Issuu

Mars Wrigley backs McCa ery Interests’ Galewood redevelopment proposal

Plans face backlash at latest community meeting

By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

It was more of the same for a controversial proposal for the redevelopment of the Mars Wrigley’s Galewood property.

Almost five months after three community meetings in December on the proposed redevelopment of the plant site drew backlash, Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th) and Galewood Neighbors community organization changed the format – and got a similar response at the latest meeting: some support but a lot of criticism.

The next step remains unclear, as parties work to get a plan that is acce ptable to the community and economically viable for the for mer plant at 2019 N. Oak Park Ave.

Taliafer ro for one said he still hoped for a positive outcome. “I’m glad that we were able to come together as a community to discuss this project,” he said. “As we continue to have community meetings, we’ll see some changes to the development [plan], and I’m still hopeful that, at some point, the developer will present a development that both the community and the developer can benefit from.”

The earlier meetings had McCaffery Interests, the developer Mars chose to redevelop the site, present their plans to the community. The latest meeting, which was held on Apr. 21 at Trinity

Fraternite Notre Dame pantry loses support

Galewood residents respond with a show of hands dur ing the April 21 community meeting.

Galewood Church, 1701 N. Narragansett Ave., also included Mars and Chicago Department of Planning and Development officials. The city will need to sign of f on zoning changes that would inevitably be required if the property is used for anything other than industry.

Move than 100 people attended the meeting which was standing room only. Some attendees who spoke were willing to entertain the concept, even if they had concerns about details. But others who

Greater Chicago Food Depositor y says the religious order’s Austin program discriminates

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

The Greater Chicago Food Depository, which distributes food to over 800 partners in Cook County, notified Fraternite Notre Dame on April 20 that, in 60 days, it would no longer der food to its pantry or soup kitchen.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository said it terminated Fraternite Notre Dame’s operational ag reement after food depository employees on recent site visits re ported issues with food safety and discrimination at the Catholic religious order’s facility. They said Fraternite Notre Dame, at 502 N. Central Ave. across the street from Austin Town Hall Park, has failed to provide an equitable, dignified experience for guests who get food there.

Sister Marie, who’s a part of Fraternite Notre Dame, told Austin Weekly News that the religious order in Austin serves, on average, 300

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West Sub landlord sues hospital CEO, alleges diverted funds

Ramco Healthcare Holdings’ lawsuit asks court to appoint new hospital management

By JESSICA MORDACQ and BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporters

The property owner of West Suburban Medical Center has filed a lawsuit in the Cook County court against Resilience Healthcare, alleging millions in unpaid rent and prolonged mismanagement of the hospital.

On April 22, Rathnaker Reddy Patlola — the landlord of West Suburban through Ramco Holdings and a minority owner of Resilience Healthcare — filed the suit for seven counts of breach of contract, seeking to recover over $24 million in unpaid rent and fees from Resilience-owned West Suburban, Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood and other medical office buildings. The lawsuit also calls for a court-appointed receiver to take over hospital operations from Manoj Prasad, CEO of Resilience Healthcare, and alleges misappropriation of a $10 million state loan.

“West Suburban Medical Center has been a vital healthcare resource for thousands of residents, including many who rely on safety net services,” Patlola said in a statement. “We are taking this action to ensure that a qualified and responsible operator can be put in place as quickly as possible to restore care and protect the health and well-being of the community.”

According to Ramco’s suit, the same day that Resilience received a $10 million loan for Weiss Memorial Hospital on May 2, 2025, the money was moved from Weiss’ lockbox account to the hospital’s operating account, then transferred to Westlaw Management Group — a company owned solely by Prasad Ramco claims the state money was not used for hospital operations, which led to Weiss closing that August after its Medicare agreement was ter minated by federal officials.

Ramco alleges that West Suburban’s closure is the product of financial and operational mismanagement by Prasad and that he lacks a viable plan to reopen the hospital.

“While Dr. Prasad claims that he has a

plan in place for reopening West Suburban Medical Center, his track record paints a bleaker picture,” Ramco said in Wednesday’s filing. “Weiss Memorial Hospital was also a safety-net hospital which closed due to Dr. Prasad’s mismanagement and believed misappropriation of millions of dollars of funds provided as a loan by the state of Illinois to Weiss.”

Ramco’s suit argues that Prasad’s alleged misappropriation of state funds led to major facilities issues at the hospitals, including failing HVAC systems and X-ray machines creating unsafe conditions for patients

This week’s filing is just the latest piece of fallout to hit the local court system since West Suburban abruptly closed last month. Last week, Prasad and Resilience filed a lawsuit against Ramco c hallenging the eviction notices placed on West Sub’s River Forest campus and at Weiss on April 9.

In that filing, Prasad argues he had a deal with Ramco that set rent for the hospital properties at just $1 per year until the hospitals turned a profit. The filing accuses Ramco and Patlola of sabotaging the hospitals.

“This matter arises from the latest escalation in a series of improper acts perpetrated by Ramco and its owner, Rathnakar Reddy Patlola, to sabotage the operations of Weiss Memorial and West Suburban and substitute in new management for financial gain,” attorneys wrote in Prasad’s legal complaint. “The relationship between Dr. Prasad and Patlola deteriorated over time after Dr. Prasad requested, on Resilience Healthcare’s behalf, that Ramco comply with its obligations to perform repairs and fix serious issues at both hospitals, including the hospitals heating and cooling systems and elevators. Patlola, on behalf of Ramco, repeatedly refused, claiming that he would not pay for repairs until he received more revenue from the hospitals—even though the lease agreement he signed on Ramco’s behalf expressly provides that additional rent would not be coming until the hospitals were profitable.”

Ramco’s filing this week argued that the documents that Prasad included to support that claim were fraudulent.

“The document that defendants rely upon contains several irregularities,” Ramco argued. “It appears defendants are using this

dubious document in a blatant attempt to shirk defendants’ obligations under their respective leases.”

Wednesday’s lawsuit asked for a qualified receiver to be appointed to take over operations and manage the closed hospitals. Ramco argued that Resilience had consented to the appointment of a new receiver in the event of a default on rent.

Ramco’s chosen receiver will likely be Insight Chicago, a Michigan-based non-profit health system that manages the for mer Mercy Hospital in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. Patlola wrote to State Rep. La Shawn Ford last week following Prasad’s suit saying that Prasad’s claims were fraudulent and that a deal for Insight to take over West Sub was imminent, Wednesday Journal has lear ned

“He sued us today, presenting a fraudulent document that claims I signed a lease with him for $1 rent per year,” he wrote to Ford. “Despite this, we are moving forward with filing for emergency receivership this Thursday To succeed, we urgently need letters of support from community leaders emphasizing the hospital’s necessity, as well as letters from furloughed employees expressing their desire to return to work. It will be great if we can get letters from elected representatives for the benefit of their constituents (i.e. patients) that will be golden. This is an uphill battle, but I am giving this my last shot to save the hospital and bring our staff back. Insight Hospital is ready to take over and reopen the facility ASAP, but we need significant community support to convince the judge.”

Hospital leadership announced the closure of West Sub last month, citing a prolonged failure in the hospital’s billing system that resulted in as much as 90% of its work going unbilled. Resilience has since hired dozens of people to try and collect payment for the 120,000 outstanding claims related to West Sub services, the company announced earlier this week.

In the months leading up to the closure, Wednesday Journal reported on a variety of financial issues at West Sub and at Resilience Healthcare, including unpaid vendors, the loss of the hospital’s once-revered doctor residency program and the millions owed in state and local taxes

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Wecycle street cleaning

Locals de-litter, clean Austin streets during annual event

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Wecycle held its sixth annual street cleaning Saturday, as locals gathered to pick up trash, sweep debris and clean windows on stretches of Division Street, Central Avenue and Chicago Avenue in Austin. The street cleaning ef fort ended at 5840 W. Chicago Ave., where there was food

from Uncle Gene’s BBQ and music by DJ Lipgloss.

“People look forward to it. The community always comes out. That’s what we look forward to,” David Malik Fleming previously told Austin Weekly News

Fleming founded Wecycle in 2019 as a landscaping company. Today, he said the annual street cleaning event “brings beauty and unity back to the community.”

David Malik Fleming (top le ) and Wecycle volunteers at the start of their Austin Spring Cleanup on April 25.

David Malik Fleming (center) and Wecycle volunteers tidy up on Chicago Avenue

Doris Freeman picks up trash on Chicago Avenue.

Wecycle’s Dav id Malik Fleming and his wife Doris Freeman say hello to spring at the end of the Austin Spring Cleanup.

PHOTO S BY TODD BANNOR

MARS Un

spoke pushed Caffery proposal in family homes and/or two some commercial or industrial use.

In 2022, Mars announced that it close the p Oak Park 2024. It contracted Local Initiati Corporation munity-driv That led to se munity meetings that called for r center and a business park.

McCaffery used that plan, along with DPD’s broader Ar mitage Corridor Framework approved last year, as the foundation for its proposal. That concept includes a mixeduse building at the northwest corner of the property, with a coffee shop and/or some other retail use on the first floor, four stories with 100 apartments above it.

The historic Mars factory building would be rehabbed for some kind of community

IGOR STUDENKOV

Mars Wrigley Vice President John Benazzi speaks at the community meeting.

Over the past 10 years, Galewood saw several major development proposals that included some combination of multi-story residences and retail. They usually attracted opposition from residents who pushed for single-family homes or condominiums, argu-

ussion. For the April 21 meeting, the organizers brought on Rosa Y. Ortiz, head of the 3e.Studio [sic] planning firm and a member the Chicago Transit Board, to serve as a moderator. Throughout the meeting, she ried to reduce tensions and encouraged speakers to be respectful.

During the April 21 meeting, Mars Wrigley vice president John Benazzi, who headed Mars’ corporate real estate operations while factory was wound down, said that his firm contracted Goodman Williams Group eal estate market analysis firm to see what kind of development would be feasible.

Benazzi said that it found that “the site is not suited for industrial use” such as a disribution center, and it’s too far away from major commercial corridors to be profitable as a retail use. That is why, he said, Mars sees esidential use with some small-scale retail that takes advantage of the Metra station that historically served the plant.

Benazzi emphasized that, while it is important for Mars to have something the community wants, there are two other factors that have an equally important weight – it should be economically viable, and it should be inte grated into the sur rounding neighborhood and have something the community could use

To avoid the repeat of residents shout-

Community goals of: (1) restoration of the historic building, (2) a pedestrian scaled plan, (3) provide open space, (4) provide a mix of uses and diversity of housing options.

between Metra trains and freight trains, the Oak Park Avenue crossing gets blocked for extended periods of time

“If you put 479 units in there, the community will become a parking lot,” he said.

Glover was among several residents who said that rental units would bring in crime, “You’ll change the whole [character] of our community,” he said. “We want the community the way it is.”

Donna Guido, who said she lived in Galewood for 62 years, said she took part in the LISC workshops. The disconnect, she said, is that many of her neighbors didn’t, and the only way to bridge the gap is to come up with a compromise between the concept developed through LISC process and what the other residents are pushing for.

In a follow-up interview, she added that she would personally prefer to see single-family homes and two-flats, and some kind of a community use for the historic factory building.

As the meeting went on, the crowd got increasingly vocal, leading Ortiz to end the Q&A. The original plan was for DPD, McCaffery Interests, Galewood Neighbors and Mars representatives to sit at the tables set up in another room and answer questions, but many residents left shortly thereafter

Jeronna Hansberry told Austin Weekly News that she lived in Galewood since 1996, but her personal website states that she currently lives in Elmwood Park.

“What I think is that I do not want any low income-housing, we don’t want any rental housing,” she said. “We want the community to remain what is – quiet, and problem-free.”

When asked how she would feel if the apartments were high-end, Hansberry said that she believes the owners would turn it into low-income apartments if they don’t attract well-off tenants.

Galewood Neighbors president Steve Green told Austin Weekly News that, in retrospect, having a Mars representative there was something they should have done in the first place. And while he described the meeting as a positive step, he was worried that, if the process stalls, Mars would simply put the property up for sale, which he worried would leave it unused for years.

Benazzi acknowledged the pushback, but said Mars has gotten support for the concept as well.

“If the community decided that this is not what they want on this site, we’re going to change direction,” he added. “We’ve certainly tried to do right by this property, and I think we have,”

Benazzi said it was too early to talk about next steps, but he added that “we got to get the community aligned with this project, or it’s not going to happen.”

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LETTERS TO THE ED I TOR

The future of Austin

I am writing as a daughter of Austin, a mother, and the daughter of Rev. Dr. Lewis Flowers, who dedicated his life to serving the West Side through faith, advocacy, and action.

I grew up watching my father fight for families in our community when few others would. He believed Austin deserved the same dignity, safety, health care, education, and opportunity as any neighborhood in the region. Today, too many of us are still fighting for the same basic respect.

West Side families have watched resources disappear while speeches increase. Mothers now have fewer nearby options to give birth with dignity and care. Community buildings open with ribbon cuttings but stay locked to the very residents they claim to serve Organizations come promising change, then vanish once funding arrives. Meanwhile, longtime residents are too often blamed for problems being invited into real solutions I have sat in meetings where Austin is discussed as if we are the cause of every surrounding issue. But Austin is not the prob-

lem. Neglect is the problem. Disinvestment is the problem. Ignoring resident voices is the problem.

And we must also challenge ourselves Our schools, our councils, and our community meetings need more parents and resident participation. If we want change, we must show up, ask questions, organize, and hold leaders accountable.

My father used to believe that real leadership means services, not status. Austin needs less performance and bandwagoners, and more presence. Less politics and more partnership. Less talking and more doors opening.

Austin is filled with good people, strong families, talented youth, community anchors (seniors) with wisdom, and parents who care deeply We do not need to be saved. We need to be respected, included, and invested in The future of Austin should be shaped by those who live here, love here, and never gave up on it.

Blaire Flowers Austin resident

Capping rent increases

Recently, state Senator Adriane Johnson proposed SB3530, limiting security deposits and capping rent increases to 3.5% a year. I am a small landlord. I own the two flat I live in and 2 three flats — all in the Austin area of Chicago. Property taxes on one of my buildings went up 53% since 2015; the other went up 58% since 2015. Insurance costs went up 58% since 2015. Then there are the rate increases at Commonwealth Edison, People’s Gas, and the city of Chicago water utility.

In addition, the cost of maintaining a property has skyrocketed well above the rate of inflation. For example, in 2017, I installed a new furnace. It cost me $1,700 and was installed by a reputable Chicago-area fir m. That same firm wanted over $4,400 last year for the same type of fur nace! The hot water heater I installed in 2020 now costs 32% more, not counting the increase in labor costs

A 3.5% rent increase limit doesn’t take into account the reality that the expenses

associated with maintaining a rental property have been increasing at a rate far above 3.5% annually. What about the damage caused by bad tenants, which can run thousands of dollars? Similarly, thanks to state and local ordinances, it takes several months to evict a tenant who stops paying rent. A one-month security deposit doesn’t begin to cover those costs

Instead of always heaping burdens on landlords, why not help them to keep costs down? Big developers get grants, low-interest loans, you name it. We small landlords get no help whatsoever, which is why so many of us either lose our properties or have to sell them.

Last, but not least, I find it rather ironic that legislators’ pay is capped at 5%, but since 2018 it has risen 44%. Don’t hold landlords to a higher standard than the one to which you legislators hold yourselves. Who is the public servant here?! Paul Eichwedel Austin area

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FOOD PANTRY

Alleging discrimination from page 1

to 500 families every Wednesday from 2 to 5 p.m. through its weekly food pantry. She said they have been doing so for 28 years and working with the food depository for most of that time.

“They have no evidence, they just make assumptions like that with no proof,” Sister Marie said of the food depository’s accusations against Fraternite Notre Dame’s food pantry. “Our evidence is the hundreds of people who receive food every week.”

With their partnership with the food depository ending, Sister Marie said ternite Notre Dame will ha distribute and is looking nerships or donors who can help fill the hole — especially on such short notice

“Usually when you ha wrong, we are used to having to deal with the health department and other entities When there is something wrong, they gi you a notice and you have and they come again,” Sister Marie said. She added that the Greater Depository told the religious order the week after their site visit that their pa nership would end. “Right war ning, they terminated the pr

According to the Greater Depository, their employees obser that guests lined up for Fra Dame’s food pantry were se on language and heard re ports from Black guests that they were served after Hispanic guests. T he food depository also told the religious order that distribution was disorg anized, the intake process was inefficient — including re gistering guests hours before distribution and er rors entering accurate guest information in the system — and that boxes used to distribute food were dir ty or moldy.

to the boxes. If Fraternite Notre Dame has extra produce or dry goods after filling boxes for guests, they put them on a table or pallets outside, where guests can pick up additional items if they show their registration ticket.

“I heard that some people felt frustrated because they received the remainder of the distribution. That’s because they came after hours,” Sister Marie said. “If we still have food, we give it to them, but that’s not what they would have at the beginning of the distribution.”

As for alle gations of se greg ating guests, Sister Marie said volunteers are able to more efficiently serve food pantry attendees in two lines

But some don’ t see the pantry lines that way.

“I cannot support an agency that I know acts in a discriminatory manner. I urge the agency to act immediately to address the concerns raised by the Chicago Food De pository,” State Re p. La Shawn Ford said in a statement. “It is crucial that we strengthen and expand support for other food pantries on the West Side. I am strongly opposed to the treatment maintained by this organization and its effects on our community.”

Sister Marie said a food depository employee who came to inspect the religious order’s facility the week before their partnership ended seemed bored. She said this

to help them as much as we can.”

“As we navigate the challenges that have emerged in our community programs, it is imperative that we prioritize the dignity and equitable treatment of every individual we serve,” Ford said in a statement. “I believe we must work collaboratively to address these compliance issues head-on and ensure that our services reflect the values of diversity, inclusion, and respect for all.”

Food Depository o ers Austin options

The Greater Chicago Food Depository told Austin Weekly News that it is providing information to those who attend Fraternite Notre Dame’s food pantry about other nearby partner pantries and meal programs. Nearby soup kitchens are at Westside Health Authority at 5437 W. Division St. on Thursdays from 2:30-4:40 p.m. lliam V Banks Human Needs W. Lake St. on Wednesdays, s and Fridays from 1-4 p.m. ository partners with 11 food antries that serve the Austin area, includ-

rban Ministries at 118 N. Central ays 9-11 a.m. and Thursdays

ife Ministries COGIC at 634 N. hursdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and p.m.

People Excel at 5912 W. Iowa p.m.

enue United Church at 1015 N. ays 9:30-11:30 a.m.

St. Martin De Porres at 5112 W. Washdnesdays and Thursdays 10

Healing Temple COGIC, 4941 W. Chicago Ave., Fridays 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

■ Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1511 N. Long Ave., Tuesdays 12-2 p.m., Saturdays 8-10 a.m.

“This was not a decision we took lightly and was made due to numerous, eg regious compliance issues identified during recent site visits that span multiple critical areas,” the Greater Chicago Food Depository told Austin Weekly News

Sister Marie said Fraternite Notre Dame usually receives food on Tuesdays, when volunteers pack boxes of produce and dry food items. When distribution starts on Wednesdays, volunteers add refrigerated items like meat, milk and eg gs

“We have some volunteers speaking English, and they cannot communicate easily with the Spanish-speaking people,” Sister Marie said. “We have some Hispanic volunteers. T hey don’ t communicate easily with the English-speaking people, so we had the idea to make two lines. But it’s not discrimination. It’s just to make the process more easy and smooth.” She added that Fraternite Notre Dame has just one line for their soup kitchen, which the food de pository has also cut ties with. “If you go to the doctor, you have to wait. You go to the airport, you have to wait your turn,” Sister Marie said. “Some people are very impatient. Some people actually are abusive, but it’s not us. We try to calm them down.”

employee took food from the pantry and gave it to a man who already received a box of food when others in line hadn’t, and called one of the priests a liar when he told her the religious order didn’t distribute registration tickets to guests at 8 a.m. — which the food depository accused the pantry of doing, creating crowds and inequitable access.

Sister Marie calls the ending partnership “strange” and “religious persecution.”

“These people are another Christ. We try to give them back their dignity. We know some families have to make a choice between buying the food or paying the rent,” Sister Marie said. “Some people try very hard, but it’s hard for them to find a job. It’s hard for them to survive, so we just try

■ Heritage International Community Development at 5320 W. North Ave., Thursdays 6-8 p.m.

■ United for Better Living at 4540 W. Washington Blvd., Saturdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

■ Beyond Hunger at 848 W. Lake St., Wednesdays 3:30-5:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

■ Grace and Peace Church at 1856 N. Leclaire Ave., Tuesdays 2-6 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

■ The Ark Church at 5040 Roosevelt Rd., Thursdays 4-6 p.m., Fridays 9-11 a.m., Saturdays 8-10 a.m.

Locate a nearby food pantry, soup kitchen or meal program at chicagosfoodbank. org/findfood

GOOGLE MAPS/SCREENSHOT

Fraternite Notre Dame, 502 N. Central Ave.

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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF SALUDA GRADE ALTERNATIVE MORTGAGE TRUST 2022-PRE1 Plaintiff, -v.-

L.E.A. GROUP LLC, RUTSUTEE VAIROJANANUNT, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants

2024 CH 10730 3018 W. FLOURNOY ST. CHICAGO, IL 60612

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 15, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 19, 2026, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 3018 W. FLOURNOY ST., CHICAGO, IL 60612

Property Index No. 16-13-301031-0000

The real estate is improved with a three story multi family residence.

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

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g) (1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 333 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1820, Chicago, IL, 60606. Tel No. (312) 346-9088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

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

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC

333 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1820 Chicago IL, 60606 312-346-9088

E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com

Attorney File No. 24-19640IL Attorney Code. 61256

Case Number: 2024 CH 10730

TJSC#: 46-5

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 # 2024 CH 10730 I3285350

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR FREMONT HOME LOAN TRUST 2006-E, MORTGAGE-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-E Plaintiff, -v.-

MARIA E. RITZUN; IRMA CHAVEZ; THE CITY OF CHICAGO, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION; STATE OF ILLINOIS; Defendants. 25 CH 604 1513 North Springfield Avenue, Chicago, IL 60651

NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 1/30/2026, an agent of Auction.com, LLC will conduct the Online Only auction at www. auction.com, with the bidding window opening on 5/11/2026 at 10:00 AM CDT and closing on May 13, 2026 at 10:00 AM subject to extension, and will sell at public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate. Commonly known as 1513 North Springfield Avenue, Chicago, IL 60651 Property Index No. 16-02-102-

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE OF WATERFALL VICTORIA III-NB

GRANTOR TRUST

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Chicago, IL 60612

022-0000

The real estate is improved with a Single Family Residence. The judgment amount was $207,019.09 Sale Terms: Full Sale Terms are available on the property page at www.auction.com by entering 1513 North Springfield Avenue into the search bar. If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, the winning bidder must pay the full bid amount within twenty-four (24) hours of the auction’s end. All payments must be certified funds. No third-party checks will be accepted. All bidders will need to register at www.auction.com prior to placing a bid. 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)(l) 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. For information, contact Plaintiffs attorney: LOGS Legal Group LLP (847) 2911717 please refer to file number 25-102402-FC01. Auction.com, LLC 100 N LaSalle St., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60602 - 872-2254985 You can also visit www. auction.com. Attorney File No. 25-102402-FC01 Case Number: 25 CH 604 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. I3285288

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL

Plaintiff vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF EARLENE COOPER;THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; CLEMENTINE S. BURROUGHS; BARBARA JEAN EDWARDS A/K/A BARBARA SMITH EDWARDS; NORRIS J. COOPER; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF ANTOINETTE MCCLAIN; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF DELORES COOPER; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF MILDRED HAYS; GERALD NORDGREN AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR EARLENE COOPER; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendant 25 CH 7961 CALENDAR 64 NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on May 20, 2026, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell, in person, to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-15-112-025-0000.

Commonly known as 4736 W. GLADYS AVE., CHICAGO, IL 60644.

The real estate is: 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 189.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% (or 25% if so ordered in the Judgment of Foreclosure) down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property is sold AS IS subject to all liens or encumbrances. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the circuit court case record, property tax record and the title record to verify all information before bidding. IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER THE ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(c) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Suite 120, Naperville, IL 60563. (630) 4536960. 1422-216351

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3285041

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION

FIFTH THIRD BANK N.A., Plaintiff, -v.-

MELISSA JEAN DANIEL; 2159 W. WARREN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; CITY OF CHICAGO; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants. 2024CH05780 2159 W Warren Blvd, Unit 1,

NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 2/2/2026, an agent of Auction. com, LLC will conduct the Online Only auction at www.auction.com, with the bidding window opening on 5/18/2026 at 10:00 AM CDT and closing on May 20, 2026 at 10:00 AM subject to extension, and will sell at public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate.

Commonly known as 2159 W Warren Blvd, Unit 1, Chicago, IL 60612

Property Index No. 17-07-330061-1001

The real estate is improved with a Condominium. The judgment amount was $210,550.84 Sale Terms: Full Sale Terms are available on the property page at www. auction.com by entering 2159 W Warren Blvd, Unit 1 into the search bar. If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, the winning bidder must pay the full bid amount within twenty-four (24) hours of the auction’s end. All payments must be certified funds. No third-party checks will be accepted. All bidders will need to register at www. auction.com prior to placing a bid. 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) (l) 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. For information, contact Plaintiffs attorney: Diaz Anselmo & Associates, LLC (630) 453-6960 please refer to file number 1446-202474. Auction. com, LLC 100 N LaSalle St., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60602 - 872225-4985 You can also visit www.auction.com. Attorney File No. 1446-202474 Case Number: 2024CH05780 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. I3285514

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION

WILMINGTON TRUST, N.A., NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF MFRA TRUST 2021-1 Plaintiff, -v.1878, INC., JEMAL KING, CAMILLE KING Defendants 23 CH 09520 6223 S. SAINT LAWRENCE AVE. CHICAGO, IL 60637, 7400 S. PRINCETON AVE. CHICAGO, IL 60621, 7420 S. KENWOOD AVE. CHICAGO, IL 60619, 24 W. 111TH PLACE CHICAGO, IL 60628, 4007 W. JACKSON BOULEVARD CHICAGO, IL 60624

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on March 5, 2026, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 18, 2026, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 6223 S. SAINT LAWRENCE AVE. CHICAGO, IL 60637, 7400 S. PRINCETON AVE. CHICAGO, IL 60621, 7420 S. KENWOOD AVE. CHICAGO, IL 60619, 24 W. 111TH PLACE CHICAGO, IL 60628, 4007 W. JACKSON BOULEVARD, CHICAGO, IL 60624

Property Index No. 20-15-420007-0000, 20-28-224-016-0000, 20-26-225-025-0000, 25-21203-017-0000, 16-15-219-0200000

The real estate is improved with a two story multi family residence for each property.

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.

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

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

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 333 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1820, Chicago, IL, 60606. Tel No. (312) 346-9088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

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

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC 333 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1820 Chicago IL, 60606 312-346-9088

E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com

Attorney File No. 23-16341IL Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 23 CH 09520 TJSC#: 46-817

Case # 23 CH 09520 I3285737

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION

U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST

Plaintiff, -v.DARLENE BOYKIN-JONES, STATE OF ILLINOIS - DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

Defendants

2025CH00496

1410 SOUTH KARLOV

CHICAGO, IL 60623

NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 20, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 1, 2026, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1410 SOUTH KARLOV, CHICAGO, IL 60623 Property Index No. 16-22-220027-0000

The real estate is improved with a residence.

um 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).

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

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

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

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

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-24-07413 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2025CH00496 TJSC#: 46-924

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Submit events and see full calendar at austinweeklynews.com/events

Summertime in the Parks!

Online registration opens Monday, April 20 & Tuesday, April 21. In-person registration begins Saturday, April 25. Summer Programs session runs June 15 to August 9.

For more information about your Chicago Park District, visit www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com or call 312.742.7529.

Our beautiful 6-story building provides quality, a ordable, independent housing for seniors. We o er 75 studio and one-bedroom apartments. Amenities include an award winning interior landscaped atrium, central meeting room, library, laundry facilities, computer learning center, internet access, electronic key entry system, parking, onsite management, and 24/7 emergency maintenance service. e Oaks is funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development through HUD’s Multifamily Housing Program. Monthly rent is based on the resident’s income, with individuals paying approximately 30% of their monthly income toward rent. For more information, please visit us at www.oakparkha.org or contact us at 708-386-5812.

114 South Humphrey, Oak Park,

Growing Green 2026 Art out of the trash

Fresh ar t from old and discarded things

By JILL WAGNER Contributing Reporter

Actively participating in Ear th Day, artists in Forest Park gathered for a public exhibit of art made from repurposed items Reimagining waste from our daily lives was the challenge set by Commissioner Michelle Melin- Rogovin after recently completing the Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) training. This event was used to spread the lessons and connect community to engage with community members on a small scale.

C3 teaches leaders about sustainable agriculture, food access, waste reduction, and the aim to support green-living projects throughout Chicago and near suburbs In addition, leaders have access to more resources and connections to scale up local change.

Leaning on the strong arts and environmentally conscious networks in Forest Park, Melin-Rogovin partnered with the village’s environmental commission and the Forest Park Arts Alliance to spread the word in a call to artists

The call was answered and the show featured 10” x10” art that was made with a variety of materials including plastic caps, paper scraps, a record, plastic bags, objects tucked away in drawers, and items found on the sidewalk during a walk.

“Something now exists where there was nothing,” said Melin- Rogovin “Something that was considered to be of no value has been transfor med by art into something of value.”

See ART on pa ge B4

Record Mandala by Pat Williams created from a discarded and damaged record, paint and paint markers.

PHOTO BY ALEXIS ELLERS

Keep Oak Park Beautiful cleans up village collaboratively

Program an umbrella for four separate e or ts to remove litter, gra ti

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Tom Nor they will be the first to tell you that he has a passion for litter

But let’s be clear: The Oak Pa rk resident’s passion focuses on removal, not distribution.

“Litter has been the bane of my existence since I was a little kid,” Nor they said. “My dad would take us for a walk and I’d come back with an ar mful of trash. This was the 1960s (and I thought) how does this happen? How do you address this?”

As he got into his late high school and early colle ge years, he became familiar with the broken window theory.

“It says, if you let broken windows and graf fiti and litter exist, that’s where other antisocial behaviors start,” he said. “Take care of the little stuf f and it will take care of the big stuf f.

“Everybody is looking to solve big issues, but what if we solved the little things?”

For residents of a certain age, the commercials for Keep America Beautiful, with the tearful indigenous American, also had a profound effect on him, and he’s ke pt all of those things close to his heart for decades.

Now, he’s a driving force locally for Keep Oak Park Beautiful, an extension of Keep America Beautiful and an umbrella program for the village for four ef for ts: the Neighborhood Clean-Up, Adopt a Block, Green Block Party and Graf fiti Re porting and Removal.

GROUND LEVEL: Keep Oak Park Beautif ul volunteers clean up a stretch of Madison Street near Ridgeland.

According to Christina Waters, Oak Park’s village clerk, these ef for ts are specific to various areas of the village For example, in Adopt a Block, residents and business owners work together to keep their chosen adopted block clean. For Neighborhood Clean-Up, Nor they’s prime focus, the village provides black plastic bags for garbage and clear plastic bags for re cyclables, litter pickers, gloves and pink

TBD; Nor they is working that detail out with Publican Quality Bread at 211 Har rison St. Re gistration is easy; go to https://www.oak-park.us/Events-directory/Neighborhood-Clean-Up-Days on the village website.

y 15 that businesses talk Oak comes to garbage and recyclables and consider the long-ter m consequences

“That gum is never going to disinte grate,” he said. “Put it in a receptacle.”

Resident and local artisan, Meghan Hunt used the mesh netting that is used to package purchased fruits and vegetables to create her “For the Love of Flowers.” Her reflections ofthe simple fruits and vegetables which are born from the earth then enter the global marketplace. This includes far mers, harvesters, migrant workers, packers, packaging, shipping, storage, showcasing and all the additional connections and micro plastics introduced along the way before coming to her home. She reshaped the vibrant colors ofthe mesh bags from onions, avocados, sweet potatoes and garlic into flowers. “The flowers are surrounded by packing paper from shipping boxes that reflect how things come to us.”

Susan Baus re purposed cereal boxes and other packaging to create a woven tablecloth for her “Forever Still Life.” Reimagining six-pack yokes as flowers, alongside colored dried allium and sage grass were part ofthe focal point. Mimicking lily-inthe-valley in the vases with egg cartons, re-

Sponsored by Riverside Township

using pill bottles, and an embellished ruffle from candy wrappers made a maximizing impact at the base. Showing her whimsy and charm, she set a small table for a guest beetle to enjoy a glass of wine.

Sponsored by Riverside Township

found objects and Forest Park trinkets in a wooden frame. Rethinking uses for old plates, bowls and cups Deb McNichols designed a clever bird feeder and craftsman

Steve Metro re purposed wood into a stunning checkered board.

Sponsored by Riverside Township

Louis Rivera created an interactive piece sending people to the village website included using fragments from his art,

Sponsored by Riverside Township

Embracing beauty and hope was a common theme throughout the exhibit. Participants

were awarded upcycled cardboard “ribbons,” Nature Museum passes and gift cards to WasteShed, a non-profit reuse art supply center. Connecting with other community members gave an additional layer of optimism to access for experience to take action in sustainability principles and practices in daily living in town.

Saturday, May 2nd 9:00 am –Noon

GARMAN PAINTING

Saturday, May 2nd 9:00 am –Noon

Riverside Masonic Lodge parking lot 40 Forest Avenue, Riverside

Saturday, May 2nd 9:00 am –Noon

This FREE event is only for Riverside Township residents and only for personal, confidential documents. No business shredding, magazines, or junk mail. Each household is restricted to no more than 3 boxes of paper.

Riverside Masonic Lodge parking lot 40 Forest Avenue, Riverside

9:00 am –Noon

Riverside Masonic Lodge parking lot 40 Forest Avenue, Riverside

This FREE event is only for Riverside Township residents and only for personal, confidential documents No business shredding, magazines, or junk mail. Each household is restricted to no more than 3 boxes of paper.

Your documents will be securely destroyed on site by American Mobile Shredding and Recycling.

As always, this will be a drive-up event. No need to get out of your car; place the documents in your trunk, follow the signs at the event and then simply pop the trunk. We will remove the documents from your vehicle and shred them for you.

As always, this will be a drive-up event. No need to get out of your car; place the documents in your trunk, follow the signs at the event and pop the trunk. We will remove the documents from your vehicle and shred them for you.

As always, this will be a drive-up event. No need to get out of the documents in your trunk, follow the signs at the event and pop the trunk. We will remove the documents from your vehicle and shred them for you.

As always, this will be a drive-up event. No need to get out of lace the documents in your trunk, follow the signs at the event and pop the trunk. We will remove the documents from your vehicle and shred them for you.

Your documents will be securely destroyed on site by American Mobile Shredding and Recycling.

Please bring a non-perishable, unexpired food item to donate to the Riverside Township Food Pantry!

Your documents will be securely destroyed on site by American Mobile Shredding and Recycling. , this will be a drive-up event. No need to get out of the documents in your trunk, follow the signs at the event and pop the trunk. We will remove the documents from your vehicle and shred them for you.

As always, this will be a drive-up event. No need to get out of documents in your trunk, follow the signs at the event and pop the trunk. We will remove the documents from your vehicle and shred them for you.

Please bring a non-perishable, unexpired food item to donate to the Riverside Township Food Pantry!

For more event info, call Riverside Township at (708) 442-4400 or visit our website: www.riversidetownship.org

Please bring a non-perishable, unexpired food item to donate to the Riverside Township Food Pantry!

For more event info, call Riverside Township at (708) 442-4400 or visit our website: www.riversidetownship.org

Please

For more event info, call Riverside Township at (708) 442-4400 or visit our website: www.riversidetownship.org

PHOTO BY ALEXIS ELLERS

Art by Susan Buss

PHOTO BY ALEXIS ELLERS

Art by Meghan Hunt

PHOTO BY ALEXIS ELLERS

Art by Louis Rivera

Growing Green 2026

At 25 years, Seven Generations Ahead focuses on connections

Seven Generations Ahead works to connect villages, schools with climate solutions

By HEC TOR CERVANTES

Contributing Reporter

As Seven Generations Ahead marks its 25th anniversary, founder and executive director Gary Cuneen says the organization is entering a critical new phase, expanding its role as a connector between communities and climate solutions.

Rooted in local and regional sustainabil ity, Seven Generations Ahead has emphasized climate, equity and long-ter m impact throughout its work Looking ahead, organization aims to connect public private institutions with initiatives lower expenses while achieving greenhouse gas reduction targets, creating community benefits, and advancing wider sustainabil ity goals

“It’s really about identifying resource connecting our institutions with par operating in the clean energy and broader sustainability space, and driving these lutions forward. We’re in this interesting period, of course, with the federal go ment funding cutbacks, which requires to dig in stronger and harder at the level. There are tremendous opportunities for mainstream institutions to take action, Cuneen said.

He said part of the organization’s r to connect institutions with suitable ners and projects tailored to their need while also helping them access the resources necessary to carry those projects out.

“Our current federal administration denying climate change, so they are providing funding resources. I think pa our job, honestly, is to parse out what is still available. We’re doing that with respect to federal incentives and funding programs established in previous administrations, and helping our institutions take advantage of those opportunities,” Cuneen said.

lenges is that there is a lot of information out there and many different types of projects and approaches We are working with institutions that, by nature, are designed to do what they are intended to do for K–12 schools, that is, to educate children,” Cuneen said.

Cuneen said local gover nments are tasked with numerous responsibilities, including public safety and yd services such

ing ways to strengthen partnerships across neighboring communities, as well as with gover nment agencies, nonprofits, and private companies. Building on the concept of public-private partnerships, the founding team came together through shared connections and a mutual interest in collaborative, community-focused work.

“W beli that ould ha eater

a grant through the EPA, Cook County, the state, or any other organizations that would be appropriate, he looks at where that grant would make the greatest impact,” Scaman said.

Many institutions do not have sufficient staff to consistently track advances in sustainability, particularly in underserved arand Se en Generations Ahead steps in gap by serving as an extended director across communities , they deliver information and opthat support local residents and

CONNEC TED: Gary Cuneen of Seven Generations Ahead and his sta at the Microbrew Review on August 17, 2024.

laborative efforts across the region.

for support in this venture,” Scaman said.

onnecting youth to some of the inidoing with adult leaders in our community institutions and also providwith the capacity to advocate for solutions in their local schools and That’s a big piece for us moving forward.” Cuneen said. ed what success looks like for Generations Ahead over the next dereal impact will be measured, it will be reflected in the voleenhouse gas emissions reduced egies related to energy effilean energy, and composting, among

hoping to expand the number of in our cross-community cliollaborative. … We want to get more ed,” Cuneen said.

Even as federal tax incentives through the Inflation Reduction Act phase out onsite solar tax credits by July of this year, institutions still have viable pathways forward, said Cuneen. Battery storage credits remain available and can be combined with solar projects to generate high retur ns and meaningful cost savings.

“It’s putting some of these opportunities in front of our municipalities now, as well as community institutions One of the chal-

One such effort is the initiative known as C4, which began around 2022. Building on the concept of public-private partnerships, the founding team came together in collaborative, community-focused work C4 is led collaboratively by the mayors of Broadview, Oak Park and River Forest, along with the Urban Efficiency Group and Seven Generations Ahead. This coalition deepens coordination among communities, gover nments, nonprofits and private sector partners.

Oak Park Village President Vixki Scaman said when C4 began it started explor-

According to Scaman, when a community joins C4, the first step is meeting with Cuneen and Urban Efficiency Group CEO Dar nell Johnson to assess where it currently stands. She said they meet communities where they are, whether they are just starting sustainability efforts or have been engaged for years and help them develop a roadmap based on their specific needs and goals.

“We also work to have everyone report back regularly so that we’re able to track our progress with the C4 initiative Gary is primarily the grant writer So if he identifies

ommunities have signed a memounderstanding to collaborate on equity and sustainability. The goal participation by bringing more ommunities into the initiative equipping them with the tools to take action. This includes supporting not only municipal gover nments but also other institutions in implementing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as electric vehicle infrastructure, onsite solar, onsite geother mal, and the procurement of clean energy from projects developed in Illinois.

“There are so many different organizations that are advancing solutions and working in these different spaces and I would encourage people to get connected to those organizations. There are many ways to volunteer, do inter nships, and support existing organizations and initiatives and we have a lot of that in the Chicago metro area that have been working on these issues for quite some time, like us,” Cuneen said.

TODD BANNOR

Portraits of stewardship: West Side Earth Keepers at BUILD

The exhibition showcases gardeners and land stewards using green space as a tool for care and identity

By HEC TOR CERVANTES Contributing Reporter

Since opening on April 3 at BUILD, the “West Side Ear th Keepers” exhibition has showcased the stories and portraits of West Side gardeners whose stewardship sustains both community and future generations

Kesiah Bascom, manager of Austin Grown, a program from BUILD helped shaped the “West Side Earth Keepers” exhibition by leading interviews and community engagement, while Kenn Cook Jr., a West Side photographer and culture keeper, created the project’s portraits documenting local gardeners and land stewards.

Cook said the project grew out of meeting Bascom last year, which sparked his curiosity about the rise of community gardens and urban farming in Austin. As he connected with her and other West Side Ear th Keepers, he be gan lear ning more about the work and was inspired to explore and document it.

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“We want to say, ‘Hey, we see you, we honor you and we want you to know that the work you’re doing doesn’t go unrecognized.’”

KENN COOK Photographer for projec t

“I lear ned that Austin has 26 community gardens that have developed over the last few years, and people started recommending books for me to read. From there, we be gan discussing a potential project to honor those doing this work, because I realized I

didn’t know much about it,” Cook said.

The vision behind the West Side Ear th Keepers art exhibit is to uplift longtime community members doing this work and place them at the center of attention, according to Bascom. The exhibit aims to reco gnize and celebrate their contributions by putting them on display.

“We want to say, ‘Hey, we see you, we honor you, and we want you to know that the work you’re doing doesn’t go unrecognized.’ We would love for other people to share in our pride in the work that you’re doing. I feel like Kenn really played an important role in bringing that to life and exceeded my expectations of what it could be, so it was a really fun project,” Bascom said.

Bascom described how a mother and daughter participated in the project together at Harambee Garden, being both interviewed and photographed side by side. The ex-

perience highlighted the intergenerational nature of the work, as the mother passed down her care for the earth while the daughter inter preted it in her own way.

Cook said when people came to see themselves on the walls, it became a powerful moment, bringing families and friends together to honor them and reco gnize the importance of caring for the land and for one another.

“While we often think of memory and archives as records in past tense, I’ve always seen my work as bridging the gap between generations. When I’m making these images, I feel like I’m in the presence of history and also creating it through these photographs, because these are people who are continuing to shape the West Side and the culture we live in,” Cook said.

There was a reflection on the historical connection of Black people as stewards of the earth, noting how land

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care has long been a significant part of Black culture and movement. This relationship was also acknowledged as being shaped by history, including enslavement and its impacts.

“I think that natural connection to land is just who we are. But also, as an act of resistance, these earth keepers are taking spaces that would otherwise be empty in our community and turning them into something beautiful. They are inviting people into this culture of resistance that doesn’t depend on large companies or chain stores to produce our food; instead, they’re trying to give people the skills so they can survive. With that, I think there is a lot of resistance built in there,” Cook said.

Bascom said the team sat down to be intentional about the questions they were asking participants, aiming to capture a

range of perspectives depending on each person’s background.

“The easiest way to a gardener’s heart is to just ask them what’s growing in their backyards, or what they’re most excited about in nature for the growing season. Not everybody was a farmer, but people are doing this work not to make money or anything like that, they’re doing it because they truly love it. It’s their passion,” Bascom said.

The interview questions were shaped around themes of advocacy, people’s relationships to nature and what they personally enjoyed in the natural world.

“I love that having these photographs and stories will continue that le gacy for future generations to see and hear what we’ve been doing, and to understand why we feel so passionate about protecting our earth,” Bascom said.