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Altenheim future still uncertain
Two more COVID deaths in FP
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AUGUST 19, 2020
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Area’s Black lawmakers ready for a fight Historic opening seen for passing equitable laws with teeth By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter
In 1989, the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act, or BEP, was adopted into law in Illinois, intended to eliminate the barriers that had been blocking small businesses owned by historically disadvantaged minorities from receiving state contracts. “That’s a state law, but you wouldn’t know it,” said Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (4th), who represents Forest Park and parts of Oak Park and River Forest. “These are some of the things that have blown my mind.” Lightford and members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, which she chairs, believe they are governing in a uniquely unprecedented moment — when laws and policies that are as monumental as the historic challenges they seek to remedy stand a good chance of passing. Before George Floyd’s death in May prompted a national racial reckoning, laws like the BEP Act were par for the course — big in name only, Lightford said. Some two decades after that law passed, the percentage of the state budget spent with Black-owned businesses is one-tenth of 1 percent, according to data in a 2018 Fair Practices in Contracting Task Force report. Even the creation of the task force, which former Gov. Bruce Rauner formed in 2016 with no power to See BLACK LAWMAKERS on page 16
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
SWEET!
In less than 48 hours, an emergency GoFundMe campaign raised over $50,000 to help Connie Brown, owner of The Brown Cow, 7347 Madison St., build an in-house creamery after sudden and devastating COVID-related supply chain interruptions.
Community rallies around Brown Cow
In-house creamery on the horizon after $50K in donations By MELISSA ELSMO Food Editor
“I can’t even wrap my brain around this,” said an emotional Connie Brown,
IN Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 THIS Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 ISSUE Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
owner of the Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor in Forest Park. “I am in complete awe and beyond grateful. I never thought something like this could happen so fast.” In less than 48 hours, an emergency GoFundMe campaign, established by Brown’s eldest son, Keegan, has exceeded a $50,000 goal set to help the beloved shop create an in-house creamery. For 16 years, Brown Cow, at 7347 Mad-
Triton culinary kitchens open for classes PAGE 6
ison St., has relied on ice cream co-packer, House of Flavors, to use Brown’s personal recipes to produce the 26 ice cream flavors sold in the Forest Park shop. Despite being a large-scale ice cream facility, House of Flavors runs smaller batches for boutique shops like Brown Cow. Last week, with supplies running low, See BROWN COW on page 15
Madison Street hosting Art Walk PAGE 11
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FPSD91 Unlike Any Other ad (FPR) 081920.pdf
Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
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8/15/20
8:26 PM
A School Year Unlike Any Other! Forest Park School District 91
All students will begin the first day of school on Tuesday, August 25, participating in remote learning. Although this is not what we envisioned for our families and their children for the start of the school year, our number one priority must be the safety of our students, teachers and staff.
Remote Learning from the Classroom! During this time, District 91 employees will report to their respective district facilities each school day to focus on the education of your children. This will allow our educators to utilize building and classroom resources and instructional tools to provide your students with structured and engaged remote learning opportunities.
Remote Learning will be Different! There have been very specific changes made in regards to grading, teaching, learning and attendance. Students will be graded on assignments that they complete while learning remotely, which will result in students receiving progress reports and report cards. Teachers will be teaching grade level standards and will not just be focusing on mitigating learning loss. Attendance will be taken every day class is in session.
NEW Remote Learning Channel for Parents! To assist families in preparing for remote learning, we have added a Remote Learning channel for parents on the District 91 website. This channel includes a comprehensive remote learning guide, sample remote learning schedules for all grade levels, expectations for remote learning, forms and digital learning tools. To access this channel, please go to the District 91 website at www.fpsd91.org. We realize the serious challenges our families in Forest Park face during this unprecedented time and we want to thank each one of you for your continued understanding and support as we work to keep our students, staff, families and community safe. We are all in this together! Sincerely,
Lou
Dr. Louis Cavallo Superintendent of Schools
Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
Whatever became of ‘whatever’?
This column first ran on Aug. 5, 2014. It has been updated.
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ccording to a poll conducted by Marist College in New York, “whatever” has been the most annoying word in America for eight years running! A college spokesperson described the word as “dismissive and rude.” I think its use is symptomatic of the sarcasm that is creeping into our language from TV sitcoms. I have my own list of annoying words and phrases. “How’s that working for you?” makes me cringe. It’s the trifecta: sarcastic, condescending and mean-spirited. “Do ya’ think?” “Duh?” and “Obviously” are all ways of telling someone they’re slow on the uptake. The first time I heard, “It is what it is,” I marveled at its meaninglessness. “There’s no question about it,” is a sports talk staple. Hosts are constantly making pronouncements that can’t be disputed. “No question about it, Ron Santo was the best third basemen in Chicago history.” Oh yeah, what about my boyhood hero, Pete Ward, who played third for the White Sox? Sports jargon also includes tiresome words like “physical” which means the player commits acts of violence that would
otherwise earn him an orange jumpsuit. “Deliberate” means the guy on the mound is so slow, the grounds crew has to mow the infield between innings. How about these sentencestarters: “Be that as it may,” “Having said that,” and my favorite, “All things being equal.” The next time all things are equal, please send me an e-mail. “To be honest,” is another one. If I try to slip this one past my wife, she’ll ask, “Oh, what are you doing the rest of the time?” She also uses a few phrases that annoy me like, “I’m going to hop in the shower.” My witty retort is, “Why don’t you just stand still and let the water hit you?” However, she has the perfect phrase to answer any child’s urgent request: “We’ll see.” It really means “no,” but at least she lets the kid down easy. Another way to soften “no” is to start your sentence with, “At this moment in time.” That means whatever you were hoping to do ain’t gonna happen. People love to use “ironic” when they probably mean coincidental. Someone even sang about how ironic it was that it rained on their wedding day. For some reason the word “intentional” drives me crazy. “We’re very intentional about teaching each student at their own level.” Well, I guess it’s better than teaching them by accident. Speaking of “crazy,” that
JOHN RICE
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word is getting a workout thanks to the unprecedented times we’re living through. Its cousin is “cray-cray.” “Have a good one,” is a bit too vague for me. What if my next stop is the dentist’s office to have two molars yanked? I also want to give a warning to anyone who asks me, “How are you?” I take that question seriously and will answer at great length. My French students used to mock Americans for constantly saying “amazing.” Some people are annoyed by “hangry” but I can’t think of a word that is more descriptive of how I feel when I miss breakfast. There are also some placeholder phrases we use, you know, so we don’t get interrupted while we’re trying to construct our next sentence. I’ve actually, you know, heard college-educated athletes intersperse these during interviews. While we’re on the subject, “actually” is ready for retirement. I’m just sayin’ with all due respect that at the end of the day we have to stop starting sentences with “that being said.” Full-disclosure: I’ve used many of these empty or insulting phrases in conversation. I’ve also been guilty of using sarcasm. Whatever. ■ John Rice is a columnist/private detective, who has seen his business and family thrive in Forest Park. He thoroughly enjoys life in the village and still gets a thrill smelling Red Hots, watching softball and strolling through cemeteries. Jrice1038@aol.com
T I M E . . .
A FRIENDLY TAVERN TOWN When the Northwestern Railroad built a roundhouse at Desplaines Avenue and Harrison Street, there was a saloon called Harlem House where men could get a stein after a hard day’s work. A decade or so later, in the 1870’s, Forest Park became the biggest cemetery area in northern Illinois, and the all-day trip of mourners required refreshments, often at Thode House or Gadens, both on Madison Street and Desplaines Avenue. By 1955, Forest Park had 55 tavern licenses. It was not known as a “night club” town, however, but as a “friendly tavern” town, an oasis supported, ironically, by the good residents of “dry” Oak Park, River Forest and Maywood. On the south end of town, at Desplaines Avenue and Roosevelt Road, was Vic and Vi’s at 7737 Roosevelt Road (present day McGaffer’s), where Friday night crowds waited impatiently for potato pancakes and the fish fry. In earlier days the bar was Frank’s Old Time Tavern, closely tied to the racetrack and cemeteries south of Roosevelt Road. For more photos and stories of Forest Park’s saloons of 1955, or to watch the 1938 film clip of Frank’s Old Time Tavern, visit the ForestParkReview.com Historical Society blog.
–Jill Wagner
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REVIEW Editor Maria Maxham Senior Editor Bob Uphues Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Lifka Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Debbie Becker, Mark Moroney Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA Board of Directors Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-366-0600 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 EMAIL forestpark@wjinc.com CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.com ONLINE ForestParkReview.com TWITTER @FP_Review Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Forest Park Review,141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302-2901. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS No 0205-160) In-county subscriptions: $25 per year. $42 for two years, $58 for three years. Out-of-county subscriptions: $33 per year. Forest Park Review is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. © 2020 Growing Community Media NFP. F O R E S T PA R K
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Vic and Vi Bisluk, veterans in the tavern business, purchased the salon at 7737 Roosevelt Road (now McGaffer’s) around 1951. Photo from the July 21, 1955 Forest Park Review.
Share photos on Instagram using #fpreview or email alexa@oakpark.com. All photos become property of Forest Park Review for possible future use in print or digital capacities.
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Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
Residents question council’s plan for Altenheim Mayor says he’s looking for ‘sensible medium’ By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
Forest Park residents hoping to keep the village owned Altenheim property green are organizing to make their voices heard and demand communication from the village regarding plans for the approximately 11 acres. At the Aug. 10 village council meeting, 10 letters from residents regarding the property were read, all of them in support of keeping the space green and most of them asking questions about the village’s decision-making process for the land. “Please, please, please no more condos. Save the green space,” read a letter submitted by residents Sandy and Ken Ramage. Ralph DiFebo, who headed the ad hoc Cultural Park Committee formed in December 2016, stated in his letter that, now retired, he is interested in serving on whatever committee or task force is formed to investigate uses for the land. “Who decides what comes next and what criteria are they going to use?” asked DiFebo in his letter to the council. Resident Teresa Marousek said in her letter that selling the land would be a quick and easy source of income for the village. But she urged the council and mayor to think deeper about the issue. “Think about the legacy you are creating,” wrote Marousek. “Do you want us to remember you as just another suburban mayor and council, or the mayor and council that has a vision for a better community?”
Several letters asked the village council about the proposed short and long terms plans for the property and urged the board to listen to residents’ voices. Chris Harris, former village commissioner and mayoral candidate in 2015 and 2019, said the residents had to learn from the Review about potential plans for the property, including a property appraisal that is currently underway, suggesting a lack of communication from the village to the residents. A previous town hall meeting regarding the property was standing room only, he said. “The people in Forest Park want and deserve a seat at the table,” Harris said. Hoskins addressed the issue during his report at the end of the meeting, stating that he appreciated the discussion and interest of the residents. But although he said, “It was never my intention to sell all of the property,” Hoskins made it clear that development of at least a portion of the land is being considered and investigated. Over a year ago, Hoskins said, he and Village Administrator Tim Gillian met with the board of the adjacent Altenheim residences. Development of the village-owned property next to the senior residences is subject to restrictive covenants regarding potential uses of the land. “We wanted to make them aware that now that we’re in a position to possibly demolish the buildings, we might need their help in terms of arriving at a suitable end use for that land,” Hoskins said. Hoskins also said the village has had discussions with the CTA regarding one-way traffic on Van Buren Street, which would need to be addressed, as well as issues related to property ownership of parking areas. Additionally, Hoskins said he had met with “prominent real estate developers” re-
garding the property. “We wanted to market the availability of the land,” he said. “We wanted the community of prominent developers in the Chicagoland area to know there was a large parcel that could be suitable for a transit-oriented development (TOD).” Hoskins said when he originally went to Springfield to ask legislators to make demolition funding available in the form of a state grant, the intent to develop the land was made clear. “We told them we anticipated an eventual TOD,” Hoskins said. “We didn’t say this was to build a park. We said this was to remove nuisances and make the land useful for development.” He added: “We’re been fairly transparent. Not every meeting with a real estate developer is going to be broadcast on TV.” An appraisal of the property is currently underway, expected back before the end of the month. And the village’s planning consultant MUSE is developing a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for potential developments. Development of the land, said Hoskins, “would theoretically involve some
residential and some green space.” In fact, when he was running for the position of mayor, Hoskins stated that he was in favor of a plan that would involve selling about half the land and preserving half as green space. “In addition to our obligation to the residents and to preserve outdoor space for enjoyment, we have obligations to fund pensions, and most Forest Park residents are concerned with creating an environment where we don’t have to exorbitantly increase taxes and other fees for services,” Hoskins said during the Aug. 10 meeting. “My personal goal is to find a sensible medium where we can utilize property that has been in Forest Park’s possession for almost 20 years … as well as meet our financial obligations.” The village has been waiting for a $750,000 grant to demolish the five run-down structures on the property, which was purchased for $3.6 million in 2001. The loan to finance the property purchase will be paid off in 2023. The property is just south of Madison Street along Van Buren Street.
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
UNCERTAIN FUTURE: Some residents are urging the village council to protect the green space after the derelict structures are torn down on the village owned Altenheim property.
Trivia night for a nontrivial pursuit Housing Forward’s annual event goes virtual this year By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter
The questions at Housing Forward’s 10th Annual Trivia Night tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. will, of course, be trivial but the cause of ending homelessness in West Suburban Cook County, which the event is designed to raise funds for, is anything but trifling. Housing Forward, with annual expenditures exceeding $7 million in a “normal” year, depends on fundraising to remain alive and to carry out its mission, but now with the added expense of housing 120 home-
less people in hotel rooms 24/7 during the pandemic, expenses have grown to be much larger than what was anticipated when the 2020 budget was put together. “The main objective of Trivia Night is fundraising,” Housing Forward’s Special Events Manager Trisha Marchand acknowledged, but “we also do it because it’s a great way to get the community together to come out for a good cause and do something fun.” Like many other events these days, the event will be virtual. Marchand outlined the basics. “Whaddyaknow Trivia Company who was our host last year is back as our host again this year. They have been doing virtual trivia since March when they could no longer go into bars and restaurants and have it down to a science. Teams will be sent a link so they can watch the trivia questions live. Teams can then get together virtually
via their own Zoom accounts or socially distanced in a backyard to talk through the answers and then they’ll be able to submit their answers to the company. The scores will be tallied and the winners will be announced that night. The top three teams will receive a trophy that will be delivered to them following the event. Teams are up to six players and tickets can be purchased on our website: www.housingforward.org/ events.” Tickets are $45 per person and the first 125 people to sign up can pick up a free bag of Garrett’s Chicago popcorn at the Housing Forward office, 1851 S. 9th Ave. in Maywood. In addition, there will be a 50/50 raffle with tickets selling for a dollar for one ticket or 5 for $20. As in other split-the-pot raffles, the winner whose ticket will be drawn after the event will receive half of the money in
the pot. Tickets for the raffle can be purchased at www.housingforward.org/events. “We have been so humbled and amazed,” said Marchand speaking for the organization, “at how our supporters have stepped up to help. When we moved our clients from shelter into the hotels we had so many volunteers reaching out, asking how they could help. The financial undertaking of moving all of those clients into hotels was definitely an unanticipated cost but our partners and supporters have continued to amaze us by offering not only monetary donations but also donating meals, supplies, and their time.” For more information about tomorrow’s trivia night, which is being called “Compete to Defeat,” send an email to tmarchand@ housingforward.org. For more information about their mission, visit www.housingforward.org.
Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
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Gun stolen from apartment
A 9 mm gun and other items were stolen from an apartment on the 100 block of Marengo Avenue on Aug. 13 between 6:30 a.m. and 3:50 p.m. The resident returned home to find his apartment door locked but pry marks around the frame. He reported that most of his apartment was ransacked. Missing were a 9 mm Kel-Tec firearm, a magazine containing seven rounds of 9 mm ammunition, some jewelry and watches, and several towels from the hall closet. No other apartment doors in the building appeared compromised.
Car stolen overnight A vehicle was stolen from the 300 block of Lathrop Avenue sometime after 10 p.m. on Aug. 9. The owner reported the car missing from her parking spot the next morning at 4:42 a.m. She stated she did not leave the keys in her vehicle and nobody else has keys to the car.
Thornton’s window smashed A window of Thornton’s gas station was shattered on Aug. 10 at 9:14 p.m. The reporting officer observed a south side entrance door shattered and an aluminum baseball bat on the ground next to it. A witness said he saw three men enter a vehicle in the Harlem/Elgin alley but stated that it was too dark to identify the clothing of the subjects. All employees working at the time of the incident said they were near the register when they heard a loud smash. All they saw of the suspects was that they were wearing dark hoodies. It did not appear that anything had been taken.
Subject, being released to mom, swears at cops Police were called when three male subjects were seen pulling car handles and setting off alarms at Hawk Chrysler, 7911 Roosevelt Rd., on Aug. 11 at 2:21 a.m. Officers arrived and saw one man crouching behind a vehicle. When instructed to come out, the suspect began running. The reporting officer pursued the suspect on foot, then saw two more suspects also running through the parking lot. All three
subjects hopped over the Forest Home Cemetery fends and ran into the cemetery. One of the subjects, seen on Desplaines Avenue, was stopped and told he would be tazed if he didn’t stop running. He complied and was handcuffed. Officers observed cuts on both the subject’s hands and called for medical assistance at the station. Medics arrived to bandage the subject’s hands in the detention cell. The suspect, 17 years old, did not want to go to the hospital; instead, he asked that his mother be called. While waiting for his mom, he was verbally abusive to the police officer, telling the officer, “Next time I’m gonna have my Glock 9 for you.” As he was released into his mother’s custody, he swore at the officer and called him a “cracker.”
Woman refuses to pick up cup; issued extra ticket for littering A woman on the 7400 block of Randolph Street was issued local ordinance citations for open alcohol and obstructing a police officer on Aug. 14 at 12:50 a.m. and was then issued a third ticket for littering after she refused to pick up the cup she’d dropped. The reporting officer said she was standing next to a car holding a plastic cup with brown liquid and a straw in it. When the officer approached, she dropped the cup to the ground. The officer asked for her ID, but she said she didn’t have one and argued that her cup was filled with water, not alcohol. “Water is not a brown liquid substance,” the officer reported. The woman refused to tell the officer her name. She finally showed a credit card to the officer to prove her identity but snatched it quickly away when he attempted to view it. Eventually she gave her name, and the officer verified her identify. He told her she was getting two tickets, one for an open container and one for obstructing police by not revealing her name. She was told that if she picked up the cup she’d dropped, an additional citation for littering wouldn’t be written, and there was a garbage can less than 10 feet away. But the woman refused to pick up the cup
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and requested an additional ticket instead. She was issued local ordinance citations for open alcohol, obstructing a police officer, and littering.
Man plays loud music for woman twerking in street A man near Circle Avenue and Madison Street was playing very loud music from a parked vehicle with its driver side front and rear doors open on Aug. 15 at 2:30 a.m. As the reporting officer got closer, an unknown woman ran into the middle of the street and began “dancing and twerking.” The officer ordered the woman out of the street and directed the man in the car to turn down his music. But the man in the car “continued to bang his head along with the music” and disregarded the officer’s command. The officer approached the man in the vehicle, who finally turned down the music and asked what was wrong. The officer told him his music was too loud, and the man said he couldn’t hear the officer asking him to turn it down the first time because, of course, the music had been too loud. He also said he “had to continue playing the music because [the woman] was ‘shaking it’ for him.” The officer reported that the man seemed very intoxicated. A friend drove him away. However, about 20 minutes later, the of-
ficer observed the same man publicly urinating near his car. In total, he was given three local ordinance citations that night: excessive noise, public urination and public intoxication.
Man ‘signals with middle fingers’ A man exited a bar on the 7600 block of Madison Street holding a clear plastic cup of an off-colored liquid, suspected to be alcohol. An officer stopped him, and the man requested a warning. “I apologize; I know you’re just doing your job,” he said. He appeared intoxicated and smelled like liquor. The officer issued him a local ordinance for open alcohol, the beverage was disposed of, and the man was released from the scene. Shortly after, however, the man approached the officer. He became belligerent and yelled swear words and inappropriate phrases while “signaling with his middle fingers.” He then returned to the bar. These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, Aug. 9-16, 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, August 19, 2020
Triton’s kitchens re-open for face-to-face cooking Hospitality suffering but hopes for post-COVID bounce By MELISSA ELSMO Food Editor
Denise Smith-Gaborit, coordinator of hospitality at Triton College, is anxious to welcome students back to the kitchens and bistro housed on the River Grove campus on Aug. 24. “We moved to an emergency online curriculum in the spring and continued it into the summer,” said Smith-Gaborit. “With the summer semester offering online lectureonly options we saw a 50 percent decrease in enrollment. Now that we have in person options, we are seeing numbers go up.” Triton’s hospitality program is running a full schedule of baking and pastry, culinary, and restaurant management classes in the fall. Lectures will be held virtually, but labs and blended classes will be held in-person with modified class sizes and safety measures put in place. “Our kitchens are large at Triton,” said Smith-Gaborit. “There is plenty of room for each student to have their own station and we will take turns in the sanitation area.” To accommodate social distancing requirements, class sizes have dropped from 15 students to between five and eight per class.
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
COOKING: Denise Smith-Gaborit, coordinator of hospitality at Triton College, is anxious to welcome students back to the kitchens and bistro housed on the River Grove campus on Aug. 24. Classes will have an instructor and tutor on site ensuring no more than 10 people will be in the kitchens at once. All staff and students will be required to wear personal protective equipment including both masks and face shields -- Triton is in the process of designing and producing custom face shields for use in the hospitality department. Smith-Gaborit knows the value of Triton’s hospitality curriculum firsthand. She earned both a certificate and associates degree at Triton before pursuing her bachelor’s degree at another institution. She be-
came a part time faculty member in 1996 and has served as chief of hospitality for seven years. Additionally, she will be on the frontlines in the Triton kitchens this semester teaching four classes including introductory and advanced baking and pastry classes. “The whole campus has a COVID-19 response plan,” said Smith-Gaborit. “We all want to keep the doors open but want to be as safe as possible. I am excited for the semester to start.” The hospitality industry is still out there, but Smith-Gaborit admits things are not
the same since COVID-19 took hold in the country. Ever the optimist, she is eager to remind students that bakeries have stayed open, cooks are still needed, and restaurant dining will come right back specifically because people crave social outings. “The culinary industry is taking a hit now. That makes this the perfect time to get trained or retrained,” said Smith-Gaborit. “Eventually the pandemic will come to an end and when that happens people who have invested in their education will be ready to go.”
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Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
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Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
Food pantries see increased demand for services
Local charities brace for more with unemployment supplement in doubt By HENRY WELDON Contributing Reporter
The COVID-19 pandemic isn’t only posing a risk of getting sick, it’s also pushing people to the brink of hunger. Across the area, some people have been struggling to provide food for themselves and their families. While this has been going on for a while, the pandemic has really exhausted some people’s financial circumstances which leaves them in frightening situations. “Nobody wants to come to a food pantry,” said Michele Zurakowski, executive director at Beyond Hunger. “For some people, it’s the last resort.” Beyond Hunger, 848 Lake St. in Oak Park (gobeyondhunger.org), and other food pantries across the area are reeling from the impacts of high unemployment and the future uncertainty of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Zurakowski said could have an enormous impact if further relief isn’t provided. “The CARES Act that Congress provided has been very helpful,” Zurakowski said. “Among the things that it included was that it extended unemployment benefits, which really helped people.”
While the CARES Act is providing some immediate relief to those who need it, it’s not certain how long it will be continued. President Donald Trump aims at continuing $400 weekly unemployment benefits, but it’s not known if everyone will qualify for those benefits this time around or exactly where that money will come from, since part of the total is supposed to come from individual states. “We are preparing for what we see as an avalanche of help that will be needed if the benefits don’t proceed forward,” she said. Karen Dylewski, director of Forest Park’s Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd., said that the Forest Park Food Pantry is being helped by Ed’s Way Food Mart, 946 Beloit Ave. in Forest Park. “Ed’s Way in Forest Park has a basket in front of their store that gets filled weekly by residents, and we pick up the food on Mondays,” she said. “People also buy gift certificates, and Ed’s Way passes them on to us so we can distribute them to residents who need them. This is a great way to help our residents in need to buy stuff they might need that the food pantry does not have.” The food pantry is located inside the community center, but it’s closed to the public. Residents of Forest Park can call 24 hours in advance (708-771-7737) and schedule a pickup time. Food pantry staff will come outside and bring a bag of food. The service is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. “I can’t thank this village enough for everything they do to help their neighbors,” Dylewski said. Food pantries in Brookfield are working
Pandemic-related nutrition program deadline extended Children eligible for free or reduced lunches can receive benefits By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
Illinois families with school-aged children eligible for free or reduced price meals at schools have until Aug. 31 to apply for nutrition benefits. On Aug. 12, Governor J. B. Pritzker announced that the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) was extending the deadline until the end of the month. According to a press release from IDHS, eligible Illinois residents can receive food benefits totaling $342 per child through the state’s Illinois Pandemic Electronic Ben-
efit Transfer (P-EBT) program. The department said that approximately 390,000 eligible students across the state have not yet applied for benefits for the 2020-21 school year. Households already receiving SNAP benefits do not need to apply; the P-EBT food benefits will automatically be loaded into recipients’ Illinois LINK EBT account along with regular SNAP benefits. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which brings food benefits to all school-aged children from three to 17 years old and from 18 to 22 years old (and in high school) who were eligible for free or reduced meals at schools through the National School Lunch Program from March through June 2020, when schools were operating remotely due to COVID-19. For more information, visit https://www. dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=124142.
said. “We saw an increase of about 35 to 50 percent of people seeking help.” According to the food pantry’s website, it’s open on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. It serves residents Brookfield, Hodgkins, LaGrange Park, Lyons, McCook, North Riverside and Riverside. Since mid-March the pantry has distributed pre-packaged bags of food. They’re also asking clients to park their vehicles either behind the building or on the street and wait for a pantry volunteer to serve them. Despite the challenges faced by the pandemic, Dumas said she wants to ensure that people know that it’s OK if they need to reach out for a little extra help. “I’ve talked to a lot of people that are embarrassed that they need help, but we want to help everyone and let them know that it’s OK,” Dumas said. Zurakowski said that anothMARIA MAXHAM er challenge that Beyond Hunger faces is to make sure that ACCEPTING DONATIONS: A bin in the front of Ed’s Way, undocumented immigrants 946 Beloit Ave., accepts donations for the community are able to access their goods center’s Forest Park Food Pantry year-round. and services. “If you’re an undocumenthard to keep shelves full and people fed. Aida Gatch, who leads the St. Barbara Food ed immigrant, you can’t qualify for food Pantry, 9300 47th St. in Brookfield, has her stamps,” she said. “Many undocumented immigrants avoid food pantries in fear that hands full helping people in need. “We only have four volunteers compared the authorities will collect data about people to 12, because they can’t social distance,” seeking help.” Although it hasn’t been easy, Zurakowski Gatch said. “What I’m afraid of is the winsaid the community has united and stepped ter. In the winter I can’t open my doors and let people in. I don’t know what kind of out- up to volunteer. “People are being really incredible,” she come we are going to have if we have a bad said. “It’s been gratifying to see the commuwinter.” Gatch said the food pantry normally nity come together. The individual people serves around 50 families, but that number have been amazing, but hunger is a systemhas tripled to 150 families because people ic problem.” Sarah Corbin, communications director are coming from farther distances. at Beyond Hunger, said that they are always The St. Barbara Food Pantry (hgaparish. org/en/community-outreach/food-pantry) grateful for a donation. “Just $1 allows us to provide three meals,” is open every Monday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., but clients must make an appointment to Corbin said. “Because of the pandemic we pick up food. Donations are also accepted on recently asked for our community’s help speMondays but donors are asked to call ahead cifically in securing canned vegetables, soups and meat meals like ravioli or beef stew.” before dropping off items. Corbin said Beyond Hunger has seen a St. Barbara Medical Lending Closet, stark increase in individuals seeking assiswhich operates out of the same site, is open by appointment only on Tuesdays, Wednes- tance from their services. “We actually have seen a 268-percent indays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Linda Dumas, a board member of Share crease in first-time visitors to the food panFood Share Love Food Pantry (sharefood- try,” she said. Despite the uncertainties that the future sharelove.com), located in the basement of Faith Lutheran Church at 3801 Madison presents, she said that she’s grateful for the Ave. in Brookfield, has said that they have help that the community is providing. “We know that our community will conseen an uptick in demand for the food pantinue to be here to help those in need,” she try’s services. “We have seen an increase in the amount said. “We will always be open. And through of people who are seeking food and we don’t individuals and partnerships, we know that expect that to go down anytime soon,” she we will help end hunger.”
Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
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Forest Park to enforce state mask mandate for local businesses Written warnings, directives to disperse and fines possible By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
Forest Park businesses can be fined up to $2,500 if employees or customers aren’t wearing masks, according to a village announcement on Aug. 13. The measure is based on new Illinois rules cracking down on business enforcement of masks and providing a process of graduated enforcement, which starts with a written warning. On Aug. 11, the state’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules voted to uphold Governor J. B. Pritzker’s rules regarding mask enforcement in Illinois businesses. Eight opposing votes would have been required to overturn the rule; six votes were against it and five in favor, predictably along party lines, with Republicans voting against and Democrats for. The rules provide a process by which local government can enforce mask-wearing in restaurants, bars and other businesses, a process that starts with a written warning and can escalate to hefty fines for non-complying establishments. But according to Village Administrator Tim Gillian, Forest Park would probably start at the lowest end of fine guidelines, $75, and work its way up if a business repeatedly ignored warnings. “I can’t see us ever getting to $2,500,” Gillian said. “And under no circumstance would we start out at a fine that high.” He added: “Our goal is compliance, not punitive measures.” According to the law: • Anyone over the age of two and medically able to tolerate a mask must wear a face covering over their noses and mouth when in public and unable to maintain six feet of social distance. This applies both to indoor and outdoor areas, although patrons at restaurants can remove their masks when eating or drinking. Individuals, however, will not be penalized for failure to wear a mask. • Businesses are required to ensure that employees and customers over the age of two wear a face covering at all times. Patrons can remove masks when eating and drinking, but businesses “must require face coverings at all other times,” according to the emergency amendment. • Businesses must make “reasonable efforts” to require customers to wear masks. This might include posting signs about mask-wearing, providing face coverings to customers, giving verbal warnings to customers or requesting customers not in compliance to leave the premises. Businesses that fail to comply will first be given a written notice of non-compliance.
This will include a “reasonable opportunity” to remedy the situation. “Reasonable opportunity,” according to the emergency amendment, depends on a number of factors, including the nature of the activity taking place, whether the activity is being conducted indoors or outdoors, the public health risk, and the number of individuals at risk of exposure. Examples of actions a business might take include the prompt distribution of face masks or placing an employee at the entrance to limit the number of people entering until occupancy is in compliance. Enforcing entities may observe until compliance is achieved or return at a later date depending on the time period provided to allow for compliance. After a written warning, if the business still doesn’t comply with the mask mandate, a written order to disperse may be issued by the village. Finally, if it is determined that the business isn’t complying with the order to disperse, the business may be fined. In Forest Park, police and/or an official from the Department of Public Health and Safety “will be conducting random premise checks to assure compliance with the new law and all current guidelines,” according to the memo from the village. The memo states, “It is not the intention of the village to assess fines. We will make multiple attempts at compliance before citations are issued.” Other current restrictions remain in place, including tables in restaurants being spaced at least six feet apart, a maximum of 10 people allowed at a table, standing area capacity limited to 25 percent of occupancy, and gatherings must be limited to 50 people or less.
On Friday, Pritzker OKd a measure that adds a penalty for anyone who assaults an employee enforcing the use of masks. Such assaults can now be prosecuted as aggravated battery, often a felony, instead of battery.
In a statement, the governor’s office said, “This provision sends the message that it’s vitally important for workers to be both respected and protected while serving on the front lines.”
MARIA MAXHAM
MASKS REQUIRED: Forest Park businesses are required to enforce mask guidelines according to state law.
Two more COVID deaths in Forest Park bring total to 11 Suburban Cook County percent positive slowly rising By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
Two COVID-19 deaths this month have brought the town’s total deaths among residents to 11. There had been no COVID-related deaths among residents since July 4. Both were Black male residents of Aperion Care Forest Park, 8200 Roosevelt Rd. The first, a 66-year-old man, died of complications from COVID-19 on Aug. 2. He also suffered from hypertension, end stage
renal failure, coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The second was an 86-year-old man who died on Aug. 14. His underlying conditions included diabetes, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Of the 11 COVID-19 deaths in Forest Park, eight have been residents of Aperion Care. Since the beginning of the outbreak, Forest Park has seen 222 cases of COVID-19, according to data from the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) as of Aug. 17. This represents a rate of 1,567 per 100,000 people, relatively low compared to other nearby towns. Maywood, for example, was reported as having a rate of 2,751; Melrose Park a rate of 4,907; and Berwyn a rate of 3,001. River Forest’s rate on Aug. 17
was reported at 1,021. For more information on the CCDPH’s COVID-19 surveillance visit https://ccdphcd.shinyapps.io/covid19/. Forest Park is grouped with all of suburban Cook County in the state’s regional breakdown to monitor resurgence of COVID-19 cases. This section of the state, Region 10, has seen an increase in percent positive over the past month, rising steadily from 4.4 percent on July 15 to 6 percent on Aug. 12. As of Aug. 17, however, the region had not met the criteria for increased mitigation from the state. More information on the regional monitoring by the Illinois Department of Public Health is available online at http://dph.illinois.gov/regionmetrics.
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Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
Madison Street transforming into art gallery Art Stroll, Aug. 22-29, replaces Garage Galleries this year By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter
The Madison Street Art Stroll, August 22-29, may provide evidence that business people can be as creative as artists. Here’s how the Stroll will work: 23 local artists will have their art displayed in the windows of eight commercial storefronts on Madison Street, some of which are currently empty. The event is free for those who want to simply enjoy, as it were, “window shopping” the work of artists from Forest Park and the surrounding suburbs. For those who are interested in purchasing art, however, there will be two ways to do it. One is to begin the process of buying a raffle ticket online at https://forestpark-
strong.com/madisonstreetart, print out the receipt, and exchange the receipt for tickets at Centuries and Sleuths, 7419 Madison; Empowering Gardens, 7730 Madison; or O’Sullivan’s Public House, 7244 Madison.
artist in which you can deposit your ticket. The second way to purchase art is to copy
1 ticket for $5 5 tickets for $20 15 tickets for $50 5 free tickets with a purchase of a Forest Park ChamberResidentialMembership 5 free tickets with a purchase of a Forest Park Art Alliance Membership As prizes for the raffle, Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures is donating a certificate for one of their sculptures, and each of the 23 artists is donating a piece of their work all of which will be displayed in the window of Centuries and Sleuths Book Store where you can check them all out. Then at each of the eight businesses displaying the art there will be a box for each
Provided
GREETINGS: Mixed media, greeting cards and framed quotes from Forest Park artist Kimberly Adami-Hasegawa will be on display and available during the Madison Street Art Stroll.
down the contact information which will be posted next to each artist’s work and contact them directly. The Art Stroll is the result of a cooperative effort between the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce which will receive half the money raised in the raffle and the Forest Park Art Alliance which will deposit its share in their mural art fund. Here’s how the Art Stroll originated. Lin Beribak, a member of the Arts Alliance and an artist herself, was just about to send letters to the Garage Gallery contributors notifying them that the 10 year old event would be cancelled this year because of COVID-19 when she was contacted by Bridget Lane, a member of the Chamber’s Economic Development Committee. Lane floated the idea of an art walk, and the two received the go ahead from their organizations and worked together to make the event happen with the support of many Continued on next page
Area colleges brace for pandemic fall semester Triton, Concordia and Dominican try different approaches By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter
Local colleges and universities are gearing up for a 2020-21 academic year that will be unlike any other — except, perhaps, the one rocked by the Spanish Flu pandemic a century ago. And different local institutions are each implementing different reopening models that officials say are unique to their particular circumstances. At Triton College in River Grove, which kicks off fall classes on Aug. 24, students will take five types of courses that range from full online learning to a mixture of online and in-person instruction, a college spokesperson said. Triton is requiring all students to have access to WiFi, a webcam and a computer. The college has also implemented a free mobile app called CampusClear that allows students and employees who are on campus to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms. Last month, the Illinois Education Association and the Illinois Federation of Teachers — which collectively represent 238,000 employees in public and private schools and colleges in the state — issued a joint statement insisting that colleges go full remote unless adequate safety measures to protect students and instructors are in place.
“We are working to ensure that any district providing in-person instruction in Illinois is prepared and able to abide by the safety measures outlined by the state, the federal government, and medical professionals,” it stated. “If those measures are not met, we will do everything we can to protect our students and those who care for them — teachers and professors, bus drivers, classroom aides, secretaries, building janitors and everyone in between.” The Illinois Education Association did not respond to calls and e-mails seeking comment. At Triton, full-time instructors are represented by the Triton College Faculty Association while the Triton College Adjunct Faculty Association represents adjunct instructors. Leslie Wester, the faculty association’s president, declined to comment specifically on how her union felt about Triton College’s reopening plans. She did point out that the union is “working with the administration during this fluid situation” to figure out the best way forward. Wester added that the union currently has no plans to strike. Bill Justiz, who heads up the adjunct faculty union, did not respond to requests for comment by deadline. Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, which also starts classes Aug. 24, is going full remote on Zoom in the fall after initially deciding on a hybrid of in-person and remote instruction. Eric Matanyi, Concordia’s associate vice president for communications and marketing, said the college pivoted from the blended model after seeking input from
“all members of the university community” and based on guidance from the university’s Emergency Response Team. According to Concordia’s Return to Campus Plan available on its website, the university has established a partnership with Access Health in Melrose Park to conduct individual COVID-19 testing for students. Dominican University in River Forest will start the fall by reopening its campus “with reduced density and more campus restriction,” said Donna M. Carroll, the university’s president. “Having gone through all my town meetings with current students, new students, faculty and staff, I can say that is firmly our direction,” Carroll said. “We think we can do it.” Carroll said the university’s small size and its “strong sense of community and collective responsibility gives me hope that we can implement something that is sustaining.” She added that the university Caritas Commitment, or its “pledge of solidarity” to the health and well-being of the whole campus body, gives her another layer of confidence. “I am cautiously optimistic,” she said. “I have some colleagues who think I’m nuts to expect college students to adhere to protocols around masking and social distancing, but I’ve told students that this is an important moment. You’re coming to campus and your behavior and vigilance will determine the campus experience you’re able to have.” Dominican enrolled 3,029 students last fall, 2,151 of whom were undergraduates,
according to data available on the university’s website. Jill Albin-Hill, Dominican’s vice president of operations, said administrators will reduce campus density by 50 percent when classes start on Aug. 31. The college will also utilize various forms of remote learning. As with Triton, Dominican will use the CampusClear mobile app for students and employees to monitor and report on their status, and has partnered with Rush University Medical Center for testing. In addition, the college has implemented a range of protective measures, such as mandating face coverings and installing thermal temperature scanning at building entrances, among other measures. “We’ve tried to convey to people that we’ve got layers of mitigation,” Albin-Hill said, adding that the university sticking with those mitigating measures — from implementing a rule requiring the wearing of face masks and installing sneeze guards throughout campus to modifying interior spaces for optimal social distancing — “will improve our odds.” Carroll said Dominican’s divergence from Concordia’s reopening plan reflects each institution’s uniqueness, adding that “Each campus is different.” “Given the large number of firstgeneration college students and given the issues of economic and racial equity, we really believe it’s the right risk, if we want our students to persist and be successful academically,” she said. Igor Studenkov contributed to this report. CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com
Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
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Provided
COLORFUL: Joanna Szymanska’s art will be part of the Madison Street Art Walk, a collaboration between the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce and the Forest Park Arts Alliance. members of their two organizations. “By having the art displayed in storefronts,” Beribak said, “visitors could safely take in the art without endangering the artist or themselves. Bridget reached out to the landlords and real estate agents holding open stores, as well as Healy’s Westside, which is temporarily closed during the pandemic. Those owners/agents have been extremely gracious about the use of their space. “Many artists responded with interest in displaying, because we didn’t want to lose the momentum we have built with the annual gallery events but were in agreement that we shouldn’t take chances on safety issues.” The sponsors of the Art Stroll include Forest Park Schools D91, caffe DeLuca, A.L.M.A. Arts Language Music Alliance, and Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures Inc. The donors of the eight gallery locations are David King and Associates, Inland Real Estate, Avenue One Realty Group, Healy’s
Westside and Loft Yoga Studios. The local artists displaying their work in the stroll are all for the creative alternative event. For example, Chuck Michalak said, “This event and Garage Galleries are great ways to involve the artists and the village in the person to person experience of art enjoyment and appreciation. The local exposure for artists in our community is another bonus.” Rosana Sanchez put another spin on the benefit of exposure. “We just moved to Forest Park a little over two years ago and I love that the town is so small and collaborative. Sharing art with people I don’t know helps me get to know them, and them me.” Michalak, looking to the future, said that he hopes the Art Stroll is not just a one and done event. “I am looking forward to the first of many Art Walks and many more Garage Gallery Exhibits to come. Both these events should continue as well as other community participation art events such as public murals throughout the village.”
Here’s the line-up of art offerings on Madison Street from Aug. 22 to 29. 7227 Madison Street Phil Malhiot, oil on canvas and ceramics Judy Steed, stained glass mosaics 7234 Madison Street Kerry Obrist: photography Kimberly Adami-Hasegawa: mixed media, greeting cards, framed quotes 7247 Madison Street Mary Dye and students: pottery 7321 Madison Street Pamela Seatter: acrylic and oil paintings Kennedy Shenberg: mixed media, bone carving, wood burning
Bridget Lane: pottery Shelley Lamantia: photography, oil and watercolor paintings Rafael “Unca Raffy” Nieves: graphic design prints Jan Cerny: acrylic paintings 7418 Madison Street Lin Beribak: watercolors, card prints Kristy Fleming: visual art, Baby Yoda ornaments 7443 Madison Street Kristi Murray and Trish Walters: leather jewelry and accessories Rosana Sanchez: watercolor and acrylic paintings Chuck Michalak: oil, acrylic,
watercolor on canvas Cheryl Spran: 2-dimension art, impressionistic style Pat Williams: spray painted images, jewelry 7502 Madison Street Jay Boersma: color photographs Gretchen Colavito: handmade jewelry 7652 Madison Street Jonathan Scianna: oil painting, mixed media, colored pencil Lauri Dishman: pinhead designs, jewelry Nanette Abate: photography Joanna K. Szymanska; mixed media, digital art
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Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
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Donny G’s is Alive Again Donny Greco, welcomes customers back with a song
D
onny Greco, owner of Donny G’s Ristorante and Bar, at 7308 W. North Ave., is a self-proclaimed social butterfly. He greets customers by name at the door and personally checks on every table— he is even known to offer his own musical stylings to entertain guests. Located on the threshold of Restaurant Row in Elmwood Park, the mainstay restaurant has made a name for itself by serving simple Italian home-style fare with considerable musical flair. In mid-March Greco made his dream of having a dedicated lounge associated with his namesake restaurant come true. Housed in the neighboring building, Donny G’s Lounge and Event Space, went through an extensive renovation to create the comfortably modern entertaining area. A large bar, featuring high-end finishes and a rich blue color palate, anchors the lounge designed to host Food Writer an array of private events like baby showers, birthday parties and business meetings. Addition-
MELISSA ELSMO
Lunch offerings at Donny G’s: Greek salad with grilled chicken, feta, tomato, cucumber, and pepperoncini (half order pictured) ally, the versatile space doubles as an annex where customers can enjoy live music performances and a post-meal cocktail. When the pandemic forced Greco to close his dining room, bar and lounge, the gregarious owner went into “survival mode.” Even with 35 years of industry experience Greco could not have conceived of a scenario like the one he has endured over the past several months. “Without people coming to my little restaurant the whole happiness element was gone. I gained 18-pounds waiting for carryout orders in an empty restaurant,” said Greco. “I feel alive again now that we’ve reopened.” Today, every guest entering Donny G’s is temperature checked using a hands-free infrared heat sensor. The hefty investment gives owner, Donny Greco, peace of mind. “At the very least we know every guest and employee is fever free when they are
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Donny Greco stands behind the bar in Donny G’s Lounge and Event Space.
Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
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Lunch Offerings at Donny G’s” White Fish with lemon butter, sautéed spinach and potato (half order pictured) here,” said Greco, “We also have dispensers for hand sanitizer attached to the wall and tables with red coverings are there to create proper social distancing.” Greco’s primary goal is to keep customers safe during these unprecedented times. His business partner, Dan Grammatis, notes their compliance focused approach allows both first time and longtime customers to have a good meal in a safe and clean environment. “Do you know why I come here three times per week?” asked Donny G’s regular, Rick Bono. “Because I know it is safe. Donny makes people feel like family and the food is good.” Since reopening regular customers have been eager to return to the restaurant, small private events have picked up and live music has returned to the lounge on Friday and Saturday evenings. Greco has a full entertainment line-up for the remainder of August and into September. Daniela Crocco, a “singer for all occasions,” will grace the stage on September 11 and Ollie Bolds, will bring his Motown, jazz and blues stylings to Donny G’s Lounge on September 18. Greco will perform his own lounge act on September 26. The space can hold more than 30 guests while maintaining proper social distancing. The neighborhood has been supportive throughout the crisis. While the restaurant was closed, loyal customers helped Donny G’s build a first-time carryout business to supplement lost revenue. Since reopening, in-person dining is steadily picking up. Even as his dining room begins to bustle again, Greco is pleased Donny G’s newfound carry-out business has remained robust. “Elmwood Park is home to iconic restaurants like New Star, Johnny’s, Alpine, Jim and Pete’s and Massa--these places have a solid reputation. We’re all waiting for a vaccine to curtail this terrible virus,” said Greco. “Like Donny G’s, all of these restaurants are adapting, and the community is fighting for all of us.”
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Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
BROWN COW
“trough” eating contest. Now, just days later, the account has well exceeded its $50,000 goal. Thanks to more than 1,100 donors, Brown’s business has a pathway to survival. She intends to “cannibalize a portion of the party room” to accommodate the creamery and will install a viewing window to allow customers to witness the ice cream making process. In addition to sourcing a blast freezer, Brown will need to acquire a batch freezer (the actual ice cream maker) and large walk-in refrigerator to hold all the dairy products and fresh ingredients used in her recipes. Brown, who attended ice cream manufacturing school, anticipates the need to retool some of her recipes as she will produce smaller batches of ice cream more frequently at Brown Cow. If all goes well, she anticipates being operational in approximately two months and hopes to use the excess funds to complete the front-of-the-house improvements to help increase speed and efficiency in the shop. She has also had conversations with people about ways she can give back to a community that has shown her so much support. Giving back is a core value at Brown Cow and this experience has inspired her to do so on a larger scale. “I promise I will give back to the community 10-fold,” said an overwhelmed Brown. “I don’t have words to express the gratitude I feel. It’s wonderful and emotional and just a mushy ball of everything.”
Community contributes from page 1 Brown attempted to place an order, only to be told the manufacturer was discontinuing small-batch runs because of COVID-related supply chain interruptions — effective immediately. “I was shocked and started to panic. The news came so suddenly,” said Brown. “I understand their struggle but would have liked at least some notice. We had enough ice cream in the shop to last just six weeks.” The ice cream parlor is the sole source of income for Brown who is a single mother of three teenagers. Without access to her signature product Brown knew she had a small window of time to find a solution. The implications were grave for a shop that had already made significant changes to their operations to adapt to the global pandemic. Brown eagerly shifted to walkup window service, curated creative online birthday celebrations, and used her commercial kitchen to produce bread for homeless shelters in the area. She was also soliciting bids to have modifications made to the front of the shop to allow for proper social distancing indoors once the weather turns colder. In fact, a local contractor was in the shop when Brown learned her ice cream production was in
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
FAMILY: Connie Brown (in back) with her children; from left, Cassidy (13), Keegan (18) and Payton (15). jeopardy. “He was looking at the front of the shop, but after that call, I asked him to take a look at the back,” said Brown. “Building an inhouse creamery seemed like the only solution and it has been a dream of mine for a long time.” After saving diligently, Brown bought the building housing her ice cream shop last year and subsequently started saving to build her own on-site ice cream production facility in the future. The crisis forced her to consider speeding up her timeline despite
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the hefty price tag associated with such a project. Brown estimates the total price tag to be around $120,000 — a blast freezer alone costs $48,000. “I have some savings and applied for a loan, but my son told me I needed a Kickstarter or GoFundMe to help,” said Brown. “I don’t like to ask people for anything, but I am so grateful he pushed that button.” As soon as Brown Cow’s GofundMe account went live, donations started pouring in, including a $1,000 offering from a former winner of the shop’s signature 21-scoop
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Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
BLACK LAWMAKERS Equitable laws from page 1 enforce the lofty goals in the BEP Act, was largely symbolic, Lightford argues. In 2018, as Rauner was running for re-election, the senator blasted the former governor’s motivations for signing an executive order similar to the one creating the task force. “Records show that in January 2015, Gov. Rauner announced an executive order studying barriers in contracting for minority businesses,” Lightford’s office explained in a statement released that year. “Then in November 2015, the Rauner administration secretly waived minority participation requirements for a $94 million state contract. … In 2016, we established the Fair Practices in Contracting Task Force. Here we are two years later, conveniently when the governor’s running for re-election, he signs another order to address the same disparities — I’m tired of the political games.” Lightford may be at the peak of her powers heading into the November veto session, which marks a sudden turn of the tide. In May, not long after she narrowly lost a historic bid to become Senate President to Oak Park Sen. Don Harmon (38th), Lightford resigned as chairperson of the Black Caucus — only to be reinstated in July.
“Since I initially offered my resignation as chairman of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, the world has changed,” Lightford said at the time. “And here in Illinois we too have a historic opportunity before us to bring about change, but it will not last forever.” “I think the George Floyd murder has brought the caucus, and Black people in general, together,” said state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (7th), who was influential in persuading Lightford to continue as chairperson of the caucus. “I think Leader Lightford’s returning as our chair is an indication of that,” Welch added. “This is not a time to be divided. It’s a time to be united.” In July, Lightford stated that the caucus was firmly united behind addressing “four pillars of issues where change is desperately needed: Criminal justice reform; violence reduction and police accountability; health care and human services; economic access, equity and opportunity; and education and workforce development.” Last week, Lightford said the caucus is preparing to file the first of a series of bills meant to fundamentally address those issues. The bills will be heard in joint committee hearings in November, she said. One of the most significant proposals the caucus is working on is the creation of an oversight body that can actually enforce legislation like the BEP Act, Lightford said. “We’re in a moment in time where we can use our leverage to ensure we do
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UNIFIED, REINVIGORATED: State Sen. Kimberly. Lightford speaks at a Juneteenth rally in Broadview earlier this year. Lightford, Welch (pictured in the Black Lives Matter t-shirt) and other members of the Black Caucus say they’re going to November’s veto session in Springfield prepared to fight for a range of equity-related proposals. everything we can to remove systemic racism and oppression,” she said. “There has been quite a bit of legislation, that the Black Caucus has pushed for, that has never been implemented. We have to have accountability and there has to be that hammer, that oversight, ensuring that if you don’t follow the law, this happens to you.” In the last several months, Welch has introduced a flurry of proposals designed to push the state to take more seriously its ostensible goals of addressing systemic racism. Earlier this month, he wrote an open letter to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, urging him to take enforcement action against Medicaid providers that fail to meet contracting goals for minority- and women-owned business. Welch sent the letter to Raul a month after he sent Gov. J.B. Pritzker an open letter, “imploring the governor’s administration to prevent social equity licenses from being awarded to companies with straw ownership schemes,” according to a statement Welch’s office released in July. Welch referenced a Cincinnati Enquirer report showing that the state of Ohio had busted a number of straw ownership schemes in which companies posed as Black-owned businesses to try to secure marijuana dispensary licenses. Welch has also been vocal about racial inequities in the banking industries and college athletics. Earlier this month, he sent letters to executives at some of the largest banks in the Chicago area, urging them to release data on their contracts with Black-owned businesses. And last year, he sponsored a bill that would allow studentathletes in Illinois, many of whom are Black, to earn compensation from the use of
their name, image or likeness. Last week, Welch said that Blacks are “just being left out across the board,” adding that a recent retreat of Black Caucus members “recognized what our power is.” “They’re going to learn very quickly that things won’t make it out of committee if the dollars aren’t flowing into our communities,” he said. “They can doubt us if they want to, but we’re more invigorated than ever.” State Representatives La Shawn K. Ford (8th) and Camille Y. Lilly (78th), both of whom are also members of the Black Caucus, struck a similar note of resolve during a press conference, Aug. 12, in the wake of the looting that broke out on the Magnificent Mile on Aug. 10. “Our social polices don’t take into account human rights,” Lilly said. “Those issues are not being taken into account, which our young people are looking at. … We have failed generations for decades.” “After that last round of looting last week in Chicago, I believe now more than ever that Black people are hurting and we need to help,” Ford said, before calling for more resources in Black communities to deal with issues like mental health, behavioral health and substance abuse disorder. Last week, Lightford was not understated in describing just how monumental an opportunity Black lawmakers have in the months ahead. “This chance we have, everybody is watching,” she said. “This is biblical. This is it. I saw every nationality on those [marches] with signs saying ‘Black Lives Matter’ or ‘Enough is Enough’ or ‘I can’t breathe’ or no ‘Justice, No Peace’. … We have a charge. We have to develop a strong pathway toward transforming our community.”
Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
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OPINION O U R
V I E W
Three votes to be a strong mayor
F
orest Park, the bar capital of the near west suburbs, is struggling to find a way to contain COVID-19 while allowing bars to remain in business. And with their mixed record of enforcement, the bars aren’t always helping either. We get that everyone here is fighting for their lives — or at least their livelihoods. We get there is a level of frustration and prickliness among all of us that comes from nearly a half year of quarantine. We also see fraying and frustrated political leadership at village hall. Mayor Rory Hoskins sees a public health emergency and wants the executive power to battle it. The majority of the village council sees its authority abrogated by an overreaching mayor. Communication has broken down. The result is that on a matter of imminent threat to the health of residents, our leaders are pulling apart, not together. We’re frustrated to see a measure to impose reasonable new health restrictions on bars which are not serving food go down to defeat at the village council. Some of the opposition, voiced in part by Commissioner Ryan Nero, has a libertarian streak, opposing the imposition of new limits on struggling small businesses. But Joe Byrnes, the longest serving commissioner, seems mainly frustrated that he was not consulted in advance, that copies of the proposed ordinance were not offered early. It is a fair criticism of the mayor. And we hope he can hear it. While we are supportive of decisive executive action in the face of what is still an alarming and deadly virus, the reality on the ground is that those executive powers lapsed in Forest Park in the early summer. That leaves Hoskins’ strength in areas of persuasion but not imposition. He needs to lead a coalition of at least three members of a five-member body to be able to take the path he seeks. Even then, he may need to compromise some to achieve that goal. This is a council form of government. It takes three votes to make a mayor a strong mayor.
How now, Brown Cow? Connie Brown may be the richest woman in town. For fans of the holiday film classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, the reference will resonate even if the means of stepping up in support of Brown and her Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor did not involve tinkling bells and angels receiving their wings. Instead it was a GoFundMe page set up by one her sons that allowed the citizens of Forest Park to rocket a distraught Brown — who faced the imminent loss of her ice cream manufacturing vendor license — into a person counting her blessings. In less than 48 hours a $50,000 goal to build an in-house creamery on Madison Street was quickly surpassed. On Monday afternoon, donations had hit $57,000. Brown, both a fixture and an activist on Madison Street and in the D209 Together movement, is loved and respected. So the blessings are earned.
I
Winning thoughts
wasn’t looking to become a megamillionaire, just a petite one. It’s easy enough to pick five numbers, none of them sequential, a few in groups (at least that seems to be the winning trend) — over 10 tickets I would spread out birthdays, anniversaries and ages. It was Saturday afternoon and I was looking for something to do that night, and 10 bucks was burning a hole in my pocket. A small price to dream about being debt-free, having a new stove where the burners work and the temperature shows on the oven; refinished floors in the house; new furniture in the rooms; a new ceiling fan in the living room and a new washing machine. Plus I could help my family and friends become debt-free too, or get them that new car or fix their plumbing or pay their college loans, or starter money for a starter home in a nice community in Proviso. Whatever keeps them up at night because they are wonderful people for many reasons, but mostly they love me despite all my imperfections. All the local nonprofits that support me and my family could get a boost — no need to beg to buy popcorn, sell donuts, hustle Portillo’s, push cookies or call out for chocolate this year to survive. A chunk of money to buoy today and anchor the future. I wouldn’t have to worry about remote learning; my kids would have a nest egg to build from. Not enough to develop narcissistic personality disorder, but a solid start. School work would not be a grind to hopefully have a chance at future goals or achievement, so that they too can wonder at night how to make ends meet. Instead, remote learning would be a thing to do while we were at a beach or in the mountains or just fishing on the river. We could be free from the pressures of worry about future survival. My parents and mother-in-law could take the trips they dream of, and a personal caregiver to help them along. I could leave giant tips at restaurants that equaled the bill, and gift all the people I don’t actually know but value in my life — the garbage men, the postal workers, civil servants, the staff at
Schauer’s, village staff, whatever whimsical community giving I dream of. And for my neighbors around Forest Park. Most of you I don’t know, but you have left an encouraging phrase in your window or lawn, so I would leave an envelope of cash, nothing life changing, but a financial thanks. Your seed of kindness inspired me, so you seem like the person who deserves a contribution to continue your good work. I have heard that money does not solve problems, can’t buy happiness, and even the theory that people who win the lottery are unhappy and broke a few years later. That sounds terrible, so maybe I don’t want to be a petite millionaire; sounds like a drag. So I started to regret even buying the tickets. I could have used the $10 to buy ice cream sundaes and been thankful I didn’t have millions. Free of the pain of having enough money to give to others. I remember the “shock jock” craze in America in the ’80s and ’90s, laughing when people called in to news stations to pretend they were something they were not, a whole movement against the infrastructure and anchors that people trusted. That has blossomed to the “Great” America we are today, filled with mistrust, suspicion, paranoia, and fear. So maybe giving someone a few hundred dollars would just cause stress and anxiety, the opposite of what I dreamed. I fell asleep before the drawing finished Saturday night and dreamed of having a losing ticket. But to my surprise, on Sunday I opened my email and found that I won. Well, to be clear, I won a dollar. Not quite the life-altering or community-altering level. So I’ll be in the hustle for popcorn, peanuts, pancakes, and wreaths after all, whatever our local groups are pedaling. I can’t leave an outrageous tip at a restaurant. I will not be walking around with a sack of money for your mailbox. Don’t look for my lunch delivery at your work. After all, it’s the thought that counts, so tonight I’ll have to add a sign in my window with a little thanks because that’s all I got.
JILL WAGNER
Send letters To run an obituary Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, or fax: 708/524-0447 before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.
Forest Park Review 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 E-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com Fax: 708-524-0047 Please include name, address and daytime phone number for verification.
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Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
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Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
presents
A Wednesday Journal & A Tribe Called Aging Production
wabi sabi F I L M F E S T I V A L
Our Covid-19 free gift to the community - watch it free on ZOOM in your own home
Appreciating the beauty of impermanence, a quarterly Film Series encouraging everyone to embrace and respect our aging population and the transformation of our society.
Gen
Silent
Friday, August 21 • 10am Gen Silent asks six LGBT seniors if they will hide their lives to survive. They put a face on what experts in the film call an epidemic: gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender seniors so afraid of discrimination, or worse, in long-term/health care that many go back into the closet. And, their decisions are captured through intimate access to their day-to-day lives over the course of a year in Boston, Massachusetts. The film shows the wide range in quality of paid caregivers --from those who are specifically trained to make LGBT seniors feel safe, to the other end of the spectrum, where LGBT elders face discrimination, neglect or abuse. As the film chronicles the challenges that these men and women face, each subject crosses paths with a small but growing group of impassioned professionals trying to wake up the long-term and healthcare industries to their plight. WE WILL BE JOINED BY DIRECTOR STU MADDUX AND PRODUCER JOE APPLEBAUM FOR Q+A AND DISCUSSION FOLLOWING THE MOVIE.
Signature Sponsors
Non Profit Patron Sponsors
Oak Park Township/River Forest Township
Learn more and register at: wabi-sabi-GenSilent.eventbrite.com
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Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
FORESTPARKREVIEW.COM New local ads this week
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HELP WANTED
WE LOST OUR MEETING PLACE
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.
I’m an Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 20 in Oak Park. We hold our Troop Meetings every Monday night at 7:00pm & had been meeting at the Park District’s Barrie Center. But the Park District is keeping the rec centers closed for the time being. We are looking for a large indoor empty space (maybe an empty store front) to meet. We would bring our own camp chairs, space ourselves out for social distancing & wear masks at all times. We would clean up and wipe down anything we touch with disinfectant wipes when we leave. We follow the BSA policy of “Leave No Traceâ€? so you wouldn’t know that we were ever there when we left ;-) So, does anyone know of a large empty space we can use until the Park District reopens their centers? Let me know at Info@Troop20.com Also, if you are boy who has completed the ďŹ fth grade and are at least 10 years old and looking to join a Boy Scout Troop, then consider joining us at Troop 20. Check us out: Troop20.com
HELP WANTED PART TIME DRIVER Local Co. seeking part time driver to deliver parts around Chicago area. Must be able to lift 75lbs. Must be able to pass drug test and have valid IL DL. Email resume HR@ sievertelectric.com
EARLY AM SAFETY/ MAINTENANCE Early riser with attentive eyes will enjoy this position in a pleasant, small company. You will be setting up an environment to be safe and healthy for people to work. Lots of autonomy for responsible staff. 7am shift, M-F, 10-20 hrs/wk. $15+/ hour. Job starts early Sept. Must lift, carry on stairs, use professional disinfecting products. Neat appearance a must. Pleasant smile a plus. Apply in person: 2 Open interviews. Arrive at 500 Madison St., Oak Park (at Scoville, by Jewel store) with MASK, driver’s license, and cell phone. Th, Aug 20, 7am OR Tu August 25, 7am. Written application is a part of the interview morning. This is a job for somebody who enjoys making a contribution in a pleasant environment where they are appreciated. Once you settle in, you will ďŹ nd a lot to enjoy about your time on the job.
SUBURBAN RENTALS COZY TOWN HOME FOR RENT Cozy Town Home for Rent. Two bedroom, One Bath, with partial ďŹ nished basement and washer and dryer. 1 block from the amazing Lincoln Elementary School. Walk to the Blue Line, Grocery Store, Cafe, Ice Cream Shop, and great parks. One parking space included. Tenant pays all utilities. One month rent and one month security deposit required. Credit and background check required. Owner pays water and refuse. Available October 15, 2020. Please email townhomeoakpark@gmail.com for inquiries.
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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
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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.
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
GARAGE/YARD SALES Oak Park
BACK TO SCHOOL GARAGE SALE 1145 SCOVILLE SAT 8/22 & SUN 8/23 9AM TO 2PM
Get ready for Back To School with youth clothes sizes 8-14, all sorts of books, doll toys, Littlest Pet Shop toys and more. Other items include electronics (stereo and computer equipment), kitchen items, adult clothing and household items. Priced Extra Low To Move!
ITEMS FOR SALE
Come early to apply for this pleasant, PT position. Th, Aug 20, 7am OR Tu August 25, 7am.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST Hephzibah Children’s Association Requirements include: is a social service agency in Oak • Minimum of 6 semester hours Park, IL providing a variety of proin education, recreation, social grams including Residential Group work, or related college courses Homes, Foster Care programs and • Experience working with children other Family Based services and You will supervise and assist chilDay Care. dren with e-learning programs; We are accepting applications for plan and supervise arts and crafts, Youth Development Specialists in indoor & outdoor play, games, our Day Care program for the 20sports, homework help, lunchtime, 21 school year. You will assist with snack time and more. e-learning, and provide supervision The program will follow the safety and care to 5-11-year-old (Kindergarten-5th grade) children in the guidelines of the IDPH regarding face masks, social distancing and Oak Park community. cleaning & disinfecting. Full time and part time hours may Contact Amy O’Rourke, be available as follows: Director of Day Care at: Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm aorourke@hephzibahhome.org or Monday-Friday, 2:30 – 6:00 pm. Equal Opportunity Employer
OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT
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.
NOVENAS NEVER FAIL NOVENA May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, adored and gloriďŹ ed throughout the world, now and for-ever. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put my trust in you. Holy Mary Mother of Jesus, pray for me. St. Theresa child of Jesus, pray for me. St. Jude, helper of hopeless causes, pray for me and grant this favor I ask. Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days .R.B PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (NEVER KNOWN TO FAIL) Oh, most beautiful ower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to suc cor in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and publish; your request will be granted. R.B. PRAYER TO ST. JUDE May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, gloriďŹ ed, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days. By the 8th day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail . Publication must be promised. Thank you Jesus. Thank You St . Jude. R.B.
CABINET AND HUTCH Beautiful ranch oak cabinet and hutch, bought at Marshall Field’s. Cabinet dimensions 49W x 28H x 18D. Hutch dimensions 49W x 29H x 11D. $199.00 708-488-8755 CHURCH PEW Church pew 9ft in length, 42 in high, dark brown in color. P/U in BrookďŹ eld area Cell 708-308-0869 IRON MUSIC STAND WITH BRASS FINISH $35.00 708-488-8755
ITEMS TO BE GIVEN AWAY TOSHIBA TV 18 inch Toshiba older model TV in good shape. Non-at screen. 708-903-7053
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
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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: Y20003966 on August 5, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of PRIVATE POOK GAMES with the business located at: 1016 S CUYLER AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: MICHAEL GROSSO, 1016 S CUYLER AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304, USA.
STATE OF WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT KENOSHA COUNTY PUBLICATION SUMMONS
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II. DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The demolition and disposal of the church, house, and garage at the sites indicated above, including all concrete pavements, asbestos abatement, and all other appurtenant work as required. III. INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS: A. All applicable work will be in conformance with the “Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction”, dated April 1, 2016. B. Proposal forms are available for download only from QuestCDN via the Novotny Engineering website, http://novotnyengineering.com, “Bidding” tab, for a non-refundable charge of $30.00. Please contact Novotny Engineering (630-887-8640) to obtain the QuestCDN password. Proposal forms are non-transferable. Only those Proposals that have been obtained from, and with the approval of, Novotny Engineering will be accepted at the bid opening. C. Only qualified Contractors who can furnish satisfactory proof that they have performed work of similar nature as Contractors will be entitled to receive bid documents and submit Proposals. To meet this requirement, at the request of the Engineer, bidders will be required to submit a “Statement of Experience” consisting of a list of previous projects of similar nature in order to receive bid documents. The Owner reserves the right to issue Bid Documents only to those Contractors deemed qualified. D. All Proposals must be accompanied by a Bank Cashier’s Check, Bank Draft, Certified Check, or Bid
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Bond for not less than five percent (5%) of the total amount of the Bid, or as provided in the applicable sections of the “Standard Specifications”. E. No Bid may be withdrawn after opening of Proposals without the consent of the Owner for a period of forty-five (45) days after the scheduled time of opening of Bids. F. The Contractor will be required to furnish a labor and material “Performance Bond” in the full amount of the Contract. G. The Contractor will be required to pay Prevailing Wages in accordance with all applicable laws. H. Special Covid-19 Bid Opening Requirements: 1. The Village Commons Campus is currently open to the general public. Bids may be mailed to the address provided in Section I of this Notice or dropped off in person. 2. In order to protect the health of our community, the Village of North Riverside has implemented recommendations provided by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Cook County Department of Public Health, including Social Distancing and the Mask Mandate as recommended in the Restore Illinois Phase 4 Guidelines. Please practice social distancing and wear a mask when in buildings on the Village Commons Campus. IV. REJECTION OF BIDS: The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals, to waive technicalities, and to accept the Proposal deemed to be most favorable to the Owner. BY ORDER OF: VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE PRESIDENT & BOARD OF TRUSTEES Kathy Ranieri, Village Clerk (s)
Published in RB Landmark 8/19/2020
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: Y20003983 on August 5, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of NEW AGE BABY with the business located at:400 KENT RD, RIVERSIDE, IL 60546. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: THERESA INTRAVARTOLO, 400 KENT RD, RIVERSIDE, IL 60546, USA. Published in RB Landmark 8/12, 8/19, 8/26/2020
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE 2342 AND 2350 8th AVENUE BUILDING DEMOLITIONS I. TIME AND PLACE OF OPENING OF BIDS: Sealed Proposals for the improvement described herein will be received at the office of the Village Clerk, Village of North Riverside, 2401 S. Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside, Illinois 60546, until 10:00 a.m., September 1, 2020, and will be publicly opened and read at that time.
Published in Wednesday Journal 8/12, 8/19, 8/26/2020
LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park --Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302-- will receive electronic proposals until 1:00 p.m. on Thursday September 3, 2020 for Project: 20-2, RESURFACING of VARIOUS STREETS. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, the improvements will require the following construction: removal and replacement of curb and gutter, sidewalks, ADA ramps, driveways, drainage structure adjustments, pavement patching, cold-milling of bituminous concrete, installation of hot-mix asphalt binder and surface courses, pavement striping, parkway restoration, and all appurtenant work thereto. Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Thursday August 20th, at 4:00 p.m. Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www.oak-park.us/yourgovernment/budget-purchasing/ requests-proposals or at www. questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 7269063 for a non-refundable charge of $30.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening. All prospective bidders must prove they are pre-qualified by the Illinois Department of Transportation by providing a certificate of eligibility to the Engineering Division at which time a password will be issued for access to the online bid documents. This project is financed with local Village funds and federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and thus is subject to all federal rules, regulations and guidelines, including DavisBacon and Related Acts, Section 3, and Equal Opportunity requirements. Locally funded phases of the project are subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq. THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer Published in Wednesday Journal August 19, 2020
Case No. 20SC1398 TO: Steven William Sagerstrom 102 Lincoln Ave., Apt. 3N Riverside IL 60546 You are being sued by Carthage College in the small claims court for KENOSHA County, 912 56th Street, Kenosha, WI 53140. A hearing will be held on 09/10/2020 at 10:00AM. If you do not appear, a judgment may be given to the person suing you. A copy of the claim has been mailed to you at the above address. This communication is from a debt collector and is an attempt to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. August 10, 2020. Howard, Solochek & Weber, S.C. Attorneys for Plaintiff By: Electronically signed by Jonathan H. Dudley State Bar No. 1000761 Post Office Address 1800 E. Howard Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53207 (414) 272-0760 Published in RB Landmark August 19, 2020
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON 2020-2021 BUDGET PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board of Education of Oak Park Elementary School District Number 97, Cook County, Illinois, that it will hold a public hearing on its proposed budget for the 2020 2021 school year on the 22nd day of September, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. The hearing will be held at the District Office, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302. Such proposed budget shall be on file conveniently available for public inspection from and after August 21, 2020, in the Business Office of Oak Park Elementary School District 97, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. The Board of Education intends to adopt the proposed 2020-2021 budget following the public hearing. /s/ Keecia Broy President Board of Education Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Dated: August 14, 2020 Published in Wednesday Journal 8/19/2020
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 ABFC ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-WMC1 Plaintiff, -v.DARYL SATCHER, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., OAK PARK TERRACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Defendants 2018 CH 08851 914 NORTH AUSTIN BOULEVARD UNIT #C-8 OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 7, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 2, 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 914 NORTH
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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
AUSTIN BOULEVARD UNIT #C-8, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-320-040-1025 The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The 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. 14-18-07459 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2018 CH 08851 TJSC#: 40-1745 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 08851 I3153301
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MASTR ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES TRUST 2007-1, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1 Plaintiff, -v.ELLEN M. RAVITZ, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 18 CH 03457 123 S. EUCLID AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 13, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 15, 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 123 S. EUCLID AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-07-400-0160000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $657,505.06. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR
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Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
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In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year ForestParkReview.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
(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, Alexander Potestivo, POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 263-0003. Please refer to file number 109484. 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. POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610 Chicago IL, 60606 312-263-0003 E-Mail: ilpleadings@potestivolaw. com Attorney File No. 109484 Attorney Code. 43932 Case Number: 18 CH 03457 TJSC#: 40-924 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 03457 I3152293
the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Mr. Ira T. Nevel at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 357-1125. 18-04613 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3153814
Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-18-428-043-1019 & 16-18428-043-1064. Commonly known as 6436 Roosevelt Road, Unit 311, Oak Park, IL 60304. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g) (4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 3609455. W18-0641 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3153810
RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 18 CH 12736 14 DIVISION STREET, # 14 OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 16, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 28, 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 14 DIVISION STREET, # 14, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-127-0480000 The real estate is improved with a brown brick, three story townhouse with an attached one car garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the
residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.
You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 267501 Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 18 CH 12736 TJSC#: 39-8007 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 12736 I3151985
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST; Plaintiff, vs. LORNA J. RANKER; CHARLES K. RANKER; CITIZENS BANK NA; Defendants, 18 CH 2459 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-17-327-034-0000. Commonly known as 1185 S. LOMBARD AVE., OAK PARK, IL 60304. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR HIS ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2007OPT1, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-OPT1; Plaintiff, vs. CHARLES T. GRANT; JUANITA J. GRANT AKA JUANITA LACOURT; PRAIRIE PLACE AT 6436 ROOSEVELT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 14415 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION SELENE FINANCE LP Plaintiff, -v.LARSENIA HORTON, NEIL SMITH, ASSURANCE RESTORATION & CONSTRUCTION, INC., PRAIRIE HOUSES OWNERS ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-
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Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
INC., REALTOR
(708) 366-8989 7342 MADISON ST, FOREST PARK, ILLINOIS 60130
928 S. KENILWORTH AVE OAK PARK
324 ELGIN AVE $459,000 FOREST 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.
This is a beautiful two flat updated several years ago with many new upgrades. Plain and simple, the numbers work. Check it out and do the math
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.
NEW LISTING
1117 Marengo Avenue, Forest Park UNDER CONTRACT 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!
ONLINE and IN PERSON options for Private Lessons for Language, Music and Academic Tutoring. In Person option for 2020/21. Multi-Age K-5th Grade “Homeschool in School“ program
The Language and Music School At International Mansion 509 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 info@internationalmansion.com • (708) 524-5252 • InternationalMansion.com
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Forest Park Review, August 19, 2020
189 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 386-1400
HomesInTheVillage.com
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