GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA, NFP ForestParkReview.com Vol. 104, No. 23
$1.00
F O R E S T PA R K
REVIEW
No summer school for D91 students PAGE 6
Brew pub gears up for summer PAGE 16
JUNE 9, 2021
@FP_Review @ForestParkReview
Short, long-term fixes for Madison bars discussed by committee Village staff, committee hope to formulate short-term options into ordinance in time for June 14 meeting By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
DROPPING IN: Noah Hickman rides the mini ramp at the newly renovated Bud Mohr Skate Park at the Park District of Forest Park, 7501 Harrison St.
Park district debuts new skate park By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
Park district staff and local skateboarders are excited about the Bud Mohr Skate Park, which reopened at the end of May after a complete remodel. “It is awesome!” said Executive Director Jackie Iovinelli. Iovinelli said the crowds have been big, respectful and considerate and have expressed their joy in the new equipment. Last Tuesday, Iovinelli said there were over 100 skaters of different levels and abilities, all of them with positive things
to say. “They were so happy,” said Iovinelli. The process in total took about six weeks, longer than the anticipated four weeks because of factory delays related to the pandemic. Although the park district applied for a grant to rebuild the skate park, they did not receive it. The project was budged for $250,000 and ended up costing a dollar less than estimated at $249,999. The work was done by American Ramp, which conducted a survey of skate park users prior to the redesign. The idea, said Brian Moore from American Ramp,
was “a 100 percent community driven design.” At a February park district board meeting, Moore talked about the growth in popularity of skateboarding as well as the growing respect it’s been receiving outside of the skateboarding community. In fact, skateboarding is making its debut at the 2021 summer Olympics, originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed due to the pandemic. “This is the first time that our sport has been recognized as an actual sport and not a fad or a hobby,” said Moore.
IN Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 THIS Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 ISSUE Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
The ad hoc committee to address bar customer disturbances on Madison Street met for a second time on June 3. Village attorney Tom Bastion attended to offer legal insights on ideas presented throughout the meeting. Also in attendance were Village Administrator Moses Amidei, Mayor Rory Hoskins, Police Chief Tom Aftanas and Deputy Police Chief Ken Gross. Bastion advised the committee that they should be looking at both short- and long-term solutions and recommendations. Short term solutions might be those that would allow bars to stay open longer now; long-term solutions could involve a deeper dive and consequential rewriting of local code, something that could take four or more months to accomplish. Short-term solutions that would be written into a temporary ordinance and presented at the next village council meeting will cover the following issues: bar hours, live music and entertainment, and distribution/selling of cups at liquor stores. For bar hours, it seemed like all committee See BARS on page 7
Sports store partners with nonprofits
Where do locals get trusted information?
PAGE 5
PAGE 12
@F @FP_Review Follow us on TWITTER
2
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
Splashing into summer Forest Park pool opens after last year’s COVID closure By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
Forest Park pool patrons have been cooling off at the aquatic center as hot weather has hit. The Park District of Forest Park’s pool opened during the last weekend in May, and it was cause for big celebration after staying dry last year because of pandemic health regulations. COVID-19’s still around, and though numbers will hopefully continue to look good, related regulations are in place right now at the pool, which is open to both season pass holders and those who choose to pay per day. First, capacity is limited. Under Illinois’ bridge phase, capacity of the aquatic center is 400, though this may change if and when the state moves into the next phase of reopening.
Second, pool staff close the pool every two hours for a half hour of cleaning and disinfecting, which means patrons must completely exit the facility. Throughout the day, there are five two-hour time slots to use the pool. Pass holders can enter as many times as they like; those paying daily admission have to repay to reenter after cleaning. Third, masks are required for unvaccinated individuals while on the pool deck and other areas, but it’s an honor system, said Executive Director Jackie Iovinelli. Immunization cards are not required nor are they checked. Last year, when the pool was closed, the park district opened the splash ground to give residents a chance to cool off. The splash ground is open this year, but there’s no separate entrance; as in previous years, entrance to the pool area through a pass or payment gets you access to the spray ground, which has the same two-hour time slots as the pool. For more information, visit https:// www.pdofp.org/
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
TOO COOL: The Park District of Forest Park’s aquatic center, including the pool and splash ground, opened at the end of May. It was closed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESIDENTIAL — COMMERCIAL — RETAIL — CHURCHES — SCHOOLS
Bring Home a Taste of Some of your Favorite Moments
RibFest Every Day! Mickey’s is the place!
Mickey’s Rib Special 1/2 Slab Dinner Full Slab Dinner B.B.Q. RIBS & CHICKEN BURGERS & HOT DOGS
$11.99
$17.99
includes fries or baked potato, coleslaw and garlic bread
525 N Harlem Ave, Oak Park (708) 848-3333 11am - 9pm Daily
3 Vienna Hot Dogs w/ Fries $ .49
8
Italian Beef Sandwich w/ Fries $ .49
8
Wednesday
Gyros Plate Dinner 1 lb meat, 2 pita breads, fries & 3 cups sauce $10.99
SERVING OAK PARK AND RIVER FOREST SINCE 1976
Every day Special!
Gyros with fries $7.99
1/4 Lb Double Cheeseburger
Big Mickey! $ .99
2
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
Like father, like daughter
M
aeve Roach is a newly-commissioned ensign in the U.S. Coast Guard. The 22-year-old shares a passion for government service with her father, Navy Captain Paul Roach. Their devotion to duty culminated in a meeting with President Joe Biden at the 140th Coast Guard Commencement Ceremony, on May 19, 2021, at the academy in New London, Connecticut. Paul had the privilege of joining Maeve onstage to present her with her commission. They then shook hands with Biden who assured Maeve, “You’re just as good as any man. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not equal. You’re fully capable of achieving anything you set your mind to.” Maeve proudly introduced her dad. “Mr. President, this is my father, Captain Paul Roach.” Biden told Paul, “Thank you for your service and for showing her how it’s done.” During his address, he praised Maeve and her class of cadets, “You’re the most progressive, best educated, least prejudiced, most open generation in American history. We need you badly.” Serving in the military isn’t for everyone, but Maeve was literally born into it at Andrews Air Force Base. The Roach family moved around like most military families but finally landed in Forest Park when Maeve was in grammar school. She attended St. Bernardine School, where her mom, Megan, served as athletic director. Maeve grew up in a brick bungalow on
Marengo, with a photo of the U.S. Naval Academy above her bed. She had always wanted to join the military but wasn’t aware the Coast Guard even existed. After she graduated with St. Bernardine’s final class in 2013, Maeve became interested in all the academies. During her junior year at Nazareth Academy, the Coast Guard became her number one choice. Students who apply for the other military academies require a senator’s recommendation but the Coast Guard accepts cadets on a merit basis. High school activities count a great deal and Maeve had those nailed. She played point guard for the basketball team, before switching to cross country and track. She had always excelled at sports, having played youth soccer and basketball in Forest Park. When it came to running, though, Maeve was off the charts. She qualified for state in cross country and set the school record for the 400 meters. She would continue her running career in the Coast Guard, setting records for 600 and 800 meters. She recently represented the Coast Guard at the Division III Track and Field Nationals. Competing in track was one of the many activities that kept her busy at the academy. As Paul said, “College is hard but the academy is much harder.” Maeve’s day began at 6 a.m. with military formation and training. She attended class from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. before going off to practice. Maeve earned her degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
After graduation, she had to select a mission. The Coast Guard has many missions, including protecting borders and the environment. Maeve chose a mission that is increasingly critical: cyber security. She is assigned to Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC.
JOHN RICE
A
L O O K
B A C K
I N
REVIEW Editor Maria Maxham Senior Editor Bob Uphues Equity Editor/Ombudsman Michael Romain Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Lifka Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Digital Strategist James Kay Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Mark Moroney, Javier Govea Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich
Paul, meanwhile, is retiring from the Navy on June 12 but will continue to practice medicine at a VA facility. He and his wife are proud of Maeve and her classmates but equally proud of Maeve’s sisters, Helen and Fiona, who attended the ceremony and the Commencement Ball. Paul said it’s a special thrill to see Maeve starting her military career, just as his is coming to an end. “It’s literally like passing the baton.” An apt analogy for a former track star from Forest Park.
T I M E . . .
WOMEN’S CYCLING AND ‘RATIONAL CLOTHING’ Forest Park public school teachers in 1892 posed for this photograph. Seated: Miss Sophie Schmidt, Superintendent Frank Curtis. From left: Anna Rankin (with bicycle), Minnie Schroeder, Miss Boyd, Elizabeth White (after whom the Grant--White addition is named), Mr. Maltbe, Miss Doer and Maimie McCormick (with bicycle). The Columbia Ladies Safety bicycle was a modern machine that allowed women to be mobile outside of the home so they were no longer in need of a horse or extensive walking. The “safety” frame accommodated skirts, but the most daring women wore bloomers, which were more practical. The “rational clothing” movement and bicycle craze went hand in hand, as women did away with cumbersome skirts and bulky undergarments.
F O R E S T PA R K
GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA
Board of Directors Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-366-0600 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 EMAIL forestpark@wjinc.com CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.com ONLINE ForestParkReview.com TWITTER @FP_Review Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Forest Park Review,141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302-2901. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS No 0205-160) In-county subscriptions: $28 per year. $42 for two years, $58 for three years. Out-of-county subscriptions: $36 per year. Forest Park Review is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. © 2021 Growing Community Media NFP. F O R E S T PA R K
REVIEW Share photos on Instagram using #fpreview or email alexa@oakpark.com. All photos become property of Forest Park Review for possible future use in print or digital capacities.
@ForestParkReview
3
4
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
National award goes to local hardware store Schauer wins All Star designation By JOHN RICE Contributing Reporter
Schauer’s Hardware, 7449 Madison St., just received national recognition for being the top home improvement store in the state of Illinois. Schauer’s was named “2021 Hardware All Star” for Illinois. It’s the only “All Star” in the state and one of only 50 such stores nationwide. The award was bestowed by Hardware & Building Supply Dealer (HBS Dealer), a national publication. Receiving the award was especially poignant for owner Rich Schauer because he received it on June 2, the 10th anniversary of his father’s untimely death. Schauer is the third generation to operate the familyowned store. The HBS Dealer selects All Star stores on the basis of various business criteria, such as longevity, growth, employee development and retention, creativity, and community involvement. Schauer’s has all those bases covered. Longevity – The location has been home to a family-owned hardware store for 76 years, with the Schauer family taking over Peaslee’s 35 years ago. Growth – Schauer’s sales rose during the pandemic, as homeowners in lockdown worked to improve their properties. Employee development and retention – “I encourage cashiers to make their own de-
File photo
ALL STAR: Rich Schauer’s store Schauer’s Hardware, 7449 Madison St., recently received national recognition for being named the top home improvement store in Illinois by a national publication. cisions about returns,” Schauer said, “and we treat customers the way we want to be treated.” Creativity – Schauer dressed as The Grinch a few years ago for the “Holiday Walk.” Community involvement – “Being in a small hometown, we love to help the community as much as we can, not just through hardware supplies and services but through contributing to community events, like the live window display during the “Holiday
Library celebrates Pride Month Events, activities and book recommendations focus on LGBTQ+ By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
June is Pride Month, and the Forest Park Public Library has plenty of opportunities to celebrate and commemorate with a list of resources, recommendations, events and activities geared around the LGBTQ+ community. One resource the library points to is GLAAD, a national organization working to accelerate acceptance for LGBTQ+ people. According to GLAAD, most Pride events often commemorate the Stonewall Rebellion in New York City on June 28, 1969, which is the reason they’re often held in June. The Stonewall Rebellion, which shone a light on the struggle for equality, is oft thought of as the beginning of the LGBTQ+ movement.
The library recommends other information sources, such as the History of Pride presentation by the Library of Congress. Events include an author conversation with Carol Anshaw who, according to Slate, “has written some of the best lesbian fiction of the last 25 years.” Make & Take Kits for teens and adults provide materials to craft a pride-themed bracelet. For children, Read Under the Rainbow Storytime on FPPL TV, will focus on “showcasing positive stories of kids celebrating their identities and expressing themselves.” The link to FPPL TV is https://tv.fppl.org/. Lists of recommended books for both adults and children are posted to the library’s website and include “Honey Girl” by Morgan Rogers and “Memorial” by Bryan Washington for adults, “Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens” by Tanya Boteju for young adults, and “The Pants Project” by Cat Clarke and “Rick” by Alex Gino for younger readers. More information on all Pride events at the library can be found at fppl.org.
Walk.” It’s ironic that Schauer’s was named best home improvement store in the state, because that brings to mind large corporateowned box stores while Schauer’s is the opposite.
“We’re the ‘Walgreens of Hardware,’” Schauer quipped. “Customers are paying for convenience and knowledge.” The store’s motto is, “Helping Forest Park one person at a time!” His slogan is, “Get in, Get out, Get it done.” “People are coming here because they have a problem,” Schauer said. “They don’t know what to do. Some are unhappy with how their project is progressing. The big box stores lack this kind of customer service.” In fact, Schauer has been asked to leave large home improvement stores on four occasions because he was dispensing advice to customers. Once he was told it was because of “safety and security.” Schauer’s may have great customer service but, like all hardware stores, it is short on inventory. “The supply chain is still not completely restored,” Schauer said. “Customers have to be patient.” Homeowners making improvements boosted sales. Now there’s a boom in moving because homeowners are “sick of their surroundings.” “I see things looking up for the store,” Schauer said. The HBS Dealer Award will certainly help. Schauer has posted it on social media and hundreds of people have responded. “The award will raise awareness that little guys like us are still here to help. We’re not going anywhere.”
Father’s Day Sale! 4 -$10 LUSTRE wash for $31 4 - $8 ULTIMATE wash for $23 4 - $7 DELUXE wash for $19
ENDS 6/20/21! UNDERCARRIAGE SPRAY ON ALL WASHES!!
The Difference is TOUCHLESS! This is the ONLY TOUCHLESS Car Wash in Town! Durashield Total Body Surface Protectant on the Lustre Wash!
Spotless Carwash • 7802 Madison St. & 7343 Roosevelt in Forest Park 708-771-2945 • We Accept All Major Credit Cards
You can purchase tokens from an attendant weekdays from Noon to 5pm or Sat. & Sun. 9-11am & 11:30-4pm. OR YOU CAN BUY THEM ONLINE AT:
spotlessautowash.com
WASH HOURS: 7AM THRU 10PM DAILY!
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
5
Play It Again Sports plans partnerships with nonprofits Forest Park store kicks off donations during Pride Month By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
During June, Play It Again Sports (PIAS) Forest Park has partnered with Howard Brown for Pride Month, the first PIAS fundraiser owner Erich Krumrei has organized but definitely not the last. In fact, community involvement has been something Krumrei has talked about since he first signed the lease at 7443 Madison St. When customers bring in sports equipment to sell to PIAS, which in turn will offer it for sale in the store, they can get cash or store credit. But during June, which is Pride Month, customers can also donate some or all of the money from the equipment they sell to Howard Brown, a Chicago-based organization founded in 1974 that “exists to eliminate disparities in healthcare experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people through research, education and the provision of services that promote health and wellness,” according to its website. “I want to get tied into the community,” said Krumrei. “It’s a win-win. I get great gear to offer at reduced rates to people who might not be able to afford brand-new equipment. And people selling their equipment can choose to donate to nonprofits that benefit the community.” (There’s actually an additional win, making it really a triple win situation, because people choosing to bring used equipment to PIAS can clear out their basements or garages.) Earlier this year, when Krumrei and his wife Rachel Caskey took over the former Hallmark location to open PIAS, they told the Review that they wanted the store to be driven by community engagement and partnering with local nonprofits was already part of their plan. Several months later, that goal is being realized. Krumrei said what he calls “tie-in fundraisers” are important to him because they’re a concrete way to make a difference and to get involved. “For Pride Month, putting a sticker in the window to show support wasn’t enough for me,” Krumrei said. “I wanted to do something actionable.” PIAS is a franchise, bound by rules and regulations on a corporate level. But there is no requirement to work with nonprofits; that’s something Krumrei decided to do on his own. Beyond June, he plans to partner with other local organizations in what he calls “a mutually beneficial arrangement,” in which he can “turn quality used sports equipment
Photo provided
UP AND RUNNING: Play It Again Sports, 7443 Madison St., has a new sign and is open to purchase equipment from customers. It will be open to sell gear and equipment to the public soon. into dollars for nonprofits.” Tentative plans include a monthly fundraiser for different nonprofits as well as fundraising drives both big and small. A drive, for example, might be a partnership with a local sports team or entire league for a week or weekend. “Our ears are open,” said Krumrei, and that applies not just to nonprofits but also to what the community needs in terms of sports equipment. For example, Krumrei said he heard from the Oak Park and River Forest field hockey coach that getting girls’ equipment can be difficult, so he expanded the field hockey section in the Forest Park store. “How can I help? What do you need?” are questions Krumrei said are at the heart of his business. PIAS Forest Park has also partnered with the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, which regularly picks up equipment that the store doesn’t purchase but customers still want to donate. PIAS might not purchase an item that doesn’t have a great resale value, but people can donate the equipment, and the Epilepsy Foundation uses it to help run programs and keep them free, such as camp for kids and support groups for caregivers. Finding a “home” for equipment through the Epilepsy Foundation is part of the store’s work in sustainability, an essential aspect of the chain’s mission. “Reuse. Recycle. Replay” is a tenet of the stores on a corporate level, and that applies to more than finding new uses for previously owned sports gear. Employee uniform shirts are created from 100 percent recycled fabric. In Forest Park, the floor of PIAS is made from recycled tire rubber. And Krumrei has partnered with the River Forest Tennis Club to collect used tennis balls, which will be recycled into a tennis court through the Recycle Balls program. PIAS Forest Park is open to people selling or donating sports equipment; Krumrei is waiting on word from corporate on when the store can open to people purchasing gear. For more information, visit playitagainsports.com/locations/forest-park-il.
File photo
COMMUNITY TIES: Erich Krumrei, owner of Play It Again Sports at 7443 Madison St., is planning partnerships with local nonprofits.
6
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
Families stressed by COVID-19? D91 reaching out to help To say it’s been a stressful year for families with school-aged children is an understatement, and in an effort to alleviate some of parents’ stress, Forest Park Elementary School District 91 is bringing Parent Cafes to families over the summer. D91 has partnered with the Loyola Pediatric Mobile Health Unit and Pillars Community Health to create a series of Parent Cafes. The goal? To help families deal with the stress of remote learning and the transi-
tion to in-person learning. Prior to the cafes, families have a chance to weigh-in on what they’re most interested in discussing. The district has put out a brief survey to identify common themes and information that D91 families would like to talk about. Results from the survey will help facilitators decide upon an agenda. Links to the survey in English and Spanish can be found on the district’s website at www.fpsd91.org/Page/1871. The sessions will be held virtually on July 13, July 27 and August 8.
Maria Maxham
No summer program for most D91 students
Plans changed; lack of ‘necessary personnel’ cited
No remote or in-person summer school will be offered to Forest Park Elementary School District 91 students this year except those with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), according to a letter sent to parents at the end of May. Earlier in the spring, it was announced that a remote summer program was being offered. But plans fell through, although the Review received no response to a May
26 email to Superintendent Lou Cavallo on what exactly caused the change in plans. According to the May 26 letter from the district, “It was the hope and intent of the district to be able to offer a remote option that would be open to all students and staffed with FPSD 91 teachers. Unfortunately, the district will not be able to provide a summer remote learning program without the necessary personnel to staff these classes.” A list of summer resources has been posted to the district’s website at https://www. fpsd91.org/Page/1679.
Maria Maxham
Drones, cybersecurity, teambuilding part of D209 summer camps
District offering free opportunities for students
Proviso Township High Schools District 209 is running free summer camps for incoming freshmen and for students in grades 10 through 12 at Proviso Math and Science Academy (PMSA), Proviso East and Proviso West. For incoming freshmen, the Proviso Summer Flight 2021 Transition Camp will allow students to meet one another and learn about what high school life will be like. Activities will include teambuilding, coding activities and academic workshops. “Develop new skills, met new friends, get to know your school, and uncover your inner potential,” reads the flyer. The camp runs from June 28 through July
19, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at PMSA, 8601 Roosevelt Rd. Transportation will be provided from Proviso East and Proviso West. For students already attending D209 schools, the Summer Flight 2021 Free Stem Program camp will allow students take on more academic and social challenges. Projects offerings include cybersecurity and drone-flying. “Begin your next year of high school with the skills to excel and achieve your goals,” reads the flyer. This program is open to students in grades 10 through 12 and runs from June 28 to July 19 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at PMSA, 8601 Roosevelt Rd. Transportation will be provided from Proviso East and Proviso West. Families with students in D209 wishing to register for either of these camps should visit https://www.pths209.org/ and scroll down to the camp flyers.
Maria Maxham
SURE, AT FIRST I WAS A LITTLE TAKEN ABACK BY THE WHOLE PEEING STANDING UP THING. SURE, I TAUGHT TO THROW STICK ATBUT FIRST I WAS AHIM LITTLE TAKENAABACK AND NOW HANGING OUT WITH HIM BY THE WHOLE PEEING STANDING UP THING. IS ITHE BESTHIM PARTTOOFTHROW MY DAY.A STICK BUT TAUGHT AND NOW HANGING OUT WITH HIM IS THE BEST PART OF MY DAY. — EINSTEIN adopted 12-09-10 — EINSTEIN adopted 12-09-10
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
BARS
Solutions needed from page 1 members present (funeral home owner Kevin Harnett could not attend due to a business obligation) were in favor of extending closing time for all bars, including A1 license holders, though the hours that were suggested varied. Art Sundry suggested a midnight closing every night of the week. Jim Watts and Steve Backman favored a 1 a.m. across-the-board closing time. Connie Brown said she’d like to see bars open until 2 a.m. on weekends and 1 a.m. all other nights. Joe Sullivan agreed, though he hopes to see Thursday night added in as a “weekend” night and given longer hours. “We understand and hear the differences of opinion on bar hours,” Amidei said. He added that a conversation between himself, the police chief and village staff will allow them to come up with a recommendation based on everyone’s input. A temporary moratorium on live music and DJs was proposed by the committee at least until Labor Day or until the village has time to dig into the “amusement” section in the current liquor license code, a part of the code that hasn’t been enforced in recent memory of village officials. That code may need to ultimately be rewritten or simply enforced. Until then, however, disallowing any entertainment of that sort may be pro-
posed to the village council as part of the committee’s recommendations. Finally, some liquor stores have allegedly been giving out or selling individual plastic cups, which are potentially being used by those purchasing them to drink in cars prior to going to the bars. Cracking-down on this is part of the short-term solutions being looked at by the committee. Village staff will write up a summary of the short-term issues and potential solutions and distribute it to the committee members for final approval or changes, which will then go back to staff and the village attorney to be written into an ordinance. That ordinance will hopefully be up for vote at the next village council meeting on June 14. Long term strategies to counter the problems seen lately on Madison Street involve taking a look at the entertainment application that is already part of the liquor code but is not currently being enforced to see if it needs rewriting. A new definition of “amusement” or “entertainment” could be considered. Zoning might come into play too, and an examination of what is allowed in the Downtown Business District, when talking about bars on Madison Street for instance, will be pursued. Another long-term strategy is taking an in-depth look at the classifications of liquor licenses already in the books to see what needs updating, adding, or eliminating. Breaking down the A1 licenses by square footage is a possibility, though Bastion said a permanent change to this or to bars’ hours
of operation should be done during the licensing period and should come with a change in licensing fees. Bastion also suggested instituting a rule that if an establishment with a liquor license closes, the village’s number of licenses should be automatically reduced by one. Looking at liquor stores or shops that sell liquor in addition to food, such as Living Fresh on Roosevelt Road or CVS near Harlem Avenue and Circle Avenue, will also be done. Whether the hours of liquor sales at those locations need to be adjusted is a longterm consideration and possibility. Village code regarding event space will get a careful eye too, since, suggested Bastion, it’s possible that the business model of event spaces has changed. since the code was originally written. Bastion said event spaces may have “morphed into something we were not made aware of when drafting the license.” Bringing back the tavern owners’ association could be considered both a short-term and long-term solution and was something Joe Sullivan supported vocally during the meeting. “I think we could do some great stuff through mutual policing,” said Sullivan. The association could also help with something else Sullivan said is important: bar owners’ need to know what’s in the code. For example, he said, the code states exactly how long a bar owner has to notify police about a fight or crime that takes place at an establishment. But not all bar owners are aware of that, he said. As for why the village can’t just yank a li-
7
cense from a bar that’s not following all the rules? It’s not that simple. “A liquor license is a privilege, not a right. But once it’s granted, the holder has due process rights as set forth in the liquor code,” said Bastion, which is why, he said, simply revoking a bar’s license isn’t a simple solution to the problem of patron behavior. In addition, behavior of patrons once they leave a bar is difficult to tie back to that establishment. “No matter how bad of a player [a bar] may be, they still have the right to a hearing,” said Bastion, who said part of his job is defending the village in terms of conduct that might get the village sued in federal court. The state law is clear, and unless an establishment is responsible for “something egregious,” that puts people in immediate and serious danger, there has to be an approach of graduated discipline. However, said Bastion, the village could look at refusing to renew a liquor license if the holder owed debts to the village or if taxes have gone unpaid. The same, he said, could apply to the initial issuance of a liquor license. Since the 11 p.m. closing time, Aftanas and Gross reported that Madison Street has been “very quiet.” Gross said that typically they’d been getting on average five calls a night. Since the hour reduction, that went down to about two calls a night. “There’s been a noticeable reduction,” Aftanas said. Bastion reminded the committee that the village council can always move the hours back to an 11 p.m. closing time if hours are expanded and problems pop up again.
Our Community Needs Community Journalism It’s not just about crime reports and board meetings. We also need inspiring, funny, heartwarming and, at times, heartbreaking stories about our friends, neighbors and children. Perhaps now, more than ever.
Let's build community!
Read and Support the Forest Park Review.
Partner with us. Donate at GrowingCommunityMedia.org Growing Community Media NFP is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization
8
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
Over four decades of ice sculpting Honorary street named after Jim Nadeau By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
“I love this community. This is quite the honor,” said Jim Nadeau at the unveiling of a street sign in his name at the corner of Dunlop Avenue and Roosevelt Rd. on June 6. “Jim Nadeau Way” is now the honorary street name at that intersection, after the street sign unveiling and commemoration, which brought dozens of people out in over 90-degree weather. Half a block away, at 7623 Roosevelt Rd., a sculpture glistened as it melted in the sun in front of Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures, Inc. According to Mayor Rory Hoskins, who led the event, the street renaming is to James Nadeau “for founding a small business that has brought so much positive attention to Forest Park. Nadeau’s is among the Midwest’s largest full-time providers of ice sculptures.” Nadeau retired over a year ago and has since moved out of town, leaving the business to Max Barajas, who lives with his family in Forest Park. Nadeau’s work has been displayed all over Forest Park, including at library and holiday events. But its artistry and reach extend
Need a helping of
beyond town to other celebrations, such as Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual Zoo Lights and the Chicago Cubs World Series after-party at Navy Pier, both of which featured Nadeau sculptures. Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures, Inc. was founded in 1980, and moved to 7623 Roosevelt Rd. eight years later. Prior to opening the business, Nadeau had a corporate job with the Marriott hotel chain. He told the Review in 2018 that when he began carving ice, he used a hand chipper and his fingers would bleed. Now, the business has upgraded and uses machines that trim and cut and help sculpture 300-pound blocks of ice.
River Forest
FOOT CLINIC
7351 Lake St. (Just west of Panera Bread)
Do you wake up with heel pain?
H
Dr. Linda Lambert
eel pain is one of the most common conditions I treat" says Dr. Linda Lambert of the River Forest Foot Clinic. If you wake up having difficulty putting your feet on the floor, Dr. Lambert can help.
Heel pain or plantar fascitis is caused when the foot flattens out with weight bearing. Sometimes a heel spur forms where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone. A heel spur can be diagnosed with an in office x-ray.
Call Jill at (708) 366-0600
or visit ForestParkReview.com/ subscribe
There are many ways to treat heel pain without doing surgery. Rest, ice, antiinflammatory medication, supportive shoes and stretches help in most cases. Custom made orthotic devices or cortisone injections may also be needed. Call Dr. Lambert, you don't have to live with foot pain. Aetna, AARP, Blue Cross PPO, United Healthcare, Healtspring, Humana, PHCS, Medicare Assignment & most other insurances accepted • CIGNA PPO
26 Years’ Experience • Se Habla Espanol • Free Parking
708.366.FOOT (3668)
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
9
C R I M E
Nike shoes stolen at knifepoint A man reported that his Nike shoes were stolen at knifepoint by two offenders, a male and a female, on the Blue Line on June 2 at 1:13 a.m.
Car window broken and candy stolen The small rear passenger window of a car on the 7500 block of Harrison Street was broken and suspect(s) gained entry between May 30 and June 2 at 6:45 a.m. The inside of the car was ransacked, but the owner stated that the only thing missing seemed to be candy from the center console.
Man threatened after standing-up escort A man who had paid a woman to meet him for “sexual favors” through Snapchat, but allegedly did not meet with the woman, called police on June 3 when he began receiving threats via WhatsApp. The threats said he’d wasted escorts’ time and allegedly included violent photographs of, according to the police report, decapitated heads, for example. “This is what is going to happen to you and your family,” accompanied the photos.
Car stolen A car was discovered missing on June 3 just before 6 a.m. from the rear of a residence on the 900 block of Ferdinand Avenue. The owner said he had both sets of keys and had not given anyone permission to take the vehicle.
Two rowdy funerals Seven vehicles and the House of Branch Funeral Home were issued tickets by police for a rowdy funeral procession that drove through town on May 28 at 2:37 p.m. Forest Park police had been alerted by Oak Park police that a large and unruly funeral procession was headed to town. Forest Park police intercepted the funeral at Harlem Avenue and Jackson Boulevard; they allegedly told the driver of the funeral director’s
vehicle, which was leading the procession, that they were ordering the funeral to proceed through town on I-290. The funeral director refused, however, and the procession continued along Harrison Street. Police observed vehicles with people hanging out of sunroofs and windows and driving into oncoming traffic “without concern for the innocent motoring public.” On June 3, the owners of five cars were issued local ordinance citations for reckless driving during a rowdy funeral procession down Jackson Boulevard around 1:50 p.m. Officers observed the cars driving into oncoming traffic, unnecessarily blocking traffic by cutting off other drivers, and taking up multiple lanes. Tickets have been mailed to the offenders.
Pizza in oven cause of smoke Police along with the Forest Park Fire Department were called when smoke was coming out of an apartment on the 7300 block of Dixon Street on June 1 at 11:55 a.m. Emergency personnel forced the apartment door open after banging on it elicited no response from the occupant. They located the source of the smoke, which was a burnt pizza in the oven. The occupant was sleeping in the bedroom after, he said, working late and did not hear the banging on his front door.
Police administer Narcan after heroin overdose Police were called to a residence on the 300 block of Lathrop Avenue on May 28 at 4:18 a.m. for a suspected heroin overdose. The victim was on the couch with labored breathing and other signs of a possible overdose. Officers administered Narcan and administered sternal rubs. Paramedics arrived, took over medical treatment, and transported the man to the hospital.
Parking lot punch
Do you want to keep your public officials accountable?
A man reported walking through the 7-Eleven parking lot at 7749 Roosevelt Road when an unknown suspect approached him and asked to use his phone on May 28 at 1:28 p.m. The victim refused, at which point the suspect allegedly became angry and started calling him names. When the victim headed to 7-Eleven so he could ask for help, the suspect allegedly punched him in the neck, got into a green Mustang, and drove away.
Man robbed at gunpoint A man told police he was robbed at gunpoint on the 600 block of Harlem Avenue on May 29 at 2:18 a.m. He reported walking southbound when an unknown suspect approached him and displayed a blue steel handgun, saying, “Give it up, man.” The victim said he handed over his flip phone and wallet, which contained around $150. Police searched the area but did not find the suspect.
CTA train defaced On May 29 around 6 p.m. a CTA employee reported graffiti to a train car at 1 Harlem Avenue.
Door Dash driver’s car stolen On May 30 at 1:07 a.m. the car of a Door Dash driver was taken during a delivery. The driver said he left the keys in the ignition to deliver food to a location on the 400 block of Desplaines Avenue and an unknown suspect entered his car and drove it away.
Battery at Dunkin Donuts Police were called to Dunkin Donuts, 7200 Circle Ave., after one customer allegedly punched another, though their stories varied. The victim said he was inside the location purchasing food when the offender, who was also in the store, began asking him for money and food. The victim said he re-
fused, at which point the suspect called him a racist and punched him in the face. The offender told police that he did ask for money and did punch the man, but only after the man hit him with his bag. Witnesses said that the offender was standing very close to the victim, asking for money, and that the victim did not hit the offender before being punched and was simply trying to move away from him.
Ransomware attack Police were called to Sync Communications, Inc., 7238 Roosevelt Rd., to meet with the company’s vice president, human resources manager, and an IT services employee on June 1 because of a ransomware attack. About two months ago, the company said it had installed a new ransomware protection program. Allegedly on May 27, the system alerted them that one of their clients had changed its banking information, which seemed suspicious to Sync Communications personnel. They then got a message saying that their network had been infected, and financial files of their client and other data was now encrypted by ransomware. If Sync did not pay $25,000 to the offenders, the ransom price would be doubled. If Sync still refused to pay, the private data would be released. The ransomware allegedly had started on the computer of an ex-employee who recently left the company but still has a company-issued laptop at home. Sync said they will attempt to recover that computer to get more information. These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, May 28-June 3, 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
Support Community Journalism. To buy or re-new a subscription call Jill at (708) 366-0600 or visit ForestParkReview.com and click subscribe
10
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
June 9-16
BIG WEEK Pollinator Gardening with Empowering Gardens On Thursday, June 10, from 10 to 11 a.m., join the Forest Park Public Library at Empowering Gardens, 7730 Madison St., for an in-person workshop on creating a pollinator garden. This event is perfect for young adults and adults. For more information, visit fppl.org/events.
Author Visit with Zetta Elliott and “Dragons in a Bag”
ZETTA ELLIOTT
Free Concert at the Roos Pavilion
Join author Zetta Elliott on June 12 from 3 to 3:30 p.m. for a virtual event. Elliot is a poet, playwright, and author of books for a wide range of ages including “Dragons in a Bag,”“Say Her Name,”“Roots Run Deep,”“On My Block,”“A Place Inside of Me” and many others. She’ll be reading from “Dragons in a Bag” and will take questions afterwards. For more information, visit fppl.org/events.
No-Nonsense Nature!
Don’t miss the band Soda, playing a free concert on June 10 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Roos Pavilion, behind the Roos Recreation Center at 7329 Harrison St.
From Friday, June 4 through Friday, June 25, stop by the Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Blvd., to pick up a Young Adult “No Nonsense Nature” kit full of craft and experiment supplies, treats, and more surprises. Be sure and fill out the feedback card for your chance to win amazing prizes related to the theme.
The Gerald Dowd Band at FitzGerald’s On Saturday, June 12, at 7 p.m. the Gerald Dowd Band will be performing at FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn. The patio is free and open to the public, but reserved seating is limited. Bring a face covering. Tickets are free but reservations are required. Don’t miss other musical acts at FitzGerald’s. Visit facebook.com/fitzgeraldsnightclub/ for the entire musical lineup.
James Baldwin’s Enduring Impact
Allan Warren/CC BY-SA 3.0
JAMES BALDWIN
Join the library on June 15 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for “James Baldwin: His Impact on the Theatre, Then, Now, and in the Future,” a free event led by celebrated academic and writer Dr. Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. and hosted by Oak Park Festival Theatre. Dr. Glaude will be interviewed by Chicago theatre legend Ron OJ Parsons and Saudia Davis, Executive Director of the Center for Creative Entrepreneurship. The event is free and open to the public with both online and in-person participation available. Visit https://oakparkfestival.com/ glaudebaldwin/ for more information.
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
11
In second bid, Kina Collins takes on Danny Davis By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
Austin native and gun control advocate Kina Collins is making a second bid for U.S. Congress, vying to represent the Illinois 7th Congressional District and unseat the longstanding incumbent Rep. Danny K. Davis. “We are building a stronger coalition based off of the foundation that we laid in the previous election cycle,” Collins told Wednesday Journal. She previously ran in 2020, coming in second to Davis with 13.8 percent of all votes during the March 17 Democratic primary. Davis, who has held the office since 1997, received 60 percent. Oak Park’s Anthony Clark received 12.95 percent of votes. Davis was not immediately available for comment but filed his statement of candidacy for 2022 with the Federal Exchange Commission on May 17. Clark will not make his third bid for congress in 2022, but said he remains committed to addressing systemic oppression in society “My days running for political office have ended,” Clark told Wednesday Journal. Clark was defeated in his April bid for a seat on the Oak Park village board. Despite the well-documented difficulty of unseating an incumbent, the results of Collins’s exploratory committee have encouraged her to move forward with her congressional pursuit. “People really are hungry for that change,” she said. The daughter of two union workers, Collins was born and raised in the district and was a student of Chicago Public Schools. As a child, she witnessed the murder of a child outside her home, spurring her future as an advocate against gun violence. Collins has made a name of herself in politics through her work with the non-profit Gun Violence Prevention Education Center and Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. Last February, she was invited to participate in a virtual violence prevention discussion hosted by U.S. Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice and White House Public Engagement Director and Senior Advisor Cedric Richmond. Gun control, along with expanded healthcare and economic recovery, is one of Collins’s platform issues. “We see on the national level people talk about the city of Chicago and use it as a political punching bag, when they speak about gun violence and other issues,” she said. “I want to win so that I could go to the halls of Congress and take on the gun lobby and take on the GOP when they spew these mistruths about the people who live in our neighborhoods.” She is already familiar with creating legislation, having written the bill that created the Illinois Council on Women and Girls, an advisory committee to the governor and general assembly. Collins is entering the 2022 congressio-
ing to Collins, who noted the innal race with a more seasoned equality between neighborhoods approach, leveraging the knowlin the district using the Oak edge acquired during her first Park and Austin communities as run to strengthen her current an example. campaign. “We need to make sure that we “I learned that it’s not just a are courting and speaking to all one-size-fits all. Even though we voters in the district, and even are a plurality African Amerisome folks who haven’t particican district, there’s not going to pated in the past in primaries,” be one demographic that helps Collins said. us win the race,” Collins said. KINA COLLINS She has also learned the imThe way to win is having a “rainbow coalition” of voters across the portance of having strong financial support district backing the same candidate, accord- when running against veteran elected offi-
cials who have the benefit of strong name recognition among constituents. “You got to be a strong fundraiser in order to keep up,” she said. Collins has already snagged the endorsements of several groups including Justice Democrats, the organization that backed Rep. Marie Newman’s campaign to represent the Illinois 3rd. Newman successfully unseated 15-year incumbent Dan Lipinski. Women’s March IL, Illinois Youth Climate Movement, 14th Ward Independent Political Organization and Western Springs Indivisible have also given their support to Collins.
hello
summer
CELEBRATE EVERYTHING THAT CENTERS YOU. There are countless ways to celebrate one’s spirit: music, reading, gardening, or taking a walk to appreciate nature’s beauty. We offer several resident programs specifically designed to strengthen your belief and speak to your soul.
Summer Open Houses WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23 @ 1:00PM THURSDAY, JUNE 24 @ 10:00AM FRIDAY, JUNE 25 @ 3:00PM
RSVP at 708-469-4607 ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE 800 N. HARLEM AVENUE RIVER FOREST, IL 60305 SHERIDANRIVERFOREST.COM
12
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
S P O N S O R E D
C O N T E N T
The inside scoop on Massa Café Italiano
From indulgent gelato to new delivery services the Elmwood Park eatery keeps things fresh Massa Café Italiano co-owner Giovanna Lollino and her chef, husband and business partner Angelo are eager to embrace the return of summer weather and a sense of normalcy at their decades old Italian eatery located at 7434 W. North Ave. in Elmwood Park. “It is so nice to stand next to a stranger again and not feel uncomfortable,” said GiovanFood Writer na Lollino. “It is wonderful to see people coming together and creating that important sense of community at Massa. It is natural to want to be near people.” Café goers are proving her right. They have quickly returned to the summer tradition of patio dining at Massa -- the cheery café is a natural gathering place and vibrant destination on Elmwood Park’s bustling restaurant row. On a recent weekday children sat at a table scarfing down Sicilian style pizza next a group of elderly men sipping coffee while ladies sat nearby dining on colorful and healthy salads. Nothing at the café is frozen or pre-made and the Lollinos prioritize sourcing the
MELISSA ELSMO
freshest ingredients available. In addition to serving up a wide variety of authentic house-made Italian dishes, the quaint eatery peddles 10 distinctive entrée salads. In addition to classic Caprese and Caesar options, Massa offers a colorful Mandalay salad brimming with toasted walnuts, mandarin oranges, strawberries and gorgonzola cheese and tossed in a light raspberry vinaigrette. Massa also enhances the already abundant salad options with weekly specials like a shrimp salad boasting fresh basil and tomatoes on mixed greens dressed with white balsamic vinaigrette. Any savvy summer diner knows the benefits of selecting a light salad -- making a healthy choice means it is that much simpler to leave plenty of room for a summer dessert. Massa’s award-winning gelato and fresh sorbettos are made fresh daily using time-honored Italian techniques. The flavors shift with the growing season, but Chicago Pothole, akin to rocky road is a perennially popular gelato choice while watermelon sorbet is a summer highlight among Massa customers. Despite the undeniably joyful feeling returning to some sense of normalcy has brought to the café owners, Lollino was quick to point out Massa continued to grow during the pandemic. While things were quieter at the café, Angelo was diligently working on getting Massa’s pizza, gelato and coffee to the masses. “Our home delivery program and nationwide shipping had been in the works for a while,” said Lollino proudly, “The pandemic
Select a light entrée salad to ensure you have room for dessert
Things are returning to normal at Massa Café Italiano in Elmwood Park. Stop by Massa for a cup or cone of award-winning gelato or order a pint for home delivery
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
brought the idea into focus, and we were able to make it a reality.” Hungry locals can now visit virovia.net to order a limited array of Massa’s most popular products for local hand delivery in Oak Park and River Forest. Sold by the pint, customers can select from 16 gelato flavors including strawberry cheesecake, caffe macchiato and banana bon. Eight varieties of coffee are available as well as five types of take and bake Sicilian style pizza includ-
ing spicy soppressata and roasted vegetable varieties. Vero Party boxes, also available for local delivery, are specially curated to combine products. Additionally, Massa’s products are expanding into retail environments and can be shipped nationwide. Whether you are looking for a sunny sidewalk salad or home-delivered gelato, Massa Café Italiano is prepared to meet your needs. All photos, Melissa Elsmo
13
Oak Park Eats positively encourages readers to think about the food and beverages they consume and seek our unique and memorable beer drinking experience while celebrating Kinslagher’s local partnerships with Carnivore, Opportunity Knocks, Daly Bagels, and Darr-B-Q. - Keith Huizinga, Kinslagher
Sip more at Kinslahger.com/ Keith Huizinga, Kinslagher Photo provided
Five varieties of Massa’s Sicilian style pizzas are available for home delivery in Oak Park and River Forest via virovia.net.
Discover more culinary delights at ForestParkReview.com
Keep up with Melissa Elsmo and what she’s cooking up at:
OakParkEats.com
14
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
Confirming what we think we know is true Library remains trustworthy information in an age of fake news By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter
How we get trustworthy, unbiased, factual information is a hot topic these days. “If you reflect back,” said Pilar Shaker, library director, “libraries were very much about book lending, but the way we acquire information these days is so much more diverse than it used to be. If you reframe the library as a place where information access happens, we need to diversify the ways we connect people with information.” The way the library went about creating a strategy for the next three years might serve as a model for getting information which is both accurate and useful. Shaker, her staff and the trustees had hunches about what residents of Forest Park want from their library in terms of services, programs and resources, but the trustees didn’t trust their intuition as they prepared a strategy to be voted on later this month, so they asked Northern Illinois University to do a survey to find out what the
residents of Forest Park really want. NIU used email, snail mail, and telephone calls to reach a random sample of 2,000 households in Forest Park and an additional sample of 600 Black residents in order to get a good response from a minority community. NIU kept contacting residents until they had acquired responses from 500 people. Data gathered by the survey included age, racial background and where in the community they live. This last question was included because the library staff had a suspicion the residents living south of Roosevelt Road felt somewhat disconnected from the rest of the town. Shaker said the library has done surveys in the past but because NIU uses a scientific approach, the results are more accurate than the ones the library came up with on its own. “When you are responsible for spending other people’s money,” she explained, “you don’t want to go just on your intuition. You need reassurance that you are on the right track.” The survey did in fact reveal some surprises. Among the most unexpected was that 59% said they got their information about the library and its programs from the newsletter they received in the mail and that 75% said it was their primary source. In a time
ASSISTED LIVING • SHELTERED CARE • MEMORY CARE • SKILLED NURSING
Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.
A safe & smart choice. Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.
File photo
RELIABLE: The Forest Park Public Library is a trusted source of information for residents, according to recent survey results. when so many people get their information online, this was a surprise. Along with the surprises came a lot of affirmation that the library staff did have a pretty good idea of what residents wanted. Shaker said staff put the responses into four buckets. Residents said they wanted: 1. Equity and Inclusivity. They wanted programming and staff to reflect the diversity in the community. 2. Sustainability, both fiscal and environmental. 3. Communication in diverse styles, electronic as well as through the postal service. The staff indicated not only that they wanted more information on the decisions made by the trustees but also how those decisions were made. 4. Partnerships. Many in the community said they want organizations in the village working together even more than they presently are. Pilar said the research gathered from fo-
cus groups and from the survey gave the strategic planning committee the themes for the next years and they then developed measurable tactics the library will use to implement those goals. The library, of course, is not the only medium Forest Parkers go to for information. They also read the Forest Park Review. Circulation, said Jill Wagner the paper’s circulation manager, is about 1,100 with some studies indicating that two people read each issue purchased. The number of people who read the Review online is 110,000 with 70,000 sessions. “We also publish our stories on social media,” she added. “Sometimes the content really takes off and there have been stories that have reached over 10,000 people.” Speaking of social media, Build Forest Park claims 3.7K members. Forest Park Townhall reports having 3.3K members and 1,249 people are connected with Forest Park Strong.
Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues. We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.
CONTACT US FOR AN OUTDOOR VISIT 2800 Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside, IL 60546 (708) 477-5092 | CaledoniaSeniorLiving.org
Limited availability!
advertise • 708-524-8300
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
You made it. We know a thing or two about milestones. After all, we’ve been helping people celebrate and adapt to them for more than 60 years. Since our founding in Oak Park in 1957, we’ve provided generations of Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Parkers with best-in-class in coverage, trusted guidance, and personalized service that adjusts throughout every stage of life. From home and auto, to business and commercial, we provide superior insurance products that deliver better value, better outcomes, and greater peace of mind. Whether shopping multiple companies, advising you on coverages, or guiding you through claims, we’re with you every step of the way. From graduation and beyond.
Congratulations Class of 2021 from the Forest Insurance family
708 383 9000
forestinsured.com
Chubb | Cincinnati | Hanover | Hartford | Liberty Mutual | MetLife Auto & Home | Nationwide Private Client | Progressive | Safeco | Travelers
15
16
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
Summer and Pride beers on tap Exit Strategy finds creative ways to serve customers By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter
A cliché repeated by many business people holds that the customer is always right. Katherine Valleau, who co-owns the Exit Strategy Brewing Company, 7700 Madison St., doesn’t buy that. She and her husband Chris have higher expectations for the beer they serve to the patrons who frequent their establishment. Chris is the brew master who makes all 16 craft beers available on tap. He brews them in “small” batches of 155 gallons and is creative in coming up with unique flavors and blends of ingredients. For Pride Month in June, for instance, Chris has brewed a special rainbow sherbet sour beer. Twelve of the brews on the Exit Strat-
egy beer menu are “mainstays,” i.e. always available on tap. One of Chris’ “out of the box” creations is number five on his beer menu, an American Pale Ale with 5.6% alcohol content. “American hops,” reads the description on the menu, “are front and center here, but this beer won’t punch you in the face with bitterness. Rather it accentuates hop flavor and aroma while balancing malt and hops. Brewed and dry hopped with Ahtanum, Amarillo, Cascade, Citra and Simcoe hops.” Listed last on the menu is Valleaudated Milk Stout, “a big chocolaty aroma and flavor with a bit of sweetness that will make you contemplate adding a scoop of ice cream to this brew. Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans and Ghana cacao nibs add to this beer’s complex but incredible flavor.” “If you come in and ask for a Miller Lite,” said Katherine with a chuckle, “we’ll sit you down and educate you on who we are and how we do things.” Their regular patrons, she added, come from all over the surrounding area and appreciate what goes into making craft beers and the level of innovation.
File photo
WINNING STRATEGY: (Above)Exit Strategy’s general managerJess Phillips (left) with owner Katherine Valleau. (Top) Katherine (left) with husband Chris Valleau.
“How we do things” Katherine explained, includes high expectations for the quality of the beers her husband brews and the food they serve but also for how their patrons behave. “We expect a lot from the people who come in,” said the former schoolteacher, “and the people who come in will meet those expectations.” It all has to do with respect, she said, respect for her staff and for the other patrons. That’s the reason Chris and Katherine close Exit Strategy at 10 p.m. every night. “No good decision,” she explained, “is made after midnight.” Like most of the other businesses on Madison Street, the pandemic hit Exit Strategy hard. They shut down on March 15 last year and remained closed for three weeks to give them time to “process everything that was happening.” “We sat and we thought and we cried,” she said, “and then we came up with a plan.” In April they did a few pop-up events, a day or two when patrons could come in and fill their 64 oz. “growlers,” and they laid off all but two of their staff. “We never thought we would do a carry-
out business,” she said, “but necessity is the mother of invention. We had to adapt, to pivot our mindset.” Understanding that outdoor service was safer than having a beer indoors, they resurfaced their parking lot, borrowed picnic tables from The Grove, put up umbrellas, and transformed the place where patrons used to park their cars into a beer garden. Exit Strategy has rebounded to about 7080% of the business they were doing before the pandemic hit. They are returning to normal incrementally. “Instead of doing a cannonball into the pool,” she added, “we are dipping our toes in the water.” Getting back to normal includes events like the one they held last Saturday — a tiedye party. For $40, attendees got to tie-dye a shirt, got a four-pack of beer and a pint glass branded with the name of the beer they were introducing, filled with beer, of course. Not to be outdone, Exit Strategy’s nextdoor neighbor, Famous Liquors, is featuring — in addition to Miller Lite, Bud, and Guinness — beers some Forest Parkers may have never heard of like Baltimore Blonde, Victoria, Pacifico Clara, Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ and Founders Centennial IPA.
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
17
HOME SERVICES CEMENT
CEMENT
MAGANA
C O N C R E T E C O N S T RU C T I O N “QUALITY IS OUR FOUNDATION” ESTABLISHED IN 1987
COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL
708.442.7720 '5,9(:$<6 )281'$7,216 3$7,26 67(36 &85% *877(56 6,'(:$/.6 612: 3/2:,1* 67$03(' &2/25(' $**5(*$7( &21&5(7( FREE ESTIMATES LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED
ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed
ELECTRICAL
A&A ELECTRIC
Let an American Veteran do your work
We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors • Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added • New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est.
708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area
APPLIANCE REPAIR
Supreme1 SUPREME ONE APPLIANCE
All major appliances•refrigerators•dryers washers•dishwashers•disposers•ovens
Julio Gonzalez 773-366-6520
supremeoneappliance@gmail.com
FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.
New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured. Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com
HANDYMAN
HAULING
LANDSCAPING
BASEMENT CLEANING
FAST DELIVERY
Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery. 708-848-9404
AIR CONDITIONING AIR CONDITIONING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Air Conditioning Automotive A/C Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers
HANDYMAN
Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience
773-637-0692
FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.
Mike’s Home Repair
708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000
Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates Ask for John
Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do
708-296-2060
CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair
FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small
708-488-9411
YOUR WEEKLY AD
REACHES SIX SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES: OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST,FOREST PARK, BROOKFIELD, RIVERSIDE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, AND PARTS OF CHICAGO
Mulch & Topsoil
Premium Shredded Hardwood ���������������$25/yd Dyed Red ������������������$30/yd Dyed Brown ��������������$30/yd Playmat��������������������$28/yd Premium Blend Dark �$34/yd Premium Bark Fines��$42/yd Blonde Cedar ������������$48/yd • Spreading Available! • Topsoil, Garden Mix, Mushroom, Super Mix, Compost, Gravel, Sand
SureGreenLandscape�com
847-888-9999 •• 630-876-0111 630-876-0111 847-888-9999
PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING
Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost
708.749.0011
PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.
Small & big work. Free estimates. Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services
708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed
Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years
PETS
BRUCE LAWN SERVICE Spring Clean-Up Aerating, Slit Seeding Bush Trimming, Lawn Maintenance brucelawns.com
708-243-0571
While you’re away, your pets are okay . . . at home
cat calls
Oak Park’s Original Pet Care Service – Since 1986
Daily dog exercising Complete pet care in your home )PVTF TJUUJOH t 1MBOU DBSF Bonded References
524-1030
Public Notice: Your right to know • In print • Online • Available to you 24/7/365 PublicNoticeIllinois.com
BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG
g n a H e r e in th k r a P t s e r Fo
We are here for you! You can get local news delivered right to your email in-box. Sign up for FREE at ForestParkReview.com
18
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
18
OPINION O U R
V I E W
Things we like
L
ike many or most white Americans, we’d never heard of the Tulsa Race Massacre. This was the horror of a hundred years ago last week in Oklahoma where an entire Black community in Tulsa was flattened, burned by a hate-fueled white mob which killed some 300 residents. Didn’t turn up in any history books from our collective youth. Just as the 1919 race riots in Chicago were not represented in our fourth-grade study of our city’s history. Also absent from our white-centric American history was Juneteenth, a celebration of the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the Civil War was long over and people who had been enslaved were free. We admit we’d never heard of Juneteenth until 10 years back when Rory Hoskins, then a village commissioner and now the mayor, raised it as a point of pride worth celebrating in town. His annual pool party at the park is a summer highlight that is back this year. A Juneteenth flag was raised at village hall this week. And Juneteenth events have grown from Forest Park into neighboring communities. Now Illinois is on the verge of making Juneteenth a state holiday. Hoskins certainly gets some of the credit for that. June is also Pride month, a recognition and celebration of the benefits we all receive in our embrace of our gay neighbors and friends. One of the great civil rights revolutions of our time is how quickly and fully most Americans have come to see the fairness and benefits of an inclusive approach to the LGBTQ+ communities. Forest Park has traveled that inclusive path. Indicators are the month-long recognition of Pride at the Forest Park Public Library and the partnership struck at the newly opened Play It Again Sports with the Howard Brown Community Health Center in the city. Exit Strategy has a special rainbow sherbet beer in June in honor of Pride. Forest Park is always at its best when it is at its most diverse and inclusive. We see it in our schools, we see it in increasingly diverse village commissions and elected boards. We see it when we shop and eat on Madison Street.
R
9,000 ‘F’ grades and 9 holes in the bottom of the boat*
odney Alexander, president of the District 209 high school board, often sounds like a Black Baptist preacher. He has the cadences, riffs, vocabulary and the passion of, say, Hope Tabernacle’s Pastor Bill Teague here in town. To understand where he is coming from, you have to know that he is not an ordained pastor but nevertheless understands his work as president of the board of education as called, inspired, anointed and guided by God. It’s also important to know that his day job is working as a parole officer, and that may inform his emotional response to education in D209 when he talks about the “school to prison pipeline.” Above all else, when it comes to education, he is passionate about the students in the district’s three high schools. So when he gave his report to the African-American clergy assembled virtually at their monthly PTMAN (Proviso Township Ministerial Association Network) meeting on March 3, he became palpably upset when he noted that during the fall semester 9,000 ‘F’ grades were issued to students in the district by their teachers. Where his report fell short, I think, was his singling out D209 teachers as the main problem in the system. He told the ministers, “If student achievement in the district is going to improve, the culture and climate in the classroom in general and the mentality of teachers in particular has to change.” Although he said that he was not blaming teachers alone, he did come down pretty hard on them, particularly for resisting the move back into the classroom for in-person learning. “Paying for teachers to fail our students,” he declared in an interview with the Review, “will no longer be tolerated in District 209.” When I asked Maggie Riley, president of the Proviso Teachers Union, to respond to Alexander’s statement, she pointed her finger back at the administration. She said in an email, “The Proviso Teachers Union continues to find Mr. Alexander’s comments disheartening and demoralizing. Instead of deflecting and placing blame on the teachers, he should be addressing our district’s real problems.” She explained that D209 teachers want to be back in the classroom but only if they are safe. “We previously asked the district to have an industrial hygienist assess building conditions and offered to pay for that study. Despite there being no cost to the district, our request was refused.” She went on to claim that the problems causing poor academic performance are more deeply rooted. “The district’s ‘fix’ for the high number of failing grades,” she asserted, “is to instruct teachers to water down the curriculum and pass students to raise the graduation rate … too often promoting them to the next level class when they have failed the prerequisite course.” So I asked the D209 administration to give their perspective on the huge number of failing grades. Nicole Wilson is the district’s executive director of communications. Speak-
ing for Superintendent Henderson, she stated that the number of failing grades is “unacceptable” to him and his administration. One response, Wilson said, is that the district is requiring many students to retake one or more classes this summer. A major change, she noted, is the district’s move to a “No-Zero” policy, which gives credit to the effort students apply to their work as well as they how they perform on exams. She explained that poor academic performance is influenced by multiple factors, quoting a statement made by her boss in a press release dated March 12: “Letter grades do not always indicate a student’s knowledge or understanding of the material and they certainly don’t reflect the struggles that our students have to balance each day — from grappling with learning disabilities to navigating home-life issues that present learning barriers.” Supt. Henderson’s statement leads me to an analogy. If the boat we are rowing toward success in school and ultimately in life has nine holes in the bottom, plugging one of them won’t prevent it from getting swamped. Even if we plug five, we will still have to expend a lot of energy bailing water instead of rowing toward our destination. The question, of course, then becomes why is the D209 boat leaking? Teachers must bear some responsibility, but so should the administration. What about poverty? In my conversations with District 91 administrators over the years, they’ve told me there is an almost one-to-one correlation between a kid’s socio-economic situation and their academic performance. What about the feeder schools? What about the effect of remote learning on students because of the virus, especially those who don’t have the required technology? What about systemic racism? What about the absence of fathers in some many families? And as long as we’re on that subject, what about the justice system that keeps some of those fathers in jail because they are unable to raise the money to post bail? And finally, what about the students themselves? Alexander refers to them as “our babies,” which gets an emotional response. But these “babies” are capable of making babies. As a youth mentor told me, “Our kids might be victims but my job is to help them not think of themselves as victims.” Songs about unrequited love often use lines like “I guess I used my heart instead of using my head.” In our conversations about student achievement, it seems clear to me we need to use both. Making the boat seaworthy will require all of us — teachers, students, administrators, parents, feeder schools, early childhood learning opportunities, churches, the police, government, adults with no children, youth soccer coaches, etc. etc. The question then becomes: Is each of us on board? *I wrote most of this column a month before the Alexander/Medina battle went public.
TOM
HOLMES
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
Congratulations 2021 Graduates. Enjoy 15% off for the Months of June & July with student ID. Cookies Soft Serve Ice Cream Milkshakes Coffees
7401 Madison St, Forest Park (708) 689-8029
19
O B I T U A R I E S Edward Maroney, 60 Forest Park Middle School teacher
Edward J. Maroney Jr., 60, died on May 26, 2021. Born in Chicago, he grew up in Oak Park and lived in Forest Park. He attended St. Giles Elementary and Oak Park and River Forest High School. He received a B.S. degree in Communications-Radio/TV/Film from Northern Illinois University and his MEd from Dominican University. Upon graduating from NIU, he began a career in Chicago advertising, editing television commercials for Editor’s Choice and Swell Pictures. He spent many years not only establishing an impressive portfolio, but also building long-lasting friendships with his colleagues. At the age of 45, he decided to pursue his unrealized dream of becoming a teacher. For the past 13 years, he taught math and language arts at St. Procopius Catholic School and Forest Park Middle School. He never lost his love of editing, and while at Forest Park Middle School, it was not uncommon for the students and teachers to see him in their classrooms and hallways with a video camera, collecting footage for a unique film that he would edit and present to each eighth-grade graduating class. In addition to film and education, he took every opportunity he could to enjoy the game of golf. He and his wife April were members of the Riverside Golf Club, where when he wasn’t on the course swing-
ing a club, he could be seen on the patio enjoying a cocktail with one of his many golf buddies. Of the many gifts he gave to those who loved him, perhaps the most poignant was his example of strength, courage and unwavering EDWARD MARONEY grit that saw him through 43 years of illness and suffering, with little complaint or concession. Ed Maroney was preceded in death by his parents, Edward J. Maroney Sr. and Margaret (nee Freiman) Maroney. He is survived by April his wife of 28 years (nee Paul) and their adorable dog and steadfast companion, Max; his 10 siblings, Mark, Susan, William, Kathleen (Gary) Lorenz, Patricia, Margaret (Thomas) Wilkinson, Elizabeth (Timothy) Carey, Mary (James) Houser, Judith (William) Jordan and Colleen (A. Marc) Gilardi; 18 nieces and nephews, one great-niece, a brother-in-law Rodney (David) Paul-Jones, and his childhood best friends, Ted Hans and Rich Trofimuk. While the family uses this time to remember Ed privately, a Celebration of Life event will be planned for a later date. Donations in Ed’s memory can be made to the Greater Chicago Food Depository at Chicagosfoodbank.org/maroneymemorial.
Maryann Davin, 88 Longtime Forest Parker
Maryann B. Davin, 88, a longtime resident of Forest Park, died on June 1, 2021. She was the wife of the late Richard E. Davin; the mother of Kathleen (William) Lang, Karen (Christos) Daravalis, Kristeen Mazurek, and Karol (James) Woods; the grandmother of Charmaine (Eric), Eric (Julia), Jennifer (Tony), Melissa (Chris), Tiffany (Ricky), Brianne, John (Kassy), and Trisha; the great-
grandmother of Andrew, Aidan, Renee, Dylan, Kaitlin, Zennan, Seth, Anton and Mikaela; aunt to many and a friend to all. Visitation was held on June 4 followed by a funeral service at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 7750 W. Cermak Road, Forest Park, with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery. For more information please call 708-442-8500 or visit www.woodlawnchicago.com.
Think local.
20 Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
Let the sun shine in...
Public Notice: Your right to know In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year ForestParkReview.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI
Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.
BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 for the following: Village of Oak Park South Pumping Station HVAC Upgrade Project Number: 21-129
Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours. Published in Wednesday Journal June 9, 2021
PUBLIC NOTICE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF SPECIAL BOARD MEETING Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/ join/372094229 You can also dial in using your phone. (For supported devices, tap a one-touch number below to join instantly.) United States: +1 (872) 240-3212 – One-touch: tel:+18722403212,,372094229# Access Code: 372-094-229 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the legal voters, residents of the Township of Oak Park, County of Cook, and State of Illinois, that a special Meeting of said Township, will take place on Sunday, June 13, 2021 from the hour of 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., for a retreat, orientation and strategic planning of the business of the Township. All interested citizens, groups, senior citizens and organizations representing the interests of senior citizens are encouraged to attend either in person at Oak Park Township Senior Services, 130 S. Oak Park Avenue, or virtually via the online link listed above. Oral or written comments are welcome. Oak Park Township does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in the admission or access to, or employment in its programs or activities. Those needing special accommodations are asked to provide 48 hours notice. Given under my hand in the Town of Oak Park, County of Cook, State of Illinois, this 7th day of June, 2021. Gregory P. White Oak Park Township Clerk Published in Wednesday Journal June 9, 2021
On Monday, June 14, 2021 at 9:00 a.m., a meeting conducted by Brookfield-LaGrange Park School District 95 will be taking place at S.E. Gross Middle School, 3524 Maple Ave. in Brookfield, in the 2nd Floor Conference room. The meeting will also be available for viewing via Zoom (https://district95-org.zoom. us/j/88152961513). The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the District’s plans for providing special education services to students (who reside within the boundaries of Brookfield-LaGrange Park School District #95) with disabilities who attend private and home-schools within the District for the 2021-22 school year. If you have further questions pertaining to this meeting, please contact Dean Pappas, Director of Student Services, at 708-588-8863 or dpappas@district95.org Published in RB Landmark June 9, 2021
PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD Notice of Public Hearing Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission June 24, 2021 at 7:00 PM NOTICE is hearby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider an application for a variation from the Village Zoning Ordinance for property located at 8845 Burlington Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 (PINs 15-34-433-0010000; 15-34-433-002-0000; 15-34433-003-0000). The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/or written comments. Please check the following webpage one week before the meeting for more information: https://brookfieldil.gov/ meeting-packets/ The variance application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kendra Kuehlem, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 and at kkuehlem@brookfieldil.gov.
PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed separate bids will be received by the Oak Park Public Library (“Library”) for the following project:
No bids shall be withdrawn, cancelled or modified after the time for opening of bids without the Library’s consent for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled time of bid opening.
tory requirements regarding labor, including Equal Employment Opportunity Laws.
In re the marriage of BRUNILDA OTERO, Petitioner and IYAD ANWAR MOH’D MUSTAFA,
OAK PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY SECURITY RENOVATIONS MAIN AND MAZE BRANCH LOCATIONS OAK PARK, IL 60301
Respondent, Case No. 2021D003027.
BID GROUP 1 – ELECTRICAL and ACCESS CONTROLS
The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.
Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. CST on Friday June 11th, 2021 at the Main Branch Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301, and will be publicly opened and read at 2:00 p.m. CST on that date. Bids shall be submitted in an opaque sealed envelope clearly marked:
Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before July 6, 2021, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.
Oak Park Public Library Security Renovations 834 Lake Street Oak Park, IL 60301 Attention: Bulley & Andrews Project: MAIN AND MAZE BRANCH SECURITY WORK
DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk. Published in Wednesday Journal June 2, June 9, June 16, 2021
PUBLIC NOTICE Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) is proposing to build a 33-foot light pole telecommunications facility in the vicinity of 632 Forest Ave, River Forest, Cook County, IL 60305. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Project 6121003485- TC c/o EBI Consulting, 6876 Susquehanna Trail South, York, PA 17403, mbowman@ ebiconsulting.com, or via telephone at (617) 909-9035. Published in Wednesday Journal June 9, 2021
Scope of work for Bid Group 1 generally includes, but is not limited to: electrical, power, distribution, low voltage cabling, and access control. All bids must be submitted in accordance with the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project. Bid security in the form of a bid bond in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the base bid amount shall be submitted with the bid. Should a bid bond be submitted, the bond shall be payable to the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301. All documents and information required by the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project shall be submitted with the bid. Incomplete, late or non-conforming bids may not be accepted.
By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman. Published in RB Landmark June 9, 2021
h t t p s : / / b u l l e y a n d r e w s - m y. sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/ btruty_bulley_com/Ep4N77OJkwtJt67lPDVsuggBHBgpHS8IJ0T1ffDzQA1PWg?e=DxkMYA A site visit/walk through is scheduled for 8 AM on Wednesday June 2nd. It will take place first at the Main Branch Library then move to the Maze Branch at 9 AM. The Library reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof, or waive any irregularities or informalities, and to make an award that in the Board’s sole opinion is in the best interest of the District. The site will be available for visits by appointment to be coordinated with Bulley & Andrews, LLC. Interested parties may inspect the existing conditions. Schedule an appointment with Bill Truty of Bulley & Andrews in advance if you wish to visit the sites. All bidders must comply with applicable Illinois Law requiring the payment of prevailing wages by all Contractors working on public works. If during the time period of work, the prevailing wage rates change, the contractor shall be responsible for additional costs without any change to the contract amount. All bidders must comply with the Illinois Statu-
You have jobs. We have readers! Find the best employees with Wednesday Classified! Call 708-613-3342 to advertise.
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 4857344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (south) entrance of Village Hall. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
The Bidding Documents for the project (which include the bidding instructions for the project and other related documents) will be available Monday May 24th, 2021 and are available for viewing/download online without cost or purchase on the Bulley & Andrews, LLC One Drive, located at the following link. No username or password is required.
For additional information on the project, contact Bill Truty of Bulley & Andrews, LLC at btruty@bulley.com or 773-645-2086. Dated: 5/20/2021 Bill Truty Bulley & Andrews, LLC Published in Wednesday Journal May 26, June 2, June 9, 2021
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF 2021-2022 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING DATES FOR RIVERSIDE BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 208 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on May 4, 2021, a resolution was passed establishing that the 20212022 meetings of the Board of Education, Township High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois, will be held in the Alumni Lounge at the hour of 7:00 p.m. in the Riverside Brookfield High School building, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, IL 60546. The Regular Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month. The Committee of the Whole Meetings will be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month with the exception of June, July, August, November, and December. Meeting dates can be found on the Riverside Brookfield High School website (www.rbhs208.net). Published in RB Landmark June 9, 2021
PUBLIC NOTICES 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. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-6699777.
Wednesday Journal • Landmark • Forest Park Review
Illinois Classified Advertising Network LEGAL SERVICES
INJURED? If you’ve been hurt in an accident in Illinois, call for a FREE CASE CONSULTATION. Calls Answered 24/7 by Staver Accident Injury Lawyers: 1-888-310-8322
Hire Local.
Place an ad on Wednesday Classified’s Local Online Job Board. Go to ForestParkReview.com/classified today! Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information. (708) 613-3342 • maryellen@oakpark.com
local employees . . . happy employees!
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
CLASSIFIED
BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG HELP WANTED HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED BAND SAW WELDER TECH, GENL LABORER OPENINGS Local sharpening service has two openings: Band Saw Welder Technician and General Laborer position. Apply at 1233 Circle Ave. Forest Park, IL 708-209-1636
ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER Must have own transportation. For more information CALL 708-738-3848 River Forest Public Schools District 90
District 90 is seeking qualified and experienced applicants for the following positions: English Language Learners Teacher (Full-time at Roosevelt Middle School and Part-time FTE 0.50 at Lincoln Elementary School) Social Worker (Roosevelt Middle School) Physical Education Teachers, ( Full-time at Roosevelt Middle School and Part-time FTE 0.77 at Willard Elementary School) STEM Teacher, Grades 6-8 (Roosevelt Middle School) Instructional Specialist (Roosevelt Middle School) For detailed qualifications requirements and job duties, please visit our website at https://www.district90.org/about/employment for our complete list of employment opportunities. General Qualifications: Valid Illinois Professional Education License with endorsement in field of study, a Master’s Degree is preferred and successful teaching experience with students in a classroom setting is preferred. General Duties: Provide excellence in education by developing and implementing activities that encourage students to be life-long learners. Possesses knowledge of District policies and regulations relating to areas of responsibilities. Create an environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the developmental maturity and interests of each student. Application: Apply online at www.district90.org. Application Procedure: Interested candidates should complete the online application available at district90.org. Please do not send hard copies of supporting documentation, i.e. cover letters, resumes, licensure, etc. to River Forest Schools District 90; instead, upload these materials onto the online job application system for proper processing.
CAREGIVER WANTED MCKINLEY AREA Looking for a caregiver (PA) to work nights 11p-7a and days 7a-4p, days needed will be discussed, to care for adult female with special needs. Training by mother approved by DHS HSP. Contact Maria 312 282-5760. FINANCE Group One Trading in Chicago, IL seeks Trading Analysts to support trading staff in high-pressure environment. BS math., econ., comp. sci. or rltd., + 3-month job/internship as analyst in options industry. Resumes to HRRecruit@group1.com.
P/T SHAMPOO ASSISTANT Part-time Shampoo assistant salary plus tips please apply in person Anthony Lullo’s Hair Designs 721 South Blvd. 708 848 4455
ACCOUNTING CLERK
Responsibilities: • Accounting duties • Process invoices accurately and timely • Check the accuracy of business transactions • Perform data entry and administrative duties • Preparation of payable checks • Posting of checks and ACH payments • Create, edit and update spreadsheets in excel • Daily, weekly and monthly reporting
Qualifications:
• Previous experience in account-ing, finance, or other related fields • High level of accuracy in data entry skills • Ability to prioritize and multitask • Strong organizational skills
• Deadline and detail-oriented • Proficient in Microsoft Excel • Proficient in QuickBooks
Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, Short-term and Long-term disability and retirement plans, transportation subsidy provided.
Office located in Chicago. Candidates will be tested on all skill sets. Qualified Candidates should send their resumes and salary requirements to humanresources@icl-na.com
OFFICE COORDINATOR IT The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Office Coordinator in Information Technology. This position will perform a variety of responsible and complex administrative duties for the IT Department; provide information and assistance to Village staff regarding requests for service; and provide administrative support to the IT Director and the IT staff. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than June 16, 2021.
We are hiring Relationship Bankers in Oak Park, IL. Visit the link below to check out this opportunity to join a great team!
Apartment listings updated daily at:
You can also learn about other career opportunities nearby.
(BTWN WISCONSIN AND HOME, S OF WASHINGTON BLVD)
SAT JUN 12, 9AM-2PM
Several families are setting up to lighten the load! Something for everyone. Tons of vintage household, kitchen, cookbooks and huge selection of brand new 1980s earrings from ebay seller inventory. Furniture includes a set of four Lowenstein Padova chairs and a cool Japanese Tansu step cabinet. River Forest
Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue. Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.
Best Selection & Service
OAK PARK & FOREST PARK
708-386-7355
MMpropMgmt.com
BLOCK SALE 800 BLOCK WILLIAM ST SAT 6/12 8AM TO NOON
Antiques, collectibles, jewelry, clothes, toys, tools, books andeverything else! North Riverside
GARAGE SALE 9026 W 22ND PLACE (1 BLK S OF CERMAK BTWN 13TH AVE AND 14TH AVE)
ROOMS FOR RENT
DOWNTOWN OAK PARK 1BR 708-657-4226
Large Sunny Room with fridge, microwave. Near Green line, bus, Oak Park, 24 hour desk, parking lot. $125.00. New Mgmt. 312-212-1212
OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT
OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT
RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft. OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011
GARAGE/YARD SALES Oak Park
MULTI-FAMILY GARAGE SALES 400 BLK OF PENNSYLVANIA WAY
SUBURBAN RENTALS Small 1BR apartment in DTOP. Renovated and freshly painted. Harwood floors. Walking distance to El. No pets. $850/mo, utilities included.
MARKETPLACE
https://wintrust.taleo.net/careersection/2/ jobdetail.ftl?job=2100424&lang=en
RESIDENTIAL COUNSELOR Hephzibah Children’s Association is a social services agency in Oak Park, IL that helps children thrive and families flourish. We offer a variety of programs including residential group homes for children, family-based services (foster care and intact), and after school and summer day care. We are hiring for a full time Residential Counselor to provide physically and emotionally nurturing care for the children in the Residence, a structured environment that provides consistency and predictability in a community-based setting. This position will work weekdays (four 10-hour shifts) noon - 10:00 PM and every third Saturday. Flexibility to work other shifts is desired. Requirements include: • Bachelor’s degree • Experience working with special needs children. • Must be at least 21 years old. •Valid IL driver’s license and good driving record • Experience with Medicaid documentation a plus Hephzibah Children’s Association is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We embrace a respectful, multicultural, and inclusive environment for employees and the clients we serve.
SUBURBAN RENTALS
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
R E N TA L S & R E A L E S TAT E
STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR
21
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION FOREST PARK HIGHLY VISIBLE OFFICE/STORE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE 1350 SF w/ AC & HIGHLY VISIBLE MADISON STREET EXPOSURE. 7607 Madison Street. Village parking lot next door. Bright, clean office. Great Madison Street exposure! Call Francis 708-3838574. OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT THERAPY OFFICE OAK PARK Free wifi; flexible leasing, and offices nicely furnished right down to the Kleenex. Secure building & friendly colleagues, often giving referrals to other office mates. Shared Waiting room, Conference room & option to join Peer Supervision Group. Ideal for new practice or 2nd location. 708-383-0729
THU – FRI – SAT 6/10 – 6/11 – 6/12 8AM TO 4PM
Victorian lamps, paintings, books, movies, car seats, strollers, toys, household items, clothes, decorations and more!
ITEMS FOR SALE AREA RUG 8 FT X 9.5 FT very beautiful area rug. Design of natural figures in earth tones. $60. 708-488-8755 OAK TV STAND Oak TV stand with w/ 2 cabinet doors, 1 shelf. 32”h x 27”w x 18”d. $25.00 708-488-8755 ELECTRIC YARD TOOLS Electric Leaf Blower $25 Electric Hedge Trimmer $25 708-488-8755 CHAIRS Small bedroom arm chair with plaid slip cover. $25.00. Comfortable upholstered chair with matching footstool from Pier1. Very light green. $60.00. 708-488-8755 KING SIZE MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS King size, nearly new firm memory foam mattress. (Used only 2 nights) Mattress only. $500 obo. 708-642-1408
WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400 Lost & Found, Items for Sale, and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708-613-334
BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNIT YMEDIA.ORG
22
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
Congratulations!
Class of 2021
We are your community partner in behavioral healthcare. Specialized, comprehensive services for children, adolescents and adults. Call 708-209-4181 for a no-cost assessment, 24/7.
riveredgehospital.com
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
INC., REALTOR
23
(708) 366-8989 7342 MADISON ST, FOREST PARK, ILLINOIS 60130
SOLD!
928 S. Kenilworth Ave. Oak Park ....................$275,000
SOLD!
Property has been owner occupied by the same family for 50+ years. 1st fl has spacious living rm and dining rm, kitchen and 1/2 bath. 2nd floor has three bedrooms and full bath. Stucco exterior and 2 car detached garage. Great location in south west Oak Park. Needs some updating but livable as-is. 935 Elgin Avenue, Forest Park ........................$489,000 This is a money maker! This early 1970s brick four flat houses two one bedroom apartments on the top floor, a large three bedroom two bath apartment on the first floor, and a large two bedroom two bathroom apartment in the lower level. Tandem parking for 8 cars. Meticulously maintained by the current owner for several decades. The numbers work! This one really won't last long.
SOLD!
1117 Marengo Avenue, Forest Park .......................$263,500 What a great opportunity to get into Forest Park at an affordable price! This home offers four total bedrooms, two on the second floor and two on the first floor. The home is in perfect condition! Living room, dining room, and eat in kitchen, plus a finished basement. Huge deck off the back of the house and a very large two car garage!
SOLD!
1028 Beloit Forest Park ....................$289,000 This 3 BR, 2.1 BA home has not been available in over 55 years. It has been meticulously maintained within the same family for that time. This home offers two first floor good sized bedrooms and a large second floor master. Each floor has a full updated bathroom. The first floor living room, with it's vaulted ceilings, fill with sunlight pouring from the front foyer windows. 337 Marengo Avenue, Forest Park ......................$275,000 Fantastic location alert!! Just a stones throw from Madison Street shopping, restaurants, and night life makes this a very desirable piece of real estate! This is two flat is ready for some love and attention. Just stuck in time is all. Or a fantastic de-conversion to single family! So bring your decorating ideas, and be prepared to fall in love!
SOLD!
You Don’t Need a
GREEN Live a Green Life? CAR... Give your car a Green TuneUp!
Congrats to the class of 2021
We are the first eco-friendly auto repair facility in the area, offering complete repair and maintenance services for all types of vehicles.
to get a GREEN Tune-Up! We are the first eco-friendly repair facility in the area, offering complete repair and maintenance services for all types of vehicles.
435 Madison St., Oak Park IL 60302 7222 Madison St., ourplanetauto.com Forest Park, IL 60130 (behind FatDuck) 708-383-0053
708-383-0053 • ourplanetauto.com
Eco-Friendly Auto Repair In Your Neighborhood
24
Forest Park Review, June 9, 2021
RECLAIM YOUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING JOIN TODAY! At the Y, we remain committed to the health and safety of our community and supporting your health journey.
The following benefits are included with your Y membership: • Up to 35% savings in aquatic and summer camp programming • Chronic Disease Programming such as Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring, Diabetes Prevention, and Weight Loss • New, complimentary group fitness classes • Installing new cardio equipment and pool liner in the fall • Reopening amenities and opening Sundays this summer
SUMMER
OFFER
*Expires: 6/30/21
50% OFF FIRST MONTH AND NO JOINERS FEE
Join today by calling 708-383-5200 or visiting westcookymca.org/2021