Issuu

GROWING COMMUNITY WEDNESDAY JOURNAL, INC.

ForestParkReview.com

Vol. 103, No. 4

$1.00

F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW JANUARY 22, 2020

Forest Park welcomes new firefighter PAGE 4

Spelling champs progress to local competition PAGE 18

@FP_Review @ForestParkReview

Pipe dreams Forest Park needs $100 million for sewer separation By MARIA MAXHAM Staff Reporter

Forest Park residents currently pay nothing to use the sewers in town, but this may soon change. Paying nothing to use the sewers is unusual; out of 11 nearby suburbs, including River Forest, Oak Park, Westchester and Riverside, Forest Park and Elmwood Park are the only two where residents don’t pay a dime for sewer usage. Of nearby suburbs, Lyons has the highest rate, at $7 per 1,000 gallons. River Forest charges $5.87. River Grove has one of the lowest rates: 75 cents. A recently published water and sewer rate study, commissioned by the village and conducted by Chris Burke Engineering, provides reasons that adding a sewer tax makes sense. At the Jan. 13 village council meeting, Jim Amelio of Chris Burke Engineering, the firm contracted by the village for infrastructure work, presented results of the study, which was authorized by the village in May 2018. The last time a similar study was conducted was 2005. Purposes of the study included assessing the financial condition of the village utility fund, determining upcoming expenses needed to maintain the water and sewer systems, and suggest equitable rates that would generate the revenue needed to cover these expenses. And the price is high. Estimated capital project costs for water in Forest Park are See SEWERS on page 9

Photos by Alexis Ellers

NO PROHIBITION HERE: O’Sullivan’s manager Anthony Crawford mixes drinks for Jason Maxham (left) and Ned Wagner at the Historical Society’s Volstead Act fundraiser on Jan. 17.

Where the liquor still flows

Historical Society hosts Prohibition party By JILL WAGNER Contributing Reporter

Partygoers, dressed in 1920s attire, en-

joyed live period music and craft cocktails at the Historical Society of Forest Park’s prohibition fundraiser. Held in the side room of O’Sullivan’s, 7244 Madison St., the evening’s entertainment “celebrated” the Jan. 20, 1920 Volstead Act while learning about the impacts on Forest Park through a slideshow featuring some of the early saloons in town — and had a swinging time

doing so. According to the Historical Society’s presentation, Forest Park had 42 saloons when the 18th Amendment was passed to prohibit “intoxicating liquors” in the United States. The National Prohibition Act prohibited the See REENACTMENT on page 18

We’ve created a new non-profit with one purpose: to own our four respected and essential community newspapers and, then, to grow independent, sustainable journalism in our seven neighborhoods for the decades to come. Partner with us. • Find out more at GrowingCommunityMedia.org

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

FPSD91 Kindness ad (FPR) 012220.pdf

1/20/20

11:06 AM

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

Sidd’s springboard to success

hate TV commercials but sometimes it pays to watch. During an episode of Friends, I caught a glimpse of my former second baseman in a commercial for Vanguard. His name is Siddarth Kusuma and he was born and raised in Forest Park. Sidd was a left-handed slugger on my Little League team. Now he’s enjoying a career in modeling. Thirty years ago, Sidd’s parents emigrated from Hyderabad, India to Forest Park. They settled in an apartment building near Desplaines and Madison and never left. Sidd attended Grant-White School and spent much of his childhood at The Park. He was an avid athlete who played Little League and soccer until high school. He was also an outstanding student. After he graduated from Forest Park Middle School, he joined the tennis team at Fenwick High School. He made varsity and continues to enjoy the sport. For college, Sidd applied to his “dream school,” the University of California at Berkeley. He was accepted and majored in economics, following the path of his banker father. He also sang tenor for Dil Se, the school’s premier A Capella group. Sidd graduated in 2016 and landed a job in software sales. Though he was far from Forest Park, he remained a diehard Chicago sports fan. He had a habit of staying

at his office after work to watch sports on his laptop. On Jan. 9, 2017, he was watching Clemson play Alabama for the national football championship. At halftime, Sidd got up and took a break. He encountered two women in the corridor, who were looking for a bathroom. Sidd let them borrow his key. When they emerged, Ellisa Worley asked Sidd if he had ever thought about modeling. Sidd thought she was joking but Worley told him he would do really well in the industry. She gave him her card from the Look Model Agency. Before contacting Worley, Sidd and his brother researched modeling scams. They were pleased to learn that Look was one of the most prestigious agencies in San Francisco. For his interview at Look, Sidd brought along photos from a college modeling session. They recorded his sizes and offered him a contract. Sidd is 5-11, 155 pounds and has an athletic build thanks to tennis. Worley became his agent. She landed him a photo shoot for Fila Shoes in which Sidd posed for action shots as a tennis player at the PGA West Tennis Club. He has done photo shoots for a variety of tech companies and clothing lines, including Apple, Google and Vintage. The highlight of 2019, though, was his Vanguard commercial. Sidd portrays a young businessman rush-

JOHN RICE

L O O K

B A C K

I N

ing to work, balancing papers, folders and his coffee. It’s his first national commercial and has been broadcast by ESPN, TNT and the Food Channel. People from all over the country have contacted him. Friends he hasn’t seen in years have reached out. The success of the commercial rekindled Sidd’s passion for acting. He is taking classes at the Beverly Hills Playhouse and plans to become a full-time actor. Sidd made the risky move of leaving his full-time job in 2018 and is looking for an agent in L.A. He has no desire to play Indian roles. He wants to prove that Indian actors are perfectly suited to mainstream roles. Sidd owes much of his success to his upbringing in Forest Park. He loves the village’s ethnic and financial diversity and has friends from many different backgrounds. He described the villagers here as “super-down-to-Earth, humble and hardworking.” His mantra is “Stay hungry and stay humble.” He may live in San Francisco but Sidd left his heart in Forest Park. ■ John Rice is a columnist/private detective, who has seen his business and family thrive in Forest Park. He thoroughly enjoys life in the village and still gets a thrill smelling Red Hots, watching softball and strolling through cemeteries. Jrice1038@aol.com

T I M E . . .

THE ‘DANIMAL’ In 2002, Bears legend Dan Hampton was in Trage Brothers Appliance store signing autographs. Hampton, retired Hall of Fame American Football defensive tackle, played twelve seasons for the Chicago Bears before he retired in 1990. His nickname was “Danimal” and he was known for his dedication and ferocious style of play. In this photo, Forest Park Police Officer Robert Kendall gets an autograph from Dan Hampton. Photo by Frank Pinc from Forest Park Review archives, January 16, 2002.

F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW Editor Maria Maxham Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Lifka Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice Senior Editor Bob Uphues IT Manager/Web Developer Mike Risher

Editorial Design Manager Claire Innes Editorial Designers Mark Moroney Ad Design Manager Andrew Mead Ad Designers Debbie Becker Bobbie Rollins-Sanchez Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Revenue & Advertising Manager Dawn Ferencak Ad Sales Marc Stopeck Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Client Engagement Natalie Johnson Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Distribution Coordinator Wakeelah Cocroft-Aldridge Front Desk Carolyn Henning, Maria Murzyn Publisher Dan Haley Associate Publisher Dawn Ferencak Business Manager Joyce Minich

HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-366-0600 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 EMAIL forestpark@wjinc.com ONLINE ForestParkReview.com TWITTER @FP_Review Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Forest Park Review,141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302-2901. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS No 0205-160) In county subscriptions: $22 per year. $38 for two years. $54 for three years. Out of county subscriptions: $30 per year. Forest Park Review is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. © 2020 Growing Community Media NFP. F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW Share photos on Instagram using #fpreview or email alexa@oakpark.com. All photos become property of Forest Park Review for possible future use in print or digital capacities.

@ForestParkReview

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

Forest Park’s newest firefighter Torres had a careerchanging moment as paramedic By MARIA MAXHAM Staff reporter

It was during ride time on a fire engine that Antonio Torres, Forest Park’s newest addition to the fire department, decided he wanted to be a firefighter. He was a paramedic at the time, going out on training runs that included time spent on fire engines. “It was a career-changing moment for me,” he said. “I saw the action and the possibility, and I knew it was what I wanted to do.” Torres, born and raised in Chicago where he currently lives, started school at the University of Illinois Chicago to become a pharmacist. He began as a chemistry major but switched gears with the intent of becoming a physician’s assistant. A doctor he talked to told him training and working as an EMT was a good way to get experience, and Torres followed that advice, attending Loyola’s EMT and paramedic programs. He got his first taste of firefighting and didn’t look back. Although he temporarily worked for a private ambulance company, he says he wanted to be in

a fire house and going on rides with the fire department solidified that decision. “I love it a lot,” Torres said of his job. “Some people say they hate getting up in the morning and going to work. I never feel that way. I never feel like I don’t want to go to work.” About the Forest Park Fire Department, he says everyone has welcomed him with open arms. “This is a department where everyone is willing to help out,” said Torres. Outside of work, he enjoys camping and hiking and has an extensive vinyl record collection, a hobby he picked up from his father. “I’m humbled to be here, to be part of this village,” he said. Fire Chief Bob McDermott said the department is glad to have Torres. “I’m impressed by his work ethic,” said McDermott. “When the regular training is done, Antonio can be found down on the apparatus floor going through compartments, learning the locations of the equipment or sitting down at the kitchen table studying the village map. He puts in extra time trying to learn all of the things a new firefighter needs to know.” Rachel Entler, chair of the Forest Park Fire and Police Commission, said she is glad to have Torres on the department. “He is a wonderful addition to our department, and we look forward to Antonio getting to know Forest Park and our wonderful community,” said Entler.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

ON FIRE: Forest Park’s newest firefighter Antonio Torres, quick to learn the ropes, has been with the department since December 2019.

ASSISTED LIVING • SHELTERED CARE • MEMORY CARE • SKILLED NURSING • RESPITE CARE

Move to our awardwinning memory care this winter and save up to two months!*

We know what a living room is for. More than a place to live, it’s a place to call home. Laughter echoing across every room. Meals shared, stories swapped. Impromptu dancing in the living room.

We ARE LIVE ONLINE!

At Caledonia Senior Living, we care for each person’s quality of life without losing the essence of life.

SCHEDULE A PERSONAL TOUR TODAY! 2800 Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside, IL 60546 (708) 477-5092 | CaledoniaSeniorLiving.org

Your Table is READY Served fresh by

formerly The Scottish Home

For sponsorships or advertising

call 708/613-3329

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

River Forest

FOOT CLINIC

7351 Lake St. (Just west of Panera Bread)

Do you wake up with heel pain?

Dr. Linda Lambert

eel pain is one of the most common conditions I treat" says Dr. Linda Lambert of the River Forest Foot Clinic. If you wake up having difficulty putting your feet on the floor, Dr. Lambert can help.

Heel pain or plantar fascitis is caused when the foot flattens out with weight bearing. Sometimes a heel spur forms where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone. A heel spur can be diagnosed with an in office x-ray. There are many ways to treat heel pain without doing surgery. Rest, ice, antiinflammatory medication, supportive shoes and stretches help in most cases. Custom made orthotic devices or cortisone injections may also be needed. Call Dr. Lambert, you don't have to live with foot pain. Aetna, AARP, Blue Cross PPO, United Healthcare, Healtspring, Humana, PHCS, Medicare Assignment & most other insurances accepted • CIGNA PPO

24 Years’ Experience • Se Habla Espanol • Free Parking

708.366.FOOT (3668)

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

C R I M E

Pot, gun and ammunition found in car Two clear zip-lock baggies of pot, a cannabis roach, a box of Magnum .32 ammunition and a silver Smith & Wesson .32 revolver were discovered in a vehicle on Jan. 13 at 12:36 a.m. on the 100 block of Harlem Avenue. The driver was pulled over for erratic driving and window tints in violation of the IVC. The cannabis found in the car was not in odor-proof or child-proof packaging, as is required by law, and the driver’s gun was found underneath his seat, uncased but unloaded. Due to updates to the LEADS system at the moment, officers were unable to retrieve FOID card information although the driver was able to provide a picture of his FOID card on his phone. The driver had two young children in the backseat; their mother was contacted and picked them up so they didn’t have to be taken to the station with the driver. He was issued citations for not driving on the right side of the road, for tinted windows, and for possession of adult-use cannabis within a motor vehicle.

Criminal defacement of property A woman wearing a blue track suit and black coat was writing on a support pillar with a black and red marker at the 711 Desplaines CTA station on Jan. 14 at 11:15

p.m. A CTA employee called the police and when the officers arrived, the subject was in the rear of a PACE bus pulling her hood up over her face, possibly to stop anyone from identifying her. The office approached the suspect and asked to discuss the incident. The suspect refused. The officer ordered the suspect from the bus, and again she refused. As soon as the officer got on the radio to request another officer to assist, the suspect stood on her own and began walking off the bus. Outside, she attempted to pull away from the officer and leave the scene. The officer secured the suspect’s right arm and walked her to the side of the bus terminal where she was identified by the CTA employee. When the officer ordered the suspect to place her hands behind her back, she said, “No.” The officers were able to put the handcuffs on. At the squad car, the suspect sat in the backseat but refused to move her foot so officers could close the door. After four requests, she finally complied and was transported to the police department.

Articles found A woman on the 400 block of Beloit report-

ed finding a small blue canvas wallet containing $64 in cash, a Ventra car and a University of Illinois Community Credit Union Visa debit card on Jan. 14 at 10:30 p.m. The police called the Community Credit Union, who will attempt to let the owner know the wallet is at the Forest Park Police Department.

Burglary after brute force A burglar used brute force to make his way into Carole’s, 7307 Roosevelt Road, between 3 and 11 a.m. on Jan. 14. The loss appeared to be $300 cash from the cash register. Although the bar has video surveillance, the employee who called the police wasn’t able to operate it at the time.

The back door of an apartment on the 500 block of Jackson Boulevard was pried open and $15 in change and a $200 Burberry watch were stolen on Jan. 14 sometime before 7:24 p.m. The resident called the police, who noticed the door frame was split and the trim broken off the frame. There were pry marks on the door. These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, Jan. 13-16, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

Compiled by Maria Maxham

Car stolen from Hawk Chrysler A silver Chrysler 200 was stolen from Hawk Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram at 7911 Roosevelt Road on Jan. 14 at 4:29 p.m. An employee reported that a green Ford Escape backed into the east side garage entrance. The passenger got out of the Ford, then got into the Chrysler, which was being worked on in the service bay. Both the Ford Escape and the Chrysler then sped off toward Roosevelt Road and fled in an unknown direction.

Tip hotline Anyone with information regarding the cases mentioned in this report, or on another matter, is encouraged to contact the Forest Park police department’s hotline at 708-615-6239. Information may be left anonymously.

Money and watch stolen from apartment

january 29th Rewards!

Full color

COUPON BOOK inserted into Wednesday Journal, Forest Park Review and Landmark

“I love WJ Rewards. It’s the only thing that works for us. It brings people in the door. Direct mail is a dinosaur.” - Jim Beckwith, Fast Frame

AD DEADLINE: JANUARY 24TH

Great Local Coupons For: Oak Park River Forest Forest Park Riverside North Riverside Brookfi eld

UES FALL LEAG January 2017 SIGN UP NOW FOR

REWAR ARD DS

Adult Hair cut

BeBri

Not valid with any Expires 06/04 other offers. /16 • Book 1

ONE FREE OR BOW L ONE GET GET 1/2 HOUR FREE R OF BILLIARDS, BUY ONE 1/2 HOU ING ANYTIME DURING

lliant

LINE OF BOWL GAME IS FREE. FREE PARKING IN FRON AND YOUR NEXT T OF SALON OPEN BOWLING . ANY OTHER OFFER LIMENTARY ROOM NOT GOOD WITH S - WITH COMP BOWLING PARTIE YOUTH BUMPER

PAY FOR ONE Also Online at: Oakpark.com | Forestparkreview.com | RBlandmark.com

Kids Haircut

$ 95 0es FS Shampoo -281Includ Therapy EST PAR K • 708-366 7244 CIRCLE • FOR

995

Includes FS

Shampoo Therap

Not valid with any Expires 06/04 other offers. /16 • Book 2

Color, Cu Treatment t, Style $65*& Includes FS

Shampoo Therap

Facial Wax or Conditioning Treatment

795

*Long hair extra. Not valid with any Expires 06/04 other offers. /16 • Book 3

Not valid with any Expires 06/04 other offers. /16 • Book 4

EXPIRES 9/04/16

Fantastic Sam s|

7226 W. Mad ison

Forest Park | (708) 771-465 0

| www.fantastic sams.com

Get expanded circulation on-line at: OakPark.com • ForestParkReview.com • RBLandmark.com

To Reserve Space, call

708.524.8300

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

Jan. 22 - 28

BIG WEEK Story Times at the Library Story times are back at the library, in the Youth Services section. Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 10:30 a.m. Hello, Amigos! Bilingual Storytime. Ages 5 and under are welcome. Thursday, Jan. 23 at 10:30 a.m. Merry Math Makers Storytime. Perfect for ages 2 to 5. Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 9:30 a.m. Babybugs Lapsit Storytime. Geared for babies and young toddlers. Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 10:30 a.m. Mother Goose Movers Toddler Storytime. Great for ages 2 to 4.

An Actor Prepares… to read your mind

Couch Potato Fridays at SKL

Join Forest Park’s own Fred Zimmerman, The Chicago Mentalist, at Doc Ryan’s, 7432 Madison St., on Friday, Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. What’s going to happen? He’ll demonstrate his ability as a human lie detector and showcase his mentalist capabilities. The best part? The audience participates too! It’s pay-what-you-can, and 25% of all proceeds will be donated to Sarah’s Inn.

Hang out and watch old television favorites like Friends and Seinfeld while eating comfort food and enjoying good drinks. Friday, Jan. 24 at 6 p .m. at SKL, 7445 Madison St.

Device Advice Do you need help with your tablet, eReader, laptop or smartphone? Get answers to your questions about apps, browsers, search engines and more at our drop-in tech lab on Jan. 23 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. This week’s event will be held at The Altenheim, 7824 W. Madison in the Campus Office Building, 2nd Floor. Please call adult services at 708-689-6138 with questions.

Seniors, get moving! Meet at the Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd., for senior exercise classes Friday, Jan. 24 from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 1 pm. Don’t miss the Senior Citizens Club on Tuesday, Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information call the Community Center at (708) 771-7737

The Art of Power Discussion Join leader Charles Vietzen for the History Discussion Group’s talk about “Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power” at Centuries & Sleuths bookstore on Jan. 26 at 2 p.m.

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

From Oprah to... Oak Park

We’re talking to...

...to running The View

Candi Carter Saturday, February 1 ■ 7pm

Dominican University Performing Arts Center Tickets: $15 • oakpark.com/conversations • $5 Student*

Moderated by Susy Schultz Museum of Broadcast Communications

Sponsors:

$5 Discount for WJ Readers • OakPark.com/conversations • Promo code: WJsub

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

SEWERS

Improvements needed from page 1 $30,800,000, which includes $12 million to upsize all 4-inch water mains to 8 inches. Amelio mentioned that 17 years ago, bond issues helped fund the replacement of some of those water mains, but about 35 percent of the town’s mains are still 4 inches in diameter. According to Amelio, the smaller and old water mains are “a liability and probably around 100 years old.” But $30 million is nothing compared to the $100 million needed to do a complete sewer separation across town. This would include a dedicated storm sewer, which would dump water directly into the Desplaines River, a big step in eliminating flooding in the village. The village isn’t in a position to invest that much money in infrastructure in one fell swoop. The 2020 proposed infrastructure plan includes only a small part of recommended water and sewer improvements. Part of the south area sewer separation, from 16th Street to Roosevelt on Circle Avenue is on the list, at an estimated cost of $4.4 million, as is painting the north and south water towers for a combined total of $1.8 million, not for simple cosmetic reasons but to prevent rust and deterioration of the towers, according to Amelio. Improvements to the Hannah pump station backup generator will cost $250,000, but that will be 100 percent covered by a grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. That grant was approved in 2014 but suspended. The village is still waiting for those funds and will only complete the improvements to the pump station when they come through.

$3 increase per month. Also charging $1 for sewer usage would result in an additional $6.50 per month on a typical residential water bill. Historically, Forest Park’s water rates held steady from 2015 through 2017, with a 1.53 percent increase in 2018. The village is also considering some different rate structure options, such as a tiered rate to incentivize water conservation. In such a situation, the village would set a threshold for water use, perhaps two times the average amount of gallons per month, above which a premium would be charged. At the Jan. 13 meeting, Mayor Rory Hoskins said that with the anticipated parking box revenue, the motor fuel tax and the additional water and sewer revenue, the village will have “a significant increase in revenue to upgrade the infrastructure.”

2019 WATER RATE COMPARISON MUNICIPALITY LaGrange Park Lyons Riverside River Forest Brookfield Elmwood Park Oak Park Forest Park - proposed* Leyden Township River Grove Westchester Forest Park- current

WATER RATE

$ / 1,000 GALLONS $15.37 $10.50 $13.02 $8.90 $11.04 $13.51 $9.52 $10.26 $9.79 $10.35 $9.74 $9.77

SEWER RATE

$ / 1,000 GALLONS

WATER & SEWER RATE

$3.94 $7.00 $2.41 $5.87 $2.98 $0.00 $2.73 $1.00 $1.36 $0.75 $1.29 $0.00

$19.31 $17.50 $15.43 $14.77 $14.02 $13.51 $12.25 $11.26 $11.15 $11.10 $11.03 $9.77 Data provided by Christopher Burke Engineering, Ltd.

*Proposed rate reflects 5% water tax increase and a $1.00 sewer charge.

Sewer fee considered To fund these and future water and sewer infrastructure projects, the village is considering charging residents for sewer usage as well as raising the rates paid for water, which is currently $9.77 per 1,000 gallons. Chris Burke Engineering recommends an increase in water rate of 5 percent with a senior freeze, and a 15 percent increase in industrial and commercial water usage. The recommended sewer rate would be $1 per 1,000 gallons. Currently, residents pay no sewer fee. This would result in an estimated total $950,000 additional revenue annually for the village to put toward infrastructure projects. Even with these recommended increases, Forest Park would remain one of the lowest in the area for water rates. Compared with LaGrange Park, Lyons, Riverside, River Forest, Brookfield, Elmwood Park, Oak Park, Leyden Township, River Grove and Westchester, Forest Park would be the eighth highest, with a combined water and sewer rate at $11.26 for 1,000 gallons. How would this impact residents? According to the study presented by Amelio, a 5 percent water rate increase would mean a

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

FRESH COAT: Painting of the north water tower (pictured here) and the south water tower are part of the village’s proposed 2020 infrastructure plan.

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

Lightford falls short vs. Harmon in Senate prez race

Lightford keeps majority leader role By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

State Senator Kimberly Lightford’s effort to become the first woman to lead a chamber of the Illinois General Assembly came up short Sunday as her close neighbor on the Senate floor Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) edged Lightford in a tough and emotional battle for the post of Senate president. After meeting behind closed doors for more than five hours Sunday, Senate Democrats picked Harmon to succeed John Cullerton as Senate president. Cullerton officially resigned from the Senate Sunday after announcing in November that he would resign in January. That set off a three-month battle between Lightford (D-Maywood) and Harmon for the top post in the Senate. “This has been an incredible journey for me over the past several weeks and one that I would never trade,” Lightford told the Review on Monday in a text message. “While it is not the outcome I had hoped for, I know that the Senate Democratic caucus will emerge stronger and more unified than ever. I want to thank my colleagues who put their trust in me with their vote. To those who did not, I look forward to many battles ahead that we will fight together to make this state the very best it can be for every resident and family.” Lightford and Harmon are both veteran senators who are very similar ideologically, both being strong liberals. They represent adjoining districts and their desks on the Senate floor were only one seat apart. While they have always been friendly this was a tough fight for one of the top jobs in Illinois politics and only one could win. Lightford was gracious in defeat and placed Harmon’s name in nomination for Senate president on the Senate floor. The Senate elected Harmon president over Republican Minority leader Bill Brady by a party line vote of 37 to 12 except that, following Senate tradition, Harmon voted for Brady and Brady voted for Harmon. Harmon and Lightford hugged on the Senate floor before the vote. “I have known Senator Harmon for many years and know that our caucus will be in very good hands with him as our President,” Lightford said in her text message. Lightford will maintain her position as majority leader in the Senate. Harmon also had kind words for Lightford. “Kim and I have been friends for 20 years,” Harmon said. “We’ve worked together on difficult issues. Notwithstanding anything anyone said, she and I never had a cross word with each other during the campaign. We stayed in touch and we got together to talk and to compare notes and it was always collegial between the two of us. So, I’m look-

ing forward to her continuing on in her service as majority leader looking for more opportunities for us to continue to work together on big issues. She’s an immensely talented person. I’m glad that she agreed to stick around with this enormous job.” Despite the kind words the competition between the two was tough. Sunday evening in comments reported in the Chicago SunTimes Lightford lashed out at State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago), the son of former Senate president Emil Jones Jr. Jones supported Harmon while most of the other members of the Legislative Black Caucus, which Lightford chairs, apparently backed Lightford. Lightford told the Sun-Times that she thought that Emil Jones Jr. always had a grudge against her, possibly because in 2009 Lightford voted for Cullerton for Senate president over a black senator from East Saint Louis. “The Sun-Times reporting was accurate,” Lightford told the Review. When the Democratic senators met behind closed doors in the Capitol Sunday they took a secret ballot vote and Harmon received 22 votes to 17 for Lightford. Thirty votes on the Senate floor are needed to be elected Senate president and the rest of the time spent behind closed doors was spent trying to reach a consensus. There was not another formal vote and eventually Lightford and her supporters conceded after talks with Harmon about leadership positions. Lightford and her allies reportedly insisted that Jones not be given a leadership post in the Senate. During an interview with reporters Sunday at the Capitol while the Democrats were meeting Jones acknowledged that tensions were high and feelings raw. Jones acknowledged that he took heat for backing Harmon. “People support their candidate,” said Jones. “Tensions are high. We’re either going to make history (by electing a black woman as Senate president) or we’re not.” Jones said he believed that Harmon was the best choice for his district. Harmon said that he was thankful for Jones’s support. “Emil (Jones) has been a solid senator for the entire time he’s served here, he’s been a good friend and a emerging leader and I’m grateful that he thought I would be a good Senate president,” Harmon said. “He knows a thing or two about Senate presidents.” Lightford was backed by influential senators Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) but Harmon reached out to moderate senators who felt that their voices had been ignored by Cullerton, who stayed neutral in the contest to succeed him. Harmon’s prodigious fund raising and the power and the effectiveness of the Democratic Party of Oak Park, which he has led for 20 years convinced some senators that Harmon was best equipped to lead them. Both Lightford and Harmon set out to show their colleagues they had the ability to raise a lot of money. In Illinois the leader of each party in each chamber of the General Assembly does the lion’s share of

Photo by Bob Skolnik

OAK PARKER WINS: State Senator Kimberly Lightfoot rose Sunday to nominate Oak Park resident Don Harmon (foreground) as state Senate president. fundraising for members. Harmon raised nearly $1,000,000 for his Senate campaign committee in the final three months of 2019 and Lightford and her allies created a new campaign committee called the Senate Democratic Leadership Fund which raised $556,215 in the final six weeks of 2019 after it was created on Nov. 19 when Lightford was beginning her campaign. The campaign committees of Steans and Manar each contributed $57,800 to Lightford’s leadership fund. Lightford represents Forest Park and some Forest Parkers contributed to her new campaign fund. Lobbyist Mary Kay Minaghan contributed $1,000 to the Senate Democratic Leadership Fund and Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins contributed $500 according to state records.

“Both Senator Lightford and Senator Harmon are friends,” Hoskins said. “I have good relationships with both of them. I supported Majority Leader Lightford because she is my state senator. I’m glad they came to an agreement where she’ll maintain her role as majority leader and I think Don Harmon will do great things for the party. We’re right in the middle between the two leading Illinois state senators so we really couldn’t go wrong.”

Fo our tweets @ Follow TTwitter.com/FP_Review Twit

January 22, 2020

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

Education Enrichment

Winter 2020

and

guide

local schools | afterschool | tu toring programs

Special Advertising Section

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E Special Advertising Section

River Forest Community Center Early Childhood Learning Center Half-Day & Full-Day: Preschool & Pre-K  Before and After School Care  Summer Camps  Parent and Tot Programs Full-Day Infant—Preschool Programs at our OPRF HS location 8020 Madison Street River Forest , IL 60305 (708) 771-6159 www.rfcc.info

January 22, 2020

Join the fun in the Early Childhood Program at the River Forest Community Center!

he River Forest Community Center provides an age-appropriate curriculum designed to encourage positive group interaction as well as foster individual growth. Our teachers thrive on creating a safe and fun learning environment through play in which children are encouraged to explore and develop their cognitive, language, socialintellectual and motor skills. Our mission is to provide a hands-on approach to learning which allows the children to explore their environment while enhancing their social, emotional, cognitive and motor development. Classes start as young as 15 months of age. The Early Childhood Programs include: • Munchkins • Playschool • Preschool (Half-Day & Full-Day) • Pre-Kindergarten (Half-Day & Full-Day) • Before & After School Programs The River Forest Community Center is located at 8020 Madison Street in River Forest. For more information about the Early Childhood Programs, call 708-771-6159.

Bring in this ad to receive $10.00 off your initial registration fee! wj20 PreK-12TH GRADE

SUMMER SAT, ACT & ISEE HOMEWORK ENRICHMENT TH PRE-K GRADE SAT, ACT & ISEE TEST PREPPROGRAMS HOMEWORK HELP SUMMER PROGRAMS TEST– 12 PREP HELP

We Make Math Make Sense

Changing Lives ThroughYOUR Math TOGETHER, WE CAN TRANSFORM WE ARE EXPERIENCED STUDENTS’ LIVES THROUGH MATH! MATH SPECIALISTS

FREE CONSULTATION

FREE TRIAL SESSION

Mathnasium knows there’s never enough time to spend with individual students during the An in-depth look busy school day. Some children need additional help or further challenges. For 15 years,at how the Mathnasium has assisted teachers in their effort to help kids achieve mastery in mathematics. Mathnasium Method works Call today to schedule All year round, we help strengthen children’s fundamental mathematical understanding and and how we can meet a free session forthe your child. provide enrichment for the strongest students. We’re always available to discuss needs of your a specific child who is enrolled with us or who could use our help. family’s needs.

WE TEACH ALL LEVELS OF MATH ABILITY PROVEN RESULTS

We can’t wait to connect and explore the possibility of transforming children’s lives through math! You can also count on us to support your broader goals, including fundraising, planning www.mathnasium.com/ fun Math Nights, and more.

Mathnasium of Oak Park/River Forest mathnasium.com/your web address oakparkriverforest Your Location 1101 Chicago Ave. Call Us Today! 123 Any Street Rd. 708.613.4007 800-123-4567 Oak Park, IL 60302 Any Town, ST 90000 Tutoringmathnasium.com/your and Enrichment SAT/ACT Prep Homework Help web address oakparkriverforest@mathnasium.com Mathnasium of [Location]

000-000-MATH (0000)

www.mathnasium.com/location

Mathnasium Makes Math Fun!

to inspire students’ interest in math, help athnasium of Oak Park/River Forest, the area’s math-only learning center, is them understand and master math concepts, promote STEM literacy, and empower families dedicated to changing children’s lives through math. One of the latest ways they have to support their children’s success in math. “We’re pleased,” Frank continues, “to bring been demonstrating that mission is through Mathnasium’s 40+ community Math years of hands-on Nights. instruction and This fall research to the Mathnasium students at Holmes to OPRF hosted hopefully set the stage its first Math for a love of math, true Night at Holmes understanding, and Elementary lasting mastery.” School in Oak Math Night at Park. With plenty Holmes School was of smiles and organized as part laughter, students of the Mathnasium and their parents company’s founding gathered for partnership in National an evening of PTA’s STEM + Families math games initiative. If you’d like and activities. The team from Mathnasium OPRF at Math Night to bring a Math Night “Math Nights to your school, contact engage the Jana Frank at 708-613-4007. whole family in hands-on learning experiences and fun games,” says Jana Frank, Owner of Mathnasium OPRF is located at 1101 Chicago Mathnasium OPRF. “It’s our mission to provide Ave, in Oak Park. Learn more at mathnasium. children of all skill levels with the strong math com/oakparkriverforest or call 708-613-4007 to foundation they need.” Math Night is designed schedule a FREE TRIAL SESSION.

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

January 22, 2020

Special Advertising Section

Let’s PLAY GUITAR. They don’t call it “Work Guitar”

www.FriendlyMusic.Community for classes (708) 749-1932 6731 Roosevelt, Berwyn

Advertise in the

2020

Publish Date:

February

Are you excited about your Summer Camp program? This is the time to tell everyone about it!

Ad Deadline: Feb. 5th

Get your message out to thousands of households in Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield. That’s a huge audience of parents and kids all looking for fun things to do this summer!

Buy a 1/8 page ad or larger and get a FREE 100 word listing!

To advertise, call 708-524-8300

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E Special Advertising Section

Interested in District 90 Kindergarten?

ed in District 90 Kindergarten? attend a

019-20 Kindergarten Information Night

Attend a 2020-21 Kindergarten Information Night

d. February 6, 2019

Thursday, February 6, 2020 m. Welcome and Registration 7:00 p.m. 6:30 Presentation p.m. Welcome and Registration Lincoln School Auditorium

7:00 p.m. Presentation

Willard School Auditorium

Lincoln School Auditorium

511 Park Ave. River Forest

1250 Ashland Ave. River Forest

511 Park Ave. River Forest

rth of Chicago Avenue should attend the program at Willard, and River Forest families living South of Chicago Ave should attend the program at Lincoln)

Willard School Auditorium

For more information contact:

1250 Ashland Ave. River Forest

dfrey, Lincoln School Principal godfreyc@district9o.org Wood, Willard School Principal, woodd@district90.org d Davis, Assistant Principal, davisd@district90.org

(River Forest families residing North of Chicago Avenue should attend the program at Willard, and River Forest families living South of Chicago Ave should attend the program at Lincoln) For more information contact: Casey Godfrey, Lincoln School, Principal • godfreyc@district90.org Diane Wood, Willard School, Principal • woodd@district90.org Christine Gerges, Assistant Principal • gergesc@district90.org

ile eal-

l make to ence. rn

istrict 90 has once again embarked upon the process of creating a new strategic plan, an important event that is conducted in our school community every five years. Designed to guide the District’s strategic direction, the 2020-25 Strategic Plan relies on the work of more than 40 community stakeholders. This group of dedicated individuals includes parents, faculty, staff, administrators, Board of Education members, community members, and former students. The Consortium for Educational Change, a nonprofit organization committed to improving student learning and achievement, is lending the expertise to facilitate the process. In addition to determining District goals for the next five years, the final version of the strategic plan will refine District 90’s comprehensive vision and mission. The plan will also be flexibly designed to accommodate unanticipated opportunities that may soon appear but are not yet visible. At the writing of this article, the Strategic Planning Team has already met three times as part of the planning process. In order to garner a greater understanding of the District’s current state, a full day was devoted to sharing data about

fore

w g

Strategic Planning in River Forest District 90: Ambitions and Aspirations

t. Luke School has been providing families an excellent, Catholic education since 1921. We are proud of our almost 100 year legacy and look forward to educating children for generations to come.

grades sonal

nly daily tand

student growth and achievement; finance, facilities, and technology; and the learning and work environments in our schools. Based on that information, the Planning Team drafted an analysis of the District’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (also known as a SWOT analysis). This SWOT analysis was then presented to community residents for their feedback. The Planning Team recently completed the initial “visioning component” of the process. During the visioning stage, questions abound: How do we envision moving District 90 from an excellent school district to a truly extraordinary one? What do we want for every student entering our classrooms? How can the District incorporate as many perspectives and viewpoints as possible in this strategic planning process? These questions and others embody the aspirations and ambitions of this critical work. A draft of the 2020-25 Strategic Plan will be completed and presented to the District 90 DISCOUNTED Board of Education by April 2020. With the Board of EducationAPPLICATION approval, the District intends to launch the newFEES plan this fall. Please stay tuned!

The St. Luke School Difference

am, ms.

January 22, 2020

Open House Sunday, January 26, 10 am – noon

Registration now open for all programs, including half and full day preschool and full day kindergarten through 8th grade.

St. Luke School

Catholic Schools Week

519 Ashland Avenue, River Forest 708-366-8587 www.school-stlukeparish.org facebook.com/slpsbearcats

DISCOUNTED APPLICATION FEES

At St. Luke, each child is encouraged to learn at their own pace led by teachers who are highly experienced and credentialed. We provide a rigorous curriculum that challenges our students to reach new heights in both their creative thinking and academic skills. These high expectations in the classroom lead to matriculation to top high schools where our graduates excel. More than 60% of our recent graduates were placed in high school honors and AP courses. Our graduates leave as young, independent leaders filled with academic confidence, spirituality, and a sense of service. Complementing our exceptional education, St. Luke offers: • Early Childhood Program options including half and full day preschool options for 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as full day kindergarten, all of which focus on play-based learning • Classroom community building program that integrates academic and social emotional skills and creates an environment where students do their best learning

• Nurturing environment where kindness is promoted • A no-cut sports program for students in grades 4-8 promoting athletic participation, personal growth, teamwork, and leadership • An affordable extended day program before and after school • Wide variety of extracurricular activities including our award-winning Speech Team, Art Club, and a variety of musical programs. We focus on the values of faith, hope, love, and community. Teachers talk openly about these values and give children a daily opportunity to learn, share, and understand the consequences of good behaviors and poor choices. Service projects allow our students to understand the meaning of community life, interdependence, commitment, and service for others while being challenged to think critically for reallife problem solving. There are many alternatives to Catholic school, but St. Luke School’s exceptional education and nurturing environment make it an unparalleled choice. We invite you to come and experience the St. Luke difference. Visit www.school-stlukeparish.org to learn more.

R in f

January 22, 2020

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

Special Advertising Section

The following Catholic Elementary Schools are opening their doors to parents from Oak Park, River Forest and surrounding communities during

National Catholic Schools Week

BASEBALL & SOFTBALL ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN THROUGH FEBRUARY 22!

January 26–February 1, 2020

For parents seeking a value-based education and academic excellence for their grade school children, the following open house events are the perfect opportunity to learn more about the many advantages of sending your children to Catholic School. Parents can tour buildings, get familiar with individual curriculums and other program enhancements including: computer training, foreign language programs, athletics, band, summer enrichment classes, and affordable preschool and after-school day care. Most of all, hear from administrators, faculty and students about what a difference the Catholic environment can make in the positive development of your child.

ASCENSION SCHOOL

Love, Kindness, Respect 601 Van Buren St. • Oak Park, IL 60304 708-386-7282 • Ascensionoakpark.com/school Principal: Maryanne Polega • Pastor: Fr. James Hurlbert • PK3 through Grade 8 • Full and half day preschool classes • Comprehensive Extended Day Program from 7 AM to 6 PM • Innovative STEM offerings • Extensive programs for Fine Arts, Athletics and extracurriculars • National Blue Ribbon School Open House: Sunday, January 26, 2020, 10 a.m. – Noon Call for a private tour: 708-434-1558

T-BALL LEAGUES

PITCH LEAGUES

AGES 6-8

AGES 9-14

opybs.org Need a helping of

ST. LUKE SCHOOL

Excellence – Faith - Service 519 Ashland Ave. • River Forest, IL 60305 • (708) 366-8587 • www. school-stlukeparish.org • Half and full day preschool options for 3- and 4-year-olds with full day kindergarten through 8th grade • Rigorous curriculum challenges students to reach new heights • More than 60% of our recent graduates were placed in high school honors and Advanced Placement courses • No cut sports program for students in grades 4 - 8 • Highly experienced and credentialed teachers • Affordable before and after school program • Resource center to support student learning needs • Fine Arts Program includes music, art and Spanish • Nurturing environment which promotes kindness • Focus on spiritual development • Emphasis on giving of self encourages a dedication to service to others Open House: Sunday, January 26, 2020, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Discounted application fees during Catholic Schools Week Can’t make the open house? Please call the school office to schedule a tour at your convenience.

Call Jill at (708) 524-8300 or visit ForestParkReview.com/subscribe

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E Special Advertising Section

Grace Lutheran School

7300 Division Street ▪︎ River Forest ▪︎ 708-366-6900

Faith ▪︎ Academics ▪︎ Character Early Childhood age 3 to 5 ▪︎ All-day kindergarten ▪︎ Half-day or full-day preschool ▪︎ We learn about God’s love!

Elementary grades 1–8

▪︎ Caring, experienced teachers ▪︎ Challenging curriculum ▪︎ Support for individual learning needs ▪︎ Music, art, and sports teams ▪︎ Before and after-school care available

First Look Fridays Drop by for a tour!

Feb. 21, March 20, 8:30–10:30 am

Open House Sunday, January 26, 1–2:30 pm

January 22, 2020

Preschool through 8th grade students succeed at Grace Lutheran

race Lutheran School, at the corner of Division and Bonnie Brae in River Forest, offers a nurturing and faith-filled environment for students from preschool through 8th grade. Early childhood programs. Preschool and junior kindergarten classrooms at Grace provide flexible morning and afternoon options for families with young children. Three-year-old preschoolers attend morning classes two, three, or five days a week. Four-year-olds attend junior kindergarten every morning, Monday through Friday. An afternoon program is available 1-5 days per week for both 3- and 4-year-olds. All-day kindergarten. Senior kindergarten, for children age 5, is a full-day program at Grace, focused on academics and social and emotional development. Grades 1–8. Grace’s elementary-age students consistently perform above national averages on standardized tests and go on to succeed at competitive high schools in the city and suburbs. A strong core curriculum challenges children academically while high expectations and appropriate supports help students achieve their best. The faculty includes a full-time resource teacher.

Students of all ages learn about God’s word every day and are encouraged to live out their faith through service as well as in prayer and worship. Students in all grades participate in art, music and German classes. Band and orchestra lessons and ensembles are also available. After-school enrichment classes offer a variety of fun and creative learning experiences. Grace sports teams are open to all and include basketball, volleyball for grades 5–8. Track and cross country teams are open to students in grades 3–8. Extended care is available until 6 p.m. for children age four and up. Before-school care opens at 7 a.m. “We love our daughter’s school!” says the mother of a Grace student. “I can’t think of any other place we’d rather have our girl being lovingly taught about the world God created and the people we share it with.” Come to the Open House on Sunday, January

DISCOUNTED

26, 1–2:30 p.m. Or visit on a First Look Friday, APPLICATION 8:30–10 a.m. on February 21 or March 20. To more information or to schedule FEES a visit at another time, call the school office (708-3666900) or click on School at GraceRiverForest. org.

www.GraceRiverForest.org

Compassionate, Comprehensive, Innovative, Exceptional

Open House - Sunday, January 26th - 10am to Noon Questions? advancement@ascensionoakpark.com

or generations, parents have chosen Ascension School for their children’s education because of our reputation for excellence. Today, we stand as a vibrant community, proud of our history and ready to serve the needs of each child who joins us.

Ascension School

The Distinction of Excellence From our youngest learners in preschool, to our eighth graders preparing for high school, we strive to recognize the individual gifts of each student, and celebrate the rich diversity of our unique community. The result is an exceptional learning experience in a nurturing environment.

Love

Kindness

Respect

601 Van Buren Street Oak Park, IL 708.386.7282 www.school.ascensionoakpark.com

winter ad 20.indd 1

11/8/19 10:37 AM

In addition to an excellent elementary school education, Ascension provides: • A wonderful preschool led by certified teachers with full and half-day classes • An outstanding Extended Day Program before and after school from 7 am to 6 pm • Two classes per grade with a 12:1 student Ascension School offers a faith-based and – teacher ratio comprehensive curriculum for students ages • Athletic teams, starting in grade 3 with a 3 through grade 8. At each level children ‘no cut’ policy to encourage teamwork are prepared and nurtured to ensure their and collaboration success as they continue through their • An emphasis on service and social justice education. Their days are enriched through • Participation at all grade levels in the exposure to the fine arts, physical education, Olweus Bullying Prevention Program music, technology and Spanish language. Students can choose to participate in a variety of clubs, athletic teams and We know that parents have many extracurricular activities to explore their wonderful options when choosing the right individual interests. Our experienced faculty school for their children. When you choose and dedicated parents are committed to Ascension School, be confident that you are providing Ascension students with a unique providing your children with more than an community that fosters our values of Love, academic experience, you are giving them a Kindness and Respect. foundation for a lifetime of success.

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

D209 switching to online registration in 2021 Board also votes to hire superintendent search firm By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Photo provided

SPELLING CHAMPS: Milai Gummi, Malik Wells and Olivia Serao (from left to right) are the District 91 spelling champions, beating out the competition at the spelling bee on Jan. 15.

Audacious, impetus, bestow Spelling champs at D91 move on to local bee By MARIA MAXHAM Staff reporter

Grant-White third-grader Nilai Gummi, who placed first in the District 91 spelling bee on Jan. 15, will progress to the next level of competition. Along with alternate Malik Wells, an eighth-grader at the Middle School, Gummi will represent D91 at the 10th annual West 40 Local Area Spelling Bee on Feb. 3 at McClure Jr. High School in Western Springs. Wells was the Forest Park Middle School champion, and third-grader Olivia Serrao placed first at Field Stevenson. At Grant-White Elementary, some of the

words the children spelled were “jubilant,” “manifesto,” “cough,” and “bestow.” Field Stevenson’s students were challenged with “anxious,” “tapestry” and “smudge.” And at the Middle School, “audacious,” “pyrotechnics” and “impetus” made the list. Heather Yates, a fourth-grade teacher at Field Stevenson who organized and was the pronouncer for this year’s D91 spelling bee, expressed her appreciation of the bravery and talent shown by all the competitors. “Every contestant was courageous and exceptional,” said Yates in an email. “It is not easy to stand in front of a group of people, especially on stage and do something that very few people can or are willing to do. … Our students exhibited an astounding level of perseverance and sportsmanship.”

Starting in the 2021 school year, families registering students in District 209 high schools will have the option of doing so online, bypassing the sometimes burdensome walk-in registration process. During a regular meeting on Dec. 10, the D209 school board voted unanimously to approve a three-year, roughly $44,000 contract with Registration Gateway to provide the online registration services. Board member Amanda Grant said the online process is “a really good way to relieve families from walking in [and having to] bring all their paperwork. Registering online would put us in line with many of our foundation school districts’ systems.” Anna Friedman, D209’s data analyst, said although families currently engage in some limited online interactions during the registration process, such as paying registration fees, the new system will accommodate many more automated activities. According to a district memo, the new online system will also increase “the efficiency with which needed documents are gathered, and improves the accuracy of gathered data. “Let’s say you needed to make changes to your phone number or add a different emergency number, or things like that; you

as a parent will be able to do that during that registration process,” Friedman told board members on Dec. 10. “Let’s say you needed to re-prove your residency because you moved within the district. You can [upload] your paperwork and make an appointment with a person to come in and not have to wait in line, so they can [see] your paperwork,” she said. “It just opens up a whole new world for parents to fix and add data.” The online system will also feature Spanish language forms and registration kiosks at the high schools for families that don’t have computers at home, district officials explained in the memo. Paul Starck-King, the district’s assistant superintendent of finance and operations, said the district could realize cost and time savings with the new online system.

D209 board votes to hire search firm The District 209 Board of Education also voted unanimously, during the regular meeting on Jan. 14, to hire a search firm, Ray and Associates, to facilitate the process of finding a new superintendent. Outgoing Supt. Jesse Rodriguez announced last month that he was resigning to take the superintendent position at Zion-Benton Township High School District 126. The D126 school board approved a three-year contract for Rodriguez at a meeting on Dec. 17. According to the firm’s website, Ray and Associates “specializes in educational executive leadership searches. We recruit traditional and non-traditional candidates for public schools, private schools and higher education institutions/organizations.”

File Photo

MOVING ON: The District 209 board voted to hire Ray and Associates to find a replacement for outgoing superintendent Jesse Rodriguez.

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

REENACTMENT Liqour still flowing from page 1 “manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors” anywhere in the country. Nearly 30 Forest Park saloons closed their doors or went into another line of business after the passage of the law a century ago. On Jan. 20, 1920, the Volstead Act was passed to provide federal enforcement of the law. While Forest Park, along with Berwyn and Cicero, was one of the local “wet” towns, neighboring Oak Park, River Forest, Maywood and Riverside were all “dry.” The loss to the village was steep, as each tavern paid $500 for a license. To make up for the loss of revenue, the village doubled the water rate and increased other taxes. Taverns were social centers, exclusively inhabited by men, and generally quite peaceful. There were no TVs or recorded music, so conversation was the entertainment, and profanity was rarely tolerated back then. If there was a disagreement, the bartender would wave a club and that would usually settle things down. In 1908, the Oak Leaves newspaper reported troubles with Oak Park “roomers” loitering in their business districts. Police would tell the young fellows to “move on,” and they would. Apparently, these fellows would “move on” by crossing the “line” into Forest Park’s saloon community. The taverns reportedly had “doors wide open,” with cozy tables, perhaps music and someone to talk to. If only they purchase a glass or so of beer, they are treated as if they were really some personage.” Based on several federal raids in town at taverns, restaurants, in garages and in homes, it is fair to say that the liquor was still flowing in Forest Park in the 1920s. And it still is today.

Photos by Alexis Ellers

NO PROHIBITION: Sherry Laniosz and Sarang Supekar (above) pose for a photo at the Forest Park Historical Society’s prohibition party and fundraiser at O’Sullivan’s, 7244 Madison St. on Jan. 17. (Below) Carol Stewart Gulyas (left) and Chris Everett enjoy the event.

FOREST

PARK

REVIEW

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

One less pizza place in town Mayor gears up for 2020 Census

Damenzo’s shuts its doors By MARIA MAXHAM Staff Reporter

Damenzo’s Pizza at 7300 Roosevelt Rd. has closed. Owner Damiano Mannino, who opened in Forest Park 11 years ago, has decided to focus on his other locations, said Joseph DiGivani, manager of the Bridgeport Damenzo’s restaurant. “We’re all sad about it,” said DiGivani. “It’s like losing a child.” The building is owned by Mannino and is currently on the market with Jameson Commercial Real Estate, listed at $575,000. Jameson business broker and senior associate Mike Costanzo said there has been interest in the location, and two different options are being considered.

First, said Costanzo, is a straight-up sale of the brick and mortar building. But there’s also interest, he said, in a lease of the location. In this case, because Mannino doesn’t want to sell the Damenzo’s brand, he is willing to let someone use the brand for a finite time while an application for change of officer is processed for a new business owner in the space. This would allow the owner of a new and different restaurant idea to temporarily open as Damenzo’s until the paperwork is complete, at which time the new owner would reopen the business under a new name. Costanzo said both options are on the table, and there is interest in both. He hinted that the building probably wouldn’t sit vacant for long. “There’s great parking,” said Costanzo. “It’s a great location for a restaurant.”

Visit us online at

Government funding depends on accurate population count By MARIA MAXHAM Staff Reporter

With the U.S. Census just around the corner, Mayor Rory Hoskins wants to make sure as many people as possible in Forest Park respond. According to the Population Reference Bureau (PBR), an accurate census count affects fair policymaking and distribution of resources on state and local levels, including apportionment in the House of Representatives, redistricting, monies distributed to states and localities, and emergency response. Of these, the one that appears to have the most immediate and local impact is money distributed to municipalities. According to the PBR, “Census totals help determine the amount of funding that state governments and local communities receive from the federal government for the next decade.” This funding includes programs such as infrastructure and highway planning and construction, special education grants, nation-

ForestParkReview.com

S W E N ! H S A FL

al lunch programs and Medicaid, among others. Hoskins has been working with the Complete Count Committee, a Forest Park group whose goal is to promote the census and is headed by Allen Serrano, who said that recently the Proviso Township received a $225,000 grant that will at least in part reimburse Forest Park for expenses related to promotion of the census. Hoskins plans to have promotional materials created to remind people of the importance of the census; he’d like to distribute these items at spring events around town, such as the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. “We’re thinking about bottle openers,” said Hoskins. “We want something to hand out that people can take home, that will remind them to respond to the census requests when they’re received.” Hoskins is also partnering with Triton College’s Department of Engineering to help promote the census in Forest Park. The department head will have her students create artwork that says “Census 2020”. These metal sculptures will be displayed in prominent locations around town, and Hoskins anticipates they’ll appear on Forest Park streets by mid-February.

You can get local news delivered right to your email in-box. Sign up for FREE at ForestParkReview.com

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

presents A Wednesday Journal & A Tribe Called Aging Production

wabi sabi F I L M F E S T I V A L

Appreciating the beauty of impermanence, a quarterly Film Series encouraging everyone to embrace and respect our aging population and the transformation of our society.

LivesWell

Our First Film Event of 2020:

AUDIENCE AWARD SECOND PLACE

MAINE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Lived

OFFICIAL SELECTION

SANTA BARBARA

A film by Sky Bergman

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

AUDIENCE AWARD

DOCUTAH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

BEST OF THE FEST

NEVADA CITY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

LIVES WELL LIVED Celebrating the Secrets, Wit and Wisdom of

Age

40 people. 3000 years of collective life experience.

Lives Well Lived | lives-well-lived.com

Admission: $2 • Tickets available PRESS KIT day of event at The Lake Theatre, 1022 Lake St, Oak Park Sky Bergman, Filmmaker (805) 215-8684 lives.well.lived@gmail.com

Signature Sponsors

Friday, January 24th 10am

What the heck is the Wabi Sabi Film Festival?

his is a film festival about aging, a film festival for older people, though everyone is welcome to attend. Following the film, stay in your seats; we’ll have an interactive discussion about topics from each film. Every three months we’ll show a different film connected to the theme of aging, followed by interactive discussion. By the way, wabi sabi isn’t the green spicy stuff at the sushi restaurant. It is the Japanese world view that appreciates the beauty of impermanence. As I write in my current blog on the IONS website (noetic.org/blog/aging-is-inherently- noetic/): The Japanese aesthetic of wabi sabi is an appreciation of the beauty of impermanence — like the wooden banister in an aging house, stroked by thousands of hands over the years, wobbly, chipped, out of alignment, yet oh so beautiful. Teenagers strive for instant Wabi Sabi by buying already torn and ripped blue jeans, but they fall short. Wabi Sabi takes time, as does reaching our noetic phase of life. And like that aged wooden bannister, older people can be wrinkled and wobbly and still be beautiful people.

Host and moderator, Elizabeth White, author of 55, Underemployed and Faking Normal. Ms. White will introduce the film and facilitate the in-theater interactive discussion following the movie.

Non Profit Patron Sponsors

Oak Park Township/River Forest Township

A TRIBE CALLED

AGING

RSVP & Share at Facebook.com/pg/wednesdayjournalinc/events

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

Check First.

Religion Guide

First Congregational Church of Maywood

400 N. Fifth Avenue (1 block north of Lake St.) Come join us for Sunday Morning Worship at 11 am Pastor Elliot Wimbush will be preaching the message. Refreshments and fellowship follow the service. 708-344-6150 firstchurchofmaywood.org When you're looking for a place to worship the Lord, Check First.

You’re Invited to A Church for All Nations A Church Without Walls SERVICE LOCATION Forest Park Plaza 7600 W. Roosevelt Road Forest Park, IL 60130

William S. Winston Pastor

Roman Catholic

St. Edmund Catholic Church

ELCA, Lutheran

Good Shepherd

188 South Oak Park Ave. Saturday Mass: 5:30 p.m. Sunday Masses: 9:00 & 11:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m. Weekday Mass: 8:30 a.m. M–F Holy Day Masses: As Announced Reconciliation: Saturday 4:15 p.m. Parish Office: 708-848-4417 Religious Ed Phone: 708-848-7220 stedmund.org

Worshiping at 820 Ontario, Oak Park IL (First Baptist Church) 9:00a-Worship 10:30a-Education Hour

All are welcome. goodshepherdlc.org 708-848-4741

on the corner of Thomas and Fair Oaks Ave. Lutheran—ELCA

United Lutheran Church

409 Greenfield Street (at Ridgeland Avenue) Oak Park Holy Communion with nursery care and children’s chapel each Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

worship on Sundays @ 10am nursery care available

fairoakspres.org 744 Fair Oaks Ave. • 708.386.4920

OAK PARK MEETING OF FRIENDS (Quakers) Meeting For Worship Sundays at 10:00 a.m. at Oak Park Art League 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park Please call 708-445-8201 www.oakparkfriends.org

Roman Catholic

Ascension Catholic Church

www.unitedlutheranchurch.org

708/386-1576

(708) 697-5000 Sunday Service 7AM, 9AM & 11:15AM

LIVE Webcast - 11:15AM Service Believer’s Walk of Faith Broadcast Schedule (Times in Central Standard Time) Television DAYSTAR (M-F)

3:30-4:00pm

Nationwide

WJYS-TV (M-F)

6:30-7:00am

Chicago, IL.

WCIU-TV (Sun.)

10:30-11:00am

Chicago, IL.

Word Network

10:30-11:00am

Nationwide

(M-F)

www.livingwd.org www.billwinston.org

Lutheran-Independent

Grace Lutheran Church

7300 W. Division, River Forest David R. Lyle, Senior Pastor David W. Wegner, Assoc. Pastor Lauren Dow Wegner, Assoc. Pastor Sunday Worship, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Ed. 9:45 a.m. Childcare Available

Grace Lutheran School

Preschool - 8th Grade Bill Koehne, Principal 366-6900, graceriverforest.org Lutheran-Missouri Synod

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church

305 Circle Ave, Forest Park Sunday Worship, 9:30am Christian Education Hour 8:30am Wednesday Worship 7:00pm Wheelchair Access to Sanctuary Leonard Payton, Pastor Roney Riley, Assistant Pastor 708-366-3226 www.stjohnforestpark.org Methodist

First United Methodist Church of Oak Park

324 N. Oak Park Avenue 708-383-4983 www.firstUMCoakpark.org Sunday School for all Ages, 9am Sunday Worship, 10am Children’s Chapel during Worship Rev. Katherine Thomas Paisley, Pastor Professionally Staffed Nursery Fellowship Time after Worship

808 S. East Ave. 708/848-2703 www.ascensionoakpark.com Worship: Saturday Mass 5:00 pm Sunday Masses 7:30, 9:00, 11 am 5:00 pm at St. Edmund Church Sacrament of Reconciliation 4 – 4:45 pm Saturday Taizé Prayer 7:30 pm First Fridays Feb.– Dec. & Jan. 1 Rev. James Hurlbert, Pastor Roman Catholic

St. Bernardine Catholic Church Harrison & Elgin, Forest Park

CELEBRATING OUR 108TH YEAR! Sat. Masses: 8:30am & 5:00pm SUNDAY MASSES: 8:00am & 10:30am 10:30 Mass-Daycare for all ages CCD Sun. 9am-10:15am Reconciliation: Sat. 9am & 4pm Weekday Masses: Monday–Thursday 6:30am Church Office: 708-366-0839 CCD: 708-366-3553 www.stbern.com Pastor: Fr. Stanislaw Kuca

St. Giles Family Mass Community

We welcome all to attend Sunday Mass at 10 a.m. on the St. Giles Parish campus on the second floor of the school gym, the southernmost building in the school complex at 1034 North Linden Avenue. Established in 1970, we are a laybased community within St. Giles Roman Catholic Parish. Our Mass is family-friendly. We encourage liturgically active toddlers. Children from 3 to 13 and young adults play meaningful parts in each Sunday liturgy. Together with the parish, we offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based religious education program for children in grades K-8. For more information, go to http://www.stgilesparish.org/ family-mass-community or call Bob Wielgos at 708-288-2196.

Third Unitarian Church 10AM Sunday Forum 11AM Service Rev. Colleen Vahey thirdunitarianchurch.org (773) 626-9385 301 N. Mayfield, Chicago Committed to justice, not to a creed Upcoming Religious Holidays

Jan 25 Conversion of St. Paul Christian 28 Tu BiShavat Jewish Feb 2 CandlemasPresentation of Christ in the Temple Christian Imbolc Lughassad Wicca/Pagan Northern and Southern hemispheres Saint Brighid of Kildare Celtic Christian

To place a listing in the Religion Guide, call Mary Ellen: 708/613-3342

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

OPINION O U R

V I E W

Yes, tax sewer use

here is a storm coming. Spring rain that doesn’t stop. Another storm of the century. A rising Des Plaines River. Backyards that are saturated. A combined sewer and storm water system that pumps waste into basements. Huge frustration. Huge costs of repair for home and commercial building owners. This has been the Forest Park model. It is what happens when a hundred-year-old infrastructure decays with only patchwork fixes and minimal investments. It is about the throwing up of hands and the declaration over years that a small town can never come up with the $100 million — a real number — it will take to upgrade and separate the storm water and sewer infrastructure. And it will only get worse with the intensifying storms that are inevitable due to our climate crisis. Now, though, the model may be changing with new leadership in our village. Shortly after last spring’s village election, the new council commissioned a thorough study and plan from its contracted engineering firm that spells out the scope of the necessary work, puts a stunning price tag to it, offers priorities and, finally, suggests some ways of paying the overdue bill. Stunningly, a key recommendation is that for the first time the village begins charging users a monthly fee for sewer use. Christopher Burke Engineering put together a simple chart of 11 nearby communities and what they charge in the way of a sewer fee. Along with Elmwood Park, there is Forest Park, knee deep in wastewater, without any sewer-use fee. Expect the village council to shortly remedy that by imposing a fee of $1 per 1,000 gallons used. Just that modest fee, with a 5 percent residential and 15 percent industrial water rate increase, will raise $950,000 annually to throw strategically into the breech of failing infrastructure. Taxpayers should consider themselves lucky. Lyons residents pay $7 per 1,000 gallons. River Foresters pay $5.87 per 1,000 gallons. We’re not sure why the village wants to start at such a low rate. How about $2.50? Combine it with the recently approved tax on gasoline sales and new parking fees on Madison and Circle and you have a village government smart and confident enough to reliably raise the money it needs to pay for necessary services. We’d like to see the village turn next to financial advisors who can figure out how much the village could raise in bonds now that it has a steady source of revenue to repay infrastructure work. Taking this massive project on in $5 million or $7 million increments is likely to be cheaper and would allow quicker progress. Because this problem is not going away.

Religion’s place in politics (Part I)

everal of my friends gave rave reviews about the Mr. Rogers movie [A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood]. Some were impressed that he was a man who really lived out his faith in the everyday world. One said he wept during the film. All seemed to be saying Fred Rogers embodied the way they wanted life to be. Maybe it was because the Iowa Caucuses (Feb. 3) were on my mind, I asked them, “Would a Fred Rogers-type person make a good president of the United States?” They all shook their heads. “Politics in the real world is a rough game,” one said. “A nice guy like him would never make it out of the primaries.” Another said, “He’d be crucified.” The irony of that last comment was not lost on me, and that exchange raised the question in my mind, “What is the place of religion in politics?” Fred Rogers was a religious man and an ordained minister, you see, and my friends seem to be saying that nice guys finish last. On the other hand, some of us recoil at the thought of religious people playing political hardball like the Taliban, imposing their rigid brand of sharia law on the populations they control. Politics is all about power, right? In a book Harold Laswell published way back in 1936 titled, Who Gets What, When and How, he defined political power as the “ability to produce intended effects on other people.” In contrast, religion at its best does not impose anything on anybody. It invites. “I think that’s what people of faith and conscience are supposed to be ... people motivated by spiritual values that give them a real reason for change,” wrote Jim Wallis in God’s Politics, Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It. “To influence a democratic society, you must win the public debate about why the policies you advocate are better for the common good.” Regarding the Establishment Clause in the Constitution, Wallis said, “Secular fundamentalists make a fundamental mistake. They believe that the separation of church and state ought to mean the separation of faith from public life.” So what is the role of religion in politics? Only God is qualified to exercise absolute power. Any time political leaders or candidates — or the electorate for that matter — seem to be reaching for too much power, we need to heed Lord Acton’s warning: “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely” and take action to put them in their human place. Ronald Heifetz, in Leadership Without Easy Answers, wrote, “In a crisis, we tend to look for the wrong kind of leadership. We call for someone with answers, decision, strength, and a map of the future, someone who knows where we ought to be going — in short, someone who can make hard problems simple.” “Instead of looking for saviors,” he continues, “we

should be calling for leadership that will challenge us to face problems for which there are no simple, painless solutions — problems that require us to learn new ways.” “Wisdom,” wrote David Brooks in The Road to Character, “starts with epistemological modesty. … Wisdom is knowing how to behave when perfect knowledge is lacking.” Part of the role of religion, therefore, is to nurture in both politicians and the electorate a sense of humility, a healthy dose of self-doubt regarding their ability to see the whole picture or know all the answers. That means a willingness to let go of the intellectual arrogance expressed in the title of James Hoggan’s book, I’m Right and You’re an Idiot. Humility includes a deeply felt need to include the other side’s point of view because of a firmly held conviction that you alone will never see the whole picture. I personally want every candidate to go on record as promising they won’t fire advisors who don’t see things their way. In that classic biblical scene in which Jesus stands in front of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate says to him, “Don’t you understand that I have the power to sentence you to death or set your free?” To which Jesus replies, “My kingdom is not from this world.” What Jesus did was lift up a vision of the Kingdom of God that challenged every political point of view in his day as well as every perspective — be it blue or red — on the use of political power in our own polarized time. Perhaps the best example of how radically his teaching and behavior differed from what was and is now accepted as “self-evident truth” is revealed in the story of how Jesus celebrated the Passover the night before he was crucified. The Passover Seder is a meal during which people in the Abrahamic traditions remember how God freed his people from slavery in Egypt in part by drowning Pharaoh’s army in the sea. But on that night Jesus reinterpreted the meaning of that meal by washing his disciples’ feet, which was the job of a servant, and then following that act by commanding them to love each other the way he had just loved them. What he came to save them from, in other words, was not Pharaoh or the Roman emperor — not something external — but something internal in their spirit. As counterintuitive if not downright offensive as it may be for many of us, Jesus seemed to be biased in favor of those without power. And contrary to “common sense” assumptions held especially by conservatives, the very first Christians, according to Acts, lived together in what these days might be called a democratic socialist community. “All who believed were together,” the author of the Acts of the Apostles reports, “and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as they had need.”

TOM

HOLMES

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

A tale of two bridges

his is a story about two bridges. The first, Circle Avenue Bridge, brings the northern and southern portions of our village together. On a spring day in May 2017, a cross-section of our community gathered to work on “Cover Our Rust,” a public art project designed to beautify a functional structure that had gained more notoriety as an ugly eyesore. On that day, business owners, community leaders, families, children, and visitors came together in happiness, anticipation, and energy, to work on a shared vision. The result of this communal effort is a joy-filled array of panels depicting the vibrancy of Forest Park. One panel, created by a group of young people of color, celebrates inclusiveness and diversity; located on the east side of the bridge, the panel’s central image is a dove, representing peace. Surrounding this dove are silhouettes of people breaking through walls while holding signs with universal themes: Build Bridges, Not Walls; Families Belong Together; United We Stand, Divided We Fall. No Human Is Illegal. This panel has been the subject of attention by a vandal: since January 2019, it has been defaced a total of 10 times, with the latest incident taking place on the evening of Jan. 4. Working in partnership with the village, a team of local activists (full disclosure: you bet I’ve been a part of the rapid response efforts) continues to monitor the mural and clean the messes left by someone who is bent on bad mischief with the good

work of young people. We do this on the premise that this particular act of vandalism is tantamount to an act of hate. Defacing these panels, attacking these words, in today’s overheated and dangerous environment of exclusion, is an affront to the village values of inclusion reflected in our Welcoming Resolution enacted by the previous mayor and council. It was heartening to see the mayor’s and the village’s show of support in late November, displaying “No Human Is Illegal” on the digital billboard at the Howard Mohr Community Center. This is not a political act or message; it is a statement of support for residents within Forest Park and beyond. As a woman of color, the resounding wave of community affirmation, love, and support for this action moved me deeply. That’s because there is a second bridge I have become well familiar with in the last four months. This second bridge spans the Rio Grande (or Rio Bravo), between Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Mexico. The Matamoros International Gateway Bridge is a designated port of entry into the U.S., and I have traveled there three times since late August. This bridge is a somber and forbidding structure, fortified with barbed wire and concrete barriers. I have crossed into Mexico as part of volunteer efforts — twice with PASO and once with Team Brownsville — to provide direct service to a growing community of asylum seekers. These migrants are trying to enter the United States to escape conditions of

BETTY ALZAMORA One View

violence and poverty that in very large part were created by American interventionist activities in Central and Latin America over the last century. The asylum seekers are impacted by a policy known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also referred to as “Remain in Mexico,” which was announced at the beginning of 2019. Mexican border towns such as Matamoros are now ground zero of the Trump administration’s migration deterrence strategy at the southern border, and emblematic of the wider effort to curtail immigration to the U.S. One great irony of this cataclysmic policy is that the right to seek asylum is legally upheld in the U.S. through both international and federal law. The U.S. signed the UN Protocol to the Convention Related to the Status of Refugees in 1967 and created the Refugee Act of 1980. The current effort to stigmatize asylum seekers as “illegal” is, in itself, illegal. Far more tragic is the humanitarian crisis we have created at the southern border, where we now are holding back 57,000 asylum seekers across the southern border. I have witnessed the refugee camp in Matamoros grow from 600 migrants to over 3,000, in the space of four months. The conditions are abysmal: there is minimal infrastructure. Those who claim shelter — if they are lucky — live in small day-trip tents. Migrants battle the elements daily. Charitable donations fund two meals a day, but malnourishment and dehydration are common, as are illnesses. The refugee camp is a dangerous place: asylum seekers are detained in a location that the U.S. State Department classifies as a Level 4 Risk Area for U.S. citizens, unsafe for travel and on par in violence with places such as Afghanistan and Syria. Some, who traveled with children to the southern border and are now living under abysmal conditions, have made one of the most difficult choices imaginable: They have walked as a family to the bridge, and with a firm push, handed their kids to Customs and Border Protection, with a real risk of never being reunited. Two bridges. I cherish the connection that the young people of Forest Park have made between them both, in affirming that No Human Is Illegal. I know that someday the vandal will be found, and I want to believe that despite our differences, we can still sit together to speak. Because I have hope in the transformational spirit of that spring day in 2017, when Forest Park affirmed there is more that brings us together than tears us apart. For now, my friends and I will continue to keep watch over the mural at Circle Avenue Bridge. We stand in solidarity with the young adults of Forest Park, with the undocumented community in our part of the western suburbs. And we stand with asylum seekers everywhere.

News that's close to home News that's close to home

Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home

Since 1880 Family Owned & Operated Charles Williams, Owner/Funeral Director 203 S. Marion St. Oak Park 60302 708/383-3191

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM New local ads this week

WEDNESDAY

CLASSIFIED

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

Place your ad online anytime at: www.ForestParkReview.com/Classiﬁed/

YOUR WEEKLY AD

REACHES SIX SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES: OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST, FOREST PARK, BROOKFIELD, RIVERSIDE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, AND PARTS OF CHICAGO

Please Check Your Ad: The publisher will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion. Wednesday Journal Classified must be notified before the second insertion. The newspaper reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement.

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

ADJUDICATION HEARING CLERK The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualiﬁed candidates for the position of Adjudication Hearing Clerk in the Adjudication Department. This position will perform a wide variety of specialized and responsible clerical work supporting the ongoing and established programs assigned to the department including processing and maintaining documents, correspondence and statistics, provide word processing and data entry support and to provide information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualiﬁed applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than January 30, 2020.

Logistics Manager sought by Goldwind USA Inc. in Chicago, IL to evaluate transportation options and strategies for new wind turbine sales projects. Req Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Mgmt or rltd + 2yrs logistics & transport mgmt exp. Req 2yrs exp w/: SAP, wind turbines, project cargo, & procurement cost analysis. Apply @ www.jobpostingtoday.com #81916

Sr. Project Controls Specialist sought by Fluor Enterprises, Inc. in Chicago, IL: Dvlp & implmt a project controls plan as part of the Project Execution Plan (PEP) for the project execution. Plan & organize the setup of project baseline in Fluor’s project controls system, & implmt a plan to track against the baseline on a regular basis. Must have unrestricted right to work in U.S. Mail Resumes: Global Resources - Talent Acquisition, Mobility, Immigration, One Fluor Daniel Dr, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Must ref job code IL0419AA.

Cloud Engineer sought by Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association in Chicago, IL to be respbl for the maint and admin of app & srvr rsrc. Apply @ www.jobpostingtoday.com, Ref #42803. Director, Compensation and Benefits (Chicago, IL) member of ArcelorMittal North America Leadership Team, resp for dvlpmt & deployment of compensation & benefits strategy throughout North American region. Areas of responsibility incl HR policy, salary, benefits, advancement & performance evaluation, global mobility, & HR IT improvements. Must have Bach Deg in HR Admin, Business Admin, or related field (foreign equiv accepted). Must have 3 yrs of exp in the job offd. Exp must incl mgmt of labor cost, job evaluation techniques, in-house mgmt of global mobility prgm for multinational company, knowl of compensation trends & its peculiarities w/in North America region; practical exposure at different levels in a large multinational organization - country, region, global. Please send resume & cvr letter to AM/NS Calvert, ATTN: Fernanda Soeiro, 1 AM/NS Way, Calvert, AL 36513. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INTERN The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Environmental Health Intern in the Health Department. This full-time seasonal position will provide assistance to the Environmental Health Practitioners in the inspection and local businesses, homes and other establishments to enforce state and local laws and ordinances related to public Health safety; to respond and resolve citizen complaints regarding nuisances and reported epidemics. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than February 6, 2020. EXPERIENCED SERVERS BARTENDERS & BUSBOYS WANTED APPLY IN PERSON. ELMWOOD PARK. CALL FOR APPOINTMENT 708-456-3644

Part Time Positions Available for After-School Recreation / Day Care Worker Youth Development Specialist on site at Oak Park public schools The Day Care Program of Hephzibah Children’s Association is accepting applications for nurturing individuals to provide care and supervision of 5-11-year-old children in the After School Day Care program on site at Oak Park public schools. The days and hours are Mon – Fri from 2:30-6:00 PM and 2:00-6:00 PM on Wednesdays. Plan and supervise arts and crafts, indoor & outdoor play, games, sports, homework help and more. Requirements include: - previous experience working with children - 6 semester hours in education, recreation, social work or related college courses Immediate openings available for the current school year. Contact MJ Joyce at mjjoyce@hephzibahhome.org Equal Opportunity Employer PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FOREST PARK, IL The Forest Park Police Department, seeks a Part-Time Parking Enforcement Officer. Eligible candidates will be required to pass an aptitude test and an extensive background check. Qualifications include high school diploma (or equivalent), a valid driver’s license, knowledge of basic parking regulations, and good verbal and written skills. EVENING AND OVERNIGHT HOURS ARE MANDATORY. Open until filled. Applications are available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. or at www.forestpark. net and should be returned Attn: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130. Email: vmoritz@forestpark.net. PRESCHOOL TEACHER Riverside Preschool is looking for a part time Preschool teacher to join our growing facility. We are looking for an energetic, creative , team oriented individual with ECE credentials. Please call call 708-442-5250 for details. Software Quality Assurance Analyst III sought by Wolters Kluwer United States, Inc. in Chicago, IL to oversee exc of auto tests & trblshoot sys failures. Aply @ www.jobpostingtoday. com (ref# 91415)

Lost & Found and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708-613-3342

River Forest D90 has an immediate opening for a Part-time (0.3) English Language Learner Teacher.

SUBURBAN REAL ESTATE

SUBURBAN RENTALS

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT

COMMERCIAL RETAIL SPACE

NEW CONCEPT FOR MAYWOOD

FOREST PARK 2 BR GARDEN APT Newly remodeled, new appliances, etc. Pay own heat and utilities. Close to transportation. Security. 1 year. No pets. 1 car garage. Avail. immediately. $1000. 630-279-8111

DOWNTOWN OAK PARK SUBLEASE We are looking to sublease our beautiful, spa-like office. Our office is already set up and is available for sublease in downtown Oak Park. This office is perfect for a physician, anesthetist, masseuse, and/or acupuncturist. Space is available immediately. Please contact us for pricing and to schedule a tour of the office. Ask for NikI. 708-613-4417 Nikimoreno33@gmail.com

RETAIL SPACE–FOR LEASE A 1600 Sq Ft. Retail Space for Lease in Strip Mall: 321 S. Harlem Ave., Forest Park, IL. 60130. Vacated. Available Now. Upgraded. Formerly a Cleaners. End space. Heavy foot/road trafﬁc area. 45-Space Parking Lot!

In this quiet residential neighborhood

902 S. 3RD AVENUE (2 blks W of 1st Ave & 1 blk N of Madison)

Reserve your own affordable 2 or 3 BR condo unit of 1000+ sq ft of living space being built on this historic site. You’ll benefit from a unique 12-year tax freeze and lower monthly living expenses from energy saving systems/appliances, and you can help design your own individual unit. Plans also include building 5 new townhomes onsite. For details Call 708-383-9223.

SUBURBAN RENTALS

Qualifications: Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with an English as a Second Language Endorsement. Master’s Degree is preferred. Successful teaching experience is preferred.

CICERO Lg 3 RMS, 1BR. $795/mo. No pets. Sec. dep. Incl. heat, water, appl., etc. Blvd Manor area. BROKER 312-780-9257

Job Duties: The English Language Learners Teacher will meet the needs of limited English proficient students.

$1000 CASH TOWARD 1ST MONTH RENT

Application Procedure: Interested candidates should complete the online application available at www.district90.org. Please do not send hard copies of supporting documentation, i.e. cover letters, resumes, licensure, etc. to River Forest Schools District 90; instead, upload these materials onto the online job application system for proper processing.

LIKE A GREAT VINTAGE WINE OAK PARK 3 BR, 1.5 BA

Large apartment, high ceilings, hardwood ﬂoors, large yard space, garage avail.

$1800 PER MONTH ARISTON REALTY 708.771.5000

SUBURBAN RENTALS

M&M property management, inc.

708-386-7355 • www.mmpropmgt.com 649 Madison Street, Oak Park Contact us for a complete list of available rentals throughout Oak Park and Forest Park.

Apartment listings updated daily at:

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue. Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.

FOREST PARK 2BR 2BR 2nd floor. 1 pkg space avail. Tenant paid central air & heat. On Madison in downtown Forest Park. Spacious apt. w/ hardwd floors. Very private. $1150/mo. 708-436-3644 OAK PARK 2BR 1BA Oak Park 2BR 1BA in owner occupied brick 3 flat. Large dine-in kitchen, large closets, extra storage. Newly refinished hdwd floors throughout. Walking distance to Blue and Green lines. Move in Bonus: January FREE. Utilities incl., tenant pays electricity. $1395/mo. 312-446-5857 RIVERSIDE 5RMS 2 BR incl. heat, water, parking, appl., etc. $995/mo. Sec. dep. Lease. Parking area, close to train, bus & shopping. BROKER 312-780-9257

CITY RENTALS AUGUSTA & HARDING Beautiful 2-bedroom condo-like apt, in a sunny, safe, secure 8 unit bldg. Large newly tiled kitchen & bath, hardwood ﬂoors, central air, appliances included, tenant pays utilities, rent $830.00, for more information call 773-838-8471.

ROOMS FOR RENT AUSTIN CLEAN ROOM With fridge, micro. Nr Oak Park, Super Walmart, Food 4 Less, bus, & Metra. $116/wk and up. 773-637-5957

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT THERAPY OFFICES FOR RENT Therapy ofﬁces for rent in north Oak Park. Rehabbed building. Nicely furnished. Flexible leasing. Free parking. Free wiﬁ; Secure building; Friendly colleagues providing referrals. Shared waiting room; optional Conference. Call or email with questions. Shown on Sundays. Lee 708.383.0729 drlmadden@ameritech.net

COMMERCIAL SPACE BERWYN FOR RENT/LEASE STORE OR OFFICE App. 750 sq ft. Great loc. 2 or 3 mo. sec. dep. Imm. poss. $2750/mo CENTURY 21 HALLMARK, LTD CHRIS T. 708-788-2800 CICERO FOR RENT/LEASE Vic. 35th St & Austin Blvd App. 900 sq ft. 2 exits. Add’ storage/ warehse avail in rear. Seller open to all ideas and remodeling. $1100/mo. 2 or 3 mo. sec. dep. Imm. poss. CENTURY 21 HALLMARK, LTD CHRIS T. 708-788-2800

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

For more details: Serious Inquiries ONLY: EMAIL: poppygator@yahoo.com CALL/TEXT: PB at: (708)250-7997

ITEMS FOR SALE

FULL LENGTH SHEARLING COAT Brown full length shearling coat w/ attached hood. Beautiful condition. $99.00 708-848-8755 TREK BIKE TWO YEARS OLD Trek Bike, two years old, was $550 new, comes with lock and pump, $200 OBO. Email henriettaatkin@me.com or call 312-848-3801.

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, ﬂags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers–lead, plastic–other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

ELECTRICAL

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors • Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added • New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est.

708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area

ELECTRICAL

GARAGE DOORS

Red Star Electric

Your Neighborhood Electricians *Licensed *Bonded *Insured

-Residential/ Commercial Electrical Upgrades -Electrical Service/ Panel Upgrades -Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations -Standby Generators 708 722 1388 www.RedStarElectric.net

Our 73rd Year

Garage Doors &

Smart Door Openers

Sales & Service Free Estimates

(708) 652-9415 www.forestdoor.com

Find more home-improvement pros on the next page!

☛

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM

CLASSIFIED FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

HANDYMAN CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

Mike’s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do

708-296-2060

HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

WINDOWS

Public Notice: Your right to know

BASEMENT CLEANING

In print • Online • Available to you 24/7/365

ForestParkReview.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com

HVAC HHHHHHHHHHH H H H H H H HVAC H H Furnace repair– H H all makes. H H Inspect furnace, H H vacuum burner. H Trouble calls, no heat. H H H H 708-612-4803 H the suburbs. H H Serving refs. H H LicensedGood • Bonded • Insured H H HHHHHHHHHHH

HUGHS

PAINTING & DECORATING Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

708.749.0011

PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

Small & big work. Free estimates. Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed

Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years

Attention! Homeimprovement pros! Reach the people making decisions. Advertise in Wednesday Classified. Call 708/613-3342

WINDOWS

Cold rooms, we have the solution!

Our acrylic storm window inserts will make your rooms warmer, and reduce outside noise We can make for exterior or interior or both, any size to fit your window. No need for expensive window replacement, low cost local install or DIY. Direct from manufacturer, we’re right up the street in Galewood, see our factory video. Owner is an Oak Park resident since 2008. Call for a simple, free estimate, fully guaranteed or your money back BBB A+ rating.

sales@stormsnaps.com Alpina Manufacturing, 6460 W. Cortland St. Chicago Visit our website for easy online ordering or call us for info:

773-202-8887 STORMSNAPS.COM ®

Let the sun shine in...

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery. 708-848-9404

CLASSIC PAINTING

HEATING / AIR CONDITIONING

Easy press fit from the inside

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 467-9066 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM

HAULING

New hardwood ﬂooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-ﬁnishing, staining. Low prices, insured. Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

free local delivery

 email us: Classifieds@ForestParkReview.com 

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids at the Public Works Service Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 10:00 a.m. local time on Friday, February 14th, 2020 for the following: Village of Oak Park Police Department Firing Range Ventilation Improvements Proposal Number: 20-100

There will be a pre-bid meeting at the Oak Park Police Dept. main lobby in the lower level of Village Hall located at 123 Madison St., Oak Park, IL 60302 on Tuesday, February 4th, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

Bid forms may be obtained from the Public Works Customer Service Center by calling 708-3585700 or by stopping by the office located at 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of proposal opening. For more information call the Public Works Service Center at 708.358.5700. THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Published in Wednesday Journal 1/22/2020

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE For any person who was a Special Education Student at Oak Park & River Forest High School and graduated in 2012-2013, you will have 30 days to contact Lynette Welter at Oak Park & River Forest High School at 708.434.3806 or lwelter@ oprfhs.org to request your records. On February 28, 2020, the Special Education student records for the 2012-2013 school year will be destroyed.

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certiﬁcation was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20002922 on January 8, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of GPTETREV POTTERY with the business located at:159 SOUTH OAK PARK AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: GABRIEL PAUL TETREV 127 SOUTH TAYLOR AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302.

PUBLIC NOTICE A second neighborhood meeting will be held Wednesday, February 5 at 7:00pm in the ballroom of the Oak Park Arms, located at 408 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. The meeting will be to discuss the proposed Pete’s Fresh Market project located at 640 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302.

Lynette Welter Scheduling and Records Secretary Special Education Published in Wednesday Journal 1/15, 1/22/2020

Published in Wednesday Journal 1/15, 1/22, 1/29/2020

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certiﬁcation was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y2002921 on January 8, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of POWERS & SONS CARPENTRY with the business located at: 711 FOREST AVE, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: TERRENCE POWERS 711 FOREST AVE RIVER FOREST, IL 60305.

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certiﬁcation was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20002975 on January 15, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of B-SAFE PPE with the business located at:2245 KEYSTONE AVE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, IL 60546. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: PAUL CONRAD, III 2245 KEYSTON AVE NORTH RIVERSIDE, IL 60546.

Published in Wednesday Journal 1/15, 1/22, 1/29/2020

Published in RB Landmark 1/22, 1/29, 2/5/2020

Starting a New Business in 2020? Call the experts before you place your legal ad! Publish your assumed name legal notice here. Call Mary Ellen for details: 708/613-3342

NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed separate bids will be received by the Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (the “Board”) for the following project: OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 97 D97 SUMMER 2020 RENOVATIONS BROOKS, HATCH, IRVING, JULIAN, LONGFELLOW, MANN OAK PARK, IL 60302 BID GROUP 1 – DEMOLITION, MASONRY, GENERAL TRADES, ROOFING, GLAZING, DRYWALL, FLOORING, PAINTING, CASEWORK, FIRE SUPPRESSION, PLUMBING, HVAC, and ELECTRICAL Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. CST on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at the Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Administrative ofﬁces, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, and will be publicly opened and read at 2:30 p.m. CST on that date. Bids shall be submitted in an opaque sealed envelope clearly marked:

suppression, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical. All bids must be submitted in accordance with the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project. Bid security in the form of a bid bond in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the base bid amount shall be submitted with the bid. Should a bid bond be submitted, the bond shall be payable to the Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302. All documents and information required by the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project shall be submitted with the bid. Incomplete, late or non-conforming bids may not be accepted. No bids shall be withdrawn, cancelled or modiﬁed after the time for opening of bids without the Board’s consent for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled time of bid opening.

Oak Park Elementary School District 97 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 Attention: Bulley & Andrews Project: D97 SUMMER 2020 RENOVATIONS - BID PACKAGE 1

The Bidding Documents for the project (which include the bidding instructions for the project and other related documents) will be available Monday January 13, 2020 and are available for viewing/download online without cost or purchase on the Bulley & Andrews, LLC One Drive, located at the following link. No username or password is required.

Scope of work for Bid Package 1 generally includes, but is not limited to: demolition, masonry, general trades, roofing, glazing, drywall, flooring, painting, casework, fire

h t t p s : / / b u l l e y a n d r e w s - m y. sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/ jkraft_bulley_com/EqkJvLuKNtVEuy1RTbbOFDUB4n1U-NgcMEdKceoMFlynzQ Published in Wednesday Journal 1/15, 1/22/2020

The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof, or waive any irregularities or informalities, and to make an award that in the Board’s sole opinion is in the best interest of the District. The site will be available for visits by appointment to be coordinated with Bulley & Andrews, LLC. Interested parties may inspect the existing conditions. Schedule an appointment with John Kraft of Bulley & Andrews in advance if you wish to visit the sites. All bidders must comply with applicable Illinois Law requiring the payment of prevailing wages by all Contractors working on public works. If during the time period of work, the prevailing wage rates change, the contractor shall be responsible for additional costs without any change to the contract amount. All bidders must comply with the Illinois Statutory requirements regarding labor, including Equal Employment Opportunity Laws. For additional information on the project, contact John Kraft of Bulley & Andrews, LLC at jkraft@bulley. com or 312-914-0351. Future Bid Package 2 – General Trades 2, is expected to be available on or around February 10, 2020: with a bid opening date March 3, 2020; Dated: 01/13/2020 John Kraft Bulley & Andrews, LLC

Published in Wednesday Journal 1/22, 1/29/2020

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST Plaintiff, -v.KAREN RONEY, GUL RONEY, WEST SUBURBAN BANK AS TRUSTEE UTA DATED 10/24/94, KNOWN AS TRUST NO. 10237, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 10 CH 50958 1039 ELGIN AVENUE FOREST PARK, IL 60130 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 2, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 3, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1039 ELGIN AVENUE, FOREST PARK, IL 60130 Property Index No. 15-13-422-0300000,15-13-422-031-0000 The real estate is improved with a two story single family home with a two car detached garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 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 One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 9558 Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 10 CH 50958 TJSC#: 39-8122 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 # 10 CH 50958 I3141813 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, IN TRUST FOR REGISTERED HOLDERS OF LONG BEACH MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-7, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-7 Plaintiff, -v.JEANNE L. EDWARDS, SCOVILLE COURT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LONG BEACH MORTGAGE COMPANY, MIDLAND FUNDING LLC Defendants 2019 CH 07779

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM

CLASSIFIED

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 467-9066 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

500 W. WASHINGTON BLVD. APT. 403 OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 24, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 14, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 500 W. WASHINGTON BLVD. APT. 403, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-07-415-0271024 The real estate is improved with a condominium. The judgment amount was $91,575.96. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification

issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 541-9710. Please refer to file number 18-6534. 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. JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC 230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125 Chicago IL, 60606 312-541-9710 E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com Attorney File No. 18-6534 Attorney Code. 40342 Case Number: 2019 CH 07779 TJSC#: 39-7382 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2019 CH 07779 I3141842

real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, Chris A. Pellegrini, CHUHAK & TECSON, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 30 S. WACKER DRIVE, STE. 2600, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 444-9300. Please refer to file number CAP.21168.71290. 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. Chris A. Pellegrini CHUHAK & TECSON, P.C. 30 S. WACKER DRIVE, STE. 2600 Chicago IL, 60606 312-444-9300 E-Mail: cpellegrini@chuhak.com Attorney File No. CAP.21168.71290 Attorney Code. 70693 Case Number: 2019 CH 9407 TJSC#: 40-230 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2019 CH 9407 I3143329

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION FOREST PARK NATIONAL BANK & TRUST CO. Plaintiff, -v.JOHN JOSEPH SIGNORELLA, AN INDIVIDUAL, SPOUSE OF JOHN JOSEPH SIGNORELLA, AN INDIVIDUAL, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2019 CH 9407 7242 W. ROOSEVELT RD. FOREST PARK, IL 60130 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 14, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 18, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 7242 W. ROOSEVELT RD., FOREST PARK, IL 60130 Property Index No. 15-24-203-0030000 The real estate is improved with a commercial property. The judgment amount was $146,876.71. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential

Illinois Classified Advertising Network ANTIQUES/COLLECTIBLES

ANTIQUE SHOW, SPORTING & ADVERTISING Jan. 31 & Feb. 1, Sunnyview Expo Center, OSHKOSH WI. Friday 10-6, Saturday 9-3. BUY/SELL/TRADE. $7.00 admission. AntiqueSportingAndAdvertisingShow.com • 906-250-1618

local employees, happy employees! REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Hire Local. Place an ad on the Review’s Local Online Job Board.

Go to ForestParkReview.com/classified today!

Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information. (708) 613-3342 Classifieds@ForestParkReview.com

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

INC., REALTOR

(708) 366-8989 7342 MADISON ST, FOREST PARK, ILLINOIS 60130

9346 LANDINGS LN

317 ELGIN

1338 MARENGO

Bright two bed two bath on 4th. fl. with balcony in gated community w 24 hr. security guard. Ceramic tile fl. in kit and dinette. Complex offers outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and clubhouse. Elevator building w/inside heated garage. coin laundry on 1st.fl. In Des Plaines, close to shopping, schools and highway.....................$149,900

2,450 S.F. OF LUXURY! Center unit! 4 floors of living! Enormous master with a soaking tub and enclosed shower, walk in closet, and a private balcony. 2nd fl. offers 2 additional large bedrooms, walk in closet, storage, and full bath. 1st fl is all oak flooring, living room with a fireplace and eating area, and an eat in kitchen. Bedroom #4 is located in the fully finished basement with a family room area, and full bathroom. 1 space garage. This is the LARGEST TOWNHOME on the market IN FOREST PARK!! ....................................................................................................$389,000

First floor apartment completely remodeled with 2 bedrooms and duplex 3rd. bedroom and half bath and family room in the basement. Second floor is two bedrooms and one bath. Outside parking for 4 cars. Projected rent for 1st floor between ...............................$1375 & $1450

D L SO

S W E N ! H S A FL

D L SO

You can get local news delivered right to your email in-box. Sign up for FREE at ForestParkReview.com

Forest Park Review, January 22, 2020

189 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 386-1400

HomesInTheVillage.com

Featured Listings for This Week Oak Park $579,900 5BR, 3.2BA Marion x111

Oak Park $517,000 Multi unit Laurie x186

River Forest $485,000 Multi unit Mike x120

Forest Park $360,000 3BR, 1.1BA Patti x124

Oak Park $359,000 3BR, 2.1BA Harry x116

Oak Park $275,000 3BR, 2.1BA Elissa x192

Oak Park $175,000 3BR, 1BA Joe x117

Oak Park $99,000 1BR, 1BA Jane x118

Oak Park $79,800 Studio, 1BA Laurie x186

Properties of The Week

Open Sun 11-1 pm

105 S Euclid Ave, Unit B Oak Park $410,000 3BR, 2.2BA Jane x118

Berwyn $327,000 Multi unit Mike x120

908 N Ridgeland Open Sun 1-3 pm Oak Park $450,000 5BR, 3BA Joe x117

Open Sun 1:30-3 pm 530 Washington Blvd 1E

Oak Park 2BR, 1BA Jane x118

Erika Villegas,

Joe Castillo,

Managing Broker/Owner

Joe Langley

Co-Owner

Mike Becker

Jane McClelland

Roz Byrne

Mary Murphy

Tom Byrne

Sharon O’Mara

Laurie Christofano

Elissa Palermo

Kari Chronopoulos

Kyra Pych

Marion Digre

Linda Rooney

1102 Circle Ave Open Sun 12-2 pm Forest Park $199,800 3BR, 1BA Kyra x145

Morgan Digre

Kris Sagan

Ed Goodwin

Patti Sprafka-Wagner

Leticia Cruz

Harry Walsh