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REVIEW MAY 27, 2020

Suicide risk rises during pandemic PAGE 11

CTA lot rehab starting soonn PAGE 6

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Al fresco dining by the end of the month? Village working to stay safe while helping businesses succeed By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Outdoor dining may return to Forest Park as soon as May 29, with restaurants that already have permits for outside service reopening that aspect of their business and those not permitted being given special permission by the village. On May 20, Governor J. B. Pritzker announced that restaurants and bars will most likely be allowed to reopen for outdoor seating on May 29, when phase three of the Reopen Illinois plan is supposed to begin. Originally, the plan specified that eating and drinking establishments would be prohibited from opening until phase four, but Pritzker introduced an earlier option. “Epidemiologists now believe that summer offers us an opportunity,” said Pritzker in his daily briefing. “Today, I’m announcing an additional option for bars and restaurants interested in resuming operations early, opening for outdoor seating when phase three begins likely for everyone just nine days from now.” Forest Park village officials and chamber members were already discussing the option of opening up portions of Madison Street or surrounding streets to allow restaurants more seating when phase four began. But they’ve sped up talks in light of Pritzker’s news. Prior to the governor’s announcement, in a phone meeting on May 15 that included Mayor Rory Hoskins, Village Administrator Tim Gillian, Director of Building and Zoning Steve Glinke, a local architect and at See OUTDOOR DINING on page 4

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

RUNNING WILD

With less activity at the Park District of Forest Park since the COVID-19 slowdown, a coyote has regularly been sighted there over the past few weeks. Review photographer Alex Rogals caught this shot over the weekend.

Pool’s out for summer

Park district announces pool will not open in 2020 By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

The Park District of Forest Park will not open the pool this summer. In a May 21 park district meeting, the

IN Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 THIS Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 ISSUE Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

ins and outs of social distancing, training, disinfecting, staffing and limiting the number of patrons swimming at one time were discussed in detail. But ultimately, all board members decided there was no safe way to open for the 2020 swim season. Executive Director Jackie Iovinelli said she and Recreation Supervisor Rachell Entler spent many hours over the past weeks discussing all the options. With a background in aquatics,

Iovinelli said this decision has been difficult to make. “If anything will break my heart, this will do it,” Iovinelli said. Opening up during phase three of Pritzker’s Reopen Illinois plan would be an impossibility, as only up to 10 people are allowed to gather in one place. So the pool would have to wait until phase four, later in the season. See POOL’S OUT on page 6

Catalytic converter thefts on the rise

Church gives away 300 boxes of food

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Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

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Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

A flood of soggy memories

looded basements are so disheartening, especially when it’s a finished basement. Flood waters damage appliances, carpeting and drywall. Sometimes we lose irreplaceable keepsakes. Forest Park has long suffered this problem and the outlook for many residents remains grim. This is ironic if you consider Forest Park first attracted residents because it didn’t flood like the surrounding area. The village is located on a geological formation that was an ancient sandbar of Lake Michigan. This sandbar was 18-25 feet above Lake Michigan and it formed a semicircle around the present Chicago area. Native Americans were attracted to our area, due to its elevation and proximity to the Des Plaines River. When settlers first came, they found the prairie flooded eastward to Lake Michigan but this area remained relatively dry. The old sandbar was later found to be conducive to cemeteries, as it was easier to dig graves in sandy soil. If you look at a map of the Chicago area, you’ll see a “cemetery belt” following the ancient sandbar extending from the west suburbs into the south suburbs. The sandbar provided elevation; so did a glacial moraine that forms a ridge that runs roughly east and west into Oak Park. This

ridge is most visible in Scoville Park. Despite the geological advantage Forest Park once had, we are now prone to flooding. Basement flooding plagued my family the day I was born. My mom once told me the story of my birth. She recalled that I was born during a severe thunderstorm. She remembered a hurricane had just hit the southern states and was traveling northward. She believed it was Hurricane Carla but I’ve since identified Hurricane Hazel as the culprit. Hazel caused a sudden drop in barometric pressure in Chicago, resulting in many pregnant women going into labor. My mom was driven to St. Anne Hospital on Chicago’s West Side to deliver. Due to the sudden rush of deliveries, I was almost born in the waiting room. Meanwhile, the basement of our house in Brookfield was underwater. Our appropriately-named black lab, Dory, was clinging to a floating table. Record rainfall caused the flooding. The 4.19-inch deluge, on Oct. 14, 1954, broke the previous one-day record for Chicago. We didn’t suffer basement flooding, though, when we first moved to Forest Park. Our basement remained dry for decades … until we installed carpeting and dry wall. We were thrilled with our cozy family room, before a record rainfall came

JOHN RICE

L O O K

B A C K

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F O R E S T PA R K

in 2007 triggered by Hurricane Dean. Our family room was soaked despite a standpipe we kept in the drain. We dried out the wall-to-wall carpeting by draping it over our backyard fence. The basement flooded a second time before we moved. Each time, it was a horrendous mess to clean up. I’ve been hoping for years that the Deep Tunnel would solve our flooding problem. Properly known as the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP), it’s one of the largest civil engineering projects ever attempted. The goal is to contain sewage overflow in tunnels and reservoirs until it can be treated. This, in theory, would keep sewage out of our basements. Work began in 1975. The system of tunnels has been mostly completed, but the massive quarries that will serve as reservoirs are not yet in full use. The project is expected to be completed in 2029. One of my neighbors hopes to live to see the Deep Tunnel finished. He is only 84. In the meantime, climate change is causing record precipitation. We thankfully haven’t suffered flooding at our new home. If we do, we’ll all be in trouble, seeing as how we live on the second floor. ■ John Rice is a columnist/private detective, who has seen his business and family thrive in Forest Park. He thoroughly enjoys life in the village and still gets a thrill smelling Red Hots, watching softball and strolling through cemeteries. Jrice1038@aol.com

Editor Maria Maxham Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Lifka Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice Senior Editor Bob Uphues Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Debbie Becker, Mark Moroney Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Front Desk Carolyn Henning, Maria Murzyn

Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-366-0600 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 EMAIL forestpark@wjinc.com ONLINE ForestParkReview.com TWITTER @FP_Review Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Forest Park Review,141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302-2901. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS No 0205-160) In-county subscriptions: $25 per year. $42 for two years, $58 for three years. Out-of-county subscriptions: $33 per year.

T I M E . . .

Memorial Day, 1914 Many historians consider John A. Logan one of the best of the Union Army’s political generals. Logan, from Jackson County, Illinois, was a volunteer soldier with a Michigan regiment at the Battle of First Bull Run on July, 21, 1861. He returned home to Illinois and recruited the 31st Illinois infantry and led his regiment into combat at Belmont in November of that same year. A natural military leader, he rose to the rank of major general of volunteers. Following the Civil War, John A. Logan was instrumental in the founding of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a veterans group comprised of former Union Army soldiers. In March of 1868, Logan issued General Order No. 11, which called for a national day of remembrance for Civil War dead, which would later become the holiday of Memorial Day. The local GAR, Phil Sheridan Post, No. 615, had many members. In 1914 this post was doing its duty and leading the Memorial “Patriotic exercises” at every public school in Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Maywood, Melrose Park and North Berwyn. The post encouraged that at each exercise, “Patriotic inspiration will be mutual. The scholars will warm your hearts… Let patriotism and love of the Flag to be the watchword.” The three Forest Park Schools, Grant School, Garfield School and Eugene Field School, each had events on May 29, 1914. The patriotic events at the Ulysses S. Grant School at Circle Avenue and Randolph Street were led by Comrades A. T. Hemingway

REVIEW

REVIEW LONG AGO: Ulysses S. Grant School at Circle Avenue and Randolph Street, cira 1915 and F. M. Ellis, and by Dr. Clarence Hemingway, whose office was on nearby Madison Street Visit the Forest Park Review Historical Society blog for a full copy of the 1914 program book from Commander Wilber Crummer’s archives, donated to the Oak Park River Forest Historical Society. The program book lists every school in Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Maywood, Melrose Park and North Berwyn.

Jill Wagner

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

Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

PMSA parking lot rehab should be ‘shovel ready’ by June 23 Public hearings in COVID times necessitate creativity By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

The Proviso Math and Science Academy exterior remodel will hopefully begin soon, though COVID-19 has threatened to put a crimp in the plans. The project, part of District 209’s master facilities plan, will be a transformation of the school grounds on the corner of Roosevelt Road and First Avenue in Forest Park, not just to beautify the academy but to make important storm water management and traffic flow changes, in addition to adding ball fields for outdoor recreation. At the end of April, Paul Starck-King, assistant superintendent of finance and operations at D209, said the district hopes to see the $2.4 million project completed before the potential start of school in August. “We are excited to get going on this work,” said Starck-King in an email. “The campus site will look a bit different when work is completed with well-designed student drop off and pick up, permeable parking lot pavers for storm water handling, improved

OUTDOOR DINING Rules apply from page 1 least one Madison Street property owner, the feasibility of such an idea was discussed. “We will survey the businesses to see if they’d like more outdoor space,” said Hoskins in an interview on May 18. “We have the authority to close the streets, but what we ultimately do will depend on what the businesses want.” After Pritzker’s press conference bumping up the date for outdoor dining, Hoskins reiterated that the village’s decisions will be based on what the businesses want and need. “We want the businesses to succeed,” said Hoskins in a phone interview on May 20. “We’ll be as flexible as we can.” He said plans haven’t been formalized for exactly what outside dining would look like for restaurants not already permitted for it, but the village is open to several different options. For example, said Hoskins, The Brown Cow owner Connie Brown asked if she could potentially put seating outside in parking spots on Madison Street to allow customers sit-down capability. “I said ‘Yes’,” said Hoskins. “If it’s something that helps our businesses survive, we’ll do our best to accommodate.” While zoning and permitting for such things would typically take time, Hoskins said the executive authority allowed to him through the emergency declaration gives him the flex-

lighting, and beautiful green spaces.” Steve Glinke, head of the zoning and building department in Forest Park, said that up until recently, things had been more or less moving on schedule with the project. “All parties were cooperating and working together on a timeline,” said Glinke. “And then the circumstances changed due to COVID-19.” The problem, he said, is with the public hearing legally required for this type of project. Normally, the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) would publish the date and time of the hearing and interested people could show up to voice concerns or ask questions. Social distancing changed everything with the open meetings act, however. “In a public hearing, the back and forth is important,” said Glinke. Zoom, which works well for village council meetings where there is no interaction with the public, wouldn’t allow for the type of discourse needed in a public hearing, especially if a large number of people want to weigh in on the matter. But holding the public hearing in-person wouldn’t honor state restrictions on the number of people who can be in one place at one time. For a public hearing, all taxpayers within 250 feet of the project must be notified and

public notice must be posted. And, since the Proviso district has so many feeder towns, there are a lot of stakeholders in the project. “We have to plan for the nth degree,” said Glinke. “That means the potential for mass community input, pro or con.” And if someone isn’t given the chance to speak and weigh in on the project, it could open the village up to a lawsuit. There’s no precedent for holding a public meeting in times like this. Legal counsel, said Glinke, has been instrumental in coming up with a way to allow public opinion while safely holding the hearing. The solution? A ZBA meeting on June 11, but slightly different than it would normally look. The meeting will be held both at village hall and via a Zoom webinar, combining in-person and distance attendance. Public comment can be submitted ahead of time, and during the meeting itself there will be an opportunity for the public to speak to the board, either remotely or in person. The majority of the ZBA board members will attend in-person, as will Glinke, the village planner, the petitioner and the court reporter, all properly distanced. Members of the public who wish to speak in person rather than via the webinar will be staged inside village hall and brought in to the

meeting one at a time, to ensure governmental restrictions about how many people can congregate at one place and at one time are followed. Specific instructions on how to attend the meeting in person or remotely will be published ahead of time. “The district is our partner, and we feel a need and commitment to get done what they need to get done,” Glinke said. “This is a huge value add for PMSA.” He said he doesn’t expect pushback, but the village needs to be prepared for any eventuality. As such, it’s imperative to make sure the public hearing gives everyone a chance to speak up so there are no legal issues. “We’re catching up technologically and need to make sure all our bases are covered,” Glinke said. As long as the petitioner submits everything on time, the June 11 ZBA meeting will be held as scheduled, albeit it in a slightly different format than during non-COVID times. The next step will be vote by the village council at the regularly scheduled June 22 meeting. “It’s a big project, involving lots of money and lots of moving parts,” said Glinke. “But if all goes as planned, it will be shovel-ready by June 23.”

ibility to act more quickly than normal. “But I would never make a decision like this without input and guidance from Tim Gillian and Steve Glinke,” said Hoskins. To help visualize and plan for the possibility of opening up Madison Street, Hoskins has enlisted the help of Forest Park resident and architect Scott Whitebone. Uniform seating might be a consideration, said Hoskins. Music pumped into the street. Ambient lighting. Hand sanitizing stations. Though just ideas at this point, Hoskins said an architect behind the project could help ensure a consistent look and feel to the downtown business district. Whitebone said the most important thing he can do for the village during this new phase of reopening is to listen to what the businesses want and need. “I can help visualize, through sketching up quick site plans, which can help drive decisions,” said Whitebone in a phone interview. But like Hoskins, he said that surveying the business owners will be the most important part of the process. There are, he said, so many options for how outdoor dining and seating could look. “Would we just close Madison Street on the weekends?” he said “Or have seating in village parking lots? It doesn’t make sense to start planning it if the businesses are not into it.” There are, he said, multiple considerations for opening up Madison Street to outdoor dining, such as how to make seating and tables consistent along the street or making sure pedestrian traffic could be accommodated. Ensuring proper social distancing is essential, as is keeping sidewalks

ADA compliant. What would signage look like? Where would parking be, if restaurants were using street parking spots to serve food? Another option, said Whitebone, is booths, marketplace-style. He mentioned that there are businesses on Roosevelt Road that would like to be a part of a planned reopening as well. An open market on Madison would allow them to do that. “There are lots of options,” said Whitebone. “I will design sketches to help make those decisions.” Knowing what, exactly, would help the businesses will drive planning. “It’s essential to have a clear picture of what the businesses need before putting out a final design,” said Whitebone. He added: “The businesses are the experts.” Bridget Lane, co-chair of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) with Dan Watts, reiterated Whitebone’s assertion that what will drive the project to open Madison Street to outdoor dining will be what the businesses want. “This has been the most challenging situation many businesses have faced,” said Lane. “It’s impressive how they’ve adapted.” The EDC, she said, wants to help Forest Park businesses succeed, and wants to do it with the health and safety of residents and businesses in mind. “Safety is the number one priority,” said Lane. “We want to ensure that Forest Park is the safest place in the suburbs to go. But after that? We have to be fun! People need to start to have fun again.”

And working with the village has been a fulfilling experience. “The mayor has been amazing,” said Lane. “I’m really excited about the relationship we have with the village.” Lane added: “We will move heaven and earth to help our businesses succeed, but within the confines of what’s safe.” On May 24, Governor J. B. Pritzker released specific requirements related to outdoor dining in the state of Illinois. A few items of note: • Employees must wear face masks over their nose and mouth when within six feet of others. • Customers should wear face masks at restaurants except while eating and drinking at the table. • Tables must be spaced at a minimum of six feet from each other, and use of plexiglass between tables is encouraged. • Hand washing or sanitizer must be provided to employees and customers. • At a minimum, employees should wash hands for 20 seconds every 30 minutes. • Employers should make temperature checks available to employees and encourage their use. • Outdoor dining can include indoor space where 50 percent or more of a wall can be removed via the opening of windows, doors or panels. The full list of guidelines can be found at dceocovid19resources.com/assets/RestoreIllinois/businessguidelines3/restaurantbars.pdf.

Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

Woman spits at CTA employee, cited for battery

A woman was given a local ordinance citation for battery for spitting on a CTA employee at 711 Desplaines Avenue on May 20 at 5:31 a.m. Police were called when the woman opened the handicapped gate and allowed people to enter without paying. When the CTA employee told the woman to knock it off, an unknown man yelled at the employee, telling her to “mind her own damn business.” He then spit on the glass of the booth and left. The woman closed the gate, walked over to the communication hole in the glass, and spit through it. Although the CTA employee put her hand up to stop the spit from entering the booth, it still got on her. The spitter was uncooperative and unreasonable, according to the police report.

Man issued citation for bothering WESCOM A man on the CTA platform at 711 Desplaines Avenue was issued a citation for disorderly conduct on May 20 shortly after 3 a.m. Police were dispatched to the location to meet the complainant, who was upset because trains were not running, and he said he was being asked to exit the inbound train and pay again before entering the outbound train. When the reporting officer arrived, however, nobody on the platform flagged him

down, and he didn’t know who had placed the call. Back in his vehicle, the officer was told that the complainant had just called once more, this time leaving his description with WESCOM. But back on the platform, after talking to several people, the officer still could not identify the caller and again was not flagged down. Once more, WESCOM said the man was on the phone, now being abusive to WESCOM call takers. This time, the officer located the caller, who said he wasn’t sure he should flag down the officer on the platform. The man said he didn’t have an emergency but wanted to get the attention of the CTA supervisor. WESCOM said the man had called seven to eight times, was verbally abusive, and never reported an actual emergency. WESCOM wished to pursue charges because, they said, the man’s calls were disruptive to their service as a 9-1-1 emergency dispatch center and the false alarms/complaints resulted in the response of Forest Park Police Department units.

A person, unidentifiable by race or gender, was caught on video placing a box with a large rock/small boulder inside in the middle of the street, then running back inside an address on the 7400 block of Franklin Street. A business owner saw the box on May 18 at 2:22 p.m. Thinking it might be someone’s lost property, he examined it and discovered the rock. Feeling it might have been intentionally placed there, he moved it to the parkway and checked his surveillance cameras. The perpetrator could be seen but not identified. The video was given to police.

More catalytic converters stolen

Woman foiled trying to use counterfeit money

At least two more catalytic converters were stolen, adding to the numbers from last week’s rash of cases. - One was taken from a car on the 800

A woman tried to pay with a counterfeit $100 bill at Walgreens, 7200 Roosevelt Rd., on May 18 at 3:59 p.m. The clerk, who identified the money as fake, told the customer

S W NE ! H S A FL

block of Thomas Avenue sometime between May 11 and 15 while parked at the owner’s residence. It was reported to police on May 18. - Another was stolen from a Ford bus in a lot on the 7700 block of Roosevelt Road. The driver discovered it missing on May 18 at 8:30 p.m. when he was supposed to start his shift.

Person hides rock under box in middle of street

that the store would keep the money, at which point the customer became irate. She demanded it back, saying it was her friend’s money. She was gone by the time police arrived. The clerk told police the store has had an ongoing issue with counterfeit money and provided the officer with the $100 bill from that day’s encounter, plus $500 in counterfeit $20 bills and an additional $100 bill from the store’s safe.

Car burglarized A car was burglarized sometime between 4 a.m. on May 19 and 11 p.m. on May 20 on the 7700 block of Van Buren Street. The owner, whose vehicle was parked at the back of his residence, said the glove compartment, center console and armrest areas had been ransacked. It is possible, he said, that he forgot to lock the car. He thought a checkbook might be missing. These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, May 18-21, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

Compiled by Maria Maxham

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Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

Blue Line lot won’t be green Village finances prevent environmentally friendly alternatives By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

A contract for the rehabilitation of the Blue Line parking lot north of Van Buren Street has been awarded to Chicagoland Paving, a unanimous decision made at the May 11 village council meeting. Chicagoland Paving came in lowest out of nine companies with a base bid of $485,000. This is $5,000 over the grant amount from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), money promised in 2014 but frozen until 2020. At the April 27 meeting when the council voted to go out to bid on the project, Commissioner Jessica Voogd made a motion to table the parking lot project discussion until the next meeting so more time could be spent coming up with green solutions to be added into the specifications. With only one

vote from Mayor Rory Hoskins, though, the item was not tabled, and the council voted to go out to bid. Nine bids came into the village for the project, all with a base amount plus amounts for two alternatives that considered green elements. These alternatives included landscaping around the perimeters of the parking lot and installation of rain gardens. At this time, however, due to suffering village finances during the COVID-19 crisis, the decision was made to vote only on the base amount without the environmentally friendly infrastructure. Chicagoland Paving’s bid for the landscaping was $43,901 and $114,999.75 for the rain gardens, which would have brought the total project up to $643,900.75. Again, the DCEO grant is only for $480,000. Voogd, who voted in favor of the contract award, said it was “a bitter pill to swallow.” But she added that she understood the village isn’t in a financial position to spend extra money right now. “We don’t have extra funds to be spending on alternatives, and I would be hard pressed to push for these alternatives right now,” said Voogd, who added that she hopes to see

JASON MAXHAM

NO GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE: The Blue Line parking lot north of Van Buren Street will be rehabilitated. The project will begin after Memorial Day. ways to “green up the space” when the village is in a better financial position. Hoskins said he echoed Voogd’s sentiments. He said he’d talked to the public works department to see if any of the additional improvements could be done in-house but doesn’t think that’s a possibility. He asked Vanessa Moritz, village clerk,

to add the following into the minutes: “The council would like to at some point return to this lot and explore landscaping items and other improvements that could have reasonably been considered in a more favorable fiscal climate.” The project will begin shortly after Memorial Day.

including changes dictated by the American Red Cross to protect trainees from the COVID-19 virus. Part of the training could be done virtually, but the water portion couldn’t begin until the pool was filled. from page 1 And even then, training would require more mannequins – each trainee would But even then, state guidelines would prehave her own, a difference from other years vent the gathering of more than 50 people in when they could share. one place at one time. Most notably, though, the essential water As Entler said during the meeting, 15 of rescue skills training would not be done in those 50 would be pool staff, which would alteams of two trainees as it normally is; rathlow only 35 pool patrons at one time. In that er, it would be simulated with one guard and one mannequin at a time. “They would have to practice the two-person rescue each doing their own part on a separate mannequin,” said Entler, a practice that worries her. “We would be training the guards in a way that isn’t consistent with the way they’re supposed to actually do their jobs.” Add in the difficulty the park district has had obtaining proper PPE – an order for gloves placed weeks ago still hasn’t shipped – and the result is a situation that doesn’t make anyone comfortable. In an interview after File the meeting, Iovinelli NO SWIMMING: After a series of difficult discussions, the Park District of Forest Park made the decision not said she and Entler had discussed this for weeks, to open the pool for the 2020 season.

looking at it from all angles. “Opening the pool is a huge undertaking under normal conditions,” said Iovinelli. “But it’s my favorite thing in the world to do.” Still, after hours of discussion, it was apparent that this year the pool will stay dry. “I didn’t want to make this decision without knowing for certain that we had thought every piece of this through,” said Iovinelli. And despite her sadness, she said she knows it’s the right decision. All board members concurred. “I agree, sadly,” said Roy Sansone, board president. Eric Entler said that mitigating risk is essential. Matt Walsh said that with limiting the pool to seven or eight families at a time, the experience just wouldn’t be the same and wouldn’t be worth the risk. Cathy McDermott said it was obvious that staff had “vetted this seven ways sideways” and was making the best choice under the circumstances. And John Doss said, “It’s out of our control. It’s the right decision.” Iovinelli said it was a little like finally ripping off a Band-Aid. And now that the decision has been made, the park district can move forward with other plans. “For a long time, we kept saying, ‘Once we decide on the pool, we can do this or that,’” said Iovinelli. “Now, it’s time to stop worrying about what we can’t do and start focusing on what we can do.” Plans include summer camp, outdoor exercise classes, and organized outdoor activities for kids, all with proper social distancing in mind. “Our board is invested in our residents,” said Iovinelli. “Anything we can do, we will do.”

POOL’S OUT

Safety the concern

situation, the pool could open for 1.5 to two hours for 35 people, and then close so staff could disinfect everything before opening up again for another group. And repeat. But in that situation, which might start in July when phase four begins, and assuming perfect weather – no rain days at all – the pool would bring in only 19 percent of the revenues that it brought in last year. As big an issue as finances is training lifeguards and ensuring their safety. The rigorous program guards go through before working at a pool would be different this year,

Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

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Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

Former Westlake employees sue hospital’s owner Charge retaliatory termination by Pipeline Health for whistle-blowing By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Two former employees of the shuttered Westlake Hospital, 1225 Lake St. in Melrose Park, have filed a lawsuit against the hospital’s owner. The lawsuit, filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County on March 24, claims that the company fired Marianna Woosley and Phyllis Morris — Westlake employees for 28 and 26 years, respectively — in retaliation last year after the plaintiffs provided information and evidence demonstrating that Pipeline was attempting close down the hospital in violation of a temporary restraining order filed against it by the village of Melrose Park. Melrose Park sued Pipeline Health and what the lawsuit claims were two shell companies — Pipeline-Westlake Hospital LLC and SRC Hospital Investments II LLC — which the California-based company allegedly “would use to purchase and quickly close” Westlake despite telling state regulators that it would continuing operating Westlake and providing charity care, or free or reduced health care for low-income patients, for at least two years following the change of ownership transaction. The mandatory requirement to continue providing charity care put Pipeline Health “in a difficult position,” the lawsuit states. “On the one hand, Pipeline Health knew that it would not follow through on any sworn promises to provide charity care because it planned to permanently close the hospital immediately upon purchase,” the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit was filed by attorney Ari J. “On the other, Pipeline Health knew that by the Review Board,” the lawsuit states. without making the sworn charity care On the same day, Pipeline Health CEO Scharg, of Edelson PC, the same law firm promises, the [Illinois Health Facilities and Jim Edwards instructed senior officials that filed the lawsuit against Pipeline on Services Review Board, which regulates within Pipeline and Westlake to start behalf of Melrose Park. Woosley and Morris hospital acquisitions] would deny its “shutting down all operations” at Westlake are both seeking back pay, with interest, damages for their emotional distress, application and Pipeline Health would and “vacating the facility.” lose out on the opportunity to purchase” After learning of the village’s temporary punitive damages, all litigation costs, West Suburban Medical Center, 3 Erie St. restraining order, Woosley and Morris reasonable attorneys’ fees, and all other in Oak Park, and Weiss Memorial Hospital began providing the village with evidence relief available at law.” The lawsuit did not in Chicago. The latter two hospitals were that Pipeline was violating the order and specify a dollar amount. Westlake’s emergency department has the only “profit-generating hospitals that state law by attempting to close a hospital since been temporarily reopened by the [Pipeline’s] investors were determined to before the state granted permission. acquire.” On May 2, Pipeline — “furious with state as an alternate care facility designed to Once Pipeline secured regulatory both Plaintiffs for reporting its violations” take in COVID-19 patients, in case existing approval, it finalized the purchase of — fired Woosley and Morris. No other hospitals in the area become overwhelmed. Attempts to contact representatives Westlake on Jan. 31, 2019 before announcing employees were fired, the lawsuit states. three weeks later on Feb. 16, 2019 that it Pipeline directed Westlake to file for with Pipeline Health on Monday were would soon file an application to close the Chapter 7 bankruptcy in August 2019 in unsuccessful. hospital. federal bankruptcy court in Delaware. CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com The lawsuit states that Woosley and Westlake closed in the same month. Morris learned of Pipeline’s plans to close Westlake “on or around Feb. 16, 2019,” when it filed an application with the state’s Review Board, requesting permission to discontinue all services. Melrose Park sued Pipeline for fraud and violations of the village’s municipal code on March 7, 2019, the lawsuit explains. Even though Pipeline’s application was scheduled for review by state regulators during a meeting on April 30, the company tried closing the hospital before the meeting, prompting Melrose Park on April 9 to file a temporary restraining order in the Circuit Court of Cook County prohibiting Pipeline “and its affiliates from closing Westlake Hospital before its SUIT FILED: Two former employees of Westlake Hospital, 1225 Lake St. in Melrose Park, have sued the application was approved

hospital’s owner.

What’s up with the catalytic converter thefts lately? Recent rise seen across towns By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Over the past two weeks, Forest Park’s police department has seen an increase in the number of catalytic converter thefts. And Forest Park’s not alone. Oak Park, Brookfield and North Riverside have experienced a similar trend in people removing and stealing the auto part from cars.

In North Riverside, catalytic converters were cut from 14 vehicles in a car dealership overnight between May 11 and 12. In Brookfield, a resident reported one stolen on May 18. In Forest Park, at least seven have been stolen from vehicles around town since May 10. Oak Park has seen several similar thefts too. According to Forest Park Police Chief Tom Aftanas, there has definitely been an increase lately in the illegal removal and theft of catalytic converters, which act as exhaust emission control devices on cars. “This type of theft was popular a few years ago but dwindled,” said Aftanas. He explained the logistics of stealing a

catalytic converter: “A person has to crawl under a vehicle and use a Sawzall [reciprocating saw] to cut the pipe on both ends of the converter to remove it. It can be done quickly, but it can be noisy.” In fact, a North Riverside victim of a recent catalytic converter theft was alerted to the crime occurring because he heard what sounded like an electric saw. Aftanas said the thieves steal converters to sell them to scrap yards because inside them are metals, including platinum, that make them valuable. Catalytic converters can be sold to scrap yards or online to metal recyclers for any-

where from $30 to over $100, depending on where you sell it and what kind of converter it is. For unfortunate victims of cat thefts, a brand-new catalytic converter can cost anywhere from as low as $50 to upwards of $1,000, depending on what kind of car and converter you need. But installation, if you don’t know how to do it yourself, can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars onto the cost. Aftanas said he’s unsure if all the crimes are related or not, though he said the police department does have the description of an offending vehicle involved in several incidents that occurred on the same day.

Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

Back by Popular Demand: Coding Sports Camps Kick Off June 8th

nce again Code Play Learn and Legacy Sports and robots. Specifically, they will use, Microbits, will combine forces this summer to offer MIT’s Scratch and App Creation Tool, Ready Maker their one-of-a-kind full-day weeklong Coding IO, LEGO Robotics, VEX, Spheros and more. Sports Camps that engage kids both mentally Greenwald enjoys helping students become and physically. Serving boys and girls currently in technology-literate as they build a strong foundation kindergarten through for lifelong learning, the 8th grade, the whether in technology STEPS FOR SAFER CAMPS Coding Sports Camps or other disciplines. will kick off the week • We have lowered camp enrollments to a While Coding Sports of June 8th and run maximum of 9 campers. Camp promises through the week of to challenge and • We will provide campers and staff with masks August 17th . engage children in and ensure we keep proper social distancing “Mind and body—it dramatically different in both our STEM and Sports activities. doesn’t get any simpler ways, a common • To ensure our facilities and equipment are than that,” said thread pulses through safe we will regularly be disinfecting during Greenwald. “We were the entire day: to the sessions and will use a UV light to kill pleasantly surprised enable each child germs on all surfaces in the evenings. that nobody had to think creatively, thought of it before, • Playing games where there is no contact reason systematically, and we are excited to between players. and to work and play continue blazing this collaboratively. • Altering games so participants will not use/ trail with parents and The Monday through share the same equipment. their children.” Friday program begins Beyond the athletic daily at 8:30 a.m. component, Legacy Sports instructors emphasize and ends at 4 p.m., with an on-site lunch break the development of character-building traits like in the middle. positive communication skills, teamwork and good For more information about Code Play Learn’s sportsmanship. and Legacy Sports STEM & Sports camps Through Code Play Learn, campers will spend the please visit our website at Codeplaylearn.com/ other half of the day creating, coding and building opsummer-2020 or call 708-374-8286. Space their own computer games, apps, Minecraft Mods is limited register now.

Full Day

CODING SPORTS CAMPS Summer Registration Is Now Open Robotics VEX & LEGO

Computer Game Creation

App Creation Lego Robotics

Minecraft Modding

Scratch Game Development

Coding

Scratch Game Development

ForFor registration and all our our programs programsvisit visit: www.codeplaylearn.com registration andinformation information about about all www.codeplaylearn.com 708-374-8286 Ridgeland, Oak Park, Park,ILIL60302 60302 708-374-8286• •132 30 N. Chicago Ave., Oak

Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020 paid advertisement

These local restaurants are all OPEN during the current shelter-in-place order Check out their menus online, call them for delivery, carry-out, or curbside pick-up. Barclay’s American Grille

1120 Pleasant St., Oak Park Classic American cuisine: burgers, BBQ ribs, fresh seafood, steaks and chops Our Menu: barclaysamericangrille.com/wp-content/ uploads/Barclays-Pick-up-Delivery-Menu.pd Call 708-848-4250 for Curbside Pick-up Delivery is available through Grubhub and UberEats 4pm - 8pm, Tuesday through Sunday

Blackout Baking Co.

(office) 842 N Harlem Ave, River Forest Bite-size gourmet cookies Our Menu: Blackoutbakingco.com Order from our website for FREE local delivery or nationwide shipping. Always accepting orders. Delivery and ship day every Tuesday. Call 872-222-9519 Local PERK! 20% OFF our new DIY Cookie Box with code ‘FOOD2GO’

Burger Moovment

7512 W North Ave, Elmwood Park 708-452-7288 Our menu: Burgermoovment.com/ delivery:Grubhub.com

Buzz Café 905 S. Lombard Ave, Oak Park Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner + Sweets, Snacks & Desserts served ALL DAY! Our Menu: Thebuzzcafe.com For Carry Out, Curbside Pick-up or FREE Delivery call 708-524-2899 Deliver also available with Uber Eats 7am - 7pm, 7 days a week

Counter Coffee Air Roasters

7324 Madison Street, Forest Park Our menu: Countercoffee.com FRESH Coffee, Eco-Friendly, Air Roasted each day in store, hand crafted beverages, and pastries (gluten free & vegan options available). Whole bean coffee and single use pods roasted for you when you order! Mobile order online at Countercoffee.com, call ahead, and walk-in available. We can ship coffee to all 50 states. 708-689-8896 Open daily from 7am - 4pm

Cucina Paradiso 814 North Blvd, Oak Park Italian Menus: Cucinaoakpark.com For Pickup, call 708-848-3434, curbside pickup is available For Delivery go to DoorDash or Grubhub Every night 4pm – 9pm

Eastgate Café 102 Harrison, Oak Park American Comfort Our Menu: Eastgatecafe.net For Curbside Pick-up and Delivery, call 708-660-9091 Delivery is also available on Grubhub 12pm - 8pm; closed Monday

George’s Restaurant

145 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park Our Menu: Georgesoakpark.com/menu Serving breakfast and lunch for pick-up. One soup per day. All items won’t be available. Call ahead for availability. For Pick-up call 708-848-4949; Delivery available through Door Dash and Postmates 8am - 3pm Monday - Sunday

Grape Leaves Restaurant 129 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park Mediterranean, Moroccan and Lebanese cuisine Our Menu : Grapeleaves.us For Pick-up and Delivery, call 708-848-5555 We also partner with Grubhub, UberEats, Postmate. Sunday - Thursday 12-8pm Friday and Saturday 12-9pm

Happy Apple Pie Shop

226 Harrison, Oak Park happyapplepie.com Sweet and savory pies, special orders Our menu is posted on our Facebook page and Instagram, or call us. Call 708-606-0037 to arrange for No touch take-out, Curbside Pick-up, and Free Delivery Wednesday-Friday 11:30am to 6pm, Sat. Noon-5pm.

Hemmingway’s Bistro & French Market

211 N Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL French-American: Steaks, Roast Chicken, Burgers, fresh Seafood, Salades, fresh-baked Desserts, Family-Style Dinner Packages, plus Champagne, Fine Wines, & Cocktail kits Our Menu: Hemmingwaysbistro.com Call 708 524-0806 for Contactless Curbside Pick-up & Delivery 11am - 7:30pm, Seven days a week, Sunday till 7pm.

Jerusalem Café

1030 Lake St., Oak Park Our Menu: Jerusalemcafeoakpark.com/menu Middle Eastern cuisine For Pick-up and Deliver call 708-848-7734 Delivery is also available through Uber Eats and DoorDash. 11am – 9pm Daily

Kettlestrings Tavern

800 S. Oak Park Ave Contemporary American Our Menu: Kettlestringstavern.com/eat For Curbside Pick-up, call 708-613-5044 Delivery is available through GrubHub Mon 3pm - 8pm; Tues - Thurs 3pm-8pm; Fri - Sat 11am–8pm; Sunday 10am-8pm

La Notte Ristorante Italiano 118 N Marion St, Oak Park Fine Authentic Italian Our Menu: LaNotte-op.com For Pick-up and Delivery, call 708-948-7576, or text 773-817-2858 or order online Delivery also available on UberEats and Doordash 2pm - 9pm daily Limited time offer -$100 Gift Certificates for just $80

Old World Pizza 7230 W North Ave, Elmwood Park Pizza, Burgers, Pasta Our Menu: Originaloldworldpizza.com For Pick-up, Curbside Pick-up, Delivery and Contact-less Delivery call 708-456-3000, or fax 708-456-4580 Mon 3:30pm – 9pm; Tues – Thurs 11am –9pm; Fri & Sat 11am – 10pm; Sun 11am – 9pm

One Lake Brewing

1 Lake St, Oak Park Contemporary Locally Sourced Food - Craft beer brewed on-site, plus wine & cocktail kits Our Menu: nelakebrewing.com/eat Curbside pick-up & complementary contact-free delivery. To place an order please call 708-434-5232 (we only have one phone line so please call us back if busy). Hours: Wednesday - Sunday 4 pm - 8 pm

O’Sullivan’s Public House 7244 W. Madison Street, Forest Park Modern American/Pub Food Our Menu: Osullivanspublichouse.net Call 708-366-6667 to order Carry-Out and Local Delivery (No Delivery Fee) Daily Specials posted on Facebook @osullivanspublichouseFP Delivery also available on GrubHub O’Sullivan’s is open for Carry-Out and Delivery Friday-Saturday 12-9pm, Sunday-Thursday 3-9pm

Puree’s Pizza & Pasta 1023 Lake St, Oak Park Pizza, pasta, sandwiches, panini, wraps Our Menu: Pureespizzaandpasta.com/ For Curbside Pick-up, take-out and Delivery, call 708-386-4949 Available Daily 11am – 9pm

Q-BBQ 124 N. Marion St, Oak Park BBQ Our menu: Q-bbq.com For Pick-up and Delivery, call 708-628-3421 or order online. Open every day 11am - 8pm Delivery available with ChowNow and DoorDash NOW OFFERING FAMILY PACK SPECIALS! Go online or call for more info

Robinson’s #1 Ribs 848 Madison St, Oak Park Barbecue (vegetarian options available) Our Menu: Rib1.com For Carry-out and Delivery call 708-383-8452 Delivery is available through UberEats, DoorDash , Grubhub Tues – Sun 12pm – 8pm

Scratch Restaurants Scratch Kitchen & Lounge 733 Lake Street • 708-434-5643 District Kitchen & Tap 220 Harrison • 708-434-5289 American/burger/sandwich/salad/mac n cheese Our Menu: Scratchfp.com For Pick up/curbside (rear entrance), call 708-434-5643 Sun - Thurs 11am - 12am; Fri - Sat 11am - 1am

The Little Gem Café 189 N Marion St. Oak Park American Bistro Our Menu: Thelittlegemcafe.com/menu For Pick-up and Delivery, call 708-613-5491 Tues - Sun 3pm - 9pm (closed Mon) Delivery is also available from Doordash

Tre Sorelle Ristorante 1111 Lake St., Oak Park Homemade Pizza, Italian cuisine Our Menu: Tresorelleoakpark.com For Curbside Pick-up and Delivery call 708-445-9700 Delivery also available with Grubhub, Uber Eats Mon - Thu 11am - 9pm; Fri 11am - 10pm; Sat 3pm - 10pm; Sun 3pm - 9pm

Starship Restaurant 7618 Madison St., Forest Park Gourmet sub sandwiches, homemade soups, catering and individually wrapped items for safe distribution Our Menu: Starshiprestaurant.com For pick-up and delivery, call 708-771-3016 or order online Mon thru Sat. 8am - 9pm, Sunday 11am - 6pm

Now is the time to support local business!

Each of these restaurants paid a very nominal fee to participate in this ad. Thank you for supporting these local businesses!

Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

Church provides 300 boxes of food for residents Pastor says he doesn’t want anyone to go without By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

“We want out church to be a partner to the village, now more than ever.” Bill Winston, pastor and founder of Living Word Christian Church, stood outside Living Fresh on Roosevelt Road on Saturday, May 23. Living Word had partnered with Living Fresh Market and Sweet Potato Patch to provide 300 boxes of food to Forest Park residents. The boxes contained fresh chicken, vegetables and fruit. Canned and dry food were provided as well. And a case of bottled water was given to each family. The flyer associated with the event said that each food box would feed a family of four for about a week. Winston said he is concerned about people during the pandemic, financially and emotionally. “With layoffs, there is the sense that people won’t have enough,” said Winston. “We want to let people know that there’s more than enough. And if this pandemic lasts longer, we will have to see what else we can do.” The decision to provide food to families in town wasn’t difficult, he said. It was a matter of recognizing a need and filling it. Forest Park firefighters Aaron Hannan, Ken Hriensaitong and Antonio Torres were on location to help load groceries into cars. And Mayor Rory Hoskins was there as well, greeting residents and filling cars with food. “This is a great thing that Living Word is doing,” said Hoskins. “It’s really wonderful to see the community working together to take care of its residents.”

Photo Courtesy of Living Word Christian Center

DRIVE THROUGH DONATIONS: (from left right) Forest Park firefighter Ken Hriensaitong, Mayor Rory Hoskins and firefighter Aaron Hannan load bottled water and food into a car during Living Word Christian Center’s food giveaway on May 23.

Fear of spikes in suicide during the pandemic Prevention a ‘prayer in action’ By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

Suicide could never happen in a village with small-town charm, right? The New York Times reports that 38 million unemployment claims have been filed in the last 10 weeks and 42 percent of recent layoffs will probably result in permanent job loss. The stress on those stuck at home without a job can have a major financial impact. Along with worries about paying the bills, the stress we are feeling also may have relational, psychological and spiritual components. In fact, experts fear there will be a spike in suicides among those who have lost their jobs. “Unemployment is a well-established risk factor for suicide,” wrote Glenn Sullivan PhD in the March 22 issue of Psychology Today. “In fact, 1 in 3 people who die by suicide are unemployed at the time of their deaths. For every one-point increase in the unemployment rate, the suicide rate tends to increase .78 points. One of the silent drivers of our current suicide crisis is the high percentage of working-age men not participating in the labor force.”

There is also a fear that there will be a spike in suicides among front-line healthcare workers. According to a N.Y. Times article, dated May 5, 2020, “Before COVID-19, health-care workers were already vulnerable to depression and suicide. Mental health experts now fear even more will be prone to trauma-related disorders.” And with three hospitals within walking distance of Forest Park, we have a lot of stressed-out doctors, nurses, EMTs and hospital cleaning staff living and working among us. Carey Carlock, LCPC, is the chief executive officer of Riveredge Hospital here in Forest Park, a facility that “offers a comprehensive continuum of inpatient and outpatient care for children, adolescents and adults with behavioral health issues.” She has had both personal and clinical experience with the ultimate example of what despair can lead to. “As a therapist and a mental health advocate,” she said, “I am deeply committed to assisting people in their quest for treatment and recovery. As an individual personally impacted by suicide, I know how devastating this type of loss is on individuals, families and communities.” She sent a letter to Wednesday Journal three years ago in which she expressed her grief at losing a patient to suicide and her resolve to work hard to prevent “one more

cherished and beloved person who sees no other recourse” than hurting themselves. “My heart breaks for her,” wrote Carlock, “and I wonder how did we not reach her? How did we not see her desperation? What if, how could, why …? What can we do that is actionable that is a balm, a solution, a strategy?” The tone of her letter then shifts to determination. “We will open our eyes and hearts and doors and resources to help. To offer ourselves as part of the solution. A prayer in action.” “Suicide prevention,” she said in an interview last week, “is all of our responsibility. We must ensure our ears and hearts and doors remain open to identify people’s isolation and suffering. It is all of our responsibility to reach out and communicate directly. To assess others. To speak up honestly, compassionately and directly when we have concerns about our loved ones.” Part of our responsibility is to be aware of the suicide warning signs. Carlock uses a CDC list as a concise summary: • Feeling like a burden • Being isolated • Increased anxiety • Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain • Increased substance use • Looking for a way to access lethal means • Increased anger or rage • Extreme mood swings • Expressing hopelessness

• Sleeping too little or too much • Talking or posting about wanting to die • Making plans for suicide The CDC urges everyone to respond in the following ways if they observe any of these warning signs in a friend, co-worker or loved one: • Ask them if they are thinking about suicide. • Keep them safe. Reduce access to lethal means for those at risk. • Be there with them. Listen to what they need. • Help them connect with ongoing support. You can start with the Lifeline (1-800-273-8255). • Follow up to see how they’re doing. • Find out why this can save a life by visiting www.BeThe1To.com. Mindful of the toll COVID-19 can take on health-care workers, Carlock said, “We initially saw our staff respond to coming to work as front-line workers with anxiety and serious concern and again even anger. Over time most individuals have learned to conduct our work safely and as a new normal. Over time the intense anxiety has been replaced with inspiration. Mission in motion as I like to say. We are in this together and we will get through it.” To call Riveredge Hospital for information or help, dial 708-771-7000 and, of course, if it is an emergency dial 911.

Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

Re“tie”rement Parade Betsy Ross staff is hosting a drive-by parade to honor retirees Mr. Milnamow and Mrs. Compere on June 1 at noon. The community, including students and teachers past and present, are invited to drive by Betsy Ross and wave. The school is located at 1315 Marengo Ave. Everyone is asked to wear a tie in homage to Milnamow’s iconic tie collection. The rain date is June 2.

Drive-by hellos at Field Stevenson

Field Stevenson teachers and staff held signs outside the school, 925 Beloit Ave., and waved to families who drove by during the school’s socially distanced parade. It was a chance for teachers and students to see each other safely, and an opportunity to have a little fun. Who doesn’t love a parade?

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN DISTRICT 91? Retirement Parade for Mr. Milnamow and Mrs. Compere

Monday, June 1, 2020 at 12:00 pm (rain date Tuesday, June 2nd)

The staff of Betsy Ross Primary School is hosting a drive-by parade to honor our retirees, principal William “Bill” Milnamow and librarian/media specialist Leslie Compere. Please help us to say goodbye to our dedicated educators as you drive by Betsy Ross School and wave. To honor Mr. Milnamow, let’s have some fun and encourage everyone to wear a tie in homage to his iconic tie collection. Please spread the word to the community. All are welcome to participate! We look forward to seeing everyone!

To learn more go to FPSD91.org

Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

! o G o T Up!

s k d c i o Go rbside P

paid advertisement

These local retailers are all OPEN during the current shelter-in-place order Check out their offerings online, call them for curbside pick-up.

Now is the time to support local business!

16 Suitcases

CarefulPeach Boutique

108 N. Marion St, Oak Park 708-628-3677

1024 North Blvd, Oak Park 708-383-3066

Specializing in contemporary women fashion, accessories and gifts.

Wine, bath and body, jewelry, home goods, kitchen and hostess gifts, puzzles and childrens items, all with a French Flair!

16suitcases.com

You can order online or call 708-628-3677. We offer Curbside Pick-up, Free Local Same Day Take 20% off your entire purchase use code SPRING20

Accents by Fred 7519 Madison St., Forest Park 708-366-9850 Facebook.com/accentsbyFred/

Handcrafted one-of-a-kind jewelry, gift items, custom greeting cards, custom face masks. Jewelry repair, watch batteries replaced Call or email us at accentsbyfred38@g-mail.com. Curbside pick-up Hours: Tues - Sat 1-6

Al-Mart Furniture & Bedding 7045 W. North Ave. Oak Park 708-383-5909 Almartfurniture.com

Bedroom Furniture, Sofas, Sectionals, Desks, Book Cases, Dinettes, Recliners, Mattresses and all other home furnishings and accessories.

Order on our website or call to schedule a showroom appointment. Curbside pick-up Hours: 11 to 5 pm Extra 20% off everything we carry!

Art Studio 928 911 South Lombard, Oak Park 630-240-9092 studio928.net

We offers Virtual Paint Parties for birthdays and other special occasions.

Call us or email events@studio928.net or visit our website http://studio928.net to select an image to paint. We will call or text you when your order is ready for pick-up. Curbside Pick-up Hours: Tues - Sun 11- 4 ART! Now paint kits with bonus traceable bird image, $20. Limited Supply. Available until we run out!

Bead In Hand 145 Harrison Street, Oak Park 708-848-1761 Beadinhand.com

We have DIY bead kits for sale on our website, including kits for Mother’s Day gifts. Kits are available now!

Orders can be placed on our website Curbside Pick-up is available 1-3pm daily except Tuesdays and Sundays, and at additional times as needed. Customers can knock on our door or call from their car and we’ll bring their items out.

The Book Table 1045 Lake St, Oak Park 708-386-9800 Booktable.net

Books, journals, and puzzles

Order online or over the phone. Curbside pick-up Hours: Mon-Sat 9-9, and Sun 11-6

CarefulPeach.myshopify.com

Call our shop, direct message us on Facebook or Instagram, or order thru our Shopify website Curbside Pick-up Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30-6, Sun 12-5 Buy a case of wine, even mixed, 15% off! Check out our 25% OFF Daily Peachy Items on our website or social media.

Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore 7419 Madison St, Forest Park Centuriesandsleuths.com/ E-mail: cns7419@sbcglobal.net

Specializing in History, Mystery and Biography Books both hard back and paperback books for adults, young adults, and children. Call or shop online 708-771-7243 (Fax 708-771-7412) Curbside Pickup Hours: Tue-Fri 12-7; Sat-Sun 12-5 Make a $15 purchase for books (before sales tax) and choose an ARC* from the books (covers) displayed on easels in the store’s display window.

Divine Consign 1800 S. Harlem Ave, North Riverside 708-386-3366 Divineconsign.com

New and Nearly New Furniture and Decor Purchase online or call (708)386-3366 for appointment.

Curbside pick-up is available. Just pull up and call us. Hours: Tues - Sun 1-5

Edible Arrangements 107 N Marion St, Oak Park 708-848-4840 Edible.com

Fruit baskets, chocolate strawberries, fruit smoothies, balloons, cookies and cheesecakes

Order on our website or call us. Pay for your order online or by phone, then call when you arrive and we will bring it out to you. We also offer next day free delivery (except holidays) Hours: 9-6 Mon thru Fri. 9-5 Sat and 10-3 Sunday

Elevate Hair and Beauty Boutique 321b Harrison Street, Oak Park 708-227-3788 elevatehairboutique.com

Beauty and bath products, home decor, hair care and accessories for all ages. We have great gift sets, or we can help create for you!

Order online at our web store Call Gail to arrange curbside pick-up or delivery. E-gift cards available online. Free shipping nationwide! We can also include a free card in your order to your gift recipient.

Fitzgerald’s Fine Stationery 111 North Marion Street, Oak Park 708-445-8077 Fitzgeraldsstationery.com

delivery (Oak Park, River Forest, Elmwood Park, Forest Park) or Curbside pick-up.

Garland Flowers 137 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park 708-848-2777 GarlandFlowers.net

Flowers, loose and arranged, green plants, blooming plants, garden plants

Order by phone or online Call when you arrive and we will bring your order out to you. We also deliver! Hours: Mon – Sat 9-3

Sear’s Pharmacy 1003 Madison St, Oak Park 708-386-6304 Searsrx.com

Prescription Medications, Over-the-counter medications, Vitamins

Call ahead with order and payment info. Call when curbside, and we will bring your order out to you. We also offer Delivery Hours: Mon-Fri 9-7; Sat 9-2; Sun Closed

Sugarcup Trading 110 N. Marion St, Oak Park 708-524-5336 Sugarcuptrading.com

A whimsical well curated children’s boutique specializing in fashion, accessories, books, specialty toys and gifts.

Offering: Online Shopping, Concierge Service, Virtual Shopping Parties You can order online or call 708-524-5336. We offer Curbside Pick-up, Free Local Same Day Delivery and shipping throughout the US. Hours: Mon-Sat 11-5

Team Blonde Boutique, Eco Spa, and Salon 7442 W. Madison, Forest Park 708-771-5590

Register on our site now for Summer Session I or II All classes held via zoom while Coronavirus restrictions are in place.

Teamblonde.com Clothing, gifts, jewelry, handbags, bath & body products, hair care products To order, go to our website, email us at blondes@ teamblonde.com, or call. We offer curbside pick-up and delivery. For curbside pick-up, pull up to our front or back door and call to let us know you arrived. Hours almost anytime, by appointment. Mention this ad for 15% off your first curbside purchase

Lively Athletics

Ten Thousand Villages

L’Institut Français d’Oak Park 11 Harrison St, Oak Park 217-840-6359 Frenchinstitute.net/

All levels of French classes for adults and mature teens.

109 N. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park 708-358-0605 Livelyathletics.com

Athletic apparel and shoes for women, athletic shoes for kids

To order: Call us, email us, Facebook message us... anything! We’re so excited to take your order! For curbside pick-up, pull up outside our store and give us a call. We’ll run your purchase to your car, or leave it right outside our door. Hours: Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5 $5 off any curbside shoe purchase (adult or kid) with code WednesdayJournal

Manouche 146 N Oak Park Ave (New Location - previously at 103 N Oak Park Ave)

708-505-5546 Women’s clothing and accessories with a focus on independent designers, organic fibers, and ethical sourcing. manoucheshop.com Currently open for curbside pick-up and doing local non contact delivery. Flexible hours 15% off purchase of $300 or more. (pre-tax) Now thru May 31.

Oak Park Jewelers 101 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park Oakparkjewelers.com

Jewelry store

Call 708-383-9695 or email info@oakparkjewelers. com to set up a virtual appointment and/or arrange curbside pick-up. Local Delivery is also available. Hours: Tues – Fri 11-4

A Paw Place in Oak Park 708-516-8038

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Each of these businesses paid a very nominal fee to participate in this ad. Thank you for supporting these local businesses!

Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

Quarantine and masks – then and now By JILL WAGNER Contributing Reporter

“I received your letter this morning and the money order. I got plenty of junk now, but there’s no place to blow it in while we’re quarantined. They moved all the soldiers in tents from cantonments and brick buildings and put the sick fellows in them every building you look at here is got nurses and is filled up with cases of Influenza. There’s about 13 died out here of all ready and most of the fellows that just come out here from Chicago were put in the hospital. There’s over a thousand cases out here, but it isn’t got me yet.”

If you sell Forest Park Reviews at your small business, you might recognize Dave Marcincus, one of the Review’s distribution contractors. Recently he shared nearly 25 letters that have been saved in his family from his grandfather Joe Kloboucnik and a cousin during their service in World War I. These letters, now over a century old, give firsthand account of the 1918 Influenza PanDown in Camp Forrest, Georgia was Pridemic through the eyes of a “local boy” servvate Joey Kloboucnik, Dave’s grandfather. ing in the U.S. Army. He wrote on Oct. 13, 1918, just as the influEach letter itself has a story, penned with enza virus would have been hitting its peak a fountain pen or pencil and one letter, at the end of his service overseas months after back home in Cicero and all of Chicagoland: “I am O.K. and hope all at home the peace treaty was signed, was even typed are well. … I received your letter on a typewriter. Letters are neatly written today and you say Lil is still sick, on paper provided by the Knights of Columwell, gee whiz, take care of her. I bus or Young Men’s Christian Association. was to Lytle last night and tonight Some have been pre-stamped with patriotic but heck that place stinks, all the encouragement: “To the Writer: Save by shows are closed here on account of writing on both sides of the paper; Folks at the Spanish flu, so home: Save Food, there is very little by Liberty bonds amusement there. and war savings I’d like to go to stamps.” some real camp. I America took a mean near a real neutral stance in city like Chicago, the European war Ha Ha. The men for several years in the stores wear but eventually masks over their came to the aid of noses and mouth the Allied nations so they wouldn’t and joined the get it.” war in April 1917. It wasn’t until the Later that month, spring of the folJoey was sent up to lowing year, 1918, Camp Merritt, New that the influenza Jersey, to prepare for virus started to his trip across the Atspread. With the lantic and wrote to transport across his parents on Oct. 29, Europe of soldiers 1918: who were living in “Don’t be surprised trenches, camps shocked or anything and generally else but I want you close quarters, the to know I am going disease moved overseas very soon, if quickly. I pass the final examiCourtesy of Dave Marcincus This flu, named nation which I don’t after the only non- SOLDIER BOY: Joey Kloboucnik, 22, servknow what it consists combatant coun- ing in France in 1919 of. I am now at Camp try who could Merritt right near report on the flu, was nicknamed “Spanish Hoboken N.J. and ready to go. … I am in the Flu.” It caused particular fear because the best of health and not a damn bit afraid to go high morbidity rate was striking even in across the deep blue sea. This is a fine camp what was seen as the “healthiest” people — and the barracks her are 2 stories high and young men who were soldiers. each floor has a big furnace, the surroundMilitary camps in southern New Jersey ing country and towns are very much better had their first death from the Spanish Flu in than in Georgia, but of course, got darned September 1918, and this letter, written by the luck, we are in quarantine.” He must have passed the final examinacousin George, tells a bit about the New Jertion because he wrote from “somewhere on sey camp he was at on, Oct. 10, 1918:

ov. the Atlantic,” on Nov. 8, 1918: “I hope you are not worrying about me as I’m in the best off ed health. I received ut that poster about he prevention of the flu, well there is no flu here. We wore such masks on the boat for the firstt two days, then took them off, is the flu still in Chicago?” e In October, the n flu had shut down dance halls, nightt e school, and movie theaters across Chi-cago. According to the Forest Park Review on Oct. 28, “several boys” who were supposed to leave to go overseas were sent back home. A week later, on Nov. 2, 1918, the Review headline reported a “large death toll,” marking the fourth consecutive week of obituaries from locals of all ages on the front page of the paper. The welcome news on Nov. 11 that the Armistice between the Allies and Germany was signed in France was cause for great celebration around the globe. In Forest Park, it was well recorded by the publishers, Henry and Edith Heilman, at 2 a.m. Joey, who had not quite made it to the French port of Brest when Armistice was signed, shared the following: “I see you had quite a time when the armistice was signed, it was 11 o’clock a.m. on this side of the pond. I was still on the ship George Washington when the news come out, just ready to land in Brest, they sure celebrated there, the destroyers and battleships opened up with their cannons and the whistles blew and everybody was happy in Brest. When we got there the French were so happy they all seemed to celebrate by getting plenty of vin (wine) in their systems, Ha Ha.” Joey’s letter to his Uncle Joe, on Jan. 9, 1919, from Bure-les Templiers, France has a much more relaxed and confident style, including referring to the Yanks and the Huns (Germans). He even pulls out a local

Courtesy of Dave Marcincus

Letter from soldiers during the Spanish Flu

QUARANTINED: A letter from 1918 talks about not being able to spend money because of the quarantine. reference, comparing Bure-les Templiers, France to Riverside, Illinois stating: “There isn’t much doing in this town, it’s about as lively here as in Riverside where we took the nice little walk, remember, when we got through we weren’t any farther away than when we started, Ha Ha.” The letters continue through April, never again mentioning the flu or quarantine, as the worst had passed not only abroad but also at home. The Forest Park Review from November 1918 lists just over 350 “Forest Park Boys in Uncle Sam’s Service.” Names like Fred Becker, Kurt Berliner, Oscar Burkhardt, Tony Calderone, William Carney, Wilbert Drechsler, Arthur and Clarence Glor, Armin Kaul, Walter Knaack, Henry Lambke, Walter Lange, Roy Mohr, John Moran, Paul Oswald, Arthur and Edwin Quadt, Albert Reicher, Henry Schlichting, Otto Stange, Walter Thode, Frank Troost and H.J. Urban are just a few names that stand out as influencers in Forest Park history.

Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

OPINION O U R

V I E W

Caution on dining out

lans underway in Forest Park to work actively with local restaurants to open outdoor dining as soon as this week are encouraging but potentially problematic. Mayor Rory Hoskins, Administrator Tim Gillian, the chamber and local businesses have worked well together in trying to find a path to allow some version of sit-down dining. All agree it would start with outdoor seating, would require diminished capacity and generous social-distancing. The village is even talking about creating new on-street dining spaces for restaurants that did not previously offer outdoor dining. A local architect has been retained to help figure out the logistics and the aesthetics of turning parking spaces on Madison into seating, to see if the same options can be extended to Roosevelt Road restaurants. That’s all good. Here are the cautions: Like every other town in Illinois Forest Park must follow final guidance from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on the fine details, released on Sunday. The specifics may change or be updated. So there is some waitand-see. And then there are the lame-brained people who we all saw on TV news across the Memorial Day weekend, traveling to already re-opened states and cities — Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, for example. No masks, no social distancing, seemingly no brain cells at work, swamping bars and restaurants. Down that path is more infection, more delay in anything that looks like sustainable normal. If Forest Park is aggressive in allowing outdoor dining to return, it must carry a big stick of enforcement. Pressure and expectations will fall on food entrepreneurs to enforce crowd limits. And it will be necessary for local officials — police, administrators — to actively shut down excess. If we thought it was hard to scoot families off playgrounds a month ago, setting limits on diners and drinkers will be much harder but more necessary. We have not, as a village, as a state, sacrificed so much over three months for the public good to allow it to evaporate for nachos and a beer on a summer evening.

Straight up asphalt

Disappointing but prudent for the Forest Park Village Council to unanimously approve a contract for the repaving of the parking lot at the Blue Line depot even though it lacks even a nod to a more environmentally sound design. Commissioner Jessica Voogd pushed hard for a more sustainable design which would include permeable pavers, landscaping, water retention features. But she finally relented, facing the harsh reality that in this COVID moment, when village finances are fully maxed out, there is no extra money for these upgrades. The lot needs fixing, state money has finally been pried loose to fund the fix, and, in this moment of underuse of the lot as public transit sits largely unused, it is prudent to get this job done. But good for Voogd to focus Forest Park on a future where sustainability is part of every conversation.

Quarantine fatigue and reporting

his issue of the Review has an article with the headline, “Al fresco dining by the end of the month?” Is this a situation where the profit motive is trumping public health concerns? To answer that question, let me tell you a story. Last Wednesday I drove 170 miles north to Point Beach State Park — 1,000 acres of sand dunes, Lake Michigan, beaches and trees. I wasn’t sure I should go. I was disobeying orders. Gov. Pritzker told me I should be sheltering-in-place. I was taking a risk. I’m 72 years old and have an underlying condition called Primary Lateral Sclerosis, which puts me in the high-risk category. I was putting other people at risk, as well. Bears fans would perhaps not mind killing off a few cheeseheads, but that would weigh on my conscience. Was I putting people up there at risk by unwittingly carrying the virus from here to there? So why did I do it? The reason — maybe not a good one — was that I had been isolating at home for 10 weeks and I was going stir crazy. I couldn’t stop fantasizing about one of the places I love most on this earth. What happened was that I did a risk/benefit analysis and concluded that the benefit to my mental and spiritual health far outweighed the added risk. Further, the benefits outweighed the risks because I minimized the risks. In the 13 hours I was not sheltering-in-place, I stopped at a gas station and filled the tank up with no one within 20 feet of me. Wearing my mask, I passed two people on the way to the restroom and washed my hands on the way out. When I got to Manitowoc, I entered my favorite bakery, loaded up on glazed croissants and the only person I came close to was the man behind the counter. Hand sanitizer again. Iced coffee from a drive-up window, and the next five hours were spent in the woods along the lakeshore with no one coming within 20 yards of me. I stopped for gas on the way home and passed no one during my trip to the toilet. When I heard about the possibility of having a sitdown meal outside a local restaurant as early as this weekend, I immediately thought of my little escape to Wisconsin. Gov. Pritzker’s public health traffic light has turned to yellow, which means that in the opinion of his consultants, it’s time to proceed with caution— just like I did on my jaunt to Wisconsin. And, from what I’m reading, that’s how our village officials and the Chamber of Commerce are proceeding as well. I’m for an incremental, cautious reopening for the following reasons:

Reason one: Nothing is risk-free. If you stay at home, your chance of getting the virus decreases, but the possibility of not paying the rent or becoming clinically depressed increases. One article in this issue, in fact, cites statistics that show a correlation between an increase in unemployment applications and a rise in suicides. It is, I think, time to get our economy out of park and into at least first gear. Reason two: Quarantine fatigue. It’s a psychologist’s way of saying stir crazy. Forest Parkers will tolerate isolation only so long, and then we’ll start to “cheat” like I did last week. Reason three: Abstinence as public policy doesn’t work. In a way, the stay-athome order was telling people to abstain from direct social contact. They tried that as public policy with the HIV AIDS epidemic 40 years ago. It’s simple, they said. If you don’t want to get the virus, don’t have sex. They tried that with prohibition. They tried that with anti-drug laws. Abstinence doesn’t work as public policy. It may work for some folks as an individual lifestyle, but I can’t find any examples in history where attempts to get back into the Garden of Eden by legal fiat worked. Reason four: Warmer weather. Experts seem to agree that viruses go into “hibernation” during warmer weather. Reason five: Harm reduction. When abstinence didn’t stem the AIDS epidemic, public policy switched to harm reduction, i.e. if you are going to have sex in spite of what the experts say are the dangers, we’re going to show you how to engage in physical intimacy as safely as possible. For example, use condoms. As I’ve said before, I tend to be pro-life in my attitude toward abortion, but I don’t want Roe v. Wade overturned. In my opinion, Bill Clinton got it right when he said that abortions should be legal, safe and rare. Overturning Roe would make abortions illegal, unsafe and just as prevalent. Public policy, orders from the governor, or homilies in church will never create a perfect society. That truth in regard to the abortion debate was confirmed for me when I read — in a Jesuit journal no less — “According to the latest numbers from the Guttmacher Institute, 24 percent of women who procure abortions identify as Catholic, almost the same as 22 percent of all U.S. women who called themselves Catholic.” (America, the Jesuit Review, 1/24/18) Bridget Lane got it right when she said, “We want to ensure that Forest Park is the safest place in the suburbs to go, but after that? We have to be fun! People need to start to have fun again.” So, Rory, Tim, Steve, Scott, Bridget, go for it. Go ahead with a plan to gradually reopen Forest Park’s small businesses — as long as you keep in mind that the traffic light is still yellow.

TOM HOLMES

Visit us online at www.ForestParkReview.com

Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

Promoting local business … with fun along the way

hat exactly does a chamber of commerce do? Despite all that’s happening in the world, I’m convinced that getting an answer to this question is at the top of your list. It’s a burning question that needs to be extinguished, but let’s fan the flames for a bit. This might seem like a shameless plug, and I’d be fibbing if I didn’t admit that there’s a smidgen of truth to that. But my guess is most folks are hard put to come up with an answer and I feel a sense of obligation to help you become an expert. The long history of chambers can be traced back to 1599 when the term “chamber of commerce” first appeared in Marseille, France. Our history began on June 17, 1912 when a group of local businessmen founded the Forest Park Business Men’s Association (that’s us!) with Albert C. Roos serving as president. A “more suitable name” — Forest Park Commercial Association — was adopted in 1918, and finally turned into the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce in 1924. No matter the name, it boils down to 108 years of service to Forest Park’s business community. Through the years the mission has remained the same. Promoting local businesses, marketing Forest Park, creating events that bring people to our charming village, and providing an outlet for business owners to connect is the basis of our work, and there’s no organization that works for

and represents the business community like the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce. Your chamber plays a key role in maintaining a vibrant business community, which enhances the quality of life of the community as a whole. Along the way have a good time … and we know how to do that in Forest Park. From picnics, parades and promotions to sidewalk sales, sipping wine and visits from Santa, there’s no shortage of fun. We serve as a resource to the business community and, like everyone else, we’ve been catapulted in to uncharted territory. Chambers everywhere are working to navigate and understand the ever-changing, complicated rules, regulations and resources around this health crisis so that business owners can concentrate on managing their business. As a group and on our own, we’re talking with local and state leaders, hosting and attending webinars, gathering info, communicating with and promoting the business community and more. Why do we do it? Aside from desperately wishing our business owners didn’t have to deal with the struggles of the current situation, we love what we do. We love this community and the businesses that have chosen to call Forest Park home. How is our work supported? Through membership dues, sponsorships and event revenue. So there you have it, as my dad would say. Become a Chamber Ambassador today! (https://exploreforestpark.com/jointhe-chamber)

LAURIE KOKENES

L E T T E R S

T O

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Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

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PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS Public Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, on Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. by telephone audio conference and / or in the First Floor Community Room of the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois. Pursuant to the Illinois Governor’s Executive Orders and disaster declarations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, physical attendance at the public hearing may not be available, or may be limited to no more than 10 individuals, with Zoning Board of Appeals members, staff and consultants having priority over members of the public. Public testimony and comments regarding the subjects of the public hearing may be made by telephone during the hearing, and written public testimony and comments submitted to the Zoning Board of Appeals before the hearing will be entered into the public hearing record. You may submit your public testimony and comments via email in advance of the public hearing by 12:00 pm on Thursday June 11, 2020 to Assistant Village Administrator Lisa Scheiner at lscheiner@vrf.us. You may listen to the hearing and participate by a telephone conference call as follows, dial-in number: 1-312626-6799 with meeting id: 861 1999 2667. If you would like to participate over the phone, please contact Assistant Village Administrator Lisa Scheiner by telephone at (708) 7143554 or by email at lscheiner@vrf. us by 12:00 pm on Thursday, June 11, 2020. The purpose of the public hearing is to consider the following text amendments to the Village’s Zoning Ordinance: Additions and amendments to the definition of “home occupations” in Section 10-3-1 regarding “home kitchen operations,” as defined in Section 3.6 of the Illinois Food Handling Regula-

tion Enforcement Act, 410 ILCS 625/3.6. Additions and amendments under consideration include whether to heighten, or lessen, the requirements for a home kitchen operation to operate as a home occupation, including whether a special use permit must first be obtained and whether performance standards for this use will be modified and / or added. The additions and amendments to the Village of River Forest Zoning Ordinance include, but are not be limited to, those described above, and such other regulations as the Zoning Board of Appeals and/or Village President and Board of Trustees may determine are appropriate. The petitioner for the Text Amendments is the Village President and Board of Trustees. This public hearing is being held pursuant to direction given by the Village President and Board of Trustees for the Zoning Board of Appeals to consider these amendments, for additional information visit www.vrf.us. All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. For public comments to be considered by the Zoning Board of Appeals and Village Board of Trustees in their decision, they must be included as part of the public hearing record at the hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals. For further information or for a copy of the proposed text amendments, please contact Assistant Village Administrator Lisa Scheiner at (708) 714-3554 or at lscheiner@vrf.us or visit www.vrf.us. Sincerely, Clifford Radatz Secretary, Zoning Board of Appeals

Published in Wednesday Journal 5/27/2020

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Notice is hereby given by the Village of Oak Park of the availability of an estimated $162,107 in Program Year 2019 Community Development Block Grant-Corona Virus (CDBG-CV) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. To non-profit agencies serving primarily low- and moderate-income Oak Park residents (at least 51% of the total proposed project clientele), the Village is calling for CDBG-CV Public Services applications. Each proposed project must be an eligible CDBG project. The application period is from May 27 to 5 p.m., June 10, 2020. No late submittals will be accepted. To obtain application materials or for more information, send a message to Mark Dwyer, Grants Supervisor, at grants@ oak-park.us. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking persons, as needed. Published in Wednesday Journal May 27, 2020

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday 11 June 2020, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, the Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct a public hearing to consider a request for an amendment to the Special Use granted by Ordinance No. O-24-04, as amended, to allow for certain site improvements, including but not limited to a reduction in onsite parking and traffic circulation, construction of an outdoor recreational field, and reconfiguration of stormwater management in the Community Business District 2 (B-2) on the following described property: LOT 1 IN CHICAGO GUARANTEE SURVEY COMPANY THE PROVISO MATHEMATICS & SCIENCE ACADEMY PLAT OF SUBDIVISION, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED MARCH 19, 2009 AS DOCUMENT NO. 090718040, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Commonly known as 8601 W. Roosevelt Road, Forest Park, Illinois. PIN(s):

15-14-400-013-000

The applicant is Township High Schools District 209 Due to COVID-19, limits on group assembly and social distancing requirements are being utilized. Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals will be conducting the hearing via Zoom and a limited amount of people will be allowed to physically attend the hearing. In light of recent changes to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, alternative public testimony options have also been instituted. Information regarding these options and how to access the hearing via Zoom can be obtained at http://www. forestpark.net/dfp/. If you have any questions please contact the Director of Health and Safety, Steve Glinke at sglinke@forestpark.net. Signed: Kerry McBride, Acting Chair Zoning Board of Appeals Published in Forest Park Review 5/27/2020

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed Bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 for the following: Village of Oak Park 2020 Lead Water Service Replacement Program Bid Number: 20-127

Bid forms may be obtained from the Village of Oak Park website, http://www.oak-park.us/bid. Bid documents may be viewed at the Public Works Customer Service Center at 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Information is also available from the contact person, Water and Sewer Superintendent, James Eggen, jeggen@oak-park.us . The deadline for questions is 8:00 A.M. on Friday, June 12, 2020. Any addenda for this bid will be issued by 1:00 P.M. on Monday, June 15, 2020. All bidders will be required to submit Bid Security in the form of a Certified Check, Cashier’s Check or a Bid Bond in the amount of Ten percent (10%) of the Base Bid, payable to the Village of Oak Park. The successful bidder will be required to post performance security and to provide a certificate of insurance as set forth in the bid package. This contract shall be subject to the provisions of the Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS130/1 et seq.) to the extent required by law.

The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. For more information call the Public Works Service Center at 708.358.5700. Published in Wednesday Journal May 27, 2020

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST; Plaintiff, vs. LORNA J. RANKER; CHARLES K. RANKER; CITIZENS BANK NA; Defendants, 18 CH 2459 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-17-327-034-0000. Commonly known as 1185 S. LOMBARD AVE., OAK PARK, IL 60304. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Mr. Ira T. Nevel at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 357-1125. 18-04613 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3150861

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 18-034750 F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3150870

out recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 267501 Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 18 CH 12736 TJSC#: 39-8007 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 18 CH 12736 I3150458

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION AM SOLUTIONS LLC; Plaintiff, vs. ARIEL CHAPMON; TAJ CHAPMON; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 7196 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-10-431-012-0000. Commonly known as 830 South 16th Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 3609455. W19-0247 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3150866 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR TOWD POINT MASTER FUNDING TRUST 2018-PM16 Plaintiff, vs. GRADY RIVERS AKA GRADY A. RIVERS, JR.; GLENDA L. RIVERS AKA GLENDA RIVERS; Defendants, 18 CH 11332 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-11-317-010-0000. Commonly known as 406 South 7th Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a multi-family residence. The successful purchaser is entitled to possession of the property only. The purchaser may only obtain possession of units within the multi-unit property occupied by individuals named in the order of possession.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION SELENE FINANCE LP Plaintiff, -v.LARSENIA HORTON, NEIL SMITH, ASSURANCE RESTORATION & CONSTRUCTION, INC., PRAIRIE HOUSES OWNERS ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 18 CH 12736 14 DIVISION STREET, # 14 OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 16, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on July 9, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 14 DIVISION STREET, # 14, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-127-0480000 The real estate is improved with a brown brick, three story townhouse with an attached one car garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and with-

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. 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. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777. Wednesday Journal • Landmark • Forest Park Review

Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

INC., REALTOR

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

9346 LANDINGS LN

317 ELGIN

1338 MARENGO

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

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

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

D L SO

Dear Oak Park Residents and Surrounding Community, This year we are giving back to you with an amazing one time offer (in celebration of our 25th anniversary)! Perfect for children, teens, and adults!

Language and Music Summer Camp! Spanish Immersion no Spanish experience necessary. Our Summer Camp’s waitlist has been eliminated, with all the space we have at the new Mansion!

Special 2020 Offer!

Preschool Group (ages 2-4) Kindergarten through 2nd Grade Group (ages 5-8)

$248 per month

$199 for the first month! Private Lessons in ANY subject we offer!

3rd-5th grade group (ages 9-11)

All Languages, All Instruments, All Subjects for Academic Tutoring! All AGES!

Monday through Friday 9:30am-2:30pm, choose your weeks $250 per week. Before and after care available. Two-week minimum, 8-week recommendation for language acquisition.

Don’t forget to ask about our other programs and offerings: • Before and Afterschool “Homework Cafe” at The International Mansion • Language and Fine Arts Preschool and Elementary School (Homeschool-style in School) • Our Recording Studio • Translations and Interpretations

The Language and Music School At International Mansion

509 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 info@internationalmansion.com • (708) 524-5252 • InternationalMansion.com

Forest Park Review, May 27, 2020

WE’RE BY YOUR SIDE 630 N East Ave | Oak Park $1,099,000 Catherine Simon-Vobornik

703 N East Ave | Oak Park $1,080,000 Patricia McGowan

822 Jackson Ave River Forest | $999,000 Sheila Price

819 Fair Oaks Ave | Oak Park $670,000 Swati Saxena

1029 Linden Ave | Oak Park $649,000 Anne Ferri & Kim Wojack

1201 N Ridgeland Ave Oak Park | $565,000 Sandra Dita Lopez

1115 Rossell Ave | Oak Park $560,000 Saretta Joyner

1230 Linden Ave | Oak Park $550,000 Swati Saxena

1111 N Kenilworth Ave Oak Park | $519,500 Anne Ferri & Lynn Scheir

547 N Ridgeland Ave Oak Park | $499,000 Catherine Simon-Vobornik

17 Forest Ave | River Forest $499,000 Patricia McGowan

38 Le Moyne Pkwy | Oak Park $469,000 Keller Group Chicago

2044 N 77th Ct Elmwood Park | $444,900 Ed Bellock Jr.

814 Wenonah Ave | Oak Park $434,000 Sandra Dita Lopez

1228 Scoville Ave | Berwyn $420,000 Eddie Tovar

512 Clarence Ave | Oak Park $339,000 Keller Group Chicago

3720 East Ave | Berwyn $339,000 Steve Green

204 S Maple Ave. # 18 Oak Park | $329,000 Catherine Simon-Vobornik

7505 Brown Ave. Unit C Forest Park | $290,900 Bobbi Eastman

1243 W 112th St | Chicago $188,999 Annette Shelton

Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest | 1037 Chicago Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302 | 708.697.5900 | oakpark.bairdwarner.com Source: BrokerMetrics® LLC, 1/1/2019 - 12/ 31/2019Detached and Attached only. Chicagoland PMSA