Plainti s say the noisy vacuum stations a ‘detrimental to the public health, safety and comfort of
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
For years, Elgin Avenue residents have aired complaints to the village and Crystal Car Wash about the latter noisy vacuum stations at 901 S. Harlem Ave. After the car wash, in May, to expand for the second time in three years, three residents who live b the business got legal re presentation. Now, Sukrat Baber, Mitchell Ashcroft
See CRYSTAL CAR WASH on pa ge 20
Mark Denny, Sukrat Baber and Mitchell Ashcro in front of the vacuum stations across the alley from their homes on the 900 block of Elgin on Oct. 25.
By HOPE BAKER Contributing Reporter
Every school in Forest Park District 91 has earned a Commendable designation, according to the 2025 Illinois Report Card, recently released the Illinois State Board of Education eally is a big deal, and in recent memory
Community Foundation O ers Professional Development to Local Nonpro t Leaders
As part of its goal to strengthen the local nonpro t sector’s impact on the overall quality of life in our communities, the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation has launched the Nonpro t Excellence program, a training series focused on professional development and leadership for community-based organizations serving the greater West Side.
“We are out and about, actively listening to our community leaders. e message is crystal clear: they are facing a wide array of signi cant challenges, across many di erent issue areas. ey need funding. ey also need peer-to-peer support,” said Carrie Summy, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “ e Foundation is in a unique position to serve as a collaborative bridge between organizations that may be doing similar work in di erent geographies or elds, and to create
opportunities for nonpro t leaders to learn from and be resources for each other.”
e Nonpro t Excellence program grows out of Impact Excellence, a longrunning Foundation initiative for local leaders.
Nonpro t Excellence will provide multiple opportunities for learning and exchange, including workshops, seminars, executive roundtables and other events. ese programs address core elements of capacity building and sustainability, such as an organization’s mission and vision, human resources issues, board governance and infrastructure, technology, marketing and
fundraising strategy. e program will launch o cially in January 2026, although the Foundation recently o ered a workshop on contingency planning in light of recent budget cuts and signi cant changes occurring at federal and state level, which was well attended and received. “ e information was super current and all extremely actionable” said one attendee.
“Nonpro t Excellence is key to our commitment to serve as a local resource and a trusted, valued partner for our social sector,” Summy said. “We are here to serve those helping our most vulnerable
Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation • 708-848-1560 • oprfcf.org
WHEN MEMORY FADES HOPE DOESN'T.
community members, and we’re going to do that in as many creative ways as we can.”
Programming is o ered free of charge, and events will soon be posted on the Nonpro t Excellence page of the Foundation website, oprfcf.org. Local nonpro t executives and sta interested in participating in the program are encouraged to contact Program Director Elizabeth Chadri at 708-848-1560 or by email at echadri@oprfcf.org for more information.
Cognitive decline can steal the past, but it doesn’t have to steal the future. Pioneered to curb the effects of cognitive decline, Circle of Friends® is a unique, evidence-based program for building brain fitness. It was developed by Belmont Village in collaboration with the nation’s top universities and healthcare institutions — and it works. Residents
Third phase of lead pipe replacement underway
e village OKs a level- ve engineer to oversee the next stage of replacing lead service lines with copper ones
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
As Forest Park works to replace its lead service lines into local homes and businesses with copper ones, removing lead from drinking water, it’s approaching the next phase of the village-wide pipe project.
A decade after the village started replacing lead pipes from the water main to a property’s parkway, the village is now removing pipes running from the Buffalo Box valve at the parkway to 18 inches inside buildings Phase one installed copper pipes from the B-box to homes and businesses south of Roosevelt Road, from Harlem to Beloit Avenue. Phase two did the same for buildings south of I-290, from Beloit to Des Plaines Avenue
The third phase will take place in the 400, 500 and 600 blocks of Hannah, Thomas and Beloit. At the Nov. 24 village council meeting, commissioners approved a resolution allowing Christopher B. Burke Engineering to provide engineering services for the third phase of the project. Commissioners also discussed the rank and role of the engineer on the project.
Commissioner Maria Maxham asked why, in Christopher B. Burke Engineering’s proposal for the project, they recommended a level-five engineer – and what that meant.
“I guess I’m wondering, why do we need a level-five engineer for eight hours a day, for 760 total hours, instead of, say, a level-three engineer?” Maxham asked. “I don’t know the difference between a level three and a level five . . . This is only coming from a place of
making sure that we’re using our resources as wisely as possible.”
According to the meeting agenda, the village will pay Christopher B. Burke Engineering $216,500 for services including coordinating, implementing and providing pre-construction engineering, construction observation, and post-construction services for phase three of the lead service line replacement project.
After looking up the distinction between the two levels of engineers, Sal Stella, director of the public works department, came up to a microphone to address commissioners at the Nov. 24 meeting.
“Level three is more like an entry level, someone who just came out of college, doing this for his first time,” Stella said. He added that he worked with a level-three engineer over the summer while replacing the water main and resurfacing part of Ferdinand Avenue. “There were a lot of things that he skipped and wasn’t really knowledgeable about. A major sewer issue was left behind that was supposed to be fixed.”
Stella said that a level-five engineer is more of a senior role, something that’s necessary when fixing water service where, if something goes wrong, peoples’ basements could flood
“When you’re dealing with people and their belongings, you need a more senior role,” Stella said, “versus somebody that just got out of college and doesn’t really know the role very well. It’s not just a regular slamdunk water main project. There’s a lot involved.”
Stella added that level-five engineers have to be knowledgeable to deal with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which might award the village the Illinois public water supply loan, a forgivable loan.
To cover the total cost of phase three of the project, the village requested from the IEPA a forgivable loan of nearly $2.5 million. The cost of the first two phases was completely covered by the IEPA’s public water supply
loans
Village Attor ney Nick Peppers agreed that a higher-level engineer is more equipped to work with the IEPA.
“Beyond the integration with the public and the design, [level-five engineers are] also integral with the IEPA segment of all this. It’s really complicated,” Peppers said. “This is our third go around and, in my perspective, I’m only dealing with the most-senior engineers at Burke to manage the IEPA loan process to keep us on track.” He added that he checked, and the village has had level-five engineers on previous phases of the service line replacement project.
Village Administrator Rachell Entler confirmed that the water line replacement project is complicated, and that she and Stella meet weekly with Burke engineers to make sure everything is exactly right.
“Stage one and stage two have not been perfect,” Entler said at the council meeting
“Even having done it twice, there are still issues that are coming up that we’re having to work through, not only with the loan, but then the actual process.”
Entler told the Review that, though there haven’t been a lot of challenges, Forest Park’s aging infrastructure has presented a few issues in updating lead pipes. With some homes that are over 100 years old, water meters aren’t always accessible, hidden behind a wall. Or sometimes the contractor can’t immediately locate the B-box in front of the house, so the village’s water department employees come to help
“We’ll continue to see those across each of the stages,” Entler told the Review about dealing with older homes while replacing lead service lines.
Entler said the village hopes to open a construction bid for phase three of the lead pipe replacement project in January, with construction likely starting in the spring.
ADOBE STOCK
Property taxes estimated to increase by no more than 5%
Commissioners propose a property tax levy that could br ing a combined $10 million to the village and library
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
Every year, the village files a tax levy with the Cook County Clerk, which uses the levy to calculate property taxes for municipalities.
At the Nov. 24 village council meeting, commissioners unanimously approved a resolution that establishes the estimated property tax levy. For the 2025 tax year, the village estimates that the combined property tax levy will bring in $10,230,118 for both the village and the Forest Park Public Library — a 5.5% increase in funds from last year.
Last year’s approved 5% tax levy increase — though the final rate established by the clerk was 3.5% — was estimated to
bring in $7.4 million for the village and $2.4 million to the library. This year’s estimated levy would give an additional $394,000 to the village and $142,000 to the library.
Out of all the village’s taxing districts, the village gets about 14% of collected property taxes, and the library sees about 4.5%.
According to a memo to commissioners from Finance Director Letitia Olmsted, the Cook County Clerk usually reduces the final tax rate from what is suggested in the levy. For example, last year, the village asked for a combined tax levy that was also a 5.5% increase from 2023, but the final rate established by the clerk was 3.5%.
According to Olmsted, this money is vital to village operations.
In the 2024 fiscal year, village expendi-
tures increased 8.8%, or half of which went into pension funding. And new revenue the village 2024 tax year made up ov enue increase for the 2025 fiscal year.
“It might not seem significant, but it is essential,” Olmsted said in the memo.
Because Forest Park is a non-home rule municipality, it’s subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, which sets a cap on the percent increase that the village can levy.
Over the next few weeks, the approved estimated property tax levy is available for inspection by the public.
Village Administrator Rachell Entler said copies of the estimated levy are available at Village Hall. There will be a public
hearing at 6:45 p.m. on Dec. 15 on the lower level of Village Hall for residents to share their comments on the levy before the village council votes whether to adopt it at the 7 p.m. meeting. Estimated property tax levies must be filed with the Cook County Clerk by Dec. 30.
REPORT CARD
this is the first time every District 91 school has earned a Commendable designation at the same time,” said Robert Hubbird, District 91’s interim superintendent.
Last year, only three of D91’s four schools earned the Commendable designation. Those were Betsy Ross Elementary, Garfield Elementary and Forest Park Middle School.
Field-Stevenson was designated last year as Targeted, which meant the state identified a subgroup performance area that needed a for mal improvement cycle.
“So 2025 re presents a meaningful step forward across all schools,” Hubbird said. “We see it as a milestone that reflects consistent work over multiple years — not a one-year spike.”
Illinois has five summative designations within the statewide school accountability system: Exemplary, Commendable, Targeted, Comprehensive and Intensive. The Illinois Report Card awards schools that rank in the top 10% of the state as Exemplary. The second-highest designation, Commendable,
means the school meets or exceeds state targets for student academic growth and achievement and is the largest of the categories. Schools designated as Commendable have strong academic performance, with no underperforming student groups.
Hubbird said school leadership at Stevenson worked hard to increase i ignation from Targeted to Commendable cluding coherent, aligned curriculum across grade levels
“We’ve worked hard to ensure instruc tional materials build intentionally from one grade to the next so students aren starting or missing key skills as they mo through the system,” Hubbird said.
Additionally, he said, an emphasis has been put on professional learning and coaching.
“Our teachers and principals have been deeply committed to using data from classroom work and state assessments to refine instruction quickly — keeping what works and adjusting what doesn’t,” Hubbird said.
Social-emotional learning, a positive school climate, and strong family par tnerships have also been prioritized at Field Stevenson.
“In short, we didn’t chase a label,” Hubbird said. “We chased better teaching and learning every day, and this recognition followed.”
In terms of this year’s report card, Hub-
bird said that celebration and improvement can coexist. While D91’s math scores have improved, further progress in that area remains essential. He also emphasized the importance of consistent attendance. Although the district’s chronic absenteeism rate has decreased, Hubbird emphasized that there is still substantial room for growth.
“You can see our percentage has been go-
wn for the past couple years but 20% is still way too high,” Hubbird said. “The state erage is 25%. We are below that, but we ould like to get that number even lower.”
In order to improve attendance, D91 schools rrently focused on early and supporte outreach.
“Each school tracks absences in real time eaches out quickly when patterns start — not to punish, but to understand barriers and help solve them,” Hubbird said. “We’re consistently reinforcing that attendance about opportunity, not compliance. Students need to feel missed and wanted when e gone.”
In an effort to decrease chronic absenteesm, the district is also focused on removing practical barriers for families
“When transportation, housing instability, or other logistics get in the way, we connect families to resources and problem-solve with community partners,” Hubbird said.
Hubbird noted that each D91 school earning a Commendable designation is a testament to the hard work of the students and the dedication of the staff but emphasized that it is not a finish line.
“We want to keep strengthening instruction, enrichment, and student supports so this level of performance is stable and rising,” he said.
FILE PHOTO
Forest Park Middle School
OUR QUIETEST NEIGHB OR S
He wrote the lyrics for Illinois’ state song
Buried in Forest Home Cemetery: Charles H. Chamberlin, April 16, 1841
– September 16, 1894
Tucked in a quiet section of Forest Home Cemetery is a small, red granite headstone that’s easy to overlook, but on closer inspection, you’ll notice it is engraved with the lyrics to the state song of Illinois:
When you heard your country calling, Illinois, Illinois, Where the shot and shell were falling Illinois, Illinois,
When the Southern Host withdrew, pitting gray against the blue There were none more brave than you, Illinois.
BINNS-CALVE Y
In the late 1880s, competition was intense between St. Louis, New York City, Washington D.C. and Chicago to host the Columbian Exposition. One promotional scheme concocted by those who wanted the event held in Chicago was to craft a catchy tune literally singing the praises of the state of Illinois.
Chamberlin, a Civil War veteran who was wounded in the war, wrote the lyrics to the song “Illinois” around 1890. The lyrics were set to the tune of another song, “Baby Mine” (not the Disney song), composed by Archibald Johnston in 1876. Chamberlin then gave the song to his friend, Col. O.B. Knight, to sing in both Illinois and Washington. It was hoped that if members of Congress heard the tune, they would be inclined to choose Chicago for the site of the Exposition.
Chicago did, in fact famously, host the Columbian Exposition (now also known as the Chicago World’s Fair). It’s impossible to know if the song had any impact on the final choice (it’s more likely it was awarded to Chicago because wealthy Chicagoans pitched in more money than New York financiers).
The song has undergone many changes. Chamberlin originally wrote just three stanzas, but a four th, with references to Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant, was added based on his wife Lydia’s suggestion. In 1901, Walter Howe Jones wrote a new tune for the lyrics. In 1935, another version for marching bands was composed. Two more verses were added in 1966 for the Illinois Sesquicentennial and yet another marching band arrangement was composed.
“Illinois” became the state song in 1925 using a version of the original melody by Johnston. In 2018, the Illinois House of Representatives passed a resolution recommending that the song be played at state events. If you’ve been to a University of Illinois home game, chances are you have heard the tune at the beginning of the game
Chamberlin lived only from 1841 to 1894 and died at 53, less than a year after the Exposition. President William McKinley once told Chamberlin that his song, “Illinois,” was “a song that will never die” and will never be forgotten, which is ironic, given that very few Illinoisans could sing the song if asked.
References used: Archi val newspaper articles from the Dixon Evening Tele graph, My Journal Courier, and the 1966 copyrighted sheet music of “Illinois.”
the
of
Amy Binns-Calvey is a volunteer with the Historical Society of Forest Park and
author
More Dead Than Aliv e: Stories of Forest Park’s Quietest Neighbors.
SMALL BITES
Treats for young and old in ‘food-coma’ time of the culinary year
Between Thanksg ing and the end of the year, there never seems to be any lack of opportunity to eat. This year, with many food security issues front-ofmind, consider sharing that feasting joy with neighbors in need. Donations of food or funds to Beyond Hunger distributed locally.
Here are a few things otherwise going on in our neighborhoods:
North avenue’s Dunkin Donuts at 6336 W. North Ave. is getting a complete overhaul. Windows are out; scaffolding is up; a peek behind the fencing shows graffiti on the building. But no worries it’s all getting a glow-up. Down the street, the derelict IHOP building that has sat vacant for years is coming down. There are no immediate plans for another building or business on the lot.
Taglio – A slice of Rome, a pizza
concept, is coming to 809 South Blvd. in Oak Park, where Angie’s Pantry used . Paper is up on the windows. Job listings are out on Indeed. No info yet on an opening date.
The film lining the winThree Fold Bakery, 401 South Blvd, is of f. Coffee machines are shining on the counter, so hopefully they will start rolling out the viennoiserie pastry soon. Takeout 25’s holiday gift card my stery bundles are back. Purchase online in $25 increments, you get one gift card for each $25 spent. Which restaurant your cards are from is a sur prise, which helps spread the love as the slower, colder months of the year are a challenge for all local restaurants. How often do you get that thrill of not knowing – yet knowing it will be something good? Santa yourself ! The five largest purchasers of gift cards will also receive a Takeout 25 cookbook that debuted in November, featuring recipes from 25 local favorite restaurants. Dec. 5 is the deadline for ordering. Card pickup is at The Book Loft, 1047 Lake St. in Oak Park, star ting on Dec. 7.
This time of the year, you can play Dirty Santa, but if you want a dirty soda, head to Candycopia at 717 Lake St. in Oak Park. It’s a drink remix. Classic sodas are amped with creamy add-ins, bold syrups and sweet surprises
Candycopia’s ‘dirty’ sodas
Inspiration Kitchen’s collard greens and smoked turkey sandwich
that Candycopia celebrates every day. Gummy shark in your drink, anyone? Drinks are mixed to order from their own mad-scientist list or create your own concoction.
New Sound Café is open steps from the intersection of Austin & Lake, 5958 W.
Lake St. in Chicago. Housed in a building that was a gospel record stores back in the 1970s, the new café roasts their own beans; has ample seating upstairs for working; and an area that converts to a reservable conference room. Pastries as well as breakfast and lunch sandwiches are available, provided by Hatchery incubatorbased Trini’s Tasty Pastries.
A bit fur ther east at 3504 W. Lake St. in Chicago you can eat lunch on Fridays and brunch, plus lunch on Saturdays at Inspiration Kitchen. Their motto is “Dine well. Do good.” The goal of this social enterprise is to train aspiring hospitality and kitchen professionals. Seasonal dishes, with some ing redients from their own garden, join a re gular menu of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and entrees. Catering is also available.
Eats-out – we are going to try another tur n at gathering, eating and chatting about what foods make us happy. This time, we are going to Café Cubano on Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. The cost is $35 per person. Alcoholic drinks separate. If you want to join in our table of eight, email me at the address below.
Got news, questions or ideas for this column? Email them to us at Eats@oakparkeats.com.
CRIME
Man arrested for waving fake gun at drivers
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
Police responded to an address on Des Plaines Avenue on Nov. 28 after two separate callers said a man pointed a gun at them while they were in their cars. Police located a man matching the offender’s description near Hannah Avenue and Madison Street, where they detained him. In his pocket, they found a lighter shaped like a handgun. Police re ported that the man threatened them and their families several times and spoke nonsensically, so police thought he was having a mental health crisis. They contacted a social worker at Ascension Health, but the man refused social services. He was charged with aggravated assault.
Battery
Police responded to Mugsy’s Tavern on Madison Street just after midnight on Nov. 24 for a battery. A woman told police that she was slapped by an unknown man in the bar after she was arguing with the bartender. Bar staf f told police that the man left through the back exit. Police found a man matching his description and told him to stop while he tried to enter a near by apar tment, which he initially ignored. Though the woman said she wanted to sign complaints against the man, when they went to the bar to ask her to identify the man, she was no longer there. Bar staf f showed police video of the incident, which shows the woman in a verbal altercation with a bartender before the man slaps her twice.
At the time of the police re port, the man had been released pending further investigation but was not charged.
Damage to proper ty
On Nov. 24, a dump truck driver re ported to police that he went to pick up a dumpster in the 1400 block of Circle Avenue, but it fell and damaged a fence. The owner of the property said the dumpster also damaged a grill. City Wide Disposal & Recycling was contacted to arrange payment for the damaged property.
Disorderly conduct
Police responded to Scratch Public House in the early hours of Nov. 27 to address an altercation after security refused to give back an ID to a patron. According to the police re port, a young man tried to enter Scratch, though he was underage. When security denied him, he tried to enter the back of the establishment but was escorted out. The young man was charged with disorderly conduct.
Aggravated assault
While on patrol Nov. 27, police saw a car driving on Roosevelt Road with tinted windows in violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code. The car also changed lanes frequently, disre garded a stop sign, and drove in circles in the Forest Park Mall parking lot. Police radioed dispatch about the reckless driver. The car went to Cardinal Wine and Spirits’ parking lot on Roosevelt Road
to attempt to escape but was trapped in the parking lot by police cars. Police ordered the driver to show his hands and get out of the car, but he didn’t. One police officer used the rear of his pocket knife to break the passenger’s window to place the driver in custody. The driver revved the engine multiple times and held onto the steering wheel while police tried to remove him. After a warning, police tased the driver and took him in. The man was charged with aggravated assault, fleeing a police officer, an Illinois Vehicle Code violation, traffic sign violations, improper lane usage, and two counts of resisting an officer.
Assisting re department
Police responded to the 900 block of Dunlop Avenue the morning of Nov. 28 for a structure fire. Police saw smoke on the second floor balcony that was also in the adjacent bedroom and kitchen. A woman who lives at the home with her husband and mother said she woke up to a strange smell and found flames on their balcony. They extinguished the fire with water and called 911, but don’t know how the fire could’ve started. According to the police re port, the fire department was unable to determine how the fire began.
Snow route violations
After over two inches of snowfall on Nov. 29, 25 cars were towed to Nobs Towing. Director of Public Works Sal Stella requested that the police department do so for cars parked on streets with posted signage so
that the streets could be plowed.
These items were obtained from Forest Park Police Department re ports dated Nov. 23 - 29 and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We re port 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.
Direct
Catering (please give 48 hours notice)
2nd
HUMANS OF FO REST P ARK
One year in Forest Park, and she’s is a fan
Regular people are the backbone of our communi ty
By AMY BINNS-CALVEY Contributing Reporter
This is an occasional column focused on everyday people who live in Forest Park. Maybe you’ve met her? This interview with Jennifer Luong took place at U3Cof fee. It was edited for clarity.
How long have you lived in Forest Park?
I actually just moved here a year ago. I used to live in Oak Park, so not too far.
What brought you to Forest Park?
My aunt lives here. It’s going great. We kind of help each other emotionally and physically and stuf f. I also really like the community here and everything is close. Like U3 Coffee is right here, Kribi Coffee, and I’m a big coffee fan so I always come over here. I live where everything is close. And the train is right here, I take the train to school all the time. I love how close everything is.
You said you were in school, what are you studying?
I’m in business administration right now. I go to National Louis University. I like it a lot.
What’s the oddest job you’ve ever had?
I would say, out of all my jobs, probably Dunkin’ Donuts.
I used to play a lot of cooking games growing up, and just kind of felt like a real-life version of that. Especially now that I’m a pharmacy technician, so it’s so different. And that was my previous job before this one, so definitely a different environment.
What’s a job you are proud of?
Pharmacy technician. I’ve been there for two years. Definitely proud of it. I’m studying to be certified soon. I like my work environment. All of my co-workers are really nice. I actually hang out with my co-workers outside of work. We’re all kind of the same age. We’re all going to school. I mean, we’re in different schools. We kind of relate a lot. I feel like we make a good team, too. We make sure we get stuf f done.
What does a phar macy tech involve?
It involves a lot, actually! Of course, it’s the simple things like bringing out prescriptions for patients, but we also have to fill prescriptions, pull them, and deal with outof-stocks, insurances, third-par ty authorizations. Yeah, basically the middle-ground between patients, insurance companies and getting their prescriptions.
What kind of business do you want to go into?
I want to go into HR – human resources. I want to work with insurance companies because of my background with pharmacies. With human resources, since I am Asian-American, I feel like I definitely understand what it’s like to be a minority and I like the idea of just being a middle ground between people in the work field and big companies. I feel like a lot of people feel like they can’t reach out to them, so I hope that I can be that person.
Do you have any pet-peeves?
The first thing that comes to mind, probably because I’m in a coffee shop, I guess people are eating with their mouth open, or really loud gum-smacking. That’s pretty much it.
What gives you hope?
My future. I’m so young. I’m excited to get my de gree,
and I’m hopefully getting an internship soon so that will definitely open doors for me.
If you were going to give advice to someone, what would that be?
That would be to focus on yourself. For sure. Plain and simple as that. Even if you’re in a relationship or even with family, at the end of the day, just focus on yourself. At the end of the day, you just have yourself.
Amy Binns-Calve y is an author and occasional contributor to the Forest Park Re view.
Jennifer Luong, phar macy technician
Presented by
Walk
Season launches on Madison Street with frosty fun
Walk returns on Dec. 5
By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter
BANNOR
During the Holiday Walk on Dec. 5, Forest Park will live up in a big way to its billing as a village with small town charm.
Thousands of lights, decorated windows in shops with yummy treats inside, live music, a horse drawn car riage and Santa and Mrs. Claus — it all works together to create a family friendly fantasy to kick of f the holiday season.
Continued on pa ge 15
YOU’RE GOING TO WANT TO SEE OUR WINDOW.
Dec 5 at 6 PM th 7512 Madison Street
Also livestreaming on Instagram @alceagallery
public puts up in Constitution Court is a 22-foot-tall Canaan Balsam Fir. McAdam Landscaping strings the lights on the tree as well as on the light poles along Madison Street and Roosevelt Road.
Businesses along Madison Street contribute to the festive atmosphere in many ways.
Santa and Mrs. Claus (aka Joe and Sandy Byrnes) will be seated in the Forest Park Bank lobby to hear what children of all ages want for Christmas and to pose for photo ops.
Play It Again Sports will be transformed into a concert hall. Dr. Daniel Gasse, director of the Gasse School of Music, will be
In addition, a group of preschoolers will sing seasonal songs in Spanish.
Laurie Jackson, the owner of Todd and Holland Tea Merchants, will be serving a mocktail — cocktails made with tea instead of alcohol — she’s calling an Old Fashioned made with tea instead of brandy.
Joana Fischer, owner of Twisted Cookie, said, “We will be doing hot chocolate with our famous homemade marshmallow that will be toasted in front of the customers as they order. We will also be offering our homemade smores that evening.”
The Forest Park Review crew will be in the window at Grand Appliance. This year will feature a Mad Hatter theme, said Jill Wagner, the paper’s coordinator for the event.
Rich Schauer, of Schauer Hardware, said, “We are doing a live window and decorations at the hardware store. Participating in a town event, talking to customers who are NOT working on a project at the time, and just letting people know we are here and to come in and look inside for maybe the first time.”
Dan Watts, president of Forest Park Bank, explained why the bank participates in the walk. “Santa and Mrs. Claus
are all about Celebrating Christmas and ‘Giving’ to all the ‘Good’ people they care for. Similarly, Forest Park Bank is pleased to provide a venue to celebrate and to ‘Give’ back to the community that remains so ‘Good’ and loyal to this organization.”
Fantastic Sams is doing free face painting and serving free hot chocolate. Owner Kevin McCrory said, “I love the exposure to new people.”
HOLIDAYS ARE A TIME TO COME TOGETHER.
Our Local Communities Are Interwoven Through Connections & Celebrations.
THE SCHEDULE
■ 6 p.m. – Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive by fire engine at Constitution Cour light the tree (Madison and Thomas)
■ 6 to 8 p.m. – Visit Santa & Mrs. Claus at Forest Park Bank (7348 Madison)
■ 6 to 9 p.m. – Horse-drawn sleigh rides – jump on at Beloit and Madison or Elgin and Madison
■ 6 to 9 p.m. - Sky High Balloon Guy Face Painter and more!
Mayor Rory Hoskins
CRYSTAL CAR WASH
to public health’
from page 1
and Markus Denny are suing Forest Park’s Village Administrator Rachell Entler and its Director of Public Health and Safety Steve Glinke. Baber, Ashcroft and Denny live on Elgin Avenue, just across an alley from the car wash.
Mayor Rory Hoskins and Crystal Car Wash’s owner did not respond to request for comment. Both Entler and Glinke declined to comment, due to the pending litigation.
The three Elgin Avenue residents’ lawsuit argues that the current car wash isn’t grandfathered into the village code because of the noise from the vacuum stations added to the south and west sides of the building. Additionally, the plaintiffs argue that Crystal Car Wash is detrimental to the public health, safety and comfort of the village
stations with vacuums and compression hoses that run until the business closes at 9 p.m. and re gularly exceed 80 decibels. Premier Car Wash previously existed at 901 S. Harlem Ave., and when Crystal Car Wash opened in 2018, it was grandfathered into the version of the code before noise restrictions were implemented.
According to the filed lawsuit, Premier Car Wash was a legal nonconforming use, and construction of new vacuum stations violates the village’s zoning ordinance that prohibits the expansion of nonconforming uses
“One of the things that we would like is for the vacuum [stations] on the west side to be removed,” Baber previously told the Review.
Baber also previously told the Review that, for years, dozens of Forest Parkers have asked the village for help with the car wash, and have presented their issues directly to Crystal Car Wash, to no avail. After Baber, Ashcroft and Denny hired lawyers in the spring, and requested an interview with the Review, they said neither the village nor the car wash contacted them about ongoing concer ns.
NOTICE of Proposed Property Tax Increase for the Village of Forest Park.
I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for the Village of Forest Park for 2025 will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 6:45 p.m., in the Council Chambers of Village Hall located in the lower level of 517 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130.
Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Deputy Village Clerk Megan Roach, 517 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois or at 708-615-6203.
II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2024 were $9,692,991.
The proposed corporate and special property taxes to be levied for 2025 are $10,230,118. This represents a 5.5% increase over the previous year.
III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2024 were $-0-.
The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2025 are $-0-. This represents a 0% increase over the previous year.
IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2024 were $9,692,991.
The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2025 are $10,230,118. This represents a 5.5% increase over the previous year.
/s/ Megan Roach Deputy Village Clerk Village of Forest Park 517 Desplaines Avenue Forest Park, IL 60130
ASSURANCE
ANNUAL STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS SUMMARY FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025
Forest Park SD 91 • 06-016-0910-02 • 424 Des Plaines Ave, Forest Park, IL 60130
The Annual Statement of Affairs has been posted on the district’s website and published in accordance with Section 10-17 of the School Code no later than December 1. (Put “X” in blue box if yes.) Yes X
SIZE OF DISTRICT IN SQUARE MILES 3 NUMBER OF ATTENDANCE CENTERS 4
NUMBER OF CERTIFICATED EMPLOYEES
NUMBER OF NON-CERTIFICATED EMPLOYEES FULL-TIME 76 PART-TIME 14
The ASA must be posted on the school district’s website and published in a newspaper of general circulation no later than December 1, 2025. Refer to Section 10-17 and Section 10-20.44 of the School Code. Annual Statement of Affairs Instructions • Form 50-37 08/25
SALARY SCHEDULE OF GROSS PAYMENTS FOR NON-CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL
Salary Range: Less Than $40,000-$54,999 Ali, Brenda, Anderson, Colette, Bell, Kateia, Burnett, Dedra, Dickel, Megan, Fanucchi, Tina, Hansen, Jeremy, Jenks, Charles, Johnsen, Steven, Lalli, Wendy, Leonard, Jennifer L, Montano Jr, Jose M, Murray, Eboni, Quirk, Michael, Raglin, Takiisha A, Street, Doris, Wind, Elia
Salary Range: $55,000 - $74,999
Atherton, Charles D, Moroni, Rosemary, Saucedo, Nelly Salary Range: Less Than $75,000 and over Arechiga, Humberto, Barnes, Jeanette F, Bejlovec, Robert A, Bernero, Michelle, Dixon, Brenda M, Doolin, Bonnie L, Hyde, Kelsey, Laudadio, Robert F, Panzani, Dino A, Renz, Matthew J, Romero, Carlos, Stoxen, Jason, Uceta Ramos, Nurys
PAYMENTS TO PERSON, FIRM, OR CORPORATION OVER $2,500 EXCLUDING WAGES AND SALARIES
5 STAR INTERPRETING 10,489.00, AA Rental Center 2,837.45, ACCESS CU 31,070.00, AHS STAFFING, LLC 102,777.54, AJAK MECHANICAL INC 118,186.20, ALVAREZ, ELIZABETH 3,007.21, AMERESCO, INC 64,000.00, American Enterprise Investment Services 37,720.00, AMN HEALTHCARE 93,092.50, AMPLIFY 84,151.54, ANDERSON ELEVATOR CO. 20,669.00, ANDERSON PEST SOLUTIONS 3,717.60, ANGELINA DAVILA 8,226.77, ANTHROMED 71,744.25, ARECHIGA, HUMBERTO 3,100.00, ASHLEY AHRHARDT ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSTICS 4,900.00, Assistive Technology Unit 3,300.00, ASSURANCE FIRE & SAFETY 2,761.55, ASSURED HEALTHCARE STAFFING 5,863.66, AUTHENTIC GLASS & MIRROR 12,818.00, BARNES, JEANETTE F 2,996.00, BE ABLE LEARNING SERVICES 12,000.00, BILINGUAL THERAPIES 13,551.72, BLAZER WORKS 736,626.29, BMO 4 ALL PROMOS 13,403.78, BMO A+ SCI ED SCIENCE AND SUPPLIES 3,825.00, BMO AASA 4,330.00, BMO ACCURATE OFFICE SUPPLY 45,889.51, BMO AGENCY 1204 LLC 24,000.00, bmo agirepair 3,493.50, BMO AMAZON 219,287.68, BMO AMJ SPECTACULAR EVENTS 5,384.05, BMO APPLEITUNES 28,602.74, BMO APPTEGY 7,659.75, BMO BACKUPIFY 9,400.00, BMO BEABLE 30,125.00, BMO BERWYN GARAGE 34,885.98, BMO BEYOND CATERING 20,268.19, BMO BLICK ART MATERIAL 3,791.64, BMO BLONDA’S 2,520.72, BMO BLUE CAB 42,680.00, BMO BOWLERO 4,672.43, BMO BRAINPOP 9,081.00, BMO BTS SOLUTIONS 20,683.00, BMO BUS/TRUCK GAS 23,509.18,
BMO CANDOR HEALTH EDUCATION 4,050.00, BMO CAPSTONE 5,394.00, BMO CDW 28,269.23, BMO CODE WITH US 8,600.00, BMO COMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN 9,996.00, BMO CRISIS PREVENTION 4,768.50, BMO DELL 8,905.00, BMO DEMCO 3,998.91, BMO DISCOVERY EDUCATION 31,456.56, BMO EARLY LEARNING SOLUTIONS AND ADVOCAC 7,350.00, BMO EVERWAY 3,642.92, BMO EVERYDAY SPEECH 3,971.91, BMO FOLLETT 5,176.84, BMO GATEWAY LANGUAGES, INC 21,056.22, BMO HAPARA 7,700.00, BMO HILDEBRAND SPORTING GOODS 3,825.00, BMO HOME DEPOT 10,215.65, BMO HOTEL 6,313.45, BMO ILLINOIS ALARM 9,419.22, BMO ILLINOIS PRINCIPALS ASSOCIATION 7,851.00, BMO IN EDH FILM GROUP LLC 21,910.00, BMO INCIDENT IQ 24,263.57, BMO IRON MOUNTAIN 6,896.62, BMO IXL MATH 3,875.00, BMO JIMMY’S PLACE 7,597.76, BMO LAKESHORE LEARNING 7,648.75, BMO LAMINATOR 3,202.35, BMO LEARNING A-Z 23,272.00, BMO LEXIA LEARNING SYSTEM 23,976.60, BMO LIBRARIA 25,379.60, BMO MAINEVENT 3,890.25, BMO MASTER TEACHER 2,933.45, BMO MENARDS 7,769.27, BMO MEREDITH CULLIGAN WATER COMPANY 4,017.30, BMO MHS INC 18,757.40, BMO MISC 2,909.28, BMO MOBYMAX 20,599.00, BMO NEARPOD 11,340.00, BMO NEWS2YOU 3,259.70, BMO NEWSELA 13,299.09, BMO NOTABLE, INC 3,605.00, BMO PBIS 5,976.05, BMO PEARSON 2,909.08, BMO PROJECT LEAD THE WAY, INC. 20,799.00, BMO QUILL CORPORATION 2,660.14, BMO RESTAURANT 20,674.27, BMO RUSH TRUCK CENTER 4,957.32, BMO SCHOLASTIC 6,202.07, BMO SECURELY 10,279.50, BMO SEESAW 6,030.00, BMO SHERWIN WILLIAMS 5,387.76, BMO SIGN EXPRESS 14,446.52, BMO SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA 4,144.12, BMO SKY ZONE 4,057.87, BMO SMORE FOR SCHOOLS 2,769.00, bmo SONRISAS 3,171.00, BMO SPECIAL T UNLIMITED 26,827.25, BMO STARSHIP 8,643.00, BMO STUDER EDUCATION 12,167.97, BMO SWANK MOTION PICTURES INC 3,987.00, BMO TEACHING STRATEGIES 5,686.29, BMO TERRAZZO & MARBLE NG 8,308.15, BMO TOBII DYNAVOX 6,766.00, BMO TWOTREES TECHNOLOGY, LLC 5,896.00, BMO VILLA PARK ELECTRICT 3,207.57, BMO VOICE4EQUITY 4,665.00, BMO VOYAGER SOPRIS 5,220.00, BMO WALMART 3,452.10, BMO WAREHOUSE DIRECT 94,550.98, BMO WEST 40 3,259.05, BMO WEST MUSIC 9,317.04, BMO WORLD BOOK SCHOOL & LIBRARY 3,525.11, BMO XTL US INC. 7,218.00, BMO YONDR 6,227.50, BMO ZOOM 7,700.00, BOGDAN, SUSAN D 2,928.85, Brown, Rhiannon 2,649.00, Camplin Environmental Services Inc 11,700.00, CENTER FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES 92,915.00, CHILDHOOD VICTORIES 6,800.00, CIVIC PLUS 14,735.40, COLLECTIVE LIABILITY INSURANCE COOP 364,270.52, COLORS 58,925.00, COMCAST BUSINESS (2017) 3,255.47, COMPASS HEALTH CNETER 3,851.40, Computer Information Concepts 66,029.79, CONNECT ACADEMY 59,548.11, COOPERATIVE ASSOC FOR SP ED 10,747.98, COVENANT HARBOR 9,846.90, CRISIS PREVENTION INSTITUTE 4,499.00, DELTA DENTAL OF ILLINOIS 132,489.50, DELTA T GROUP ILLINOIS, INC 7,496.00, E-RATE ONLINE, LLC 7,773.20, EASTER SEALS METRO CHICAGO 124,706.84, ECRA Group Inc 48,950.00, EDLER, JAMES 4,731.25, EDUCATIONAL BENEFIT COOPERATIVE (EBC) 2,134,557.47, EDUCATIONAL BENEFIT COOPERATIVE (HRA) 275,218.69, EMBRACE 6,610.99, EMIT LEARNING LLC 47,134.67, ENGIE RESOURCES LLC 249,753.95, EQUITABLE 189,403.39, ERIC JAMES NORMAN 2,675.00, EVANS, MARSHALL & PEASE PC 14,500.00, EYE MED 13,269.55, FCG CONSTRUCTION CORP 3,200.00, FIRST STUDENT 88,256.45, FLOOD BROTHERS 21,859.64, FOREST PARK PTO 3,100.00, Forest Park Public Schools 91 29,186.66, FOREST PARK SCHOOL DIST 91-STUDENT ACT F 8,000.00, FOREST PARK TEACHERS ASSOC.
58,754.80, FRANCZEK P.C. 59,861.50, FRONTLINE PLACEMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 49,130.12, GEARMX, INC 16,080.00, GIANT STEPS ILLINOIS, INC. 90,523.58, GOLF MILL MOTOR SALES, INC 54,713.70, GYKON LLC 15,350.00, HARVARD UNIVERSITY 4,185.00, HAWTHORN ASSOCIATE OF LAKE COUNTY LLC 3,846.71, HELPING HAND AUTISM SCHOOL 259,035.30, HUBBIRD, ROBERT 4,972.03, HUFF, TINISA 4,436.49, HURON CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC 23,598.00, IL DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY 35,707.03, ILLINOIS ALARM SERVICES 11,363.81, ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS 9,196.00, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE 552,158.76, IMAGINE LEARNING 7,500.00, IMRF 390,647.35, INK & WINDMILLS, LLC 3,200.00, IT SAVVY 21,765.00, ITR Systems, Inc 7,525.71, JD Music Academy 14,888.74, JEFFREY THOMAS DONNAN 2,712.50, JENKS, CHARLES 3,100.00, JOHNSEN, STEVEN 3,000.00, JOLIET PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2,691.00, JOSEPH ACADEMY AT MELROSE PARK 132,166.11, LAKEVIEW BUS LINES, INC. 498,725.52, LALLI, WENDY 3,000.00, LAUDADIO, ROBERT F 2,919.47, LEAF 36,782.63, LEARNWELL 23,521.50, MAKARIS, TRACEY 3,000.00, MASTERS MINISTRY 42,330.00, MEKHIEL, DAVID 2,731.50, MENTA ACADEMY HILLSIDE 36,667.23, MICHAEL KAUTZ CARPETS & DESIGNS 82,240.00, MILESTONE THERAPY 14,982.28, NAZARET CASTILLO 3,790.12, NB CREATIONS 3,825.00, NEW HORIZON CENTER FOR THE DEV DISABLED 178,538.02, NEW YORK LIFE 43,668.10, NEXTERA ENERGY SERVICES 21,286.83, NICOR GAS 30,446.77, NOVAK, JENNIFER L 4,246.59, OAK PARK DISTRICT 97 41,085.92, OPEN KITCHENS 283,100.29, Payroll Bank Account 8,811,356.85, PEOPLE’S TRANSPORATATION CO 37,474.40, PETREY, NICOLE 4,259.84, PHAXIS 110,200.85, PITNEY BOWES PURCHASE POWER 2,965.23, Plainfield School District 202 10,695.19, PLAN MEMBER 17,701.00, PROCARE THERAPY 36,167.64, PROVEN BUSINESS SYSTEMS 35,465.87, PROVISO SCHOOL DISTRICT 209 5,605.05, PROVISO TWP SCHL TREAS. OFFICE 55,989.92, RAJORIA, Neha 3,000.00, RANDAZZO, KELLY 3,000.00, RAPTOR TECHNOLOGIES 4,902.00, RELIANCE STANDARD LIFE INS CO 11,864.60, RENAISSANCE LEARNING 25,587.88, ROBO WUNDERKIND 17,800.00, ROYAL PIPE & SUPPLY 5,045.90, SASED 59,558.60, SAVVAS LEARNING COMPANY 170,164.21, SCHOOL STATUS 5,874.00, SEAL OF ILLINOIS 69,262.32, SHANNON SHERMAN 19,700.00, SOARING EAGLE ACADEMY 159,257.85, SOUTH CHICAGO DANCE THEATRE 8,608.00, SPECIAL EDUCATION SYSTEMS, INC 17,473.33, SPHERO 10,207.07, State Disbursement Unit 6,216.00, SUNBELT STAFFING 195,736.19, T-Mobile 6,540.90, TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM 1,134,107.21, team select 73,186.22, THE ACHIEVEMENT NETWORK 26,000.00, THE COVE SCHOOL 71,939.30, THRIVE LEADERSHIP CONSULTING LLC 54,000.00, TIM STEFL, INC 13,569.59, Trbonja, Hata 3,000.00, TREY BAKER 4,200.00, TYARA WHITTED 3,750.00, UHLMANN, JENNIFER M 3,789.69, UNITED STATES TREASURY 1,958,708.76, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO 29,460.00, VILLAGE OF FOREST PARK 38,553.40, VILLAMIEL, CHRISTINA 4,175.00, VISTA LEARNING, NFP 9,830.00, Watson, Terriyaka O 3,497.82, WEST 40 COLLABORATIVE LEARNING CENTER 54,887.50, WET USA, INC 5,277.00, WIGHT & COMPANY 15,000.00, WORLDSTRIDES 67,941.00, ZSN SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS LLC 3,010.00
PAYMENTS TO PERSON, FIRM, OR CORPORATION OF $1,000 TO $2,500 EXCLUDING WAGES AND SALARIES 312 SLP 1,500.00, A MOON JUMP 4 U, INC. 2,047.88, ACCOUSTICAL VISION LLC 2,414.18, AIR CLEANING SPECIALIST 1,757.40, ALL SEASONS UNIFORMS 1,828.97, ALYSSA PIERCE 2,089.92, AMAZING PEOPLE INC 1,450.00, Anderson, Colette 2,190.57, ANGELA HART
ILCS 5/10-20.47
1,401.84, ARAUJO, RICARDO 1,500.00, BACON, KEVIN R 1,500.00, BELL, KATEIA 1,377.56, BLACKNEY, SABRINA 1,500.00, BMO AASPA 1,355.00, bmo acs filters 1,171.60, BMO ALAS 1,811.64, BMO ALLSTATE ARENA 2,025.00, BMO ALPHABETSOUP 1,282.50, BMO AMAZING PEOPLE 1,287.50, BMO AMERICAN AED 1,339.00, BMO ASBO 1,148.00, BMO BUREAU OF EDUCATION 1,319.00, BMO CHATGPT 1,800.00, BMO Chicago’s Home of Chicken & Waffles 1,075.25, BMO CHRISTIANBOOKS 1,629.61, BMO CINEMARK CINEMA 2,049.95, BMO DINICO’S PIZZA 1,485.41, BMO DRURY LANE 1,045.45, BMO EBSCO 1,154.07, BMO EDWEB 1,600.00, BMO ESGI 2,020.00, BMO FED EX 1,605.12, BMO FOREST PARK BAKERY 1,291.57, BMO FOREST PARK CHAMBER 2,255.00, BMO FOREST PARK PRINTING COMPANY 1,908.00, BMO FOREST PARK REVIEW 1,250.00, BMO FORWARD EDUCATION 1,164.00, BMO GAME TRUCK CHICAGO 2,416.69, BMO GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA 1,680.00, BMO IAASE 1,100.00, BMO IASA - IL ASSOC. OF SCHOOL ADMINIST 1,603.78, BMO IASBO 1,630.00, BMO ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARD 1,850.55, BMO ILLUMINATE 2,002.43, BMO JAMF 1,330.50, BMO JIMMY JOHNS 2,143.54, BMO JONES SCHOOL SUPPLY 1,201.62, BMO KONA ICE! 1,108.25, BMO LIVE SCHOOL 1,960.00, BMO MCDONALDS 1,915.12, BMO MEXICAN REPUBLIC 1,287.25, BMO NAFSCE 1,875.00, BMO OLD WORLD BRICK PAVING 1,512.63, BMO Open Science 1,175.00, BMO OTC 1,506.81, BMO PDQCOM 1,338.75, BMO PEGGY NOTEBART 2,400.00, BMO POLAR ELECTRO INC 1,906.46, BMO QUAVERMUSIC 1,590.00, BMO RI NOVELTY 1,509.65, BMO RUSSOS HARDWARE 2,154.61, BMO SALERNOS 2,010.04, BMO SAM 1,098.00, BMO SCHOOL DATEBOOKS 2,288.16, BMO SCHOOL HEALTH CORPORATION 1,359.19, BMO SCREENCASTIFY 2,010.00, BMO SEATSACK 1,124.35, BMO STARFALL 1,420.00, BMO TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS 1,607.54, BMO TIMEKETTLE 1,174.96, BMO TRANSPORTATION 2,493.80, BMO US GAMES 1,223.80, BMO V’S CREATIVE ENTERTAINMENT 1,271.55, BMO VILLA PARK OFFICE EQUIPMENT 2,085.00, BMO WEST COOK YMCA 1,551.00, BMO WEVIDEO 2,421.66, BMO WINDY CITY ICE CREAM 1,376.25, BORK, SHARON 1,500.00, BUSINESS SOLVER 2,027.10, CALLAHAN, LYNDA L 1,500.00, CARRANZA CARPET INSTALLATION I INC 2,186.00, COCO, ANDREA M 1,053.53, COLONIAL LIFE 2,287.65, COOL TRUCK TREATS 2,400.00, CROISANT, SHANNON 2,450.96, CROTTY, CAROL A 1,500.00, CRYSTAL RAMIREZ URBINA 1,595.58, DICKEL, MEGAN 1,500.00, DIXON, BRENDA M 1,747.88, DOMANICO PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, INC. 1,325.00, DOOLIN, BONNIE L 1,500.00, DROY, DAVID 1,500.00, Egizio, Victoria 1,848.87, FARRINGTON, DINA M 1,562.79, GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS USA INC 1,000.00, GENTLE TOUCH CARPET CLEANING 1,780.00, GOLDENBERG, MARILYN B 1,500.00, Hattar, Samira 1,500.00, HD SUPPLY 1,351.08, HILL, CONSTANCE 1,500.00, JC Licht 1,976.13, KLOCKENKEMPER, CHRISTEN 1,500.00, KRYGIER, NATALIE 1,927.19, LABARBERA, JODIE 2,076.00, LAUDADIO, CYNTHIA A 1,636.47, LEIKEL, MEEGHAN E 1,142.00, LEONARD, JENNIFER L 1,522.68, LIETZ, MELISSA A 1,548.00, NIHILL, LAURA 1,750.00, O’CONNELL, ROBERT J 1,500.00, PARK DISTRICT OF FOREST PARK 1,500.00, ROYBAL, MICHELLE 1,500.00, SCHAUER’S HARDWARE 1,522.25, SCHEKIRKE, BRIAN 1,500.00, SHERMAN, MARY 1,000.00, SOUNDTRAP US INC 1,833.00, SPECIAL T UNLIMITED 2,330.00, STAUDER, MARY J 1,500.00, STERLING CANNON 2,475.00, STOXEN, JASON 1,253.48, STREET, DORIS 1,579.74, TERRELL, KHADIJAH M 2,441.73, TEXTHELP INC 1,289.93, TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, INC 1,106.74, U.S. ARBOR PRODUCTS, INC. 1,460.00, UCETA RAMOS, NURYS 1,449.67, ULCZAK, MOLLY 1,350.00, VALIC 1,320.00, WHITTINGTON, ERICA L 1,311.00
OUR VIEW
Car wash in court
If ever there was a local zoning issue that needed a court to resolve it, it is the ongoing upset between Elgin Avenue neighbors and both the village of Forest Park and the very noisy car wash across the alley on Harlem. There is a legitimate problem with the 24 free-use vacuums that line up behind the Crystal Car Wash along a narrow, shared alley between Harlem and Elgin. These infer nal machines run for long hours every day of the year. Frustrated neighbors are unable to use their yards and decks and are limited in their access to their alley.
A trio of those neighbors have been attempting to work with the village and the car wash to find a solution. They first hired an attor ney earlier this year. He crafted a compelling argument that involves a detailed case that the new car wash, built several years ago on the site of a previous car wash should never have been grandfathered in under village zoning code.
When that legal salvo did not gain a reaction from village gover nment or a compromise with the car wash, the neighbors upped the ante and just filed a lawsuit aimed at bringing some relief to the neighborhood. The suit names village gover nment and two of its top staffers along with the car wash. While it is unfortunate that legal action proved necessary, the suit will bring all parties to the table and force some sort of resolution. We applaud the neighbors for taking on the expense and the stress of this lawsuit.
A ‘commendable’ D91
There is cause for celebration at the District 91 Forest Park elementary schools as each of its four schools has received “commendable” designations in the recent Illinois State Report Card process
A year ago, Field Stevenson Intermediate School fell a notch and became a “targeted” school, requiring a specific action plan for remediation. Focus has been given to that school by the school board, top administrators and at the school level, too. Progress has been made.
Robert Hubbird, the interim superintendent, was right when he told the Review’s Hope Baker that there is room for both celebration and improvement in the district. While it is affir ming to have all four schools in the commendable category in the state’s rankings, there is work to be done on test scores and chronic truancy. The latter has been a major issue in schools nationwide since COVID-19. This district’s focus on seeing truancy as a problem to solve through outreach to families is the right approach.
OPINION
Hold tight, it’ll be all right
Ijoined the Chamber of Commerce 30 years ago because, as a parish pastor, I knew I was living in a bubble and needed to see what everyday life was like for people outside of my experience.
From the stories I heard I quickly learned that not all business owners in town were rolling in money. In fact, some were just barely making it, and for that reason Black Friday and all of the other promotional events that the Chamber produces — Holiday Walk, St Patrick’s Day Parade, etc. — are necessary just to survive, to end the year in the “black.”
HOLMES
The website Score for the Life of Your Business listed suggestions on what small business owners could do on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday to increase sales, which I realize Chamber members are already doing as they hustle to make the most of the holiday shopping season:
Create Awareness
Creating awareness for Small Business Saturday can be done in a range of different ways, whether it’s word of mouth, flyers, social media posts, or a mailshot.
For example, I counted 34 businesses that paid for ads in the 35-page holiday shopping and activity guide inserted in last week’s Review. Twenty years ago, I remember Mark Hosty saying, “Advertising doesn’t cost. It pays.”
Digitize your Business
Focus on Your USP (Unique Selling Proposition). It can be tough competing with big brands and stores, but your differences can be your strengths. For example, focusing on the fact that you are small, family-owned, and have local products. Let your customers know why you are special and what makes your small business unique.
Be Social
Having a consistent brand presence can work wonders for your business. Using the right social media tools such as Hootsuite or Buffer, you can integrate with each of the major social media platfor ms and automate your posts to help maximize your social ROI and increase sales.
Build Partnerships
Finding ways to partner with other small businesses in your area can be a great way to improve your exposure and support other local owners.
At the same time that business owners are working hard to finish the year in the black, some consumers will lose control of their spending which will contribute to their finishing the year in the red financially.
An analogy: One of the joys in life is eating, but too much eating, especially eating in unhealthy ways, can lead to obesity, a major health problem afflicting 40% of Americans.
Similarly, credit cards make my life easier, but the statistics regarding the misuse of credit cards is shocking According to the website Lending Tree, “Americans have an absolute mountain of credit card debt — $1.233
trillion, to be exact,” leading to financial and emotional stress and damage to credit scores.
Many sources conclude that financial problems stem from:
Accumulating Debt/Overspending: Credit cards make it easy to buy things you cannot afford, leading to a growing balance. This is often the result of viewing a credit limit as “free money” or making impulse purchases. High Interest Rates and Fees: If the balance isn’t paid in full each month, high interest rates (APRs) are applied to the remaining amount, causing the debt to grow rapidly. Penalty fees for late payments or cash advances add to the cost.
Falling into the Minimum Payment Trap: Consistently paying only the minimum amount due means most of the payment goes toward interest, resulting in a prolonged debt cycle that can take years or decades to repay.
A summary of many sources concludes that the way to avoid finishing the year in the red includes:
■ Create a Realistic Budget
■ Prioritize Needs Over Wants
■ Monitor Spending Re gularly
■ Pay the Full Balance Monthly
■ Set up Automatic Payments
■ Maintain a Low Credit Utilization Ratio
■ Avoid Cash Advances
■ Build an Emergency Fund
■ Be Aware of Interest Rates (APR)
■ Limit the Number of Cards
■ Read the Fine Print
An Edward Jones commercial contends that the key to being rich is knowing what’s most important.
In a way that’s a spiritual element in any attempt to avoid the slavery of debt.
What’s important is relationships. The myth of consumerism and materialism as seen in TV advertising is that accumulating things beyond basic needs plus a little extra fun stuff is the key to happiness.
One of my favorite oldies is “Rock and Roll Lullaby,” the story of a teenage single mother who knew what’s most important.
Now we made it through the lonely days
But Lord, the nights were long
And we’d dream of better moments
When Mama sang her song
Now I can’t recall the words at all
It don’t make sense to try
‘Cause I just knew lots of love came through
In that rock and roll lullaby
And she’d sing sha na na na, na na, na na na
It’ ll be all right
Sha na na na, na na, na na na, na
Just hold on tight.
A LOOK BACK IN TIME
Forest Parker glides into Osmond Holiday Special
Judy Stuewe of Forest Park appeared in the Don and Marie Osmond Holiday Special in 1975. This special holiday show was a preview to the Donny and Marie Show, which officially debuted in January of 1976. This ABC special also featured Bob Hope, Kate Smith and Paul Lind as guest stars.
Leading up to her appearance, Judy Stuewe had completed a 10-night run with Holiday on Ice in Indianapolis, then was flown to Hollywood for the taping of the special. She brought a swell of local pride, as an alumna of Forest Park elementary schools, Proviso East and Triton Colle ge and as a well-known skating instructor at the Michael Kirby Rinks and the Oakton Center of the Park Ridge Park District.
From the Nov. 12, 1975 Forest Park Rev iew.
OB ITUAR Y
Susan Herber t, 85 Director of nancial aid, Concordia U.
Susan K. Herbert, 85, of Forest Park, died on Nov. 15, 2025. Bor n on Feb. 15, 1940, she was a retired director of Student Financial Aid at Concordia University. She loved all things Irish, especially music and dance. She loved cooking and attending her Berwyn PAV water aerobics class Susan was the mother of Wil-
liam Herbert III, Michael (Laurie) Herbert, Mary (Will) Nelson, and the late James Herbert; the grandmother of Sean (Angela) Herbert, Ciara Herbert, Shamus Herbert, and Danielle and Cory Nelson; the sister of Wendy (George Oates) Perrin, the late Karen (late Bob) Roehl, and the late Danny Kress; and the aunt of Kate Snyder
A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 18 at Ascension Church, 808 East Ave., Oak Park from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Inter ment private. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Solutionsforcare.org. Arrangements were handled by the Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko, Funeral Director
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 PHONE: (708) 366-0600
EMAIL: forestpark@wjinc.com
CIRCULATION: Jill@oakpark.com
ONLINE: ForestParkReview.com
Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Forest Park Review, PO Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS No 0205-160)
In-county subscriptions: $48 per year. $88 for two years, $118 for three years. Out-of-county subscriptions: $82 per year.
PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES, LLC Plaintiff vs. CARY ROSENTHAL, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR NICK P. ANGELACOS, DECEASED; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND/OR LEGATEES OF NICK P. ANGELACOS, DECEASED; TAMISHA ANGELACOS; AIDAN ANGELACOS; ALEXANDER ANGELACOS; GABRIEL ANGELACOS; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS
Defendant 25 CH 1547 CALENDAR
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 January 5, 2026, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell, in person, to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-21-204-119-0000. Commonly known as 10072 Drury Ln., Westchester, IL 60154. 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. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than the mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 189.5 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 before bidding. IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER THE ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(c) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Lender Legal PLLC, 1800 Pembrook Drive, Suite 250, Orlando, Florida 32810. 407-730-4644. LLS14129-IL INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com
I3277126
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD for the: Community Development Block Grant Program Year 2023 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT
Date of Publication: December 3, 2025 Village of Oak Park 123 Madison Street Oak Park, IL 60302 �708� 383�6400
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Notice is hereby given that the Village of Oak Park Program Year 2024 Community Development Block Grant �CDBG� Draft Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report �CAPER� will be available for public review beginning Thursday, December 4, 2025. The CAPER is the Village’s annual CDBG report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development �HUD�. It will reflect the Program Year 2024 results, which began October 1, 2024, and ended September 30, 2025.
The Village of Oak Park invites comments on the CAPER. The
public comment period will begin December 4, 2025, and end December 19, 2025 at 5�00pm CST. The report will be available by visiting the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 and at: www.oak-park. us/cdbg
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any comments concerning the CAPER may be submitted in writing to the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, via: email to Vanessa Matheny, Community Service Administrator, at vmatheny@oak-park.us, or at the Public Hearing to be held from 3�30PM�4�30PM on December 19, 2025. Please send a request to the above referenced email address to attend the virtual hearing. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking persons, as needed.
Published in Wednesday Journal, December 3, 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: M25001094 on November 18, 2025 Under the Assumed Business Name of ROAMWELL, A TRAVEL COMPANY with the business located at: 221 OLMSTED ROAD, RIVERSIDE, IL 60546. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: ALLISON FAKHOURY 221 OLMSTED ROAD RIVERSIDE, IL 60546, USA
Published in RB Landmark
November 26, December 3, 10, 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: M25001053 on November 4, 2025 Under the Assumed Business Name of GREY PHOENIX ART STUDIO with the business located at: 3730-32 PRAIRIE AVENUE, BROOKFIELD, IL 60513. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: THERESE ANGARONE 3238 RAYMOND AVE BROOKFIELD, IL 60513, USA
Published in RB Landmark November 19, 26, December 3, 2025
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.
The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.
This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777.
GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA
PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD
Notice of Public Hearing Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission December 18, 2025, at 7:00 PM
NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue Illinois for the purpose of considering a request from Village Court Holdings LLC for a Special Use Permit under §62-25 to allow a Cannabis Dispensary in an existing C-4 Local Retail District at the property located at 9046 31st Street, Brookfield, Illinois 60513
Legal Description: LOT TWENTY FIVE (25), LOT TWENTY SIX (26) AND LOT TWENTY SEVEN (27) IN BLOCK EIGHT (8) IN BROOKFIELD HOMESITES, A RESUBDIVISION OF BARTLETT AND ROACH ADDITION TO GROSSDALE, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THE SOUTHEST QUARTER 91/4) OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER (1/4) OF SECTION 27, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, (EXCEPTING THEREFROM THE FOLLOWING LOTS WHICH ARE NOT INCLUDED AND ARE NOT PART OF THIS RESUBDIVISION, LOTS 25 TO 37 BOTH INCLUSIVE AND THE WEST HALF (1//2) OF LOT 38 IN BLOICK TWO (2), LOTS 26 AND 27 IN BLOCK FOUR (4), LOTS 9, 10, 37, 38, 39, 40, 45,46,47 AND 48 IN BLOCK SIX (6) ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF SAID BARTLETT HOMESITES FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR OF TITLES, JUNE 30, 1922 AS DOCUMENT NO. 15744. (PIN 15-27-420-024-0000, 15-27420-025-0000, 15-27-420-0260000)
The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Libby Popovic, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513, lpopovic@ brookfieldil.gov, or 708-485-1113.
Oral or written testimony may be given during the public hearing. The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 25-18. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Individuals with disabilities requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall. By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman. Published in RB Landmark December 3, 2025.
Published in RB Landmark December 3, 2025
PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD
Notice of Public Hearing
Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission December 18, 2025, at 7:00 PM NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday December 18, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue Illinois for the purpose of considering a request of Martin Sahagun on behalf of Taqueria El Grande for a variation from:
Section 62.290 Required Parking Spaces to reduce the number of required parking spaces from 37 to 15.
in an existing “C4” Local Retail District for property located at 9132 31st Street, Brookfield, Illinois 60513
Legal Description: LOTS 30 THROUGH 33, BOTH INCLUSIVE IN BLOCK 7 IN BROOKFIELD HOMESITES, A RESUBDIVISION OF BARTLETT AND ROACH ADDITION TO GROSSDALE, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THE SOIUTH ¼ OF THE SOUTHEATST ¼ OF SECTION 27, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, EXCEPTING THEREFROM THE FOLLOWING LOTS WHICH ARE INCLUDED AND ARE NOT A PART OF SAID RESUBDIVISION, LOTS 35 TO 37 BOTH INCLUSIVE AND THE WEST ½ OF LOT 38 IN BLOCK 2, LOTS 26 AND 27 IN BLOCK 4, LOTS 9, 10, 37 TO 40, 45 TO 48 IN BLOCK 6 IN COOK COUNTY, ILLIINOIS.
(PIN 15 – 27 – 419 – 047 - 0000)
The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments.
Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Libby Popovic, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513, lpopovic@ brookfieldil.gov, or 708-485-1113. Oral or written testimony may be given during the public hearing. The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 25-17. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Individuals with disabilities requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall. By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman. Published in RB Landmark December 3, 2025.
Published in RB Landmark December 3, 2025
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