Forest Park Review_050521

F O R E S T PA R K

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA, NFP ForestParkReview.com Vol. 104, No. 18

$1.00

REVIEW MAY 5, 2021

Farmington Foods expansion approved PAGE 4

D209 board officers retain positions PAGE 10

@ForestParkReview

Forest Park extends offer to new village administrator

Former village administrator of Wadsworth, IL

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Moses Amidei has accepted an offer from the village government to become Forest Park’s new village administrator. He will begin May 11 pending official vote by the village council during the May 10 regularly scheduled meeting.

Amidei served as village administrator of Wadsworth, a largely rural Lake County suburb bordering Wisconsin, for 14 years. He left that position in Oct. 2020 by what he called “mutual agreement.”

He will replace Tim Gillian, who retired on Jan. 29 but has continued working in the role throughout the search for his successor. The search was carried out by a committee comprised of Mayor Rory Hoskins, village council members Joe Byrnes and Jessica Voogd, Bridget Lane of the Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Committee, as well as Vanessa Moritz, village clerk and human resources director.

“Moses will be a great fit for the village,” Hoskins told the Review on April 29.

In a brief interview with the Review on April 30, Amidei said he was looking forward to his position in the village, explaining that his niche is small towns. Originally from north suburban Highwood, he grew up there and was involved in local governSee AMIDEI on page 5

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

BIG CREATIVITY, TINY ART: Forest Park artist Elaine Arthur has begun creating art on a small scale and has an open call out for tiny paintings and sculptures to display in the micro gallery she’s created.

Tiny art galleries promote creativity, togetherness

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Forest Park artist Elaine Luther creates tiny art galleries. The walls of the space are 12 inches by 12 inches on all sides, and the gallery itself has a back wall and two side walls, plus a floor.

There’s no ceiling or front wall so “visitors” can see inside.

The paintings on the walls are on real canvases of 4 inches by 4 inches or smaller. Sculptures are on display too, all to scale of what would fit inside a doll’s house.

On opening nights of the gallery, when a new artist’s work is presented, miniature wine bottles and glasses and a wedge of cheese are “served.” (They’re not actually edible or drinkable.)

IN Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 THIS Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 ISSUE Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Luther puts out open calls to artists to submit work to display in the tiny studio, officially termed a “micro gallery,” and recently, she and her online micro gallery called The Angelica Kauffman Gallery, featured on Instagram (@angelicakauffmangallery), were invited to be part of the international Guild of Micro Galleries.

The Angelica Kauffman Gallery, which features only micro art, is named after a Swiss painter, considered to be a child prodigy, who lived from 1741 to 1807. The gallery is currently on display in Calypso Moon Studio in Oak Park at 331B Harrison St. See LUTHER on page 11

Bar hours cut to curb bad behavior on Madison St.

D209 offering COVID-19 saliva tests to students

PAGE 8

PAGE 13

Follow us online ForestParkReview.com

2

Natl Teachers Day ad (FPR) ForestFPSD91 Park Review, May 5, 2021

050521.pdf

1

4/30/21

11:37 AM

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

F

Helping the homeless see better days

orest Park is home to a sizable number of students from Loyola’s Stritch School of Medicine. Thanks to a nonprofit organization called Better Days Community Outreach Services, these students are becoming even more closely connected to our community.

Better Days is an organization dedicated to helping the homeless. It partners with Loyola students and uses Forest Park as a staging area for preparing and distributing food to the less fortunate. It started, though, with students being the recipients.

The founder, Pastor Joyce Smith, works with medical students in her capacity as Loyola’s assimilation education coordinator. In December 2020, she talked with a student named Jessica Simpson about distributing gift cards to students, who are often pressed for time and money when it comes to preparing meals. They were grateful for the cards.

Jessica, though, didn’t want to be only on the receiving end. She suggested that Pastor Joyce use her home on the 1400 Block of Elgin as a site for food preparation and pick-up. Jessica organized schedules for 70 students to pick up free groceries and help

on homeless care days.

They set up folding tables in the snow, where the students could safely collect their groceries. They used these same tables to put together care packages for the homeless. The packages include fresh produce donated by Imperfect Foods, sandwiches prepared by the students and health supplies like hand sanitizer and masks.

Jessica has always had a heart for the homeless. As a young girl, she would cry at the sight of a homeless person. She still gets emotional. It makes her feel good to prepare PB&J and cold-cut sandwiches and distribute them to the needy. Students pick up their groceries on the third Saturday of each month and help the homeless on the fourth Saturday.

When Jessica became too busy to organize the operation, her classmate, Aaron Perlow, stepped up. He moved the operation to his home on the 7600 block of Monroe. Aaron considers it a privilege to help the homeless.

He sees an extreme need for food among the homeless in the western suburbs. He is the Better Days point man for locating the homeless.

Aaron scours areas in Forest Park and Oak Park where the homeless congregate.

JOHN RICE

This includes the CTA stations and expressway entrance ramps. Local police officers are also helpful in directing him to the homeless. When Aaron approaches, they can be apprehensive at first. They are grateful, though, for the food and even more thankful for the conversation.

In a recent talk with a homeless man, Aaron learned he was trying to return to his native Florida. Aaron plans to purchase the bus ticket he needs. As the weather warms, it’s tougher to locate the homeless. So on April 24, the students made sandwiches and brought them to a “tent city” at Chicago and Sacramento.

Pastor Joyce was with them to prepare the grocery bags and pass them out. Prior to founding Better Days in 2015, she was a legal assistant at Loop law firms. After obtaining her master’s degree in Human Services, she switched to the medical field. She is now in her eighth year at Loyola.

Pastor Joyce operates Better Days out of her home in Calumet City. She is also an assistant pastor at New Beginning Worship Center in Thornton.

To support Pastor Joyce in her ministry, you can make a PayPal donation at betterdaysoutreach.com. If you would like to help pack grocery bags and distribute them to the homeless, you can email Pastor Joyce at betterdayscos2015@gmail.com. The students will supply the folding tables.

F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW Editor Maria Maxham Senior Editor Bob Uphues Equity Editor/Ombudsman Michael Romain 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 Digital Strategist James Kay Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Mark Moroney, Javier Govea 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

Photo provided

HOPE FOR BETTER DAYS: Students from Loyola’s Stritch School of Medicine organize food in Forest Park for Better Days, an organization dedicated to helping the homeless.

Share photos on Instagram using #fpreview or email alexa@oakpark.com.

All photos become property of Forest Park Review for possible future use in print or digital capacities.

@ForestParkReview

3

4

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

Farmington Foods expansion approved Village and meat processor find middle ground

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Farmington Foods, 7419 Franklin St., has permission to build its proposed addition after the village council’s unanimous vote on April 26 to amend the 2015 planned unit development (PUD), allowing the expansion and adding some restrictions, including some related to truck traffic and fencing.

The 8,666 square foot two-story addition (a footprint of approximately 4,333 square feet) will connect two existing structures on the southeastern part of the site.

On April 12, the village council discussion regarding the expansion was continued until the meeting on the 26th, giving the village and Farmington representatives more time

to work out details, the most significant related to truck traffic and noise, fencing, and the rooftop deck that will be part of the addition.

The ordinance before the village council on April 12, written by village staff and the village’s planning consultants, proposed restrictions on all truck traffic from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., but Farmington Foods appealed, stating that would be too binding and would essentially handcuff their business.

The village rewrote the requirement, instead stating that no more than six transports (a transport defined as a one-way trip) would be allowed between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on site. Back-up beepers on the trucks will not be allowed during those hours; back-up safety lights will be used instead.

Farmington agreed to the village’s ask that visual and noise screening be erected for portions of the property that are beyond 15 feet from the entrances, rather than the 25 feet the company originally desired.

Additionally, the company had clarified

to Building, Planning and Zoning Director Steve Glinke and other village staff that the rooftop deck, part of their proposed addition, will only be used by office and supervisory personnel. Glinke said his original impression that the rooftop deck might be occupied by 20 or 30 people at a time, potentially late at night, was corrected by on onsite visit and discussion with the operations manager. Further, said Glinke, the impact of light or people on the rooftop deck would be blunted by regulations regarding screening.

“Even from a second story window across the street, you won’t even see the people out there,” Glinke said. “If there’s noise, we can go ahead and enforce the noise ordinance.

But frankly, I was very comfortable with what [the operations manager] from Farmington provided me.”

Glinke, who came down hard on Farmington at the April 12 meeting, said he was pleased with the effort put forth by Farmington Foods to reach an agreement with the village, including the company’s will-

Photo provided

APPROVED: The expansion requested by Farmington Foods, 7419 Franklin St., was approved by the village council at an April 26 meeting. | Rendering by Ridgeland Associates, Inc.

ingness to agree to limit the number of truck trips during overnight hours.

“If things go sideways, we can put a camera over at the water tower, if we really feel that that’s absolutely necessary,” Glinke said. “But I think that Farmington has shown good faith. They’ve explained the reason that they need that shuttle between the two buildings.”

Glinke added that finding a middle ground where neighbors have quality of life while balancing company growth is the goal.

“We have to balance [Farmington’s] ability to grow their business in a way that doesn’t necessarily have a significant impact on the residential neighborhoods,” Glinke said, later comparing it to Madison Street 30 years ago. “This is the same thing that we went through three decades ago, when we were rebranding Madison Street and trying to determine how we’re going to maintain the peace between a commercial business district with a nightlife and approximate residential neighborhoods.”

Commissioner Ryan Nero said he appreciated the work of Glinke and his team as well as Farmington Foods being willing to work with village staff.

“I appreciate the flex from Farmington so we can put this behind us and move forward,” Nero said.

During the April 12 village council meeting, Farmington Food’s CFO and COO Al La Valle said the addition was driven “by market forces triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Customer demand for Farmington’s retail grocery market products has grown while demand for restaurant products has decreased, La Valle said. These products require different packaging and machinery configurations, and additional space on the first floor will allow the company to better handle these adjustments.

The first floor will also include a conference room and an ADA accessible elevator.

Offices will be housed on the second floor.

Plans also include the rooftop deck.

Contract awarded for water main replacement and resurfacing Uno Construction comes in under village estimate

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Bids for the water main replacement and resurfacing projects on the 7700 block of Monroe Street and 400 to 600 blocks of Thomas Avenue were opened on April 7 and the contract awarded to Uno Construction, the lowest bidder, by unanimous vote of the village council on April 26.

The village received seven bids for the project, which had been estimated to cost $1,361,755. Uno Construction’s bid was for $1,096,000.

A letter from engineer Jim Amelio of Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. (CBBEL), the village’s engineering firm, to Village Administrator Tim Gillian stated that CBBEL had reviewed the bid document and found it to be in order. The letter also said that both the village and CBBEL have worked with Uno Construction previously, “and they appear qualified to perform this work.”

A previous water main sewer separation project in 2019 was done by Uno Construction on the 400 and 500 blocks of Beloit and the 500 and 1500 blocks of Marengo. Thirteen

homes in the area had problems as a result of the pilot rod accidently going through the sanitary line, an issue discovered when a resident reported a blocked line.

Newly paved streets were torn up so the water and sewer lines could be excavated and repaired where the sanitary line had been broken. The repairs were made at no cost to the village.

At the time, Gillian said of Uno Construction, “To their credit, they have accepted full responsibility for this and have been completely accepting of all village requests.” He added that going forward, all contractors who finish similar projects in the village will be required to televise lines to ensure similar issues have not occurred.

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

Attempted murder at Forest Park restaurant Patrons hold suspect until police arrive

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Restaurant patrons at Madison Park Kitchen (MPK), 7525 Madison St., came to the rescue of a woman who was being attacked by a knife-wielding man on May 1 at 1 p.m.

When police, who responded to multiple calls of a stabbing at the location, arrived on the scene, they saw several MPK patrons holding the suspect, Mitchell J. Simmons, Jr. They observed a steak knife handle and a bent and broken blade next to it on the ground. The victim, they were told, had run out the back door of the restaurant.

According to the police report, the victim has an active order of protection against Simmons, whom she previously dated.

Witnesses, including family members of the victim, said the victim and her family were at MPK sitting around a large table and eating when Simmons entered the restaurant and “proceeded at a fast pace” toward the table, according to the police report.

The family members began screaming and telling the victim to run, but before she could get away, Simons grabbed her by the throat and began choking her, according to the report.

Witnesses said he then began grabbing around in his pocket, apparently looking for something. A witness was able to grab Simmons’ hand and punched him, and the victim broke free.

Someone yelled that Simmons had a gun, at which point many patrons fled the restaurant but several, according to the police report, attempted to come to the aid of the victim, who had once more been grabbed by Simmons.

Simmons allegedly grabbed a steak knife

We are Open!

from his waistband, which witnesses say was not broken at that time. He struggled with a restaurant patron, during which the knife blade was bent. He managed to get away and once more grabbed the victim, choking her and stabbing her several times in the back, side and head, according to the police report.

Because the blade of the knife was now bent, the injuries were relatively minor, and eventually the blade broke completely off the knife.

He threw the victim to the ground, knocking over tables and patrons in the process, and lay on top of her, choking her on the ground.

Witnesses said they thought the victim, who lost consciousness, was dead.

According to the police report, several unknown restaurant patrons grabbed Simmons at this point, holding him until police arrived.

The victim regained consciousness and, with several family members, fled out the back door.

Simmons was arrested. A set of brass knuckles was found in his right front pocket. It is not the first time he has violated the order of protection, according to the police report.

He was charged with attempted murder, aggravated domestic battery/strangulation and violation of an order of protection. He was taken to bond court on May 3.

Simmons allegedly knew of the victim’s location through a Snapchat photo she posted, not knowing it gave away her location.

The Review spoke briefly with a manager at MPK over the weekend, who said that seeing restaurant patrons step up to help was incredible. She said she would be in contact with the Review to provide more details from the restaurant’s point of view.

Your Hometown Podiatrist for 30 Years CONSERVATIVE MEDICAL & SURGICAL TREATMENT OF:

Orthopedic, Geriatric and Pediatric Foot Problems Diabetic and Vascular Foot Disorders Painful Bunions and Hammertoes Skin and Nail Disorders and Infections DR. LORI LIPKIN Heel and Arch Pain

Forest Foot Care

Board Certified ABPOPPM Medicare & most Insurance Accepted House Calls Accepted Weekend and Evening Hours

7503 W. Madison, Forest Park

708/366-3770

5

Woman kidnapped at Circle Avenue and Harrison Street Suspect held on $1 million bond

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

A woman was kidnapped when her car was stolen by a man implying he had a weapon.

It happened on April 30 at 6:44 p.m. when a man suddenly entered the passenger side of the car of a woman who was parked in the intersection of Harrison Street and Circle Avenue. He allegedly said he had a gun and demanded that she begin to drive.

The man was later identified as Travis Williams, born in 2002, from Chicago.

Williams reportedly had his right hand wrapped in a navy blue nylon jacket and implied he had a weapon. He demanded the victim drive to a Chase Bank in Chicago, where they entered the vestibule together and she attempted to withdraw money, at Williams’ insistence. No money could be withdrawn from her checking account, according to the police report, because her balance was too low.

The offender, Williams, then had her

AMIDEI

drive to another location, where once again he forced her to withdraw money, but this transaction was also unsuccessful.

After repeatedly asking Williams to let her go, the victim was finally released at the intersection of Harlem Avenue and I-290.

Williams continued on in the car and the victim notified the police that she had been kidnapped and her car stolen.

About an hour later, the stolen vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run in North Riverside. Forest Park police officers arrived at the scene to assist North Riverside police in establishing a perimeter and search for Williams. Riverside Fire Department’s drone, K9 police dogs from various departments, and a Chicago Police Department helicopter were all employed in the search for Williams, who was finally located inside a garbage can in the rear of a residence on 4th Avenue in North Riverside.

The weapon Williams had implied he had was never found, and Williams was taken into police custody and is being charged with aggravated kidnapping and vehicular hijacking and held on a $1 million bond.

“I look forward to learning how special this place is,” Amidei said. “I’m ready to learn and listen to why people love Forest Park so much. The strong sense of community is evident.” from page 1 Already, he said, he can see that the diversity of people and the strategic location of the town are two strong features. ment serving for a time as interim village “It’s a great place for families. It’s a great administrator. place to start a business. And it’s in a straWhen his career took him to Wadsworth, tegic location, with public transportation a much more rural community, he said it options readily available; it’s a first-choice was like learning local governlocation for someone who wants ment all over again. Wadsworth a suburban location but be close bills itself as “The Village of to the city,” Amidei said.

Country Living,” which reflects In Forest Park, Amidei also is its requirement of a minimum looking forward to working with one-acre lot size. The community village staff. In the short term, is 94 percent white and less than he said his goals are on building 2 percent Black. a great team, meeting the public, Because of the diversity in his meeting the business commuexperiences, Amidei said he has nity and listening and learning. a resume well-balanced between “It’s important to me to really a full-service village administraMOSES AMIDEI understand the values of the tion and a more limited, rural residents and business owners,” environment. In Wadsworth, Amidei said. “I want to ensure that the qualsaid Amidei, he had a hand in every aspect ity-of-life Forest Park citizens have enjoyed of local government. continues.”

“Direct access to the citizenry is why local Amidei is married with two sons, aged 14 government is so important,” Amidei said, and 11. His family lives in Mundelein. His and it’s also what he likes best about workboys have been involved in Little League and ing in a small municipality. baseball for years, and Amidei said he likes Amidei said it has been apparent in the to compare the metaphor of youth sports, time he’s spent in Forest Park, most rewhich helps build relationships among chilcently on a tour with Hoskins on April 28, dren and parents, to working together on a how much people here are committed to the greater level to build a strong community. town.

New village administrator

6

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

May 5 - 12

BIG WEEK The Beauty of Monarchs Join the Trailside Museum, 738 Thatcher Ave. in River Forest, on May 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. to learn how you can bring beautify and butterflies to your yard through planting native plants. The University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists will get you started with plants and seeds (while supplies last). There will also be children’s activities. Masks must be worn to these outdoor drop-in events, and physical distancing should be maintained by participants. Contact 708-366-6530 or email trailside.museum@cookcountyil. gov for more information.

Spring Pond Paddle

Shop and Share Benefitting Local Nonprofits Support local businesses, get useful products and benefit a local nonprofit: • At Kribi Coffee, 7324 Madison St., purchase a bag of Together Strong coffee, a custom created blend, and $5 of each bag goes toward supporting Sarah’s Inn and its mission to improve the lives of those affected by domestic violence. This runs through the end of May. • Through May 8, shop self-care products at Ten Thousand Villages, 121 N. Marion St. in Oak Park and 15 percent of the purchase goes to Sarah’s Inn, located in Forest Park.

• Shop Westgate Flowers, mention NAMI, and a portion of the sale goes to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Metro Suburban, through May 9. Order: 708-386-0072. 841 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park

On Thursday, May 6, enjoy a spring pond paddle at the Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave. in River Forest. Families can enjoy an evening paddling on Thatcher Glen Pond located at the Trailside Museum of Natural History. Instruction, sanitized equipment and kayaks provided. Meet in the parking lot. All participants are required to wear masks and practice physical distancing. Registration is required. Please call 312-533-5751 to sign up. You an also email experience.nature@cookcountyil.gov to learn more about this free event.

Virtual Author Visit: Alex Kotlowitz Join the Forest Park Public Library on Thursday, May 6 at 7:00 PM for a fireside chat with journalist, author and filmmaker Alex Kotlowitz. Alex’s most notable books are “An American Summer: Love and Death in Chicago” and the award-winning national bestseller “There Are No Children Here.” Known not just for print, Kotlowitz also won an Emmy for the 2011 documentary “The Interrupters.”

The chat will be moderated by Pulitzer Prize winning Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich. Alex and Mary will have a forty-fiveminute wide-ranging discussion followed by about fifteen minutes to answer your questions.

Visit fppl.org/events for more information and to register.

ALEX KOTLOWITZ

Music for Autism Virtual Concert On May 8 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. the Forest Park Public Library is partnering with Music for Autism to promote a free, interactive concert series open to individuals with autism of all ages and their families. Sign up at musicforautism. org/concert/virtual-west-villagequartet/. This month’s featured performance is from The West Village Quartet, an African American string quartet, performing works from their classical repertoire.

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

P O L I C E

7

R E P O R T S

Fire, possibly from cigarette, put out safely Forest Park fire and police units responded to the call of a fire in a location on the 7200 block of Roosevelt Rd. on April 28 at 12:56 a.m. Once there, they discovered the landing at the top of a stairway on fire. A resident said she’d had a friend visiting earlier. She keeps a small plant pot with dirt out on the landing for him to put out his cigarettes. The fire department put out the fire.

Since apartment units were not significantly damaged, tenants were allowed to return.

Ten CTA cars defaced Ten different CTA train cars were defaced with graffiti during the week.

On April 23, three train cars at 1 Harlem Ave. were tagged with paint.

On April 24 around 8 a.m., CTA employees discovered two cars had been vandalized somewhere while they were in service, so they could have been tagged anywhere along the line over the past two days.

A CTA employee called in a report of another two trains being vandalized after discovering graffiti. The employee believes that the incident occurred sometime before midnight on April 25. The cars had been stationary in the CTA yard all day.

At the Blue Line storage yard near Desplaines Avenue two train cars were found vandalized at 9 p.m. on April 25.

On April 28 at 3:57 a.m., an employee discovered two figures dressed all in black painting on a train car deep in the “jungle” portion of the lot at 711 Desplaines Ave. The subjects fled over a fence into Concordia Cemetery and were not caught.

Cash stolen from unlocked car $30,000 in cash was allegedly stolen from a truck on April 26 sometime between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m. The victim said he’d withdrawn the money from his bank and placed it in a manila envelope, which he put inside a bag. He placed that bag on the seat of the vehicle, then drove to a U-Haul in Chicago and rented a trailer. When dropping off that trailer at the Forest Park U-Haul location, he’d parked on Harrison Street while a worker disconnected the trailer. The victim went inside to fill out some paperwork, leaving the bag containing $30,000 in his unlocked car. When he returned to the car, the bag was still there. But two days later, when he opened the bag to get the cash for his friend, the manila envelope and money were missing. He told police he has suffered a head injury in the past and has trouble

with memory.

Fight outside bar Police were called to break up a fight in front of Forest Park Top Room, 7321 Madison St., on April 27 at 12:53 a.m. A large group of people were physically fighting and yelling, according to the police report. “The group was uncooperative and took several minutes to disperse,” said the police.

One of the subjects involved said the fight had begun as an argument inside the bar.

Tap Room staff said the subjects had not been inside the bar.

Fight over bad Xanax at train station Police were called to 711 Desplaines Ave. on April 27 at 5:42 p.m. for a fight. The reporting officer heard a large commotion and observed several people pointing to the mezzanine. One person told the officer there was a subject with a crowbar, “going after another person.”

Reporting officer requested additional units, then entered the mezzanine of the train station, where he was told by an alleged victim that another man had swung a tire iron at him. The victim pointed to the alleged subject, who was running northbound on Desplaines Ave. He was detained by police.

The subject told police that a man had approached him, asking if he wished to purchase some Xanax. He told the man that his “Xanax” was garbage, at which time three additional unknown men approached, one hitting him in the head with a belt buckle.

The subject then picked up a tire iron and swung it at the man who’d hit him with the belt buckle. It is unclear where the tire iron came from.

Neither the man hit with the belt buckle nor the man who was threatened with the tire iron wished to sign complaints. They were sent on their way.

Alleged thefts at Planet Fitness On April 23 at 4:54 p.m., a customer at a Planet Fitness, 7530 Roosevelt Rd., called police when he finished his workout and discovered that his car keys, which he said had been in his pocket, were missing and his car, parked outside, stolen. His wallet had been in the car, and it contained several important cards. Footage from a surveillance camera will be checked.

On April 25 at 3:09 p.m., a customer at Plant Fitness said he’d locked his belongings in a locker at the gym. After his work-

out, his locker was ajar, the lock gone, and $110 was missing.

Open alcohol citations given A man on the 7400 block of Madison Street was given a local ordinance citation for open container when found out on the sidewalk with a white Styrofoam cup containing alcohol. The subject was “cooperative and respectful” throughout the entire encounter with police, according to the report.

On April 25, a man sitting on a stoop drinking a can of beer on the 7200 block of Madison Street was ticketed for open container. When he saw the police, he poured the contents of the 24 oz Magnum 24 Malt Liquor into the village flower planter on the corner. He was issued a local ordinance citation for open container.

Gun found in car of intoxicated ‘slumper’ On April 25 at 12:53 a.m., a man was arrested and ultimately charged with aggravated DUI, driving under the influence, unlawful use or possession of a weapon by a felon, suspended or revoked drivers’ license

and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

Police were dispatched to the 7600 block of Madison St. for a man passed out behind the wheel of a car, which was running in the middle of the alley. When officers turned off the car from the passenger side, they noticed a .45 CAL Taurus PT-145 Millenium Pro handgun in between the driver’s feet and the floorboard. It was immediately accessible and loaded with one round in the chamber and 10 in the magazine.

Officers removed the driver from the vehicle, waking him up, and saw he had glassy, blood shot eyes, delayed speech and was unsteady on his feet. He was taken to the station, where he did not do well on sobriety tests.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, April 24-30, 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

A PA R T M E N T / O F F I C E SUBURBAN RENTALS

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

OAK PARK & FOREST PARK

708-386-7355

MMpropMgmt.com

Apartment listings updated daily at:

R E N TA L S

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT

1040 NORTH BLVD OFFICE Sub-lease, Move right in. Private furnished window office 10×15 @1040 North Boulevard, walk to CTA green line and Metra train. Asking $600m + 1m SD. Includes all utilities and internet. Note: this is a 2nd-story walkup space.

Conference room available.

Call Michael @ 708 383-7900 LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION FOREST PARK HIGHLY VISIBLE OFFICE/STORE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE 1350 SF w/ AC & HIGHLY VISIBLE MADISON STREET EXPOSURE. 7607 Madison Street.

Village parking lot next door. Bright, clean office.

Great Madison Street exposure! Call Francis 708-383-8574.

OFFICE SPACE, PROFESSIONAL SHARED Comfortable furnished. AVAILABLE MAY 1: subletting blocks of time, minimum four hours per week at super reasonable hourly rate.

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.

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

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066

BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

Psychotherapy starter or retiring? Working at home yet need professional setting? It’s a perfect space on border of Oak Park - River Forest in clean building, free street parking, ACCESSIBLE, steps from bus and train. DON’T delay!

INQUIRIES: Please phone/text 708-387-9000 MUST include name & profession for response.

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

8

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

Village cuts bar hours back in attempt to curb unruly behavior on Madison St. Two commissioners question whether ordinance will solve the problem

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

In an effort to curb disruptive bar-patron behavior on Madison Street, the village council approved, at an April 26 meeting, cutting bar service back by an hour every day. That means bars will close at 2 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and at 1 a.m. all other nights.

The temporary amendment is effective until Dec. 31, 2021, and, according to the ordinance, was done “to reasonably and necessarily respond to and address the increasingly frequent events of overcrowding, public disturbances and nuisance activities related to late hour drinking establishments.”

Mayor Rory Hoskins mentioned recent occurrences on Madison Street that prompted the ordinance, including an April 18 incident during which two police officers were assaulted by a man they were removing from a bar and, according to the police report, berated by a crowd which gathered to watch. That incident required response from not only Forest Park police but units from neighboring towns as well.

“I would suggest to you that when we have a scene with Forest Park police vehicles and River Forest police vehicles and Oak Park police vehicles, it’s not a good look for Madison Street,” Hoskins said. He added later: “It’s just getting very unruly,” mentioning people shouting profanities and complaining about getting tickets for public consumption of alcohol. “I think you can reasonably conclude that as the night goes on, unfortunately, people sometimes get more and more intoxicated. And that’s when some of the worst behavior begins with late night bar fights.”

Recently, the village began blocking off Burkhardt Court on weekend nights to avoid what Hoskins called “tailgating” there, and the village has been considering hiring extra part-time police officers to help deal with bar patrons on Madison Street.

The motion to cut back bar service by an hour passed four to one, with commissioner

Dan Novak voting against it and commissioner Jessica Voogd casting a vote in favor but saying it “feels a bit like theater” to roll back bar hours if the real issues aren’t going to be addressed.

“If you’re closing one hour early, is it going to change? I mean, are folks going to be quiet?” Voogd asked during the meeting.

“We absolutely have to do it,” she said, referring to passing the ordinance. But she questioned whether it would get to the heart of the issue, and she said she has outstanding questions about why an A1 license was issued to “such a large bar” as the Forest Park Tap at Madison and Circle rather than an A license, which requires that at least half of its gross annual sales be from food. Voogd referenced the shift in attitude the village government has had in past years to creating a family-friendly Madison Street and an unwritten understanding that stand-alone pub licenses (A1) would be avoided in favor of A licenses, which come with the food requirement.

“I will support this,” said Voogd of the ordinance, “although I think some of the bigger issues aren’t answered yet. And I really hope that we’re going to take the time to figure that out.”

Novak, who voted against the ordinance, said he felt like pulling back the bar hours was reactionary and that he wasn’t sure the “homework” to support it had been done.

“I just hope every business had a seat at the table in a conversation on how this would affect them,” Novak said. He added: “I honestly believe we’re reacting to some issues and some various establishments …

We’re just reacting in a full-blown broad stroke paint, not knowing what one o’clock will do. Again, did we throw a dart and get one o’clock?”

Hoskins said during the meeting that over the past few weeks, village staff has talked to bar owners, restaurant owners and residents.

“Some people have asked us to close down the bars as early as midnight,” Hoskins said. “Okay, that that would harm the bars, as far as I can tell, or based on conversations with certain bar owners. But a majority of the bar owners who I spoke to were in favor of the measure that’s before you.”

Not all bar owners were part of the conversation prior to the meeting, however. In public comment read at the beginning of the meeting, a letter from several bar owners in town was presented to the council. Signed

MARIA MAXHAM/Editor

SHUSH: Signs on Madison Street serve as reminders that the village has noise limits and there are fines for violation.

by Marty and Lynn Sorice (owner of several bars in town, including Blueberry Hill and Carole’s), Matt Sullivan (Doc Ryan’s), Jim Buckley (Mugsy’s) and Chris Fleming (Slainte), the letter appealed to the village council, asking that bar owners be included in decisions about operating hours.

“We are asking that before you take this action, that you please meet with us,” reads the letter. “We are obviously aware that we are going to have to make some changes to our business models to make what has worked in the past work again. We would first like to hear your concerns and then give our list of ideas. We have some very solid ones.”

The letter outlined steps some of the bars have already taken to help cut down on misbehavior of patrons in public spaces, such as increasing security, avoiding serving drinks in glasses (to avoid people leaving the bar with plastic cups), and instituting an earlier “last call.”

“Closing us earlier is not going to ameliorate the issues our neighbors are concerned with,” states the letter. “We propose that we work out a list of workable ideas with our village and then have our village leaders mediate a meeting with our neighbors. We are businesspeople, we operate legitimate businesses. Bottom line is that we don’t want to live and operate in a disharmonious community. Will you please work with us towards being a more unified community?”

During the meeting, Commissioners Ryan Nero and Joe Byrnes spoke strongly in favor

of the ordinance, their comments eliciting applause from residents and business owners in attendance.

“What is happening on Madison Street is deplorable,” Nero said in an impassioned speech. “…The garbage in the streets, the open liquor bottles in front of my house and up and down Madison Street is disgusting. Public urination, vomiting, disrespect to our police officers is outrageous … And the fact that we have to deploy additional resources to help manage this out-of-control situation is upsetting. It’s additional risk that we don’t need to take.”

Byrnes, a long-time Forest Park police officer before his retirement, also shared his opinion, which was strongly in favor of the ordinance. As a resident on the south side of town, he said police needing to send all units to Madison Street leaves the rest of the town unprotected. “There’s nobody patrolling my area because some lunatics up on Madison want to get out in the middle of the street and have a party,” Byrnes said.

He also recommended making people pay for parking and for tickets when they don’t.

“If [bar patrons] want to cause the problems and they want to go to these places, they’re going to have to pay for it,” said Byrnes.

Currently, paid parking on Madison Street and in municipal lots is required only until 8 p.m., a decision made by the council in Feb. 2020 after the original midnight cut-off, voted on the previous month, caused complaints from businesses and residents.

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

SPONSORED CONTENT

Advanced joint care — we make it personal Is hip or knee pain keeping you from leading a full, active life?

U.S. News & World Report ranked Rush University Medical Center No. 5 in the nation and best in Illinois for orthopedics.

At Rush, we want you to know that you don’t have to live with the pain.

Orthopedic surgeon Vasili Karas, MD, MS, offers a full range of treatment options for hip and knee arthritis, including robotic joint replacement surgery, at Rush Oak Park Hospital. So you can get world-class joint care, customized for you, close to home.

To schedule an appointment for an initial consultation or second opinion, call (312) 432-2598.

Learn more about hip or knee replacement Join Dr. Karas for these free webinars: • Knee replacement: June 7, 5 – 6 p.m.

Register at rsh.md/knee-1 • Hip replacement: June 28, 5 – 6 p.m.

Register at rsh.md/hip-1

9

10

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

D209 board officers retain positions

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

brought to you by

Honoring All Moms on Mother’s Day These monthly “Ask the Plant Expert” messages usually focus on ways to improve your landscaping, tips on planting, or some other aspect of our services.

But with Mother’s Day coming up, I want to honor Scott all the moms McAdam Jr. out there. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic 14 months ago, this stressful period has given me a deeper appreciation for the truly indispensable role that moms play.

As a father to a daughter, and with another little one on the way, I can’t help but be thankful for all that my wife does. Moms juggle so many different things at once. Even when they might be on the verge of unraveling, they go about their day with an inner strength and an outward smile.

Far too often, moms don’t get the credit or accolades they deserve. Being a mother is a 24/7/365 Superpower, so the least that we can do is show our appreciation every day—and even more so on Mother’s Day. Here is one way to communicate your appreciation for mom: all Mother’s Day weekend (Friday, May 7th through Sunday, May 9th), come to our Garden Center and receive 21% off all flowering shrubs (limit four per purchase).

Follow us on

2001 Des Plaines Ave. Forest Park • 708-771-2299 www.mcadamlandscape.com

At a special D209 board meeting on April 27, the four re-elected board members took their oath of office, and the board voted on who would fill the roles of president, vice president and secretary.

Rodney Alexander, Amanda Grant, Della Patterson and Sam Valtierrez all ran unopposed in the April 6 race and were reelected as members of the D209 board of education.

Before administering the oath of office to the re-elected board members, Kelly asked those present “to just think about all of the influential and successful people that have come out of Proviso Township High School District.”

“We don’t know if you will be teaching the next mayor, like Edwenna Perkins [mayor of Maywood], actor Dennis Franz, or the next individual to take us to space, like Eugene Cernan. Or Cook County Recorder of Deeds Eugene Moore [now deceased].” She mentioned there are about 14 NBA players who’ve heralded from Proviso schools, as well as NBA coach Doc Rivers. John Prine, American country and folk singer, was presented as another example of a Proviso graduate, as was Chris Welch, speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford.

All four reelected board members addressed the public about being elected once

again to serve the district.

“I am strictly here for student achievement and academic learning,” Patterson said. “That’s why I ran for this board. I have a passion for making sure students get what they need and get to the next level in life.”

She added that nobody has asked her about the fact that students are not performing at levels they should be. “No one has addressed the fact that 13 percent and 16 percent of our students are at grade level. Not one person has talked to me about that,” Patterson said.

Patterson was referring to 2018-19 school year scores, prior to the suspension of inperson learning, released by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and presented by the district. According to that data, in Proviso Township High Schools as a whole, student proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) was 16 percent. In both math and science, it was 13 percent.

Valtierrez, who addressed the audience in both English and Spanish, spoke in support of continued community participation in meetings. “I’m here to work for the community, and I respect every individual that sits there and says whatever they’ve got to say…

It is your right to participate. And I’m not going to take that away from you. Actually, I congratulate you participating in what is your right, to uphold us, to make us accountable,” said Valtierrez.

“It’s been a few very tumultuous months,

ASSISTED LIVING • SHELTERED CARE • MEMORY CARE • SKILLED NURSING

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

A safe & smart choice.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

CONTACT US FOR AN OUTDOOR VISIT 2800 Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside, IL 60546 (708) 477-5092 | CaledoniaSeniorLiving.org

Limited availability!

to say the least,” Grant said. “But the oath of office gives me a renewed sense of wonder and awe at what we’re doing here and what still needs to be done.” She talked about how taking the oath is a good opportunity to recommit, as board members, to “open and honest governance.”

Like Valtierrez, Grant invited community members to hold the board accountable.

“You know, I’ve said this many, many times,” Grant said. “This is a community school district. And what’s good for the school district is good for the entire community. And what’s good for the community is good for the entire school district.”

Alexander spoke at length, talking about how he came to Proviso Township and the uniqueness of the community, in part demonstrated through the fact that many people who have attended schools in the district come back to serve within the Proviso community.

“That’s not to be found in every community,” Alexander said. “It’s not to be found in every city. And there’s a closeness and a connection and service and concern here that’s really special. I count it an honor to serve in this community.”

Alexander also talked about his goal to fight against systemic racism to improve education for students in Proviso Township.

“We’re pushing forward now into uncharted territory,” Alexander said. “…We’re attacking the elephant in the room, the thing that no one wants to talk about: systemic, inbred, ingrained racism. Nobody wants to talk about that. We’re going to talk about it … But we’re going to do something about it while we’re talking. And we’re not going to be ashamed of it. We’re not going to shy back from it. Because if you really want to change, you got to shake some stuff up sometimes.”

Alexander, known for his sometimesheavy use of the gavel during meetings, apologized several times throughout the meeting for cutting off a teacher during her public comment when the timer went off, after allowing two previous speakers to make comments long after their allotted time. Valtierrez objected to Alexander’s use of the gavel to try to stop the commenter.

“I apologize to the young lady for hitting that gavel,” Alexander said. “Because Sam, you’re right. We have to sit here and take it whether we like it or not.”

The board structure remained the same after the board voted on who should serve as board president, vice president and secretary. Alexander was reelected to serve a second term as board president, with one opposing vote from board member Ned Wagner and no vote from member Claudia Medina, who was not present during that part of the meeting.

Theresa Kelly was reelected unanimously to serve again as vice president, and Amanda Grant will continue on as secretary after a four to two vote in her favor, with Patterson and Valtierrez voting against the appointment.

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

11

Raffles & Contests

place t e k r a M m e e t s E ing! n Model e p O , Fun n o i h s Grand a d, F

• Foo 1 3 y a M May 8 - Vendors wanted

Models wanted Ages 12-99

(no experience, will train)

7451 MadisonStreet , Forest Park

M-F 6pm-10pm • Sat: 10am -10pm • Sun: 10am-6pm Sign up at www.modelesteem.com

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

TINY ART: Forest Park Elaine Luther’s tiny gallery can be seen in the window of Calpyso Moon Studio in Oak Park at 331B Harrison St.

LUTHER

Micro gallery owner from page 1 Luther has been an artist for years. She started sewing at the age of eight, and “was always crafting and making stuff,” she said.

A communications major in college, she took a metalsmithing class, which made her decide she wanted to be a geologist, but the field of bench jewelry is hard to break into, she said.

Luther studied with the Gemological Institute of America and she attended jewelry trade school, working in the jewelry industry for a while. After having kids, she participated in craft fairs, and then shifted to different media.

“Most recently, I make all assemblage art,” said Luther. “Basically using found objects and putting them together. Sometimes it’s random, and sometimes it’s more intentional, like my ‘ladies of perpetual housework’.”

In fact, Luther said that for the past two decades her focus has been on large sculpture, “complaining about housework or, you know, talking about women’s lives and being a mom in more or less abstract ways.”

A subset of her art focused on women’s lives features the phrase, “Pockets for women,” in response to women’s clothing for so many years not having pockets.

The micro galleries grew out of a love she already was developing for art on the small scale. And the pandemic was an influential factor as well.

Due to COVID-19, said Luther, her kids had lost a lot of their activities and she had more free time previously spent driving to choir, Girl Scouts, and the home school coop they were a part of.

“And all of a sudden, I didn’t have to drive at all,” Luther said. “So I’ve had more time to do art. And then also I found that I have more headspace to entertain my crazy ideas.

Also, other people are more willing to go

along with me.” One of these “crazy” ideas was to start a micro gallery. So she started posting about it on Facebook, asking for tiny canvases for her birthday. When she received the canvases, she gave them to her artist friends, asking them to paint something for her gallery.

Luther got a lot of responses to her request. “People have just been really generous and up for it,” she said. “And they think it’s so fun. And then I’ve had the first solo show, and I’ve got three more solo shows lined up. And the solo show artists, especially, are like, thank you for the challenge.”

Luther said it allows an artist to try out an idea for an entire show, but quickly and easily because you’re working on such a small scale.

Being accepted into the international Guild of Micro Galleries is an impressive feat, because it is by invitation only. The guild was started by an artist named Lisa Cole, whose tiny gallery, displayed on Instagram at @tiny.cat.gallery, shows “art from the perspective of small plastic cats.”

The Guild of Micro Galleries has one main rule: “We use our galleries for good not evil by showing work that does not actively spread hate or discrimination, unless the artist is highlighting an unheard voice and states so in that work.”

Luther is accepting art for her micro galleries on a rolling basis. Information on how to submit and the requirements is on her blog at elainelutherart.com/call-for-artvery-small-art/.

Luther encourages everyone to try it, either producing tiny art or your own micro gallery.

“It doesn’t need to be fancy. You know, take a cereal box and cut it down and paint on it … It’s just really fun. Or make a sculpture for your fairy garden.”

It’s also a way, Luther said, for artists and those interested in trying art to connect in a small, simple way.

“We can’t meet in person, but we can meet in this fantasy world and have pretend wine and cheese together,” Luther said.

7435 Madison, Forest Park

Mother’s Day Sale!

May 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th!

Pick up Mom in a clean car!

$10 Lustre Wash for $5 $8 Ultimate Wash for $4 (THIS IS NOT A TOKEN SALE)

Cash or Credit in the machine 7�� til 10��

10 WASH FOR$ 500 $ 00 WASH FOR 4 8

$

00

$

00

THE ONLY TOUCHLESS CARWASH IN TOWN! Spotless Carwash • 7802 Madison St. & 7343 Roosevelt in Forest Park 708-771-2945 • We Accept All Major Credit Cards Sign up for email notices and we’ll let you know when there are sales and promotions!

spotlessautowash.com

12

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

13

Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park vaccination rates in line About half the populations of each village have had at least one dose

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The rates at which River Forest and Oak Park residents are receiving their COVID-19 vaccine jabs are consistent with that of residents in neighboring Forest Park as of April 29. Over half the populations in each individual town has received at least one dose while Oak Park leads the way in fully vaccinated residents.

Out of an estimated population of 14,167 people, data from the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) shows that 51.7 percent of Forest Park residents have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine. The percentage of fully vaccinated residents in Forest Park lands at 33.4 percent.

In River Forest, which has a slightly smaller estimated population of 11,178 people, 56.1 percent have gotten one or more vaccine doses with 36.1 percent having completed their vaccination series, according to CCPDH.

Per the Oak Park Department of Public Health, a separate entity from the county health department, 52.2 percent of residents have had at least one vaccine dosage. Oak Park has the highest rate of fully vaccinated residents at 38.1 percent out of an estimated population of 51,878 – the largest of the three villages. The Oak Park Department of Public Health obtained this information through the I-Care system within the Illinois Public Health Department. The numbers reflect Oak Park residents who may have received the vaccination at any site in Illinois, not just through the village’s health department.

CCPDH uses the estimated populations of the 2010 U.S. Census. To keep data sets consistent across the three villages, Wednesday Journal calculated the vaccination percentages for Oak Park, which has its own health department, using information from the 2010 U.S. Census.

Despite the variance in population size, the vaccination rates across the three villages are fairly even, which is a marked difference from other western suburbs of Chicago.

According to CCPDH, 42.2 percent of Riverside residents had completed their vaccinations, compared to 30 percent in Brookfield, 22.2 percent in North Riverside, 25.3 percent in Berwyn and 20.6 percent in

Lyons.

Of the residents who have had at least one COVID-19 shot, Riverside leads with 70 percent, with Brookfield at 48.3 percent and Lyons at 35.7 percent. North Riverside trails behind at 33.8 percent.

River Forest – pop. 11,178

Forest Park – pop. 14,167

Oak Park – pop. 51,878

At least one vaccine dose: 7,321 or 51.7 percent Complete vaccine series: 4,732 or 33.4 percent

At least one vaccine dose: 6,272 or 56.1 percent Complete vaccine series: 4,033 or 36.1 percent

At least one vaccine dose: 27,065 or 52.2 percent Complete vaccine series: 19,775 or 38.1 percent

COVID-19 saliva testing for students available in D209 District partners with SHIELD Illinois

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Proviso Township High Schools District 209 has partnered with SHIELD Illinois to provide COVID-19 testing for students at Proviso Math and Science Academy (PMSA), Pro-

viso East and Proviso West high schools.

According to a letter sent to parents from Supt. James Henderson last week, SHIELD Illinois is funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

SHIELD Illinois will provide weekly tests to students, using the saliva testing method created at the University of Illinois. Students attending in-person learning twice a week as well as students participating in online-only learning are eligible for COVID-19 testing, according to the district office.

As a requirement, students participating in sports will be tested weekly; testing will be optional for all other students.

g n a H e r e h in t k r a P t s e r Fo

Student consent forms must be completed and submitted to the school nurse for students who will be tested, including athletes and those not in sports who would like to have the test administered.

The schools will maintain a testing roster based on received consent forms. Students on the list will go to the designated testing site within the school, where a saliva sample will be collected. Results will be available within 24 hours.

Questions about testing and a link to the consent forms can be found on the district website at https://www.pths209. org/Domain/3455.

We are here for you!

You can get local news delivered right to your email in-box.

Sign up for FREE at ForestParkReview.com

14

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

Forest Park vaccination center now accepting walk-ins In-home vaccinations available for home-bound individuals

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

The Cook County COVID-19 vaccination center at 7630 Roosevelt Rd., as well as all

county-run mass vaccination locations, is now offering shots to walk-ins. Appointments are not required.

Anyone aged 16 or older is eligible to receive the vaccine, according to the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH). Children aged 16 and 17 can only receive the Pfizer vaccine, and they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive the shot.

More information is available at vaccine. cookcountyil.gov/.

Homebound residents of suburban Cook County are eligible for in-home COVID-19 vaccination through the CCDPH. Vaccination sites operated through the CCDPH are ADA accessible, so the in-home program is for individuals who are unable to leave their homes “because doing so requires considerable and taxing effort,” according to the CCDPH. Additionally, to be eligible for in-home vaccination you must live in the CCDPH jurisdiction and be a senior or person with a

disability requiring in-home assistance or adaptive equipment and/or require accessible transportation to leave your home.

According to the CCDPH, residents of Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, Skokie and Stickney are not eligible for the in-home vaccination program offered through the CCDPH; they should contact their local health departments for available services.

For more information on in-home vaccination for suburban Cook County residents, visit tinyurl.com/ywjsk83a.

HOME SERVICES CEMENT

CEMENT

MAGANA

C O N C R E T E C O N S T RU C T I O N

FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining.

Low prices, insured.

Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

“QUALITY IS OUR FOUNDATION” ESTABLISHED IN 1987

HANDYMAN

COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL

HANDYMAN

708.442.7720 '5,9(:$<6 )281'$7,216 3$7,26 67(36 &85% *877(56 6,'(:$/.6 612: 3/2:,1* 67$03(' &2/25(' $**5(*$7( &21&5(7( FREE ESTIMATES LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

ELECTRICAL

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

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

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

773-637-0692 Ask for John

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

708-296-2060

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

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery.

708-848-9404

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

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

LANDSCAPING FAST DELIVERY

Mulch & Topsoil

Premium Shredded Hardwood ���������������$25/yd Dyed Red ������������������$30/yd Dyed Brown ��������������$30/yd Playmat��������������������$28/yd Premium Blend Dark �$34/yd Premium Bark Fines��$42/yd Blonde Cedar ������������$48/yd • Spreading Available! • Topsoil, Garden Mix, Mushroom, Super Mix, Compost, Gravel, Sand

SureGreenLandscape�com

847-888-9999 847-888-9999 •• 630-876-0111 630-876-0111

PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING

Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

708.749.0011

PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

Small & big work. Free estimates.

Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed

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

BRUCE LAWN SERVICE Spring Clean-Up Aerating, Slit Seeding Bush Trimming, Lawn Maintenance brucelawns.com

708-243-0571

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

708-488-9411

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

• Electric • Heating • Air Conditioning

John Giatras Licensed, EPA Certified

Phone: 708-556-5540

Email: adinstubc@yahoo.com Always ready for Reasonable Pricing! emergency repairs

YOUR WEEKLY AD

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

Public Notice: Your right to know • In print • Online • Available to you 24/7/365 PublicNoticeIllinois.com

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066

BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

MARKETPLACE ITEMS FOR SALE

ITEMS FOR SALE

SPINET PIANO AND BENCH Baldwin spinet piano and bench. Light brown wood finish. $300 obo.

708-386-0087

MUSIC Music: piano scores, concertos, piano trios, flute music violin music. Variety of composers. $3.00 each.

708-488-8755

ANTIQUE HALL TREE Antique American Hall Tree, solid oak. Excellent condition. 29”w x 78”h x 11”d, with covered shelf and mirror. $159.00.

708-488-8755

SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL Shovels and ice breaker. $5 each.

708-488-8755

ANTIQUE MUSIC CABINET Antique music cabinet with door and five shelves. Standing on four legs. Mahogany finish. $129.00.

708-488-8755 LADDERS 24 FT EXTENSION LADDER $30 708-488-8755 ELECTRIC HEDGE TRIMMER $50.00 708-488-8755 BLONDE DRESSER WITH MIRROR 4 drawers. Blonde wood. Very old. Excellent condition. $89.00 708-488-8755 BLONDE CHEST OF DRAWERS 5 drawers. Blonde wood. Very old. Excellent condition. $89.00 708-488-8755

GRANDFATHER CLOCK Perfect condition, oak wood, chimes all work. Everything is perfect. $499.00.

708-488-8755

ITEMS FOR SALE BRASS HEADBOARD Solid brass headboard.Originally from Marshall Field’s. $189.00.

708-488-8755

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 Lost & Found, Items for Sale, and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708-613-334

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066

BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

Need a helping of

15

‘The best time to plant a tree’ Village celebrates Arbor Day and USA Tree City designation

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” Commissioner Jessica Voogd read that quote, believed to be an ancient Chinese proverb, at the planting of a tree on Arbor Day, April 30, outside Field Stevenson School at 925 Beloit Ave. The tree, a China Snow Peking Lilac, was planted by the village’s public works department, with retiring Director John Doss and incoming Director Sal Stella present. Also attending the ceremony were Village Administrator Tim Gillian and commissioner Joe Byrnes, in addition to some D91 students, Principal Tiffany Brunson and Assistant Principal Eric Beltran.

Just prior to planting a tree at the school, the village had raised a flag at Veteran’s Park (across from the dog park). It’s a white flag with the blue and green logo depicting a tree and the words: “Tree City USA. An Arbor Day Foundation Program.”

The raising of the flag and planting a tree outside a D91 school were a celebration not just of Arbor Day but also of the village earning its official Tree City USA designation, a process driven by Voogd. At the Feb. 22 village council meeting, she announced that the village had completed all the steps required by the Arbor Day Foundation. She said Doss and Gillian had been instrumental in working with her to accomplish the necessary work throughout the process.

The Arbor Day Foundation lists four standards a village must meet in order to re-

ceive national recognition, which has been around since 1976: having a tree board or department; putting into place a tree care ordinance; a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita; and an Arbor Day proclamation and observance.

Forest Park’s village council voted to adopt a tree care ordinance in October 2019 and issued an official proclamation of Arbor Day at a January 2020 meeting.

The final step involved an official Arbor Day observance. Plans originally were for a big community event, including the involvement of Forest Park’s elementary school district and the park district, but COVID-19 prevented a large gathering.

Instead, a bur oak tree, donated by McAdam Landscaping, was planted by the public works department and the Park District of Forest Park in front of the park district’s main building on April 24, 2020.

“I’m so proud of this achievement as we work to protect and honor the impact our trees have on our village’s aesthetic health, stormwater management, and property values, just to name a few things,” Voogd said during the Feb. 22 village council meeting. “[The designation] means we’re taking action to encourage better care of our community forest,” said Voogd. “We all benefit from cleaner air, shadier streets and the aesthetic beauty a well-maintained urban forest provides. This acknowledgement of our commitment … it helps to increase public awareness of the social, economic and environmental benefits of our efforts.”

The designation, she added, is something in which the community can take pride, joining over 3,400 other Tree City communities, and it can help improve the village’s access to and success with future grant opportunities.

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

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

TO PLANT A TREE: The Forest Park public works department planted a tree in front of Field Stevenson Elementary School, 925 Beloit Ave., on April 29 in honor of Arbor Day and the village’s official designation as a Tree City USA.

16

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

OPINION O U R

T

V I E W

Turbulent bars

he Review was not alone, late Saturday night, in observing the crowds of bar-goers congested along Madison and actively spilling out of several establishments. Forest Park police were on perpetual patrol up and down the street with multiple squads assigned. By closing time at 2 a.m. officers were on foot, in and out of bars monitoring the shutdown process. We learned later that multiple village officials were also watching closely. And Sunday morning, on double time, a public works crew was cleaning up the remnants of the carousing.

We are used to the first warm spring weekend nights bringing out the crowds. But we are stunned and honestly horrified that the taste for a drink and some rowdy company made the continuing dangers of the pandemic irrelevant to so many people. There were virtually no masks and no social distancing in evidence on Madison Saturday night.

And we are cognizant that amid cascades of neighbor complaints, of police reports filed, of defenses made by bar owners, there is a racial aspect to the unease in Forest Park this spring on Madison Street. The Forest Park Tap Room, Doc Ryan’s, and Mugsy’s are drawing large crowds, almost entirely Black. So is it the race, the size of the crowd, the behavior of the individuals, a combination thereof that has tensions high?

We don’t know the answer. We know that not acknowledging race in this discussion is not possible or healthy.

Shouldn’t be overemphasized. Can’t be ignored.

We’ve seen a version of this before in Forest Park. When the old Pines/Oak Leaf Lounge occasionally sprang back to life on Harrison Street, the angst of neighbors was not unrelated to the race of the people doing the line dancing.

For its part, village government is looking for a middle place between the legitimate demands of immediate neighbors for some peace and quiet, the rights of licensed bars to operate and make a dime, the slipping hard-won balance that Forest Park had achieved pre-COVID of diminishing bars while raising up restaurants.

So officials are working the edges. They’re cutting an hour off serving times. They’ve shut down the Forest Park Tap Room once already and may need to do it again. They are now working to hold property owners as well as bar owners to account for bad behavior. There is talk of limiting certain types of entertainment — DJs, for instance — that draw larger crowds.

There’s no simple fix. There’s no doing nothing and riding it out. And always there are worries that in a moment this mess could escalate well beyond litter and public urination into violence. That’s the world we live in.

Village officials need to continue a vigilant but thoughtful response. And bar owners need to be part of the solution. Mayor Hoskins says he has informally heard from the owners. The owners want a more formal process of being heard.

So long as being heard adds to accountability, we’re for that.

Motherhood isn’t what it used to be

W

“

alt, it’s a beautiful day, and we both got our second shot. Let’s celebrate by getting a macchiato at the Retro.”

As the two neighbors walked the three blocks to Zaphne’s Coffee Shop, Walter Mitty brought up a subject of supreme importance. “Michael, I can’t seem to find a Mothers’ Day card that’s appropriate for my sister-in-law. I spent half an hour at Walgreens yesterday and everything I saw was either a bad attempt at humor or an even worse attempt at sentimentality.”

“I hear you,” Michael Rosenthal replied.

“Didn’t fit who Susan is nor what you really want to say. I used to have the same frustration while Ruth was still alive.”

“You don’t talk much about her,” said Walt. “What kind of mother was she?”

“Conflicted,” said Michael. “Like so many women our age, she had one foot on the traditional dock and the other foot in the feminist boat.”

Walt laughed, “And the boat was moving away from the dock?”

Michael sighed, “You’re right about that.”

When the pair entered the Retro, Zaphne was nowhere to be seen. Instead, standing behind the counter making an espresso was a woman in black leggings and a tank top who, except for her gray hair, could have been Zaphne’s sister.

Self-conscious about the tingle they both felt, Walt and Michael mumbled through their orders and sat down at a table by the open window.

After a few minutes, Zaphne walked over, along with the gray-haired lady carrying their coffees, and said, “Mom, these are my two favorite guys in all of Poplar Park.”

The two friends stammered something about how nice the weather was, and after the mother-daughter team returned behind the counter, Michael lowered his voice and said, “My, my Walt. The apple didn’t fall very far from the tree, did it?”

“I confess I peeked to see if she was wearing a wedding ring,” the bachelor pastor admitted.

“Me too,” said Michael. “Found myself wondering if she might be Jewish. My mom became a grandmother at the age of 45 and that’s what she looked like — a grandmother.”

After finishing their coffee the two friends decided to drop in at the History/Herstory Bookstore. After confessing their momentary return to adolescence to Bernie Rolvaag, the bookstore owner grinned and said, “Seems there’s snow on the roof but still a fire in the furnace!”

The three discussed how their picture of what it means to be a mother had changed, and Bernie responded by going to the shelf where he had biographies of, and memoirs by, first ladies. “Talk about change,” he began holding up a biography of Barbara Bush.

“She dropped out of college at the end of her freshman year to marry George Herbert at the age of 19,

raised six children and accepted the traditional roles of motherhood and housekeeping, while teaching Sunday school and volunteering for charities and community organizations.”

“Nancy Reagan wasn’t like that, was she?” said Michael pointing to her biography on the shelf.

“Yeah,” said Bernie. “Apparently motherhood was not high on her agenda. Her focus seemed to be promoting her husband, instead.”

“What about the one by Michelle Obama?” asked Walt.

Bernie pulled Becoming off the shelf. “Michelle is an interesting first lady,” he began.

“Unlike Hillary, she has no ambition to run for office.

In fact she dislikes politics altogether, partly because she holds such high ethical standards for herself. She grew up on the South Side with both parents at home, and in the book she reveals that her normal upbringing didn’t prepare her for the stress of being married to an ambitious politician.”

What about Michelle as a mother?” asked Michael.

“She and Barack say their daughters are their first priority,” Michael began, “but they couldn’t walk that talk without Michelle’s mother shouldering much of the responsibility.”

“What about Jill Biden?” asked Mitty.

Bernie pulled Where the Light Enters from the shelf and read the subtitle to Michael and Walt: “Building a Family, Discovering Myself.”

“In some ways Jill Biden is like Michelle Obama,” said Bernie. “They both have a sense of vocation and career. Jill has a Doctor of Education degree and still teaches at the college level. But I get the feeling she is a bit more authentically traditional than Michelle.

“Both Jill and Michelle understand the stress working mothers experience,” he concluded. “While she may be a little more traditional than Michelle, I think her husband is also a little more traditional than Michelle’s.

“In an interview, Jill told working moms that they aren’t failing if they can’t do everything. Here, let me read what she said”: Maybe you’ve made mac ‘n’ cheese for dinner one too many times. Maybe your temper is shorter than usual.

Maybe you’re too tired to be the ‘fun mom.’ It’s okay.

You’re not failing. You’re strong. You’re resilient.

On the way home, Michael said, “You know, Walt, maybe women’s lib has been both a blessing and a curse. My wife finished college but always regretted that she never had a profession. In contrast, I’ve always regretted that I didn’t spend more time with my kids when they were growing up.”

“Are you saying that keeping one foot on the dock and the other in the boat is a hard trick to pull off ?”

To which Michael added, “And Michelle had her mother to help pull it off and Jill had Joe who took the train home every night while many of his colleagues remained in D.C to promote themselves and their careers.”

TOM HOLMES

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

O B I T U A R Y

Mike Trant, 74, founded Duffy’s Tavern in Forest Park

By JOHN RICE

Donna and Cathy.

Chris and Donna worked their way through college at Duffy’s and both became Michael Costello Trant, 74, the unforget- teachers. Chris started at Duffy’s in 1981 table founder of Duffy’s Tavern, 7513 Madi- and worked there for 30 years. Mike would son St., died from cancer on April 19, 2021, become like a brother to her and her sisleaving behind Shelia, his wife of 46 years, ters. He even invited Chris on three family and his daughters, Tracy and Megan. His vacations to Hawaii.

Family came first for Mike, followed funeral urn was buried with two of his trademarks: a golf ball and a “Challenge closely by golf. He belonged to a golf league that played at Cog Hill. As Ed Walsh reCoin” from his days as a paratrooper.

Mike grew up in Oak Park and graduat- called, “Mike wasn’t going to make the Tour,” but he shot some exceled from OPRF High School. He lent rounds. Golf remained his was drafted into the military in lifelong passion.

1967 and served as a member of He was loyal to his golf budAlpha Company, 3rd Battalion dies, his workers and his reguof the 506th Airborne Infantry lars. He gave some of his dayRegiment, 101st Division in Viet time customers keys to Duffy’s Nam in 1967-68 and remained in case the bartender was late close with his comrades for the showing up. He may have been rest of his life. Five of them short in stature but he had a came from out of state to attend big personality. His great sense his funeral. He was buried with of humor attracted so many pafull military honors.

MIKE TRANT trons, he had to hire a second After he finished his military bartender. service, he met Shelia Duffy in Although he lived in Elmhurst, he loved 1974 at a Forest Park bar called The Ending. They were married the same year. In the action of Madison Street and got along 1983, he purchased the building that houses well with his fellow bar owners. He became Duffy’s and opened the pub in the late ’80s. good friends with Mike Sullivan, who owns It was named for his wife, and he was a nat- Goldyburgers. They once had a joint picnic ural to run an Irish pub. for workers from Duffy’s, Goldyburgers His father emigrated from Listowel, Ire- and the Forest Tap. land and Mike was proud of his Irish-AmerHe stopped operating Duffy’s in 2005. Afican heritage. He and Shelia went to Ireland ter he became ill, Chris continued to hang many times and visited the family farm to out with Mike. A few weeks before he died, meet his dad’s relatives. Like many Irish- Chris had her first-ever drink with Mike. He men, he had a fondness for alcohol but quit insisted on having “two fingers of whiskey.” drinking many years ago. This didn’t keep Claudia Frey was another longtime emhim from enjoying the company at Duffy’s. ployee who remained close with Mike until The tavern had regular daytime cus- the end. She first met Mike when he was in tomers. Many of them were in the trades. high school and grew to love him like the Among them was a plumber named Ed brother she never had. After he became Walsh, who first met Mike 25 years ago. Ed ill, Frey, who is a registered nurse, visited had just finished a side job in River Forest Mike to assist with his health care. Other longtime pals drove Mike to and from his and made his first visit to Duffy’s to see if his buddies were there. He asked for an Old medical appointments. It was a pleasure for Style and Mike replied, “I don’t think so. them, because it meant having an hour or so to talk with him.

Your eyes look bloodshot.”

If workers like Claudia and Chris were Ed explained that he had just finished a job and was looking for his friends. When Mike’s sisters, the members of his military he mentioned their names, Mike invited unit were his brothers. He attended their him to have a beer. Ed quit drinking two annual reunions, which were held all over years later but continued to visit Mike at the country. They had such a ball, the reunions would last several days.

Duffy’s.

Which brings us back to the Challenge Mike and Shelia ran the place together until 1986, when their daughter Megan was Coin. If a paratrooper walks into a bar and born. Shelia concentrated on motherhood brandishes his Challenge Coin, the other while Mike ran the bar. A gifted storyteller, paratroopers have to produce their own. he regaled the regulars with his tales. The If a paratrooper doesn’t have his, he has place had a family feel and Mike certainly to buy drinks for the whole bar. It’s easy considered his workers to be family, espe- to imagine Mike buying a round at Duffy’s cially the three Di Gilio sisters, Christine, while giving a sly wink to the crowd.

Contributing Reporter

L E T T E R

T O

T H E

17

E D I T O R

Was the Pony Express more efficient?

A question for all readers: How has your mail service been? Hopefully, it has been better than ours. In the past year or so, our mail service, which has never been stellar, has gotten exponentially worse.

We have experienced problems we thought unimaginable a year ago. Last week was a great example. We received mail during two of a possible six days.

Other problems: We have no idea what time we expect to get mail. Some days it has arrived as early as 10 a.m. Other days we have not received mail until late in the evening.

During the Christmas season, we had several unique experiences. I will cite two.

One Saturday in December, we received 41 pieces of mail. Only six of them were meant for us. On Nov. 20, we sent a Christ-

L E T T E R S

T O

Letters to the editor should include the author’s first and last name, town of residence and phone number for authorization purposes only. The Review will not publish phone numbers. All letters are subject to editing for space and content purposes and typically will be

mas card to friends in Baltimore. We got a text saying they received the card on Feb. 14.

Finally, we routinely receive bills late enough that we must send our payment the next day and hope that the payments will arrive on time. We have worked for years to obtain an excellent credit rating. We can only hope the mail service will not put that in jeopardy. Until recently, paying bills by mail has worked just fine. These problems can’t all be “covid related” can they?

With such an illustrious track record over the past several months, one wonders if the Pony Express wasn’t actually more efficient? So, postal workers, have some pride!

Do your job! We need our mail service like it used to be.

David Meyer

Forest Park

T H E

E D I T O R

printed in the order they are received.

While the Review does not impose a word limit, we encourage comments be held to 300 words.

Letters to the editor can be received by e-mail at ktrainor@wjinc.com

The Day Nursery thanks Taste the Town 2 and all who participated and donated!

We are grateful for your support of our mission and our local restaurant community!

1139 Randolph St, Oak Park (708) 383-8211

info@thedaynursery.org

18 Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER River Forest Public Schools District 90 is seeking a Part-time (FTE 0.77) Elementary School Physical Education Teacher.

HELP WANTED SECRETARY/ASSISTANT Part-time, very flexible small law office in Oak Park.

Ability to navigate a desktop essential Email resume to: bob@downslaw.com

Qualifications: Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with Grade-Appropriate Physical Education Endorsement; successful teaching experience in physical education preferred; master’s Degree is preferred.

ALL POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Job Duties: The part-time PE Teacher will work in partnership with the full-time PE teacher to instruct students in Pre-K through 4th grade on how to develop habits of mind and actions that support good health, fitness and enjoyment of sport and play. The PE teacher will facilitate a learning environment that engages students in learning skills for sport and fitness, as well as SEL skills by growing confidence, sportsmanship and team spirit.

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

HOMECARE AIDES Sahara Homecare is hiring Homecare Aides for our Melrose Park location. We are looking for compassionate caregivers to assist elderly clients with everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and other errands. Pay starts at $14.00 per hour and flexible hours are available. Please call our Melrose Park office at (708) 344-2273 if interested or email Nicole Gray at nicoleg@saharahomecare.com and Greyder Martinez at greyderm@saharahomecare. com.

SENIOR POLICE RECORDS CLERK The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Senior Police Records Clerk in the Police Department. this employee is responsible for distributing assignments, checking the work of others to ensure compliance with rules, policies, codes or other requirements, and referring matters that require supervisory intervention to the Police Records Supervisor. This employee also performs the full domain of clerical duties in the support of the Police Department including processing and maintaining documents, correspondence and coding reports; and to provide information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Application deadline May 14, 2021.

Bartenders Bussers Line Cooks Servers Apply in person after 3pm.

KALAMATA

Greek Cuisine 105 N Marion Street 708-628-3661 DRIVER NEEDED NOW HIRING DRIVERS!!!!

Lucas Medi Car has an opening for a full time wheelchair van driver.

To be considered must have: • • • • •

a current Illinois driver license be friendly and courtoues have a good driving recoed must be 18 years or older in age pass a criminal background check

To schedule an interview CALL (708) 442-7533, MONDAY THRU SUNDAY (10AM TO 4PM) 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.

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 HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MAY 20, 2021 at 7:00 PM

Individuals with disabilities requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall.

purpose of this meeting is to discuss how students with disabilities, who attend private schools or are homeschooled within the district boundaries, will be served by District 208 during the 2021-22 school year.

Parents and private school administrators who would like to attend should contact Kevin Baldus, Director of Special Education, at baldusk@rbhs208.net Zoom invitation will be forwarded prior to the meeting.

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: Y21006706 on April 26, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of UNIQUE NOTARY SERVICES & TRAINING with the business located at: 1122 N HAYES, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: BEVERLY DENISE SINGLETON 1122 N HAYES, OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA.

NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois for the purpose of considering a request for variances from the Village Code for property located at 8845 Burlington Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 (PINs 15-34-433-001-0000; 15-34-433-002-0000; 15-34-433003-0000).

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/or written comments. Please check the following webpage one week before the meeting for more information: https://brookfieldil.gov/ meeting-packets/ The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours.

Written comments may be provided prior to the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kendra Kuehlem, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 at kkuehlem@brookfieldil.gov.

Individuals with disabilities requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark May 5, 2021

We are hiring Relationship Bankers in Oak Park, IL.

Visit the link below to check out this opportunity to join a great team! https://wintrust.taleo.net/careersection/2/ jobdetail.ftl?job=2100424&lang=en You can also learn about other career opportunities nearby.

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066

BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MAY 20, 2021 at 7:00 PM NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois for the purpose of considering a request for variances from the Village Code for property located at 3209 Raymond Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 (PIN 15-34-113-053-0000).

Starting a new business?

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/or written comments. Please check the following webpage one week before the meeting for more information: https://brookfieldil.gov/ meeting-packets/

Call the experts 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

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours.

Written comments may be provided prior to the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kendra Kuehlem, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 at kkuehlem@brookfieldil. gov.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark May 5, 2021

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MAY 20, 2021 at 7:00 PM NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois for the purpose of considering a request for variances from the Village Code for property located at 3209 Oak Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 (PIN 15-34-210-003-0000).

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/or written comments. Please check the following webpage one week before the meeting for more information: https://brookfieldil.gov/ meeting-packets/ The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours.

Written comments may be provided prior to the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kendra Kuehlem, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 at kkuehlem@brookfieldil. gov.

Individuals with disabilities requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark May 5, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES RIVERSIDE BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 208 TIMELY AND MEANINGFUL CONSULTATION FOR PARENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS OF PRIVATE AND HOME SCHOOLED CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES In accordance with the requirements of Section 612(a) (10) of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act of 2004 (“IDEA 2004”), Riverside Brookfield High School will conduct a Timely and Meaningful Consultation on Friday, May 21, 2021, at 10:00 AM at Riverside Brookfield High School, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, Il 60546---Due to the Pandemic this meeting will be held via Zoom. The

Published in RB Landmark May 5 and May 12, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of Little Irene Grace Ryu Case Number 20214001675.

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Little Irene Grace Ryu to the new name of: Irene Grace Ryu The court date will be held: On 6/29/2021 at 9:30 a.m. at 1500 Maybrook Drive, Maywood, Cook County in Courtroom # 111.

Published in Forest Park Review May 5, May 12, May 19, 2021

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: Y21006683 on April 22, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of TOP TIER PRINTING with the business located at 6436 18TH STREET 1FL, BERWYN, IL 60402.

The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: LINDA P RICO 6436 18TH STREET 1 FL BERWYN, IL 60402, USA Published in Wednesday Journal May 5, May 12, May 19, 2021

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: Y21006745 on April 27, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of UNIQUELY VICTORIOUS with the business located at 1021 MARENGO AVE, FOREST PARK, IL 60130. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: URVONNIE FRANKLIN 1021 MARENGO AVE, FOREST PARK, IL 60130, USA Published in Forest Park Review May 5, May 12, May 19, 2021

Published in Wednesday Journal May 5, May 12, May 19, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of VARSHAWN CHRISTOPHER HANSEN Case Number 2021 CONC 000527 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: VARSHAWN CHRISTOPHER HANSEN to the new name of: VERSHAWN CHRISTOPHER HANSEN The court date will be held: on July 12, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Daley Center, Chicago, Cook County in Courtroom # 1704, Calendar 9.

Published in Forest Park Review April 28, May 5, May 12, 2021 LEGAL NOTICE: Harrison Street Bible Church has ceased operations and is dissolving effective June 7, 2021. Any person with a claim against the church should contact the church at P. O. Box 4532, Oak Park, IL 60304.

Published in Wednesday Journal April 28 & May 5, 2021

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING The Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200, located at 201 N. Scoville will conduct a Timely and Meaningful Consultation Meeting which will take place remotely via video/telephone conference on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 4:00p.m.

The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private/parochial schools and who are home schooled within the district for the 2021-22 school year. If you are the parent of a home-schooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and you reside within the boundaries of Oak Park & River Forest High School District 200, you are urged to attend.

If you would like to join the meeting, please contact Marilyn Thivel at mthivel@oprfhs.org or call (708) 434-3706 to request the Zoom Link information.

Published in Wednesday Journal April 28 & May 5, 2021

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021 Wednesday Journal, April 28, 2021

CLASSIFIED

19 19

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

INC., REALTOR

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

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

SOLD!

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!

SOLD!

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!

Let the sun shine in...Public Notice: Your right to know

In print • Online • Available to you 24 / 7 / 365 OakPark.com | RiverForest.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS INDENTURED TRUSTEE FOR ANGEL OAK MORTGAGE TRUST I, LLC 2018PB1 Plaintiff, -v.ECHELON INVESTMENT CORP., PATRICK OCENAS, SERENA VICTOR Defendants 19 CH 12066 817 S. CUYLER AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on April 5, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 18, 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 817 S. CUYLER AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-124-0200000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $691,465.75.

Sale terms: 100% of the bid amount shall be paid in certified funds immediately by the highest and best bidder at the conclusion of the sale.

The amount owed also includes 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. 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 certified check must be made payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. 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(g1).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, Megan K. Gajewski, KELLEY KRONENBERG Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2800, Chicago, IL, 60601 (312) 216-8828. Please refer to file number CM19055.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

Megan K. Gajewski KELLEY KRONENBERG 150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2800

Chicago IL, 60601 312-216-8828 E-Mail: Mgajewski@kelleykronenberg.com Attorney File No. CM19055 Attorney ARDC No. 6276927 Attorney Code. 49848 Case Number: 19 CH 12066 TJSC#: 41-551 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.

I3167637

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

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.

Public Notice: Your right to know • In print • Online • Available 24/7/365 PublicNoticeIllinois.com

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal-opportunity basis.

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

Wednesday Journal • Landmark • Forest Park Review

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Illinois Classified Advertising Network 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

Hire Local.

Place an ad on Wednesday Classified’s Local Online Job Board.

Go to OakPark.com | RiverForest.com/classified today!

Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information.

(708) 613-3342 classifieds@ OakPark.com | RiverForest.com

20

Forest Park Review, May 5, 2021

Support4U is a free anonymous text line for

WHAT IS SU SUPPORT4U?

students, answered within minutes by licensed clinicians.

Students can text about anxiety, school pressure, relationship conflict or when in a crisis.

These are difficult times

SUPPORTING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF LOCAL STUDENTS The Pandemic has impacted lives of students, families and educators.

Compared with 2019, the proportion of mental health– related visits for children aged 5–11 and 12–17 years increased approximately 24%. and 31%, respectively.

– you are not alone!

HOW DO WE USE IT?

Simply go to www.support4u.live and click on your school logo to start texting with a licensed mental health professional.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE www.support4u.live Find us on Instagram! @support4u