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ForestParkReview.com Vol. 105, No. 6
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REVIEW
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FEBRUARY 9, 2022
State liquor commission orders Tap Room’s license reinstated Madison Street establishment reopens after five-month shutdown By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
Late last month the Illinois Liquor Control Commission unanimously reversed a ruling by Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins revoking the liquor license of the Forest Park Tap Room, 7321 Madison St. Last August, acting in his capacity as the village’s liquor commissioner, Hoskins revoked the Tap Room’s liquor license, ruling that the bar had violated local ordinances numerous times. But following a hearing in December, the sevenmember State Liquor Control Commission ruled that the village had not proven the most recent alleged violation of serving liquor after hours shortly after midnight on July 31, 2021. In a ruling issued on Jan. 27 the Liquor Control Commission ruled that although there was evidence that non-employees of the Tap Room were in the bar past its midnight closing time, there was no evidence that they had been sold alcohol after closing time. Forest Park Police Sgt. Daniel Pater entered the bar two minutes after midnight on July 31 and testified that he saw eight to 10 people in the bar, at least four See TAP ROOM on page 8
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
OMG: Chef Paco in his new digs on Madison Street, in downtown Forest Park, where N Rebozo will open in April.
Oh my God! New Rebozo moving to Forest Park Chef Paco buys former Heritage spot on Madison Street By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor
Since opening New Rebozo in 1991, chef and owner, Francisco Lopez, known to all as Chef Paco, has been a mainstay on the Oak Park culinary scene. Now, with a slightly updated name, N Rebozo, Lopez is about to become a culinary
IN Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 THIS Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 ISSUE Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
standout in Forest Park. The longtime Oak Park location at 1116 Madison St. will go dark at the end of March. N Rebozo will open in the former location of The Heritage restaurant at 7403 Madison during the first weeks of April. Now the passionate chef is moving his staff, art collection and repertory of
26 moles just a half-mile west on Madison St. to Forest Park. “Oh my God, Oak Park opened up to me and gave me the opportunity to make my dreams come true.” said Chef Paco. “I am a little sad because I love Oak Park. It has been my home for 30 See REBOZO on page 5
Housing Forward celebrates 30 years of helping the homeless
John Rice: February – pros and cons
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