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ForestParkReview.com Vol. 103, No. 27
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REVIEW JULY 1, 2020
Fireworks complaints skyrocket PAGE 4 Block parties possible PAGE 8
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No ‘No Glove’ this year
Reopening restrictions force 2020 cancelation of 51-year tradition By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
The Park District of Forest Park’s 16-inch No Glove National Softball Tournament, around since 1969, will not be held this year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the state’s limited allowances for public gatherings. “It is with a heavy heart that we have decided to cancel this year’s 16-inch No Glove National Softball Tournament,” said the park district in a June 26 message on its website. “This is a longstanding tradition that we eagerly await every year, so the decision was not an easy one to make.” The tournament, which was awarded the Outstanding Special Event Award in January at the Illinois Parks Conference, has been a hugely popular annual event, drawing spectators and players by the thousands. Now, however, while the state of Illinois is in Phase 4 of its Restore Illinois plan, allowing more flexibility in reopening many businesses and recreation facilities, the park district staff decided that the safety of players and spectators was the most important factor. The large number of people who attend the event would make it impossible to keep everyone protected or to abide by the state’s rules. “This event draws thousands of people over those four days and in adhering to the Governor’s guidelines, we would not be able to accommodate that many people on the softball fields or in the event area,” said the park district. “We would also have severe limitations with food and refreshments in following the state’s food service guidelines.” See NO GLOVE on page 7
POWER OF POSITIVITY
Alex Rogals, Staff photographer
Rita Cassiano (left) and Gingi Lahera sit on the front porch of their home and school at 1037 Marengo Ave. in Forest Park. The founders of Arts Music Language Alliance (A.L.M.A.), they moved into town in February.
Music, language, dirt … and positive energy Arts and language school opens in town By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
Rita Cassiano and Gingi Lahera hadn’t even been in their new home, which is also their school, for a month when COVID-19 closures hit. They’d purchased the house at 1037
IN Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 THIS Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 ISSUE Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Marengo Ave. in February, excited about the space which was perfect for A.L.M.A. (Arts Language Music Alliance), including a Montessori and Reggio-Emilia based school, as well as adult and family language and music classes. They’d only been able to hold a few lessons when everything shut down. Now, with the state tentatively in Phase 4, they’re beginning to bring people into their space once more. “We’re opening the doors slowly and
carefully,” said Lahera. Pre-Covid, when Cassiano saw the listing for the house on Marengo Avenue, she felt an instant connection to the home. She immediately said, “That’s the school.” She and her partner Lahera had been teaching classes out of their condo in Oak Park but had been talking for over a decade about opening a school out of a bigger location. They weren’t actively
Sewer separation project beginning
Park district begins reopening
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See A.L.M.A. on page 9
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Forest Park Review, July 1, 2020
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Forest Park Review, July 1, 2020
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And above all, avoid clichés like the plague
ver since the pandemic began, I’ve been feeling like a bump on a log — a bump who’s in over his head. Even though I’m as fit as a fiddle, I don’t know whether to fish or cut bait. I realize we’re not out of the woods yet because I still can’t see the forest for the trees. I’d be laughing until it hurts, if it weren’t for my mask. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so the mask is no skin off my nose. I’m going bananas, though, from keeping my powder dry. I want to fly the coop so badly, but I have to hold my horses. Every morning, I get up on the wrong side of the bed, just to see that the grass is greener on the other side. I grasp at straws to make the best of a bad bargain. It goes without saying that we’re going to hell in a handbasket. I used to go to town on the weekends but now I’m on my last legs and can no longer cut the mustard. Instead of going haywire, I’m hoping to get my second wind. It gets my goat, though, when my wife tells me I’m making a mountain out of a molehill. I tell her to go fry an egg.
After all, we live in the land of milk and honey, even if we’re currently in a pickle. Just because you have a bone to pick, it doesn’t mean you can have your cake and eat it too. Although half a loaf might be better than none, we can’t continue this hand-to-mouth existence. We need to get the show on the road before the whole country goes to the dogs. We have to face the music and explore every avenue. When push comes to shove, let’s pull out all the stops. We need to knuckle down if we’re ever going to stick a fork in this pandemic. It may go against the grain but we just have to cool it. Even though this crisis is more than we bargained for, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. Keep your shirt on! We don’t actually skin cats. You can take a raincheck on raking me over the coals for threatening cats because I’ll have the last laugh. All things being equal, I’m tired of the whole kit and caboodle. Especially the caboodle. I used to be happy as a clam, now I’m hanging by a thread. I once was the big cheese. Now, I’m biding my time, while my family eats me
JOHN RICE
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L O O K
B A C K
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out of house and home. The long and short of it is I’m scared out of my wits because we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sure, misery loves company but these summer days are as slow as molasses in January. Even when it rains cats and dogs, it rubs me the wrong way. I don’t want to take the wind out of your sails because we’re holding on by the skin of our teeth. We may be bloody but we’re unbowed. We’re all keeping a stiff upper lip, though it’s hidden under our masks. Sure, these days may be as dull as dishwater but we’re going to get a handle on the pandemic. We’ll be sadder but wiser, and the sky will be the limit. We’ll no longer be packed in like sardines. We’ll be living in the lap of luxury. We’ll be laughing all the way to the bank. So be of good cheer. Remember that the bigger the coronaviruses come, the harder they fall.
■ John Rice is a columnist/private detective, who has seen his business and family thrive in Forest Park. He thoroughly enjoys life in the village and still gets a thrill smelling Red Hots, watching softball and strolling through cemeteries. Jrice1038@aol.com
F O R E S T PA R K
REVIEW Editor Maria Maxham Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Lifka Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice Senior Editor Bob Uphues Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Debbie Becker, Mark Moroney Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Front Desk Carolyn Henning, Maria Murzyn
Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-366-0600 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 EMAIL forestpark@wjinc.com ONLINE ForestParkReview.com TWITTER @FP_Review
T I M E . . .
A school once again
From 1928 to 1959 a branch of St. John’s Lutheran School ran on the south side of Forest Park at 1037 Marengo Ave., which has recently reopened as a school run by Rita Cassiano and Gingi Lahera (see cover story). The school held classes for students from Kindergarten and first grade in the basement. In its final years, Mr. Robert Schuler taught second through fourth grade on the main floor in a “one room schoolhouse,” taking turns giving lessons to each grade. Local Paul Schlicting was in the last fourth grade class at the southside school. Fifth graders at the time went to the main school, located where the St. John’s parking lot at 305 Circle Ave. is today. The 1958 fire at Our Lady of Angels school in Chicago, located at Avers Avenue and Iowa Street, took the lives of 95 people, making it the deadliest school The flagpole is one of the last remnants of the south side branch of St. John’s School, fire in American history. This event forever changed the fire code allowances which was located at 1037 Marengo Ave. The school was in operation for 31 years. and “grandfather” clauses that many schools had. Locally, St. John parish took action to change their schools and made plans to close the south side school and merge with the main school on the north side of town. The north building, a wood schoolhouse, was retrofitted with fire escapes, and students practiced escape routes for the next five years as the parish worked to construct a new and safer school to the north of the church. St. John’s School, built with brick, was dedicated in 1964.
–Jill Wagner
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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
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Forest Park Review, July 1, 2020
Southside sewer separation project to start after July 4th MWRD will cover about half the cost By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
The south end sewer separation project will begin shortly after July 4, said Village Administration Tim Gillian. During a June 22 meeting the village council voted unanimously to award the project to Swallow Construction, the lowest bidder at $3,550.474, coming in well under the village engineer’s estimate of $5,571.278.50 for the project. Seven other contractors bid on the project as well. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) will reimburse the village for 46.39 percent of the project cost. The project will separate Circle Avenue sewers on the far south end of Forest Park, said Gillian, creating a separate system for storm and waste water, thereby directing less water into the Deep Tunnel. “It will provide direct flooding relief to 160 homes,” said Gillian, “but will help all homes in the area indirectly.” He said the village would communicate with residents and businesses in close proximity to the project to ensure they understand exactly what will be happening in terms of construction and how it will affect them. During the council meeting, Commissioner Ryan Nero reminded residents that “just because these projects may not be on your block … any time we can complete these projects it’s better for all the residents.” Flooding in the village has been a concern for years, with major water backing up in residents’ basements last month after heavy rains.
Fireworks complaints skyrocket during pandemic Residents call for action against high-usage By JAMES KAY Staff Writer
Despite fireworks being outlawed in Illinois, it has become an unofficial tradition in the state for residents to shoot off contraband into the sky in the days leading up to Independence Day. However, at a time when people are stuck at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, residents in Forest Park, Oak Park, and River Forest have taken their fireworks frenzy to another level. West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch Center’s executive director, Brian Staunton, provided the number of fireworks complaints between May 25 through June 23. Based on his report, the volume of complaints has risen dramatically in 2020 compared to the past two years. In 2018, there were eight complaints in Oak Park and none in River Forest and Forest Park. In 2019, there were eight complaints in Oak Park, seven in River Forest and three in Forest Park. In 2020, there have been 68 complaints in Oak Park, 23 in River Forest and 14 in Forest Park during that time period. With fireworks coming from all over the Greater Chicagoland Area, there is difficulty in pinpointing every location where fireworks are being set off. Forest Park resident Geoff Binns-Calvey has tried to cordially stop those using fireworks but has come up empty.
“I went for a walk and saw a group of guys in Berwyn shooting off fireworks behind a McDonald’s,” said Binns-Calvey. “I told him I hadn’t called the cops and I wanted to talk to them as neighbors first. One of them showed me what he had and that it was the last big one they were going to set off. And by the time I got home, they were still at it. They had no idea that the debris was falling on the roof of the gas station.” A worker at the Shell station confirmed there wasn’t any damage to the building. However, there was one incident in Berwyn where a driver, Richard Camacho, was driving on the 2600 block of Clinton when a group of people set something off. They tried to stop him from driving by it but it ended up going off 3 feet from Camacho’s car. “It was definitely something louder and bigger than most of the loud and big ones we keep hearing,” said Camacho. “Even other neighbors came out thinking an explosion happened. The shock of it set off my car’s airbags and disabled the car. It is currently in my garage and I cannot drive it until it is repaired by the insurance.” Camacho was in his car with his children who were unharmed by the accident. His car has been impounded and it cost him $250. Outside of the physical harm possible from fireworks in the area, Forest Parker and exMarine Mike Close told Forest Park Review he knows veterans who have been impacted by the barrage of fireworks that sound similar to military explosives in combat. “If I can see the fireworks and I know they
are coming, they won’t bother me,” said Close, who served in the Marines from 1966-67 during the Vietnam War. “I would react if I heard a whistling sound; you would find me under my bed. But I belong to a group of veterans who flew spotter planes, and they are able to talk about it and understand and help each other through this.” Among those who are upset by the uptick in fireworks usage are pet owners angered by the late-night antics which are impacting their animals’ stress levels. The residents we spoke to say they have heard fireworks go off as early as 7 p.m. and as late as 3:30 a.m. “I have a shelter-adopted dog frightened to death by the fireworks,” said Oak Park resident Laura Bruzas. “We have tried meds, a thunder jacket, and everything else to help with [the dog’s] stress. It doesn’t work and you cannot plan for it. These people are terrorizing dogs by using illegal fireworks like M-80s and M-100s. It needs to stop.” Even with complaints piling up, some residents believe they aren’t doing any harm by using fireworks. “I don’t think people should spark them at 2 a.m., but with the times we are living in right now, we should be able to do this safely,” said one River Forest resident who requested anonymity. “As long as no one gets hurt, I don’t think we are doing anything wrong.” In the state of Illinois, the Pyrotechnic Use Act prohibits anyone from buying, possessing, selling or distributing fireworks. Those who violate this act can be fined $2,500 and serve up to one year in prison.
Forest Park Review, July 1, 2020
An employee working the drive-thru lane at Portillo’s, 7740 Roosevelt Rd., was ordered at gunpoint to give all the money she was holding to a man in a Dodge Charger on June 28 at 10:16 p.m. The employee said she approached the car to take payment for the driver’s order, when he pulled out a silver handgun and said, “Unclip it. Don’t try anything. I don’t care, I know security is there.” She gave him the coin mechanism she was carrying and all the cash in her possession. The employee did not know the license plate number, but confirmed it was from Illinois. Officers are reviewing red light camera footage of the Desplaines Avenue and Roosevelt Road intersection in an attempt to locate registration information.
Horrible smell raises suspicions The smell of “rotting, decomposing flesh” brought police to the 300 block of Desplaines Avenue on June 28 at 2:49 p.m. Other residents in the apartment building reported noticing the smell for four days, getting progressively worse. With no management on site with a key and the building management company’s number going to voicemail, Forest Park firefighters forced entry to the apartment. Inside, police discovered a package of raw chicken had been left on the counter in the warm apartment “and was turning grey,”
Armed robbery at Portillo’s
according to the police report. Officers left a note for the resident, and the fire department secured the door.
Battery charge issued for spitting A man well-known to the Forest Park police department for previous offenses was issued a local ordinance for battery on June 23 at 5:32 p.m. for spitting on a woman at the Harlem Avenue CTA train station at 701 Harlem Ave. According to the victim, he tapped her on the shoulder, and when she turned around he said, “B!tch, I’m trying to ask you a question,” spit on her, and left. When police questioned the offender, he said he and the woman were yelling at each other, and any spit that landed on the victim was unintentional.
Unknown suspect damages car with bat Police were called on June 24 at 11:37 p.m. because a subject was damaging a vehicle at Marengo Avenue and Dixon with a bat. According to the witness who called, the subject was wearing a white coat and hitting a red car. When officers arrived, they saw the car’s front and rear wipers were damaged, and the antenna was bent. Despite canvassing the area for the subject, they did not find him.
Expensive bicycle stolen A bicycle valued at $10,000 was stolen
from a garage between June 24 and June 25 on the 800 block of Dunlop Avenue.
Officer bit by dog An officer responded to the 1100 block of Marengo on June 26 for a possible domestic disturbance, and while there was bitten by a dog at the residence. The officer was on the sidewalk talking to the resident when someone inside the house opened the door, letting three dogs out unrestrained. All three jumped at and on the officer, and one of them bit the officer on the right forearm and right leg. The skin was not broken, but the area was red. The owner was issued a citation for unrestrained animals and was issued his portion of the Cook County dog bite card.
Snapple bottle thrown through window A Snapple bottle was thrown through a window of Doc Ryan’s, 7432 Madison St, on June 27 at 12:26 a.m. An employee of the bar waved down an officer, stating that the window had just been shattered by unknown offenders. Several patrons outside the bar said they heard the glass shatter, but they did not see the offender.
Woman harasses customers at McDonald’s A woman at McDonald’s, 410 Desplaines Ave., was harassing customers on June 27 between 8:30 and 9 p.m. Initially, she was
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harassing customers inside the store, said employees. Eventually she left but began to harass customers entering the restaurant. When told by the reporting officer to leave the location, she refused, until she was told she’d be arrested. At that point, the suspect walked past the property line and stared at the officer. But when the officer got into the squad car to leave, the woman began to walk through the McDonald’s drive-thru lane. When officers approached her, she fell to the ground and hid her hands. Officers managed to get her secured in the car, where she was issued a citation for trespassing.
Hot Wheels track, granola stolen Two packages delivered to a home on the 1100 block of Troost Ave. were opened by unknown offenders and the contents stolen on June 28. Stolen was a Hot Wheels orange plastic track, a multipack of granola, and a sound machine for sleep and relaxation. These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, June 22-28, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.
Compiled by Maria Maxham
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Forest Park Review, July 1, 2020
July 1 – 8
BIG WEEK Summer Camp at the Park District A new session of summer camp will be starting at the park district on July 13 and runs through July 24. Regular day camp hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Extended morning hours are available. Call day camp staff at 708-771-7381 or the Administrative office at 708-366-7500 for more information.
Beginner’s Yoga Online The Forest Park Public Library is hosting Forest Park Breathes, perfect for those brand new to yoga and those with a longer practice seeking more focus on alignment. This class will teach essential breath, form and movement and teach students how to interpret the signals from the body in order to achieve the practice that bests suits their needs. The series will be streamed live on the FPPL Facebook page, facebook.com/forestparkreads. You do not need a Facebook account to access the class, and the live class will be recorded for later viewing. The live class will be on July 6 from 10 to 11 a.m.
Personal Career Consultations One-on-one virtual career consultations are available through the library. Meet with Diana Munoz from Goodwill, who will help you formulate a plan and determine the best course of action to secure the best possible position for you. Contact Amilarcar at aparez@fppl.ord to register from a half-hour session.
Grown-up Game Night Online
Virtual Game Night Meetup (ages 10-12)
On Wednesday, July 8 from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m., join the Forest Park Public Library on Discord for on online game night, including board games and party games. You’ll need a Discord account (discord.com/register) to participate. Advance registration through the library is required. Visit www.fppl.orf/ events to sign up.
On July 7 from 7 to 8 p.m., middle grade students are invited to participate in the library’s virtual game day meetup. Focus will be on trying different games, like Jackbox’s Civic Doodle, as well as virtual escape rooms, trivia and more. Registration is required. Go to www.fppl.org/events/ for more information.
Phase 4 Seminars Join the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce and other chambers to discuss reopening of salons and barbershops on Thursday, July 2 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. as part of an ongoing series designed to keep you up to date on procedures and standards and what’s happening locally and at the state level. Sign up at facebook.com/ events/264353351305301/.
Virtual Hip Hop Dance Class On Thursday, July 9 from 4 to 5 p.m., get ready to move and have fun with the library during the beginner’s Hip Hop class, featuring an instructor from INTUIT Dance Studio. Register atwww.fppl.orf/events.
Forest Park Review, July 1, 2020
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Phase 4 at the park district Bathrooms, playground equipment, Roos and more By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
As Illinois has moved into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, the Park District of Forest Park is opening up some of its facilities once again. “Residents and staff have patiently awaited the move into Phase 4. With safety first and foremost in our minds, we look forward to slowly transitioning back into the swing of things,” said the park district on its website. The in-line skating rink, skate park and tennis courts opened in June, and day camp and tennis lessons began. Now the park is opening up a few more facilities and programs. Outdoor equipment can once again be used as the tape’s been removed and patrons can access playgrounds, the fitness court, and the outdoor workout equipment again. Guidelines include: • No more than 50 people on the playground at a time • Masks should be worn in the presence of others • Social distancing guidelines should be followed • Anyone feeling sick should not use the equipment The soccer field and outdoor bathrooms are also open again, and outdoor facilities and spaces can be rented to the public.
Photo provided
ROOS REOPENING: The Roos Recreation Center is reopening, with the space and equipment reorganized to ensure social distancing.
Phase 4 allows limited operation of fitness facilities, and the park district will tentatively reopen the Roos Recreation Center on July 13. Equipment will be relocated around the building to ensure social distancing guidelines are followed while providing a space for people to work out. Half of the basketball gym will be filled with cardio equipment, and the other half will be available by appointment only. Patrons can reserve a hoop, but group sizes will be limited to three and contact strictly prohibited. Guidelines at the Roos will be in place
to adhere to CDC recommendations and to keep staff and members safe. Maintaining proper social distancing, disinfecting machines and equipment, and wearing masks will be part of the protocol. “Failure to adhere to any of the guidelines set forth may result in expulsion from the facility and potential forfeiture of membership for repeat offenses,” said an announcement from the Roos Recreation Center. Questions can be directed to Andrew Doss, Roos Recreation Center coordinator, at adoss@pdofp.org or by calling the administration building at 708-366-7500.
Summer sports programming and dance classes at the park district will begin soon. More information is available on the park district’s website at www.pdofp.org/. “With each re-opening, understand that staff are taking extra measures to ensure your safety by following all social distancing, crowd size, cleaning and disinfecting guidelines set forth by the CDC,” said the park district in a memo. The park district can be reached at 708-366-7500 for more information.
NO GLOVE
Canceled by COVID from page 1 An option discussed by park staff was postponing the event until the fall. However, uncertainty about when the state will move into Phase 5, essential to hosting an event of that size, prohibits proper planning for such a large event. And changing the way the tournament is held to adhere to guidelines wasn’t an option the park district thought would truly honor the event. “This tournament has been the gold standard for 51 years,” said the message to residents, “and staff concluded that stripping the tournament of what makes it great in order to adhere to all Phase 4 guidelines would compromise the integrity of the tournament.”
File photo
NO TOURNAMENT: The park district’s annual No Glove softball tournament won’t be held in 2020 due to COVID-19 reopening restrictions.
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Forest Park Review, July 1, 2020
File photo
DETAILS COMING: Mayor Rory Hoskins said block parties, in some format, will be allowed this summer.
Block parties this summer? Mayor says he wants to ‘make it work’ By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
With summer already in full swing, albeit celebrated in smaller groups due to social distancing, residents have been wondering about block parties and whether the village will permit them. Mayor Rory Hoskins said that, at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the village balked at the idea of closing down streets and allowing large groups of people to congregate and share food. With COVID cases dropping in Illinois, however, and with the state already in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, Hoskins said he’s working on guidelines for block parties and will allow them in some fashion. The village’s concerns still revolve around keeping people safe. Block parties, by their very nature, focus on people gathering togeth-
er, along with shared food. Things that, with COVID-19 in mind, seem almost foreign these days. “We will figure out a way to make it work,” said Hoskins, who said he was reviewing Oak Park’s new guidelines and would ensure that Forest Park would have its own rules in place. Most likely, said Hoskins, no bounce houses will be allowed. Communal food will be discouraged. Masks should be worn, and disposable plates and silverware will be recommended. Hoskins said though it would be tough to enforce, he wants to make sure regular disinfecting of commonly touched surfaces would happen as well. “We’d like to see the same guidelines that apply to restaurants apply to block parties,” said Hoskins. But he added, “Residents don’t have the expertise that businesses have.” Still, he wants to offer at least the possibility of “Bike the Block,” closing off a street for kids to safely ride their bikes. Hoskins said the village will communicate guidelines to residents soon.
Village waits for renewable energy for streetlamps Discussion and vote tabled until next meeting By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
A new contract with AEP to provide electricity to the town for streetlamps is in the works, but the village council voted to table the discussion until the next meeting in order to investigate greener options. Commissioner Jessica Voogd voiced her concern about whether the option presented to the board was the greenest choice.
Administrator Tim Gillian said he’d done some research and discovered that it would be simple to add renewable energy to the contract. He said although AEP doesn’t themselves produce green energy, they can go out and buy it on the open market, purchasing credits for the number of kilowatt hours required. These credits are for power produced through solar and wind. According to Gillian, it will cost about 1/10 of a cent more per kilowatt hour for renewable energy over nonrenewable. The board unanimously voted to table the discussion until the next meeting, when more information about renewable energy and associated costs will be available.
Forest Park Review, July 1, 2020
A.L.M.A.
Grace and courtesy from page 1 looking for a new location, though, when Cassiano happened to see the house listed on Zillow. “I knew right away it was our school,” said Cassiano, who’s taught at Alcuin Montessori school for 17 years and served as the Spanish coordinator there for 11. But financially swinging it would be difficult. Still, they felt drawn to the location. While figuring out finances and logistics were important, so was imagining them in the place that seemed to call them. Cassiano created a vision board, with photos of their students and the house, something physical to look at to help focus their energy on the home they wanted, for themselves and their students. (“This belongs to the community,” said Cassiano at one point, gesturing around the space.) Cassiano talks passionately about visualization and the law of attraction. “You have it here,” she says, hand on chest. “You have it here,” she adds, gesturing in the space in front of her. Visualization of what you desire has to be something you practice regularly. “The universe brought you here to succeed,” says Cassiano, which is at the basis of the law of attraction, the driving force behind the energy you put out drawing to you the things you need. When they found out that the house had, from 1928 to 1959, been a school, it seemed even more like fate, like the house was meant to be, once again, a school. Quickly selling a condo in Oak Park and with the help of family and friends, the couple purchased the home and immediately began transforming it into the school of their dreams. It already had a huge open kitchen area, perfect for the combined language and cooking classes Cassiano plans to host, where guests can dabble in Portuguese while learning simple recipes they can recreate at home easily. The classes can be customized: vegetarian or vegan friendly options are available. And they’ll be available for kids or adults. “I teach the classes in Portuguese,” said Cassiano. “But even if you have no experience in the language, you will understand. Language isn’t just words; it’s expressions and inflections.” She gestured to her mask. “The masks make facial expressions harder to see. But the eyes express a lot too.” A huge, toothy grin was printed on Cassiano’s mask. Lahera said it’s an actual reproduction, although enlarged, of Cassiano’s mouth. They laughed about the teeth being too big, and Cassiano’s laugh and personality were contagious.
ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer
NEW BEGINNING: A.L.M.A.’s Montessori and Reggio-Emilia based school will host children for summer camp this week, with more programming planned.
It was that personality – and her singing voice – that brought Joe Farwell into her life. He is a musician who’d grown up with parents trained at Chicago’s Hull House, whose passion for the music scene was instrumental in helping Cassiano and Lahera start ALMA. “He’s my American dad,” said Cassiano. Farwell was born in Chicago and moved to Oak Park as a young child. His parents, Ralph Farwell and Eleanor Carroll Farwell, met at Hull House; Ralph played drums in a dance band, and Eleanor studied concert piano. As a child, Joseph visited Hull House regularly and performed in holiday events there. He became inspired to take up the trumpet. When he graduated from Oak Park and River Forest High School, he joined the
Chicago Musicians Union, becoming a band leader and playing in the first-ever jazz con in Oak Park. A musician friend introduced him to Cassiano, and he was quickly impressed by her Brazilian singing and her positive energy. A few years later, he met Lahera, a professional singer in the Chicago area, and he introduced them. Their relationship grew, eventually into a marriage, and their musical collaboration and creative energy inspired Farwell, reminding him of experiences he had as a child at Hull House. He helped them establish the Carroll-Farwell Institute and ALMA. This week, the couple is beginning their first week of summer camp for kids, divided into two age groups: 3 through 6, and 7 through 11. The first week of camp will be
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themed around the Brazilian Fest Junina, the annual celebration in June when the harvest is ready. Cassiano and Lahera said they plan to spend a lot of time outdoors with the campers; their property features a large front yard and an expansive and covered front deck where, said Lahera, the children can play even if it’s raining. “We live in a neighborhood with lots of big trees, but essentially it’s still a concrete jungle,” said Lahera, which inspired her and Cassiano to create an outdoor space for kids to play. Kids who come to ALMA for camp? “They’re going to get dirty,” said Lahera, who mentioned research that shows microbes in the dirt can actually enter your system and make you happy. Campers will be exposed to language as well, though the main language spoken will be English. “We think of it as a ‘culture camp,’” said Lahera, adding that they want to follow the interests of the families. One family, for example, asked if they could do a week focused on Native Americans. Another family was interested in Cuba. “Within reason, we try to focus on what the families want.” Social emotional learning is a big part of the Montessori and Reggio-Emilia based camp too. “Grace and courtesy are huge,” said Lahera, who said they work with the children to understand how to interpret others’ body language, voice fluctuations, facial expressions to see how peers are feeling. Non-violent communication is a big part of what Lahera and Cassiano teach. “It’s OK to be angry,” said Lahera. But how you express that anger and work through it is important. “Little tiny children can learn conflict resolution with peace and dignity and grace,” Lahera said. The children’s school is downstairs, in a big open space with wooden shelves and manipulatives for kids to play with. There are lots of windows and plants. In one corner is a raised area, set up at the time for musical performances. But performances of all kinds, say Lahera and Cassiano, are important for the kids. And it’s also used for the Family Band program Lahera and Cassiano run, an opportunity for families, with or without musical experience, to learn how to play music together. Cassiano and Lahera are looking forward to slowly opening up their space to more people and more classes. Setbacks happen – they had some minor flooding recently – but they believe their energy is meant to be put into the school and the community. And, says Cassiano, embracing the moment is important. “You have to live today. Tomorrow doesn’t exist.”
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Forest Park Review, July 1, 2020
Popify Pops are perfect pandemic fare Hyper-local artisan popsicles are available by porch drop and block drop By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor
and other events. They opted to try delivery on a smaller scale to bring pops to local residents. Limited delivery slots sold out quickly and Popify cannot meet current demands for their pops. Interested parties should expect to wait 2 to 3 weeks for a porch delivery. “People seem to appreciate having something fun and unexpected to enjoy during this time,” said Martin. People interested in getting in on the Popify action should follow them on Instagram and Facecbook and join their mailing list to stay up-to-date on all popsicle related news. “Flash drops” of unique or one-time only
flavors are occasionally announced for same day delivery via social media. Early in June Popify’s orange soda cream pop, made from Sprecher soda extract and vanilla ice cream allowed the creative duo to veer away from their standard pops. “Flash sales are fun because we usually sell out of pops before the window closes,” said Martin. “Flavors like the orange soda pop are too fun to resist making.” Porch drops, block drops and birthday party preorders are also popular ways to snag some of these artisan pops. You may even catch a glimpse of their whimsical pop bike
Becca Martin and her husband Russell have a love of travel and a passion for artisan ice cream. Focusing on their two small children may have curbed their wanderlust in recent years, but their affection for frozen treats was reflected in the smiles on PRETTY IN PINK: Notes of hibiscus and apple complement strawberry notes in their children’s faces each time the this Popify Tea pop (below). Popify collaborates with Rare Bird Preserves to ice cream truck rolled around. create their Blackberry-Cherry pops (right). Inspired by unique flavor combinations they experienced internationally, the duo set out to create all-natural, small-batch popsicles both adults and children would love. Martin and her husband spent the next several months in search of the “perfect popsicle.” “To help turn out a quality pop I turned my home freezer down as low as it would go,” said Martin. “Once it hit -5 degrees the freezer fan froze.” Despite a few bumps in the road, their experimentation paid off — today Popify Ice Pops boast big flavor and a limited ingredient list. Popify’s popular strawberry pop is made with nothing more than fresh strawberries, agave nectar and lemon juice. Reminiscent of a classic fudgesicle, the Salted Chocolate Pop is vegan and made of coconut milk, coco powder and salt. Martin indicates the pop is especially popular among adults who embrace a dairy-free diet. Popify collaborates with Todd and Holland Tea Merchants to make tea pops. Utilizing the Forest Park tea shop’s s loose Lavender Earl Grey Tea, Martin and her husband created a popular Arnold Palmer Pop. Additionally, the tea shop’s Strawberry Fields blend with notes of apple and hibiscus forms the base for Popify’s Pretty in Pink pop. The rosy hued pop is augmented with organic cane sugar and fresh lemon; it has become one of Popify’s signature flavors. “The pandemic has made it hard to source some ingredients,” said Martin. “Looking at tea versus fruit gave us an alternative.” Popify also collaborates with Oak Park’s Rare Bird Preserves to craft their Blackberry Cherry pops. Rare Bird connoisseurs are likely familiar with their cherry-lime preserves. Martin collects the tart cherry juice byproduct from Rare Bird and uses it as a base for their blackberry cherry pops. Popify While the business owners had visions of participating in festivals and farmers mar- Look for the Popify bike around town this summer, delivering Popify kets to grow the business, COVID-19 con- Ice Pops, such as the Arnold Palmer (above), made from tea and cerns dashed those plans and even disrupt- lemonade, which make use of loose tea from Todd and Holland Tea ed plans to bring their pops to block parties
Merchants in Forest Park
around town. “Our pops have provided a nice connection to the local community,” said Martin, “We love seeing how people react to the them. Kids wait on the porch for their delivery and people honk and wave when I ride the pop bike around town.” While the Martins have been shelteringin-place they are eager to expand their reach in Oak Park and get their wait times down. Most importantly they are committed to bringing their popsicles to people on hot summer days.
Forest Park Review, July 1, 2020
Village removed 11 trees in June, another dozen scheduled for July
Eleven trees have been taken down in Forest Park since June 7, and another dozen or so have been marked and are scheduled for removal in July, according to Public Works Director John Doss. Tree removal began in earnest after early June storms and wind took down several around the area. Most of the trees that fall, said Doss, are silver maples or lindens, and Maria Maxham he explained that it’s difficult to know a tree TRIMMING: Forest Park’s public works department is making is sick or dying until sure dead branches are trimmed from trees around town. it falls and you can see with owner Bob Davis, with whom he conthat the inside is rotting or hollow. “Sometimes there’s no evidence any- sults regularly. “Bob has told me that if we took down evthing’s wrong until the tree falls,” Doss said. The village, said Doss, works with Davis ery tree with a hole or dead branches, we’d Tree Removal, a Forest Park company that have no trees left in town,” said Doss. So the has assisted Forest Park with tree removal village trims dead branches and keeps an and other tree-related services for years. eye on trees that residents call in about. Doss said he has a long-time relationship Maria Maxham
File photo
OPEN AGAIN: Veterans Park and Reiger Park, two of the village-owned pocket parks, have reopened, with the rest expected to open this week.
Village opens pocket parks
The village of Forest Park announced it has reopened Reiger Park (Circle Avenue and 16th Street) and Veterans Park (Circle Avenue and Lehmer Street), two of the village-owned pocket parks around town. The remainder of the parks, said the village, should open within the next several days. Park-goers are reminded that Phase 4 state guidelines of no more than 50 people in one place at one time apply to each playground.
Visitors are asked to practice social distancing and to use masks when necessary. Additionally, the village will not be cleaning or disinfecting outdoor exercise equipment, playgrounds, picnic tables, benches, garbage cans, water fountains or other frequently touched surfaces. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should not use the playgrounds.
Maria Maxham
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Forest Park Review, July 1, 2020
Rethinking Gaetano’s BIG CHANGES: The front of the house at Gaetano’s will feature a salt cave for dry aging prime meats that can be cut to order in the new gourmet meat market. Melissa Elsmo
Longtime Forest Park restaurant transforming into a gourmet Italian market By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor
“I think we should expect a second wave of the virus,” said Chef Gaetano Di Benedetto matter-of-factly. “I hope not. I understand restaurants are hungry, but it is most likely going to happen.” Di Benedetto acknowledges his fine dining restaurant was doing a fairly robust carryout business, but two issues plagued the meticulous chef. “My food is made to go from the kitchen to the customer,” said Di Benedetto. “A car ride is worse than a slow server.” More important than carry-out concerns, Di Benedetto had very realistic concerns about COVID-19. The majority of Gaetano’s regular customers are between 40 and 95 years old and part of the high-risk demographic. “I have a 17-year relationship with these
people,” said Di Benedetto. “They are like family to me and I would prefer they stay home and stay safe.” Di Benedetto admitted he felt as if his career had all but disappeared in the midst of the pandemic. Interaction and education are key ingredients in his cuisine; sharing a piece of history or a cooking method as people enjoyed a dish that was missing from his carry-out business. “When this situation took out the creativity and interaction from my cooking, I was left with something that felt cold,” said Di Benedetto. “And then I’d put food in a plastic container. People were supportive of the business, but it wasn’t the same.” Faced with viral resurgence worries, concern for vulnerable customers and an uninspiring carryout business, Di Benedetto acted swiftly. He shuttered his namesake restaurant and began reimagining his culinary future. The chef settled on transforming his fine dining restaurant into a gourmet food market that blends his love of cooking and science. Local Italian food connoisseurs should expect Chef Gaetano’s Artisan Foods to make its initial debut in the next month and gradually expand over time. The gourmet food market will maintain the coveted Italian Q
certification indicating quality and authenticity. The market will be divided into two distinct sections. The back of the shop will be a devoted USDA inspected meat production facility. Meats, sausages, salamis, and assorted charcuterie produced in the space will be sold in the front of house market and used for distribution to other markets. Di Benedetto has also been researching vegan meat production for several years and will produce those items on site as well. “Pork is referred to as the meat with one hundred different flavors so salami making is about finding the harmony of meat flavors.” said Di Benedetto. “My vegan meats and cheeses are more scientific, and this space will be a launching place for all these products.” The front of the house will feature a salt cave for dry aging prime meats that can be cut to order in the gourmet meat market. Counter service will include house made pastas and sauces. An assortment of artisan cheeses from Italy, Spain, France, and the United States will complement an array of house made spreadable cheeses, cheese mousses and pates. A bakery will flank the counter service area where Di Benedetto intends to offer focaccia and his signature pizza. The pizza
dough, made from organic ancient grains, will go through a 50-hour fermentation process to develop complex flavor and an airy texture before baking in a new state-ofthe-art pizza oven. Pizzas can be cooked to completion on site, but customers will be encouraged to purchase par cooked pizza and finish baking it at home. “Our pizza will be a hybrid between a Roman Pinsa and a Sicilian pizza,” said Di Benedetto. “The dual cooking method allows the dough cook at a low temperature before crisping it up at high temperature at home. That way it will be perfect every time.” Additionally, the front of the house market will feature a wine shop and Di Benedetto’s line of house made liquors like limoncello, pistachio-cello, and coffee-cello. Di Benedetto envisions a colorful graband-go market and intends to keep his staff small at the outset; he is working to employ people affiliated with Housing Forward, the non-profit focused on housing issues. “Finally, this will be a combination of all my 43 years of experience,” said Di Benedetto. “It’s cooking plus science and I feel inspired again.” The bakery section, including pizzas, will be the first section of Chef Gaetano’s Artisan Foods to open in the coming weeks.
Forest Park Review, July 1, 2020
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Mall shoppers greeted by beefed up security In wake of violence, police presence up inside and outside shopping center By BOB UPHUES Editor
When shoppers arrived at North Riverside Park Mall on the evening of Friday, June 26, they were greeted by a very visible police presence that included North Riverside Police vehicles outside each entrance on the east side of the shopping center and a patrol vehicle, with its lights flashing, at the 25th Street entrance. Inside the shopping center, mall security and armed off-duty police officers working for a third-party security firm, made themselves visible at entry doors, the food court and the central court of the mall’s common area. The police presence was in direct response to violence at the shopping center the week prior, which included three fights during the week and a shooting on June 21 that left one man wounded. “We’ve got a cooperative plan in place for keeping the property safe,” said the mall’s general manager, Harvey Ahitow, in a phone interview Friday. “Hopefully it’s more successful.” Mall and village officials, including police leaders, met last Thursday to discuss those security plans. Mayor Hubert Hermanek Jr. said he also wanted to emphasize the village’s concerns. “It was a very frank meeting,” Hermanek said. “I told [Ahitow] about the concerns of the residents and the village.” The short-term solution was beefi ng up security and police presence inside and outside the mall. At least three North Riverside patrol vehicles could be seen driving slowly around the mall’s parking lots all weekend, with unoccupied police squad cars parked outside entrances on the east side. “”We’re working on a plan with the North Riverside
File photo
Police Department of them giving us more coverage than they normally do,” Ahitow said. “They will absolutely be more present on the property.” According to North Riverside Police Chief Carlos Garcia, aside from a couple of incidents, it was a quiet week at the mall even though the shopping center was quite busy and filled with shoppers. “I think with all of the security that was there, it made people feel more at ease,” Garcia said. “We just want to make it a safe environment there.” North Riverside police responded to one fight inside the mall on June 27 at about 4:15 p.m., where four teens said they were targeted by another group who started the fight. No one was hurt or arrested. Hermanek indicated that village and mall officials discussed using metal detectors, but that it was rejected as not feasible. Hermanek also suggested limiting points of entry, and that appears to have been taken to heart at least partially. For example, signs on the doors to the upper-level entrance of J.C. Penney directed shoppers to the common mall entry doors north of the store, near where a North Riverside police vehicle was parked. “It may deter these kids from coming in and may deter them from doing anything,” Hermanek said of the police presence, adding that the village also requested the mall begin enforcing its youth escort policy earlier in the day on weekends. Garcia said police are still investigating the June 21 shooting, which happened in the common rear area of the mall on the lower level near J.C. Penney. The victim, who survived, and two witnesses, however, were uncooperative when police tried to interview them. “We’re still reviewing video,” Garcia said. “It’s a work in progress.” Also still under investigation is the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old man outside Olive Garden on the mall property on May 31 while the then-closed shopping center was being cleared of looters. Police believe that in both shootings the victims were targeted and that they were gang-related. It’s unclear whether the two shootings are connected.
Ernest Hemingway Foundation
Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Home in Oak Park.
Work from Hemingway’s kicks off with NPR host Peter Sagal By MICHELLE DYBAL Arts Editor
A new member benefit, offered to those at the Society level, emulates what Ernest Hemingway, the Pulitzer Prize winning American writer, did himself and is an answer to those feeling stir crazy with libraries and many office spaces still closed – Work From Hemingway’s at the Birthplace Home in Oak Park. Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me host, Peter Sagal gave it a try on Monday, June 22. Sagal’s radio show is a current event quiz show with celebrity guests. It airs on NPR, WBEZ locally, Saturdays, 10 a.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m. For those who sleep in on the weekends, there is a podcast of the episodes. According to the Ernest Hemingway Foundation, which runs the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Home, the great American author worked from his living room, bedroom, dining room and loft space. His first novel, The Sun Also Rises, was written in 1926 while Hemingway was quarantined on the French Riviera in a two-bedroom home because his young son had whooping cough. Also on lockdown with Ernest – his wife and mistress. Those wanting to work like Hemingway (sans the multiple love interests), or Sagal, can purchase a Society Membership, then schedule a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday to work in the home, 339 N. Oak Park Ave., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Only one person is allowed to work each day and a number of work areas are offered. There is also free wi-fi. Four different Society level memberships, ranging from $250 to $1,500, qualify for this member benefit. The Birthplace Home is currently closed to in-person tours on Work From Hemingway’s days, so there is limited contact with others while at the home. The Foundation has continued regular live tours virtually. More: hemingwaybirthplace.com/work-from-hemingways
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Forest Park Review, July 1, 2020
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OPINION O U R
F
V I E W
Finances grim at village hall
orest Park’s COVID-19-fueled financial hole is deep. For the new fiscal year the village is budgeting to lose $3.2 million in its general fund. Village Administrator Tim Gillian told the village council in a meeting last week that Forest Park does not have an expense problem; rather, it has an income problem. The pandemic has shattered revenue flows from delays in collecting property taxes, to declines in the share of state income taxes flowing to the village, to the loss of parking fees and ticket fees. It’s brutal, and the news of the past week of the pandemic’s reach expanding into new parts of the country even as Forest Park and Illinois reopen is scary. Will our reopening hold? Too soon to know. Mayor Rory Hoskins expressed cautious optimism that a long, slow climb in collecting revenues might be at hand. Hope he’s right. Again, too soon to know. The village government, always walking a financial tightrope, has cut costs as possible. Unions have provided delays in pay hikes. But cost increases for negotiated salaries, for ever-rising pension obligations are daunting. If the COVID clouds don’t begin to lift, seriously hard decisions are ahead. We have confidence in the village’s leadership. We don’t have confidence that we’ve seen the worst of this pandemic’s financial reach.
Time’s up at Altenheim Great news, if sad, that the demolition of derelict buildings on the village-owned Altenheim property may be imminent. Village government anticipates receiving the years-overdue $750,000 state grant to fund much of the demolition. It could come this week. Bids for demolition contracts would follow. Will be tough to watch the wreck of the old Altenheim chapel come down, but its loss is inevitable and overdue. Also overdue — and yes, we know there is a pandemic — is any sort of planning for the future of this property. The village is almost done paying off the note on its visionary purchase of the Altenheim property. That was 19 years ago! What’s the plan? Our worry is that, without a solid plan to use at least 70 percent of the property for the civic good, the dismal finances of the village could lead us back to talk of selling it off entirely for development. It was that turn-ofthe-century possibility that led the village to leap into purchasing the property. So sure, everyone is stretched in village government. But that shouldn’t preclude launching a citizen-driven planning process. We know people are interested. We’ve talked to them. The village council needs to offer some broad scope of direction — sell the Madison Street facing portion of the property for sales-tax-generating development, maintain the rest of the property for public use to be determined. (Cultural Park?) And then it should step back and oversee a process that has a firm deadline.
S
Dr. King’s words resonate on July 4
aturday is set aside as a national holiday to celebrate and appreciate the freedom we enjoy as Americans, yet the Black Lives Matter protests following George Floyd’s murder are trying to tell us that some in this society have less freedom than others. Seeking wisdom on the race issue, I always turn first to Martin Luther King Jr. The rest of this column consists mainly of his words. I will let them speak for themselves regarding our present situation. (All quotes from A Testament of Hope, The Essential Writings of Martin Luther King Jr.)
Longing for freedom The determination of Negro Americans to win freedom from every form of oppression springs the same profound longing for freedom that motivates oppressed peoples all over the world. (Nonviolence and Racial Justice, p. 7) Our goal is freedom. … We are simply seeking to bring into full realization the American dream-a dream yet unfulfilled. (An Address Before the National Press Club 1962, p. 105)
The extent of the problem Many white people joined our struggle yet the largest portion of white America is still poisoned by racism. (A Testament of Hope, p. 316) Everyone underestimated the amount of violence and rage Negroes were suppressing and the vast amount of bigotry the white majority was disguising. They are the product of this period of identity crisis and directionless confusion. (ATH, p. 317) Why is the issue of equality still so far from solution in America, a nation that professes itself to be democratic, inventive, hospitable to new ideas, rich, productive and awesomely powerful? (ATH, p. 314) The problem is so tenacious because despite its virtues and attributes, America is deeply racist and its democracy flawed, both economically and socially. All too many Americans believe justice will unfold painlessly or that its absence for black people will be tolerated tranquilly. White America must recognize that justice for black people cannot be achieved without radical changes in the structure of our society. (ATH, p. 314) If we look honestly at the realities of our national life, it is clear that we are not marching forward; we are groping and stumbling; we are divided and confused. Our moral values and our spiritual confidence sink, even as our material wealth ascends. (ATH, p. 315) [The black revolution] is forcing America to face all its interrelated flaws — racism, poverty, militarism and materialism … evils that are rooted deeply in the whole structure of our society. (ATH, p. 315)
Whites To this day, black Americans have not life, liberty nor the privilege of pursuing happiness, and millions of poor white Americans are in economic bondage that is scarcely less oppressive. (ATH, p. 315) But many white people in the past joined our movement with a kind of messianic faith that they were going save the Negro and solve all his problems quickly … which is especially true of students. (ATH, p. 316)
How to wage the struggle Even a superficial look at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of dedicated individuals. (An Address Before the National Press Club, 1962) Privileged groups rarely give up their privileges without strong resistance. (Nonviolence and Racial Justice 1962, p. 7) Hence the basic question which confronts the world’s oppressed is: How is the struggle against the forces of injustice to be waged? (NRJ, p. 7) Five points can be made concerning nonviolence as a method in bringing about better racial conditions: First, this is not a method for cowards; it does resist. This method … is nonaggressive physically but dynamically aggressive spiritually. A second point is that nonviolent resistance does not seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent, but to win his friendship and understanding. A third characteristic of this method is that the attack is directed against forces of evil rather than against persons who are caught in the forces. A fourth point … is that it avoids not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. At the center of nonviolence stands the principle of love. In struggling for human dignity the oppressed people of the world must not allow themselves to become bitter or indulge in hate campaigns. … Along the way of life, someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate. Fifth, the method of nonviolence is based on the conviction that the universe is on the side of justice. It is this deep faith in the future that causes the nonviolent resister to accept suffering without retaliation. He knows that in his struggle for justice he has cosmic companionship. (NRJ, p. 7-9)
Optimism But the sullen and silent slave of 110 years ago, an object of scorn at worst or of pity at best, is today’s angry man. He is vibrantly on the move; he is forcing change, rather than waiting for it in pathetic futility. In less than two decades, he has roared out of slumber to change so many of his life’s conditions that he may yet find the means to accelerate his march forward and overtaking the racing locomotive of history. (ATH, p. 313) These words have an unexpectedly optimistic ring at a time when pessimism is the prevailing mood. (ATH, p. 314)) While it is a bitter fact that in America in 1968, I am denied equality solely because I am black, yet I am not a chattel slave. Millions of people have fought thousands of battles to enlarge my freedom; restricted as it still is, progress has been made. This is why I remain an optimist, though I am also a realist, about the barriers before us. (ATH, p. 314) A Testament of Hope was published after Dr. King’s death in 1968, so how can his words sound so relevant even after half a century? Many things have changed. Much has not. Some react with anger. Others respond with determination. Still others with resignation. The title is not “A Testament of Optimism,” not “A Testament of Pessimism,” but “A Testament of Hope.” Hope is not propelled by the reinforcement of success. Rather it is pulled into the future by a vision of what could and should be.
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River Forest Public Schools District 90 Student Support Services - Vacancies for the 2020-2021 School Year 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. District 90 is seeking qualified and experienced student support educators for the following positions: • Special Education Support Teacher (Willard Elementary School) • Special Education Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Coordinator (All D90 Schools) • Speech and Language Pathologist (Roosevelt Middle School)
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.
River Forest D90 has an opening for a 2nd Grade Teacher for Willard Elementary School. Qualifications: Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with Elementary Grade School Endorsement. Successful Teaching Experience is preferred. A Master’s Degree is preferred. Job Duties: The teacher will be responsible for teaching the curriculum and working cooperatively with colleagues including: grade level teammates, the Student Services Team, other faculty and support staff. The teacher will be responsible for building relationships with students, supervising and managing the class, effectively teaching the curriculum to meet the individual needs of students, evaluating individual student’s progress, and communicating progress with children and parents. 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. HAPPY KIDD’S WEST INC. 6928 W 16th St Berwyn, IL 60513 We are seeking a Director and 2 teachers. Director must be qualified and have Associate’s degree or equivalent. Teachers must be director or teacher qualified. Mon. thru Fri. working with Infants to 6 yrs old. Compensable salary negotiable based on experience. Call 773-619-5545 or fax resume to 773-728-5437. BILINGUAL (SPANISH/ENGLISH) CASE MANAGER The Proviso Public Partnership,nfp is looking for a Bilingual (Spanish-English) Case Manager. Duties and qualifications include: • Ability to complete screenings via phone and telehealth • Part-time position - 20 hours/ week- $15-$20 per hour based on experience • Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology or other related field • Computer Literacy For more details about the job, please email admin@pppnfp.org
Application Developer sought by US Bank Nat’l Assoc in Chicago, IL to design, test & develop SW. Req Master’s/CS or rltd tech field & 3 yrs dev’ing & implmnt’ing appls; or Bach/CS or rltd tech field & 5 yrs dev’ing & implmnt’ing appls. Must have 3 yrs (w/ Master’s) or 5 yrs (w/ Bach) w/ C#, VB.Net, ASP.Net, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, MVC, jQuery, jQuery UI, Angular, Knockout, Bootstrap, Visual Studio, code versioning tools, TFS, SQL & MySQL. Apply online www.usbank.com.
CITY RENTALS Augusta & Kildare: PERFECT FOR SENIORS A gorgeous 2nd flr.studio apt. kitchen, dining room and large walk-in closet, hardwood floors, in a beautifully landscaped & well maintained building, quite, safe & secure, rent 625.00 incl. heat, appliances, and laundry room, for more information call 773-838-8471
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SUBURBAN RENTALS OAK PARK: ROOSEVELT/ OAK PARK AVE. CORRIDOR 2BR 4RMS close to blue line. On site laundry, parking, heat & water incl. $1200/ month 708-383-9223
ROOMS FOR RENT AUSTIN CLEAN ROOM With fridge, micro. Nr Oak Park, Super Walmart, Food 4 Less, bus, & Metra. $116/wk and up. 773-637-5957
OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT THERAPY OFFICES FOR RENT Therapy offices for rent in north Oak Park. Rehabbed building. Nicely furnished. Flexible leasing. Free parking. Free wifi; Secure building; Friendly colleagues providing referrals. Shared waiting room; optional Conference. Call or email with questions. Shown on Sundays. Lee 708.383.0729 drlmadden@ameritech.net
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ITEMS FOR SALE BUMPER POOL TABLE $29.00 708-488-8755 LENOX CHINA 5 piece place settings Lenox china, Tuxedo pattern IRISH CARDIGAN Men’s size large. WATERFORD GLASSES Colleen pattern, 2 water goblets, 2 wine glasses, 5 double old-fashioned glasses 708-386-6160 LYON & HEALY MUSIC CABINET Doors slide vertically. LP and music storage. Black. 708-488-8755
ITEMS TO BE GIVEN AWAY HOSPITAL BED We will deliver. 708-485-0929
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
AUTO FOR SALE 1991 VOLVO 740 123k miles. $1000. 708-485-4036
Find the best employees with Wednesday Classified! Call 708-613-3342.
NOVENAS NEVER FAIL NOVENA May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, adored and glorified throughout the world, now and for-ever. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put my trust in you. Holy Mary Mother of Jesus, pray for me. St. Theresa child of Jesus, pray for me. St. Jude, helper of hopeless causes, pray for me and grant this favor I ask. Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days .R.B PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (NEVER KNOWN TO FAIL) Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and publish; your request will be granted. R.B. PRAYER TO ST. JUDE May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days. By the 8th day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail .Publication must be promised. Thank you Jesus. Thank You St . Jude. R.B.
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Forest Park Review, July 1, 2020
FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.
New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured. Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com
HANDYMAN CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair
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PUBLIC NOTICES OAK PARK TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF RESCHEDULED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the legal voters, residents of the Township of Oak Park, County of Cook, and State of Illinois, that the Annual Town Meeting of said Township, will take place in the Township of Oak Park, at the hour of 6:30 p.m., on Tuesday, JULY 21, 2020, for the transaction of the business of the Township; and a Moderator having been elected, will proceed to hear and consider reports of officers, and decide on such measures as may, in pursuance of law, come before the meeting, following this agenda: I. C all to Order II. P ledge of Allegiance III. P rocedures for Meeting IV. S upervisor’s Annual Financial Statements V. T ownship Year In Review VI. E lection of Moderator VII. R esolutions to Come Before the Electors
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PUBLIC NOTICES
STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division. In re the marriage of Dashira Marit Contreras, Petitioner and Raul Berrios, Respondent, Case No. 20 D 003191. 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, Dashira Marit Contreras, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending. 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 15, 2020, 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. DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk. Published in Wednesday Journal 6/17, 24, 7/1/2020
VIII. Adjournment This action was necessitated by the Executive Order of the Governor of the State of Illinois, suspending large meetings due to the COVID19 .Pandemic, which caused postponement of the original April 14, 2020 Meeting date. All interested citizens, groups, senior citizens and organizations representing the interests of senior citizens are encouraged to attend. PLEASE NOTE: BY ORDER OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK, MEETING CAPACITY IS LIMITED TO 50 PERSONS ON A FIRST COME BASIS. PLEASE HAVE YOUR VOTER ID CARD WITH YOU IF YOU INTEND TO VOTE ON ANY OF THE RESOLUTIONS. 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 24th day of June, 2020. Gregory P. White Oak Park Township Clerk Published in Wednesday Journal 07/01/2020
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given by the Board of Education of Riverside Brookfield High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois, that a tentative budget for said school district for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020, will be on file and conveniently available at the school district’s administrative offices at Riverside Brookfield High School District 208, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, Illinois, from and after 8:00 a.m. on July 1, 2020. Notice is hereby given that a public hearing on said tentative budget will be held at 7:00 p.m. on September 8, 2020, at Riverside Brookfield High School District 208, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, Illinois. Published in RB Landmark 07/01/2020
PUBLIC NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICE LAW OFFICE OF LINDA EPSTEIN Attorney for Petitioner 722 W. Diversey Parkway Ste. 101B Chicago, IL 60614
LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park –Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302– will receive electronic proposals until 1:00 p.m. on Thursday July 16, 2020 for Project: 20-6, PAVEMENT PRESERVATION. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, the improvements will require the following construction: Asphalt surface patching, Fiber modified crackfilling, microsurfacing, thermoplastic pavement marking, alley patching, and all appurtenant work thereto. The work will take place in various locations throughout the Village of Oak Park. Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Thursday July 2nd, at 4:00 p.m. Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www.oak-park.us/yourgovernment/budget-purchasing/ requests-proposals or at www. questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 7176424 for a non-refundable charge of $30.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening. All prospective bidders must prove they are pre-qualified by the Illinois Department of Transportation by providing a certificate of eligibility to the Engineering Division at which time a password will be issued for access to the online bid documents. The work to be performed pursuant to this Proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq. THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer Published in Wednesday Journal July 1, 2020
LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park –Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302– will receive electronic proposals until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday July 16, 2020 for Project: 20-3, SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, this contract includes sidewalk angle-cutting, removal and replacement of public sidewalk, combination curb and gutter, driveways, and PCC base course; pavement adjacent to curbs, adjustment of drainage structures, buffalo boxes and all appurtenant work thereto. Sidewalk sequencing during the work and adherence to the completion date is of emphasis for this project as outlined in the plans and proposal forms. Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Thursday July 2nd, at 4:00 p.m. Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www.oak-park.us/yourgovernment/budget-purchasing/ requests-proposals or at www. questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 7171114 for a non-refundable charge of $30.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening. All prospective bidders must prove they are pre-qualified by the Illinois Department of Transportation by providing a certificate of eligibility to the Engineering Division at which time a password will be issued for access to the online bid documents. This project is financed with local Village funds and federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and thus is subject to all federal rules, regulations and guidelines, including DavisBacon and Related Acts, Section 3, and Equal Opportunity requirements. Locally funded phases of the project are subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq. THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer Published in Wednesday Journal July 1, 2020
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777. Wednesday Journal Forest Park Review Riverside Brookfield Landmark
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Monday 20 July 2020, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, the Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct a public hearing to consider a request for a Site Plan Approval and Conditional Use for drive through facilities per Section 9-4A-2 of the Village Zoning Code in the B-2 (Community Shopping District) on the following described property: LOT 4 (EXCEPT THE NORTH 9 FEET THEREOF) AND LOT 5 (EXCEPT THAT PART OF LOT 5 DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID LOT 5 IN BLOCK 13 IN RAILROAD ADDITION TO HARLEM: THENCE ON AN ASSUMED BEARING OF NORTH 00 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 00 SECONDS WEST ALONG THE EAST LINE OF SAID LOT 5, A DISTANCE OF 4.50 FEET TO A POINT, THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 39 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST ALONG A LINE PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID LOT 5, A DISTANCE OF 3.00 FEET TO A POINT; THENCE SOUTH 41 DEGREES 46 MINUTES 53 SECONDS WEST 6.00 TO A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID LOT 5; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 39 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID LOT 5 A DISTANCE OF 7.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING) IN BLOCK 13 AND EXCEPT THAT PART CONDEMNED FOR STREET IN CASE NUMBER 96’50690 IN RAILROAD ADDITION TO HARLEM IN THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 12, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Commonly known as 161 South Harlem, Forest Park, Illinois. PIN(s): 15-12-421-011-0000, 1512-421-012-0000 The applicant is Ampler Development Signed: Kerry McBride, Acting Chair Zoning Board of Appeals
Published in Forest Park Review 07/01/2020
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, AS TRUSTEE FOR NORMANDY MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2016-1 Plaintiff, -v.LATANIA LOVE A/K/A LATANIA R LOVE, A/K/A LA TANIA LOVE, KENNETH LOVE A/K/A KENNETH R LOVE, MIDLAND FUNDING LLC, LAKEDRA LOVE A/K/A LAKEDRA GARDLEY-LOVE, A/K/A LAKEDRA C. GARDLEY, A/K/A LAKEDRA C. LOVE Defendants 13 CH 07379 933 ELGIN AVENUE FOREST PARK, IL 60130 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 10, 2018, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on July 10, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 933 ELGIN AVENUE, FOREST PARK, IL 60130 Property Index No. 15-13-414-0290000 The real estate is improved with a orange brick one story single family home with a two car detached garage.
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE PROPOSED APPROPRIATION FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AND OF HOLDING A PUBLIC HEARING THEREIN Notice is hereby given that copies of the Proposed Appropriation for the Village of North Riverside for the Fiscal Year commencing May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021 are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Village Commons, 2401 South DesPlaines Avenue, North Riverside, Illinois or on the Village’s website at: www. northriverside-il.org. Notice is hereby given that a Public Appropriation Hearing shall be held by the Mayor and the Board of Trustees for the Village of North Riverside: Date: Monday, July 13, 2020 Time: 6:00 PM Place Village Commons 2401 South DesPlaines Avenue North Riverside, Illinois All interested persons may attend the meeting and shall have the right to present oral and written comments and suggestions regarding the proposed appropriation. After the public hearing and before final action is taken on the proposed annual appropriation ordinance, the Mayor and Board of Trustees may revise, alter, increase, or decrease any line item contained in the proposed annual appropriation ordinance. Final action on the proposed annual appropriation ordinance will occur on July 27, 2020. KATHY RANIERI VILLAGE CLERK NORTH RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS Published in RB Landmark 07/01/2020
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and 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
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 7865 Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 13 CH 07379 TJSC#: 40-1775 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 # 13 CH 07379 I3151648 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR HIS ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2007OPT1, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-OPT1; Plaintiff, vs. CHARLES T. GRANT; JUANITA J. GRANT AKA JUANITA LACOURT; PRAIRIE PLACE AT 6436 ROOSEVELT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 14415 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Thursday, July 23, 2020 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-18-428-043-1019 & 16-18428-043-1064. Commonly known as 6436 Roosevelt Road, Unit 311, Oak Park, IL 60304. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g) (4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 3609455. W18-0641 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3151594
Forest Park Review, July 1, 2020
INC., REALTOR
19
(708) 366-8989 7342 MADISON ST, FOREST PARK, ILLINOIS 60130
611 CIRCLE AVENUE, FOREST PARK. LIST PRICE $479,000 THIS TRUE BRICK AMERICAN 4 SQUARE has been well loved over the years. After walking across the expansive front porch you walk into an updated beauty. To the left is the home's original parlor area. Across the hall, behind the oak handrail with iron spindles, is the formal dining room. The dining room opens up to an eating area/kitchen combination. High end cabinetry in both eating area and open kitchen provides ample storage. All stainless steel appliances stay. In the rear of the house is a huge family room and a full bathroom, one of three full baths! Upstairs you will find two graciously sized bedrooms, master suite, and two full bathrooms. The bedroom in the front of the house has an additional tandem space opened up to the bedroom area that ties in either as a study or room for an additional bed. This bedroom alone has room for three twin beds. The second bedroom itself is either a kids dream room or another room large enough for two beds. Across the hall is the second full bathroom. In the rear of the house is an enormous master with en suite bathroom. The master has a tandem room which was used as a nursery or could easily be converted into a marvelous walk in closet! The basement is unfinished and awaiting someone's finishing touches. 935 Elgin Avenue, Forest Park. List Price $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.
1117 Marengo Avenue, Forest Park List Price $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!
337 Marengo Avenue, Forest Park List Price $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!
WE ARE BACK! REOPENING DAY, JUNE 29TH, 2020 • Our facilities will reopen with limited hours and at 50% capacity. • Temperatures will be taken when entering our facilities. • Face coverings must be worn when entering and in common areas. Not required when working out but encouraged. • Members are required to wipe down the machines after each use. • Everyone is expected to practice social distancing and wash hands frequently.
Due to the closure of the facilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Executive Director Mark Flores has extended all current memberships an additional 4 months.
Any question regarding procedures or weight room use, please call us or email us at Mempark@msn.com We thank in advance for your cooperation as we enter Phase 4 Guidelines for re-opening our facilities. Thank You & Stay Safe • Memorial Park District
Eisenhower Community Center, Hillside Front Desk (708) 547-3900 x4 Monday –Friday 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. No weekend hours
Sharp Community Center, Melrose Park Front Desk (708) 547-3936 x4 Monday – Friday: 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M No weekend hours
The Center at Stevenson Park, Bellwood
Front Desk (708) 547-5400 x4 Monday – Thursday: 5:00 A.M. to 7:30 A.M. Seniors + (55 & up) Monday – Thursday: 7:30 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Friday: Open (see Mon.-Thurs.)- Closes at 5:00 P.M. Saturday: 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Sunday: Closed
Forest Park Review, July 1, 2020
Win e
20
er Center p Su
Lite, Coors or Bud 24 Pack
12 New Hours!
Mon. - Thurs. 10:00 - 8:00 Fri. & Sat. 10:00 - 9:00 Sunday 10:00 - 6:00
7714 W. Madison, Forest Park 708-366-2500
105 E. Roosevelt Rd., Lombard 630-629-3330
On Sale July 1st thru July 7th, 2020 Right reserved to limit quantities and correct errors.
After Instant Savings Must Buy 2 - Mix or Match Bacardi Rum
Superior or Gold Sale Price $16.99
11
99 1.75L
Dewar’s
“White Label”
Scotch
99
Bud Light or Truly Seltzers
10
99 12 PK
PLUS Get a Bag of Chips for 1¢
E) (ALL ITEMS ABOV
Don Q Rum
Cristal or Gold
11
99 1.75 L
PLUS Get a 2 Liter of Coke for 1¢
Casamigos Blanco Tequila
29
19
1.75L
Bombay Sapphire Gin
Sale Price $26.99
99 750ml
21
99 1.75L
Grey Goose Vodka
Sale Price $49.99
44
99 1.75L
Apothic Wines
Assorted Types
6
Beck’s Beers
9
Goose Island
12 PK
15 Pack Cans
9
Mike’s
Hard Lemonade
11 12 99 99
99 750ml
99
Michelob ULTRA
12 PK
Stella Artois Pabst
Blue Moon 12 Pack Bottles
99
12 Pack PLUS Get a Bag of Chips for 1¢
12 PK
Blue Ribbon Beer
10 99
(PABST ONLY)
6
99
PLUS Get a Bag of Chips for 1¢
E) (ALL ITEMS ABOV
30 PK
LIQUOR SPECIALS Crown Chi-Chi’s Royal
Ready to Drink Cocktails ..1.75 L 8.99 Distillery No 209 Gin..........Compare to $29.99 750ml 12.99
Luksusowa
Vodka from Poland ...... 1.75 L 13.99
Evan William’s
Bourbon ...................... 1.75 L 19.99
Burnett’s
Vodka .......................... 1.75 L 10.99 After $2.00 instant rebate
The Pogues
Sale Price $24.99
99
HOLIDAY BEER BUYS!
Irish Whiskey ............ 750ml 21.99
Glenlivet
Founder’s Reserve
Scotch .......Regularly $56.99 1.75 L 39.99
Whisky
Original Only
19
99 750ml
Courvoisier V.S. Cognac
44
99 1.75 L
HOLIDAY WINE SPECIALS!
Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve
Chardonnay 2017
8
99 750ml
LOWEST PRICE N! IN TOW
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling 2018
4
99 750ml
SUMMER “BLOW-OUT” WINES SPECIALS - WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
Columbia
Angry Bunch
Reve de la Mer
Regularly $11.99
Regularly $16.99
Regularly $19.99
Chardonnay 2016..... 5.99 12 for $48
Lodi Zinfandel 2016 .............................. 9.99
Rosé 2018 ................................................... 9.99
Cline
B.V.
Conundrum
Regularly $14.99
Regularly $22.99
Regularly $16.99
Cashmere White 2018 .......................... 7.99
Carneros Chardonnay 2015 ............ 9.99
White Blend 2016 ................................ 12.99
Savas
Ghost Pines
Cambria
Regularly $12.99
Regularly $17.99
Regularly $19.99
Bordeaux Rouge 2016 ......................... 7.99
Zinfandel 2016 ......................................... 9.99
Julia’s Vnyrd Pinot Noir 2015...... 12.99