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F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW JULY 22, 2020

Proviso East renovations planned PAGE 6

Taco Bell gets ZBA approval PAGE 12

@FP_Review@For @ForestParkReview @FP_Review @ForestParkReview

D91 reverses reopening plans

School will be remote-only at least until Halloween

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

After announcing an in-person-only plan for schools on July 6, District 91 Superintendent Lou Cavallo on July 20 reversed course, stating that students will be offered only remote learning until at least Oct. 30.

In a July 20 communication, Cavallo stated that after releasing the original plan, “parents and staff expressed a great deal of apprehension about returning to school.” He shared that apprehension but was confident the health and safety protocols provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health “were necessary conditions to keep everyone as safe as possible.

“It is clear, however, that a great number of people are uncomfortable with returning to school for inperson instruction in the fall. It is also clear that conditions are changing rapidly throughout the United States and in Illinois. There is speculation that if cases continue to rise, we may end up back in Phase III and will be required to provide remote learning instead of in-person. I have no way of knowing at this time if that will happen.”

In order to make sure a plan that won’t change is in place, Cavallo and the FPTA agreed to “take a few steps back.” School will begin with remote learning until at least the end of October. At midterm, data and IDPH guidance will be evaluated to make a decision for the rest of the school year.

Cavallo said “remote learning will look different than it did this past spring as we have had ample time to plan for much better remote learning.” Currently, a D91 team is working on the plan, expecting guidelines from the Illinois State Board of Education on remote learning and essential standards by the end of the month.

See D91 REOPENING on page 7

THE SWING OF THINGS

ALEX ROGALS/ Staff Photographer

Lydia Van Slyke (left) pushes Simon Van Slyke on the swings next to Tracey and Wyatt Van Slyke on Saturday, July 18 at the park district. Soon, the Park District of Forest Park will take over the village-owned pocket parks around town. See page 4 for the story.

D209 students likely to be in class twice a week this fall

Administrators presented reopening plan during July 14 meeting

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Contributing Reporter

The roughly 4,600 students who attend Proviso Township High Schools District 209 will be back in class next school

IN Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 THIS Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 ISSUE Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Residents shop for self-defense, survival items PAGE 10

year, at least for two days out of the week.

District 209 administrators presented their recommendations during a regular meeting on July 14. The plan comes about four months after Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered school buildings closed in March in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, with D209 and other districts across the state switching to an e-learning model that had students learning from home.

What administrators are calling a Blended and Remote See D209 REOPENING on page 6

Heritage closes for good PAGE 11

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Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

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Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

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Building a more tightly-knit community

lanche Lukes has been creating community her entire life.

It started when she was growing up on the close-knit 1500 block of Marengo. It continued at Sokol Tabor in Berwyn, where Blanche trained to become a world-class gymnast. She met her husband, Jerry Lukes, at Sokol Tabor and they moved to Phoenix in 1970.

In Phoenix, Blanche continued to create community, while working as a Realtor.

They bought a home in a fledgling community called Moon Valley. It had very few houses until a developer built 1,650 model homes surrounding a golf course. Blanche embraced her new community and became involved with Cub Scouts.

She volunteered for other community organizations and founded the Moon Valley Block Watch, which works with community action officers to keep the neighborhood safe. She recruited block captains to act as liaisons with the police. Each captain oversees 20 homes and they encourage residents to contact their assigned officer if they have a problem.

Besides safety, there is a social aspect to the organization. Every Christmas, a committee distributes luminarias to the Moon Valley residents. For a $25 fee, homeowners receive bags and candles from their block captains. They light the luminarias

on Christmas Eve and hordes of visitors drive through Moon Valley with their headlights off to enjoy the display.

Block captains also host an annual pot luck dinner, where residents can meet the police officers assigned to their district.

Blanche believes it is key for residents to connect with the local police on a personal level.

In her opinion, we all have a lot of work to do to repair the relationship between police and the people they’ve sworn to protect.

To keep residents informed about local events, Blanche pens a column for the “Moon Valley Tattler.” For 15 years, she has dispensed her folksy wisdom in her “Block Watcher” column. She keeps residents informed about the workings of the neighborhood homeowners association and gives seniors tips on safety. She used her column to announce formation of her Good Deed Fellowship.

Blanche had 1,000 cards printed with the Good Deed message. She also purchased “five golden rings” to distribute to each resident. “Welcome to a Secret Society of special people,” the card reads, “You have been given a small gold ring as a reminder.

Your charge is: do something special each day. A prayer for someone or something, pick up a piece of trash, hold a door open for someone, initiate a smile, a thank-you

JOHN RICE

So sweet G. Kunz Confectionery and Bakery, located at 169 Madison (present day Duffy’s Tavern, 7513 Madison) was built in 1892. Kunz was the first business in town to sell ice cream.

–Jill Wagner

Left to right: Mrs. Gottlieb Kunz holding daughter, Lucy; Alice Kunz in carriage; Miss Elizabeth Oldenburg, two Thiele children, Edtih Kunz.

The house on the left is the John Sternberg home and to the right, the Fred Harder home. Note the wooden sidewalks and kerosene street lamp.

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and/or compliment, be helpful without being asked.”

Her goal is to distribute these cards and rings in all 50 states. I’m proud to say I’m the first recipient in Illinois. Blanche sees Forest Park as fertile ground for building community. We could start by getting to know the neighbors on our block. Perhaps someone would step up to serve as block captain. This person could organize an annual get-together, like a block party.

Block captains could also connect with the Forest Park Police Department. Chief Aftanas is open to working with a community organization like this and assigning beat patrol officers to designated areas. Actual get-togethers with residents, though, will have to wait until socializing is safe again.

Starting a program like this would require us to be like Blanche. We would need the courage to reach out to strangers.

We could become block captains, or recruit others to serve as captains.

Not to put anyone on the spot, but she suggested we start on her old stomping grounds, the 1500 block of Marengo. Maybe someone there is as dedicated to building community as Blanche Lukes.

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

■ John Rice is a columnist/private detec-

Business Manager Joyce Minich

tive, 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

T I M E . . .

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

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

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

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REVIEW Share photos on Instagram using #fpreview or email alexa@oakpark.com.

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Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

Park district taking over pocket parks Circle Ave. and 16th Street will get first renovation

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Plans are underway for the Park District of Forest Park to lease four of the village-owned pocket parks for $1 annually, an agreement that will bring the park district’s expertise, resources and grant writing skills to renovate the spaces.

Currently, an attorney is drawing up the lease for four of the village parks: Circle Avenue and 16th Street; Circle Avenue and Lehmer Street; Thomas Avenue and Adams Street; and the tot lot on Lathrop north of Roosevelt Road.

These parks, thought often to be under the purview of the park district, have been overseen and maintained by the village government. But that’s going to change.

“It’s unusual for a community with a park district to have village-run parks,” said Jackie Iovinelli, executive director of the park district of Forest Park. She said she and Village Administrator Tim Gillian had been tossing the idea around practically since she began her position nearly two years ago, and both decided that now the time is right.

Photos by MARIA MAXHAM

MAKEOVER COMING: The Park District of Forest Park will lease the village-owned parks around town, like this one at Circle Avenue and 16th Street, and plans for grant-funded renovations are anticipated.

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES: The village-owned park at Circle Avenue and 16th Street is the largest of the pocket parks and the one the park district will work on first.

The state of Illinois included Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant funds in this year’s budget, and the park district plans to apply for a grant to renovate the park at Circle Avenue and 16th Street, according to Iovinelli.

“We said, ‘Let’s start with the biggest first,’” said Iovinelli. “The possibilities for that space are endless.” Iovinelli said the park district plans to seek community input on what they’d like to see in the space. As soon as they have a better sense of the timing of the grants, they’ll decide on a formal process for resident suggestions.

“We’d like to invite the residents to the park and take a look at it as a blank slate to see what we can create,” said Iovinelli.

“When people move to a new village, they look at the school district, and they look next at the parks,” said Iovinelli. “At the park district, we have the expertise to make changes and really beautify the community.”

Gillian agreed. “[The village] can’t update them the way they should be,” said Gillian.

“The park district will be able to do them justice.”

Iovinelli said the park district is working hand-in-hand with the village on the transition, and village maintenance staff will finish out the season. Park district maintenance probably won’t begin until spring. The lease from the village will be for the maximum allowed duration: 99 years.

‘Bike the Block’ parties replace traditional block parties Village puts restrictions on gatherings

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

The village of Forest Park has announced its official policy on block parties this summer, with the spread of COVID-19 still a risk and gatherings of more than 50 people not allowed according to state guidelines.

“Bike the Block” parties will be allowed, according to Mayor Rory Hoskins, an alternative to traditional block parties the

village is accustomed to. A block can get permission to put up wooden sawhorses to restrict through-traffic so kids can ride their bikes safely in the street.

According to a communication from the village, “While we fully appreciate the desire to provide recreational outlets for families, we are concerned that traditional block parties (with community food offerings, bounce houses, face painting, etc.) could lead to resurgence of COVID-19 transmission.”

A block wishing to hold a “Bike the Block” party should be aware of the following guidelines:

• No bounce houses • No face painting • Households agree not to share food in buffet or potluck style settings • Social distancing requirements will apply • Hand sanitizer must be available to guests • A maximum of 50 people may attend • A maximum of eight people may be seated together for eating and drinking • Organizers must agree to clean and sanitize chairs and tables at least every three hours • All attendees should wear face cover-

ings at all times, except when eating or drinking • While eating or drinking, attendees should stay six feet away from people from other households • Sharing of food or drinks between households is discouraged As in other years, block party organizers must obtain signatures of at least 75 percent of the households on the block, and the application and signatures must be submitted to the village at least one week in advance of the block party date. More information is available on the village website at www. forestpark.net/dfp/.

Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

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Employee receives threatening call from selfidentified mafia member

A Cricket employee at 1215 Harlem Ave. received a suspicious phone call on July 15 at 4:14 p.m. The male caller identified himself as part of the Mexican mafia and said he was sending two armed men to the store.

She was instructed to be calm and comply when they arrived. She immediately locked the doors, advised her coworkers of the situation and phoned the police. The reporting officer was given an email from a Cricket district manager stating that two similar incidents occurred at Cricket locations in Chicago; in those incidents, two armed robberies occurred after the suspicious phone calls were made.

Bar again violates liquor rules Lantern Haus, once again, was issued a village ordinance violation on July 16 at 2:05 a.m. for serving alcohol past allowed hours.

Police observed approximately eight patrons at the bar, actively consuming alcoholic beverages. Music was still being played. A patron approached the officer, stating they were just about to lock the doors and turn off the music.

The bartender apologized and said she lost track of time. The people in the bar were not employees of the business but friends, celebrating her birthday. She said she was aware of the rules to close and stop serving alcohol at 2 a.m. on the listed night.

According to the police report, “Lantern Haus has been given multiple verbal warnings in the past weeks about violations involving noise, closing on time, and subjects exiting the bar onto the public way with alcoholic beverages.”

Reckless drivers ticketed during funeral procession Tickets were issued to six reckless drivers during a funeral procession near Har-

lem Avenue and Roosevelt Road on July 17 at 1:14 p.m. Officers observed some vehicles in the procession driving recklessly into oncoming traffic, blocking traffic by cutting off innocent motorists at intersections, taking up multiple traffic lanes, and having multiple occupants hanging out of open windows.

Police recorded license plates of the offending vehicles, which were also recorded by the red-light camera at the intersection.

These drivers were in violation of two codes, one covering negligent driving and the other covering the proper rules for a funeral procession, which states: “Each driver in a funeral or other procession shall drive as near to the right hand edge of the roadway as practical and shall follow the vehicle ahead as close as practical and safe.”

Illegal dumping at Circle Lanes A local ordinance ticket will be issued to the owner of a vehicle caught on camera depositing a large amount of trash into the Circle Lanes dumpster, 7244 Circle Ave. The trash practically filled the dumpster, putting Circle Lanes in jeopardy of receiving a fine for excess garbage.

Semi tractor fire on Industrial Drive Two semi tractors caught fire and were burnt beyond identification at 7526 Industrial Dr. on July 19 between 12:15 and 12:30 p.m. The trucks belonged to Total Express Services, and at the time of the report the cause of the fire was unknown.

Tree branches damage property A large tree branch fell on the 300 block of Lathrop, damaging two vehicles, on July 19 at 6:44 a.m.

On the 1100 block of Elgin, a tree branch fell onto a resident’s car causing damage on July 19 at 11 a.m.

Belligerent men ticked for open containers Two irate men were issued tickets for open alcohol as they drank Mike’s Hard Lemonade and hung out on Madison Street on July 19 just after midnight. Police stopped them, and one of the offenders threw his drink on the ground and kicked it under a car. While officers wrote the citations, one of the men became “more belligerent and agitated” and started cursing and calling the officer “Oat Meal Face.” They called the officers “countless names and continued to shout and berate” them the entire time.

One of the men demanded the officer’s badge number, which he gave “approximately 10 times.”

When the tickets were issued, the more belligerent of the two men threw them into the officer’s window. The officer tossed them back out at the man, who finally picked them up but aggressively walked toward the officer. The officer ordered the man to back up. He did but kept calling the police names.

All was captured on audio.

Car stolen at Thornton’s A vehicular hijacking occurred at Thornton’s, 601 Harlem Ave., on July 13 at 2:32

a.m. A man was outside of his vehicle pumping gas when a silver Nissan sedan pulled up next to him. Five men exited the vehicle and demanded his car keys. He froze. The subjects entered his car, his key fob and cell phone inside it, and drove away. The victim did not see a weapon on any of the offenders.

For a while, officers were able to trace the victim’s cell phone in an attempt to locate the vehicle and offenders, but after a time the phone was no longer traceable.

Cemetery tools stolen Woodlawn Cemetery, 7750 Cermak Rd., was burglarized on July 16 between 5 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning. An unknown offender gained entry to the landscaping trailer and stole multiple items, including three hedge trimmers, two line trimmers, and one leaf blower.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, July 12-19, 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 22, 2020

Architects offer previews of new East football stadium, auto shop Renderings were presented during July 14 meeting

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Contributing Reporter

During a regular D209 meeting on July 14, the team of architects and contractors working on a series of Facilities Master Plan construction projects in the district presented updates on those projects to the school board.

Along with some interior renovations, crews are installing a newly paved and marked parking lot at Proviso West.

Proviso Math and Science Academy is also due for a major exterior renovations, including “reconfiguring the parking lot

and rerouting traffic onsite to alleviate congestion and create a safer environment, creating “fenced-off outdoor sports fields for physical education and extra-curricular use, improving “stormwater management through a significant reduction of impermeable surfaces on-site,” and landscaping, as the Review reported on June 16.

The most significant project report during the July 14 meeting was associated with significant construction at Proviso East, where crews are working to install a storm trap designed to retain rainwater beneath the northeast athletic fields and a new culinary lab inside the building.

Construction on a new main auto shop, which will be built on the first floor of Memorial Hall, will start in the fall. Once the auto shop is finished, work on the football stadium will begin. The stadium is schedPerkins and Will

IMPROVEMENTS: The above rendering shows the proposed football field for Proviso East, which will be completed in 2021. Construction on the new main auto shop (left) will begin in the fall. uled to be completed by October 2021.

Michael Dolter, with Perkins and Will, the architectural firm hired to facilitate the construction project, said that work on the stadium could start “the first thing next year, as soon as auto shop is brought online.”

Workers will move the existing stadium further east to allow for an improved running track, they’ll install artificial turf on the football field and a large Pirate logo will be painted in the middle of the field. In addition, a separate building for concessions will be built near the stadium.

Perkins and Will

D209 REOPENING Hybrid approach from page 1 Learning Plan will entail students attending school on-site for two days a week and learning remotely from home three days a week.

“This allows students to receive in-person instruction and support while minimizing the human interactions that could spread COVID-19,” administrators explained in a board memo.

“To reduce the number of students onsite on a given day, students will be assigned to Group A or Group B. Approximately 50% of students will be assigned to Group A. The other 50% will be assigned to Group B. This will reduce class sizes to allow for social distancing.”

Group A students will be on-site in classes Monday and Tuesday and learning remotely on Wednesday and Friday, district administrators said. Group B students will be onsite Thursday and Friday while learning

remotely on Monday and Wednesday.

Parents and students have the option of learning remotely Monday through Friday, without attending in-person classes. These students, who administrators designated as Group R, will be eligible for full e-learning if they pass all classes during remote learning in the spring or if they have health conditions that warrant remote learning. Administrators added that Group R students who struggle with remote learning may be required to attend on-site classes more frequently. Remote learners will get lunch, administrators said.

Administrators said that, in anticipation of a modified return to in-person instruction in the fall, they convened transition teams in April, “comprised of stakeholders from all three schools, to develop blended and remote learning re-opening scenarios based on research, Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidance, and survey data from students and parents,” according to the board memo.

The survey, which was administered in June, indicated that 65 percent of students,

71 percent of teachers and 67 percent of parents were in favor of either in-person learning or some combination of in-person and remote learning in the fall.

During Tuesday’s board meeting, Nicole Howard, D209’s assistant superintendent for Academics and Family Services, explained that the buildings will be cleaned on a regular basis, desks will be placed six feet apart and hygiene standards and protocols will be in place, among other measures designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the district’s campuses.

Some logistical details still need to be worked out, Howard said. For instance, procedures designed to make sure that students are not congregating in restrooms, which health experts say are particularly risky spaces when it comes to contracting COVID-19, are forthcoming.

Howard said that school starts Aug. 17, with Freshman Onsite Week scheduled for Aug. 17 - Aug. 21, Sophomore Onsite Week scheduled for Aug. 24 - Aug. 28 and Junior/ Senior Onsite Week scheduled for Aug. 31 Sept. 4.

During these onsite weeks, students will

receive training in technology and safety protocols, attend classes following the A/B schedule and receive the district’s expectations for blended learning.

Administrators have stressed that both in-person and online attendance during remote learning is mandatory with few exceptions, such as illness.

During Tuesday’s meeting, D209 board President Rodney Alexander emphasized that the district’s plan is subject to change, depending on the circumstances.

“This is truly a living, breathing, growing plan,” he said. “I just want the public to know that as things change and instructions come down, this may adjust. We have a plan, but it is flexible … We’ll do our best to make sure you are notified and kept abreast of any possible changes we do not control.”

The district is planning two training sessions “on the expectations of the blended and remote model and use of related technologies” for parents. The sessions, which the district will livestream, will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11, and at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

REOPENING

Remote learning from page 7 A few key points from the district are: • Wi-Fi “hot spots” will be available to those in need of remote access • Real-time daily live instruction with teachers will be part of remote learning • Breakout groups for small differentiated student groups will be included • Attendance and grading requirements will be in place • Material and supply packets will be distributed to students to provide necessary learning tools • All subjects will be taught during the school year D91 will cover the cost of child care run by the YMCA at GrantWhite School so, said the memo, there will be “a safe place for children in our buildings with adults who can assist with remote learning.” Registration information will be sent as soon as it is available.

D209 hires new PMSA principal Athletic directors for East, West also announced

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Contributing Reporter

The Proviso Township High Schools District 209 school board has made a series of major administrative appointments.

In June, the board approved the hiring of William C. Breisch as permanent principal of Proviso Math and Science Academy in Forest Park.

The board also approved the hiring of Joseph Kosina as interim principal at Proviso West.

Earlier this month, the district announced that the board had approved the hiring of two new athletic directors — Nick Browder at Proviso East and Daniel Savage at Proviso West.

According to a statement the district released on July 14, Breisch started teaching at Proviso East in 2006. Breisch has also coached at Proviso West.

In the district’s statement, Breisch said his experience working at all three D209 schools gives him a “unique perspective.”

Breisch replaces Bessie Karvelas, the longtime principal of PMSA, who was appointed

Photos provided

D91

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ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS: (from left to right) William Breisch, the new principal at PMSA; Daniel Savage, the new AD at Proviso West; and Nick Browder, the new AD at Proviso East. last year to serve as the district’s chief innovation officer.

Kosina will temporarily replace former Proviso West Principal Nia Abdullah, who was reassigned to another administrative role in the district earlier this year amid the loud objections of some parents and community members who are vocal supporters of Abdullah.

According to a statement the administration released earlier this month, Browder is a former Valparaiso University quarterback who played in the Arena Football League for about 10 years before retiring in 2007, going on to become assistant athletic direct at Waukegan High School in Waukegan, Illinois.

Browder, who was inducted into the Valparaiso Hall of Fame in 2004, has a master’s degree in education from George Williams College and a doctorate in sports management from North Central University. Browder vowed to advocate for East athletes during his tenure.

!

S W E N !

H S A FL

“I am an advocate for their success and their equitable treatment when it comes to what they look like, what the facilities look like, [and] best coaching,” he stated. “I’m going to make sure they have the best available, so they will never go any place and feel lesser than their opponent.”

Savage comes to West from Rich South High School in Matteson, Illinois, where he was athletic director. Prior to that position, he was the assistant athletic director and business education instructor at Harlem High School in Machesney Park, from 2016 to 2018, and track and cross-country coach at the University of South Alabama.

Savage received his undergraduate degree from North Central College in Naperville, where he ran track and cross-country. He has a master’s degree from National Louis University and a master’s degree in School Leadership from Concordia University Chicago in River Forest.

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Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

Antidotes for quarantine fatigue in FP Businesses providing fun and escape, safely

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

Terry Pryor said when he reopened his Archery Custom Shop, 7240 W. Madison St., on June 2 his customers were “tickled to death.”

Jessica Luciano reported that her summer day camp sessions sold out after she opened Creativita, 7512 Madison St., on June 14.

Drew Stutz reopened Circle Bowling Lanes, 7244 Circle, Friday, June 10 and that the volume of customers was “a little more than we expected,” and added, “That weekend we broke even financially.”

Dexter Cura, who reopened Escape Factor, 7228 Madison St., on June 26, said, “Generally people are excited that we are open.

However, we know that there is still a lot of apprehension.”

All four Forest Park businesses have several things in common. They are all small, locally owned businesses. They all host some kind of physical activity — target practice on an archery range, bowling, creating art or trying to “escape” from a room by using hidden clues. They were locked down during the crisis and are back in business to one degree or another under phase four of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The excitement of the owners of the four businesses is tempered by a great deal of uncertainty. Cura has observed, for example, that potential customers are doing a kind of risk/benefit analysis and some are still apprehensive about venturing out of the house.

Marty Considine, the day manager at Circle Lanes, pointed out that at least three things are out of the control of business owners: what the virus will do, how Pritzker will respond, and how willing customers are to resume their normal activities even if the staff at each place is following CDC guidelines.

Stutz, for example, listed the adaptations Circle Lanes has made to keep patrons healthy. There’s plexiglass shielding customers from the staff member behind the counter. Every other alley is blocked off to insure separation. Only the balls on the ball return can be used on each alley and each ball together with everything in each “pit” is sanitized after each group leaves.

Pryor is taking the same kinds of measures in his archery shop but added that a customer’s chance of catching the virus in a small, low volume space like his is small to begin with. In fact, he believes that he should have been able to remain open all the way through the shut down for those same reasons.

In addition to CDC recommendations Escape Factor is now staggering the room us-

MARIA MAXHAM

PERFECT SHOT: When Terry Pryor reopened his Archery Custom Shop, 7240 W. Madison St., on June 2 his customers were “tickled to death.” age times so that every group that enters is isolated from each other. Cura has also put air cleaners as well as hand sanitizers in each of the escape rooms.

Luciano is so concerned about health that she is still following phase 3 guidelines at Creativita. During the shutdown they provided a delivery service for pottery, canvas, wood, board and mosaic kits. Since June 14, she has reduced the number of tables at her summer camps during the day to allow at least a six foot space between each child and locks the front door when camp is in session. That’s in addition to wearing face masks and hand washing.

From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Creativita is open for pick-ups. Otherwise group reservations are limited to two-hour increments for weeknights and for weekends with an hour in-between each reservation for cleaning and sanitizing.

Circle Lanes and Creativita did get federal PPP loans which helped. Pryor did not lay off any staff, because he doesn’t have any. Luciano is having her adult children meet her staffing needs during the summer but after that she doesn’t know. Cura was able to rehire all three of his employees.

Stutz invited all his former staff members to return but for now all each one is getting is one shift a week, because the bowling alley is only open Friday through Sunday.

Each business is adapting, often creatively, to the unprecedented situation they are in, but all agree that this way of doing business is not sustainable for the long run, and not everyone was hopeful about what the situation will be in September, let alone a year from now.

Cura seemed optimistic about the future, as evidenced by Escape Factor opening a new escape room, Ghost in The Graveyard, sometime in August.

Pryor doesn’t seem to be worried about the future of his business based on the response of his customers since his reopening and because he has a pretty secure niche in the region’s archery business.

At Circle Lanes, the attitude seems to be “we’ll see.” With so many variables at play which are out of his control, Stutz said it’s basically one day at a time. Considine added that if being open Friday through Monday works out, they might open on Thursday and so forth. Right now they are not placing bets on the future, especially because bowl-

ing leagues are their “bread and butter,” and no one can predict what the fall will bring.

“The real question is what happens next,” said Luciano. “I am really worried for fall.

We have decided that after August, we will close our doors to the public and focus on delivery and virtual events only until things feel safer. I’m not sure exactly what that will look like, nor how we will make enough money to survive, but we are going to try our best.”

Luciano concluded her interview with the Review with these words: “I think we provide a valuable service…at least that is what our customers tell us. So that positive feedback keeps us going. But I am tired. And I am worried. I see people not taking things as serious or being as safe as I think maybe they should be. And collectively these actions will hurt us all, if not make us sick too.

“It’s time to start thinking about others and keep everyone safe and healthy with these simple things. As a business owner I guess it is a little counter intuitive, and against my financial best interest. However, as a human I cannot justify making a couple dollars today if I am putting people at risk.”

Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

State: 11 regions to combat COVID-19 resurgence Suburban Cook County announces new quarantine guidelines

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

As of July 20, Forest Park, like all of Illinois, was in Phase 4 of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois Plan, which divided the state into four regions. But Pritzker announced last week that, in addition to the Restore Illinois plan, there is now also an Illinois plan to combat a possible resurgence.

This plan breaks the state into 11 regions to combat COVID-19 in an even more pinpointed way, with three tiers of mitigation outlined to scale back on business activity in response to worsening pandemic numbers.

Forest Park is in Region 10, which encompasses suburban Cook County. The city of Chicago is in its own region now, Region 11.

This sounds like something from a sci-fi novel, but it’s real. And it’s the state’s new plan to mitigate potential worsening of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The phases of Restore Illinois are still in effect. But in addition to those phases, there are three mitigation tiers that the state will implement if certain conditions exist in any of the 11 regions.

These triggers would cause the state to place additional restrictions on businesses in a certain region: • Sustained increase in virus positivity rate, along with either a sustained increase in hospital admissions or reduction in hospital capacity threatening surge capabilities; OR • An 8 percent or greater positivity rate over three consecutive days.

Let’s say Region 10, which includes Forest Park, had one of the above conditions.

The state could then place limitations on businesses.

The first line of defense for bars would be to reduce indoor dining and bar service. Next would be suspending in-person dining and bar service. Finally, only take-out service would be allowed if COVID-19-related conditions worsened in the region.

Similarly, for indoor recreational ac-

tivities and gyms, the first tier of response would be reducing indoor capacity. The second tier would require suspending organized indoor and recreational activities.

The third tier would involve suspending both indoor and outdoor activities.

Restrictions and tiers are supplied for salons, retail, hospitals, and all other types of businesses. See www2.illinois.gov/ IISNews/21818-Actions_to_Combat_a_Resurgence_of_COVID-19.pdf for specifics.

As of July 20, Region 10 reported four days of positivity increases and only one day of hospital admissions increases.

2020-2021 Online Registration

for All District 91 Students

Quarantine guidelines announced On July 17, the Cook County Department of Public Health issued emergency travel guidance for travelers entering or returning to suburban Cook County, including Forest Park, from states with high COVID-19 rates.

The guidelines instruct travelers from highrate states to quarantine for 14 days since their last contact within the identified state.

Consistent with Chicago’s July 2 order, the guidelines apply to states with more than 15 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents per day over a seven-day rolling average. Exceptions are made for essential workers traveling for work purposes.

“We have come a long way in Cook County and Illinois and we want to keep it that way,” said Dr. Rachel Rubin, Cook County Department of Public Health Co-Lead and Senior Medical Officer, in a press release from the county. “It is summer and we know people want to travel, but we have to remain vigilant to keep our gains and avoid having to close places we’ve only just reopened.”

Travelers from the following states, including suburban Cook County residents returning from these states, will be directed to quarantine upon arrival: • Alabama • Arkansas • Arizona • California • Florida • Georgia • Idaho • Iowa • Louisiana • Mississippi • North Carolina • Nevada • Oklahoma • South Carolina • Tennessee • Texas • Utah The list of included states will be updated on the CCDPH website at www.cookcountypublichealth.org every Tuesday afternoon.

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Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

Open a can of Whoop Ass Military surplus store sees uptick in people looking for self-defense, survival gear

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

It’s called Whoop Ass. It’s a brand of pepper spray. And it’s a great self-defense tool for women, or anyone who’s looking for an effective way to stay safe.

You can buy it, and other brands of pepper spray, at Military & Police Supply, 7351 Madison St., and owner Mike Cody says it’s a best seller.

“I recommend pepper spray for people who are looking for a self-defense tool,” Cody said. “Pepper spray allows you to keep a distance from your attacker.” Knives, he says, are “up close and personal,” though he’s been selling a lot of those lately too.

What he likes about the pepper spray he sells at his store is that it allows a 10-foot distance from an attacker as opposed to, say, a knife, which can only be used close-up. It’s 17 percent pepper, the highest allowed by law. Even police, said Cody, only carry 10 percent pepper sprays.

And no worry if your aim is bad; if you spray someone in the chest, said Cody, it will drift up into their face and eyes, caus-

ing irritation, enough to allow you a solid chance of getting away. The pepper spray comes out in a stream rather than a mist, so there’s little blowback which could cause irritation for the user.

Business for Military & Police Supply has been good.

Cody said when the COVID-19 pandemic started, people swarmed to the store, buying up gas masks and MREs (Meals, Ready to Eat).

Cody said when the pandemic started, he sold at least 70 gas masks. He said he told customers, “I don’t know how effective these masks are for this pandemic, for this particular virus,” but people wanted to buy then. “I had to scurry for more,” Cody said.

Hunting knives sold out fast, MARIA MAXHAM people wanting them for home SELF-DEFENSE AND SURVIVAL: Mike Cody’s Military & Police Supply, 7351 Madison St., has seen new protection. And he sold a ton of customers interested in protecting themselves and learning survival skills during the pandemic and MREs. “I sold at least 80 cases,” said recent rioting Cody. There are 12 meals per case. That’s 960 emergency meals. Customers Another personal safety tool he suggests is “Don’t act like a victim,” said Cody. So also came looking for survival gear, like water a telescoping baton. It retracts so it’s small many people, he said, walk around with earpurification tablets, canteens, first aid sup- enough to carry, and the motion and sound buds in their ears or looking down at their of someone expanding a baton can be a de- phones, completely unfocused on what’s goplies, fire starters and compasses.

When riots began in neighboring towns, terrent in and of itself. ing on around them. “Bad guys are looking customer focus shifted to self-defense, and But Cody also has advice on staying safe for someone who’s not paying attention,” Cody always recommends pepper spray. in general. said Cody.

Taste testing an MRE Although familiar with freeze-dried camping meals, I’d never eaten an actual MRE, the kind supplied to the military, so I bought one on my visit to Military & Police Supply. There were

several flavors to choose from, and I decided spicy southwest chicken with rice and vegetables sounded good.

The meal was MRE Star brand, “for military, civilian and emergency preparedness,” according to the package. The package also says it’s a “Complete Meal,” and that’s definitely the case. The one meal was enough for two people to eat, although soldiers probably burn and need far more calories than two people who’ve been working from home on computers all day.

According to the MRE Star website, all meals contain “a pharmaceutical grade nutritional mix” that includes Vitamins A, D, K, B6, B12, C, and E along with added minerals such as zinc, copper, iron, thiamin and niacin.

There’s a water-activated heating element included, so you can make your meal hot, although it’s safe to eat cold as well. The second the heating element was activated, we heard sizzling and it began to steam. We waited about 10 minutes, and the food was nice and warm.

As a side note, the best thing about the heating element might be the illustrated instructions, which make it clear that after activation, you should lean the package up against a “rock or something.”

Photos by MARIA MAXHAM

A PLEASANT SURPRISE: The MRE was better than expected and came with wonderful attention to detail, including a pack of cookies, Smarties, and a moist towelette.

The meal, which cost $12, came with the following: the chicken and rice dinner, heating element, crackers, sesame stick snacks, a pack of four cookies, and a powdered grape electrolyte

OR SOMETHING: The best part of the heating instructions were to lean the package, heating element activated, against a “rock or something.” drink. It also came with a packet of extras, and the attention to detail was almost heart-warming. The packet included napkins, a spoon long enough to eat straight out of the package if needed, a moist towelette, a toothpick, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and a pack of Smarties.

As my co-taste tester said, “Something about the Smarties and cookies makes it feel like someone’s mom packed it.”

The food itself was good and filling. While perhaps a lack-luster substitute for a home-cooked meal, it was surprisingly edible. And the Smarties were a perfect touch.

Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

NEW IN TOWN: Slipcovers Plus, established in Oak Park in 1980, moved to 7444 Madison Street in March.

MARIA MAXHAM

Slipcover shop slips in during pandemic Family owned business focuses on custom work

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Nestled in between Team Blonde and Epyk Luxury Boutique, a new shop opened up amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, Slipcover Plus, 7444 Madison Street, moved locations from Oak Park, where the store had been since 1980.

Owned by Anthony Menconi, the business focuses on custom work, including slipcovers, upholstery, window treatments, wood refinishing and even custom furniture, built from the frame up.

Menconi’s father Larry started in the slipcover business over 50 years ago, opening a shop in Oak Park in 1980.

“We were known as the place next to One Stop Comic,” said Menconi. At the time, still a student, he helped out in the store on weekends. After working at the mercantile exchange for a few years, his dad said to him, “It’s time for you to learn the business.” Menconi was 20 at the time.

In the beginning, his father’s focus was on plastic slipcovers, but he added upholstery to the business. In 2010 his father retired, and Menconi took over. Plastic is no longer a thing, and now the focus is on a custom look and feel from a wide selection of fabrics offered by the store.

“We’ve been in the business for so many years that we have more fabrics than most fabric stores,” said Menconi. And working with fabric companies for so long has allowed Menconi to establish strong relationship with them, thus providing him the ability to offer customers lower prices than other similar companies.

“Our fabric starts at $20 a yard,” Menconi said. Their goal, he said, is to be as affordable as possible with the best product possible, a balance between quality and affordability.

The process for upholstering a couch, say, involves either an in-home visit or a cus-

tomer sending photos and measurements to Menconi via email. The shop schedules a time for the customers to come to the showroom to look at fabrics, although that can be done at home as well.

Unlike a lot of other similar businesses, Slipcover Plus has a price sheet with established estimates for projects, the quote based on the size of the project and the desired fabric.

“So there’s no sizing up,” said Menconi.

“We don’t give a higher price to someone who shows up in a Mercedes.”

The fabric usually takes about three to seven days to come in, the store picks up the furniture from the customer’s home, and the refinished custom product is available within a two to four-week window.

What’s unusual about Slipcover Plus is that their showroom and workroom are together, both housed in the Forest Park location on Madison Street, although Menconi’s opened a showroom in Addison as well.

Growing up in the area, he’s been familiar with Forest Park for most of his life, and he said this location “feels right.”

“I love this block, this area,” said Menconi. “The vibe is great.” He enjoys the restaurants, likes seeing people eating outside, even if the crowds have shrunk lately because of the pandemic.

COVID-19 affected his business when it first opened; within a month of his March relocation to Forest Park, the pandemic caused a temporary shut-down. And even now, he runs his business by appointment only instead of always being open, which he was previously. But it allows him to be more concentrated, providing more focused service to each customer.

Additionally, his designers do in-home consultations, safely, of course.

“Our designers wear masks in the shop and when they’re visiting people’s homes,” said Menconi. “And our delivery guys wear masks, and we always have hand sanitizer available.”

Slipcover Plus has customers as far away as Indiana, and Menconi said he’s doing a delivery to Lake Geneva this week.

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Kindergarten Screenings District 91 will be holding the 2020-2021 Kindergarten screenings by appointment only at Betsy Ross and Garfield schools on Tuesday, August 11 and Wednesday, August 12, 2020. You must register online before scheduling an appointment. To make an appointment, families will need to email their school’s secretary with the child’s name, parent/guardian name, address, phone number and the child’s date-of-birth.

Do not contact school secretaries before August 3rd since no one will be in the offices prior to that date. Secretaries will call families to set up appointments beginning Monday, August 3, 2020.

Families living south of I-290 go to Betsy Ross - Patty Marino at pmarino@fpsd91.org or call 708-366-7498 Families living north of I-290 go to Garfield - Diane Rice at drice@fpsd91.org or call 708-366-6945

Forest Park Preschool

District 91 is no longer accepting new student registrations for Preschool for the 2020-2021 school year. However, if your child is returning to Preschool, you need to register online. You will receive a mailing with online registration instructions and a code to access the Illuminate Home Connection parent portal to complete your online registration.

If you have questions, please contact the Forest Park Preschool secretary, Diane Rice, after August 3, 2020, at drice @fpsd91.org or call 708-366-6945.

Popular restaurants close Forest Park and Oak Park lose favorites

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

Both Forest Park and Oak Park have lost notable restaurants in recent weeks.

Forest Park restaurant, The Heritage, 7403 Madison St, announced on July 18 via social media it had permanently closed over safety concerns related to COVID-19.

“No one knows exactly what the future looks like for restaurants, but we believe that things won’t go back to normal for quite some time. Because of this, we have decided that we will not be reopening, and unfortunately will remain closed permanently,” said Heritage personnel on Facebook.

News of the closure came after the restaurant temporarily closed after suspending delivery and carry-out services on April 4. The Heritage assured followers they would reopen when they felt it was safe to do so, but three months later still did not feel comfortable inviting employees and guests back to the restaurant and opted to close their doors.

The Farm to table establishment opened in 2016 and made a name for itself focusing on seasonal interpretations of American

MARIA MAXHAM

DOORS CLOSED: Heritage, 7403 Madison Street, has officially announced it will not open again. classics.

Forest Park Review has reached out to The Heritage owner, Jacob Dehart, for comment and is awaiting a response.

Barclay’s American Grille, 1120 Pleasant Street, closed quietly in early July. Located in The Carelton Hotel in Oak Park, the restaurant was known for peddling prime rib, burgers and steaks. A brief message on the restaurant’s website simply states, “CLOSED. It has been a pleasure to serve you since 2009.”

Wednesday Journal reached out to Carleton owner, Mike Fox, for comment on the closure.

“We are not ready to make a comment on this yet,” wrote Fox.

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Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

Two expenses added to already bleak FY2021 village budget

NEW TACO BELL: This rendering shows the layout of Ampler Development’s proposed Taco Bell at 161 Harlem. Ave.

Overall deficit, however, smaller than originally anticipated

MRV Architects, Inc.

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Harlem Avenue Taco Bell gets ZBA approval Village council will vote in August

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Ampler Development’s proposed Taco Bell at 161 Harlem Ave. passed the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) on July 20 and will next be voted on by the village council in August.

Alfred Teleron and Mario Valentini, architects from MRV Architects, Inc., presented the site plan to the ZBA. The four main points in their presentation related to safety, landscaping, sound, and light.

They reported that Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has given them preliminary approval for the project, though final approval still awaits. Landscaping, which is nonexistent on the current car wash site, will be comparatively robust. Sound pollution will be mitigated by drive-thru speakers oriented to face north, away from residential properties, and landscaping will reduce noise as well. Light spilling onto other properties will be limited, and a photometric plan submitted to Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LTD, the village’s contracted engineering firm, will be part of the permitting process.

Still, three property owners across the alley from the proposed Taco Bell site spoke up during the meeting with concerns about rats, late hours, noise, traffic, and a west side barrier.

John Olson, who owns a building across the alley, said he is concerned about how the trash will be kept, since rats are already a problem in the area and he doesn’t want to see it get worse.

Valentini responded that Ampler Development is “very cognizant about those things,” owning 350 restaurants, mostly in the Midwest. They have, he said, monthly rodent control maintenance programs. “They’re one of the better operators Taco Bell can have,” said Valentini.

Property owner Thomas Marhevko expressed concerns about several things, including the late hours of the proposed Taco Bell, the dining room of which will be open until 10 p.m. every day and the drive-thru until midnight on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends.

Valentini said, “We can’t agree to something that’s a competitive disadvantage.” He said they’d like to keep the hours, controlling sound through the north-facing speakers, signs reminding patrons to be respectful, and a confirmation board, which would allow patrons to quietly check their orders.

Traffic was another concern raised by property owners, especially whether northbound turns onto Harlem Avenue would be allowed. The architects said that in IDOT’s preliminary evaluation, this was not raised as an issue. But prior to permitting, IDOT would complete and submit a final study.

Finally, concerns about the west property line were brought up, specifically whether or not a fence, in addition to planned landscaping, would block off the Taco Bell property from the alley. Although not in the original plan, the ZBA added a fence with a minimum six-foot height as a condition of support for the plan from the ZBA. Unanimously, the ZBA approved the site plan and conditional use for the drive thru. The plan will be presented to the village council in August, with opportunity for additional public comment then.

In a second budget meeting on July 17, following the original June 17 meeting, a few changes were made to the FY2021 budget, resulting in an overall deficit of $6,861,140 instead of the original projected deficit of $7,442,002.

The biggest change was in anticipated purchased water expenditures, a figure that was reduced by $554,862 based on updated FY2020 numbers. Other changes were an expenditure reduction in the police department figure of $1,500 and in the health and safety department of $44,500, attributed to entry errors in the original budget.

However, despite overall budgeted expenses being lower, two additional expenses were added: $30,000 for the village’s flood relief program suggested by Commissioner Ryan Nero at the previous budget meeting and $40,000 to renovate the playground at the Community Center, a plan pushed by Mayor Rory Hoskins.

Hoskins said the playground is 20 years old and given the possibility that schools may not open in the fall, the Community Center will probably run programs to provide care for children if parents are working. He added that private fundraising may be an option to raise some of the money needed for renovation and cited the fact that a child has been injured on the playground as an additional reason for the upgrade being necessary.

Village Administrator Tim Gillian will soon be meeting with the village’s labor unions, three of which agreed in May to freeze raises because of COVID-related financial difficulties faced by the village. Either the raises go into effect on August 1 or the village will negotiate another freeze, an attractive possibility given the dire financial projections the village faces.

Because of these upcoming labor talks, Gillian said that “all other expenses should be reasonable so the labor unions don’t see us spending money we don’t need to spend.”

The revised budget also included an additional $75,000 in revenue from the motor fuel tax. All commissioners except Dan Novak were present.

Gillian said that just because something is in the budget, it doesn’t mean it’s going to get spent.

He said the village will prioritize expenditures and will look for grants and public fundraising before anything comes out of the budget.

Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

Virtual Playgroup

July 22 – 29

BIG WEEK

Thursday, July 23, from 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. for pre-school aged children.

Take this much-needed opportunity to reconnect and network with other parents for a virtual circle time and parent meetup. Each playgroup we will share a story and a song or rhyme, but we will keep the screen time brief. Visit www.fppl.org/ events for more information and to register.

Gulyas Duo at FitzGerald’s Join Forest Park’s own David Gulyas of Gulyas Duo at FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn, on July 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. for an all-ages show. The patio opens at noon and is free to the public on a first come, first served basis. Please bring a face covering.

For more information, visit fitzgeraldsnightclub.com/ event2/10646605/gulyas-duo/

Virtual Gameplay: Diction*arium On July 24 from 4 to 5 p.m., middle school aged kids will enjoy playing Diction*arium, a game by Jackbox that gives players the chance to create definitions for a given pretend word, and then vote for the winner. Registration is required at www.fppl.org/

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Middle school kids are invited to an online chat about the best of everything this summer on Wednesday, July 29 from 4 to 5 p.m. Show up ready to share your favorite video games, books, summer songs, shows to binge, favorite Fortnite dances, and more so the library can compile an ultimate Best of the Summer lists. Register at www.fppl.org/events.

Call Jill at (708) 366-0600

or visit ForestParkReview.com/ subscribe

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Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

OPINION O U R

F

V I E W

COVID whiplash

irst, nothing but kudos to District 91 for the full-stop reversal of its school opening plans announced just Monday afternoon.

Instead of the all in-person opening recently announced to the consternation of teachers, many parents and families, the district will now be fully remote at least through Halloween.

It is the wise choice, the safe choice. Difficult for certain on many levels. Fully remote learning is less effective academically even if improved from the improvised spring version. Kids need the social benefits of being in school. Many of our children need the wraparound services — counseling, meals special ed — that are far better delivered in person.

And then there are the challenges families face whether it is more weeks stuck together at home with parents taking on great schooling responsibility or, more treacherously, parents deemed essential workers who must leave home to earn a paycheck and expose themselves to great infection possibilities.

In this pandemic chaos there are no good choices.

Life is fully disrupted. We do not have control. And the control we do have as a nation has been squandered by inept and failed leadership from Donald Trump.

But given the rotten choices, D91 has made the right one. We need to protect our children and our families, our teachers and our school staff. Losing classroom time is better than losing lives.

Pocket parks plan It has long baffled us, meaning for decades it has baffled us. Why does village government own and sort of manage the four pocket parks in town? You know, those little cut-outs seemingly randomly placed across the village which may include a small playground or a quiet bench. Once in a while a person might turn up.

It always seemed logical that the Park District of Forest Park would manage the pocket parks, program them to some extent, care for them with that park district magic. Now, finally, that is going to happen.

A deal has been reached and the parks will lease the pocket parks for $1 annually.

Is this the village easing up on perceived control?

Or is this a more ambitious park district stepping up?

Either way, it works for us.

We also hope it is a harbinger of further collaboration as, after more decades, we come closer to some resolution of the future use of the village-owned Altenheim property. Even after the village carves off some uncertain percentage of the 11 acres for development, we fully expect there will be a goodly chunk of open space which will need to be planned, built-out and programmed. We’d argue that some notable portion of the remaining space be planned as passive park space.

In any event, the park district is better equipped for that role than village government. Hopefully the pocket-park deal indicates an openness between these two parties to move past their awkwardness and collaborate.

‘W

Disability and obstreperosity

here’s your cane, Pastor?” Her tone was reprimanding as she watched me struggle down the stairs holding tightly onto the railing.

“It’s in the car, Jeredene,” I replied.

“Stubborn,” she said with her hands on her hips. “You’re just stubborn.”

“Yes, mother,” was what I wanted to say, but didn’t.

I didn’t say anything because Jeredene was right about two things.

First, I should have been using my cane.

And second, I was stubborn.

Here’s the context of that short exchange. Ten years earlier, I had been diagnosed with a neurological disorder called Primary Lateral Sclerosis which resulted in muscle stiffness, bad balance and slurred speech. PLS is progressive, meaning it gradually gets worse. I am now using a walker to get around.

For those of us who have disabilities July 26 is the second independence day we celebrate this month because it is the day on which the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990. Like the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which took necessary but not sufficient steps toward racial equality, the ADA has allowed me and the 26 percent of the population with a disability (CDC statistic) to enter into the life of our community more fully than before, but many physical and attitudinal barriers remain.

The more my disorder progresses and the more I’m around other persons with disabilities, the more I find myself using words like stubborn, feisty, dogged, determined, bold, activist, assertive and — here’s the best one — obstreperous to describe their character traits. People with disabilities are not just surviving but thriving.

It’s often said that Black folks in our country have to go 12 yards to get a first down. Absolutely true. I’m white, but do you know how long it takes me and my walker to go 10 yards?

Even with white privilege clearing the way? And even with that undeserved privilege, how often do you think I would gain those 10 yards in the rough and tumble of real life?

So I’m grateful for the increased independence that ADA has given me, but I think everyone in the disability community would agree with me that a large amount of “obstreperosity” is needed to become as independent as possible.

How would you respond if at the age of 50, you were diagnosed with a disorder that would eventually put you in a wheelchair?

Or, to make it even more personal, how are you reacting to the ways the virus has “disabled” you and almost every-

one else in one way or another — loss of health, loss of a job, loss of a business, loss of loved ones, loss of freedom to move around, fear of the unknown?

I think hanging around the disability community would give you clues regarding how to live fully even when some of our abilities have been “dissed.”

One clue is that independence is an illusion.

The Progress Center for Independent Living should be rebranded the Progress Center for Living as Independently as Possible. Larry Biondi, for example, was born with cerebral palsy and is confined to an electric wheelchair.

He can’t even eat without the help of his personal assistant. But Larry is obstreperously doing the work of advocating for people with disabilities, even to the extent of going down to Springfield to lobby legislators to pass laws that treat his community with justice.

Every person with a disability has to confront two things. First is to accept the reality that I am a victim of forces beyond my control. That bad things happen to good people. That there often is no answer to the question, “Why me?” That there is a randomness to life that has no logic.

Second is to get to the point where I no longer think of myself as a victim even though I am one. That’s what mentors of youth on the West Side keep telling me. “These kids,” they stress, “need to move away from a victim mentality and begin believing they have some responsibility for, and control of, their lives.”

Call it obstreperosity or whatever you want. It is, I think, a spiritual thing that can’t be learned from a self-help book.

I have learned it in large part from the disability community, and I have to daily relearn it if I want to live fully. I have to get off my pity pot and take as much responsibility for my life as I can.

That said, I have to learn from the 12 Steps program, that as much as forces greater than myself are responsible for some of my suffering, other powers greater than myself are able to not only heal me but also support me in a new way of living that is neither independent nor dependent but interdependent — a combination of “lean on me, brother, when you need a hand” and being as responsible for my life as I can.

The Progress Center’s website declares they embrace a philosophy that all people have the potential to exercise individual self-determination and have the right and opportunity to pursue a course of action, the freedom to fail, and the freedom to learn from their failures just as nondisabled people do.

Happy Independence Day!

TOM

HOLMES

O B I T U A R Y

LuAnn Rose Hart, 66 Lover of animals LuAnn Rose (Schomer) Hart, 66, of Forest Park, died suddenly on July 4. She was a proud animal mom to many throughout the years, LuAnn was the wife of Daniel Hart for 50 years; mother of Daniel (Maria) Hart, William (Denise) Hart, Tricia (Scott)

McKenna, and Joseph (Anne) Hart; and the grandmother of Daniel, Patrick and Sebastian Hart; Dashiell and Tristan Hart; Jack and Colleen McKenna; and JD and Ellie Hart.

Funeral arrangements were handled by ZimmermanHarnett Funeral Home in Forest Park.

Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

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Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

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Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM New local ads this week

YOUR WEEKLY AD

REACHES SIX SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES: OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST, FOREST PARK, BROOKFIELD, RIVERSIDE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, AND PARTS OF CHICAGO

WEDNESDAY

CLASSIFIED

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HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

Please Check Your Ad: The publisher will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion.

Wednesday Journal Classified must be notified before the second insertion.

The newspaper reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement.

Place your ad online anytime at: www.ForestParkReview.com/ClassiďŹ ed/

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

River Forest Public Schools District 90 is seeking an Elementary School Special Education Teacher.

Qualifications: Valid Illinois Professional Education License with Learning Behavior Specialist I Endorsement, a Master’s Degree is preferred and successful teaching experience in special education resource and instructional classrooms is preferred Job Duties: The teacher will be responsible for instructing students with multiple disabilities including: autism, communication disabilities, cognitive and physical disabilities within the least restrictive environment at the elementary level.

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.

Agile Software Developer sought by US Bank Nat’l Assoc in Chicago, IL to develop SW products in agile lifecycle. Req Bach in Comp Sci, Eng or rltd tech ďŹ eld & 5 yrs dev’ing & implmnt’ing appls. Must have 5 yrs w/ Java & Eclipse. 3 yrs w/ Selenium; Cucumber; TestNG; SOAP APIs or RESTful APIs; Jenkins; Unix; & VersionOne or Jira. 2 yrs w/ GIT & Oracle database.

Apply online www.usbank.com.

BETTY’S DAYCARE IS HIRING! We are looking for a qualiďŹ ed Assistant Director (also looking for qualiďŹ ed teachers and assistant teachers), must have a bachelor in Early Childhood Education. experience with Head Start is a plus. email resume to: bettydaycaremr.evans@hotmail. com or call 773-261-1433 Betty’s Daycare Academy Inc. 5725 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago Il. 60651 Director, Biz Planning w/ Mindshare USA LLC in Chicago, IL. Rprts to Group Dir-Biz Plnning & act as expt in the allctd clnt’s biz, w/ knwldge of strtgc goals, org strctre & cul. Bach in ad, mrktng, info tech, or rel + 7 yrs post-bach exp in rel mrktng or techcl biz anlysis roles. Alt, Mast in ad, mrktng, info tech, or rel + 5 yrs exp in rel mrktng or techcl biz anlysis roles. Of totl, must hve 5 yrs: Usng Excel to crte pivot tbls, VLkups, adv frmulas, connctns to ex data surces & run data anlytcs. Adv data mning to cruch huge data sets in a mul-dmnsnal envron. Of totl, must hve 4 yrs: Mdia, or mrktng exp com w/ clnt accnts & mdia prtnrs on an ongng basis arund mdia & bizrel ques & req. Usng Stats Mdlng to buld modls & undrstnd the rltnshp btwn mdia invstmnts & biz outcmes such as sales. Buldng & usng Multivariate Rgrssn tchnqus to estblsh nexus btwn brnd’s advrtsng acrss dif media chnnls & its biz prfrmnce. Exp w/ Tableau or Sprtfre or Pwr BI to collct, splce, vsulze data from disparate data surces & envron. R, Python &/or SPSS to crnch mssve data sets. Of totl, must hve 3 yrs: Diz, buldng & intrprtng prdctve modls to frecst biz in the lng trm usng vrious hstrc data sets includng mrktng invstmnts, sales & equty. Scnrio Plnning to hlp crte dif wht-if scnrios for biz & infrm invstmnt decisns for c-lvl exec acrss clnts. QualiďŹ ed Applicants: Email resumes to hr.talent@mindshareworld.com & reference Director, Biz Planning

HAPPY KIDD’S WEST INC. 6928 W 16th St Berwyn, IL 60513 We are seeking a Director and 2 teachers. Director must be qualiďŹ ed and have Associate’s degree or equivalent. Teachers must be director or teacher qualiďŹ ed. 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.

River Forest D90 has openings for Temporary Daytime Custodians starting August 25, 2020.

Responsible for cleaning of buildings and grounds, as assigned. A strong work ethic, interpersonal skills and custodial experience is required. Salary commensurate with experience.

For consideration, please send resume to Pam Jenkins, HR Specialist at jenkinsp@ district90.org.

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 Wednesday Classified 3 Great Papers, 6 Communities To Place Your Ad, Call: 708/613-3333

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT THERAPY OFFICES FOR RENT Therapy ofďŹ ces for rent in north Oak Park. Rehabbed building. Nicely furnished. Flexible leasing. Free parking. Free wiďŹ ; 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

RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. *1116 sq. ft. suite *569 sq. ft. with patio RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. *926 sq. ft.

OAK PARK–6597 North Ave. *598 sq. ft.

6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. *3 and 5 room suites Strand& & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011

CEMETERY PLOTS 2 WOODLAWN CEMETERY PLOTS (2) Side by side Woodlawn Cemetery plots. Birchwood Section Lot 415 Part 4 Graves 3&4 unit D. $4,000 for both, includes transfer fees. I will meet at Woodlawn for transfer of deeds. Contact: 847-858-7726

ITEMS FOR SALE BEDROOM SUITE Antique circa 1940’s bedroom suite.

Bed, nightstand, and attached mirros on dresser and vanity 630-961-5662

ITEMS FOR SALE

ESTATE SALES

BUILT-IN BUFFET Very old built-in buffet, golden brown. Leaded glass doors and sides. $150.00 obo.

708-488-8755

Chicago

CABINET AND HUTCH Beautiful ranch oak cabinet and hutch, bought at Marshall Field’s. $199.00 708-488-8755

Estate sale at Garage sale prices.

Furniture, games, books, artwork, decorations, electronics, audio and video goodies, blankets, linens, clothing and shoes, collectibles and curious. Come ďŹ nd a new treasure!

Cash Only. Bring someone to help with heavy items. Mask and Social Distancing measures followed.

CHINA 8 pc set. Edged w/ pink roses 630-961-5662

ESTATE SALE 5110 S OAK PARK AVE SAT 7/25 9AM TO 2PM EVERYTHING GOES!

COUCH AND CHAIRS 93 inch long couch, teal, grey and black print, with 2 reclining end seats. 2 additional matching reclining chairs.

630-961-5662 DINING ROOM SET Rectangular able w/ 1 leaf, felt table pads, plus 5 upholstered chairs.

630-961-5662 LENOX CHINA 5 piece place settings Lenox china, Tuxedo pattern WATERFORD GLASSES Colleen pattern, 2 water goblets, 2 wine glasses, 5 double old fashioned glasses IRISH CARDIGAN Men’s size large.

708-386-6160 SEWING MACHINE White. Like new, in enclosed wood cabinet.

630-961-5662 SIDE TABLES & LAMPS 2 side tables with attached lamps and storage in base. 2 glass bas lamps w/ gold scrolling. 2 white ceramic base lamps w/ gold ecks. With shades 630-961-5662

SUBURBAN RENTALS

M&M property management, inc.

708-386-7355 • www.mmpropmgt.com 649 Madison Street, Oak Park

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue.

Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.

HOSPITAL BED We will deliver.

708-485-0929

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, ags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

CEMENT Residential Commercial Industrial Licensed Bonded Insured Free Estimates ¡ Veteran Owned

AIR CONDITIONING/ HEATING AIR CONDITIONING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Air Conditioning Automotive A/C Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Hot Water Heaters Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

Drives Walks Patios Stamped Concrete Curbs/Gutters Garage Floors Foundations Parking Lots Water Control

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FLOORS

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KLIS FLOORING INC.

Contact us for a complete list of available rentals throughout Oak Park and Forest Park.

Apartment listings updated daily at:

ITEMS TO BE GIVEN AWAY

Ceiling Fans Installed

A&A ELECTRIC

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We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors â&#x20AC;˘ Home Re-wiring â&#x20AC;˘ New Plugs & Switches Added â&#x20AC;˘ New circuit breaker boxes â&#x20AC;˘ Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp â&#x20AC;˘ Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential â&#x20AC;˘ Commercial â&#x20AC;˘ Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. â&#x20AC;˘ Bonded â&#x20AC;˘ Ins. â&#x20AC;˘ Low Rates â&#x20AC;˘ Free Est.

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Attention! Home-improvement pros!

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FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

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Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

HANDYMAN Mike’s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do

708-296-2060

HANDYMAN Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates

773-637-0692 Ask for John

HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery. 708-848-9404

LANDSCAPING NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP

Evergreen trimming & more.

Hand weed removal.

Clean-ups.

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PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

PUBLIC NOTICES

FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM

PUBLIC NOTICES RESOLUTION 2020-29R

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE LEVY OF ADDITIONAL TAX FOR LIBRARY PURPOSES IN THE VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS WHEREAS, the Board of Library Trustees of the Village of Brookfield has requested the corporate authorities of the Village of Brookfield to levy an additional tax of 0.02% for certain library purposes, pursuant to Article 3 of the Illinois Local Library Act [75 ILCS 5/1-0.1 et seq.

(2016)]; and WHEREAS, this 0.02% additional tax shall be in addition to the annual levy of 0.35% allowed for the establishment and maintenance of the library; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, as follows: Section 1: The corporate authorities of the Village of Brookfield herewith determine to levy an additional 0.02% tax for library purposes for the tax year commencing January 1, 2020.

Section 2: Such 0.02% additional tax shall be levied on the value of all taxable property in the Village of Brookfield, as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue and shall be used for the purpose of sites and buildings; for the construction and equipment of buildings; for the rental of buildings required for library purposes; and for maintenance, repairs and alterations of library buildings and equipment.

Section 3: The levy of said additional 0.02% tax shall be effected by the adoption of an appropriate levy ordinance by the corporate authorities pursuant to statutory requirements, which ordinance shall be filed in the office of the Cook County Clerk.

Section 4: The Village Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish a copy of this Resolution at

least once in the Riverside/Brookfield Landmark, a newspaper with a general circulation in the Village of Brookfield, within fifteen (15) days after its adoption, and also the “Public Notice,” attached hereto as “Exhibit A,” hereof shall be included with such publication or posting.

Section 5: If no petition is filed with the corporate authorities of the Village of Brookfield within thirty (30) days after publication of this resolution requesting that the question of the adoption of this resolution be submitted to the electors of the Village of Brookfield, or if all petitions so filed are determined to be invalid and insufficient, the Village shall then be authorized to levy the tax. However, if a petition is filed with the corporate authorities within said thirty- (30-) day period, which petition is signed by electors of the Village of Brookfield equal in number to 10% of the total number of registered voters in the Village of Brookfield and which asks that the question of levying such a 0.02% tax be submitted to the electors of the Village, then the question shall be submitted at the next applicable election or at any special election called in accordance with law. The Village Clerk shall provide a petition form to any individual requesting one.

Section 6: This Resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its adoption.

ADOPTED this 13th day of July 2020 pursuant to a roll call vote as follows: AYES: TRUSTEES GILHOOLEY, GARVEY, COTE, KALUZNY, AND LECLERE NAYS: None ABSENT: Trustee Conroy ABSTENTION: None

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed

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ROOFING

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773-637-0692

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20003407 on July 17, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of AROB DESIGN with the business located at: 7445 ROOSEVELT RD. APT. 308-B, FOREST PARK, IL 60130.. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ASAD ROBINSON 7445 ROOSEVELT RD. APT. 308-B FOREST PARK, IL 60130.

Published in Forest Park Review July 22, 29, August 5, 2020

Kit P. Ketchmark, President of the Village of Brookfield, Cook County, Illinois ATTESTED and filed in my office, this 13th day of July 2020.

Brigid Weber, Clerk of the Village of Brookfield, Cook County, Illinois

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed proposals at the Public Works Service Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 10:00 a.m. local time on Friday, August 14th, 2020 for the following:

Public Notice is hereby given that the Village of Oak Park Draft Program Year (PY) 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development (Con Plan) and the Draft PY 2020 Action Plan both are available for public review and comment during business hours MondayFriday, effective July 23-July 27, 2020, at the Oak Park Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302; and on the Village Housing-Grants webpage. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking persons, as needed.

Village of Oak Park Police Department Firing Range Ventilation Improvements Proposal Number: 20-135 There will be a pre-bid meeting in the Police Dept. lobby in the lower level of Village Hall at 123 Madison St., Oak Park, IL 60302 on Thursday, July 30th, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

Bid forms may be obtained from the Public Works Customer Service Center by calling 708358-5700 or by e-mailing vics@ oak-park.us between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. M-F. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of proposal opening.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Published in Wednesday Journal July 22, 2020

Starting a New Business?

Call the experts before you place your legal ad! Publish your assumed name legal notice in • Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review • Riverside/Brookfield Landmark • Austin Weekly News Call Mary Ellen for details: 708/613-3342

The purpose of the Draft Con Plan is to establish priorities and strategies for utilizing federal fund resources received by the Village for the period October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2025.

The Draft PY 2020 Action Plan contains goals and objectives for implementing the Village’s Con Plan, as well as a description of proposed projects to be undertaken in PY 2020 as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program for the period October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021.

Any comments concerning the Draft Con Plan and Draft PY 2020 Action Plan can be submitted in writing to Mark Dwyer, Grants Supervisor, at mdwyer@oak-park. us, including at the virtual Con Plan-Action Plan public hearing to be held from 3-5 p.m. on July 27, 2020; send an email to this address to attend the hearing.

Published in Wednesday Journal July 22, 2020

Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice: Your right to know In print • Online • Available to you 24/7/365 ForestParkReview.com PublicNoticeIllinois.com

“EXHIBIT A” PUBLIC NOTICE The public is hereby notified regarding the above “Resolution authorizing the levy of additional tax for library purposes in the Village of Brookfield, Illinois” determining to Levy for the tax year beginning January 1, 2020 an Additional Tax of up to 0.02 Percent of Equalized or Assessed Value of Taxable Property for Particular Building and Equipment Purposes in accordance with Article 3 of the Illinois Local Library Act [75 ILCS 5/1-0.1 et seq.

(2016)] that: 1. The specific number of voters required to sign a petition requesting that the question of adoption of the Resolution be submitted to the electors of the Village is 1,319 voters.

2. The time in which the petition must be filed is from the date of publication of this Resolution until 30 days hereof, being the 22nd day of August 2020.

3. The date of the prospective referendum, if one should be called pursuant to such petition, is the Presidential General Election, held Tuesday the 3rd day of November 2020.

4. The Village Clerk shall provide a petition form to any individual requesting one.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

PLASTERING Small & big work. Free estimates.

Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

APPROVED by me this 13th day of July 2020

Published in The Landmark, July 22, 2020

708.749.0011

McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

PUBLIC NOTICES

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING Plaintiff, -v.JUANITA J. EDWARDS Defendants 2018 CH 05854 301 48TH AVENUE BELLWOOD, IL 60104 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 3, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on August 6, 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 301 48TH AVENUE, BELLWOOD, IL 60104 Property Index No. 15-08-229-0010000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

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/

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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 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.

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

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-17-05268

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2018 CH 05854 TJSC#: 40-1864 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 # 2018 CH 05854 I3152386

tity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

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

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

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

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

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

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

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-18-05254 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 18 CH 06920 TJSC#: 40-1612 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 18 CH 06920 I3152553

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS SUCCESSOR TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET MORTGAGE PRODUCTS, INC., MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-RZ2 Plaintiff, -v.JINKY G. BARREDO A/K/A JINKY BARREDO, ALBERTO VELASCO Defendants 18 CH 06920 1441 SOUTH WOLF ROAD HILLSIDE, IL 60162 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 17, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on August 3, 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 1441 SOUTH WOLF ROAD, HILLSIDE, IL 60162 Property Index No. 15-20-112-0450000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

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 quan-

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Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020

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928 S. KENILWORTH AVE â&#x20AC;˘ OAK PARK Property has been owner occupied by the same family for 50+ years. 1st fl has spacious living rm and dining rm, kitchen and 1/2 bath. 2nd floor has three bedrooms and full bath. Stucco exterior and 2 car detached garage. Great location in south west Oak Park. Needs some updating but livable as-is.

935 Elgin Avenue, Forest Park.

UNDER CONTRACT 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 UNDER CONTRACT 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!

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Forest Park Review, July 22, 2020