ForestParkReview_062426

ForestParkReview.com Vol. 109, No. 25

$1.00

@ForestParkReview

@FP_Review

EATS

F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW

2026

A GUIDE G TO O LOCAL OC DINING

Special section INSIDE

JUNE 24, 2026

Ferrara Candy Company to get new landlord for Forest Park factory

Tension between soccer families and park district remains strong

Candy company plans to lease building until at least 2031

Parents of the youth soccer league say they are still shut out of park updates

By EMMA BRADFORD Intern Reporter

As the Park District of Forest Park finishes up designs and prepares to replace the main playground and turf field at the park this fall, some residents are still expressing unease over fee increases and feeling left out of the discussion.

The project will focus on building a new turf field, the main park playground and updates to the area surrounding them. On top of that, an outdoor classroom, game tables and a putting green will be incorporated into the devel-

Inside Ferrara Pan Candy Company, 2010

FILE

See FERRARA on page 12

IN Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 THIS ISSUE Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

See PARK DISTRICT on page 13

A look back in time:

Tom Holmes:

Holding courts

Replacement Religion

PAGE 17

PAGE 16

2

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

CHICAGO

LIFE AFTER THE BROADVIEW 6 A Community Conversation

Brian Straw

Brian Straw Oak Park Trustee Oak Park Trustee

Chris Parente

Chris Parente Attorney

Attorney

Charlie Meyerson

Cha lie Meyerson

Moderatedrby veteran journalist

Moderated by veteran journalist

Thursday, June 25 • 7pm LIFE AFTER THE

BROADVIEW 6

19th Century Club • 178 N. Forest Ave, Oak Park

LIFE AFTER THE THURSDAY, JUNE 256 AT 7 PM BROADVIEW

Join Oak Park Trustee Brian Straw and attorney Chris Parente for a candid conversation about A 6Community Conversation the Broadview case, the dismissal of all remaining charges, and the personal, legal, and civic impact of a prosecution that drew national attention.

Moderated by veteran journalist Charlie Meyerson, the discussion will explore what happened, what was learned, and what comes next.

19th CenturyFree Club (178 N.toForest Ave., Oak Park) and open the public.

A Community Conversation

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

3

King leaves mark on OPRF boys basketball Late Bulls broadcaster, River Forest resident had nephew on Huskies

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Most Chicago Bulls fans know that broadcaster Stacey King died suddenly on June 7 following a reported fall in his home. But many may not realize that King was living in River Forest at the time of his death. One of King’s nephews, Acoya, graduated from Oak Park and River Forest High School earlier this month and was a member of the Huskies boys basketball team for the past year and a half.

“It’s tragic. We were caught off-guard,” said OPRF coach Phil Gary. “I go on how people treat me, and Stacey was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life. I only knew him personally for a year and a half, but in that time he was super-nice to me and the kids in the program.

“He’d invite us to some of the (Bulls) games, stay afterward and talk with some of the players on the court. You don’t meet too many people like Stacey.”

When his players found out about King’s death, they reached out.

“They were very upset. Stacey didn’t have to do the things he did. He did them because he was a very nice person,” Gary said.

Acoya King, who missed the past season with an injury, is still grieving the loss of

“He’d invite us to some of the (Bulls) games, stay afterward and talk with some of the players on the court. You don’t meet too many people like Stacey.”

PHIL GARY

OPRF head basketball coach

PO1 MARCUS STANLEY, PUBLIC DOMAIN, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS SUBMITTED TRENT WILLIAMS

OPRF High School boys basketball rising junior Trent Williams. his uncle, which is why Gary talks with him every day to provide support.

“Even though I [only] coached him for half a season,” he said, “I told him he could reach out to me at any time.”

OPRF’s players have also been supportive of Acoya, who will play collegiately at Kishwaukee Community College.

“Acoya is a great friend of mine,” said OPRF rising junior Trent Williams. “I never got to meet Stacey King, but I always watch the Bulls games and he was a good, funny commentator. I knew that hurt Acoya when that happened, so I texted him to let him know I was sorry for his loss.”

OPRF summer basketball Stacey King was also a solid basketball player. He was the Bulls’ first-round pick out of Oklahoma in the 1989 NBA Draft and was part of the Bulls’ first “three-peat” championship teams from 1991 to 1993.

Stacey King onboard the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) just prior to the Navy Marine Corps Classic 2012 game between the Florida Gators and Georgetown Hoyas.

He would have appreciated OPRF’s strong showing in summer competition this month. The Huskies are 11-4 overall and sport a 6-2 record at NCAA Live Event games, including 2-2 at the Romeoville Pre-Live Summer Shootout last week.

In their first game on June 18, the Huskies defeated Marian Central 62-50. Later that day, OPRF fell 49-45 to Plainfield South.

On June 20, the Huskies routed Argo 7435, but dropped their shootout finale to St. Ignatius 47-45.

“The way I see it, we could’ve played better,” Williams said of the Romeoville event. “But as a team, from last year to this year, I feel we play with much more chemistry than we did last year. This weekend, we pushed the ball and got after it on both sides of the floor. We played great defense and played really hard; we really want to win.”

In addition to Williams, Gary feels

OPRF has received good consistent play this summer from rising senior D’Angelo Perkins and rising junior Owen Towne.

“They’re doing pretty well,” Gary said.

“The returners are setting the tone. Owen has grown a little bit and he’s filling out.

D’Angelo’s grown two inches since the end of the season, and Trent is getting stronger and more aggressive, and his game is just developing quicker.”

Williams is optimistic about a turnaround for the Huskies, who have struggled in recent seasons, especially in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division.

“Last year was the first time most of us played together, and I feel now that we have that year of chemistry, even though it was rough,” he said, “it’s carried over and we’ve been doing great this summer.

“I just want to do what I have to do to help us win. A big part of my game is winning and wanting to win. As a team, we’re real hungry.”

4

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

ACL’s second annual Bark-B-Q Animal Care League raises awareness and funds

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Eats Reporter

Animal Care League, 1009 Garfield St. in Oak Park, served up hot dogs, tours of the facilities and community awareness at its bark-yard picnic on June 20.

“We’re more than a shelter, meaning that we want to be part of the community,” said Renee Harlor, the executive director. “Our goal is to show people what we can offer. We also hope to get volunteers and fosters. I just did a tour and I said, ‘The biggest thing you can do is tell people about us because we want people to know we’re here for their companion animals.’”

Stations set up throughout the facility helped the community learn about all the programs and possibilities offered by the no-kill facility that serves eight local villages.

For many neighbors, they came for the info and food, but really it was about something else.

“I wanted to see the cute animals,” Giulietta Labriola said.

“I came here to see the puppies,” her brother Luca Labriola said.

One “alumni” of the shelter, a chihuahua named Winnie, came back for a visit with her companion human, David Williams. Winnie was a foster staying at Williams’ home as she recovered her health.

Many small dogs have stayed with them before and after, but she stole their hearts, according to Williams.

A food tent in the open air play area

served beef and veggie hot dogs. For adults $10, children $5 the dog came with a drink, chips and dessert. Cupcakes and decorated sugar cookies were provided

by Jennifer J. Olenn. Her JJO Bake Co. is a local cottage bakery that specializes in vegan treats.

The expanded facility at ACL opened in 2024. The 19,000 square foot space serves animals and people.

“It’s given us the space to offer behavior training,” Harlor said. “It’s done by our behavior team, so it’s positive reinforcement. They have tremendous experience working with the animals. The public can take part in it and alumni animals can get that continued training.”

The staff depends on volunteers to run at its best.

“We can’t do it without them,” Harlor said. “They contribute thousands of hours each month from dog walking, to admin, to setting up events like this.”

A partnership with Kriser’s pet products company helps ACL stock a supply pantry available for anyone who is experiencing financial stress. Supplies from it can also be delivered to homebound seniors.

ACL recently began a junior volunteer program for teens 15-17 years old.

“They’re getting experience in customer service,” she said. “They’re doing dishes, washing windows. But then they’re also getting to go into the clinic. All our programs teach responsible partnership and kindness toward all living things.”

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Picnic in the Bark-yard

Concordia Cemetery – Forest Park, IL

Side by side mausoleum crypts available in the Sanctuary of Remembrance. Paid $7000 $2000 each or $3500 for both Serious inquiries only Text or leave message (717) 413-0626

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Animal Care League, 1009 Garfield, Oak Park

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

David Williams and his decked-out dog, Winnie

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

Superior Tree Removal and Tree Trimming Paul Bunyon and Sons 37 years in business

708-681-9031

PaulBunyonandSons.com

Tree Care | Paul Bunyon & Sons Tree Service | Oakbrook Terrace MEMORY CARE

TODD BANNOR

Barber Frank Shemitraku in his shop at the Oak Park Arms.

Oak Park barber, native of Albania, apprehended by ICE ‘Peace-loving, honest, hardworking guy. He’s doing the American dream’

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

For years, Nik Shembitrasi has been cutting Charles Wells’ hair at Frank’s Barber Shop at the Oak Park Arms, along with that of his grandson.

But not recently.

Not since Shembitrasi, 49, who’s given first name is Besnik, was apprehended in May outside of his Elmwood Park home

by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“He’s a very nice guy,” Wells said. “Peaceloving, honest, hardworking guy. He’s doing the American dream. Being a barber, he works really hard.”

An ICE representative confirmed Monday that Shembitrasi, who immigrated

from Albania in 2006 and is not a U.S. citizen, is currently in immigration hold in Brazil, Ind., in Clay County, just east of Terre Haute and about 150 miles southwest of Indianapolis.

On Sunday morning at Frank’s, 416 S. Oak Park Ave., a gold street sign with the embossed name “Nik” was posted above the head of his uncle and boss, Frank Shemitraku, who seemed to work hard to maintain a positive posture.

“He’s not just my nephew … he did everything,” Shemitraku said. “Work hard, two jobs, help each other. His wife is (a) U.S. citizen, his daughter was born here. His parents are legal here. How can they take this guy outside and separate (him) from the family?

“Who is going to support (them)? His daughter is 8 years old. He’s the only guy to support his people.”

About seven years ago, Shemitraku purchased his Oak Park barber shop, which complements his 100-year-old location in Elmwood Park. Shembitrasi started workSee BARBER on page 6

SHELTERED CARE

SKILLED NURSING

RESPITE CARE

You can relax knowing we care.

Receive $500 off sheltered care & memory care every month for 12 months.

Call us at 708-447-5092 to learn more about sheltered care and memory care at Caledonia Senior Living.

CaledoniaSeniorLiving.org

Follow us on Instagram!

Top stories, local government, features, events, dining, art, and sports right at your fingertips!

@forestparkreview @austinweeklynews

5

6

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

Sawa’s Old Warsaw Authentic Polish-American Smorgasbord

Restaurant • Lounge • Banquets • Dine In • Carry Out • Catering & Delivery

www.SawasOldWarsaw.com

BARBER

ICE strikes again from page 5 ing for him shortly afterward, after acquiring his licensure in cosmetology.

On Sunday, Shemitraku recalled the youthful Shembitrasi in Albania, who was always quick to jump in to help. Just like his adult counterpart.

“Anything you told him to do, he (would) never say no,” he said. “Same thing working here. Anything I said to him, he was ready. He worked construction. He just

dicating that was the moment his nephew was apprehended by ICE agents. From there, Shembitrasi was transported to ICE’s Broadview facility before moving on to Indiana.

“He called his wife, he told her the situation, and now, we hope,” he said.

Shemitraku has not been to Indiana to meet with his nephew but did speak to him on the phone late last week.

“He cares about his family, especially his daughter, who is very close with him,” he said. “She has friends … ‘Why did they take my father?’”

But more importantly, Shemitraku said, Shembitrasi has been told little by ICE about his situation. He has

$5 FREEEXPIRES PLAY COUPON 6/30/26 Must be 21 or older to game. No purchase necessary. Management reserves all rights. Redeem this coupon to receive $5 Free Play at the awarding establishment. Free Play is offered and provided exclusively by the awarding establishment. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or text "GAMB" to 833234. Individuals can enroll in the IGB Self-Exclusion Program at all of the IGB offices located at all casinos. Additional information can be found on the Self-Exclusion Page at https://igb.illinois.gov/.

9200 W. Cermak Road • Broadview • 708.343.9040 Local journalism matters. That’s why we made a bold decision to protect its future.

The Forest Park Review is now part of NEWSWELL, a nonprofit journalism organization that provides resources, technology, and long-term support to community newsrooms across the country.

This partnership strengthens our foundation while keeping everything that matters the same. Our newsroom remains local.

Our staff remains in place. Our commitment to this community is unchanged. With the added support of NEWSWELL, we are better positioned than ever to continue delivering the independent, community-focused journalism our readers rely on.

Same mission. New chapter. Stronger future.

All donations support local operations.

CHICAGO

TODD BANNOR

Barber Frank Shemitraku in front of his Oak Park location at the Oak Park Arms holds an honorary Elmwood Park street sign from his Elmwood Park location. bought a house in Elmwood Park a year ago.

“Very nice with customers, he treats the customers nice and a lot of respect for everybody.”

But things went south on a Sunday last month, said Shemitraku, who was working at his Oak Park location at the time. At about 9 a.m. that day, his niece – Shembitrasi’s sister – called to relay the news.

“He came outside to meet his father for some coffee, Albanian coffee,” he said. “He just (went) to the car.”

At that point, Shemitraku shrugged, in-

a Chicago-based attorney, who declined a Wednesday Journal request for comment via Shemitraku. Shembitrasi’s wife also declined comment.

Wednesday Journal attempted to reach Shembitrasi via ICE’s media relations apparatus but was unsuccessful.

Wells said he’s concerned for Shembitrasi, but not only him.

“Why would you take a law-abiding citizen with a job, with no problems at all?” he said. “People don’t realize how serious this is. It’s intimidation, a lot of it.

“They can do anything they want.”

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

7

BABS Comedy Club closes temporarily for upgrade

Madison St. venue will shut down, June 22-Aug. 26, to shift from premade canned drinks to full-service bar

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

had it been original,” from the early 1900s, Ramirez said. “It’s going to be very glowy, intimate and pretty.”

Ramirez said, though the comedy club could’ve simply installed drain and water supply lines to add an ice machine and continue operations as-is, part of the reason she wanted to add a full bar was to better

The two bodega coolers of premixed, canned cocktails, wine and beer at BABS Comedy Club will soon be replaced with a full bar constructed by the club’s owner.

Over a year-and-a-half after BABS Comedy Club opened in Forest Park at 7316 Madison St. in October 2024, the owner is closing June 22 to build a bar. The venue will reopen at the end of August with a bar boasting an ice machine, soda gun, garnish station, reach-in coolers, a liquor display and five stools for patrons to order drinks from during comedy shows.

“It’s a scary thing to take a temporary closing when the business is so young,” Emily Ramirez, owner of BABS Comedy Club, told the Review. But she hopes the full bar will better match the aesthetics of the club and bring in more revenue.

Ramirez said pre- Buildout plans for BABS Comedy Club’s new bar. mixed and canned drinks currently make up 35-to-40% of sales at BABS. And serve private parties hosted at BABS. “I think that the price point and type of that the markup on these drinks is lower events we could host for a private party than what she could charge on hand-mixed might level up because visually the area cocktails, so she’s making 25-to-35% less looks so much better, and we would have a revenue than she would be with a full-serproper full bar,” Ramirez said. vice bar.

After Ramirez closed on 7316 Madison By the end of August, Ramirez said she hopes the bar area will be fully functional, St. in 2023, she and her husband, Chase even if decorative arches, silvered mercu- Maness, completely redid the street-level ry glass and shelving behind the bar isn’t business that used to be Studio 8 and three upstairs apartments, one of which the couinstalled until late fall. ple lives in. Ramirez told the Review that “We wanted to build a bar that looks she and her husband, who’s an engineer like it could have existed in this building

with experience in plumbing and electric, did a lot of triage in the initial months that they owned the building.

“Eventually the comedy club space was in a good enough state that we were like, ‘Let’s just open,’” Ramirez said. Though they originally planned to open BABS Comedy Club with a full bar, Ramirez said

it probably would’ve taken them many more months to build it out. “It takes a long time to build a reputation of a business. If your business is a bar, you need everything to be perfect and ready to go.

If your business is comedy, your comedy needs to be ready to go, and it was.”

Ramirez thought that, if she had enough momentum with the comedy club, she might even be able to use revenue to pay for construction of a new bar. Without any investors, Ramirez said she was able to pay off all her business debt after the first

year of BABS Comedy Club. Her profit in the second year has covered nearly all the equipment for the new bar.

“Sad to see basically my entire business savings go away, but cool to be able to do with cash,” Ramirez said of the new bar.

“I’m really happy I did it the way I did. It’s been so much fun to be open and part of the community, giving so many comedians great opportunities on stage and making so many people laugh.”

Once the full bar is open, Ramirez intends to hire a parttime bartender.

“I have a really specific type of bartender that’s important for me to have,” Ramirez said. “My priority is the safety and comfort of my patrons, and also of my comedians.” She added that having “a big, burly guy behind the bar serves as an invitation to fight.

It’s the weirdest thing. I’ve seen it happen a million times in bars, in shows, clubs and PROVIDED cabarets. … I don’t want bouncer energy in my club.”

Until BABS Comedy Club opens again, Ramirez said she’s still available for requests for her house team of 20 improvisers and go-to group of Chicagoland stand-up comedians to perform elsewhere.

“Any opportunity I can give my performers to get some reps and some cash when I’m not able to provide that for them, I would be happy to facilitate,” Ramirez said. “I just want to get the word out that the talent is still here, and we’re ready to go, just anywhere but BABS.”

8

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

Heather Mack case was a red flag for Oak Park officer Freelain writes book on child-to-parent violence

By JESSICA MACKINNON Contributing Reporter

Rasul Freelain, a retired Oak Park police officer, devoted much of his career to working with dysfunctional families and troubled youth. But the case that still haunts him is the brutal murder of Oak Park resident Sheila von Wiese-Mack 12 years ago at the hands of her daughter Heather and an accomplice.

The case, which made international headlines, was often dubbed the Bali “Suitcase Murder,” after von WeiseMack’s bludgeoned body was found in a suitcase outside a luxury resort in Bali. Freelain has written a first-hand account, When Lambs Become Wolves, detailing his experience with the family and the escalating violence inside their deceptively extravagant home.

“I wanted to offer a body-cam perspective of what it was like working with Sheila and Heather for the three years leading up to Sheila’s murder. I wrote the book because so much media attention was on Heather and I felt like Sheila’s voice was stolen from her. I wanted to speak for Sheila since she can’t speak for herself,” Freelain said.

Before joining the Oak Park police department in 2002, Freelain, a product of Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, served as an English teacher at Proviso West High School and a teacher at a Park Ridge facility for young people with serious mental health issues, some of whom were quite aggressive.

“I feel like life has put me on a path to helping struggling young people. It’s my calling. I’ve always been comfortable with difficult young people that others may have reservations about.” Freelain said.

Freelain’s early years with the Oak Park police were spent as a school resource officer at Percy Julian Middle School and Oak Park and River Forest High School, where he often encountered troubled youth and their families.

But nothing prepared him for the turmoil of the Mack family. Freelain, who became a detective in 2007, first met Sheila in November 2010 when he was investigating her allegation that Heather had stolen her credit card and used it for numerous purchases at Chicago’s Water Tower Place.

“I immediately sensed a red flag and realized that Heather had a lot of weight in their relationship,” Freelain said.

He next met with Sheila in February 2011 when she came to the police station with a cast on her arm. She reported that Heather had shoved her to the floor, causing a broken arm. The incident confirmed Freelain’s previous misgivings about Heather and led him to believe that Sheila was not safe in the home.

“When I told Sheila that, under Illinois law, Heather

had to be arrested for physical violence, she became very angry and stormed out of the station. I thought I would never see her again but she was back the next day, after Heather attacked her again. Heather was arrested for the first time that day,” Freelain said.

Over the next couple of years, Oak Park police officers responded to dozens of calls from Sheila reporting Heather’s continued abuse. According to Freelain, the police department was trying to balance efforts to respond to Sheila’s dire situation with getting Heather the resources she needed as an increasingly disturbed child.

In January 2013, in a meeting that chilled Freelain, Sheila expressed her fear that Heather was going to kill her. A little more than a year later, on Aug. 12, 2014, she was dead.

Freelain learned of the murder while he was on vacation. Although he was not surprised, he was shocked to learn that Heather’s accomplice was Tommy Schaefer, an OPRF grad who Freelain knew and of whom he had had a positive impression.

“I knew this was going to happen and still I couldn’t stop it. Heather was one of the most skilled young manipulators I had ever met as a police officer.

Sheila was an imperfect parent but she was determined to save her daughter at all costs,” Freelain said.

After serving seven years in a prison in Bali, Heather returned to the U.S. and was sentenced in 2024 to 26 years in a U.S. federal prison. Schaefer was released from a Balinese prison earlier this year. He was returned to the U.S. and faces charges in January 2027.

While Freelain was dealing with sorrow and guilt regarding the Mack case, he also was involved in a long, protracted legal battle with the Village of Oak Park following his report of sexual harassment by a female sergeant and claims of retaliation by the department. The case was resolved in 2021 with a monetary settlement and Freelain’s reinstatement to his post. He was promoted to sergeant before retiring in 2022 with a full pension.

Freelain book signing Freelain will discuss and sign his book at The Book Loft Oak Park on June 27 and at Barnes & Noble on July 5.

TODD BANNOR

Rasul Freelain with his book, ‘When Lambs Become Wolves,’ at the Oak Park Public Library “We all have challenges, and I felt like I faced mine with courage and humility. I’m grateful for the outcome of my situation with the department. I had a great career with the OPPD and I worked with some really good officers and supervisors in Oak Park,” Freelain said.

One of the best was Det. Allan Reddins, with whom Freelain worked for several years. Reddins was tragically murdered in the line of duty on Nov. 29, 2024. Freelain was dismayed to learn that the alleged perpetrator had a history of abusing family members. The connection with the domestic violence leading to Sheila von Weise-Mack’s murder was sobering.

While writing his book, Freelain connected with professionals dealing with child-to-parent violence and abuse (CPVA) and learned that the issue was much more prevalent than he had thought. He asserts that the issue is one of the country’s most underreported crimes, given victims’ feelings of shame and isolation and a system unprepared to deal with it.

Freelain advises that in 2024, Illinois updated language in the Illinois Domestic Violence Act to recognize youthinitiated domestic abuse. In addition, police now have an Adolescent Domestic Battery Typology tool to evaluate youth who batter family members and to recommend appropriate responses.

Informed by his years investigating the Mack case as well as his extensive research for his book, Freelain now trains police and social workers on de-escalation techniques and crisis response through the Illinois Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training Unit.

He remains committed to seeking justice and change, even if it’s too late for Sheila von Wiess-Mack.

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

Vehicle crash into Suburban Liquors results in DUI arrest Driver arrested after early Sunday morning crash

By EMMA BRADFORD Intern Reporter

Forest Park Police Department units were dispatched to a liquor store at 7612 Madison St. for a burglar alarm Sunday morning. While en route, officials received a second call from a witness who said they observed a car crash into that same building, and the driver had started to walk away from the crash scene heading west on Madison Street.

When officers arrived at Suburban Liquors, they observed a vehicle that had struck the front of the building, causing severe damage to both the building and the vehicle. Extensive damage to the vehicle caused the airbags to deploy, rendering it disabled.

The man matching the description of the individual who fled the crash scene was quickly located and detained in handcuffs. Officers detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from the individual, while also observing he had

bloodshot, glassy eyes and was unsteady on his feet.

The 30-year-old man arrested in the case is from Chicago.

When transported the suspect back to the scene, the witness of the incident positively identified the individual. Officers detained him as the man who fled the crash, and he was put into custody. Officers searched the vehicle and were only able to find an insurance card that expired more than a year prior.

Due to prior observations, officers asked the individual to perform a standardized field sobriety test, which he failed. Later, officers asked the individual to provide a breath sample; he complied and was found to have a blood alcohol concentration of .152.

The individual was cited for a DUI, processed on the charge of one count of Felony Criminal Damage to Property and later released from the station after signing his Non-Discretionary Pretrial Release Conditions bond slip.

Emma Bradford is an intern for NEWSWELL CHICAGO through Report for America’s Local News Internship Program.

PROVIDED BY FOREST PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT

Custom Stair Runners, Rugs, Carpet, Hardwood, LVP & LVT

Located in the North Ave Business District

7040 West North Avenue 773.889.7500

Since 1906 Chicagoland’s Oldest Floor Covering Store Hours Monday-Thursday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm • Friday-Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

9

10

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

O U R

Q U I E T E S T

N E I G H B O R S

Chemist, famed for isolating elements, also helped the police

Marc Delafontaine moved to Chicago from Switzerland

H

ow many of the elements on the periodic table can you name?

If you can get through the first 70, you’ll have listed an element that was discovered by one of our quietest neighbors buried in Forest Home Cemetery.

For over 2,500 years, scientists, chemists, philosophers, and naturalists have been interested in identifying the very basic blocks of the natural world. In 1789, Antoine Lavoisier defined an element as a substance whose smallest units cannot be broken down into a simpler substance. The periodic table, as we now know it, was developed in 1869 when Dmitri Mendeleev put together a chart of the then 63 known elements, organized by atomic weight and characteristics. Because Mendeleev understood that not all the elements had been discovered, he left blanks for elements he knew would one day be identified. One of those blanks between 66 and 68 waited years for someone to find it.

Scientists employed whatever means they had at hand to discover elements. All manner of techniques were used to break down materials to their very basic parts.

Marc Delafontaine, born in Switzerland, established his reputation as a pioneer in optical spectroscopy. In 1864, he was able to settle a dispute among scientists, definitively proving that what was once thought to be a single element was, in fact, three rare earth elements – yttrium, terbium and erbium. (He even corrected the misnaming of the elements which had been based on their colors.)

Delafontaine came to the U.S. in 1870, settling in Chicago where he was employed as a high school chemistry teacher, a professor at a women’s college, and professor of toxicological chemistry at the Chicago Medical College, where he helped improve the safety of chloroform and ether.

As a chemical analyst, his work had applications in manufacturing. Even the Chicago Police availed themselves of his services. In 1882, he testified in court about how best to identify “bogus butter” (some was thought to be lard.) In 1886, he was called on to assess a package of buckwheat flour laced with strychnine that had been sent to meat packing titan Phil Armor and in 1887, Delafontaine was part of a team of specialists tasked with studying the liver of a young murder victim. He also served his community- in 1875 when he was on a Citizen’s Association committee to assess “smoke nuisance” in industrial cities.

But his shining moment came in 1878, when he, working along with Jacques-Louis Soret, made a discovery as they were examining what they were calling “Element X.” Using a spectrograph, they noticed odd emissions and realized they had found a previously unknown element. As happens sometimes, another chemist, Per Teodor Cleve, identified the same element a year later using chemical separation. (Cleve was given the honor of naming the new element Holmia, based on the Latin name of Cleve’s hometown of Stockholm.) But it was Delafontaine’s contribution, using optical spectroscopy, that definitively proved that what they had identified was indeed an element.

Holmia’s number on the Periodic Table is 67. Its symbol is Ho and its atomic weight is 164.930. It is the 11th member of the lanthanide series. It’s a rare-earth element –

soft and malleable, silvery. You most likely won’t find it in its native form because it forms a coating when exposed to air. (Although in temperate and dry air it is stable and resistant to corrosion.) It reacts with water and burns in the air when heated. It’s as rare as tungsten. It is used for the pole pieces of magnets because it has the highest magnetic properties of any element. It’s also used as a burnable poison in nuclear reactors (it absorbs neutrons to lower the reactivity of the fuel used in reactors).

Delefontaine must have been a very curious individual. In 1874, he used a spectroscope to analyze the spectra of different kinds of lightning.

He was known for using the radioactive rareearth mineral samarskite to look for new chemical elements. In 1878, he announced the discovery of a new metal, “philippium” which turned out to be a mixture of the rare earth elements yttrium and terbium. The announcement of this discovery was delayed when his laboratory burnt down during the Chicago fire of 1871. He also claimed to have isolated the element “decipium” but that also turned out to be a mixture of samarium and other elements.

Delafontaine – who was described as “the best liked tutor in all Chicago” – was sometimes asked by companies to assess the chemical properties of their products so they could use his name as an endorsement in advertising. In 1885, he was sued for libel by a vinegar company, Schuyler & Hadduck, because he said the acidic

AMY BINNS-CALVEY

PROVIDED

Sketch of Marc Delafontaine level of their vinegar was inferior to that of a rival company, Higgins & Company.

Reportedly, 50,000 students and 1,200 teachers were willing to pitch in money to cover any court costs.

In 1890, he was quoted in the Liberty Tribune on the topic of food adulteration.

He said that vinegar in the east is “somewhat adulterated” while “here in the west, it is generally very pure…and too cheap for adulteration to pay.” He also said that baking powder (made from cream of tartar and bi-carbonate soda) was often adulterated during the manufacturing process.

He suggested that housekeepers test their cream of tartar by adding a few drops of ammonia to a solution of tartar and water. If the mixture is clear or just a little cloudy, the tartar is pure, but if a sediment forms, it should not be used.

Delafontaine had a wife and seven children, but little else is known about his personal life, including the cause of his death in 1911.

Although he spent his life labeling elements, his grave is unmarked -- there is no headstone. He has now returned to the elements.

References: Findagrave, American Society for Biochemistry, Biddeford-Saco Journal, Wisconsin State Journal, The Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, Stockton and District, Rockford Daily Gazette, The Times Union, Chicago Tribune, Altoona Tribune

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

11

Safety upgrades OK’d for two Lake St. intersections in RF Work at William and at Jackson should start this week

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

A project to improve pedestrian safety at two Lake Street intersections in River Forest is expected to begin this week following village board action June 22. But similar work on two other intersections will not happen until later this year.

The five trustees present voted unanimously June 22 to approve a contract with Acura Inc. of Bensenville for traffic calming improvements at intersections at William Street and Jackson Avenue. Trustee Erika Bachner did not attend. The cost is $242,112. Adding a 10 percent contingency of $24,111 makes a not-to-exceed total of $266,323.

Jack Bielak, director of public works and engineering, said trustees are expected to consider a contract for similar improvements at intersections at Franklin Avenue and Edgewood Place “toward the end or

summer or early fall.”

He said improvements at Franklin and Edgewood will be partially funded by an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Safe Routes to School grant of $179,828 and addressing the additional requirements with the grant “will take more time.”

Total cost of the project is estimated at $550,000.

Village officials said the motivation for the upgrades is improving pedestrian safety, citing resident input at community meetings, including the village board and at the Casual Conversations series with village officials.

The project includes curb extensions, also called bump outs; a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB); and median refuge islands. The project also includes drainage improvements, sidewalks, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps, pavement markings and final restoration.

Village Administrator Matt Walsh said the grant funds are specifically for the bump out at Edgewood and the RRFB at Franklin. Refuge islands will be at William and at Jackson.

In a separate 5-0 vote, trustees approved a resolution authorizing execution of a joint funding agreement with IDOT for the project. The village’s application for the grant was supported by letters from District 90 and St. Luke’s Catholic Parish.

“These upgrades are a great start, but staff is exploring additional ways to supplement these upgrades to make the crossings even safer for residents,” Walsh said.

The project has been in the works for more than a year.

In a memo to Walsh, Bielak wrote that Lake Street is under IDOT jurisdiction from Harlem Avenue going west through the Village of Bloomingdale where it turns into U.S. 20. Lake Street east of Harlem Avenue is owned by Oak Park and the City of Chicago for their respective segments.

Lake Street has a functional classification of Minor Arterial and in 2023 had an annual average daily traffic figure of 9,700 vehicles. Lake Street has existing curb extensions that were built in 2010 at Keystone, Forest, Park, Franklin and Ashland avenues.

Jackson and William are both situated along the commercial corridor of Lake.

The intersection at Jackson experiences high pedestrian traffic due to the nearby Jewel-Osco grocery store and a Pace bus stop. Several pedestrian-related accidents have been documented at this location over the past five years.

The William intersection serves West Suburban Hospital’s River Forest campus which is currently closed. It is adjacent to a large residential complex and multi-family housing on the north side of Lake and the eastern corner of William.

This intersection has also seen a notable number of recorded accidents.

WHEN MEMORY FADES HOPE DOESN'T. Cognitive decline can steal the past, but it doesn’t have to steal the future. Pioneered to curb the effects of cognitive decline, Circle of Friends® is a unique, evidence-based program for building brain fitness.

It was developed by Belmont Village in collaboration with the nation’s top universities and healthcare institutions — and it works. Residents enjoy a rich, therapeutic program of physical and mental activities designed to maintain brain function and build self-esteem.

BelmontVillage.com/OakPark | 708-797-9655

OA K PA R K

©2026 Belmont Village, L.P. | SC 0052076

12

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

FERRARA

A new landlord from page 1

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

JILL WAGNER

The Ferrara Candy Company factory at 7329 Harrison St.

Ferrara Candy Company is aiming to have a new landlord in Forest Park.

According to a real estate listing on LoopNet, Ferrara Candy Company looks to lease back the manufacturing facility, offices and retail store at 7301 Harrison St. Ferrara Candy Company said the current owners of the property are in the process of selling it, but its lease will remain in place through at least 2031, regardless of who owns the property.

“Any sale of the property will not impact our manufacturing operations in Forest Park,” the candy company told the Review.

The factory is nearly 258,000 square feet and “basically grew around their operation,” said Steve Glinke, head of the village’s building department. “The way it’s laid out was always intended to support Ferrara Pan. It’s not one building, it’s multiple additions.”

The candy company started in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood in 1908, when Salvatore Ferrara started making candy coated almonds in his bakery. When high demand for candy caused the company to outgrow their space, the factory moved to Forest Park in 1959.

In 2012, Ferrara Pan became Ferrara Candy Company after the family-owned business merged with Catterton Partners.

By 2018, the Ferrara family sold its remaining interest in the company.

FILE

Inside Ferrara Candy Company, 2010

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

PARK DISTRICT Feeling left out from page 1 opment, which are required for the park district to receive a $600,000 OSLAD grant from the state of Illinois.

“All facilities assisted with OSLAD monies must conform to standards outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,” according to the OSLAD 2026 manual.

Built in the early 2000s and updated in 2013, the park’s soccer fields, playground, and surrounding areas began to show wear and tear greater than that of any of the park district’s pocket parks because of how often locals frequent the facilities.

Contention between some residents and the park district’s board over this renovation project started back in December 2025 when parents of kids in the Forest Park Youth Soccer Association expressed concern about not being able to engage more in the process.

Tensions elevated days after a February meeting when the park district raised the youth soccer group’s rental fee for the turf field from $4 an hour to $25 an hour for the

upcoming spring season.

“There is a concern about how the Forest Park soccer league has been handled this last season,” Forest Park resident Elizabeth Frederick said at a June 18 park district board meeting.

Frederick and others who made public comments said they are feeling unheard.

At that meeting, the only updates that were provided on the project were operational: the district is slightly over budget and there is a hold-up on its schedule caused by concern about whether or not they need a sign off on the plans from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD). “[It] is a huge significant impact on our schedule, but we are waiting to get that in writing, because MWRD has a tendency to do drive bys, and they will stop your project,” said Jackie Iovinelli, park district executive director, of the district being told they do not need to include MWRD in planning.

Once the park district gets that information in writing, Iovinelli said, the district will have a better idea of where the schedule is at. Iovinelli hopes to have the MWRD confirmation at a design meeting this week.

There are no answers on getting a basketball court; however, Iovinelli assured

TODD BANNOR

A soccer game on the turf field at the Park District of Forest Park. meeting attendees that they have had dis- as an agenda item and she was the only cussions. commissioner to share the same worries She also wanted residents to know that residents are feeling. she is available to an“I am disappointed swer any questions with fee increases being about the renovalevied on people, in partions and the parks ticular, in this month, in general. where the beautiful “As I’ve said in othgame is being played in er meetings, when it the United States,” Alcomes to the day-tozamora said referring to day operations, feel the World Cup. “As the free to reach out to daughter of a former me,” Iovinelli said. professional footballer “I have time to take … soccer means the calls. I’ve taken sevworld to so many of us eral calls and had here, and I do think we some great discusneed to continue to have sions with residents this conversation to that have been concontinue to find ways to cerned.” make it accessible.”

During the comBETTY ALZAMORA Emma Bradford is an missioners’ reports, Commissioner intern for NEWSWELL Board CommissionCHICAGO through Reer Betty Alzamora port for America’s Local expressed her conNews Internship Procern over the board gram. not bringing this up

“As the daughter of a former professional footballer … soccer means the world to so many of us here, and I do think we need to continue to have this conversation to continue to find ways to make it accessible.”

JESSICA MORDACQ

Master plan to the park district soccer field and for areas surrounding the main playground.

13

14

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

C R I M E

PROFESSIONAL CONCRETE

CONCRETE

SERVICES Man’s license plate taken from

COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL • RESIDENTIAL

708.442.7720

DRIVEWAYS • FOUNDATIONS • PATIOS • STEPS CURB/GUTTERS • SIDEWALKS • SNOW PLOWING STAMPED, COLORED & AGGREGATE CONCRETE • FREE ESTIMATES • LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

ELECTRICAL

ELECTRICAL

A&A ELECTRIC

Ceiling Fans Let an American Veteran do your work Installed 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

FLOORS

HANDYMAN

KLIS FLOORING INC.

Mike’s Home Repair

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

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

MOVING

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 MOVING

K MOVERS

Call for the BEST Moving Prices • Serving all of Chicagoland & Suburbs. $150/hour - 3 hour minimum.

Call: 901-640-5919

Thinking about a career in local government?

Community • Connection Service • Respect

The Village of Oak Park has job opportunities available.

Please visit www.oak-park.us or scan the QR code

his vehicle while at home

By EMMA BRADFORD Intern Reporter

The victim stated that on June 12, his rear license plate was stolen from his vehicle while he was parked in front of the Roos Recreation Center on Harrison Street, between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. The victim said he was working out there, and when he returned, he discovered his license plate was missing. After officers took down the information, the missing plate was detected by a License Plate Reader at approximately 3:45 a.m., traveling westbound on I-290. With the added information that the license plate was found in the morning, officers thought it was clear the license plate was not taken during the time it was believed, but more likely when the vehicle was parked at his own residence.

Aggravated fleeing/Attempting to elude peace officer While conducting stationary radar in the parking lot of 8601 Roosevelt Road on June 14, an officer observed a vehicle traveling westbound on Roosevelt approaching them. The officer used their handheld LiDAR and clocked the listed vehicle at a top speed of 57 mph in a posted 35 mph zone.

The officer observed the vehicle pass their fully marked patrol vehicle in the right lane and immediately pulled out in front of the fully marked patrol vehicle. The listed vehicle came to a stop at the red light at Roosevelt Road and 1st Avenue. When the traffic light turned green, the officer activated their emergency equipment and pulled over the vehicle at Roosevelt and 2nd Avenue. As the officer exited their patrol vehicle and began to approach the vehicle ahead, it quickly accelerated and fled the traffic stop. The officer then re-entered their patrol vehicle and attempted to catch up to the listed vehicle. With their emergency equipment activated, the officer observed the listed vehicle travel northbound and disregard the stop sign at Fillmore Street and at Harvard Street. The vehicle

then traveled east on Harvard Street. The officer briefly lost sight of the vehicle, but as they pulled onto 1st Avenue, the officer observed the vehicle approaching Interstate 290.

The officer was able to catch up to the vehicle on I290. But when the officer pulled directly behind the listed vehicle with their emergency lights and sirens activated, the vehicle was on the right shoulder and was passing heavy traffic when they entered the lanes and began weaving in and out of traffic. As the vehicle passed Harlem Avenue, the officer extinguished the emergency equipment after being terminated by the sergeant.

The vehicle entered the left shoulder and passed an Illinois State Trooper who was in traffic. The officer continued to follow the vehicle with their emergency equipment off, along with the Illinois State Police (ISP). With the emergency equipment off, the vehicle continued to drive recklessly, and due to the heavy traffic, the officer had slowed down and let state police pass to continue following the vehicle. A short time later, the vehicle was located by the state police and Chicago units at the rear of the registered address.

However, the vehicle was fenced in and unable to be towed at the time. The vehicle was entered into LEADS as a Felony Vehicle/Agg Flee & Elude and is wanted by the Forest Park Police Department.

These items were obtained from Forest Park Police Department reports dated June 12 - 18 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated.

We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Emma Bradford is an intern for NEWSWELL CHICAGO through Report for America’s Local News Internship Program.

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

15

Lucky Duck Claw House opens

You a winner? Well, grabbing a bite just got trickier

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Eats Reporter

For many of those tries the players successfully got the claw to pick up a plush toy and move it towards the prize-winning chute, but none made it all the way there.

Plushies fell over and over. One of our younger gamers was audibly, justifiably frustrated.

We bought another $20 in tokens and the same thing happened. No one won anything.

At this point an employee came over with a pocket full of tokens. With some guidance, Devyn W. played one machine seven times as the claw picked up a small plush raccoon holding a rose, but it never made it to the chute. The employee then opened the glass case and positioned the plushie just so. She said that the weight would be more evenly distributed in an upright position. She was right and the next time, bam,

A “clawcade” has taken over 1100 Lake St. in Oak Park. This new concept comes from the mind that brought us Poke Burrito and a previous concept called Sweet Dim Sum in the same space that is now Lucky Duck Claw House.

Walk in the door and you are greeted with bright colors, flashing lights when prizes are won, and a menu that includes a variety of appetizers, rice bowls, onigiri OPRF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE rice balls, mochi donuts, smoothies, teas and an array of candies.

Ribbon cutting with owner Jimmy Chen, in yellow vest Owner Jimmy Chen decided to join the taste of Japanese street foods, similar to the plushie made it to the chute and into our claw machine manufacturer and techthe menu at Sweet Dim Sum, with an arDevyn’s waiting hands. nical support team to perform a diagnoscade experience.

“I think it’s a very cute place and the tic review of the machines,” he said. “We “The idea is built around the feeling of workers are super nice here,” Devyn W. want to ensure that every machine is opwinning,” Chen said. “Instead of besaid. This was her second trip erating properly and delivering the expeing just a restaurant or just an arand the second time a worker had rience we expect for our guests. As a new cade, we focus on creating memories to help her before she won any- business, we are continuously evaluating and interaction between friends, thing. “The stuffed animals are and improving our operations. Our staff couples and families. At the same really cute. It’s frustrating when regularly monitor the arcade floor and time that people can enjoy the food, you don’t win. But when you do often provide tips, assistance, or prize adthey can also have fun with the claw win, it’s a really good feeling.” justments when younger guests are strugmachines.”

The employee helped the other gling. We believe great customer service is Once you win the plush toy prizes, two girls win prizes as well. We an important part of the experience, and you can either keep them or trade were thankful for the help. But to we want every family to leave with posithem for food. A plushie conversion understand whether this was typi- tive memories.” chart is provided on the menu board. cal game play, I reached out to the Of the whole experience, Lola C. said, Chen, who created and owns Umi owner.

“It was fun. It was challenging and chalSushi by Weight in downtown Chi“I’m glad to hear that all three lenging can be fun.” cago and 10 Poke Burrito locations, is children ultimately won plushies Once the restaurant/clawcade concept is a serial entrepreneur. He saw an opand that our team member took ironed out, Chen has bigger plans. portunity in the marketplace. the time to assist them,” Chen “If things goes well, then we’re going to “People in Oak Park, kids and famsaid. “While claw machines are launch multiple locations,” he said. “We ily, they need a fun spot,” he said. “It intended to be challenging and are excited to start another journey from took us a little while to put everything some prizes naturally require Oak Park then Chicagoland.” together selecting machines, gifts and multiple attempts depending on all other things. Because this is somepositioning, we never want guests thing new that we never done before to feel discouraged or believe they we’re gonna face some glitch.” do not have a fair opportunity to One week after their official ribbon win.” cutting, I took three children from my He also said that with a new 1100 Lake St., Oak Park neighborhood to try their luck. Tokens venture, they are still ironing out to play the claw games (like what you all the bugs and procedures. My luckyduck-usa.com expect to play at a state fair midway) feedback prompted him to review RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Hours: Everyday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. are $1 apiece. With three kids in tow, I the state of play. bought $40 worth of tokens.

Lola K., Devyn W. and Lola C. try out Lucky Duck “I immediately reached out to

Sink your claws in:

16

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

L E T T E R S T O E D I T O R

OPINION T H E

Pay Marty no mind, darlings I was googling Pride events to take my children to when I came across last week’s letter to the editor about the Forest Park Pride Festival and had to respond. For someone who didn’t attend this event that was meant for families and children, I find it odd and unsettling that the individual who penned this letter is so fixated on a drag show where performers were tipped — as is customary at drag shows and something one would know if they ever attended a show — and found something nefarious in how the children at the event (that was, again, designed for them) interacted with the drag performers.

As a parent of a young child, I question the mindset and the disturbing nature of the writer’s thoughts when it comes to children as I don’t know of any adult who would conjure up the image of something deviant or immoral after seeing a photo from this Pride event.

P.S. And for any queens or queers who were offended by Marty’s little note, just remember what the “P” in Marsha P. Johnson stands for: Pay it no mind, darlings.

Brooke Morris-Chott

Letter to editor crosses a line In the June 17 issue, a letter to the editor titled, “Pride Fest crosses a line” implies a nefarious interaction between a drag queen and a child based entirely on a photo run in this newspaper of an event that was taking place in public and attended by all kinds of people, including parents, children, and public officials. Additional photos of the same event, available on the website, illustrate a colorful, fun time being enjoyed by this large and varied group of people.

It is fairly clear even from the single photo in the newspaper that the money in question was being collected for some sort of charitable purpose. This is very common at Pride. I am baffled by what Marty Tellalian could be imagining is going on there, but the fact that their mind went immediately to something so inappropriate they had to write the newspaper tells me more about them than it does about Pride.

I’m also curious that the newspaper itself did not clarify in a note what the money was being collected for. It feels irresponsible in the current climate to allow one person’s hysterical overreaction to a photo to stand as an unchallenged accusation against the local Pride event.

Jennifer Ford

A

Replacement religion, part 1

re Madison Street banners examples of replacement religion?

When, in 2022, I first saw the 70 rainbow banners lining Madison Street, I was impressed. Aesthetically they created a visual feast. Ideologically they affirmed my values. Some of my best friends, as they say, and extended family members are LGBTQ. This year Juneteenth flag banners have joined the mix. Again, some of my best friends …

On the political spectrum I tend to lean center left, so what follows is basically selfcriticism.

The banners seem to fit right in with our celebration of the Fourth of July. This year, however, those banners have become a source of worry for me, and it will take two weeks’ worth of columns to explain why.

This week I’ll make the argument that we progressives are mistaken when we contend that our views are based on facts and reason and not on beliefs, and next week I will make the case that our village government, as it has in the past, should stay out of the business of promoting replacement religion.

between the village of Forest Park and several community sponsors.” (Facebook, Village of Forest Park) And in so doing, I wonder, is it violating the principal of the “separation of state and ‘replacement religion’”?

Commentators point out the ways in which political ideology has become replacement religion.

Moral Worldviews: Adherents divide the world into “good” and “evil,” creating a strict sense of moral superiority and identifying political opponents as “sinners” or heretics rather than fellow citizens.

The Rituals of Belonging: Rallies, protests, and conventions serve functions similar to tent revivals or denominational meetings. Campaign speeches inspire ecstatic feelings, and donating to candidates acts as a form of tithing.

Promise of Salvation: While traditional religion promises spiritual salvation, political movements often promise societal salvation through policy, positioning candidates, or ideological platforms as the ultimate fix for deep-seated human problems.

Political ideology, the new religion

Johnathan Haidt argues that “Leftism is the new fundamentalist religion. … Specific progressive movements mirror fundamentalist religions by enforcing rigid moral dogmas and ideological purity.” He contends that certain factions on the left have turned political beliefs into sacred, non-debatable values.

This from an online site called United: “Unhinged election outcry reveals failed promise of secular salvation Nov 24, 2024 — They believe the right government policies will save us and solve all our problems. This wager leaves no room for dissent.”

Coffee that has been decaffeinated is still coffee, and ideology that has been “de-godded” can still be replacement religion.

Barack Obama, in his post-mortem regarding the 2024 election concluded that one reason the Democrats lost was their over-emphasis on “ideological purity.”

TOM HOLMES

We all learned about the separation of church and state in civics class, and most of us hold as self-evident the “truth” that the state should not support the establishment of religion.

AI, however, accurately summarizes what many commenters are observing and that I myself am seeing as I interact with my neighbors about political ideology these days.

The shift of politics into a modern religion — often called a replacement religion — is a widely observed cultural phenomenon. As traditional religious participation has declined, many people have transferred their deepest devotion, moral certitude, and sense of community to political activism.

That’s why I worry about the banners. The village of Forest Park is helping pay for the purchase and installation of the banners.

“The village of Forest Park and its local departments (such as District 91 schools) officially co-host and provide funding and resources to support the festivities [of Pride Fest] and street displays.” (Instagram, exploreforestpark) “The 17th Annual Juneteenth Family Pool Party in Forest Park is funded and supported by a partnership

Replacement religion on the left

Replacement religion on the right Messianic and Chosen Status: Many followers [mostly MAGA hardliners] frame Trump not just as a politician, but as a divinely appointed figure. (BBC) Opposition to woke replacement religion: “To me, See TOM HOLMES on page 17

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

A

I

L O O K

B A C K

I N

T I M E

17

F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW

Holding courts

General Manager Max Reinsdorf

n 1976 the newly surfaced area behind the Forest Park Community Center was open for tennis and basketball. Mark Hodges, tennis and basketball instructor, oversaw both sports throughout the week. Tennis lessons were available during the daytime for beginners and advanced for $5. The basketball court was free and open on different days for boys/men and girls/women. Teen boys were able to play Wednesday nights. The two courts were open for general use most days of the week.

Staff Reporter Jessica Mordacq News Intern Emma Bradford Senior Audience Manager Stacy Coleman Contributing Editor Donna Greene Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, Robert J. Lifka Columnists Alan Brouilette, Tom Holmes

Photo 1: Kevin O’Donoghue, instructor Mark Hodges, Keith Brogdon, and Jim Clark prepare to play basketball on the courts behind the Forest Park Community Center in 1976.

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial & Digital Design Lead Javier Govea Design and Production Associate De Sergio Villalona Designer Susan McKelvey Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls Marketing & Advertising Associate Emma Cullnan

Photo 2: Tennis instructor Mark Hodges shows the newly surfaced tennis courts behind the Forest Park Community Center in 1976.

Legal Notices Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Operations Associate Susan Liss Babin

From TOM HOLMES on page 16 ‘woke’ has become a negative term. It seems less about real fairness and more about forcing extreme ideas, silencing opposing opinions, and dividing people. It feels like it’s gone from awareness to intolerance.” (Hannah, MAGA Hardliner, Age 41 • White woman • Talladega, Alabama, from a More in Common poll conducted 2025-2026) The “MAGA” Gospel: The Make America Great Again platform replaces traditional theological doctrines with a nationalist focus. Trump events and rallies are described as functioning like church services or revivals, providing followers with a transcendent sense of belonging and “us versus them” salvation. (vox.com) Reverence and Fealty: The movement demands a level of personal devotion, loyalty, and infallibility more characteristic of a religious deity than a secular politician. (New York Times)

How replacement religion works In a site called Conspicuous Cognition, Dan Williams wrote, “The political beliefs we develop are highly fallible. At best, the mental pictures that make up our political outlook are selective, simplistic, and distorted representations of a more complex, ambiguous, and disagreeable reality.”

Follow Pastor Walter Mitty’s spiritual adventures on Tom’s substack, https://tomholmes10. substack.com.

S W E N SH! FLA

You can get local news delivered right to your email in-box. Sign up for FREE at ForestParkReview.com

Social Media and Digital Coordinator Maribel Barrera Senior Advisor Dan Haley HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS: P.O. Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305 PHONE: (708) 613-3300 EMAIL: dhaley@newswellchicago.org CIRCULATION: Jill@oakpark.com ONLINE: ForestParkReview.com Forest Park Review is published weekly by NEWSWELL Chicago. Periodicals postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS No 0205-160).

Forest Park Review NEWSWELL Chicago is located at 1011 Lake Street St 307, Oak Park IL 60301.

The newspaper is available at newsstands for $1.

Annual subscription rate in Cook County is $48 and $82 outside of Cook County. Advertising rates available by contacting our office.

POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Forest Park Review, NEWSWELL Chicago P.O. Box 6670 River Forest IL, 60305. © 2026 NEWSWELL

18 Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026 HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI • Deadline: Monday at 5 p.m.

Let the sun shine in...

Your right to know...In print • Online

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3360 | BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: M26001752 on June 17, 2026 Under the Assumed Business Name of GTG NWI with the business located at: 141 MARSHALL AVE, BELLWOOD, IL 60104, 17315 UNIVERSITY AVE, SOUTH HOLLAND, IL 60473. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) are: GEORGE OUTLAW 17315 UNIVERSITY AVE SOUTH HOLLAND, IL 60473, USA MELVINA JOHNSON 141 MARSHALL AVE BELLWOOD, IL 60104, USA Published in Forest Park Review June 24, July 1, 8, 2026

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on 20 July 2026, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, the Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing to consider a request for relief to Title 9 Section 9-2-3(H) of the Forest Park Zoning code to construct an accessory structure in a R-1 zoned district not to exceed 24’ in height at the following subject location; LOT 15, IN BLOCK 2, IN CARNEY’S ADDITIONTO HARLEM, A SUBDIVISION OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 13, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Commonly known as 444 Marengo Ave. Forest Park, IL PIN 15-13-206-017-0000 The applicant is Matt and Pamela Jacknow.

Signed: Marsha East, Chair Planning and Zoning Commission Published in Forest Park Review June 24, 2026

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCAF ACQUISITION TRUST Plaintiff, -v.M. C. WINBUSH JR., CALMIDY K. WINBUSH-SMITH Defendants 2024CH03976 1305 S 7TH AVE MAYWOOD, IL 60153 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on April 14, 2026, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on July 20, 2026, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1305 S 7TH AVE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153 Property Index No. 15-14-126002-0000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation.

No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours.

The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition.

The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g) (4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN

ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 151701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc. com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-24-02108 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2024CH03976 TJSC#: 46-954 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2024CH03976 I3288979 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.MAMIE MAY, MERS, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS NOMINEE FOR AEGIS WHOLESALE CORPORATION, AEGIS WHOLESALE CORPORATION, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING BY AND THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Defendants 16 CH 11376 3411 MADISON ST. BELLWOOD, IL 60104 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on April 20, 2026, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on July 21, 2026, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 3411 MADISON ST., BELLWOOD, IL 60104

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Property Index No. 15-09-321119-0000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $346,911.13.

Sale terms: If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation.

No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours.

The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition.

The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g) (4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 151701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 601 E. William St., DECATUR, IL, 62523 (217) 422-1719.

Please refer to file number 240702.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.

com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC 601 E. William St. DECATUR IL, 62523 217-422-1719 Fax #: 217-422-1754 E-Mail: CookPleadings@hsbattys. com Attorney File No. 240702 Attorney Code. 40387 Case Number: 16 CH 11376 TJSC#: 46-946 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 16 CH 11376 I3289114 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.ADRIAN TAYLOR JR, SAVANNAH SAVOY HOME COUTURE L.L.C. Defendants 25 CH 11800 2109 S 12TH AVE MAYWOOD, IL 60153 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on April 21, 2026, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on July 22, 2026, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 2109 S 12TH AVE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153 Property Index No. 15-15-429004-0000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $65,291.45.

Sale terms: If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation.

No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours.

The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition.

The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g) (4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 151701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 601 E. William St., DECATUR, IL, 62523 (217) 4221719. Please refer to file number 2065747.

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

HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC 601 E. William St. DECATUR IL, 62523 217-422-1719 Fax #: 217-422-1754 E-Mail: CookPleadings@hsbattys. com Attorney File No. 2065747 Attorney Code. 40387 Case Number: 25 CH 11800 TJSC#: 46-971 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 25 CH 11800 I3289135 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FREDDIE MAC SEASONED CREDIT RISK TRANSFER TRUST, SERIES 2024-1 Plaintiff vs.

UNKNOWN HEIRS OF TONY MORTON A/K/A TONY A. MORTON A/K/A TONY ANTHONY MORTON, JACQUELINE L. MORTON A/K/A JACQUELINE MORTON, AMERICAN FIRST C.U., TRUIST BANK SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO SUNTRUST BANK, JAMAL MORTON A/K/A JAMEL MORTON, JAZMIN MORTON, AMIR MOHABBAT AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendant 25 CH 8659 CALENDAR 58 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on July 20, 2026, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell, in person, to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-16-116-114-0000.

Commonly known as 1024 PARK PLACE, BELLWOOD, IL 60104.

Join thethe Join REAL ESTATE Conversation!

Conversation!

FOR SALE The real estate is: single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a common interest community unit, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection(g-1) of Section 189.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% (or 25% if so ordered in the Judgment of Foreclosure) down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds.

The property is sold AS IS subject to all liens or encumbrances. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the circuit court case record, property tax record and the title record to verify all information before bidding.

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER THE ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 151701(c) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Suite 201, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 357-1125.

25-01123 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3288697

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for local news you can use. @wednesdayjournal

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for local news you can use. @wednesdayjournal

@austinweeklynews @riversidebrookfield_landmark @wednesdayjournal @forestparkreview

Events

! " # $ %%& ' !( )

! " # $ % & ' " ) * * " ' * + ) , - # ' $ . / $ . . 0

.) 1 # $ 2&3 ' ( ) $ 4&5-525-&67&

( ) ( * # $ & +, 8 ) ) " , 9 # %7 4) 6) ) : * ;%22;%22 < . $

$ =< >: > + ?@3 %22 < . $ %22 < . ( ) * $ 44A-4@&-3272

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

Submit events and see full calendar at forestparkreview.com/events

> A435 C > $ A435 C > $ > B ) (" B $ 4&5253-@222

! 2 - 234 5 % 6 % 7*8' ' + D - - - * )) ) +* ! * $ + E B "$ @@%5 < . ( ) $ 4&5-773-43A6

8 / 5 % 6 % 9 : ; 1 % +' , - 4 ) % ) " .) " #

1 C "

1 / #

$ 7@3 C B . ( )

6 ; 6 9 6 ( < ! .

- . / 0 ,' ' + ' $ = 2 > * # %4$ %&%7$ > * < # > * < $ 4%22 $ #

(

19

, = " $ . ) F ) ) 1 . $ %5 3 323 . $ 323 . ( ) ) 9 =* > &*8' #=+GC / < . '=CH+ <0>$ > *

1 '

! ! ;

> B 7 C . $ $ . ) " A4&& " C

+'*8' $ " $ ' * * 9 < . # > B < " $ A32@ $

+ " ) ) )

> B ( " B " 253-76@4

$ 4&5-

( / $ ; 9 ? 0 @# - ! @

" * , ) + + > <

$ @&24 < . ( " ) $ 4&5-773A@66

- ; ! * A - ( /

) " $ * * 8 " * " * * 8 < . # > B < " $ A32@ $ > B ( " B " $ 4&5-253-76@4

/ ; " ( " / - A

. # ) * $ . -/ # ) H + > < $ @&24 < . ( " ) $ 4&5-773-A@66

- 5 , + $ $ + ' $ $

* *

$ @&@& < . ( * * )

$ ; 1 -

$ * / ; '

+' ) C 9 8 - " < " = ) 9

$ 7@3 C B . ( )

- - - ; * / ,' - ; 8*8' * * 0. $ * ) ! " + +* " ) $ * " ) , 9 < . # > B < " $ A32@

$ > B ( " B " $ 4&5-253-76@4

5

*

*8' ' ) * ) * I + $ / # < " * B B + / # " < " $ 4A3 < ) $ / # ( " $ 4&5-A77-3%&3

* , # ! $ 77@3 / / $ > *

- 1 ! ; A 5 % 6 %> ? B % C ' D * 9 @@%5 < . $ @@%5 < . ( ) $ 4&5-773-43A6

: ; : !

7*8' / / " . " " * * 7 A 8 / D + * $ @& $ / + / / "(

) " !

"8 + ) " ) "

20

Forest Park Review, June 24, 2026

Answer Book

Answer Book YOUR GUIDE TO O

2026

ONLINE & IN PRINT

OPRF Chamber of Commerce Community Guide & Membership Directory

A K PA R K A N D R I

VER FOREST

2025

Let oaK park & river forest residents know about your Forest park business!

Everything Oak Park & River Forest

2025 OAKPARK .COM

Read and referenced by thousands of local residents throughout the year, the Answer Book is filled with a host of useful listings and phone numbers, including the full Chamber of Commerce membership directory.

It also comes with loads of unusual, un-Googleable local factoids, photos and info-graphics.

Buying an ad in Answer Book will give year-round exposure to your business, heighten your name awareness and build your local brand.

ANSW ER BOO K | 13

PUBLICATION DATE:

Wednesday, August 26

AD DEADLINE:

Friday, July 31

TOTAL CIRCULATION

9,000

Reserve your space today!

Contact Lourdes Nicholls (lourdes@oakpark.com) or Emma Cullnan (emma@oakpark.com) 708-613-3330 708-613-3304