Street sign, large crowd honors
McGa er’s proprietor Pat Malone
‘ e best bar in Forest Park’
By BILL DWYER Contributing Reporter
A joyful chatter rose over the corner
of Roosevelt Road and Troost Avenue late Saturday morning, as a large crowd tur ned out to honor both a brick-and-mortar Forest Park institution and the flesh and blood man who oversaw it for nearly half a century.
More than 200 people gathered to pay thanks to McGaffer’s Saloon proprietor J.
Patrick Malone, who operated McGaffer’s for 48 years until injuries from a fall inside the business led to its closure.
All present Saturday agreed that McGaffer’s was “the best bar in Forest Park” and that Malone was much more than just a
See MCGAFFER’S on page 8
By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Contributing Reporter
When Proviso Township High School District 209 first came to Krish Mohip’s attention, instead turning a blind eye to the struggles being reported by district teachers, the then employee of the Illinois State Board of Education leaned in loser with “very little hesitation.”
Since 2024, he has been the Proviso superintenent, and, as he said, challenge is what he “signed for.” In fact, some would say that is what he was built for. Maybe that is because he can relate to Proviso’s students on a deeper level.
Right before starting his freshman year at Niles North High School, his sister suddenly died from an autoimmune disease.
“I went into high school two weeks after that in
See KRISH MOHIP on page 11
Congratulations to the Forest Park School District 91 Class of 2025!
As this remarkable 8th grade class graduates and begins their journey into high school, we proudly celebrate all they have accomplished during their time in D91. eir dedication to academic excellence, commitment to athletics, and passion for community service have been nothing short of inspiring. is year’s graduates have set a new standard, with 20 students accepted into the Proviso Math and Science Academy (PMSA) and an additional 9 students accepted into the Math & Science Academy program at Proviso East. ese achievements re ect not only their hard work but the strength of their character and determination. We are incredibly proud of our scholars as they take the next step in their educational journeys. Members of the Class of 2025 will be attending outstanding high schools across the Chicagoland area, including: Walther Christian Academy, Christ the King Jesuit College Prep, Argo Community High School, Providence St. Mel, Nazareth Academy, Trinity High School, Chicago Hope Academy, and of course, Proviso East High School.
Forest Park School District 91 applauds this class for their accomplishments and the lasting impact they’ve made. We cannot wait to see all that they will achieve in high school and beyond. Congratulations, Class of 2025! Your future is bright—and just beginning.
ROARing with pride, Forest Park School District 91
Zoning code changes remain stuck in limbo
Two commissioners approved the changes, one abstained and two vetoed, citing unanswered questions from previous meetings
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
In October, the Forest Park Village Council had a long-winded discussion about whether to approve amendments to Title 9, Chapter 3 of the village zoning code regarding R1, R2 and R3 zoning districts – low-, medium- and high-density residential areas, respectively. But all except Commissioner Ryan Nero voted to postpone the vote, citing questions about how code amendments would impact density and stormwater management.
The zoning code updates were brought back to the village council agenda at the May 27 meeting after over seven months of Nero and Steve Glinke, director of health and safety, calling for Mayor Rory Hoskins to put them back on the agenda.
While Commissioners Nero and Maria Maxham voted to approve the residential zoning code updates, Commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin abstained from the vote, and Commissioner Jessica Voogd and Hoskins voted against the code changes. As a result, the code changes did not pass Melin-Rogovin started discussion around the agenda item, beginning by voicing her appreciation of the healthy discussion the ordinance created among the village council. But, she added, “I still don’t have information that I need to vote on this ordinance,” mainly documentation that led to the decision of the residential zoning code changes
“I understand why we need to do this, and I want these re gulations to be updated. I think we can do that, but there are things that, in my research and in my review, are missing.”
After asking Nero and Glinke questions, Melin-Rogovin told the Review in April that she had a better understanding of the
zoning changes and was ready for Hoskins to put them back on the agenda. But at the May meeting, she said she’s still concerned with density, decreasing minimum lot sizes and increasing allowable building sizes. She said this will ne gatively impact housing affordability and climate change.
“The way that I read what is here is we have thinner lot sizes, less space between them and more space for building on those lots, and we are making those buildings slightly taller,” Melin-Rogovin said. “I don’t think we need to pack us in to the extent that we are proposing as allowable. And I know that these are guidelines. I understand that, but what we’re saying is allowable is what we say we will allow.”
Voogd said her previous questions about how the zoning changes would impact stormwater management have not been answered.
“My requests and questions have gone unaddressed. I’ve checked in numerous times, I’ve provided examples, but it seems like nothing has happened,” Voogd said. “When I did ask to know what information analysis data was used to inform these recommendations, I was never provided that.”
Voogd also asked for more public outreach, since fewer than five residents have attended village council meetings – none shared public comment at the three planning and zoning commission meetings before the group recommended the council approve the changes – to voice feedback about potential changes in density
“We had the opportunity to do more outreach and to better explain what is proposed in these zoning changes, and none of that happened,” Voogd said of the seven months since the council first voted on the residential district amendments. “It’d be one thing if some of that community engagement and data analysis and collection and everything had happened and [residents] could say, ‘Forest Park has completely changed. We’re super excited to become more urban. We’re super excited to increase density. The bigger the better.’ If that was a resounding response from the community, I am here to represent the community, but we don’t have that information.”
“A lot of this seems a little haphazard,” Voogd added. “We haven’t seen an audit review that was done by anybody to say,
‘We’ve audited the whole code, and these are the recommended changes that we think we should do, and here’s the basis we’re going to do them.’ We don’t have any for mal process that we can look at and consult with when we do have questions. That is sort of my biggest concern. These were the concerns we shared when we tabled this months ago and they haven’t been addressed.”
Maxham said she wasn’t blaming anyone, but voiced her frustration that commissioners are in the same place they were half a year ago. In October, though Maxham said she was in support of the zoning amendments, she voted not to pass them since Melin-Rogovin and Voogd had outstanding questions.
“I can’t speak at all to why it happened, but it’s very disappointing that we haven’t been able to get to a point where people feel comfortable that their questions were answered,” Maxham said. She added that, though previous zoning meetings weren’t recorded for the public, future ones will be, and a lack of public feedback shouldn’t be a reason to “throw out the baby with the bath water.”
During discussion, Glinke was called to answer commissioners’ questions and addressed these concer ns
When Maxham asked Glinke what the benefits of the code changes were, he said, “Successful communities need to grow The towns that are growing are the ones that are putting concrete in the ground. The guard rails for development are in place, and they will remain in place if this passes.”
Glinke said Muse, the village’s womanowned, urban planning and public engagement firm, is the group that provides direction to village staf f and the planning and zoning commission. And any future building projects within the village will undergo review by third-party building and engineering consultants, which serve as a series of checks and balances.
“It’s easy to throw out that this is going to cause flooding, but that doesn’t show any insight into the full process: the zoning, the engineering, the third-party consultant reports,” Glinke said. “Simply put, if you can’t manage storm water on site, you’re not going to [be able to] build.”
Glinke noted that, 40 years ago, an inch of rain caused flooding in most Forest Park basements. But with the village’s two sewer separation projects and 15 years of a dedicated flood grant program where residents
See ZONING on page 4
ZONING
from page 3
can get half the cost of a flood prevention system covered, Glinke said he hears fewer complaints about flooding.
As for density, Glinke said: “Density is not a boogeyman. There’s not a downside to density. It’s not going to make it harder to move around here. If you can quantify your concer ns around density, I’d be happy to address them.”
Voogd responded with her own anecdotal evidence after disputing Glinke’s.
resident Bob Cox developed the Forest Park Zoning Challenge, a free week-long online course consisting of independent readings and a group discussion. Sign up to take the challenge at https://www.robertcoxauthor. com/fpzoning.
Do you have questions or feedback about the village’s zoning code updates? Share them with me at jessica@forestparkreview. com
What would changes mean for you?
Changes to Title 9, Ch apter 3 of Forest Park’s code would impact the three residential districts in the village
“Ultimately, you’re just telling stories about how no one calls and complains about water anymore,” Voogd said. “We’ve done a lot of really hard work to try to stop flooding and stop people’s basements from flooding. To say that it’s working is like going on a huge diet and working out and getting really fit, then saying, ‘I’m really fit now, so it’s back to pizza every day.’ This needs to be a for mal, defined process. Cite these sources.”
In low-density R1 districts, zoning code updates would increase maximum impervious lot coverage from 40% to 50% to reflect the village’s current landuse practices.
The new code proposes that R3 districts can have 80% lot coverage, instead of the current code’s 40%, and defines no minimum setback to the front, side or rear of a property
She added that she’s seen several residences throughout Forest Park torn down and rebuilt into larger, more expensive homes, contributing to the density issue she’s wor ried about.
“These $800,000 homes are going up, which, certainly some people like that it’s increasing their property values, but it’s also hitting a little bit in the tax bill,” Voogd said. “We’re already seeing those get approved. I’ve noticed a lot of these houses where you can’t even get your lawn mower from the back yard to the front yard because they’re so close to the property line.”
Though Voogd agrees that the zoning code changes need to take place, she still wants the process to be clearer.
“I think we really need to reevaluate how we want to update this code going forward,” Voogd said. “I do think it needs to happen, but it needs to happen in a very transparent, defined way.
In a recent effort to break down the confusion sur rounding local zoning, Forest Park
The current code also says two-family dwellings can be in R2 and R3 districts, while the updated code would allow them in R1. This would bring into confor mity and eliminate future zoning relief for hundreds of Forest Park homes
Director of the Department of Health and Safety Steve Glinke said 76% of the village’s lots don’t conform to the code, hundreds of which are 25-foot lots.
“This is about smart growth. This is about community development. This is about growing the local economy. This is about meeting our new buying demographic,” Glinke said at a May 27 council meeting. “Folks with school-age children are not buying in town or they’re buying at a much lower rate. Our buying demographic right now is young professionals with no kids and empty nesters from Oak Park and River Forest.”
Raising the ag for Juneteenth
Hoisted at the start of the month to celebrate the day slaves learned they were free
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
Locals and public officials gathered at village hall June 2 to raise a flag in honor of Juneteenth. Made a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
Also known as “Freedom Day,” Juneteenth recognizes June 19, 1865 as the day Union soldiers freed nearly 250,000 slaves in Galveston, Texas after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery two years prior.
Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins grew up in Galveston and helped launch the first Juneteenth celebration in Forest Park in 2009, when he was a commissioner and the first African American to be elected to public office in the village That year, Hoskins also assisted in starting the annual Juneteenth Pool Party. This year’s celebration is at the Park District’s Aquatic Center on June 14, starting at 6:45 p.m.
where slaver y is practiced despite being illegal.
Le : Mayor Hoskins and Public Works sta raise the ag at the Forest Park Juneteenth ag-raising ceremony.
TODD BANNOR
Above: Mayor Rory Hoskins welcomes Hacen El Khair, from Mauritania,
CRIME
Police bust heroin delivery on Circle Avenue
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
While on patrol May 28, police received a tip that a gold minivan was going to sell heroin in Forest Park. According to the police re port, officers received five similar tips through the online tip hotline in May from someone related to those involved in the narcotics activities. Police pulled over the van in the 1200 block of Circle Avenue. They smelled cannabis coming from the car, saw some in the console and asked the driver and passenger to get out of the car. The passenger couldn’t give police an explanation about where they were going, other than to visit the driver’s “people.” Upon questioning the driver, police saw suspected additional narcotics in his pants and asked him to put them on the hood of the car. The man attempted to run, but police caught him and brought him to the ground, where he attempted to crawl away. Police found suspected heroin and crack cocaine on him and found crack cocaine
on the car’s passenger. Both the driver and passenger were charged with two counts of delivering a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. The driver was also charged with aggravated battery of a police officer – two officers sustained pain, bruising and cuts to their arms and legs – possession of cannabis and having tinted windows that are too dark.
Burglary
Police were dispatched to the intersection of Beloit and Harvard on May 27 for a suspicious vehicle. The caller told police that a Jeep Cherokee with Indiana plates was circling the block, stopped next to a work van and tried to open its doors. The caller was unsure if they took anything from the van, and Oak Park police told Forest Park police that the car was involved in alle ged auto burglaries in Oak Park. Shortly thereafter, Forest Park police were dispatched to the 800 block of Beloit Avenue, where a landscaping employee told police
he left his car windows down and that his lunch, wallet, cellphone, keys and $6,600 of cash were missing. The offenders hadn’t been located at the time the police re port was made.
Police responded to the 7-Eleven at 205 Harlem Ave. on May 29 just after 5 a.m. for a burglary. The store clerk told police that two men came in. One pointed a gun at him and demanded money. The employee gave him about $30 in one-dollar bills, then the two fled north down Harlem Avenue. The offenders hadn’t yet been located at the time the police re port was drawn up.
Vehicular hijacking
Police responded to Crystal Carwash on May 27 for an aggravated vehicular hijacking. There, a man reported that two men in ski masks approached him on foot. One pulled out a gun, held it to his torso, rummaged through his pockets and stole his wal-
and the man said he’d sign complaints if his car was found
Missing people
On May 29, police responded to the 7300 block of Madison Street to help two young men and two young women asking for directions after a caller told police they said they’d run away from home. The four juveniles told police they’d run away from a children’s home in Evanston. They were returned there without incident.
These items were obtained from Forest Park Police Department reports dated May 27 through May 29 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed ey
JUNE 14 SATURDAY 11 AM –1 PM
Community Open House
OB ITUAR Y
Fred Marunde, 90, former Forest Park mayor
Friedhelm “Fred” Erwin Marunde, 90, a for mer mayor of Forest Park, died peacefully on May 27, 2025. Born on Jan. 7, 1935, in Jastrow/Pommern, Germany to parents Elizabeth and Alfred Marunde. The day before his 10th birthday, soldiers of the invading Russian Ar my took his family prisoner They survived on scraps the soldiers tossed into the kitchen garbage. One night, during a vicious winter storm, he fled with his mother and sister through a heavily wooded area to the British DMZ of West Germany. They were caught by Russian border guards in October 1946, but his mother was able to bribe them with vodka.
After more than seven years, his father was reunited with the family in Muenster/ Westfallen thanks to the help of the American Red Cross. In Muenster Fred resumed his education, walking eight miles a day to attend school. Four long years later, in April 1952, the family floated past the Statue of Liberty following a successful application to immigrate to the United States, and they settled in Forest Park. He joined the Jugendchor (Young People’s Chorus) in Forest Park and the Harlem Maennerchor (Male Chorus). He served as president of the Jugendchor from 1953 until 1956.
He enlisted in the U.S. Ar my in July 1956; he was assigned to the Ar my Engineers at the Presidio of San Francisco, where he served
as a map engraver to the 6th U.S. Ar my 30th Engineer Corps, ultimately earning the rank of Specialist 5th class. During his service, he became an American citizen. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Forest Park and married his sweetheart, Roberta. They were soon blessed by the arrival of Kimary Ileen, and Kristin Ann shortly after
He spent 39 years working for Process Color Plate, a Division of Schawk Graphics Inc. in Desplaines, serving as an advisor for customers throughout the food and beverage industry. During that time, Fred was active in German-American singing societies. Notably, he served as president emeritus for the Harlem Male Chorus, United Male Choruses of Chicago, and the North American Singers Association.
Fred co-founded “Oktoberfest” in Forest Park in 1966 to bring the community together to uphold the village’s German heritage, and it continues 59 years later. Fred and Roberta were also active volunteers at The Altenheim, affectionately referred to as the German “Old People’s Home,” where they served a combined 50 years committed to the welfare of the residents. From 1971-1979 they served on the facility’s board of directors and were honored for their efforts with a historic bell and plaque in 2005, placed outside of Altenheim.
He was elected a commissioner on the village council (1975-1979) and subsequently
Taking the plunge in 1965
The Forest Park Swimming Pool announced the opening of the 1965 season on Saturday, June 12, 1965. Season passes, in the form of small aluminum tokens, were sewn with nylon thread to the swimsuit. Women’s suits had passes sewn on the shoulder strap and men’s suits were on the inside pocket or on the waist band
The season passes for the summer of 1965 cost $8 for individual adults and $5 for children (18 and under). Family passes were available for $14 for a husband and wife and an additional $1.50 for each child.
Non-pass holders could enter under the general admission rate of $1.25 for weekdays; $1.50 Saturday, Sunday and Holidays; and children were $.50 every day, children under 5 free with an adult.
The pool was open daily from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. with a designated Family Night every Wednesday limited to Family Pass holders only.
Splash parties were available from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. for $75 and were booked by calling or writing to the office. American Red Cross instructors gave a 12-lesson swim course for children 6 and older for $4, paid in advance. Jill Wagner
served consecutive four-year terms as mayor of the village of Forest Park.
On Sept. 11, 1983, he was awarded the German Cross, Germany’s highest civilian decoration. The Cross was presented to him by the German Ambassador in Forest Park at St John Lutheran Church on behalf of the German President for his endeavors to strengthen German-American friendship.
Upon retirement in the Spring of 2000, the Marundes relocated to Bonita Springs, Florida and became active members at Hope Lutheran Church, serving on the board of elders and the Hope Foundation.
Fred was the husband to the late Roberta (nee Slavik); the father of Kristin and the late Kimary; the brother of Christel Freeman (late Walter); the brother-in-law of Nadine Myers; the uncle of Jennifer (Zach) Newton and Heather (Greg) Sorrells; the great-uncle (Opa) of Nathan and Olivia; the uncle of Steven Cross and Jeffrey (Lea) Cross; the great-uncle of Christopher, Phillip, Aaron and Adam; and the family friend of Patricia Witte Visitation will be held at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester on Wednesday, June 4 from 3 to 8 p.m. and on Thursday, June 5 at St. John Lutheran Church, 305 Circle Ave., Forest Park from 10:30 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m., with interment at Bronswood Cemetery.
Beginning Swimmers class awards in 1965 were given to Cynthia Watts, 415 Beloit, and Tony Emelio, 923 Circle, as presented by pool manager James Sindlar and Red Cross representative and instructor (and future mayor) Lorraine Popelka. Forest Park Review Archives, Aug. 19, 1965
Interim
Executive Director Max Reinsdorf
Sta Repor ter Jessica Mordacq
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Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, Robert J. Li a
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Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead
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Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza
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Circulation Manager Jill Wagner
Operations Associate Susan Babin
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Chair Eric Weinheimer
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MCGAFFER’S
A street sign
for Pat from page 1
successful businessman.
Again and again, privately and in public comments, people lauded Malone for his generosity and humility. McGaffer’s, they said, was a place that reflected the best in Forest Park’s inclusive, working folk, down to earth character, a joint where societal labels of race, gender, sexual orientation, education and income level disappeared when you walked through the door
McGaffer’s, they said, was a place that welcomed anyone and everyone who came in goodwill and respected others while having a good time.
Underlying the celebration was a sense of loss. More than once, people who were asked to comment on what Malone has meant to them hesitated as they gathered their thoughts and appeared to be settling their emotions.
“Give me a second, I want to phrase this correctly,” said Dave Hayes, of Oak Park, who first met Malone in 1999 and tended bar at McGaffer’s for a period. “Pat Malone is the older brother I never had,” he finally said. Hesitating again, he glanced down then looked up and said, “I love you Pat.”
Aida Olavarria said she and her sister were regulars at McGaffer’s (“We’re the twins,” she noted). When her sister’s wife had a “cancer party,” it was held at McGaffer’s. And Malone was there for them.
Olavarria said it wasn’t so much what Malone did for the community, but “What didn’t he do for the community. He was willing to do anything for anybody.”
James Harell, who now lives in Berkeley, said Malone gave him his start bartending back when he owned “The Pub” on Roosevelt in Berwyn, before Malone purchased McGaffer’s. He said he was just grateful Malone could be there to be honored after a nearly tragic accident in which he was bumped and fell to the patio floor, striking his head
“I’m glad he’s OK,” said Harell. “I know he had a bad fall. I’m glad he’s healthy.”
Malone spent more than a half hour before the sign unveiling talking with dozens of people, shaking hands, being hugged and posing with folks for photographs. Malone said he woke up at 4 a.m. anticipating the special day. “I feel great today,” he said with a smile
More than a dozen people stepped up to speak about Malone, from current mayor Rory Hoskins to for mer deputy police chief and for mer village trustee Joe Byrnes, and
family members. All praised Malone as a humble man who relished helping people without seeking credit, content to stand outside of the spotlight.
“He helped in many ways people never saw,” said Byr nes.
There was levity as well. “I’ve been in the bar business since before I was born,” quipped Malone’s daughter, Tiffany Malone Minnick
After all the speeches and heart-felt sentiments, it was time to unveil Malone’s new honorary street sign designating the section of Troost Avenue just north of Roosevelt as “J. Patrick Malone Way.” But there was a glitch. Malone took hold of the line attached to the sign cover through a pully and gave a tug. Then another, and another. The cover moved over a couple inches and no more, despite continued tugging
“C’mon, Pat!” people called in encouragement as Malone continued to tug on the line. Byrnes stepped in and tried his hand, with no success. Hoskins tried to assist, also without success.
Finally, they managed to free the line from the pulley, walked the now straight line out five or six feet and handed it to Malone. With an easy pull, the cover slipped off the sign, to boisterous cheers from the crowd.
More somber events had already taken place away from all the hoopla on Saturday afternoon. Members of Malone’s family took the more than 11-foot long wooden “McGaffer’s” sign from above the saloon’s picture window. Plans are being made to ship the treasured memento to Malone’s daughter’s home in Arizona.
The other McGaffer’s sign, an approximately 5-foot square plexi-glass illuminated sign that hung out over the sidewalk above the front door, is in the possession of John and Kristen Lyons of Forest Park.
While there wasn’t a final bash at McGaffer’s, people were invited to an open house Saturday at the Lyon’s yard on Lathrop Avenue, to continue to celebrate Malone
Lyons said Malone stopped by the yard party for a spell. “I think he was getting a little choked up,” she said.
“This was the one time for the community to turn around and thank him, and they should,” said Lyons. She added “Because he is…” before hesitating. Then, “He is the silent contributor to Forest Park. Things people don’t even know about.”
“He’s such a humble man, he never wants to be in the limelight,” Lyons said. “He’s just happy to write the checks, support a team, and just sit back and watch people come in and enjoy his facility.”
Lyons, a park district board member who also serves on the Forest Park Historical Soci-
ety board, said she’s organized the Historical Society’s annual after party for the last seven years, always on the patio at McGaffer’s. She saw the extent of Malone’s generosity up close.
“With Pat, everyone gets a free drink and you get pizza if you order food,” Lyons recalled. “And so, we’re like, ‘What’s the bar bill?’ at the end of the night. And the Historical Society pays it, and then he turns around and hands us a check for more than what the bar bill is.”
While one of the McGaffer’s signs is in
their possession for the foreseeable future, both Kristen and John Lyons say it will eventually find a new home where people can see it and appreciate it for the unique part of Forest Park history that it represents. The two most viable options are the Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame on Harrison by the park district ball fields, and the Historical Society
No decision has been made yet, but one thing is for certain.
“Whatever it is, this sign is never leaving Forest Park,” John Lyons said.
ERICA BENSON
Pat Malone is praised by Forest Park resident and former commissioner and police o cer Joe By rnes outside McGa er’s dur ing the honorary street sign event.
VIEW
Supt. Mohip’s solid start in D209
Sometimes the origin story can seem stilted. Too often trotted out. Too much rehearsed. But when Krish Mohip told our Amaris Rodriguez how he came to be an educator, we found it moving and sincere.
More importantly, we saw his story of personal trauma as he entered high school — his sister’s sudden death — to be immediately relevant to students in Proviso Township’s three high schools. Mohip, now District 209’s superintendent, explained that he started school at Niles North in a wave of depression. By the end of sophomore year his grades were poor and his dream of being in the school’s Honor Society was in the crapper.
But then came an intervention from his late sister’s counselor who moved him into an honors track on a probationary basis and then stuck with him. His grades soared and he ear ned a major scholarship for college
His point is that many students at Proviso need active support and interventions to move them past stuck and into gear. Creating that system of support will be core to his leadership of this chronically failing school district. Monthly meetings starting this fall with deans, counselors and social workers will focus on individual students who are lost in the system. Individualized plans will be made for each student to help them move ahead
It has been a whipsaw decade for the Proviso high schools. Jesse Rodriguez was hired as superintendent in 2016 by a school board pushing toward genuine reform of the district. He left when a more divided board did not provide him the support he sought. The grifter, James Henderson, came next and unleashed years of chaos and the undoing of progress
Now we have Supt. Mohip, hired, remarkably, by a divided board after an almost comically botched search process His focus on students, his determination to actively engage with teachers, staff, students and parents in decision-making is the healing style this district needs.
And after the April election, when fed-up Proviso voters handed refor mers every seat on the school board, this is a moment when honest progress can be made. It will rightly be slow progress, as so much foundational work and cultural overhaul needs to be done. But that progress can come — with the right spirit of collaboration, with an end to the pitiful board drama that has dragged this district down. Krish Mohip is an impressive leader. He needs to stay true to his instincts. The school board needs to hold down distractions. And then, over several years, we may see Proviso Township finally get the high schools it deserves and pays highly for.
OPINION
The myth of independence
This column first ran on July 3, 2024:
Independence Day, the day in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress, our foundational document, reads like a petition for dissolution of marriage.
Recently in this village we’ve had a string of events that, in one way or another, were celebrations of freedom.
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people were free. Sort of. Turns out they couldn’t actualize their freedom independently.
HOLMES
German Fest – Starting in 1820, more than six million people in “committed relationships” with German-speaking countries left what they considered abusive situations — military conscription, economic hardship, religious persecution — and entered into a new committed relationship with the U.S. in which they believed they would have more liberty.
But the liberty they experienced in the new relationship could be frightening, isolating and uncomfortable, so they coped with their individualistic freedom by becoming joiners — committing themselves to vereine, such as dancing groups, associations, and churches where they spoke German and associated with people with the same values and cultural memories.
One of the predecessor cemeteries of Forest Home was named Wald Heim. The old peoples’ home was named Altenheim. German was spoken in St. Peter’s, St. Paul’s and St. John Lutheran churches for up to 80 years. The cor nerstone of what is now St. Paul Thai Lutheran Church on Dixon Street reads, “Duetsche Evangelische Lutheranische Kirche 1899.” Ger man Fest, among other things, is a celebration of belonging.
Pride Fest - When I was growing up I didn’t know any gay people, or at least I thought I didn’t, because 99% were in the closet. I wonder if they even admitted to each other that they were attracted to the same sex. Those who did functioned under the social radar.
Times have changed. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, 7.2% of U.S. adults openly identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or something other than heterosexual.
But the pioneers enabling the change didn’t do it alone
In 1924, Henry Gerber founded the first gay rights organization in America: The Society for Human Rights. Harry Hay and others organized the Mattachine Society in 1950. Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin founded the Daughters of Bilitis in 1955, the first lesbian rights organization in the U.S. Erich Krumrei organized the first Pride Fest in Forest Park by himself in 2022, but this year the celebration of LGBTQ+ rights and culture was also hosted by OPALGA+
(Oak Park Area Gay and Lesbian Alliance) and the village of Forest Park.
Freedom, it turns out, is hardly ever a solely independent achievement.
The members of the Progress Center for Independent Living are dependent on personal caregivers or technological aids or ADA laws enabling mobility. Progress in the disability community is never purely independent.
A friend of mine, who was talking about what it’s like to get old, told me, “It’s hard for me to ask for help.”
Indeed. Since I was diagnosed with my progressive disorder in 1997, my independence days have decreased significantly. My personal narrative was once one of increasing independence. Now at 76 years old with a disability, that myth has been tur ned inside out and upside down.
Business owners in town resist gover nment regulations on the one hand but on the other hand lobby for zoning regulations, breaks that promote business, and 160 members voluntarily pay dues to the nonprofit Chamber of Commerce to do what they cannot do independently.
At the top of the food chain, eagles live independently. Sea Gulls live in flocks, and most small fish swim in schools I’m not sure if any of us, living in this village with small town charm, are eagles
Frank Sinatra once sang, “I did it my way.” At best that statement is naïve. At worst it’s arrogant.
One issue in the upcoming presidential election will be the size of gover nment, whether gover nments, for example, should be able to mandate mask wearing or vaccine immunization or not. Freedom for MAGA folks means not being required to get a vaccine. Freedom for Progressives means not catching COVID from someone who hasn’t been vaccinated
Or take a look at the issue of immigration. The surge at the border is motivated by millions longing for freedom from violence and poverty and striving to gain freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness.
At first, most of us in this progressive lifestyle enclave were in favor of welcoming the stranger — in the abstract — until it began to affect our lifestyle in terms of village budgets. We had to choose, increase our charity, which meant increasing our taxes or telling those freedom seekers that they had to leave
Freedom, as they say, isn’t free. How willing are we to put our money where our mouth is?
It’s partly a spiritual issue. According to my worldview, love includes the freedom, at least temporarily, to give up some of my individual freedom so that others with less can have more.
Read Tom’s blog at jerihttps://tomholmes10.substack.com.
Bid Advertisement
Issuance Date: June 5, 2025
Owner: The Board of Trustees, LSF Brookfield Library
Project: 9023 Lincoln Avenue
Demolition
Bid Date: July 9, 2025, at 11:00 AM CDT.
1. Sealed Bids will be Received: LSF Brookfield Library at 3541 Park Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513. Bids shall be submitted in a sealed envelope. Identify the envelope with: 1) Project name; and 2) Bidder’s name. Envelopes must date stamped, upon receipt, to be considered. ALL bidders are required to submit DUPLICATE COPY.
2. Bid Opening: At the LSF Brookfield Library. All bids will be opened publicly and read aloud starting immediately at 11:00 AM CDT. All interested parties are invited to attend.
3. Project Description: Demolition of existing buildings (single family residence, garage and shed), and associated building utility services and hard scape surfaces, including removal of asbestos and UST (per Environmental Reports) and site restoration
4 Examination of Documents: Drawings, environmental report and bid documents may be examined at the office of Manhard Consulting, located at 1 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2700, Chicago, Illinois 60601. Contact: Donnie E. Manhard III, Phone: (312) 824-3808; email: dmanhard3@manhard. com
5. Procurement of Bid Documents: After 9:00AM on June 5, 2025, qualified contractors can secure Bid Documents from Donnie E. Manhard III at Manhard Consulting, 1 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2700, Chicago, Illinois 60601. Phone (312-824-3808). There will be a Non-Refundable fee of $25.00 for each hard copy of bid documents. Bid documents will be provided in electronic format (PDF form) at no cost.
6. Pre-Bid Meeting: There will be a non-mandatory pre-bid meeting on Tuesday June 17, 2025 at 10:00AM and interested persons are strongly encouraged to visit the site prior to bidding during normal operating hours.
7. Bid Security: shall be submitted with each bid proposal in the amount of ten percent (10%) of total bid amount made payable to the LSF Brookfield Library.
8. Contractor Requirements:
A. Illinois Prevailing Wage Rates shall apply for this project
B. Written sexual harassment policy in place in full compliance with section 2-105
of the Illinois Human Rights Act.
C. A Drug-Free Workplace in full compliance with Section 3 of the Illinois DrugFree Workplace Act.
D. A fully executed Non-Collusion Affidavit.
9. Contact:
Owner Representative: - Mr. Daniel Eallonardo (630) 9626151
Independent Construction Services, Inc.
The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive irregularities in the bidding procedure, or accept the bid that in its opinion will serve the best interest. Any such decision shall be considered final. The Owner reserves the right to set aside a bid from a contractor who, in the Owner’s opinion, does not exhibit past experience equal to the size and scope of this project.
Published in RB Landmark June 4, 2025
PUBLIC NOTICE
In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, this is to advise you that the next Riverside Township Mental Health Board Committee Engagement Committee meeting will be held on June 17, 2025, at the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois at the hour of 6:30 p.m.
Published in RB Landmark June 4, 2025
Notice of Vacancy and Procedures to Fill Vacancy
Riverside Township hereby gives notice that Trustee John P. Carroll, Jr. has submitted his resignation to accept a judicial appointment. He has stated its effectiveness as of 11:59 PM on May 22, 2025. The Board will accept the resignation and declare a vacancy at its next meeting.
The Board invites letters of interest, with resumes, to fill the vacancy. By law, to qualify, an applicant must be a legal voter and a resident of the township for no less than one year. Resumes must be submitted no later than 3PM on Friday, June 20, 2025
- In Person, during business hours M-Th 9 AM to 4 PM, or Friday 9 AM to 3 PM at the Township Office, in the Town Hall, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, first door on the left.
- By Mail to Vera A. Wilt, Supervisor, Riverside Township, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL 60546.
- By Email to: supervisor@ riversidetownship.org
The Board will interview qualified, interested parties by appointment, with the goal of appointing a trustee to fill the unexpired term at its July 8, 2025 regular meeting. The appointment would be to fill the unexpired term, which runs until May 20, 2029.
Published in RB Landmark June 4, 2025
NOTICE OF PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT PERIOD FOR DRAFT PY 2025–2029 CONSOLIDATED PLAN, PY 2025 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, AND AMENDED CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN
Notice is hereby given that the Village of Oak Park’s Draft 5-Year Consolidated Plan for Program Years (PY) 2025–2029—which includes the PY 2025 Annual Action Plan and the amended Citizen Participation Plan—is available for public review and comment.
The public comment period will run from June 5, 2025, through July 11, 2025.
The draft documents may be reviewed during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, at the following locations:
� Oak Park Village Hall, Neighborhood Services Department, 123 Madison Street
� Oak Park Public Library, Main Branch, 834 Lake Street
� Online at: https://www. oak-park.us/Community/ Community-Services/ Community-DevelopmentBlock-Grant-CDBG-Program
The Consolidated Plan is a strategic planning document required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It identifies housing and community development needs and sets priorities for the use of federal
funds, especially to benefit low- and moderate-income residents. The Annual Action Plan outlines specific projects and funding allocations for PY 2025. The Citizen Participation Plan ensures residents have meaningful opportunities to be involved in the planning and decision-making process.
A Public Hearing will be held on July 11, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Room 101 of Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302.
Written comments can be submitted by July 11, 2025, to: Vanessa Matheny, Community Services Administrator
Email: grants@oak-park.us
Mail: Village of Oak Park, Neighborhood Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302
Persons requiring special accommodations or translation services should contact the Neighborhood Services Department at (708) 358-5410 or grants@oak-park.us at least 48 hours in advance. Every effort will be made to meet requests for reasonable accommodations to ensure participation.
Published in Wednesday Journal, June 4, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE
The Village of Oak Park ��Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302�� will receive electronic proposals until 10�00 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025 for Project: 25�02, Resurfacing of Various Locations. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, this contract includes removal and installation of curb and gutter, sidewalks and sidewalk ramps, and driveways; combined sewer repairs; drainage structure installation and adjustments; pavement patching; full depth pavement removal; coldmilling of bituminous concrete; installation of hot-mix asphalt base, binder and surface courses; installation of HMA vertical elements at various locations; pavement markings; flexible delineators, parkway expansion and restoration; and all appurtenant work thereto.
Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 4�00 p.m. Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www.oak-park. us/your-government/budgetpurchasing/requests-proposals or at www.questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 9721064 for a nonrefundable charge of $64.00.
The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified.
No bid documents will be issued after 4�00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening.
The work to be performed pursuant to this proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.
THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2025 for the following: Village of Oak Park Water Distribution System Leak Survey Bid Number: 25-122
Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed Proposals will be accepted for: 2025 Franklin Ave – Keystone Ave Watermain Replacement Project Design Engineering Services
The Village of River Forest is seeking a professional engineering firm (FIRM) to assist the Village with design engineering services for the 2025 Franklin Avenue – Keystone Avenue Watermain Replacement Project. Respondents must be able to demonstrate expertise with all aspects of water main engineering design, land surveying, and easement research. Submittals should include the firm’s qualifications, project team(s), resumes, project approach, and recently completed related engineering work.
The RFP is available for download starting Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at: www.vrf.us/bids
Proposals must be submitted by Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. to:
Village of River Forest
Attention: Jack Bielak P.E., CFM Director of Public Works & Engineering
400 Park Avenue
River Forest, IL 60305
Proposals will be considered based on the criteria set forth in the RFP.
No Proposal shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled deadline.
The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these Proposals to waive technicalities and reject any or all Proposals.
Published in Wednesday Journal June 4, 2025
KRISH MOHIP
Identifying with students from page 1
severe depression,” Mohip said. “As you can imagine, my grades were not great.”
By the end of his sophomore year, Mohip found himself barely scraping by grade wise despite his dreams of being part of the Honor Society like the rest of his siblings
“I had the brain but there was some trauma there,” he said.
His counselor wrote him off, telling him to focus on trades. However, his sister’s counselor took a chance on him, placing him on a “probation” semester in honors classes. From there on, Mohip got mostly straight A’s and was awarded a presidential scholarship to college
Mohip’s interaction with his sister’s counselor became the pivotal moment in his high school career and inspired his college essay about the importance of having “that one person in a school that can have a connection with a student.”
That was also the experience that began to turn the wheels on how he would “redesign” the approach to education, especially for male students who look like him, if he went into the education field
“That is really why I got into education, because really I was disappointed in my own education and realizing that we could do it better,” he said.
Mohip graduated with a double major in social sciences and secondary education from Mount Saint Clare Colle ge in Clinton, Iowa.
Mohip began as a teacher for Chicago Public Schools but quickly moved into administration with the hopes of being able to put together systems that would lead to children being successful outside and beyond a school setting.
With the burning question “how can I make a difference for the most amount of kids?” Mohip made the jump to a principal role at John A. Walsh Elementary in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago.
While Mohip was excited to be part of the school, he said he quickly realized that he was not “prepared” and fully dove into a collaboration with teachers and developed a “laser focus” approach for “best practices in instruction” to ensure lessons were being aligned to state standards. Collaboration has been part of his leadership method from early on.
By his fifth-year, Mohip said the growth rate at Walsh had increased greatly and they
had made substantial improvements. This landed Mohip the role of Deputy Chief of Schools for CPS where he was in charge of improving about 40 high schools in Chicago.
“We saw great results,” Mohip said. “All the schools I took on were on the lowest quartile and by the time I left, they were out of that lowest quartile.”
Mohip was recruited by the state of Ohio and was assigned to Youngstown City Schools following the state’s takeover. He said it was very important to his leadership to maintain the stance of “never wanting to lead alone” and not “wanting to lead in isolation.”
Following his time in Ohio, Mohip returned home to Illinois and served as the Illinois State Board of Education Deputy Education Officer and then briefly as interim state superintendent of education. But that job was long enough to remind him he would rather be more hands-on in local school districts.
Mohip also continued to work on his own education as a way of being able to bring a more rounded knowledge to roles in the future, especially when it came to the financial aspects of a school district. Mohip holds a master’s in education from Loyola and an MBA with a focus on data and data visualization from Louisiana State University Shreveport.
Mohip first heard of Proviso and its three high schools while at ISBE during a state board meeting where Proviso teachers attended to express their frustration with the district.
“Some of us just couldn’t believe what we were hearing,” Mohip said. “I remember looking over to my colleague and I said, ‘I wish I could go there, like I would love to go there’ and he thought I was crazy but I wanted to help a district that was struggling.”
Mohip served his first official day at Proviso in December 2024 following an extensive superintendent search by the district.
An early candidate, Mohip was in the final round of the first search conducted by the district that did not result in a hire Following an interim period, D209 revamped its search and hired Mohip towards the end of 2024.
While being well aware of issues stemming within the district, Mohip said he felt “ready” to take on a role like this due to his backg round in urban education.
“This is not an eight to five, this is an eight to eight and that is what I signed up for and that is what I am excited for,” he said, adding the work is collaborative with the teachers and staff around him. “This is what I signed up for, and I knew that coming in. This is the work I want to do.”
Coming late in the year, Mohip opted to approach his new role by observing how schools
were operating for the first few months, conducting many classroom visits as well as meetings with teachers and students and creating teacher advisory groups.
“You cannot find out what is going on sitting in the fifth floor office,” Mohip said. “You have to get into the schools, you have to get into the hallways. You have to talk to staff, you have to talk to students and you have to talk to teachers.”
Through that involvement, Mohip focused on addressing the leadership, systems and structures at Proviso to help move the district forward.
“Everything is being done with the thought of ‘how do we provide better support so that our staff can appropriately engage with our students,’” Mohip said.
And those moves stem from a collaborative process that Mohip said he holds to a high value
“There are no leadership moves that I would make without getting voice from stakeholders,” he said, especially teachers as they are the ones in the classrooms.
As Proviso moves forward with new board members following the April 1 election, Mohip said he is excited to work alongside the board to continue to move the district forward.
“I think they are extremely intelligent and
passionate,” he said. “I believe they will help reshape this district into a district that anybody can be proud of.”
Still in the mid-stages of his plan, Mohip said they have already accomplished a lot –including the recent approval of Let’sTalk, the creation of structured department chairs and professional development calendars for staff – but there is more to come Being “entrenched” during the summer, Mohip said they are working on providing more support to students. Part of that is bringing direct focus to every single student through monthly meetings between deans, counselors and social workers to help identify students who might be struggling and put interventions in place through what he calls “Report for Academic Success.”
“The thought here is the realization that students aren’t failing, sometimes our supporters are failing them,” Mohip said. “[The goal] is trying to find the right intervention so that a child can be successful and that is what this team is going to be tasked to do every month.”
That continued engagement is part of Mohip’s plan for his time at Proviso.
“I am looking forward to engaging with this community and to continue to be present in as much of the fabric of Proviso that I can,” Mohip said.
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