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GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA, NFP ForestParkReview.com Vol. 104, No. 38

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F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

Union workers frustrated by contract talks

Naming Proviso East’s new stadium Page 6

Forest Park’s new PR firm Page 9

@FP_Review @ForestParkReview

AIRBOARD

Good-faith delays in salary hikes during COVID now ignored, says union By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

Tensions between the Village of Forest Park and the labor union representing a significant portion of its workforce spilled into the public during the Sept. 13 village council meeting. Last year, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3026 agreed to postpone the scheduled 2.5 percent pay raises as the village saw several of its revenue sources drop during the COVID-19 pandemic and future financial prospects remained uncertain. During the council meeting, AFSCME Local 3026 President Katie Murphy said that a year later the village is offering a 1 percent raise, which the union felt was paltry given their earlier concessions and the fact that, she argued, the member salaries were low to begin with. In a follow-up interview, David Marlow, the union negotiator, cited the fact that the village recently increased salary ranges for most supervisors, saying that a similar raise would only be fair. Village council members didn’t respond to Murphy’s comments during the meeting, and Moses Amidei, village administrator, subsequently declined to comment on the matter, citing ongoing contract negotiations. AFSCME Local 3026 represents village’s clerical workers, as well as custodians, event coordinators, See UNION on page 10

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Jack Gallagher, 10, of Forest Park, gets air on his skateboard at the Forest Park Skatepark on Harrison Street. More pictures on page 12.

D91 students and staff reflect on 9/11 20 years after attack, students not yet born feel pain and hope By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

Two weeks ago, District 91 students in all grade levels participated in a virtual assembly to commemorate what happened in this country on Sept. 11, 2001. Eric Beltran, assistant principal of

IN Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 THIS Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 ISSUE Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Forest Park Middle School, closed the program by playing taps as 9/11 scenes were projected on hundreds of student computers in each individual classroom. He said teachers told him that student reactions were very powerful with some students close to tears. Nurys Uceta-Ramos, D91’s family and

John Rice: Leisure vs. recreation PAGE 3

community outreach manager, planned the assembly which lasted 25 minutes, with a goal of reaching students’ hearts as well as their heads. In an interview with 10 eighth graders, students revealed that they were familiar with the basic facts of that

Tom Holmes: Secularization and its discontents PAGE 14

See 9/11 on page 12

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Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

We care about our neighbors Oak Park Regional Housing Center | 1041 South Blvd, Oak Park | (708) 848-7150 | oprhc.org

Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

Leisure vs. recreation waste of time. What’s wrong with us? You would think we were founded by Puritans who embraced the Protestant work ethic like it was sacred. Americans don’t realize how long and hard we work compared to our counterparts in other developed countries. We get the fewest paid vacations, yet Americans forfeited over 200 million vacation days last year. This may partly be due to COVID travel restrictions but people could have still used the off days for “staycations.” It’s encouraging, though, that many people are using their down time for leisurely activities, like walking and biking. The pandemic forced us to re-evaluate our priorities and find pleasure in simple activities like walking a dog, or pushing a stroller. Retirement has helped me develop a leisure ethic. I bought a season pass to the Forest Park Aquatic Center and went swimming as often as I could. I didn’t bring a book, or phone. I swam laps and talked to people. On one visit, I spoke with a woman from Poland. She was critical of Americans for being workaholics, who don’t know how to enjoy

e’ve been taught the importance of developing a strong work ethic since we were kids. I only recently learned about the need to develop a leisure ethic. There’s a difference between leisure and recreation. Leisure is lying on the beach. Recreation is getting up to play Frisbee. I learned about the leisure ethic in an eye-opening article titled, “I studied people who think leisure is a waste of time, here’s what I found,” by Ohio State Professor Selin Malkoc. She is a native of Turkey and finds the need of Americans to constantly “do stuff ” to be troubling. She surveyed over 100 students to get their views on leisure. She found that those who saw leisure as a waste of time derived less enjoyment from leisure activities than those who found it important. They were also more likely to be “stressed, anxious and depressed.” She expanded her survey to include people from France and India. She found very few French people having a negative view of leisure. The people from India were more like Americans and saw leisure as a

JOHN RICE

Americans don’t

realize how long and hard we work compared to our counterparts in other developed countries.

L O O K

B A C K

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life. She is a nurse, so she’s no stranger to hard work. In Poland, though, she enjoyed four weeks paid vacation and had many days off to observe religious holidays. Family is important to her, so she’s going back to Poland for a month to see her elderly mother. Her American co-workers think she’s crazy to forfeit a month’s pay this way. Spending time with family can be a pleasant way to spend leisure time. I enjoy time with my grandsons every week. It’s a win-win because it’s fun for me and gives their mothers a break. Some people fear retirement because they’re worried they’ll be bored, or go broke. I’ve seen so many go back to work because they miss the structure. That’s because they see down time as idleness. Idleness is forced inactivity. It can be unpleasant, guilt-inducing and lead to boredom. Leisure is deliberately doing something for pure enjoyment. Many Forest Park residents value leisure and want to preserve the greenspace at Altenheim for leisure activities. Sure, we can enjoy leisure at The Park but it’s mostly geared toward recreation and structured activities, like sports. As Ralph DiFebo observed, the Altenheim could provide a flexible space for leisure and recreation. It would have paths for leisurely walks and space for passive recreation, like viewing art, listening to music, or watching a play. Who knows? A game of Frisbee could even break out.

REVIEW Senior Editor Bob Uphues Equity Editor/Ombudsman Michael Romain Digital Publishing & Technology Manager Briana Higgins 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 Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Development & Sales Coordinator Stacy Coleman Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

Board of Directors Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

T I M E

Reagan appearance makes Mohr the merrier The Aug. 1, 1973 Forest Park Review featured a photo of then-California Gov. Ronald Reagan, who was the feature speaker for Republican state Sen. Howard Mohr’s re-election campaign dinner at the Conrad Hilton that year. Sen. Mohr, who grew up at 443 Marengo Ave., was the second son of Roy and Nellie Mohr, and grandson of Forest Park’s first Mayor, Henry J. Mohr. He would go on to become mayor of Forest Park and then became an Illinois state senator -- at the same time. The Review story highlights the “localities” who greeted the former Hollywood-actor-turnedgovernor as he dropped in to greet them prior to his appearance as featured speaker. Listed in the article as attending the event at the Hilton that night were Mr. and Mrs. William McKenzie, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Schwebl, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Bale, James Berliner, Harry Schwarzbach, Forest Park Review publisher Robert Haeger, John Stange and Mr. and Mrs. Al Jordan. The review went on to report, “The ladies were unanimous in their appraisal of the former movie star as a ‘complete charmer.’”

F O R E S T PA R K

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: $30 per year. $44 for two years, $60 for three years. Out-of-county subscriptions: $38 per year. Forest Park Review is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. © 2021 Growing Community Media NFP. F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW

State Sen. (and Forest Park Mayor) Howard Mohr (right) greets California Gov. Ronald Reagan in 1973 at a dinner in Chicago launching Mohr’s campaign for state senator. This photo was on the front page of the Forest Park Review on Aug. 1, 1973.

Share photos on Instagram using #fpreview or email alex@oakpark.com. All photos become property of Forest Park Review for possible future use in print or digital capacities.

@ForestParkReview

Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

September 22-29

BIG WEEK

Author event at Centuries & Sleuths Centuries & Sleuths bookstore, 7419 Madison St., invites you to an afternoon with Ben Strand, author of “A Black Hawk War Guide: Landmarks, Battlefield, Museums and Firsthand Accounts” on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 2 to 4:15 p.m. Strand explores the final conflict east of the Mississippi River between Native people and the United State militia and troops. He outlines museums, wayside markers, parks and more related to the struggle, which has historical significance in America. Follow the fallout of the war from the Quad Cities on the Illinois/Iowa border and the Trembling Lands along the kettle moraine and driftless areas of southern Wisconsin. This pairing of local insight and big-picture charts an overlooked quadrant of this local landscape.

FlipCon Virtual Fandom Fest

Veterans oral history project

FlipCon, the Forest Park Public Library’s comic and fandom two-day extravaganza is back with a virtual twist in 2021. On Friday, Sept. 25 from 2 to 6 p.m., which focuses on young adult events and activities, includes a presentation by Gene Ha (“How to Draw Everything”) and more. On Saturday, Sept. 26, there will be child and family activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., including “Superhero Training with Wonder Woman,” cosplay, drawing workshop and a comics recommendations. Registration is required. Zoom links will be sent to gain entry. Registrants will receive swag bags while supplies last. Visit fppl.evanced.info/signup/Calendar to sign up for each day you will be attending.

Even in a close-knit community like Forest Park, there is an awful lot we don’t know about our neighbors -- the struggles they’ve faced, the sacrifices they’ve made or the obstacles they’ve overcome. Despite the yearly holiday dedicated to honoring them, this is particularly true of our neighbors who are veterans of the Armed Forces. The Historical Society of Forest Park has an ongoing oral history project and is looking for Forest Park veterans to share their stories which are archived for the future. If you are a veteran, and would like to share your story, email to forestparkhistory1975@ gmail.com. If you would like to support these efforts, you may become a member and/or leave a donation at forestparkhistory.org.

Vaccination Clinic for 1st, 2nd, and Booster shot

Ella & Friends Storytime with Maui Jones

Magic with Gary Kantor

Forest Park Public Library invites families to attend the new Ella & Friends Storytime events based on the “Everyday with Ella” book series by local author Maui Jones. He’ll explore themes of community, culture, inclusion and curiosity through the characters of Ella and her friends. This live storytelling experience takes place Sept. 22 and 29 at 10:30 a.m. at Veteran’s Park, 7501 Harrison St. Registration to attend by visiting the Forest Park Public Library website at fppl. evanced.info/signup/Calendar.

Children can learn to amaze family and friends when learning tricks using cards, ropes, coins, mind-reading and more from professional magician, Gary Kantor on Sept. 27 from 6:45 to 7p.m. This class is a co-op class between the Park District of Forest Park and Park District of Oak Park. Materials are provided and each child will receive a magic kit to take home. Children are grouped by age in order to learn tricks that are appropriate. Classes will be held at the Park District of Oak Park. Registration through the Park District of Forest Park website at pdofp.org/classes-and-programs/youthprogramming.

MAUI JONES

Compassionate Care Clinics will host a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at the Howard Mohr Community Center on Sept, 25 from 10-2 p.m. 1st and 2nd dose available for Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. The Answer, Inc. along with Imaginal Studios are partnering with IDPH to provide vaccinations to the general public with accommodations for the special needs population. Booster shots open to the general public for Pfizer and Moderna to anyone 18 and older. Free and open to the public. Howard Mohr Community Center 7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park

Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

Enter the world of a chef at Table and Lain New boutique cooking class venue set to open in Forest Park next month By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

Chef Louis Dourlain has some significant culinary chops and is bringing his wealth of kitchen experience to Madison Street in Forest Park. Table and Lain, 7322 W. Madison St., is expected to open in early October offering small scale in-person cooking classes and niche gatherings. “We could not have asked for a better space than the one we found in Forest Park,” said Dourlain, chef-owner of Table and Lain. “It was a food photography studio previously and came with the kitchen, bar and dining room. When we walked in, I thought, thank God, this is exactly what we need.” The space features a communal dining area at the front of the shop, ample room for cooking stations as well as a full kitchen with shared appliances. A comfortable seating area flanks the kitchen to facilitate conversation. At Table and Lain, class participants might make cornbread in a cowboy skillet, cook in a traditional paella pan and may even use modernist iSi containers and immersion circulators. No matter the lesson plan, cooks in the Forest Park kitchen will have access to top of the line All-Clad and Global Knives. Dourlain, who is an adjunct faculty member at Kendall College, is hoping to become a teacher to the general public and is excited to use Table and Lain to “dip his toes into different pools.” He is offering an assortment of five to six preset cooking class menus focusing on themes like A Night in Spain, Southern Cooking, French Bistro. Participants will work side by side with professional chefs to turn out dishes like whitefish ceviche, cornflake fried chicken

Melissa Elsmo/Food editor

Chef Louis Dourlain in the dining room at Table and Lain. and vanilla crème brulee as they learn techniques like sautéing, browning and baking. Following each cooking class the meal will be served family style at communal tables. “People will barely break a sweat in these classes,” said Dourlain. “They will have fun and enjoy a great meal, but they will also learn valuable skills they can use in their everyday lives.” Dourlain’s grandmother lived in Oak Park, and he grew up visiting her home on the northeast side of the village. He remembers learning how to make fresh pasta in her Oak Park kitchen and aspired to make

Melissa Elsmo/Food editor

Dourlain, owner of Table and Lain, anticipates offering private cooking classes for a maximum of 16 guests upon opening and plans to grow the business by introducing larger gatherings in time.

the process as effortless as she made it appear. At 15, the aspiring cook took his first restaurant job at a pizza parlor and went on to attend culinary school at Kendall College. After graduating he benefitted from a four-year stint at Everest in Chicago. The since shuttered regional French restaurant helmed by Chef Jean Joho served as a standard-setting fine-dining establishment for 35 years. “Everest was a dream job for me. They really take you in, break you down and build you anew,” said Dourlain. “I loved it. It was a good experience especially for the camara-

derie and mentorship.” From there Dourlain made his way to California and worked at Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley before returning to Chicagoland, starting a family, and launching virtual cooking classes for corporate clients under the name Table and Lain. And now, the burgeoning business is putting down roots in Forest Park. Virtual classes will support the in-person class offerings at Table and Lain and Dourlain hopes to use the Forest Park space to partner with other food artisans, chefs, and bakers to host cooking demonstrations. “I am looking forward to working with Spilt Milk, Carnivore and other local businesses to help offer them more exposure inside the community,” said Dourlain. “At Table and Lain we want a rotation of chefs to teach our classes.” Upon opening, classes at Table and Lain will be focused on safety first and foremost. Classes will be limited to private parties of 16 guests. Proof of vaccination will be required, and masks will be worn during classes. All classes will be BYO until Table and Lain receives its liquor license. “It is such an asset to have the Village of Forest Park in our corner,” said Dourlain. “They are excited to see this project get up and running and that’s a good thing because we have at least a dozen people a day telling us they want us to open.” Dourlain is excited that Table and Lain will have room to grow and looks forward to offering drop-in weeknight classes as well as hosting small weddings and social gatherings in the future. Table and Lain is expected to host an open house during the first week of October. Follow Table and Lain on Facebook to stay up to date about their plans for opening.

Melissa Elsmo/Food editor

Table and Lain, located at 7322 W. Madison in Forest Park, is awaiting a few finishing touches in anticipation of opening day.

Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

PMSA grads star in short film shot in their hometown Maleek Akeju and Christopher Hall star in Ian Szetho’s ‘Trash Talk’ By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

Ian Szetho and Maleek Akeju were really good friends while studying business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. They bonded over basketball games that would many times turn into deep conversations about life. So it was somewhat natural for Szetho to turn to basketball when deciding the theme of his next short film. “I really wanted to make a film about this idea of two friends reconnecting through basketball in their hometown after going their different ways in life,” Szetho said. The problem, though, was Szetho couldn’t star in the film himself. He needed someone who could hoop and act at the same time. Akeju, who agreed to play one of the friends, tapped his real-life buddy Christopher Hall to play the other one. Both Akeju and Hall graduated from Proviso Math and Science Academy in Forest Park and are Broadview natives. With actors secured, the next problem was where to film. “I told Maleek, you live in this wonderful town that has so much texture and character to it,” Szetho said, adding that he was already familiar with Broadview due to interning at Bosch, the auto equipment company once located in the village. So Akeju offered the backyard of his fam-

ily’s Broadview home. same movement “over and Szetho, 26, said the film over,” and rehearsed them mulwas shot in about six tiple times before even filming. hours one day in July. “Malik and Chris were wonThe cast and producderful actors who had the chops tion crew included the to do the actions,” Szetho said. two actors, Szetho, Matt When asked if acting is in his Hebron (the director of future, Akeju chuckled. photography) and Anna “If people want me, I’ll try,” Jedralski (production he said. “I have very low expecassistant). tations, though.” “I was like, ‘What In the meantime, Akeju is in should we cater?’ And Boston studying for a master’s Maleek said, ‘You gotta degree in public administraget Uncle Remus,” said tion at the Harvard Kennedy Szetho, before heaping School and a Master of Busilavish praise on the loness Administration at MIT cation at 1801 Roosevelt Sloan School of Management. Road in Broadview. He said he eventually wants REPRESENTING: Akeju and Hall in the backyard of Akeju’s Broadview “The few times I’ve to work in economic developvisited Malik in Broad- home, where Ian Szetho’s short film, “Trash Talk,” was shot. ment, with a particular focus Provided view he’s brought me to on helping low-wage workers Uncle Remus,” Szetho improve their economic mosaid. “I’ve been to other bility. locations in the city and they do not comSzetho, who works in sales full-time, said Szetho said the film was inspired by Spike pare.” Lee’s He Got Game, a 1998 film starring Den- he hopes to be able to make films for a livAkeju, 26, said working on the short film, zel Washington and NBA star Ray Allen. ing. He’s trying to get the short film, called Szetho’s third, was his first time acting. It “I pulled a lot of inspiration from that “Trash Talk,” into several film festivals. was also the first time for Hall, Akeju said. “It’s just about making time for my craft film,” Szetho said. “The only issue is I don’t “It was fun,” he said. “It was a lot of nos- have a moving crane to shoot the action outside of work, getting better,” he said. talgia. It brought back memories of playing scenes. God bless Matt Hebron, who had the “Matt and I say this a lot: ‘Filmmaking is pickup games in my backyard as a kid. I cam on his shoulder and was moving with like basketball. It’s about putting in our went to Roosevelt School in Broadview, so it [Akeju and Hall].” reps.’” gave me a lot of flashbacks.” CONTACT: info@vfpress.news Szetho said the two friends filmed the

East to name football stadium after board member Reconstructed facility will honor Theresa Kelly By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

The newly renovated Proviso East football and track stadium, due to reopen in October, will be named after a sitting District 209 school board member. The decision prompted some pushback from board members who wanted more public input into the renaming process. The D209 board voted 4-2 on Sept. 14 to accept Supt. James Henderson’s recommendation to name the stadium in honor of Theresa L. Kelly, the longest-serving school board member in the district’s history. Kelly has been on the board for 22 years. “We’re sitting here, because [Kelly] brought us all together,” said board member Sam Valtierrez who, along with D209 board President Rodney Alexander, Della Patterson and Kelly herself voted in favor of the motion. School board members Ned Wagner and

Amanda Grant voted against the measure while board member Claudia Medina was not present for the vote. “I would like to ask anybody under the sound of my voice who has volunteered 22 years of anything for free,” said Alexander on Sept. 14. “I’ll wait. … She stayed the course for 22 years while we were off doing whatever we were doing. … We want people to look at that stadium and see what a life of service and dedication looks like.” Patterson addressed possible pushback from some who might wonder why the board didn’t rename the stadium after an athlete, particularly a successful football player. “What about all the NFL players? What about them? We’ve had some NFL players come back and do a few football camps for some of our students,” Patterson said. “I can’t recall where there’s been this huge donation from a professional football player.” But Wagner and Grant said that they

would have liked to see more participation from the public before the board made any decision on renaming the stadium. “I like the idea of putting it out to the community,” Wagner said. “I really don’t like the idea of naming the stadium after one person when there have been so many people over the years who have had an impact — on the field, off the field,” said Grant. “The better idea would be putting it out to the community and taxpayers and alumni to see what they would [like to name the stadium],” Grant added, before noting that she would have preferred they simply avoid renaming the stadium. “When we don’t name it after one person, it continues to belong to everyone,” she said. “The stadium will still belong to everyone,” Patterson said. “Her name only recognizes her sweat, tears, time, talent and her treasure. I watched the lady buy kids

clothes, give kids money and nobody knew about it.” “We don’t have to honor people who throw a football for a living,” said Alexander. “That’s a sport. Its entertainment. … We want to applaud moving forward community service. We want people to look at that stadium and see what a life of service and dedication looks like.” The old Proviso East football stadium was demolished late last year as part of the district’s facilities master plan process, which was launched under former D209 superintendent Jesse Rodriguez. The stadium renovation is part of the first phase of master plan projects, which also included the construction of new parking lots at district schools, and the installation of air conditioning on some floors at Proviso East and West, among other extensive construction work. CONTACT: info@vfpress.news

Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

Terms of library trustees may change to meet state code Amidei, new village administrator, believes terms are out of compliance By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

Forest Park’s village council is expected to change the length of elected terms of Forest Park Public Library trustees after Village Administrator Moses Amidei discovered that the current six-year terms don’t comply with state law. In Forest Park, library trustees are appointed by the mayor and approved by the village council, with each trustee serving for six years. During the library board’s Sept. 20 meeting, Pilar Shaker, the library’s director, said she had no idea what the change will actually entail, but based on the state law, the trustees’ terms will most likely be halved, from current six-year terms to three-year terms. The village also has to tackle the fact that board treasurer Lin Beribak’s term is scheduled to expire in May 2022, even though she was appointed to her current term in June 2017. The village council is expected to change the term length during its Sept. 27 meeting. The library board has six seats, one of which is vacant. Shaker told the library

Forest Park Library Board meeting board that she hasn’t heard anything about when Mayor Rory Hoskins might fill it. The board had two vacant seats until Aug. 9, when Hoskins appointed former Union Pacific Railroad recruitment manager Eboni Murray to serve until May 2027. Shaker told the library board that Amidei discovered the issue while reviewing the village code. “[Around] 4 to 6 weeks ago, I heard from the village administrator,” she said. “He noticed that the terms our current trustees are

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serving are not aligned with ILSC requirements for appointed trustees.” Shaker said she and Amidei both researched the matter and neither were sure how the current terms came to be – but that they had to bring it into the compliance with the state law. She said the village administrator worked with the village attorney to come up with the ordinance changing the terms, and that they wanted to share the results with Hoskins before bringing the legislation to the village council. Shaker said the village administrator didn’t tell her what the changes would be, but that she didn’t expect them to be significant. “I feel like [Amidei] would’ve told me if there were big earth-shaking changes,” she said. According to Section 4-2 of the Illinois Local Library Act, in the villages operating under a commission form of government, such as Forest Park, the village council appoints library trustees for staggered six-year terms, with two trustees appointed every two years. The trustees can vote to reduce their own terms to four years. But Section 4-1 of the act states that, when a city establishes a public library, the mayors appoint

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library trustees with the council approval, the way it’s currently done in Forest Park, with two trustees appointed every year for three-year terms. Section 2-9-1 of the Forest Park municipal code, which covers the library operations, simply states that the library “shall be under the supervision of a library board, whose number, selection, tenure of office, powers and duties shall conform to the statutes of the state of Illinois,” with the footnotes referencing the Local Library Act. Three seats – the currently vacant seat and the seats occupied by vice president Keary Bramwell and board secretary James Pekoll – currently have terms that expire in 2024. Board president Brooke Sievers’ term expires in 2026. Beribak said that her term is supposed to expire in 2023, because she was appointed to fill a vacancy before being appointed for a full term on June 16, 2017 – an error that, Shaker said, Amidei was aware of. While the Local Library code says that trustees get to serve out their terms if the municipality’s government structure changes, it’s silent about what happens to the trustees if the term lengths are changed.

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Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

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Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

Forest Park hires firm to craft communication strategy RubyRose Strategies headed by Forest Parker By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

The Village of Forest Park has contracted Chicago-based RubyRose Strategies, a communications firm, to develop its strategies of reaching both residents and a wider audience. According to village documents, the primary goal is to bring more attention to Forest Park, get the word out about what the village government is doing and figuring out how to get more investments and other support for the village. The village council unanimously approved the agreement dur-

crisis communications.” ing its Sept. 13 meeting. The RubyRose was founded by agreement took effect on Sept. DeRondal Bevly, a public re15 and will run until March 31, lations professional who has 2022. worked for a number of cliForest Park currently gets inents. Most notably, he served as formation out through its newsspokesperson for Fritz Kaegi’s letter, website and a Facebook successful 2018 Cook County Aspage. Until Sept. 15, it didn’t sessor campaign. Bevly is also have any employee or contracinvolved with several nonprofit tor whose only job was to handle DERONDAL BEVLY organizations. In the western communications. According to RubyRose founder suburbs, he serves as a mentor the memo to the village council, at Oak Park-River Forest Comthe village is looking to expand its social media presence, since a grow- munity Foundation’s Leadership Lab. ing number of people get their news and According to the contract documents, information through social media, as well RubyRose will look at Forest Park’s existas “further utilize its existing e-newsletter ing public outreach and develop “the overall platform.” Other areas that they wanted to direction of the communication strategy” improve on included community engage- that would advance the village’s “key issues ment, public relations and “strategic and and goals,” make sure all the information is

shared across the board and figure out ways to improve communications. It would also look at community outreach, media relations, crisis management and social media usage. Finally, it would look the village’s “previous engagement initiatives” to see what worked and what didn’t. RubyRose will be paid $75 an hour, and it would work no more than 13 hours a month – which would add up to $975 a month. If September counts as a full month, RubyRose would be paid $5,850 - $6,000 for the term of the contract. Either party can terminate the contract for any reason, so long as they give a sevenday notice. Other than Commissioner Ryan Nero double-checking the length of the contract, the council approved the agreement without discussion.

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Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

UNION

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building inspectors, several community center staff members and Pace dial-a-ride bus drivers. Under the current union contract, members were scheduled to receive a raise on May 1, 2020. AFSCME agreed to postpone the increase three times, ultimately pushing it back to Dec. 31, 2020. In return, the village agreed not to lay off any union employees until Jan. 1, 2021 and not to reduce full-time employees’ hours. Firefighters’ and auto mechanics’ unions agreed to postpone their members’ raises as well, while the police union agreed to a reduced raise – 1.75 percent instead of 2.5 percent. Murphy told the council that, “for years now, the Village of Forest Park underpaid its frontline employees,” saying that they earned an average of $40,000 a year, so many of them “had to work second jobs just to get by.” “We provide vital services to Forest Park and we provide vital services every day,” she said. “Like every member of the community, we deserve a living wage.” This, Murphy argued, became more egregious during the pandemic. “[At the height of the pandemic] we

worked in good faith and agreed to postpone the salary increase,” she said. “As a reward, in 2021, we were offered less than 1 percent increases.” She also said that ASCME as a whole lobbied the federal government to pass the American Rescue Plan Act, the third stimulus package that netted Forest Park around $1.86 million. The ARPA funds can be spent for several purposes, including making up revenue losses and covering pay raises for frontline workers. Murphy asked the village to direct its union negotiators “to negotiate with us in good faith.” On Aug. 23, the village council increased salary caps for a number of non-union positions. For example, the village administrator’s salary cap increased by 2.3 percent, the Director of Public Health and Safety’s salary cap increased by 22 percent, Director of Public Works’ salary increased by 19 percent. Those changes don’t necessarily mean the salaries will actually increase – just that the village has the authority to do so. Marlow cited those increases, saying that the union was simply looking for fairness. “They raised the salary caps for many supervisors, and that concerns us,” he said. “We just want fairness at the bargaining table.”

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Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

C R I M E

Police pull two out of burning car

Two people believed to be heroin users were saved from a burning vehicle by police on Sept. 11. Police were dispatched to the shoulder of the westbound side of Interstate 290 at Harlem Avenue at 12:24 a.m. to find a red 2010 Chevrolet on fire with one unconscious man in the passenger’s seat. As the responding officer began to extinguish the flames, another officer found a second unconscious person sitting in the driver’s seat of the Chevrolet. The two people were carried from the vehicle by officers, who performed CPR. Upon noticing track marks on the puffy hands of the vehicle’s occupants, the officers administered a dose of NARCAN nasal spray, used to treat opioid overdoses, to the driver and the passenger. The two were then transported by paramedics to a hospital for further treatment. Officers also found two clear plastic bags of a substance suspected to be heroin.

Battery ■ Police arrested a Chicago man after he allegedly spat multiple times on a female CTA employee in the 700 block of Desplaines Avenue at 9:33 p.m., Sept. 12. Upon apprehension, the suspect resisted the arrest by kicking and twisting his body. ■ The owner of Smokin M’s BBQ, 7507 Roosevelt Rd., was the victim of aggravated battery, after denying a party of three women and one man a full refund for a meal at 6:52 p.m., Sept. 12. Police reports state that the diners, who were denied the requested refund as they had repeatedly changed their order, became belligerent, throwing sauces at the own-

er and with the man hitting the owner’s face, head and upper body with closed fists, causing the owner to fall to the ground. The group fled in two SUVS before officers arrived at the scene. Paramedics transported the restaurant owner to the hospital.

Burglary Someone broke into a blue 2019 Chevrolet of an unknown model, possibly left unlocked, and removed the victim’s wallet, which contained identification and $200 in cash, and a magazine with 10 to 12 .40 caliber ammunition between 10 p.m., Sept. 14 and 11:30 a.m., Sept. 15.

Motor vehicle theft A red 2018 Dodge Charger was taken from the 200 block of Des Plaines Avenue between 7 p.m., Sept. 14 and 9 a.m., Sept. 15.

Robbery A man was pushed over and robbed of $150 in cash after asking the male offender, who had solicited money, why he was asking for money instead of working for it, at 12:23 p.m., Sept. 15 in the 7200 block of Circle Avenue.

Criminal damage to property ■

Someone threw a brick at the windshield of a 2003

blue GMC vehicle at 11:57 p.m., Sept. 14 in the 1200 block of Marengo Avenue. ■ The rear driver’s side tire belonging to a gray 2016 Jeep was damaged between 10 p.m., Sept. 15 and 1 p.m., Sept. 16. These items, obtained from Forest Park Police Department, came from reports Sept. 10 -16 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Stacey Sheridan

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Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

9/11

Mariah McCullar added, “I think listening to people is important, listening to their stories about what happened, and having empathy.” Fiona Lackage added, “I think that even from page 1 though our generation was not born when 9/11 happened it still impacted us a lot. We day. For example, Fiona Lackage knew that have security in airports now. I saw videos. It the Twin Towers were hit and that the terror- was really sad. People jumping out of buildist group responsible was Al-Qaeda. Jaiden ings.” Smith added that the west wing of the PentaRegarding how his generation has been afgon was also hit and that one of the four hi- fected by 9/11, Jaiden Smith said the middle jacked planes did not make it to the intended school does do terrorist drills. When the target. Johnathan Hayes knew that the terror- alarm sounds, he said, we make sure the winists involved were Muslim. dows are shut and the door is locked. Then we But facts were not the main objective guid- sit in a corner so people cannot see through ing Uceta-Ramos when she designed the pro- the door window that we are inside. gram. “We wanted to have an event,” she said, When asked if they knew any Muslims, “that in an age-appropriate way honored the every student on the Zoom chat raised their first responders hand, but when who served and asked if they especially those could picture any who died on that of them crashing day 20 years ago.” a plane into their “Our superinmiddle school tendent, Elizaall of the eighth beth Alverez,” she graders said no. said, “wanted to Uceta-Ramos commemorate the said that is what day and for our the teachers are students to know trying to get why 9/11 is someacross to their thing people talk students. “KelDistrict 91 students in all grade levels participated about, why it’s a vin’s comment in a virtual assembly. patriots’ day.” about making The assembly jokes about 9/11 included stories is evidence that by Alvarez, police officers, and a school board we are teaching students to not make assumpmember who is a veteran. There were also tions about people but instead take care of clips of the middle school band playing Amer- each other in the community.” ica, aka My Country Tis of Thee, and a selecMariah McCullar acknowledged that there tion by the middle school choir. is only so much that one person can do but “Test scores are important,” said Uceta- added that everyone should do that little bit. Ramos, “and we want to make sure that our “I think it’s important to know that a lot of isstudents are performing at their adequate lev- sues are happening and even doing a little part els, but we also want to make sure that we are as an individual will make a difference if we attending to their social and emotional needs all do it together. It’s important to be kind to as well. We have to educate the whole child. everybody, a stranger or your best friend.” It’s not just what they can do on a test but also Beltran said, “One of the positives that how they relate to other people.” came out of this was 9/12. On 9/12 we came That students are getting the message was together. Divisions were gone. We came toevident in a comment by Kelvin Davis who gether as one. We did it once before and we said, “I don’t think it’s good that people make can do it again.” jokes about 9/11.”

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Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

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Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

OPINION O U R

V I E W

Mrs. Kelly Stadium

t is a show of respect that so many people simply call her Mrs. Kelly. The longtime board member at the District 209 Proviso Township High Schools has earned that title for her two-decades-plus of service on what has been a difficult, corrupt, failed, rising and now retreating school board. However it is preposterous that a narrow majority of the current board — including most ridiculously Kelly herself — voted Sept. 14 to name the newly constructed football facility at Proviso East Theresa Kelly Stadium. There’s lots of blame for this embarrassment. We’ll start with James R. Thompson, the longtime governor of Illinois, whose debilitating narcissism allowed the then-new State of Illinois Building to be named the James R. Thompson Center. That’s one reason we sort of chuckle over plans to demolish the white elephant or better yet to, as recently floated, convert it into an indoor water park. Big public facilities, or private facilities dependent on government, should only be named after dead people. Preferably honorable dead people. So there’s Big Jim with the big ego. More currently there is state Sen. Kimberly Lightford. A local, a legislator, the Senate Majority Leader, with a lot to recommend her. However, she unwisely allowed her name to be affixed to the remodeled ER at Loretto Hospital on the West Side. Let’s see. State money did the remodeling. She’s a state senator. She’s on the board of Loretto Hospital, a safety net institution, where the only headlines over the past year have been about insider dealings and lax oversight by its board. Lightford also has her name on a Maywood Park District facility where she also helped target state funding for a full overhaul. Back at Proviso East we have a new football stadium fully paid for by taxpayers. The old stadium never had a name. Now, though, Dr. James Henderson, the not-to-betrusted new superintendent of the district, recommended slapping Kelly’s name on the edifice. What better way to butter up a needed vote on the board than by naming a building for her? Two school board members — Amanda Grant and Ned Wagner — had the sense to oppose this out-of-the-blue idea. Another board member, Claudia Medina, would surely have voted no if she were at the meeting. That left President Rodney Alexander, Della Patterson, Sam Valtierrez, and, yes, Kelly herself to do the deed. How she could not recuse herself from this vote reflects much of what is going wrong in this deteriorating school district. Could have been the Stadium With No Name. Or Pirates Stadium. Or sell the naming rights to Wintrust. That bank wants its name on everything. But Theresa Kelly Stadium is a revealing embarrassment in the quest for good governance.

Systemic secularism and what’s been lost

belong to a group that this year officially became a minority — church-goers. A recent Gallup poll cited in the Washington Post revealed that “for the first time, a majority of Americans do not belong to a religious institution such as a church or synagogue.” That is not news to the minority of Forest Parkers who still go to church on Sunday, temple on Saturday, or the Islamic Center on Friday. St. Peter Lutheran, St. Paul Lutheran, the United Church of Christ, the Methodist and Presbyterian churches — all closed because of declining membership and therefore income. That participation in organized religious communities has been shrinking nationwide is backed up by tons of data. A 2004 Gallup poll showed that 84% of Americans identified as Christians, whereas today the Washington Post referenced polling that in 2021 revealed only 65% say they are Christian, while surveys reveal 28% say they are atheist, agnostic or have no religious affiliation (nones). And the trend seems to be accelerating. The younger the age group in this country, the less likely they are to be religious. The percentage of Americans in their 70s who say they are “religiously unaffiliated” is 12% but it’s 38% in the 18- to 29-year-old cohort. I blame the decline on what I will call “systemic secularism.” Like the term systemic racism, the concept argues that although there may be individuals who are not secularized or racist, there is something about the system, something about the spiritual ecology that we live in that is secular or racist. In contrast to Africa and South America, where the Christian church is growing, north of the equator it seems even the air we breathe is secular. A group of my friends and I were talking about how intractable many of the social problems our country is facing seem to be, and I asked them if they ever prayed for solutions. Half said “no.” When I asked another group of friends what will happen to them when they die, 2/3 said “nothing” — no heaven, no hell, no reincarnation, no becoming one with the universe. Nothing. To Dan Haley’s credit, this newspaper often covers stories about religion, both institutional religion, as in churches or denominational colleges and folks who are spiritual but not religious. But in the national media Judy Woodruff, who herself identifies as an Episcopalian, interviewed a person from one of the states in the South that had been hit hard by one the recent hurricanes. The person interviewed said the devastation was so massive, all he and the members of his community could do was pray. With a look of genuine concern on her face, Woodruff said to the man, “Our thoughts are with you.” She just couldn’t say, “Our prayers are with you.” Even though a Pew Research Center survey taken two years ago revealed that 90% of Americans believe in “some kind of higher power” and another Pew poll indi-

cated that 55% pray daily and that another 16% pray weekly, she reverted to the least common denominator: “Our thoughts are with you.” In an environment characterized by systemic secularism, when push comes to shove, religion is what gets shoved. When I was growing up in the 1950s the only businesses open on Sundays were restaurants and gas stations. Friday nights and Saturdays were when my neighbors did their shopping. And then chains like Walmart came to town and were open on Sundays, which forced almost every other business to open on Sunday as well. In the 1950s before corporate giants like Walmart upset the voluntary cultural equilibrium, there were no laws enforcing businesses being closed on the first day of the week. The peer pressure in the system, if you will, enforced the “no business on the Sabbath” rule. But by the time Walmart arrived, the cultural ecosystem had changed enough so that no one in town was able to form a critical mass of protest to convince Walmart to observe the Sabbath. By then cultural climate change was making certain species of institutions endangered. It’s all in the name of freedom of choice, of course, but something has been lost in this free market of ideas and beliefs. A friend of mine who grew up in a family of “nones” (no religion) and was religiously and biblically illiterate once told me with excitement in his voice that he had read in some progressive magazine like Mother Jones about an innovative concept — taking one day a week to “re-create” and restore by not doing any work. I tried to respond by affirming his discovery but I had to let him know that the idea had been around for more or less 3,000 years. “The deeper question,” wrote Derek Thompson in a piece for The Atlantic, dated Sept. 26, 2019, “is whether the sudden loss of religion has social consequences for Americans who opt out. Secular Americans … may not have examined how organized religion has historically offered solutions to their modern existential anxieties.” Creating and sustaining community, he noted, finding a place of calm in the midst of the storm, and making peace with an often unfair world is hard. “Although belief in God is no panacea for these problems,” Thompson concluded, “religion is more than a theism. It is a bundle: a theory of the world, a community, a social identity, a means of finding peace and purpose, and a weekly routine. “Those, like me, who have largely rejected this package deal, often find themselves shopping à la carte for meaning, community, and routine to fill a faith-shaped void. Their politics is a religion. Their work is a religion. Their spin class is a church. And not looking at their phone for several consecutive hours is a Sabbath.” And, he speculates, “millions of Americans have abandoned religion, only to re-create it.”

TOM HOLMES

Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

O B I T U A R I E S

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16 Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

Growing Community Media

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

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HELP WANTED River Forest Public Schools District 90

River Forest D90 has an opening for a Evening Custodian. Responsible for cleaning of buildings and grounds, as assigned. A strong work ethic, interpersonal skills and custodial experience is required. Salary commensurate with experience. For consideration, please complete an online application on our District website at www.district90.org.

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CALL 708-738-3848

The Forest Park Police Department, seeks a Part-Time Civilian Information Management Call Taker. Pay is $17.19/hr. Eligible candidates will be required to pass an aptitude test and an extensive background check. Qualiﬁcations include high school diploma (or equivalent), good verbal and written skills, working knowledge of the computer and Windows, ability to type accurately, a good working knowledge of the English language, the ability to treat customers and co-workers in a polite manner and the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Data entry skills and experience answering telephones/operating a switchboard are preferred. EVENING AND OVERNIGHT HOURS ARE MANDATORY. Open until ﬁlled. Applications are available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. and should be returned Attn: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130. Email: vmoritz@forestpark.net.

PAID-ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER Job Title: Paid-on-Call Firefighter Description: The Village of Riverside Fire Department is seeking applicants for the position of Paidon-Call Firefighter. Additional Status Information: This is not a full-time position. Qualifications: - In good physical condition - Reside within 1.5 miles of the boundaries of the Village of Riverside at time of appointment - Be 18 years of age at the time of application - Possess a high school diploma or GED - Possess a valid driver’s license with a good driving record Miscellaneous Applications are reviewed in October 2021. Application deadline is Friday, October 8th, 2021. The Village of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER

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VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Riverside Department of Public Works is seeking energetic and motivated applicants who enjoy working outdoors. This is a parttime, seasonal position lasting from approximately October through the end of December. Applicants will be expected to work up to 40 hrs. per week or as scheduled by staff. Primary tasks will include, but not limited to: cutting grass, general facilities maintenance, ﬂushing hydrants, reading meters, assisting full-time employees, and other duties as assigned. Applicants must be 18 years old, possess a valid Illinois driver’s license and high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check, pre-employment physical and drug/ alcohol screening. Applications can be downloaded from the Village website at www. riverside.il.us or picked up at the Riverside Village Hall located at 27 Riverside Rd, Riverside, IL 60546. Completed applications should be submitted to the Riverside Village Hall or the Riverside Public Works Department, 3860 Columbus Blvd, Riverside, IL 60546. Applications will be accepted until all positions are ﬁlled. Pay rate is $15/hr. The Village of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

HELP WANTED

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Budget and Revenue Analyst in the Development Customer Service Department. This position will Serve the public with professional administrative and analytical duties in the areas of budget preparation, purchasing, payroll, data analysis and process improvement. Provides, prepares and maintains records, and financial and statistical reports and analysis which assist in the Village’s ability to improve business processes and gain efficiencies through better use of technology. Budget duties include assisting in the development, analysis and application of performance measures with regard to Village services and resources; preparing, modifying, tracking and monitoring Village expenses and transfers; and conducting budget-related research and analysis. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park. us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. First review of applications September 24, 2021.

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In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com | AustinWeeklyNews.com | RBLandmark.com | ForestParkReview.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com

Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

CLASSIFIED

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

MARKETPLACE YARD SALE Oak Park

FREE RUMMAGE SALE JUDSON BAPTIST CHURCH 1252 N AUSTIN AVE SATURDAY OCTOBER 2 11AM-2PM

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GARAGE/YARD SALES Oak Park

GARAGE SALE 1108 FAIR OAKS AVE SATURDAY 09/25 8AM-2:30PM

Items include furniture (including a large tv stand and a desk), outdoor portable basketball hoop, boys’ clothing (mostly sizes 8-10), women’s clothing and accessories, toys, children’s booster seats, and various household items (including a wafﬂe maker, rugs, etc). Email: memillh@ gmail.com with any questions. We will add more photos to this gallery throughout the week. https://bit.ly/ OakParkGarageSale.

ITEMS FOR SALE PIANO FOR SALE

R E N TA L S & R E A L E S TAT E CARS WANTED

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WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, ﬂags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

CEMETARY PLOTS 3 FOREST HOME CEMETERY PLOTS

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708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area

FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

HANDYMAN CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE

New hardwood ﬂooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-ﬁnishing, staining. Low prices, insured. Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

HANDYMAN Mike’s Home Repair

708-488-9411

Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do

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FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

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

773-637-0692 Ask for John

HAULING

PLASTERING

BASEMENT CLEANING

McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

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

LANDSCAPING BRUCE LAWN SERVICE Spring Clean-Up Aerating, Slit Seeding Bush Trimming, Lawn Maintenance brucelawns.com

Small & big work. Free estimates. Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

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Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years

PLUMBING Supreme Plumbing & Sewer Services Installation: kitchens, baths, showers •Sewer Systems Piping Clogged drains •Water heaters

CITY RENTALS AUSTIN RENAISSANCE APARTMENTS

A HUD subsidized affordable Apartment property announces the opening of its waiting list for both One and Two Bedroom Apartments! Resident rent is approximately 30% of gross household income, some restrictions apply. Our property is located on Washington Blvd in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. Apartments offered with an occupancy of one to four persons. Properties feature modern kitchens, include appliances, and offer onsite maintenance. Austin Renaissance will accept requests for application packages by U.S. Mail postmarked no later than , September 15, 2021. Send or email a written request for an application package that includes your name, mailing address. Daytime telephone number, Email address, and the number of persons in your household to: Town Center Realty Group LLC, PO Box 64, Huntley IL 60142-0064 or Email requests to mrpaul.tcrg@gmail.com Application packages available by mail or email delivery only. No walk-ins accepted.

Town Center Realty Group LLC

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT THERAPY OFFICE OAK PARK

Free wifi; flexible leasing, and offices nicely furnished right down to the Kleenex. Secure building & friendly colleagues, often giving referrals to other office mates. Shared Waiting room, Conference room & option to join Peer Supervision Group. Ideal for new practice or 2nd location.

708-383-0729

• In print • Online • Available to you 24/7/365

PublicNoticeIllinois.com

PUBLIC NOTICES ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS LEGAL NOTICE

Free Estimates!

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the Village of Stickney Zoning Board of Appeals (the “ZBA”) will convene a public hearing on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at 6:00P.M. in the Board Room, at the Village of Stickney, 6533 West Pershing Road, Cook County, Illinois.

708-955-7844

johnlavin530@gmail.com License #PR-1234

708-447-1762

708.749.0011

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Evergreen trimming & more. Clean-ups. Garden weed removal. Storm Branch Tree Removal.

CLASSIC PAINTING

OAK PARK & FOREST PARK

MMpropMgmt.com

Quality workmanship & service 20+ years’ experience Locally owned & operated

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP

Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

Best Selection & Service

VILLAGE OF STICKNEY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

708-243-0571

PAINTING & DECORATING

STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR

Public Notice: Your right to know

Collector James

ELECTRICAL

SUBURBAN RENTALS

RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft. OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011

Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Cars:

Many nice items from Vermomt estate. Antiques, furniture, collectibles, much clothing, misc wrought iron table and chairs. Lots to see!

ELECTRICAL

Reach the people making the decisions. Place an ad in GCM Classified! Call 773/626-6332

Said Public Hearing is convened for the purpose of considering and hearing testimony regarding a petition submitted by Stanislaw Pepek (the “Petitioner”), the owner of the property located at 4429 Wenonah, Stickney, Illinois, 60402, which is zoned Single Family Residential. The Petitioner is requesting a variance in order to build two (2) new single-family residences on two (2) parcels with attached garages on the front of the houses which are thirty (30) feet wide each, where the use of said property would be consistent with the permitted uses in the Single-Family Residential zoning district (the “Petition”). PIN: 19-06-310-010-0000; 19-06310-011-0000

PUBLIC NOTICES Legal Description: LOT 7 IN BLOCK 3 IN WALTER G. MCINTOSH’S FOREST VIEW GARDENS BEING A SUBDIVISION OF BLOCKS 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, AND 28 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT PARTITION OF PART OF SECTION 6, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF SAID FOREST VIEW GARDENS, RECORDED JUNE 7, 1922 AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 75432229, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. The ZBA will entertain the submission of documents, testimony and public comment regarding said Petition. All persons who are interested are invited to attend the public hearing to listen and be heard. The Petition and all related documents are on ﬁle at Village Hall, Clerk’s Ofﬁce, located at 6533 West Pershing Road, Stickney, Illinois. This Public Hearing may be continued to a further time, date and place without further notice being given except as may be provided in the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Chairman, John Torphy Published in RB Landmark September 22, 2021

Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

CLASSIFIED

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice: Your right to know

In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year ForestParkReview.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION DOCKET NUMBER: PC 21-06 HEARING DATE: October 7, 2021 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits LOCATION OF HEARING: The Plan Commission will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/ commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT Uverse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7( e ) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an inperson public hearing is not practical due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Written testimony or comments regarding the application may be provided prior to the start of the public hearing by email to planning@oak-park.us. The individual’s name and a reasonable part of their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. If email is not an option, written testimony or comment can be dropped off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the south entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, to be received no later than 5:00 PM on October 7, 2021. All written testimony and comments will be distributed to the Plan Commission and made a part of the official hearing record. Those wishing to provide public testimony at the hearing must contact the Village Planner at planning@oak-park.us for instructions on attending the hearing live via Zoom by 5:00 PM the day of the hearing. Interested persons may also participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by emailing a completed cross-examination form to clerk@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up. Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner

will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the hearing online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone. Questions regarding written testimony, comment or cross examination may be directed by phone to 708-358.5420 or email planning@oak-park.us SUBJECT PROPERTY ADDRESSES: 7 Van Buren Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60304 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lots 1 AND THE NORTHERN HALF OF LOT 2 IN BLOCK 2 IN H.W. AUSTIN’S SUBDIVISION OF BLOCK 2 AND 3 OF JAMES B. HOBB’S SUBDIVISION OF PART OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER POF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 17, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH. RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THRID PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Vacation Area: ALSO INCLUDES THE PART OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 17, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, BEING DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 1 IN H.W. AUSTIN’S SUBDIVISION, THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 24 MINUTES 45 SECONDS WEST ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID LOT 1, 122.52 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID LOT 1; THENCE NORTH 01 DEGREES 57 MINUTES 46 SECONDS WEST ALONG THE NORTHERLY EXTENSION OF THE WEST LINE OF SAID LOT 1, 15.00 FEET TO A LINE PARALLEL WITH AND 15.00 FEET PERPENDICULARLY DISTANT NORTHERLY OF SAID NORTH LINE; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 24 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST ALONG SAID PARALLEL LINE, 122.52 FEET TO THE NORTHERLY EXTENSION OF THE EAST LINE OF SAID LOT 1; THENCE SOUTH 01 DEGREES 58 MINUTES 13 SECONDS EAST ALONG SAID NORTHERLY EXTENSION, 15.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. P.I.N.s: 16-17-131-013-0000 PROPERTY OWNER: Oak Park Residence Corporation, c/o Beth

Swaggerty, 21 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 PETITIONER(S): Oak Park Residence Corporation, c/o Beth Swaggerty, 21 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 REQUEST: The Plan Commission will conduct a public hearing on a planned development application for a six (6) story 45-unit multiple family building in the in the R-7 Multi-Family Residential Zoning District. The Petitioner seeks the following allowances from the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance associated with the Planned Development application, found in Article 4 – Table 4-1 Residential Districts Dimensional Standards: a decrease in minimum lot area from 35,100 sq. ft. to 11,085 sq. ft.; an increase in height from 45 feet to 71.85 feet; an increase in maximum building coverage from 70% to 85.17%; a decrease in minimum interior side setback from 9.05 ft. to 8.3 ft.; a decrease in minimum rear setback from 24.5 feet to 1.5 feet; a decrease in automobile parking from 34 spaces to 17 spaces; a decrease in loading area from one space to zero spaces. The Petitioner is also requesting to vacate a portion of the Van Buren right-of-way abutting the subject property a length of 122.52 feet by 15 feet wide. A copy of the application and each of the applicable documents are on the Village Website at www.oakpark.us and also on file and available for inspection at the Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during current business hours, Monday through Thursday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Plan Commission may continue the hearing to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof. Anyone with questions about the application may contact the Village by phone at 708-358.5420 or by email at planning@oak-park.us. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION Oak Park, Illinois 60302

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

Request of SANDRA ANNE CASTILLO-MEZA Case Number. 2021CONC001308

Request of VICTOR CRISTIAN ENCISO Case Number. 2021CONC001309

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: SANDRA ANNE CASTILLO-MEZA to the new name of: SANDRA MEZA

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: VICTOR CRISTIAN ENCISO to the new name of: VICTOR CRISTIAN CASTILLO-MEZA

In re the marriage of Arturo Montalvo Muro, Petitioner and Arcelli Landeros Sanchez, Respondent, Case No. 2021D006937.

The court date will be held: On November 19, 2021 at 10:30am at VIA ZOOM- Meeting ID: 958 9492 1843/Password: 226532 Cook in Courtroom # 1707 Published in Wednesday Journal September 8, 15, 22, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION DOCKET NUMBER: PC 21-08 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment-Accessory Dwelling Units) HEARING DATE: October 7, 2021 – Continued from September 2, 2021 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the agenda permits. LOCATION OF HEARING: The Plan Commission will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT Uverse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7 (e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Written testimony or comments regarding the application may be provided prior to the public hearing by email to planning@oak-park. us. The individual’s name and a reasonable part of their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. If email is not an option, written testimony or comment can be dropped off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the south entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 7, 2021. All written testimony and comments will be distributed to the Plan Commission and made a part of the official hearing record. Those wishing to provide public testimony at the hearing shall contact the Village Planner at planning@oak-park.us for Instructions on attending the live Zoom meeting by 5:00 PM the day of the hearing.

Interested persons may also participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by emailing the cross-examination form to clerk@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up. Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the meeting online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone. Questions regarding written testimony or comment can be directed to 708-358.5420 or email to planning@oak-park.us. PETITIONER: Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 REQUEST: The Petitioner requests text amendments to the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance as follows: Article 2 (Definitions & Rules of Measurement) by adding a definition of an “accessory dwelling unit,” and Article 9 (“Site Development Standards”), Subsection 9.3A(3) by exempting attic, basement and attached accessory dwelling units from accessory structure setback regulations, and adding a new Subsection 9.3B (“Accessory Dwelling Units”) to allow attic and basement conversions with separate entrances and attached accessory dwelling units with separate entrances and detached first-floor accessory dwelling units with separate entrances. A copy of the application and each of the applicable documents are on file and available for inspection at the Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during current business hours, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Plan Commission may continue the hearing to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION Oak Park, Illinois 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal September 22, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

PUBLIC NOTICES

The court date will be held: On December 6, 2021 at 9:00am at VIA ZOOM- Meeting ID: 965 2561 6475/Password: 553663 Cook in Courtroom # 1704

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Published in Wednesday Journal September 8, 15, 22, 2021

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, ﬁle your response to

said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Ofﬁce of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before October 26, 2021, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition. DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk. Published in Wednesday Journal September 22, 29, October 6 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the following: Village of Oak Park 2021/2022 Water Meter Replacement Project Bid Number: 21-136 Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours. Issued: September 22, 2021 Published in Wednesday Journal September 22, 2021

LEGAL NOTICE FOREST PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Lump sum sealed bids will be received by the Board of Library Trustees of the Village of Forest Park for Exterior Improvements at the Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Boulevard, Forest Park, IL 60130. Sealed bids will be received on or before, but not after 2:00 PM Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at the Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Boulevard, Forest Park, IL 60130. Bids received after that time will not be considered. All Bids shall be addressed and delivered to the circulation desk immediately inside the entrance to the building on or before the time set forth above. Sealed envelopes or packages containing the Bid Forms shall be transmitted to the attention of the “Library Director” and shall be marked or endorsed with the title of the Bid (“Sealed Bid for Forest Park Public Library Exterior Improvements”) and the Bidder’s full legal name. The bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the main floor meeting room at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, October 6, 2021. Bids shall be submitted in the form and manner contained in the Bidding Requirements. Contractors may obtain copies of the Bidding Documents from any BHFX Digital Imaging location beginning Wednesday, September 22. Please contact BHFX at (847) 593-3161 to obtain a set of Bidding Documents or visit their Plan Room online at www.bhfxplanroom.com. Bidding Documents may be downloaded from the BHFX online Plan Room at no charge to bidders. Bidders shall be responsible for the costs of reproduction of printed copies.

Each bid must be accompanied by a bid bond or a cashier’s check in the amount of 10% of the total bid, made payable to Forest Park Public Library, as a guarantee that the successful bidder will promptly execute a satisfactory contract, will furnish a satisfactory performance bond and payment bond and proceed with the work. Upon failure to do so, the bidder shall forfeit the amount deposited as liquidated damages and no mistakes, errors, exclusions, or omissions on the part of the bidder shall excuse the bidder or entitle the bidder to a return of the aforementioned amount. No bid will be considered unless the bidder shall furnish evidence

satisfactory to the Board of Trustees that the bidder has the necessary facilities, abilities, experience, equipment, financial and physical resources available to fulfill the conditions of the Contract and execute the work, should the Contract be awarded such bidder. Bidders will examine the plans and specifications and the location in which said work is to be done and judge for themselves all the circumstances and surrounding known and reasonably foreseen conditions affecting the cost and nature of the work, and all bids will be presumed to be based on such examination, familiarity and judgment.

Questions about the bid documents should be submitted, in writing, to Andy Dogan, Williams Architects at ardogan@williamsarchitects.com. Responses to questions submitted by bidders during the bidding period shall be in the form of written addendum to all plan holders of record. Questions will not be accepted after Friday, October 1. The successful bidder shall be required to provide a Performance Bond and a Material and Labor Payment Bond in the amount of 100% of the Contract Amount, as well as liability and property insurance as required by the Bidding Requirements before commencing work. The successful bidder shall enter into a formal contract based on the conditions and requirements in the Bidding Requirements and the Bidding Requirements will be incorporated into the Contract. Not less than the prevailing wage shall be paid for labor on the work to be done as required by law. The Forest Park Public Library is tax exempt.

The successful bidder will be required to comply with the provisions of all State of Illinois and federal laws concerning public works projects as well as the State of Illinois Human Rights Act and the regulations of the Illinois Human Rights Commission.

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids, and to waive any technicalities and irregularities in the bidding and to hold the bid proposals for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of opening set forth above.

Published in Forest Park Review September 22, 29, 2021

Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

INC., REALTOR

(708) 366-8989 7342 MADISON ST, FOREST PARK, ILLINOIS 60130

320 Circle Ave Forest Park $111,400 Fourth floor unit with balcony facing east. Great building within walking distance to Madison St. shopping and bus transportation. coin-op laundry in building. Covered parking space!

1039 Troost Ave Forest Park $350,000 Huge three bedroom home in need of rehab. Three car plus garage! Enormous 75 foot lot.

337 Marengo Ave Forest Park $655,000 Completely remodeled four bedroom three and a half bath home! August delivery!

Forest Park Review, September 22, 2021

Growing Community Media & A Tribe Called Aging Present

wabi sabi F I L M F E S T I V A L

Our 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.

Fast-

Forward Friday, October 1 • 10am

If you could see your family’s future, would you change anything? FAST-FORWARD, a documentary film narrated by Rosario Dawson, follows four millennials and their parents as they travel through time to meet their future selves. Wearing an MIT-produced “aging empathy suit” and working with professional make-up artists, they grapple with the realizations, conversations and mindset required to age with intention. Family dynamics are a primary driver of success -or failure -as we age. Being intentional and talking about your future 20, 30 or 40 years ahead of time with your closest relatives is never premature or off-limits. With expert commentary by medical and aging professionals, we see sons and fathers, daughters and mothers laugh, cry, and have heartwarming ‘aha’ moments together. They revisit their plans, make big changes, and approach the rest of their lives with a whole new perspective. FAST-FORWARD is a story that shows how successful aging is possible when intergenerational loved ones converse about their needs, communicate from the heart, and plan for the process ahead. Ultimately, the families learn they have more control over how they age than they thought. Following the film we will be joined by director Michael Eric Hurtig for a live Q & A!