Chamber shares marketing plans for Forest Park
Figuring ou advertise the v with $20,000 Forest Park fund
By JESSICA MOR Staff Reporter
You might see new or more ad ments for Forest Pa months
The Forest Park Chamber of Commer and Development supports the business community and mar lage so business owner visitors want to spend time in to During a presentation at the Se village council meeting, the Chamber executive director Laurie out how she’s been using funding to mar ket Forest Park, and how she plans to use money in the future.
Upcoming Chamber mar for September to Fe signing content for an I-290 billboard to promote Forest Park. After searching for
See CHAMBER on pa ge 6
e Holiday Walk on Madison Street is one of the Chamber’s most successf ul marketing events.
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
At the Sept. 22 village council meeting, Village Administrator Rachell Entler read a proclamation honoring Village Clerk Vanessa Belmonte for over two decades of working for Forest Park before retiring. That Monday was Belmonte’s last time reading of f village department bills, guiding meetings by calling commissioners to vote on agenda items, and marking resolutions — she ended her career by recording the 100th resolution of the year at her last council meeting.
“Throughout her tenure, Vanessa has demonstrated unparalleled commitment, profession-
BELMONTE on pa ge 7
Can local journalism survive? Thrive?
An important discussion sponsored by the League of Women Voters Oak Park and River Forest and Growing Community Media
The internet killed off many newspapers and other legacy publications are struggling to survive. Meanwhile a new wave of young online publications is attempting to fill the vacuum and cover their communities. If democracy is to survive, voters need to know the candidates running for office and their positions. Readers, local donors and foundations have stepped into the fray, but will their philanthropy be enough?
Join the discussion
Tracy Baim Executive director of Press Forward Chicago, a pooled fund helping local journalism
Max Reinsdorf Interim executive director, Growing Community Media
April Alonso Co-founder of Cicero Independiente
Amethyst Davis Founder of the Harvey World Herald
Thursday, Oct. 9 • 6 p.m.
Oak Park Public Library • 834 Lake St, Oak Park Admission is free and open to the public
Judith Crown Co-president, League of Women Voters Oak Park and River Forest, will moderate the discussion
Suburban mayors gather for climate collaboration
Leaders discuss sustainability e orts amid loss of federal grants
By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter
Leaders from more than a dozen west suburban Cook County communities gathered last week to discuss how they can collaborate to advance climate policy across the re gion.
Founded in 2022 by Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman, Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson, River Forest Village President Cathy Adduci and sustainability policy consultants Darnell Johnson and Gary Cuneen, The Cross Community Climate Collaborative now includes 14 local municipalities. Participants are committed to sharing resources and pursuing funding opportunities to help the re gion reduce carbon emissions, increase access to green technology for communities of different income levels and reach other sustainability benchmarks.
“As C4 looks ahead, our mission remains clear: to expand our network, develop shared data systems to track greenhouse gas reductions, strengthen workforce pathways for young people and adults in the green economy, deepen commitments to equity and sustainability and continue building a road map for thriving, climate-ready communities,” the group said of its work in materials supporting the event.
The group also touted a goal of cutting re gional carbon emissions by 45% by 2030.
The group, referred to by its members as C4, held a for um at Triton Colle ge on Friday, Sept. 26 where the group’s founders discussed the collaboration’s accomplishments and goals. In addition to Thompson, Scaman and Adduci who spoke on a panel at the event, leaders from Forest Park, Berwyn, River Grove, Westchester, Riverside, North Riverside, Brookfield, Bellwood, Maywood, La Grange Pa rk, Hillsdale and Gar y, IN were in attendance.
Thompson said that the collaboration has brought a new level of unity and teamwork to the re gion as communities work together towards common climate goals.
“We’ve worked in so many silos,” Thompson said. “Climate change does not stop at city borders or ask about political affiliation.”
Participants said that collaborations like these are even more important amid federal cuts to funding for climate sustainability ef for ts that Johnson said amounted to “an attack on environment and sustainability work overall.” Cuneen told attendees that the group had seen $2.3 million in federal grants for solar energy rescinded since President Donald Trump took office this year.
A $20 million proposal sent to the EPA earlier this year also received no response, Cuneen said.
Cutbacks on the state government’s financial support for climate ef for ts are also expected.
Scaman said that Oak Park’s status as a home rule community has been a major help to its climate ef forts. A home rule community is a municipality with over 25,000 people that has the freedom to enact any taxes, take on debt and pass any re gulations it wishes so long as they don’t conflict with state law.
Scaman suggested that the state legislature look at lowering the population requirements for home rule status so that communities can have more freedom over their financial strate gy, in the light of lost state and federal funds.
“Oak Park has a real advantage being a home rule community that not all of our members have,” Scaman said. “You have limitations as a non-home rule community on what you can do with your budget. ”
Illinois State Sen. Kimberly Lightford was also in attendance at the meeting, and said that she will take that feedback back to the legislature.
PROPER TY TR ANSFERS
The following property transfers were re ported by the Cook County Clerk from July 2025. Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance where a unit number appears missing, that information was not provided by the clerk.
FOREST P ARK
ADDRESS PRICE SELLER BUYER
644 Marengo Ave., Forest Park
I’m a word nerd. I’m sur that’s not a shocker. thrilled when I disco a new-to-me word. Just in time for spooky season, I learned “eldritch.” It means strange or unnatural, especially in a way that inspires fear; weird; eerie. Seems right for this time of the year, don’t worry all this food news is wonderful and will inspire hunger.
Cue the haunted house music, but you are going to want to walk through these doors: Alice & Friends, an all-vegan outpost with two other Chicagoland locations has been renovating the old Munch space at 104 N. Marion St., Oak Park Word is that they should have their final inspection and be open in early October.
Get cooking with ingredients from a new grocery store, 40 Acres Fresh Market at 5713 W. Chicago Ave. in Austin. This fullservice, independent, Black woman owned business is open 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily. They also offer fully cooked entrees to go. Support this meal-maker with a mission to increase access to fresh, healthy, affordable food on the West Side
A new ‘za place is coming to 6606 W. North Ave.: Golden Pizza. No clue when the dough will start rising.
Gyumon, Japanese BBQ, is looking at a soft open at the end of October. Those who have taken a look inside say it is stunning. You’ll find it on North Marion Street.
At the corner of Ridgeland and South
d, in the old Pieritz Brothers spot, a sign on the door 3 fold. a Bakery, coming soon.” This is a venture by Dimitri Fayard, who on at the World Pastry T hampionship in 2008. He sa they hope to start laminating ough in late October. The tagline for this viennoiserie (French breakfast pastries, savory & sweet) is: crafted croissants, curated coffee. If the photo of their croissant on social media is any indicatio of their output, I’ll be in flak layer heaven.
Dutch Bros Coffee, a java chain that originated in Oregon, has requested a Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing (on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. in room 201 at Village Hall, 123 Madison St Oak Park). They want to make use of the existing drive-through in their renovation of the Kentucky Fried Chicken building at 316 Madison St. in Oak Park.
In response to our Eats magazine article about favorite coffees in the area, a vigilant Brookfield reader wrote in with their own hot take. They felt disappointed that we didn’t include their favorite coffee stop, Loco Moco at 8858 Burlington Ave. inside the Brookfield Metra station. The gelato machine on their Facebook page is mesmerizing.
Soft serve flowing right into a coffee cup. I’m intrigued and will certainly check it out. If you’re thinking that the new exterior on the Mr. Beef and Pizza location at 123 N. Harlem in Forest Park makes it look like
it’s high. Well, you are sorta right. It’s the second location of a savory concept from the people who brought us Wake ‘n Bakery, called Pretty Original Thing. The idea is that savory dishes can be infused with THC and CBD too. My colleagues at the Forest Park Review have had little luck determining what is kee ping it from opening. Perhaps it already thinks it is
On Sept. 23 the burgers started flipping at Bobby’s Eastside or should we say Bobby’s EAT-side? More importantly, do you wanna
go out to eat there with me? On Oct. 22 you can Eats-out there. For the first seven people who RSVP to the email below, I’ll save you a place at the table. The crew at Bobby’s will serve us a meal, all included for $30 (nonalcoholic drink, but you can buy something from the bar, if you would like). Connect with local, fellow food-lovers!
Got news, questions or ideas for this column? Email them to us at Eats@oakparkeats.com.
TODD BANNOR
Dutch Bros Co ee plans a drive-thru at the old KFC location on Madison Street.
ICE ‘making war’ on Broadview, says mayor
By ZOË TAKAKI Contributing Reporter
Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson said in a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Friday that ICE agents operating an immigrant detention center in her village “are making war on my community And it has to stop.”
She reiterated Broadview’s demand that a security fence which extended the perimeter of the Beach Street facility be dismantled. She said that without a proper permit the fencing had been “illegally constructed.” Fire officials in Broadview said the fence would make it impossible for the department to access other buildings within the industrial area off of 25th Avenue.
The Sun-Times reported Sunday that federal agents had told Broadview police that “there would be a shitshow” at the facility in response to Thompson’s letter
In her letter to Russell Holt, field office director for homeland security, the mayor wrote, “The relentless deployment of tear gas, pepper spray, mace, and rubber bullets in the vicinity of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in the Village of Broadview is endangering nearby village residents and harming Broadview police officers, Broadview firefighters, and American citizens exercising their 1st Amendment constitutional rights.”
Thompson wrote that the tear gas is impacting the Broadview police, firefighters, and ambulance personnel and preventing them from doing their jobs.
Maria, a Broadview resident since 1989, said in an interview with Growing Community Media, that as a Mexican American citizen who proudly has a Mexican flag on her car, having ICE agents so close to her home makes her feel “on edge.”
Maria said, “They (ICE) started off saying that this is based on getting the criminals. Okay, fine, get them out. We want to make everything safe and stuff like that, but you’re not doing that anymore. The agenda turned to something else.”
“The agenda became racial. It became the whole ‘you look a certain way. You’re getting taken in.’ It’s like, do I need to start walking around with my passport? I live here, and I’m constantly in this area,” she said. She did want her last name published.
“I would see things on the news and social media, and I was just like, ‘Wow, these protesters, they’re antagonizing these agents that are just trying to do their job.’ That’s how I was thinking at first,” said Maria.
“But then, an incident happened,” she said. Maria alleged that while driving in the neighborhood, an ICE vehicle cut her off and “swerved into me to put me into oncoming traffic. That just made me so mad. And next I came over here (to the Broadview protest) and was like ‘how can I help?’”
While she was at the Broadview detention center, she said, “I just started filming. I went live on Facebook and then started seeing other things. I started seeing how they (ICE) were just, you know, pushing their weight around, being aggressive.”
When asked about her community receiving national media attention, Maria said, “It’s kind of the wrong attention. ... Now we’re Broadview, the place that had all the detainees and all that ICE stuff and everything. So that’s what I feel like we’re going to be known for, instead of something positive.”
Protests continued Saturday evening with continued provocations by ICE officers using tear gas and rubber bullets against protestors. At least one jour nalist was arrested and a Sun-Times journalist was hit with rubber projectiles and was teargassed, the newspaper reported on Sunday
After ICE agents were spotted Friday on the Chicago River, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said, “This administration is only committed to intimidating people and working to strike fear into the hearts and into the minds of the people of this city.”
The processing center, which was originally a Federal Immigration Facility, is being used as a headquarters for operation Midway Blitz and has been the subject of continuous protests for at least two weeks
Thompson told Holt in her letter that “Beleaguered Broadview residents are begging for relief from your center’s siege of our neighborhood. They are texting me. They are calling me. They are streaming into Village Hall looking for help.”
Thompson ended her letter saying, “As mayor, my governing approach is to deploy love and kindness to achieve Broadview’s objectives. You should try it. It cannot hurt. It might help.”
STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION
(Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)
1.Publication Title: Forest Park Review
2. Publication no.: USPS 0205-160
3. Date of filing: September 30, 2025
4. Frequency of issue: Weekly
5. No of issues published annually: 51
6. Annual subscription price: $48.00
7. Complete mailing address of known office of publication: P.O. Box 6670 River Forest, IL 60305
8. Complete mailing address of headquarters or general business office of publisher: (same)
9. Names and complete mailing addresses of publisher, editor and manager editor:
Publisher:, Max Reinsdorf, P.O. Box 6670 River Forest, IL 60305
Editor: Dan Haley, P.O. Box 6670 River Forest, IL 60305 Managing Editor: same as Publisher
10. The owner is: Growing Community Media NFP, P.O. Box 6670 River Forest, IL 60305
11. Known bondholders, mortgages and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of the total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities are: None.
12. N/A
13. Publication name: Forest Park Review
14. Issue date for circulation data below: September 24, 2025
15. Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months:
A. Total no. copies printed (net press run): 842
B1. Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions stated on Form 3541: 31
B2. Mailed in-county paid subscriptions stated on form 3541: 508
B3. Paid distribution outside the mails including sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors, counter sales and other paid distribution outside USPS: 68
B4. Paid distribution by other classes of mail through the USPS: 0
C. Total Paid distribution: 607
D1. Free or nominal rate outside-county copies included on PS form 3541: 0
D2. Free on nominal rate in-county copies included on PS Form 3541: 123
D3. Free or nominal rate copies mailed at other classes through the USPS: 0
D4. Free or nominal rate distribution outside the mail: 53
E. Total free or nominal rate distribution: 153
F. Total distribution: 783
G. Copies not distributed: 59
H: Total: 842
I. Percent paid: 77.5%
15. No. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date:
A. Total no. copies printed (net press run): 789
B1. Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions stated on Form 3541: 30
B2. Mailed in-county paid subscriptions stated on form 3541: 486
B3. Paid distribution outside the mails including sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors, counter sales and other paid distribution outside USPS: 51
B4. Paid distribution by other classes of mail through the USPS: 0
C. Total Paid distribution: 567
D1. Free or nominal rate outside-county copies included on PS form 3541: 0
D2. Free on nominal rate in-county copies included on PS Form 3541: 98
D3. Free or nominal rate copies mailed at other classes through the USPS: 0
D4. Free or nominal rate distribution outside the mail: 40
E. Total free or nominal rate distribution: 138 F. Total distribution: 705
G. Copies not distributed: 84
H: Total: 789
I. Percent paid: 80.43%
16. Publication of statement of ownership will be printed in the Oct. 1, 2025 issue of this publication.
17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: Jill Wagner Circulation Manager, September 30, 2025
CHAMBER
Marketing Forest Park
from page 1
years, the Chamber found a contract for the billboard company’s agreement with the village that grants Forest Park seven hours a month, or 84 hours a year, of free promotional advertisements.
Since last year, the Chamber has been talking with ESPN about developing a radio marketing campaign with four Forest Park businesses for ESPN 1000-AM radio. Over nine weeks, ESPN would air 261 commercials for partner businesses and broad Forest Park messaging at the cost of $6,000 from the Chamber and over $3,500 from each participating business.
“The cost of the campaign is reasonable, but for both the marketing budget and partner businesses, it’s a considerable investment,” Kokenes told the Review. “But we think there’s value in reaching the ESPN audience, and now that summer is over, we’re going to revisit it.” At the council meeting, Kokenes suggested investing more marketing funds to make the partnership more affordable for businesses
The Chamber is also aiming to post more on social media and continue accessing influencer and blog content.
“Social media consistently ranks as high priority due to its ability to provide a sense of opportunities to increase visibility, drive brand awareness and traffic, and reach targeted audiences, even as specific as their hobbies and their geographical location,” Kokenes said. “We’ve seen some amazing results and our audience continues to grow Blogs promoted on social media, videos, influencer reels, etc. continue to produce great results and we learn something new every day.”
Kokenes said the Chamber is also partnering with Forest Park resident Ian Pfaff, who created the Arts Alliance’s Little Perspectives installation earlier this year. For a low cost, Pfaff is shooting video interviews with local business owners for the Chamber to use to promote Forest Park. Businesses will get to keep individual videos to use to promote themselves.
The Chamber will keep using marketing funds to create a new version of the welcome book that it gives to about 3,000 new residents in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park every year. The Chamber previously printed an actual booklet but is saving money by giving out postcards with QR codes that link to a digital version of the book.
A crowd lines Madison Street and its businesses pr ior to the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a Chamber event.
After a benefactor funded a renovation of the Chamber’s website, in the last year or so, the Chamber has added pages to promote Forest Park, blogs to promote businesses and increased performance through SEO optimization. The Chamber plans to reserve some marketing funding for additional updates to the website.
“We’re working on our website to ensure that all the traffic we drive there for the blogs and other promotions can be easily found and quickly viewed by the consumer,” Kokenes said.
Kokenes added that the Chamber is planning to host an on-site Small Business Saturday event and a photo event during the holidays. It’s also working on a potential ice sculpture project with the Arts Alliance for the winter
Kokenes said the Chamber wants to put on more summer events, ideally monthly on Madison Street, but would need a planning committee to help put on monthly events
“Summer events were a little tough with weather and resources,” Kokenes said. The Chamber planned the Dog Days of Summer in July, but it got cancelled because of weather. Other monthly ideas include a small concert in Constitution Court or a Taste of Forest Park with food sold in front of restaurants
Following Kokenes’ presentation, Commissioner Jessica Voogd asked if the Chamber had collected feedback from businesses to see if there was a way to measure return on the village’s investment in marketing.
“It would be great to work with the businesses to figure out a way to start to see the return on investment or get their feedback on
sort of a regular basis after events, or even if they’re willing to let us compare month over month or year over year as it relates to events,” Voogd said.
“We can definitely discuss that,” Kokenes responded. “Maybe we need to think about, whether it’s events or whatever, what ways do we get people directly into a business, and how can we measure that?”
ARPA funding for the Chamber
After the Village of Forest Park received $1.86 million of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 — allocated to stimulate the national economy after the Covid-19 pandemic — it spent the following few years allocating that money to the likes of the Howard Mohr Community Center for a new air conditioning unit, the fire station to replace the roof and an ambulance, and the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce and Development’s marketing ef forts. The village committed $120,000 from ARPA funds to the Chamber, or $40,000 annually for three years. The village has approved $100,000 for the Chamber, dispersed $80,0000, and there was a $20,000 payment being held pending a presentation by the Chamber as a requirement to receive the ARPA funds. The last $20,000 payment request will be made in March.
BELMONTE
alism and integrity in her role, providing vital support to the administration and residents of Forest Park,” Entler read from the proclamation. “Her responsibilities extended far beyond the traditional duties of a village clerk, encompassing a broad and vital range of functions, including managing official records, supporting the operations of the village council, maintaining transparency in government processes and serving as the keeper of vital village documents.”
Entler added that Belmonte also served as the village’s human resources lead as she oversaw employee onboarding and coordinated staf f benefits. Belmonte also managed employee insurance and payroll.
Village clerk is an appointed position, not an elected one. Two deputy clerks will fill in for Belmonte while the village looks for her replacement.
see a different perspectiv the village of Forest Park her own experience during her administrator’s re port at the end of meeting. “You’ve seen many cils and village administrator juggle quite a few personalities, I’m sur along the wa
Other commissioners joined in congratulating Belmonte during their ports. Commissioner Michelle Melinabsent from the meeting.
“Certainly, you have been that rock for the village of Forest Park for over 20 years.”
“Vanessa, you not only have helped me as village administrator, but you helped me when I was a village commissioner as well, teaching me the ins, the outs. I am forever grateful to everything that you have walked me through, held my hand through, made me
“Through all of the changes that you’ over the years with depa ment heads and council members, ma of it, it takes an individual to establish continuity all of that,” Commissioner Ryan Nero Belmonte. “Certainl have been tha lage of Forest years.”
“I’m a natural sk when you say something, I never, ever feel li fact check it,” Commissioner Maria Maxham said to Belmonte. “You’ always say things as they ar and I have a lot of that.”
“I appreciate you and all your work her be missed,” Commissioner Jessica Voogd said.
And Mayor Rory Hoskins, before adjourning the council meeting, said “I’ll close with saying congratulations to the clerk.”
VANESSA BELMONTE
Library launches second hands-on digital skills course
Participants seek con dence and career advancement
By MOLLIE JAMISON Contributing Reporter
“It stresses me out with the new technology now,” said Annabel Williams, one of the participants of the second six-week Digital Resilience workshop at the Forest Park Public Library. “I feel like I’m still living in the past, like I’ve been so behind.”
This free 12-person workshop is taught by the founder of Wright to Learn, Xandi Wright, and covers topics such as managing media and online safety. It is the second of two cohorts the library has hosted as it works to close the ‘digital divide’ and increase accessibility to the internet and computers community wide.
Skye Lavin, manager of adult services at the library, says one reason people feel left behind by technical advancement is because they do not have a credible place to ask questions and try newer tools
“Many feel unclear and overwhelmed even about what questions to ask,” said Lavin “What I love about Xandi’s digital resilience instructional approach is that there is an emphasis on increasing confidence. Devel-
oping solidarity and trust amongst the participants, instructor, and librarians while offering ongoing opportunities to learn helps participants engage with technology in ways that can be life changing.”
Many attendees, like Williams, hope to apply their new talents to everyday life. As an educator, she says these skills will also help her advance professionally. She had previously considered teaching online before realizing it required using unfamiliar programs such as PowerPoint, Excel and Google Classroom.
“I don’t know how to use it,” said Williams “I’m still on the traditional way of teaching using visual aids, physical aids. I was hoping that with this class, I’ll be able to have some idea how to use this in my future plan for my teaching career.”
She also seeks to become better equipped to assist her 11-year-old son with his schooling.
“I’m scared of pressing something because I’m quite scared that I might erase everything,” said Williams. “Like one time they sent me a magic code to sign up for something from the school. I accidentally unlinked the account of my son. I was so stressed.”
Another participant, Cecily Roland, said one of her motivations for enrolling was to learn about privacy protection. She is especially alert after an incident involving spam phone calls requesting her personal information.
“I just want to be safe on the computer,” said Roland, a military veteran. “To be more aware of what to look out for.”
Before retiring, Roland says she used computers at her banking job. Now, more than seven years removed from the workforce, she is ready for a refresher
“When you don’t work with something for a little while then you kind of lose your edge on it,” she said. “This will bring me back up to speed.”
Another reason Roland found the ogram inviting was because completing it meant she got to take home a new computer, provided to the participants by PCs for PeoBut overall, she just wants to feel more pendent.
“Sometimes you’ll ask a person, and they an do it for you, but you really need to lear n w to do it yourself,” she said.
Michelle Fitz-Henry signed up for the ourse while on a quest to learn more about ificial intelligence. At the suggestion of est Park librarians, she decided to go back to the basics and polish skills she already has But because of her age, she says there are things she still finds difficult to do
“I wasn’t brought up with technology,” said Fitz-Henry, a retired firefighter and military eteran. “I struggle with it a bit. I have a foundation now, but it’s weak, it’s not structurally super sound.”
One of the course topics that Fitz-Henry, a board member for the League of Women Vot-
ers, is most excited for covers mindfulness She finds when approaching a new computer task, it is hard not to have thoughts of inadequacy.
“I am totally walking in the door with negativity,” she said. “When approaching something I need to do, that I am not familiar with, it’s a little bit intimidating. But that’s half of the battle right there, your mindset walking in. This is really going to help me change that.”
Additional resources for tuning digital skills are available at the library – including a free and open workshop on the ethics of AI at 1p.m. on Oct. 8 in the Austin room. This program, “AI and Us: Ethical Choices and Everyday Actions” is part of Digital Inclusion Week. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance hosts this week to raise nationwide awareness about the growing importance of digital equity.
To learn about other digital literacy programs such as one-on-one tech appointments and more, visit www.fppl.org.
Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of stories about the Forest Park Public Library’s digital inclusion efforts. The series is underwritten by a grant from the Cook County Digital Equity IMPACT Small Grants program. The grant is a shared effort between Wright to Learn, the library and Growing Community Media, publisher of the Forest Park Review
PROVIDED
Participants Cecily Roland, le , and Yolande Barnes
Community cleans up
Dozens
of
locals picked up trash around Forest Park over the weekend
Nearly 40 Forest Parkers traversed the village with trash pickers on Sept. 27 to fill about 30 garbage bags.
The village-wide cleanup is put on by the Forest Park Recreation Board, which organizes two events every year, one at the end of summer and
Photos by TODD BANNOR
one in the spring.
On Saturday, volunteers gathered at the Roos Recreation Center on Harrison Street, where they were given matching donated tee shirts, before taking of f to collect bags full of trash.
Mayor Rory
and Commissioner
set up the co ee table for volunteers at the Fall Cleanup meeting area at the Roos Center.
Le and below: Volunteers
Above:
Hoskins
Jessica Voogd
Commissioner Jessica Voogd speaks to volunteers.
Jessica Mordacq
CRIME
Resident allegedly hit by Pioneer Tap patrons after lming ght
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
On Sept. 20, police were dispatched to Des Plaines Avenue and Randolph for a delayed battery report. According to the police report, the victim told police that, around 10:30 p.m., he heard fighting between two women outside of Pioneer Tap. He said he exited his house and began to film the two fighting. He said both women and a man confronted him about filming, that one of the women hit him and the man tried to. He said the man threatened to return to his house and harm him before the three fled the scene in a white vehicle captured on video. The man said he’d sign complaints if the offenders were located and identified. He told police he’s made several past complaints about unruly behavior outside Pioneer Tap and, according to the police report, was infor med at a recent village hall meeting to film unruly patrons to capture evidence.
At that September village council meeting, three neighbors of Pioneer Tap complained about continued disruptive and criminal behavior during public comment. Neither staff nor commissioners responded to their public comment, which is customary. Police Chief Ken Gross later told the Review that residents should email or call the village with complaints about Pioneer Tap.
Aggravated battery
Police responded to the 900 block of Troost Avenue on Sept. 19 for a welfare check. There, a man was unconscious on the corner with a beer. Police performed ster num rubs to get him to respond and reported that he appeared
to be intoxicated and was agitated. The man refused to show identification and spat on an officer, according to the police report. Police attempted to take him into custody for aggravated battery against police, but he lunged at an officer to defeat arrest, so police took him to the ground. He was taken to the police department and charged with aggravated battery of a police officer and two counts of resisting or obstructing arrest.
Battery
Police responded to Circle Inn around 10 a.m. on Sept. 20 for a report of a man who was bothering customers and armed with a knife. Police made contact with the man outside, who told them he was drinking with a friend and discussing politics when the two disagreed and his friend choked him. Inside Circle Inn, the friend told police that the man outside became upset over a political disagreement and punched him, so he grabbed him by the neck and took him outside. He said the man attempted to enter the bar again by threatening him with a knife. Another man tried to escort the man wielding a knife outside, and the of fender punched him in the face. Neither said they wanted to sign complaints against the man, who was trespassed from Circle Inn which is located on Circle Avenue
DUI
Police were dispatched to the 800 block of Dunlop Avenue on Sept. 21 around 10:30 p.m. after a car crashed into a fence in front of a house and the driver tried to flee the scene When police arrived, the car was a half-block
south of the accident in the middle of the road, and the driver was inspecting her car’s damage. Police reported that she smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and acted belligerent. She said she had one drink, was driving too fast after exiting the expressway and denied trying to flee the scene. The woman showed signs of impairment during standardized field sobriety tests. Police found open liquor in the car, which was still in drive and appeared inoperable due to disabling damage. During intake at the police station, they found a bag of suspect cannabis and a receipt from Pioneer Tap. The woman was charged with a DUI, illegal transportation of alcohol, operating an uninsured car, expired registration, failure to reduce speed, possession of cannabis outside an approved container, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.
Suspicious person
On Sept. 22, police responded to the Park District of Forest Park on Harrison Street for a suspicious person call. Around 11 a.m., a young man was riding a bike with a knife near the pool area. Police found him near Lathrop Avenue and turned on their car lights. The man dropped the knife and bike. He told police he was at his residence when he got into a fight with his older brother, so he left with a knife to defend himself. Due to police’s previous mental health-related encounters with the man and his behavior, they asked if he was on any medications. He said he had prescriptions to pick up at Walgreens but couldn’t without his ID. Police took him to his residence to get his ID, where his older brother called their mother. She said she
didn’t have her son’s ID, that her son didn’t need an ID to pick up medication, and that she would call Walgreens again but was certain he didn’t have medication ready to pick up. Then, the two brothers had another altercation. Police eventually placed the young man in custody pending a previous investigation involving a stolen firearm.
In-state warrant
On Sept. 26 just before 11 p.m., police were dispatched to the 900 block of Troost Avenue for a disturbance. Upon arrival, a woman was crying hysterically, bleeding from her lower lip and told police she had an active warrant out for her arrest, according to the police report The woman was placed in custody and arrested. A witness told police he saw the woman and another female fighting as he was passing by and separated them. One of two people standing outside a residence said he was dating the woman who police took into custody. He said he didn’t want to sign complaints against her for damaging his car window, then said he broke it himself
These items were obtained from Forest Park Police Department reports dated Sept. 19 - 26 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.
OUR VIEW
Thanks to Belmonte
In the small, familial (except when it’s not) confines of Forest Park’s village hall, it is hard to lose a valued colleague. The announcement last week that Vanessa Belmonte, the longtime village clerk, was retiring is a notable loss.
The village hall staff is small with most staffers doing multiple jobs, taking on roles beyond any strict job description. Certainly that was true for Belmonte, who not only kept public records but also handled payroll and employee benefits, functioning as a de facto human resources chief.
As in most towns, the clerk’s role has an undefinable middle place both in-house and in the way that person interfaces with the public. In Forest Park, the clerk is an appointed, not elected position. Still, there is this earned perception that the clerk has some neutral role. They are always present at public meetings, but they don’t have a vote. They aren’t a top decision-maker, but they offer counsel to the top administrators.
Belmonte will be wrapping up over 20 years at village hall. She’s been the clerk a good long time. That happens in a lot of villages. Electeds come and go. Administrators can be hired guns or are often climbing a career ladder. Clerks are just a steady presence. They make things run. They carry the institutional memory with them.
And while village commissioners honored Belmonte last week with sincere praise for her honesty and hard work, it will be the loss of a person who kept the threads tied together that will be hardest to replace.
Village Administrator Rachell Entler knew Belmonte both as a mentor when she was elected as a village commissioner years back, and also as an advisor as she took on the top staff post at village hall. She praised Belmonte profusely and thanked her for help on a long road.
The appointment of the next clerk will be an important decision with potentially a long-term impact.
Pioneer Tap reverts
Tensions are building again in the immediate neighborhood around Pioneer Tap. The cor ner bar at Desplaines and Randolph has been a source of concern at village hall, in the police department, and among neighbors who complain about fighting, noise and general ill behavior among the bar’s customers.
The village shut the place down once this year before allowing it to reopen with a remedial plan for better security in place. Whether that plan ever took hold, or is just withering as the summer arrived and now closes out, needs to be evaluated.
Pioneer Tap sits squarely in a residential neighborhood. And neighbors with cellphones and video are recording and complaining. The mayor/liquor commissioner and police chief need to be paying close attention.
OPINION
Atonement and repentance
The Jewish high holy day Yom Kippur begins at sundown Wednesday. In many ways what Jews at West Suburban Temple Har Zion and Oak Park Temple B’nai Abraham Zion will be doing this evening is swimming against the current of societal flow
The societal current these days is flowing toward the secular, away from a theocentric worldview and toward an anthropocentric view, if not an “ego-centered” one. Rabbi Yitzchok Bergstein, the rabbi at the Chabad Jewish Center in Oak Park contends, “In today’s society we need to refocus and reconnect. We must recognize that there is a superbeing, an entity that we are answerable to.”
An entity to which we are accountable?!
HOLMES
We in this neck of the Wester n Suburbs live in a culture influenced increasingly more by the Enlightenment than the Bible.
According to AI, “the Enlightenment was a 17th- and 18th-century European intellectual movement emphasizing reason, individualism, and scientific inquiry to challenge tradition and advance human society.”
Enlightenment views on religion emphasized religious tolerance, challenging religious authority and promoting a more secular public life. Again AI:
“This shift challenged traditional religious authority, fostering religious tolerance and a more humanistic understanding of spirituality, often leading to Deism — a belief in a Supreme Being accessible through reason.”
The God to whom Jews will pray on Yom Kippur is revealed in the Bible, not a product of rational speculation and is not a distant detached being.
The primary element in Yom Kippur is “repentance.”
When is the last time you heard President Trump or any person with power say, “I screwed up” or “I’m sorry”?
The Genesis creation story is not to be read as prehistoric history but as a religious myth describing human nature. In Genesis 1 we humans are portrayed as created in God’s image.
But in the very next chapter, Adam and Eve are war ned that they are not God and need to limit the vast freedom they have with obedience to their Creator’s commands.
Turn the page to chapter 3 and we hear the serpent tempting the humans to rebel against their mortal nature and be “like God.”
“The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ You
will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God.”
Back to repentance. Yom Kippur assumes that we humans are both created in God’s image and at the same time have lost paradise because we keep rebelling (aka sinning) against God’s rule
Rabbi Bergstein: “A big focus of Yom Kippur, is ‘Teshuvah’ which is usually translated as ‘Repentance.’ The truth, however is, that ‘Teshuvah’ is a lot more than ‘repentance’”
Teshuvah should not be paraphrased in psychological ter ms. “Repentance,” he explained, “suggests that its objective is to feel regret, guilt and shame. ‘Teshuvah’ is anything but that. ‘Teshuva’ in Hebrew means to return to our essence to who we really are … to finding our way back to the land of our soul.
“Teshuvah, thus, effectively recalibrates our selfimage and gives us the strength and confidence to act in alignment with that spiritual essence, which is the cor nerstone of our being. While regret is undoubtedly a necessary component of teshuvah, it is only a detail, not its primary focus or goal.”
But recalibrating our self-image is a counter-cultural enterprise.
Francis Collins is a scientist’s scientist. He was head of the National Institutes of Health and did important work on the Human Genome Project. Yet in his recent book, The Road to Wisdom, his goal is “to tur n the focus away from hyperpartisan politics and bring it back to the most important sources of wisdom: truth, science, faith and trust, resting upon a foundation of humility, knowledge, morality and good judgment.
“These four essential goods are not opposed to each other. Rather, each builds upon the other.”
“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting,” he wrote, quoting Chesterton. “It has been found difficult, and left untried.”
My experience is that the radical right can be antiscience and the radical left can be anti-religion.
Collins acknowledges that “Christians have done so much to damage the credibility and appeal of their faith,” but adds that “difficult situations can be redeemed.”
He imagines that the principles of the Christian faith (and I’ll add Judaism) if actually implemented would partner with science in producing the wisdom our society so desperately needs. The Scopes Trial in Tennessee 100 years ago pitted science and biblical religion against each other
Interim Executive Director Max Reinsdorf
Sta Repor ter Jessica Mordacq
Senior Audience Manager Stacy Coleman
Contributing Editor Donna Greene
Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, Robert J. Li a
Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes
Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead
Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea
Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza
Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls
Marketing & Adver tising Associate Emma Cullnan
Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan
Circulation Manager Jill Wagner
Operations Associate Susan Babin
Social Media and Digital Coordinator Maribel Barrera
Special Projects Manager Susan Walker
Senior Advisor Dan Haley
Board of Directors
Chair Eric Weinheimer
Treasurer Nile Wendorf
Deb Abrahamson, Mary Cahillane Steve Edwards, Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson, Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson
HOW TO REACH US
ADDRESS: PO Box 6670, River Forest, IL 6035
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Forest Park Review is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. © 2025 Growing Community Media NFP.
CA LOOK BACK IN TIME
Pennant Fever, 1989
ubs pitcher Les Lancaster signed auto graphs at Foot Gear in the Forest Park Mall, 7600 Roosevelt Road, on Friday, Sept. 22, 1989. Lancaster, at the time was holder of the Chicago Cubs record for the most scoreless consecutive innings pitched.* The Cubs finished first in the NL East with a record of 93-69. Nicknamed “The Boys of Zimmer,” the roster boasted legends such as Ryne Sandberg, Greg Matddux, Andre Dawson, Mark Grace, Rick Sutcliffe, Shawon Dunston, Mitch Williams, Mike Bielecki, and Dwight Smith. The Cubs lost the NL Championship Series to the San Francisco Giants, 4-1.
* Chicago Cubs rookie pitcher Cade Horton now holds the franchise record for the longest scoreless innings streak, with 23 1/3 innings pitched this August. Jill Wagner
Les Lancaster signs an autograph for Tony Sanchez in 1989 at Foot Gear located in the Forest Park Mall. Photo archive- Ray Carlin for Forest Park Rev iew
OB ITUAR Y
Donald Lines, 94 Worked for Union Paci c Railroad
Donald Lee Lines, 94, of Forest Park, died on Sept. 11, 2025 at the Hines Veterans Hospital in Maywood. Born on July 14, 1931 to Josephine Pessman in Fulton, Illinois, he was educated in the Fulton grade schools and graduated from Fulton Community High School in 1949. A member of CrossView Church (Second Remed Church) in Fulton, following High School, he began working at the Cur tis Company in Clinton, Iowa.
In 1952 he joined the Ar my for two years and played the cornet in the military band in Ger many & France. In 1962 he began working for the Union Pacific Railroad in Clinton and later moved to rest Park and has lived there ever since. He was a member of Church of Berwyn. He retired in 1993 from the railroad. In 2021 he took the Honor Flight to Washington D.C.
Donald was preceded in death by his mother, Josephine Pessman, and is survived by a few cousins. A memorial gathering will be held on Thursday, Oct. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. at O’Sullivan’s Public House (7244 Madison St., Forest Park).
Cremation rites have been accorded. Interment will follow at a later date. The Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES
RESOLUTION NO. R-93-25
A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY OF AN ADDITIONAL LIBRARY
TAX FOR BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Village of Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois, as follows:
Section 1. The Board of Library Trustees of the Village of Forest Park, by Resolution dated September 15, 2025, has requested the corporate authorities of the Village of Forest Park to levy an additional 0.02% tax for the maintenance, repairs and alterations of library buildings and equipment, pursuant to 75 ILCS 5/3-4, in order to include the sum of $76,168.00 in the Village’s 2025 tax levy ordinance as the 0.02% Library Building and Maintenance levy.
Section 2. The corporate authorities of the Village of Forest Park hereby determine and propose to levy such additional 0.02% tax for the year 2025, subject to the provisions of 75 ILCS 5/3-4.
Section 3. The Village Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish a copy of this Resolution in the Forest Park Review, a newspaper with a general circulation within the Village of Forest Park, said publication to occur within fifteen (15) days of the adoption of this Resolution.
Section 4. Pursuant to 75 ILCS 5/3-4, notice is hereby given that if a petition requesting a referendum signed by 1,064 or more registered voters of the Village of Forest Park is filed with the corporate authorities of the Village of Forest Park on or before October 31, 2025, which is thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this Resolution, then the question whether this Resolution shall become effective and said tax imposed shall be submitted to the electors of the Village of Forest Park at a general or special election to be held in accordance with the election laws of the State of Illinois in force at the time of such election. The Village Clerk is hereby directed to provide a petition form to any individual requesting one.
Section 5. In the event no petition is filed with the corporate authorities within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this Resolution, then this Resolution shall be effective and the additional library tax shall be levied accordingly, and included in the Village’s levy ordinance for library purposes.
ADOPTED by the Council of the Village of Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois this 22nd day of September, 2025.
AYES: 4
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 1
APPROVED by me this 22nd day of September, 2025.
Rory E. Hoskins, Mayor
ATTESTED and filed in my office, and published in pamphlet form this 22nd day of September, 2025.
Vanessa Belmonte, Clerk
Published in Forest Park Review October 1, 2025
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: M25000902 on September 17, 2025 Under the Assumed Business Name of ERROL JAY KIRSCH ARCHITECT with the business located at: 1046 FAIR OAKS, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: ERROL JAY KIRSCH 1046 FAIR OAKS, OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA.
Published in Wednesday Journal September 24, October 1, 8, 2025
MECHANIC’S LIEN
Attention JP MORGAN CHASE BANK NA & MISAEL MARTINEZSALGADO, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on 11/5/25, a sale will be held at 1510 Hannah Ave, Forest Park, IL, 60130 to sell the following articles to enforce a lien existing under the laws of the State of Illinois against such articles for labor, services, skill or material expended upon a storage furnished for such articles at the request of the following designated persons, unless such articles are redeemed within thirty days of the publication of this notice. Our records show, your 2016, CHEVROLET, SILVERADO 1500 with the following VIN 1GCVKREH9GZ142999 was towed to our facility per police ordinance. Our records show that the current amount due and owing is $2000.00. If payment is not received within 30 days Nobs Towing Inc. will enforce a mechanic’s lien pursuant to Chapter 770 ILCS 50/3.
Published in Forest Park Review October 1, 2025
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION CITIMORTGAGE, INC.
Plaintiff, -v.-
FELICIA DEGRAFFENREID, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE CORPORATION OF AMERICA, ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Defendants
20 CH 01174 1540 N. ROHDE AVE. BERKELEY, IL 60163
NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-
EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 6, 2023 and amended on June 12, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on October 30, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1540 N. ROHDE AVE., BERKELEY, IL 60163
Property Index No. 15-08-113050-0000
The real estate is improved with a single family residence.
The judgment amount was $137,055.10.
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, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours.
The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g) (4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCOR-
DANCE 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, contact HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 601 E. William St., DECATUR, IL, 62523 (217) 4221719. Please refer to file number 403024.
THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION
One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE
You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc. com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.
HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC
601 E. William St. DECATUR IL, 62523
217-422-1719
Fax #: 217-422-1754
E-Mail: CookPleadings@hsbattys. com
Attorney File No. 403024
Attorney Code. 40387 Case Number: 20 CH 01174
TJSC#: 45-1639
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.
I3273985
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION MIDFIRST BANK Plaintiff, -v.-
ANNETTE MUNGUIA; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants. 24 CH 4165 1316 S 8Th Ave, Maywood, IL 60153
NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 7/30/2025, an agent of Auction. com, LLC will conduct the Online Only auction at www.auction.com, with the bidding window opening on November 3, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. CDT and closing on November 5, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. subject to extension, and will sell at public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate.
LOT 11 (EXCEPT THE PART COMMENCING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID LOT, THENCE SOUTH ON THE WEST LINE OF SAID LOT TO THE SOUTHWEST CORNER THEREOF, THENCE EAST ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID LOT TO THE SOUTHEAST CORNER THEREOF, THENCE IN A NORTHWESTERLY DIRECTION THROUGH SAID LOT TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING) ALL OF LOT 12 AND THE SOUTHERLY 1/2 OF LOT 13 IN BLOCK 158 IN MAYWOOD, A SUBDIVISION OF PARTS OF SECTION 2, 11, AND 14, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Commonly known as 1316 S. 8th Ave., Maywood, IL 60153 Property Index No. 15-14-124012-0000 The real estate is im-
proved with a Single Family Residence. The judgment amount was $218,383.29 Sale Terms: Full Sale Terms are available on the property page at www.auction. com by entering 1316 S 8Th Ave into the search bar. If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, the winning bidder must pay the full bid amount within twenty-four (24) hours of the auction’s end. All payments must be certified funds. No third-party checks will be accepted. All bidders will need to register at www.auction.com prior to placing a bid. 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)(l) 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(g1). 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. For information, contact Plaintiffs attorney: LOGS Legal Group LLP (847) 291-1717 please refer to file number 24-101043-FC01. Auction. com, LLC 100 N LaSalle St., Suite 1400 Chicago, IL 60602 - 872225-4985 You can also visit www. auction.com. Attorney File No. 24-101043-FC01 Case Number: 24 CH 4165 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. I3273840
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2003-BC11 Plaintiff, -v.SERGE CADET A/K/A SERGE P. CADET Defendants 24 CH 8493 237 SOUTH 20TH AVENUE
MAYWOOD, IL 60153
NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 15, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 3, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 237 SOUTH 20TH AVENUE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153
Property Index No. 15-10-305012-0000 and 15-10-305-0130000
The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $142,506.47.
Sale terms: If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in ‘’AS IS’’ condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.
The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.
If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g) (4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).
IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 151701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.
You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.
For information, contact The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2801 LAKESIDE DRIVE, SUITE 207, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 291-1717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 24-100782. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION
One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE
You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc. com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. LOGS Legal Group LLP 2801 LAKESIDE DRIVE, SUITE 207 Bannockburn IL, 60015 847-291-1717
E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com Attorney File No. 24-100782 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 24 CH 8493 TJSC#: 45-1871
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 # 24 CH 8493 I3273762
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING Plaintiff vs. AMIR MOHABBAT, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR LINDA J. THOMPSON, REGINALD THOMPSON, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF LINDA J. THOMPSON, UNKNOWN OWNERS GENERALLY, AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendant 24 CH 9859 CALENDAR 58 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on October 28, 2025, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-15-308-034-0000. Commonly known as 1905 S. 25th Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153. The real estate is: 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 the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.
For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Altman, Strautins & Kromm, LLC d/b/a Kluever Law Group, 200 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1880, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (312) 236-0077. SMS001265-24FC1 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3273418
ORDINANCE# 2025-02
ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS OF MAYWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2026
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Maywood Public Library District, Cook County, Illinois caused to be prepared in tentative form a Budget, and the Secretary of this Board has made the same conveniently available to public inspection for at least 30 days prior to final action thereon, and WHEREAS, a public hearing was held as to such Budget on September 17, 2025, and notice of said hearing was given at least 30 days prior thereto as required by law, and all other requirements have been complied with;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Trustees of the Maywood Public Library District, Cook County, Illinois as follows:
Section 1: That the fiscal year of this Public Library District is hereby fixed to begin July 1, 2025 and end on June 30, 2026
Section 2: That the following Budget containing an estimate of the amount available and expenditures and the appropriations contained therein be, and the same is hereby adopted as, the Budget and Appropriations for this Public Library District for this Fiscal Year, and the sum of $4,766,300 is hereby appropriated for the purposes of the Maywood Public Library District, as hereinafter specified for said fiscal year. PART
I
The
Estimated
PARTIII
The
PART IV
Estimated Expenditures - IMRF
ACCOUNT BUDGET APPROPRIATION
9250092IMRF Expenses
The foregoing appropriation is hereby appropriated from the proceeds of a special tax to pay the library district’s contribution to IMRF and is in addition to all other library district taxes as provided by law.
PARTV
Estimated Expenditures - Building/Site
ACCOUNT BUDGET APPROPRIATION
Building/Site Expenses $65,000 $90,000
The foregoing appropriation is hereby appropriated from the proceeds of a special tax for the purpose of purchase, construction, and maintenance of sites and building, equipment, and maintenance, repairs and
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