Enhancing the Children

Counting & Computing

22. Foreseeing Problems & Planning Solutions

33. Overcoming Racism

35. Improving Until the “Dream” Comes True

Obeying the Law

18. Leadership

32. Striving for Educational Excellence

34. Enhancing African American Culture

Courage

20. Accumulating Wealth

28. Cleaning & Organizing

40. Worshiping God

Beautifying

Reading

These FREE booklets may be downloaded at:

http://op-safechild.org/resource-materials/character Booklets are published by © Dr. Wylmarie N. Sykes, BS, MA, MS, AM, MS, PhD. CEO Operation Safe Child Sponsored by Alpha Omega Apartments • 1’s & 3’s Available 708-415-3897 Mailing address: P.O. Box 816, Maywood, Illinois 60153 © 2020 Dr. Wylmarie Sykes op.safechild.org

MORE TO COME

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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION AM SOLUTIONS LLC; Plaintiff, vs.

ARIEL CHAPMON; TAJ CHAPMON; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 7196 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 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. 15-10-431-012-0000.

Commonly known as 830 South 16th Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

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

W19-0247 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3160721

Village Free Press | December 16, 2020

REAL ESTATE PUBLIC FOR SALE NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES VILLAGE OF MELROSE PARK, ILLINOIS 1000 N. 25TH AVENUE MELROSE PARK, ILLINOIS 60160

REAL ESTATE PUBLIC FOR SALE NOTICES

PLANNING / ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Village of Melrose Park Planning/ Zoning Board of Appeals will convene a public hearing on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. in the Multi-Purpose Room – Village Hall (1000 North 25th Avenue) Melrose Park, Cook County, Illinois.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Village of Melrose Park Planning/Zoning Board of Appeals (the “Planning/ Zoning Board of Appeals”) will convene a public hearing on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. in the Multi-Purpose Room – Village Hall (1000 North 25th Avenue) Melrose Park, Cook County, Illinois.

Petitioner is seeking variances to allow for a single-story, single-family home to be built out of alternative materials than those previously approved by the Village of Melrose Park.

The relief as requested is in connection with Petitioner’s project at 2075 N. 19th Avenue, Melrose Park, Illinois.

The Planning/Zoning Board of Appeals will entertain the submission of documents, testimony and public comment regarding said petition application. All persons who are interested are invited to attend the public hearing to listen and be heard.

This Public Hearing may be continued to a further time, date and place without further notice being given except as may be provided in the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The parcel of real estate in question is commonly known as 2075 N. 19th Avenue, Melrose Park, Illinois with Property Index Number 12-34-302085-0000.

Published this 16th Day of December 2020 by the Planning/Zoning Board of Appeals, Village of Melrose Park, Cook County, Illinois.

Sergio Aguirre Chairman Published in Village Free Press 12/16/2020

Hang

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

PUBLIC NOTICES VILLAGE OF MELROSE PARK, ILLINOIS 1000 N. 25TH AVENUE MELROSE PARK, ILLINOIS 60160

PLANNING / ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Said Public Hearing is convened for the purpose of considering the application/petition of Guillermo Archer (the “Petitioner”) for certain land use relief from Titles 15 and 17 of the Municipal Code of Melrose Park (the “Code”). The specific relief sought by the Petitioner is as follows:

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Said Public Hearing is convened for the purpose of considering the proposal of the Planning/Zoning Board of Appeals to amend the Village of Melrose Park Zoning Code (the “Zoning Code”) and/or the Village of Melrose Park Code of Ordinances (the “Village Code”) in order to amend the fees imposed on applications for variances from the requirements set forth in the Zoning Code and/or the Village Code.

Pursuant to Section 2.68.080 of the Village Code, the Planning/Zoning Board of Appeals is authorized to initiate amendments to the Zoning Code, and the authority of the Village of Melrose Park to make such amendments is granted under Section 11-13-14 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-13-14).

The Planning/Zoning Board of Appeals will entertain the submission of documents, testimony and public comment regarding said proposal.

All persons who are interested are invited to attend the public hearing to listen and be heard.

This Public Hearing may be continued to a further time, date and place without further notice being given except as may be provided in the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Published this 16th Day of December, 2020 by the Planning/Zoning Board of Appeals, Village of Melrose Park, Cook County, Illinois Sergio Aguirre Chairman

Published in Village Free Press 12/16/2020

e r e h t in

d o o w May

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

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Village Free Press | December 16, 2020

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