Forest Park Review 022421

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA, NFP ForestParkReview.com Vol. 104, No. 8

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F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Three new members appointed to plan commission PAGE 2

D91 celebrates Black History Month PAGE 4

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Ailing fleet makes clearing snow more difficult for Public Works Around half a million in repairs, replacements needed By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Most Forest Parkers count themselves lucky to have some of the best snow removal service around. Snowplows run all night and day, clearing the streets (where cars aren’t allowed overnight, so even parking spots get plowed out, eliminating the need for “dibs”). Alleys are cleaned. Sidewalks often are cleared too by village-owned bobcats, and it’s not unusual to drive from Forest Park to other nearby suburbs and notice the stark contrast between Forest Park’s cleared roads and the slippery streets you’ll encounter elsewhere. This winter has been no exception; a large amount of snow in the past weeks has brought out the snowplows and salt, the Facebook comments lauding Public Works Director John Doss and his staff for the excellent work they do in inclement weather. But behind the scenes, the public works department is working even harder to provide the service the town has come to expect. The fleet of trucks has been deteriorating for years, decades even, and officials are starting to publicly talk about the problems. During the recent snow clean-up, the fleet was down by two trucks. At the Feb. 8 village council meeting, Commissioner Jessica Voogd commended public works on the great job they’d done with the recent snow fall. But, she said, See PUBLIC WORKS on page 5

SHANEL ROMAIN/Contributor

FIRST DAY BACK

Some District 209 students, including those pictured here at Proviso Math and Science Academy, returned to the classrooms on Feb. 22 for the first time since pandemic-forced shutdowns last year.

D209 students return to classrooms, despite no agreement with teachers’ union Motion for relief hearing next week By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Some District 209 students, whose families chose the hybrid learning option, returned to school on Monday,

IN Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 THIS Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 ISSUE Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Feb. 22, for the first time since the pandemic shut the doors last March. Students, divided alphabetically into two groups, are returning either on Mondays and Tuesdays or on Thursdays and Fridays for in-person learning at all three campuses: Proviso East, Proviso West, and the Proviso Math and Science Academy. There are, of course, many safety

Public Works Director announces retirement PAGE 5

rules in place. Face masks are required at all times except during eating and drinking. Social distance must be maintained between everyone in the buildings, including students and staff. Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will be readily available throughout the buildings. See D209 BACK TO SCHOOL on page 11

Chamber gets creative PAGE 8

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Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

Plan commission has new members – after debate

Commissioners object to timing, grouping of candidates By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

The Forest Park Plan Commission has three new volunteers, following an unusually heated discussion and vote at the Feb. 22 village council meeting. Ryan Russ, Scott Whitebone and Paul Price will join Marsha East and Diane Brown on the now-filled board. The commission, when filled, is a fivemember group, appointed by the mayor and approved by village council vote, which reviews proposed development in Forest Park and makes recommendations to the council to approve or deny the projects. In the recent meeting regarding Farmington Foods, for example, the commission voted to approve the company’s expansion with some conditions. According to Hoskins, the terms of three members, Paul Barbahen (chair), Liz O’Connell and Kevin Harnett have expired. A few months ago, he said, he sent letters telling them their terms were over, and if they wished to seek another term, they

should contact his secretary to set up an appointment. In the absence of a request to continue sitting on the board, Hoskins appointed three new members, subject to village council approval. The village commissioners, however, were unhappy that all three candidates were being voted on as one agenda item and at least one commissioner expressed concern that they received the resumes for the potential new members on Friday, with only the weekend to review them. Concerns were also raised about a major project, the 57-unit Harrison Street apartment building, coming up before the plan commission on March 1, and whether three brand new members should be tackling a development of that size. In fact, when the motion to bring the agenda item up was made, it took several long moments for anyone to second it and seemed, for a bit, as though it wouldn’t even come up for discussion. Finally, Commissioner Dan Novak seconded. Novak said he’s asked several times in the past for a list of open spots on village commissions and committees because he wanted to find a way to engage the community and seek volunteers. “I want to commend these three individuals for volunteering their time and dedication to Forest Park,” Novak said. But he

asked, “How can we help engage our Forest Park residents in public service and fill the roles?” Hoskins didn’t directly answer Novak’s question about community engagement but said these three appointments were not last-minute decisions on his part. All three of them, he said, had expressed interest in sitting on a committee or commission for some time, and with expired seats on the plan commission and with the candidates’ relevant experience, Hoskins thought now was the time. Ryan Russ, said Hoskins, “had expressed interest in serving on the commission for a while.” Russ is superintendent of parks for the Park District of Forest Park. Whitebone is an architect who was brought into conversations with the village early in the pandemic when, said Hoskins, village officials were having discussions about “engaging in a very robust outdoor dining program on Madison Street.” Back then, Hoskins said, he talked to Whitebone about taking a seat on the plan commission. Price is a Forest Park resident who, Hoskins said, has a background of at least 15 years in construction. He is also a union organizer. When workers picketed with a giant inflatable rat outside the Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group construction project on the site of the former Molly Malone’s in

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2019, Price was there, urging the village to pass a responsible bidder ordinance. Commissioner Ryan Nero strongly objected to the fact that all three potential members were being voted on as one agenda item rather than three separate items. Since they’re such important appointments, he would have liked the opportunity for discussion about each one individually. Nero also felt that a discussion prior to the meeting about the qualifications of each candidate would have been helpful. “I’m sure the resumes, as I looked at them, are colorful and can provide value,” Nero said, “but at the same time, you know, when you’re building a team, or you’re making an appointment, Mayor, I think just a simple discussion as to the why and the how … engaging your commissioners, outside of the live meeting, would we welcome.” That’s especially true, he added, since there are going to be some significant developments coming up. Nero added that being given the resumes on a Friday and needing to make a decision on Monday didn’t give enough time or thought to the assignments. “It’s not fair,” Nero said. “It’s not fair to the other elected officials. And I don’t feel it’s fair to myself or the individuals, quite See PLAN COMMISSION on page 4

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Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

On the bright side …

T

he recent death of radio host Rush Limbaugh opened my eyes. He masqueraded as a champion of conservative values but his real agenda was to outrage liberals. His verbal assaults on progressive policies delighted his listeners. But he wasn’t leading a serious discussion of conservative policies. By the same token, the last administration sometimes governed like a right-wing talk show. Many of its policies and pronouncements seemed designed to “own the libs.” They didn’t seem interested in the serious job of governance. This was catastrophic when it came to COVID. Then I look at our village government. I don’t see this kind of divisive politics, an “us versus them” dynamic. Our leaders are committed to keeping our community solvent and vibrant, though they don’t always agree on the methods. We also have incredible cooperation between our various governmental bodies. This has long been a hallmark of Forest Park. Instead of being separate little kingdoms, the park district, Public Works, and other government entities work together to improve village services. These improvements include a $5 million infrastructure project to separate sewers and resurface streets. Our leaders take a serious public service approach to gover-

nance. Otherwise, I don’t know how our village government could continue to function during the pandemic. I feared that the pandemic was going to cripple our village. The loss of revenue alone was staggering. This was coupled with COVID restrictions disrupting normal procedures at village hall. Our village, though, has proven to be resilient, resourceful and forward-thinking. We are going forward with the demolition of the derelict buildings at Altenheim. When these forbidding structures come down, we’ll have a clearer picture of the site’s potential to be used as parkland. We also plan to rehab and repaint our water towers. Can re-painting our railroad bridge be far behind? We are considering allowing a dormant parcel of property on Harrison Street to be developed into an apartment complex. The Pines Restaurant and Oak Leaf Lounge were great in their heyday but have been vacant for years. It’s time to build some rooms with a view. We remain a business-friendly community, allowing Farmington Meats to expand their facility. We’re also welcoming a Chipotle restaurant to open on a long-vacant lot at Harlem and Madison. At the same time, we’ve been supporting our existing restaurants by picking up takeout orders and dining-in when possible.

JOHN RICE

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L O O K

B A C K

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–Jill Wagner

■ 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 . . .

LOCAL HERO Pepi and Martin Flores from Forest Park are shown here receiving the Soccer Team Spirit awards from St. Joseph’s High School in 1994. Their team, the Chargers, boasted a 241-1 record that year and ranked as one of the top teams in the state. Police officer Pepi Flores stayed close to his roots and has been nominated for several awards in his work serving Forest Park as an adult, including with the Our Town, Our Heroes program in 2011.

Our District 91 students are returning to their classrooms. The kids need this as badly as their parents and teachers. Soon, perhaps, our crossing guards will be back at their corners. These returns to normalcy are downright encouraging. We can use it, because it’s easy to get down during these winter doldrums. Nothing like the trifecta of a pandemic, polar vortex and record snowfall to dampen our spirits. Fortunately, we have the best snow removal crew of any Chicago suburb. When the snow melts, we’re making improvements to our popular skate park, and The Park will be restarting its summer programs. I haven’t worked out at the Roos Building yet but plan to get some indoor exercise at Circle Lanes. We remain thankful that we have such a walkable and bike-able community and look forward to the creation of a new link to the Prairie Path. Walking or biking, I can use the exercise. I feel like a perfectly good car that used to cruise at 60 mph, suddenly being put up on blocks for a year. I can’t wait to start “cruising “again. In the meantime, I’m proud of how our elected officials continue to persevere during such trying times.

F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW Editor Maria Maxham Senior Editor Bob Uphues Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Lifka Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Debbie Becker, Mark Moroney Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA Board of Directors Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer 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 CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.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: $28 per year. $42 for two years, $58 for three years. Out-of-county subscriptions: $36 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.

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Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

How D91 celebrates Black History Month By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

District 91 teachers and students celebrated Black History Month this February on a daily basis, with events ranging from music performances to art projects to book discussions. The accomplishments and history of Black people were not taught as a separate unit; rather, those accomplishments and art and achievements were woven into daily discussions and activities and in every single class. There were, of course, special performances. Betsy Ross Principal Tinisa Huff said a virtual performance called the Evolution of African-American Music, including music from Africa and Hip Hop from Urban Gateways, was presented to students. But Huff, well known in the district for her daily morning messages, brought Black history to students too, every day highlighting an influential African American. Students in Kindergarten and first grade at Betsy Ross all received a workbook called Let’s Learn About African-American Inventors, and second graders got Let’s Learn about Black History. At Garfield School, Principal Jamie Stauder said they kicked off the month with the book The ABCs of Black History Month by Rio Cortez. “It is a wonderful book with awesome illustrations,” Stauder said. “Each class read and discussed the different vocabulary together.”

lighted her Kung Fu teacher Sifu Arthur Berry, with whom she studied the

READING MATERIAL: Second graders at Betsy Ross received copies of the book “Let’s Learn About Black History” this month. For the rest of the month, said Stauder, students discussed two individuals each week, including Simone Biles, Barack Obama, Stevie Wonder and Lorraine Hansberry. Tiffany Brunson, principal of Field Stevenson Elementary School and Forest Park Middle School put emphasis on teachers and staff, not just students, participating in Black History Month. Teachers put together a slide show about African Americans who inspire them. The slide show includes famous individuals like Michael Jordan and Ruby Bridges, but also people who have had an immediate and personal impact on teachers’ lives. Music teacher Meeghan Binder, for example, high-

martial art for eight years. Faculty and staff all read the book 400 Souls, and Brunson is holding monthly sessions to discuss the book until the end of the school year. Each student at Field was given the book The Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up The World. On a schoolwide basis, a slideshow of African-American youths who have made a name for themselves is presented during morning announcements, and a trivia contest is held for students on Dojo. Three winners from each grade will receive gift cards. In Library, students are reading books on different Black Americans, including lesser-known figures, such as Mary Walker, who was enslaved and, after becoming free,

PLAN COMMISSION Appointments made from page 2

Photos provided

PERSONAL HERO: D91 music teacher Meeghan Binder celebrated her Kung Fu teacher in the teachers’ slideshow honoring influential Black individuals.

frankly, who have been appointed.” Commissioner Joe Byrnes’ concern was with the fact that the plan commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the Harrison Street 57-unit apartment building, a major development, next week. Holding off on appointing new people right now and letting the seasoned plan commission members handle this next big project should be considered, Byrnes argued. Would the new plan commissioners, he asked, be able to get up to speed on the project? Hoskins said he wasn’t worried about

learned to read at the age of 114. At Grant White, fifth-graders recently learned about mathematician Katherine Johnson, an expert in orbital mathematics, whose calculations aided the success of NASA’s space flights. During morning meetings and science throughout the entire month, said Principal Roger Beauford, school leaders “will discuss the impactful stories of Black scientists and the importance of their victories. During morning meeting, students will be introduced to powerful quotes to lead and live by.” Fourth-grade students have listened to various Black poets, discussing the power of words. Their reading included works of poet Amanda Gorman, who read one of her poems during President Joe Biden’s inauguration. At the middle school, sixthgraders were visited remotely by Dr. Shannon, who was baptized by Martin Luther King Jr. and shadowed him through the Civil Rights Movement. Middle-schools students will also see a virtual performance of The Wilma Rudolph Story. In science, sixth-graders did research on African-American scientists, inventors or astronauts. In middle school music classes, students are learning about a different Black musician each week, studying Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Trombone Shorty and DJ Cool Herc and listening to their music. Students are also studying Civil Rights songs, including “Free at Last,” in which the lyrics were inspired by King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. In ELA, students focus on Black poets, including Gwendolyn Brooks, and in all Health classes, students learn about physician Daniel Hale Williams, one of the first physicians to perform open heart surgery; he also opened the first interracial hospital on the South Side of Chicago.

that because “maybe I’ve spoken with them a little bit about this project.” Nero laughed in response and Byrnes said, “So it’s a done deal then, right?” Voogd, like Nero, voiced her concern about the three being under one agenda item and the fact that she wasn’t sure she knew enough about one of the candidates to vote on his appointment. Nick Peppers, legal counsel, suggested two options: to either table the vote until a further date or split the agenda item up into three separate votes, one for each applicant. Nero made a motion to table the vote, which did not pass; Byrnes and Nero were the only two who voted in favor of doing so. As a result, the vote on appointing all three to the plan commission was held. It passed three to two, with Byrnes and Nero casting the dissenting votes.

Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

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EQUIPMENT CONCERNS: Village officials have begun to discuss the problem of public works’ outdated and ailing fleet.

MARIA MAXHAM

PUBLIC WORKS Fleet ailing from page 1 she “wanted to address a larger issue.” Voogd said the department has been operating with a reduced number of staff “and with equipment that has long passed its useful life.” She said that in 2019, when she took office, it soon became apparent to her that the public works fleet was in dire need of replacement. How dire? According to Village Administrator Tim Gillian, several vital pieces

of equipment need to be replaced, and he says he can see the cost reaching $400,000 to $500,000. “As our finances begin to stabilize as we come out of the pandemic and our economy returns, we will look into bank loans or leasing to replace the equipment,” Gillian said in an email. The problem, however, isn’t new. During the meeting, Voogd said “for 10 years, Director Doss has been asking to replace aging vehicles, only for the proverbial can to be kicked down the road. And I know the village’s finances have been an issue for a long time. And I understand that a lot of this equipment that we need to replace is expensive. But ignoring our fleet and not planning for the future, we’re finding ourselves in a

really tough situation.” A fleet management plan, Voogd said, is something that probably should have been started 10 to 15 years ago. Because it wasn’t, however, “today we’re facing ever-mounting maintenance costs, and the insurmountable task of needing to replace almost every vehicle.” Voogd said she’s been working with Doss to identify a fleet management system that will suit the village’s needs, but it won’t be an overnight fix. “It’s going to take some time, ingenuity, some budgeting gymnastics and some patience,” Voogd said. It’s important, Voogd said, that the public understands the situation so it’s clear what the challenges faced by the public works department are. Even with a fully functional

fleet, she said, “nature can give us a little bit more than we can handle from time to time. So it may take a few days to catch up.” Streets, she said, are the priority and will be done before the “extras,” like clearing sidewalks and alleys. “In spite of everything … they’re continuing to deliver a level of service that’s above and beyond that of many other communities,” said Voogd. She added: “And as we deal with a heck of a lot of snow, and a subpar fleet of vehicles, I just asked our residents to have a little empathy. And I also asked you to do what Forest Park does best, which is we take care of each other. So check in on your friends, your neighbors … Every little bit helps.”

Doss to retire this summer Public Works Director John Doss, who has served in his current position since 2008 and with the department since 1981, has officially announced he will retire effective July 1. Doss was born and raised in Forest Park, in a family that served the community. His grandfather was a village commissioner, his mother worked for public works and his father was a village police officer. Doss started in the public works department in 1981, working summers as a freshman in high school. The day he graduated, he said, he started working there full time. Though he’s retiring, he’s not leaving town. Instead he plans to spend more time with his family. “With my schedule, I missed a lot of things like family dinners. It’s time to spend time with my wife,” Doss said. He’s also expecting a grandson in July, and he’ll continue to serve as commissioner of the Park District of Forest Park.

LIFELONG FOREST PARKER: John Doss, director of public works, is retiring this summer. He was born and raised in Forest Park and plans to stay in town after his retirement.

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Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

Feb. 21 - Mar. 3

BIG WEEK Paul Robeson Presentation On Feb. 28 from 2 to 3 p.m., join the Forest Park Public Library and host Maui Jones for a presentation about Paul Robeson, Black artist, performer, activist, lawyer and athlete. He lived a fascinating life in America and abroad, becoming a footballs star at Rutgers University, attending law school at Columbia University in the 1920s, becoming a player in the Harlem Renaissance scene, starring in the film Showboat, and blacklisted during the McCarthy era. More information is available at fppl.org/blackhistory.

Women Composers Competition Submit by April 1. Chicago a cappella invites applicants to an Emerging Women Composers Competition, which is open to composers of all ages who selfidentify as female. It will provide hands-on training to further skills in choral composition. Women composers whose career is in its early stages and women composers of color are particularly encouraged to apply. For more information and to apply, visit chicagoacappella.org.

Supporting Family Mental Health On Monday, March 1, from 2:15 to 2:45 p.m., join Smart Love Family Counseling and the Forest Park Public Library for a virtual conversation on family mental health. As part of the library’s Everyday Advocates series, the youth services manager will speak with the counseling service about their Minority Family Program that free services to Black and Latinx families. Learn more at fppl.org/events.

Sarah’s Inn Youth Voice Award Submit by March 15. High School students can submit their writing, videos and art to express their ideas, experiences, and thoughts around relationship violence, in whatever creative way they are comfortable expressing themselves. Two $2,000 award winners will receive a Youth Voice Award at the Together We Inspire educational breakfast in May. For more information, visit sarahsinntv.org/post/youth-voice-award.

Spotlight on Local Black Kid-lit Authors The Forest Park Public Library has put together a list of local Black authors who write books for children and young adults. Learn more at fppl.org/2021/02/11/ localblackkidlit/. Authors include Rena Barron, Natasha Tarpley, K. Ancrum, Amanda Joy, Ronni Davis and Reese Eschmann.

Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

We are Open!

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NARCAN administered Police responded to the train station at 701 Harlem Ave. on Feb. 19 at 1:59 p.m. to assist a person who was breathing but unconscious. The reporting officer administered NARCAN, and the subject began gasping. Paramedics arrived, administered a second dose of NARCAN, and the subject regained consciousness and was transported to the hospital.

More CTA trains burglarized Four CTA cars were defaced with spray paint on Feb. 20 around 3:30 a.m. The cars were in the “jungle” area of the railyard at 711 Desplaines Ave., west of the CTA station. The next day, between the hours of midnight and 10:30 a.m., a CTA employee called the police because another car had been spray-painted with yellow, brown, black, blue and green paint. The cost to fix the defacement is $2,000, according to the police report.

Over $1,000 in electronics stolen A man walked out of Walmart, 1300 Desplaines Ave., with over $1,000 worth of electronics, for which he had not paid, on Feb. 21 at 1:35 p.m. Items he took include three TVs, two web cams, and two TV mounts. He fled in a white Dodge van with no plates that

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Resident finds intruder in garage A man on the 600 block of Elgin Avenue called police on Feb. 13 at 7:14 a.m. to report a burglary at his home. He observed a man inside his garage around 6:50 a.m. When he approached, the intruder said he was trying to urinate and said he hadn’t stolen anything. The resident said an electric lawnmower battery was missing but he didn’t see the offender take the battery. He told police he’ll call again if he sees the offender in the area.

Nothing missing in reported burglary A resident on the 500 block of Beloit Avenue called police on Feb. 14 at 9:39 p.m. after discovering the back door to her residence was open and items on her refrigerator had been moved around. She told police she’d contacted both the landlord and maintenance man, who both said they had not been inside her residence. Nobody else has keys to her apartment, she said, and she was sure she’d locked the back door before leaving the previous day. She reported that nothing was missing, but one photograph on her refrigerator was torn. These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, Feb. 13-21, 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

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A man on the 900 block of Hannah Avenue called police on Feb. 17 when he discovered that, overnight, someone had broken the back window of his vehicle, which was parked behind his house. He said he’d heard the alarm go off the previous night at around 10 p.m. but didn’t hear glass shatter.

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Men steal cards, candy, teddy bears on Valentine’s Day

Three male subjects stole armfuls of Valentine’s Day products on Feb. 14 at 11:32 a.m. from Walgreens, 7200 Roosevelt Road. The store manager said four men entered the store. In the greeting card aisle, they each selected a card and proceeded to the Valentine’s Day aisle where three of the men “loaded up their arms” with candies, including heart-shaped boxes of chocolate. They also each took a large, white teddy bear. Then all four men headed toward the front of the store, and the three with their arms full also each grabbed a bouquet of roses before leaving without paying. They got into a car without license plates and headed north on Harlem Avenue. The total loss is estimated to be $450.

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Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

Chamber gets creative to help businesses survive New plans, including St. Pat’s parade in September

our annual revenue. Like the small businesses the chamber supports, we had to think of creative ways to fund our organization, at the same time that we have been assisting our members to keep their busiBy TOM HOLMES nesses open.” Contributing Reporter “A lot of people don’t realize that we are self-funded,” BarThe Forest Park Chamber of Commerce nard added. “Many think we not only serves 144 small businesses in town are funded by the village of Forbut is itself a small business, which had to est Park.” survive the pandemic just like the restauKokenes explained that the rants, retail shops, professional offices, bars budget squeeze revealed how and light industry it promotes. much most of the Chamber members valued the organizaSurviving the virus File photos tion. Like most other small businesses in town, “In March 2020,” she said, REINVENTING: The chamber held its first annual socially-distanced art stroll during the pandemic. the Chamber had to make cuts on the ex- “we were in the middle of our pense side of their ledger because the rev- annual membership renewal process. We The Chamber had to resort to digital apps social media campaigns like the Shop enue side had losses due to the lockdown, put renewals on hold for several months, to accomplish work that was done before Small promotion. which removed some of their fundraising but members continued to receive benefits COVID-19 became part of our vocabulary. ■ Helping raise $11,300 in partnership opportunities. because it was the right thing to do. By year- Board meetings were held on Zoom. Instead with Energy Tees in the I Love Local T“Just like a small business,” said Laurie end, most members renewed their member- of networking at their monthly luncheon shirt fundraiser. Kokenes, executive director of the Chamber ship because they recognized the overall meetings, chamber members had to comLooking forward to post-COVID municate by email. Nothing came easy after the governor How about St. Patrick’s Day on Sept. 18? shut down in-place dining and shopping. Kokenes said the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, “I don’t remember a time either of us shut usually in March, is very popular with residown our computers,” said Barnard, “or dents. Since it couldn’t be held this March, had a day off. Kokenes said they decided to be creative “I think our business community feels the and have it at the halfway point in the year. same way. They put in whatever hours — If we get back to normal in terms of the 60, 70, 80 hours a week — they need to put pandemic, the Chamber will hold the fall fain to survive.” vorites like the Casket Races, Trick or Treat Also like many small businesses, the on Madison, the Flower Pots on Parade in chamber came up with creative ways to sur- October, the Fall Wine Walk in November vive: and the Holiday Walk on Dec. 3. ■ Becoming a free-flowing communica“Currently,” Kokenes concluded, “we are tion conduit to the business community in the process of re-imagining some of our on behalf of the village. other regular events and researching some ■ Providing information on grants and new ones like a potential restaurant week other financial relief. and a streetwide Sidewalk Days.” ■ Raising money to plant spring/summer flowers on Madison Street and Roosevelt Road. ■ Creating new, socially distant PARADE POSTPONED: The chamber is postponing the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade events to bring people to Forest until September, when, hopefully, it will be safe to host. Park and increase visibility for busifor the last 27 years, “we had to tighten our value of the Chamber’s work as well as valnesses — like the belts, put some things on hold and find ways ue of the tangible benefits.” Madison Street Art to make up for lost revenue, find ways to The Chamber shifted from business as Stroll, Halloween survive.” usual to crisis mode. Flower Pots on PaChristine Barnard, a community out“When COVID hit,” Kokenes recalled, “we rade and Home for reach consultant employed by the Chamber, tossed our to-do list and focused our efforts the Holidays. explained, “We are self-funded and when on providing members with key informa■ Raising and doCOVID hit, we lost 40% of our revenue for tion and one-on-one support; promoting nating $300 to the 2020, and we are projecting a $26,000 short- businesses; increasing our engagement and Forest Park Food FOREST PARK STRONG: The chamber has worked hard to help fall for 2021. Fortunately, we were able to reach through social media; and working Pantry. apply early on for the SBA EIDL loan, but with the village to communicate the needs businesses survive pandemic-related closures. “We are all in ■ Greatly increasing this one-time loan covers just about half of of the business community.” this together” reads signs they distributed several months ago.

Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

A mortgage program specifically for physicians

AThat’s mortgage program specifically just how we operatespecifi A mortgage program callyfor forphysicians physicians That’s justthe how we operate Youmortgage logged hours. You earned your degree. You’re with a job. You deserve to program specifi callysetfor physicians That’sA just how we operate be rewarded for your hard work. Huntington’s physician mortgage program is tailored That’s how we You loggedjust the hours. You operate earned your degree. You’re set with a job. You deserve to specifically to medical doctors, dentists, and veterinarians1. You logged the hours. You earned degree.physician You’re set with a program job. Youisdeserve be rewarded for your hard work. your Huntington’s mortgage tailored to You logged the hours. You earned your degree. You’re set with a job. You deserve to The program offers adoctors, wide range of options, including 100% 1 financing up to specifically to medical dentists, and veterinarians . be rewarded for your hard work. Huntington’s physician mortgage program is tailored be rewarded for your hard work. Huntington’s physician mortgage program is tailored $750,0002 and 90% financing up to $2,000,0002. Other features include:

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For more information, contact: Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS# 224387 5310 W Cermak Rd Ahkeem Henderson Cicero, IL 60804 Ahkeem Henderson Mortgage Loan Officer o: (708) 466-2017 Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS# 224387 e: ahkeem.k.henderson@huntington.com NMLS# 224387 5310 W Cermak Rd www-auth.hban.us/mortgage/henderson-ahkeem 5310 W Cermak Rd Cicero, IL 60804 Ahkeem Henderson Cicero, IL 60804 1 Program only available to medical doctors who have a minimum degree of M.D., D.O., D.M.D., D.V.M., or D.D.S. and proof o: (708) 466-2017 Mortgage Loan Officer o: (708) 466-2017 of sufficient income or employment contract. Active employment contract required with proof of sufficient income and ahkeem.k.henderson@huntington.com e: ahkeem.k.henderson@huntington.com NMLS#e: 224387 reserves. Minimum reserves required are 2 months PITI plus 1 month for each payment due between the first payment www-auth.hban.us/mortgage/henderson-ahkeem www-auth.hban.us/mortgage/henderson-ahkeem due dateRd to when employment begins. 5310 W Cermak 2 Loan-to value (LTV) financing options varywho based on customer FICO score. only available totomedical doctors have minimum degree M.D., D.O., D.M.D., D.V.M., or D.D.S. proof Cicero,1Program IL1Program 60804 only available medical doctors who have aa minimum degree ofofM.D., D.O., D.M.D., D.V.M., or D.D.S. andand proof of sufficient income or employment contract. Active employment contract required with proof of sufficient income and of sufficient income or employment contract. Active employment contract required with proof of sufficient income and o: (708) 466-2017 All loans are subject to application and credit approval, appraisal, and title insurance. Terms, conditions, and reserves. Minimum reserves required are 22 months PITIsatisfactory plus11month month foreach each payment due between payment reserves. Minimum reserves required are months PITI plus for payment due between thethe firstfirst payment e: ahkeem.k.henderson@huntington.com loan programs are subject to change duedue date to to when employment begins. date when employment begins.without notice. Other terms, conditions, and restrictions may apply. 2 2 www-auth.hban.us/mortgage/henderson-ahkeem Loan-to value (LTV) financing on customer customerFICO FICOscore. score. Loan-to value (LTV) financingoptions optionsvary vary based based on The Huntington National Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. a®, Huntington® and aHuntington.® 1 Program only available to medical have asatisfactory minimum degree of M.D., D.O., D.M.D., D.V.M., orofD.D.S. and proof are federally registered servicedoctors marks ofwho Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. Welcome.℠ is aTerms, service mark loans subject application andcredit credit approval, and title insurance. conditions, and and All All loans areare subject totoapplication and approval, satisfactoryappraisal, appraisal, and title insurance. Terms, conditions, of sufficient income or employment contract. Active employment contract required with proof of sufficient income and Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. ©2020 Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. NMLS ID #402436 (06/19) loan programs are subjecttotochange changewithout without notice. notice. Other restrictions may apply. loan programs are subject Otherterms, terms,conditions, conditions,and and restrictions may apply.

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Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

Kribi Coffee honored with Illinois Made award A ‘no brainer’ according to Chamber of Commerce director By MELISSA ELSMO Food Editor

On Feb. 20, Kribi Coffee Air Roasters, 7324 Madison St. in Forest Park, accepted an Illinois Made Award from the Illinois Department of Tourism – Explore Illinois. The award, a colorful ceramic plate, was presented to Jacques Shalo, owner of Kribi Coffee, by Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton and village of Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins. “This has made us feel special,” said Shalo. “This award is an honor for Kribi, but it is an honor for Forest Park as well. This is such a vibrant business community, and we want Kribi to reflect that vibrancy.” Inclusion in the Illinois Makers program is highly competitive, and honorees must meet detailed criteria to be considered for the award. Not only are artisans and craftspeople required to operate a business open to the public selling an Illinois-made prod-

B

uct, but those under consideration are prized for having a compelling origin story, rich business history, and making an impact in their home community. Kribi Coffee was nominated in November of 2020 by Eric Wagner, president of Visit Oak Park and Laurie Kokenes, executive director of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce. Shalo was notified that Kribi was a recipient of the award in December, but COVID-19 complexities delayed the presentation until Feb. 20. “Nominating Kribi Coffee Air Roasters was a no-brainPhoto provided er,” said Kokenes. “From the farm where the coffee beans ILLINOIS MADE: From left to right President and CEO of Visit Oak Park Eric Wagner, Lieutenant Goverare grown to an air-roasted nor Juliana Stratton, Kribi Coffee owner Jacques Shalo, Forest Park Chamber of Commerce Executive and freshly brewed cup of Director Laurie Kokenes, and Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins. coffee, Kribi Coffee takes bepressed gratitude to people who recognized ing an Illinois Maker to the next level. The support local causes is icing on the cake.” Shalo said he and his team were “thrilled Kribi Coffee and their “wonderful and supfact that Jacques uses his product and his shop to promote social-impact issues and to have been presented this award” and ex- porting patrons.”

New Home for Beyond Hunger’s Home Delivery

eginning this month, Beyond Hunger’s Home Delivery program will move to the Chicago-based facility of New Moms. The shared space location enables Beyond Hunger to provide more nutritious food options for the homebound individuals it serves in Oak Park and Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. “When our community reached out to us for more homedelivered groceries at the beginning of the pandemic, we responded. Almost overnight we transitioned from serving 80 households to nearly 300,” says Executive Director Michele Zurakowski. On the heels of that rapid expansion, Beyond Hunger moved quickly to stabilize and sustain high levels of service by addressing infrastructural limitations in staffing and storage. Thanks in part to a grant from Greater Chicago Food Depository aimed at expanding food access in Black and Latino communities on Chicago’s South and West sides, Beyond Hunger’s Home Delivery Program serving Austin now has a home there. Because of its expansive storage capacity, that new home allows Beyond Hunger to more fully realize its commitment to providing healthy food, tailored to individual needs. When program participants talk to staff and volunteers each month to place their order, they’ll be able to choose healthy dairy substitutes like almond milk or highly requested pantry staples like flour. Additionally,

increased cold storage means even more fresh produce will be available for them to select. “We are excited to hear about this move. It means Beyond Hunger can continue their expert response to meeting such dramatically increased needs, but also to offer improved services to homebound Austin residents,” said Darnell Shields, Executive Director of Austin Coming Together. Beyond Hunger’s Food Pantry and headquarters will continue to operate and flourish out of First United Church of Oak Park at 848 Lake Street, where it will continue to host a twice weekly drive-thru and pedestrian food distribution for communities on the near west side. To learn more about Beyond Hunger’s services and how to get help visit GoBeyondHunger.org. Beyond Hunger creates solutions to end hunger at every stage of life through our comprehensive programs, from feeding kids when school is out, to providing emergency food to families in need, and delivering groceries to homebound older adults. Our community partnerships help us identify pockets of hunger and meet the need together.

Volunteers pack boxes for an upcoming home delivery (left). Safely delivering groceries to our neighbors in need (above).

To learn more about Beyond Hunger’s services and how to get help visit GoBeyondHunger.org.

Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

D209 BACK TO SCHOOL Teachers unhappy from page 1 Staff and students must fill out a daily health screener prior to entering campus. A “yes” answer to any of the health questions for a student means they must wait in a designated isolation area and will be required to leave the building when safe and after a parent or guardian is notified by the school nurse. Free COVID-19 testing is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at each of the three campuses from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Detailed information about the back-toschool plan, including schedules and maps, can be found on the district’s website at 0pths209.org/Page/5229. However, not everyone is happy about students returning to school. According to Maggie Riley, president of the Proviso Teachers’ Union, the union never agreed to the return to school plan put forth by the district. “We did not reach an agreement with the district,” Riley said on Feb. 22. “We were bargaining with them, and we weren’t able to agree on four issues. The district declared an impasse.” The union, Riley said, filed a motion for supplemental relief with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, and there will be a hearing next week on March 4. The four outstanding issues, according to Riley, are ventilation, vaccinations, bringing in an industrial hygienist, and what metrics the district should be using to determine when schools should bring students and faculty back.

Ventilation, said Riley, is problematic, especially at Proviso East and West where “natural ventilation” is being used to keep the risk of COVID-19 spread reduced. “Natural ventilation,” she said, means that the windows are opened in classrooms being used for teaching. The union does not agree with having open windows during the winter months. To handle the ventilation issue the union suggested bringing in an industrial hygienist, one that the union said they’d pay for themselves, at no cost at all to the district. According to Riley, the district declined this offer and union request. Vaccines are another sticking point for the union, which wants the COVID-19 shot made available to all teachers and staff. In January, District 209 announced it would bring students back to the classrooms in the beginning of February, but then pushed the date back to later in the month because, said Superintendent James Henderson in an announcement to families, the district would obtain and distribute vaccines first. In a Jan. 23 announcement, the district said it would be receiving 3,000 doses of the COVID vaccine “in the next few weeks.” The plan was to start vaccinating teachers and staff during the first week of February, then vaccinate students if there were enough shots left. That never happened, though, and the union wants teachers to have the vaccine before they return to the classrooms. Finally, the union and district couldn’t reach an agreement on which metrics should be used to determine when it is safe to reopen the buildings. The Review reached out to Henderson and the D209 communications director Nicole Wilson for comment but did not receive a response by deadline.

Aging Fearlessly Growing older carries greater burdens of unpredictability than any previous developmental stage. When do we become aware of becoming “old” and unlike our former selves? How has the pandemic impacted how we view ourselves, our expectations and our relationships? Join us for a discussion about the common anxieties and angst, as well as the opportunities for growth, for adults emerging into their older years.

With guest speaker, Marcia Spira, PhD.

Thursday, March 11, 2021 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Please use the link below to join the webinar:

https://zoom.us/j/91810706537 Marcia Spira, PhD., is a Professor Emeritus in the School of Social Work at Loyola University and continues a forty-year clinical practice. Dr. Spira has published two books and multiple articles on issues facing those with chronic illness and the challenges of aging. She is a frequent lecturer at national and international conferences.

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Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

Village admin search to be done in-house after all Hoskins sits out of committee meeting so it can be held privately By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

let your voice be heard

At their public meeting on Feb. 11, the village administrator search committee seemed to be leaning toward hiring an outside search firm to help with their efforts. But Mayor Rory Hoskins announced during the village council meeting on Feb. 22 that the search committee had stopped receiving resumes effective that day and would begin evaluating them without help from any outside source. At the Feb. 11 search committee meeting, held over Zoom and announced in advance on the village website, the committee said they would revisit the different packages offered by search firms since they weren’t overwhelmingly happy with the resumes they’d received thus far. During a private meeting held on Feb. 17,

however, the plan changed, and the committee instead decided to continue the search without outside help. According to Commissioners Joe Byrnes and Jessica Voogd, both members of the search committee, in phone interviews on Feb. 22, despite initially leaning toward using services of GOVHRUSA, a sudden influx of resumes from a listing on GOVHRUSA’s website prompted them to change their opinion. “If we are already getting resumes, and some decent ones, from the same organization we were planning to hire, maybe we don’t need to hire them after all,” Byrnes said. He said he felt confident after receiving the second batch of resumes. “The original batch, for the most part, were from people you wouldn’t think would apply for a village administrator position,” Byrnes said, adding that many of them had little or no administration experience at all. But the resumes that came in later, Byrnes said, were better. “We got some good ones,” he said. “There are a few with a lot of experience.”

Voogd said she’d been on the fence about hiring a search firm after the Feb 11 committee meeting, especially since they were learning toward the $2,750 package, which included many of the same things the committee had already done, such as coming up with a job description and posting it to websites. Like Byrnes, she said when several good resumes came through the GOVHRUSA website posting, she changed her mind about needing that service. Hoskins cited side effects of a COVID-19 vaccine and a scheduling conflict as his reason for not attending the Feb. 11 meeting, though he is part of the search committee. At the Feb. 22 village council meeting, however, he said even before he knew he wouldn’t be able to attend the meeting, he thought about what it meant to have three village council members on a committee that was discussing personnel matters. If he attended the Feb. 17 meeting, he said, the meeting would be subject to the Open Meetings Act. He opted not to attend so the meeting could be held privately, allowing the rest of the committee to speak freely without worrying about public opinion.

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Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

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SIGNED: Governor J. B. Pritzker displays House Bill 3653 after signing it Monday at Chicago State University. Blueroomstream.com.

Pritzker Signs Criminal Justice Reform Bill

By Raymon Troncoso, Capitol News Illinois

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker signed a criminal justice omnibus bill backed by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Monday, abolishing cash bail, overhauling police certification and reforming use-of-force standards among numerous other provisions. Pritzker signed the legislation, House Bill 3653, referred to as the “Safe-T Act”, during an event at Chicago State University alongside members of his administration and lawmakers from the Black Caucus. “This legislation marks a substantial step toward dismantling the systemic racism that plagues our communities, our state and our nation, and brings us closer to true safety, true fairness and true justice,” Pritzker said. While the legislation enjoyed grassroots support from activists, buoyed by the grow-

ing national concern over policing following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor last year, the bill faced strong opposition from Republican lawmakers and law enforcement groups. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, called the signing “an insult to our first responders.” “We live in a civilized state where our elected officials’ greatest responsibility is the health and safety of Illinois citizens… At a crucial time when we should coalesce around the good men and women of law enforcement, Gov. Pritzker has turned his back on them with his signature on House Bill 3653,” Durkin said in a statement released Monday. Opponents of the legislation have said it will result in a less safe Illinois and have criticized the process behind its development as lacking in transparency without

proper input from Republican lawmakers and the public at large. Proponents say HB 3653 will make Illinois safer by making the justice system more equitable for Black, Latino, low-income and minority communities that have been disproportionately harmed by disparate policies in sentencing, incarceration and policing. Members of the Black Caucus have countered claims against the bill’s transparency by pointing to nine subject matter hearings held by the caucus in state Senate committees between September and November. For nearly 30 hours, lawmakers from both parties, law enforcement, judges, state’s attorneys, legal experts, representatives of the court, the governor’s office and the attorney general’s office hashed out many of the issues that became provisions in the bill, such as the abolition of cash bail by 2023 and po-

lice certification. The office of the governor and Attorney General Kwame Raoul held working meetings over several months starting in July with representatives from both chambers and parties, Fraternal Order of Police groups, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association The actual written legislation was introduced in the General Assembly during the five-day lame duck session in January when lawmakers attempted to pass a year’s worth of laws in a legislative blitz following the disruption of the regular session by the COVID-19 pandemic. The final version of the bill was introduced after midnight on the final day of the lame-duck session, when it received just enough votes to pass both chambers with less-than-an-hour of floor-debate.

COVID-19 cases trending downward in Forest Park and county By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to trend downward in Forest Park and in suburban Cook County. In Forest Park, there were 1,055 confirmed cases in total as of Feb. 23 since the beginning of the pandemic. Eight new cases were reported in the previous week. The percent change in confirmed cases over the past two weeks has gone down by 60 percent. For more information, visit https://ccdphcd.shinyapps.io/covid19/.

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Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

OPINION O U R

T

Let it snow

V I E W

Botched hiring at village hall

im Gillian announced his plan to retire as Forest Park’s village administrator way back on Nov. 23. He gave the mayor and the village council two months notice of his plan to depart on Jan. 29. Now it is Feb. 24. An ill-considered plan to save $10,000 and not hire a professional search firm is spitting back at the mayor and village council with too few candidates having responded to the posting on Craig’s List. OK, we’re kidding about Craig’s List. But the amateur effort at recruiting leaves Forest Park with a reluctant and on-call village administrator who’d rather be flying his airplane than parachuting into problems at village hall. A few thoughts: ■ This mess is disrespectful to Tim Gillian who has given his all to Forest Park in so many ways over so many decades. ■ Forest Park has no bench. This is a small and stretched staff that does not readily offer up an interim administrator. ■ Switching gears at this point to hire a search firm makes Forest Park look cheap and directionless. Commissioner Dan Novak was right on this issue from the start. Hiring a search firm was the obvious decision. ■ We still worry that someone, most likely Mayor Rory Hoskins, has a candidate in his back pocket he’d like to slide in. ■ Forest Park’s ridiculous Council form of government will prove again to be a major impediment to hiring a legitimate manager. It might have worked great in a farm town in 1910 but it is not any way to run a municipality in 2021. ■ There are other people at village hall lining up to retire. John Doss in public works will be gone this summer. The next administrator should have been in place to shape her leadership team. As always Forest Park needs to take every opportunity to add talent from the outside. This mayor and council will never have a more critical decision to make than the hiring of a village administrator. So far this process has been a total botch.

Obsolete fleet in public works Why does Forest Park need to ace the hiring of a new village administrator? Because its entire public works fleet is worn out, broken and past reasonable repairs. That’s the opinion of Jessica Voogd, a village council member, who pulled back the curtain on this serious problem while explaining why snow removal might take a little longer than usual. Voogd said the village should have made a plan to gradually upgrade the fleet as many as 10-15 years ago. Forest Park finances have been tough for a long time. We know that. But investing gradually in critical equipment is the sort of planning the next administrator and the next public works chief will need to do. There won’t be painless solutions. But that is the work that elected officials and professional leaders are charged to do.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful … but as long as we’ve no place to go, let it snow, let it snow … ow did you react to the snowstorm last week — 18 inches of the white stuff shutting most everything down? It was like a stress test that revealed how healthy our “hearts” are. As if we hadn’t been tested enough by the virus. For some Forest Parkers, it was one more day in a long series of days in which they were forced to shelter in place. For others it might have been, to switch metaphors, the straw that broke the camel’s back. The reactions varied: Chicken Little – In the children’s story, an acorn falls from an oak tree and hits Chicken Little on her head. The youngster seems to not have had much experience out in the world because she catastrophizes the event by telling everyone the sky is falling. Some of my neighbors reacted to the snowstorm that way — with drama. Sometimes they have reasons for overreacting. My dad, for example, could not go to the annual Fourth of July fireworks. He had flown 50 missions in a B-26 during the Korean War, often with anti-aircraft flack bursting all around him. He knew in his head that the fireworks were harmless, but he still couldn’t go. My dad knew that the fireworks were acorns, but to him they felt like the sky was falling. Minimizers – Some folks are just the opposite. The sky really is falling and they dismiss it as just an acorn. Those are the kind people who tried to drive last week Tuesday, and you had to help them get their cars out of the snow bank they skidded into. Often, minimizers are the offspring of Chicken Littles. Instead of adjusting as adults and finding an equilibrium, their pendulum swings to the opposite extreme. Winter Wonderland – I’m retired, so I didn’t have to punch a time clock Tuesday morning, and my parttime job is writing for the Review, which I can do at my desk in the warmth of my study. That night I put a Bing Crosby album on my CD player and heard him sing: Sleigh bells ring, are you listening In the lane, snow is glistening A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight Walking in a winter wonderland Being retired, I could sing along with Paul Simon, “I got no deeds to do, no promises to keep; I’m dappled and drowsy and ready for sleep.” I turned off all the lights in the living room and watched the snow coming down in the glow of the streetlight. It had the same effect on me as staring at the campfire at Point Beach back in Wisconsin or gazing at the waves as they roll in off Lake Michigan. My wife didn’t go into work that day — couldn’t even get out of the parking lot till late in the afternoon. We have the same introspective temperament, so we were both content to watch the falling snow for

a long time without saying a word. And I heard Dean Martin’s voice singing in my head,

H

Oh, the weather outside is frightful But the fire is so delightful And since we’ve no place to go Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

TOM HOLMES

Man, it doesn’t show signs of stopping And I’ve brought me some corn for popping The lights are turned way down low Let it snow, let it snow

Our condo doesn’t have a fireplace, but you know what I mean. A WORTHY OPPONENT – I, of course, didn’t hear sleighbells in the lane that night. What I heard was the village snowplows making pass after pass — three plows in row — on our street trying to keep up with the storm. At first, I felt sorry for them because of the long hours they were putting in, but then in my mind I went back 60 years to when I was 13. My mom would wake me up at 6:30. I’d come down the stairs from my bedroom, look out the window, and exult, “Yes! A snow day!” My mom was a fourth-grade teacher, so she was already listening to WOMT-AM which was confirming every 10 minutes that school had been called off. My dad worked in an office, so he didn’t get an all-day pass, but when you live 170 miles north of Forest Park, no one expects you to punch the clock promptly at 8. After eating a big breakfast, my dad and I would join the neighbors who were already out shoveling their driveways and sidewalks. “Hey, Howie,” my dad would holler to Howard Halderson who was shoveling away across the street. “Enough snow for ya?” Bob Tuschl and Jerry Rydzewski, who lived on either side of us on MacArthur Drive, joined in the friendly banter as they shoveled. I didn’t say anything but felt grown up just to be included in what was at that time considered to be men’s work. I also felt great pleasure in feeling my “almost adult” muscles working. I was nearly keeping up with my dad. Together as a neighborhood we were taking on a “worthy opponent” in the foot of snow on the ground, and we were passing the test. As many of you know, I need the help of a walker to get around, and my snow shoveling days are over. What that worthy opponent now reveals is that I’m getting old and that my disorder is progressing. But the snow, piled up outside my living room window, brings back good memories, and I no longer feel sorry for the guys at public works who put in long hours because I suspect that they get a buzz from taking on the challenge, being good at what they do, and looking with satisfaction when they finally clock out at a job well done.

Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

s c i t i l o P All ! L A C O L is

n o s w e n e at d o t p u e nd a t n e Get all th m n er v o g L A s C n O o i L t c r e u l o y Le A C O L g in m o c ED p u H S I the B R FU E R & W at the NE

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Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021 New local ads this week

YOUR WEEKLY AD

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

WEDNESDAY

CLASSIFIED

17

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

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.

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

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

HELP WANTED

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Customer Service Representative II in the Public Works Department. This position provides customer service to the public by providing a variety of responsible and difficult customer service and receptionist work including high volume telephone traffic; and to perform the more difficult and complex customer service duties depending on the department including but not limited to service requests, permits, parking passes, block party permits, accounts payable processing and vehicle stickers. This position is cross-trained with the other Customer Service Representative IIs in the Village. 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. This position is posted until February 26, 2021.

FIRE MARSHALL The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Fire Marshal with the Oak Park Fire Department This position will manage, supervise, and coordinate the activities and operations of the Fire Prevention Bureau. Asist in the development, implementation, and coordination of various programs within the Bureau. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. First review of applications will be February 26, 2021.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST HEPHZIBAH CHILDREN’S ASSOCIATION PART TIME POSITIONS AVAILABLE Hephzibah Children’s Association is a renowned social service agency in Oak Park, IL that has been helping children thrive and families flourish through innovative community-based programs. The Day Care Program is accepting applications for February – June, 2021 school year. We seek individuals to provide care and supervision of 5-11-year-old children. Positions are Monday through Friday from 12:15 – 6:00 pm. Responsibilities include assisting with and monitoring e-learning, supervising arts and crafts, activities, sports, group games, and indoor and outdoor play, lunch and snack, and homework help. The program begins in February and will be in Oak Park, IL serving 5-11-year-old (K-5th grade) children. The program will follow the safety guidelines of the IDPH regarding face masks, social distancing and cleaning & disinfecting. Requirements include: • Minimum of 6 semester hours in education, recreation, social work, or related college courses • Experience working with children If you are interested please contact: Amy O’Rourke, Director of Day Care by email at: aorrouke@hephzibahhome.org include letter of interest and resume. Hephzibah Children’s Association is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We value, advocate for and support diversity throughout our organization. We embrace a respectful, multicultural, environment for employees and the clients we serve.

PART-TIME COMMUNITY SERVICE COORDINATOR The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Part-Time Community Service Coordinator (10-15 hrs./week) in the Adjudication Department. This person monitors individuals who have been ordered to provide community service in the Village, coordinates with organizations that provide community service opportunities, etc. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/ First review of applications will be March 2, 2021. SEASONAL FARMERS’ MARKET ASSISTANT The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmers’ Market Assistant in the Development Customer Services Department. This position will provide administrative support to the Farmers’ Market Manager to allow growers and producers of food to sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This position requires work in inclement weather conditions; some heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds; walking or standing for sustained periods of time. 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. Open until filled.

SUBURBAN RENTALS OAK PARK: ROOSEVELT/ OAK PARK AVE. CORRIDOR 2BR 4RMS close to blue line. On site laundry, parking, heat & water incl. $1200/ month 708-383-9223

ELECTRICAL

OFFICE & RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT

Ceiling Fans Installed

RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft. OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011

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

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

HANDYMAN

HANDYMAN

Mike’s Home Repair

HANDYMAN

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

FOUND PET BLACK CAT Black cat in River Forest, along Chicago Ave, between Ashland and Park. Please contact 708-366-8880

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

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

708-488-9411

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

Buying? Selling? Renting? Wednesday Classified 708-613-3333

SUBURBAN RENTALS

SUBURBAN RENTALS

STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR Best Selection & Service

OAK PARK & FOREST PARK

708-386-7355

MMpropMgmt.com

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.

Selling your home By Owner? Advertise n Wednesday Classified. Call 708/613-3342

PAINTING & DECORATING

BASEMENT CLEANING

HEATING/ AIR CONDITIONING HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT

Request of WILLIAM DEWAYNE LEONE Case Number 20214000561

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

Woodwork Restoration On-site refinishing of wood

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

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

708.749.0011

Ask for John

HAULING

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

REFINISHING

773-637-0692

PUBLIC NOTICES

CLASSIC PAINTING

Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates

Terry's

and fiberglass since 1977. Includes doors, woodwork, windows, staircases and new woodwork etc. All work done by hand. NO sanders. Your unfinished project my specialty! References available. Contact Terry Seamans at 630-379-7148 or terryseamans@yahoo.com

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

ZOOM MEETING ID: 936 6870 5913 ZOOM PASSSWORD: 862976 CALL IN: 3126266799

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of Asha Andriana Berry Case Number 20214000560 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Asha Andriana Berry to the new name of: Asha Andriana The court date will be held: On April 13, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. at 1500 Maybrook Drive, Maywood, Cook County, IL in Courtroom # 0112. Published in Wednesday Journal 2/24, 3/3, 3/10/2021

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

ZOOM MEETING ID: 914 3462 0283 ZOOM PASSSWORD: 988648 CALL IN: 3126266799

PUBLIC NOTICE Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) is proposing to build two 33-foot metal light pole telecommunications facilities in Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois 60130. Node OPB_436 – A will be located in the vicinity of 2 Brown Avenue. Node OPB_442 - A will be located in the vicinity of 7525 Madison Street. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Project 6121000736/6121000739 - MB c/o EBI Consulting, 6876 Susquehanna Trail South, York, PA 17403, mbandstra@ebiconsulting.com, or via telephone at (717) 472-3070.

Published in RBLandmark 2/24, 3/3, 3/10/2021

Published in Forest Park Review 2/24/2021

Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

The court date will be held: On April 13, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom Video-conference. Please use the information below to access the hearing.

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

The court date will be held: On April 13, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom Video-conference. Please use the information below to access the hearing.

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

Request of KEVIN KHANG DINH Case Number 20214000570

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: WILLIAM DEWAYNE LEONE to the new name of: WILLIAM DEWAYNE LEODINH

Published in RBLandmark 2/24, 3/3 3/10/2021

Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

CITY RENTALS DELUXE 3BR APT 5955 W HURON First Floor. Large kitchen, all electric appliances. Near West Suburban Hospital. Near all public trans. $1150/mo. Call 773-637-8677 for appt.

ELECTRICAL

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: KEVIN KHANG DINH to the new name of: KEVIN KHANG LEODINH

You have jobs. We have readers! Find the best employees with Wednesday Classified! Call 708-613-3342.

18

Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

CLASSIFIED

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

Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice: Your right to know

In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year ForestParkReview.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com PUBLIC NOTICES CLAIMS NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, COUNTY DEPARTMENT, PROBATE DIVISION. ESTATE OF JASON EDWARD BOBZIN, DECEASED. NO. 2020 P 006222. Notice is given to creditors of the death of the above named decedent. Letters of office were issued to COURTNEY MARIE BOBZIN-MOHAMMED, 1002 SPRUCE ST., APT 1A, GELNDALE HTS., Il 60139, as Independent Administrator, whose attorney of record is DANSBY G. CHEEKS, 108 MADISON ST., OAK PARK, IL 60302. The estate will be administered without court supervision, unless under section 5/28-4 of the Probate Act (Ill. Compiled Stat. 1992, Ch. 755, par. 5/28-4) any interested person terminates independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the clerk. Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the clerk in Room 1202, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL, or with the representative, or both, on or before AUGUST 24, 2021, or, if mailing or delivery of a notice from the representative is required by section 5/18-3 of the Probate Act, the date stated in that notice. Any claim not filed on or before that date is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered by the claimant to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed. E filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider. Visit http://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/ service-providers.htm to learn more and to select a service provider. If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, Visit http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/FAQ/ gethelp.asp. ATTY. DANSBY G. CHEEKS, Published in Wednesday Journal 2/24, 3/3, 3/10/2021

LEGAL NOTICE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield will hold a public hearing at 6:30 P.M. on March 8, 2021 at the Village Board Room in the Municipal Building of the Village of Brookfield, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 on the Village’s proposed appropriation ordinance, which will serve as the basis for the Village’s 2021 Annual Appropriation Ordinance. The proposed appropriation ordinance will be on file in the Village Clerk’s Office for at least ten (10) days prior to March 8, 2021 and copies thereof will be conveniently available for public examination and copying. Brigid Weber, Village Clerk Published in RB Landmark 2/24/2021

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS

LEGAL NOTICE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS

Public Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) of the Village of River Forest, County of Cook, State of Illinois, on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. in the First Floor Community Room of the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois on the following matter:

Public Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. in the First Floor Community Room of the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois, to consider amendment(s) to the Village’s Zoning Ordinance which include, but may not be limited to, the following:

Public Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) of the Village of River Forest, County of Cook, State of Illinois, on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. in the First Floor Community Room of the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois on the following matter:

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: Y21005947 on February 8, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of GUERRERO DESIGN with the business located at 1 E. ERIE STREET SUITE 525-2263, CHICAGO, IL 60611. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: JULIO C GUERRERO JR. 2322 LARKIN STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109, USA.

The ZBA will consider an application for a major zoning variation submitted by Rosemary McAdams and Quinn Brennolt, owners of the property at 7612 Vine Street, who are proposing to construct a second story addition onto the existing home. Section 4-8-5 of the Village Code provides the Zoning Board jurisdiction to hold public hearings and offer recommendations to the Village Board concerning variations to Zoning Ordinance. The applicants are requesting a major variation to Section 10-9-7 that would allow the west wall of the home, which has a non-conforming side yard setback of 2.85 feet, to increase in height from one story to two stories. The applicants are also requesting a variation for a roof overhang of 1’-8” at the second floor level, resulting in a setback of only 1.18 feet to the roof edge. The Zoning Ordinance prohibits any increase in height of a wall which maintains a non-conforming side yard setback. The Zoning Code requires the roof eave to have a minimum 3-foot side yard setback. The legal description of the property at 7612 Vine Street is as follows: LOT 23, IN BLOCK 6 IN THE RESUBDIVISION OF BLOCKS 3 AND 6 AND THE NORTH 450 FEET OF BLOCK 7 IN HENRY FIELD’S SUBDIVISION OF THE EAST HALF OF THE EAST HALF OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 12, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. A copy of the application will be available to the public at Village Hall and on the Village’s website at www. vrf.us/zoningvariation no less than 15 days prior to the public hearing. The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting packet will also be available at www.vrf.us/meetings no less than 48 hours prior to the public hearing. All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. For public comments to be considered by the Zoning Board of Appeals and Village Board of Trustees in their decision, they must be included as part of the public hearing record. Interested persons can learn more about how to participation in the hearing by visiting www.vrf.us/zoningvariation.

1. A Text Amendment to Chapter 10-19-3(A) of the Zoning Ordinance regarding changes to the standards for review for Planned Developments to consider whether a proposed planned development is consistent with the goals and policies of the Affordable Housing Plan. The petitioner for the Text Amendment(s) is the Village of River Forest, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305 This public hearing is being held pursuant to direction given by the Village Board of Trustees for the Zoning Board of Appeals to consider this amendment. For additional information visit www.vrf.us. All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. For public comments to be considered by the Zoning Board of Appeals and Village Board of Trustees in their decision, they must be included as part of the public hearing record. Physical attendance at this public meeting is limited due to COVID-19, with Zoning Board of Appeals officials, staff and consultants having priority over members of the public. Public comments and any responses will be ready into the public meeting record. You may submit your public comments via email in advance of the meeting to: Cliff Radatz at cradatz@vrf.us. You may listen to the meeting by visiting https:// us02web.zoom.us/j/85079808303 or participating in a telephone conferences call as follows, dial-in number 1-312-626- 6799 with meeting id: 850 7980 8303. If you would like to participate over the phone, please contact Cliff Radatz by telephone at (708) 714-3557 or by email at cradatz@vrf.us by 12:00 pm on Thursday, March 11, 2021. For further information or for a copy of the proposed text amendments, please contact Acting Village Administrator Lisa Scheiner at (708) 7143520 or at lscheiner@vrf.us or visit www.vrf.us. Sincerely, Clifford Radatz Secretary, Zoning Board of Appeals Published in Wednesday Journal 2/24/2021

Sincerely, Clifford Radatz Secretary, Zoning Board of Appeals Published in Wednesday Journal 2/24/2021

Attention! Home-improvement pros! Reach the people making decisions–your target market. Advertise in Wednesday Classified. Call 708/613-3342

The ZBA will consider an application for a major zoning variation submitted by Greg and Amanda Palivos, owners of the property at 1018 Park Avenue, who are proposing to construct a two story addition onto the existing home. Section 4-8-5 of the Village Code provides the Zoning Board jurisdiction to hold public hearings and offer recommendations to the Village Board concerning variations to Zoning Ordinance. The applicants are requesting major variations to Section 10-9-7 that would allow the south wall of the proposed addition to the house to be constructed with a non-conforming side yard setback of 3.75 feet, and as a result, the combined side yard setback of the property would be non-conforming at 13.95 feet. The Zoning Ordinance requires the minimum side yard setback to be equal to 10 percent of the lot width or 5 feet, whichever is greater. The minimum required side yard setback for this property is 7.5 feet. The Zoning Ordinance also requires the combined side yard setback (the sum of the side yards at both sides of the house) to be equal to 25 percent of the lot width or 10 feet, whichever is greater. The combined side yard setback for this property is required to be a minimum of 18.75 feet. The legal description of the property at 1018 Park Avenue is as follows: LOT 8 AND THE NORTH 1/2 OF LOT 9 IN HENRY E. GRAVES SUBDIVISION OF BLOCK 10, IN SNOW AND DICKINSON’S ADDITION TO RIVER FOREST, A SUBDIVISION OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 1 AND THE EAST 17 ACRES OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN (EXCEPT PARTS CONVEYED TO THE CHICAGO AND WISCONSIN RAILROAD COMPANY) IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. A copy of the application will be available to the public at Village Hall and on the Village’s website at www. vrf.us/zoningvariation no less than 15 days prior to the public hearing. The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting packet will also be available at www.vrf.us/meetings no less than 48 hours prior to the public hearing. All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. For public comments to be considered by the Zoning Board of Appeals and Village Board of Trustees in their decision, they must be included as part of the public hearing record. Interested persons can learn more about how to participation in the hearing by visiting www.vrf.us/zoningvariation. Clifford Radatz Secretary, Zoning Board of Appeals Published in Wednesday Journal 2/24/2021

Published in Wednesday Journal 2/10, 2/17, 2/24/2021

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION QUICKEN LOANS INC. Plaintiff, -v.DRIKO DUCASSE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2019CH08452 1226 N AUSTIN BLVD 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 December 17, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 25, 2021, 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 1226 N AUSTIN BLVD, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-127-0270000

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

The real estate is improved with a multi-family residence. 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, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-06429 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH08452 TJSC#: 41-167 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 # 2019CH08452 I3164170

Illinois Classified Advertising Network HEALTH

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WANTED FREON WANTED: We pay $$$ for cylinders and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. Certified Professionals. Call 312-291-9169 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com

Starting a new business?

Call the expert before you place your legal ad! Publish your assumed name legal notice in • Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review • Riverside/Brookfield Landmark • Austin Weekly News Call Mary Ellen for details: 708/613-3342

P

Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

INC., REALTOR

19

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

SOLD!

928 S. Kenilworth Ave. Oak Park ....................$275,000

1028 Beloit Forest Park ....................$289,000

SOLD!

Property has been owner occupied by the same family for 50+ years. 1st fl has spacious living rm and dining rm, kitchen and 1/2 bath. 2nd floor has three bedrooms and full bath. Stucco exterior and 2 car detached garage. Great location in south west Oak Park. Needs some updating but livable as-is. 935 Elgin Avenue, Forest Park ........................$489,000 This is a money maker! This early 1970s brick four flat houses two one bedroom apartments on the top floor, a large three bedroom two bath apartment on the first floor, and a large two bedroom two bathroom apartment in the lower level. Tandem parking for 8 cars. Meticulously maintained by the current owner for several decades. The numbers work! This one really won't last long.

SOLD!

This 3 BR, 2.1 BA home has not been available in over 55 years. It has been meticulously maintained within the same family for that time. This home offers two first floor good sized bedrooms and a large second floor master. Each floor has a full updated bathroom. The first floor living room, with it's vaulted ceilings, fill with sunlight pouring from the front foyer windows.

1117 Marengo Avenue, Forest Park .......................$263,500 What a great opportunity to get into Forest Park at an affordable price! This home offers four total bedrooms, two on the second floor and two on the first floor. The home is in perfect condition! Living room, dining room, and eat in kitchen, plus a finished basement. Huge deck off the back of the house and a very large two car garage!

337 Marengo Avenue, Forest Park ......................$275,000 Fantastic location alert!! Just a stones throw from Madison Street shopping, restaurants, and night life makes this a very desirable piece of real estate! This is two flat is ready for some love and attention. Just stuck in time is all. Or a fantastic de-conversion to single family! So bring your decorating ideas, and be prepared to fall in love!

SOLD!

SOLD!

RibFest Every Day!

RESIDENTIAL — COMMERCIAL — RETAIL — CHURCHES — SCHOOLS

Mickey’s is the place! Mickey’s Rib Special

1/2 Slab Dinner B.B.Q. RIBS & CHICKEN BURGERS & HOT DOGS

$11.99

Full Slab Dinner

$17.99

includes fries or baked potato, coleslaw and garlic bread

525 N Harlem Ave, Oak Park (708) 848-3333 11am - 9pm Daily 3 Vienna Hot Dogs Italian w/ Fries Beef $ .49 Sandwich w/ Fries $ .49

8

8

Wednesday

Gyros Plate Dinner

SERVING OAK PARK AND RIVER FOREST SINCE 1976

1 lb meat, 2 pita breads, fries & 3 cups sauce $10.99

Every day Special!

Gyros with fries $7.99

11 Tables for Indoor Dining! 1/4 Lb Double Cheeseburger

Big Mickey! $ .99

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Forest Park Review, February 24, 2021

JOIN THE FARMINGTON TEAM Since the 1930s, our families have been dedicated to Chicago’s meat industry. And for more than 49 years, we’ve been proud to call Forest Park our home at Franklin and Circle Streets. Just as it was when our company was founded so many years ago, we remain committed to doing what is best for our employees, our customers, and our community.

MORE THAN 49 YEARS IN FOREST PARK Farmington Foods specializes in delicious, center-of-the-plate meat and poultry products for retailers and foodservice operators alike. Look for our Big Shoulders Smokehouse products in grocery stores across the country!

WE'RE HIRING NOW! If you’re interested in joining our team, please call Farmington Foods human resources today! (708) 771-3600 Ext# 2069

Visit our websites at FarmingtonFoods.com and BigShouldersBBQ.com 7419 West Franklin Street, Forest Park, IL 60130