GROWING COMMUNITY WEDNESDAY JOURNAL, INC.
ForestParkReview.com
Vol. 102, No. 51
$1.00
F O R E S T PA R K
REVIEW DECEMBER 18, 2019
New Betsy Ross principal announced PAGE 4
Culinary students gainn real-world experiencee PAGE 9
@FP_Review @ForestParkReview
Sweepstakes machines outlawed
Games banned in 3-2 vote By MARIA MAXHAM Staff Reporter
Sweepstakes machines are officially no longer allowed in Forest Park, after a 3-2 vote at the Forest Park Village Council meeting on Dec. 16. Although video gambling machines were officially banned in town by resident vote on Nov. 6, 2018, sweepstakes machines, which were not covered under this ban or regulated in any consistent fashion, started appearing in bars and gas stations around Forest Park, such as the Citgo gas station at 7323 Randolph St., the BP on Harlem Avenue, R Place on Harlem Avenue, the Beacon Pub, and Healy’s. There may be more, but since there is no way to track these machines, it’s difficult to know where they are located or how many there are. At the council meeting, commissioners Joe Byrnes and Jessica Voogd spoke up against the machines. Byrnes said that, in order to get a better understanding of how the machines worked, he went to two different locations in town to play them. At one location, he was able to redeem his winnings in cash. At the other, he met a man who said he regularly played and found it to be a “lucrative” activity. “These machines are gambling machines, make no mistake about it,” said Byrnes. He also expressed concern that there are See SWEEPSTAKES on page 22
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
COLLECTING JOY: Forest Park resident Kristen Lyons donates toys at Mayor Hoskins’ Toy Drive at the American Legion on Dec. 12. Toys and gifts cards will be distributed with food baskets to residents in need on Dec. 23. Read the article on page 6.
D209’s Financial Oversight Panel to leave by year’s end State board to vote on final exit Dec. 31 By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter
The Financial Oversight Panel, appointed
A good neighbor has your back.
by the Illinois State Board of Education just over a decade ago to help right the financial ship at Proviso Township High Schools District 209, will disband this year, district officials said during a joint board meeting between the FOP and the D209 school board, held Dec. 10 at Proviso East High School in Maywood. Supt. Jesse Rodriguez said during the
meeting that the change will be effective Dec. 31, after the state education board votes on the FOP’s exit from the district. In 2008, amid crippling financial deficits, the D209 school board requested that the state assign the FOP to provide oversight about financial decisions. Within two years, the district
Life’s a combination of good days and bad. I have your back for both. And who has my back? The company more people have trusted for 90 years. CALL ME TODAY. 1606040
State Farm, Bloomington, IL
See D209 FOP on page 11
Meaghan Good, Agent 7601 Madison Street Forest Park, IL 60130 Bus: 708-366-3779 meaghan@goodsgotyou.com