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We need you now more than ever. Envelopes for paper checks are included inside this week’s paper Our 2025 Fall fundraising campaign

Cops pair with kids to buy holiday gifts for families this season

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

On and off over the last 20 years or so the Forest Park Police Department has participated in a holiday event w lice officers are paired with a local and, for a morning, are their shoppin companion, helping them buy their families and themselves

BY HOPE BAKER Contributing Reporter

The Shop with a Cop event aims to brin the community together and inspire joy in children. On Dec. 7, eight kids and eigh cops from Forest Park met at the Park Police Department — along with students and police officers from River ForSee OLYMPICS on pa ge 14

See SHOPE WITH A COP on pa ge 15 TODD

Riverside O cer Johnson and North Riverside Police Chief Christian Ehrenberg help a child purchase a bicycle at Shop With a Cop event at Walmart

Fourteen Special Olympics athletes were honored during a ceremony at Forest Park Middle School on Tuesday, Dec 2. The Special Olympics athletes, also known as the D91 Trailblazers, were recognized for their participation in floor hockey, rhythmic gymnastics, and track and field. The ceremony also served as a pep rally for Trailblazers who were set to participate in a basketball skills competition on Sunday, Dec. 7. During the ceremony, all the athletes and coaches proudly wore T-shirts featuring the new Trail-

Alcea Gallery brings art displays to Madison Street

e only storefront in the village dedicated exclusively to art

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Ceramics, canvasses and prints, oh my!

In October, Alcea Gallery opened its doors at 7512 Madison St. It’s the only space dedicated to displaying art in Forest Park and is full of contemporary paintings, collages and figurines by local and national artists.

Summer Lambert, owner of Alcea Gallery, worked in corporate marketing until 2020, when she went fully remote, and now does freelance marketing. But Lambert said art has always been her “true passion,” and for the last decade, she’s re peatedly applied to work in museums and galleries but has been declined for not having an art background.

“Finally, I was like, ‘You know what? Screw it. I’m just going to open my own

gallery,’” Lambert told the Forest Park Review. “I have a handful of marketing clients that I do stuf f for, and it gave me the flexibility to be able to open this space. It kind of splits my brain in half between the creative and doing analytical stuf f.”

Lambert launched Alcea Gallery with some of her personal art collection, much of which has already sold, plus pieces from area artists she knows and likes. In the month-plus since the gallery’s been open, artists in Forest Park and Oak Park have reached out to Lambert to show their work at Alcea. Some pieces come from as far as Florida.

“The idea is definitely that, as more [art is] bought, more go up. I have artists that are kind of on the back bur ner because I don’t have the space yet, but I’m excited to put them up,” Lambert said. “I have no deficit of artists. I just have a deficit of

buyers.”

Lambert said she didn’t necessarily open the gallery to make money, but to break even, which she’s not doing yet. She displays artists’ work for free in the gallery and offers a 70% commission for any of their work that is purchased.

But Lambert hopes that, once the gallery gets of f the ground, she can extend her hours — from Friday and Saturday, and by appointment Tuesday through Thursday — and that Alcea can serve as a third space. She envisions a pop-up where artists can set up a table to sell their work, a space where local groups can meet, or one for spoken word poetry slams and vinyl nights.

“The goal is to be able to have people who are already a part of the Forest Park or Oak Park area come and do their thing here and bring people here,” Lambert said.

Lambert and her husband moved to Forest Park about two years ago, drawn by the village’s sense of community.

“I found this darling town, and I had friends that lived here, so I was already familiar with the area,” Lambert said. She added that she and her husband have spent a lot of time dining in Forest Park and meeting other business owners.

“This space being open when I was looking — when I was like, ‘Actually this is something I have to do’ — it felt so perfect, being right here in this community that we

already love being a part of,” Lambert said. “It’s more af fordable to rent space here than it is in the city or even other neighboring suburbs. Everyone kind of knows everyone, and the village is really helpful with trying to get you started.”

The space at 7512 Madison St., where the antique store Diana’s Fine Things used to sit, already had white walls, wood floors and light tracks set up. Now, Alcea Gallery will make its artistic mark on the property.

“People have been really excited when they walk by like, ‘It’s so good to see art coming to Forest Park. It’s so good to see creative stuf f and an outlet for people here.’ I hope to see more creative businesses,” Lambert said.

As for the gallery’s name, Alcea is the scientific name for the hollyhock flower, Lambert’s favorite and one she says symbolizes rebir th and creativity.

“The rebir th part of that felt really on the nose with me trying to just bring creativity back into my life,” Lambert said. Like many, she was a creative child who was socialized to prioritize making money and having marketable skills. “Being artistic kind of gets pushed out of you. This was the rebir th back to the child in me and allowing myself to have that freedom.”

Alcea Gallery is located at 7512 Madison St. It is open Friday and Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday by appointment.

STAC EY BAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Summer Lambert opened Alcea Gallery in October.

STAC EY BAL PHOTOGRAPHY Ever y time someone buys an artwork, a completely new piece takes its place

Resolution of challenges to eight 7th District hopefuls expected within week

Six Dems and both Republicans are challenged

By BILL DWYER Contributing Reporter

Eight of 15 candidates seeking to be on the March 17 primary ballot for the 7th district seat in Congress — six Democrats and two Republicans — have seen their nominating petitions challenged.

The six Democrats who had their petitions challenged are Jazmin J. Robinson, Anabel Mendoza, Anthony Driver, Jr., Felix Tello, Kina Collins and David Ehrlich. Both Republicans who filed, Chad Koppie and Patricia “P Rae” Easley, also had their petitions challenged

For the past three weeks, hearing officers appointed by the Chicago Board of Elections (CBE) have been working to review those for mal objections, review hundreds, if not thousands of voter registration signatures, hear arguments from both sides and come to a decision.

Hearing officers have the same duties and powers as an Electoral Board, except they can make no final, binding decisions, only recommendations to the CBE which has sole authority to render a final decision.

Sometime within the next week, hearing officers will render their opinions to the CBE on those challenges, either recommending the objections be sustained, or rejected. If a petition objection is sustained, that candidate’s name will be stricken from the March 17 ballot.

Records examinations related to objections against the petitions of Kina Collins and David Ehrlich were conducted on Dec. 3, and their cases continued to Wednesday, Dec 10, after the AWN print deadline. Also continued were the cases against Anabel Mendoza (to Dec. 9) and Jazmin J. Robinson (to Dec. 10). The next hearing on the cases against Anthony Driver and Felix Tello were listed as “to be deter mined” as of Dec. 8.

The CBE listed the status of objections

against Koppie and Easley as “recommendation pending.”

While each petition objection case is judged on its own set of facts, there are usually similarities. Marlo Payne, the objector to Patricia Easley’s nominating papers, has alleged that her filing “lacks the 232 signatures required,” specifically alleging that among the up to 620 signatures on her petitions, a majority are not “duly qualified, registered, (or) legal voters at the addresses shown opposite their names…”

According to Illinois Election law, based on the voter turnout in the 7th Congressional district in 2024, Democratic candidates must submit a minimum of 1,164 valid voter signatures to be on the March primary ballot while 232 valid signatures are required to be on the Republican primary ballot.

Objectors have the burden of proving their objections by a preponderance of the evidence, and “relief will be denied if he or she fails to sustain that burden.”

The eight 7th Congressional candidates whose petitions were challenged represent more than a third of all petition challenges the CBE is dealing with this election cycle, a smaller than usual number.

CBE spokesman Max Bevar said Friday that election officials expected to conclude the process by Dec. 17, although if candidates opt to appeal any CBE decisions in circuit court, that could take the process into January.

“It was a lighter year than usual, and we expect to be wrapped up sooner,” said Bevar, who noted that the CBE had a total of only 23 objections filed this year. All recommendations from CBE hearing officers must be voted on by the full electoral board; the next scheduled CBE meeting is Dec. 23.

The last day for 2026 primary candidates to be certified for inclusion on the 2026 general primary election ballot is Jan. 8. That deadline allows the 108 local election authorities around the state to have finalized names for all races in order to proceed with printing paper ballots.

The practice of challenging candidates

See 7th DISTRICT on pa ge 6

New Sound Cafe opens in Austin

A co ee shop for the community near the corner of Austin & Lake

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Contributing Reporter

A long-empty storefront at 5958 W. Lake St. in Chicago, formerly a gospel record store, is now spinning coffee beans in an onsite roaster. New Sound Cafe churns out fresh brews with soul, with the hope of becoming a gathering place. Owners Andrew and Hannah Follett moved to Austin with their kids from Oak Park four years ago. Not long after the building caught their eyes.

“It had some character to it and it’s just kind of a neat space,” Andrew Follett said. “When you would look in the windows you would see these original tile floors with the maroon, green and white penny tile. And it was like, man, that’s a cool space. But it was completely empty.”

“No plumbing, no electrical, no walls, nothing. It was a shell,” Hannah Follett said.

The gospel record store that gave the café its name closed sometime in the 1970s. And no one has lived in the upstairs apar tments for a long time. It took some imagination and

collaboration to reenvision the location.

“We enlisted an advisory board of people who either had expertise in coffee or community eng agement or longtime Austinites to help this process,” Hannah Follett said. “We also wanted to think carefully about things like price point and offerings.”

Thus, the onsite roaster. e can get unroasted beans much r,” Andrew Follett said. “It only takes us 10 or 15 minutes to oast three pounds of beans. And we an do that as much as we want on emand. We can have fresher coffee.”

“We do not have a kitchen, so partner with Trini’s Tasty Pastries,” Hannah Follett said. “She is a caterer out of the Hatchery on the West Side. She supplies all of our food items, which include breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches, soup, pastries.”

“Of course, anybody is welcome to come,” Andrew Follett said. “But we wanted to have a feel that was intentionally for the Austin neighborhood. Our church, Chicago West Bible Church, is on this block. We now have this kind of hyper-local community where we live two blocks from our church, school, and now the cafe.”

One hundred percent of the profits from the cafe are promised to go back into the community as well.

Hear All About It:

newsoundcafe.com

5958 W Lake Street, Chicago

Hours: Sunday, closed

Mon.-Wed., 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Thurs.-Fri., 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The area that used to be apar tments upstairs is now a lounge to sip and chat or work. There is also a large conference table that can be closed off and rented for meetings.

Community building was always a driver behind the inspiration for the business, according to the Folletts.

“We’ re partnering with local West Side, Austin-based organizations,” Hannah Follette said. “Austin residents are able to reinvest in their neighborhood. The money that they’ re spending goes to impact the work that’s going on in their neighborhood.”

A patio behind the building can been seen through wide glass doors from the ground floor of the cafe. Plans are afoot to plant more greenery there in the spring and to host events and music.

“We want this space to be a place where people can connect, get to know each other, run into people,” Hannah Follett said. “The kind of place where people are rubbing shoulders.”

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

New Sound Cafe owners Hannah and Andrew Follett

Attempted murder at Harlem Blue Line station

Suspect ar rested for pushing a man onto the train tracks

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Police responded to the Harlem CTA Blue Line stop around 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 1 after dispatch told officers that an elderly man had been punched and was laying on the train tracks. Dispatch also gave officers a description of the offender, who they located on the train platform and later identified as 39-year-old Tommie Carter.

Carter was charged with attempted murder and three counts of aggravated battery to a police officer.

According to the police re port, when officers arrived at the CTA stop, they approached Carter to handcuff him, but he actively resisted. Even after police had Carter in custody, he remained resistant and spit on an officer.

Police re ported that Carter’s actions that caused the

man to fall on the tracks were unprovoked. They said that an outbound CTA train was approaching the Harlem terminal while the man was still on the tracks, but the conductor saw him and stopped. The victim also nearly struck the third rail, where high-voltage electricity runs to power the trains. The Forest Park Fire Department ambulance took the victim to Loyola Hospital for his injuries.

The River Forest Police Department provided backup for Carter’s arrest. The Forest Park Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division worked with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office to interview witnesses and review video of the incident.

Carter had a pretrial release hearing at Maybrook Square Courthouse in Maywood on Dec. 3. He is now detained and in custody at the Cook County Sherif f’s Office.

nominating petitions has its supporters and detractors. On the one hand, it’s seen as a necessary gateway onto the ballot. While established Illinois laws state in part that “Ballot access is a substantial right and not lightly to be denied,” candidate’s nominating petitions do get denied, and their names blocked from being on the ballot.

In 1974, a circuit cour t opined that “A procedure inviting or permitting every citizen to present himself to the voters on the ballot without some means of measuring the seriousness of the candidate’s desire and motivation would make rational voter choices more difficult because of the size of the ballot and hence would tend to impede the electoral process.”

Therefore, the court reasoned, ballot access should be conditioned “on a modicum showing of voter support” shown by the signatures of a set number of voters in an electoral district. Courts have found that such requirements are “not onerous” and do not deny due process

Ballot challenges are seen by some as anti-democratic and unfairly limiting the number of people able to run for office, as well as imposing economic burdens on a candidate in defending his or her petition submissions.

CRIME

Aggravated vehicular hijacking

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

The afternoon of Dec. 2, police got an alert that a car involved in an aggravated vehicular hijacking that just occurred, and a driver with a gun was last seen traveling west on I-290 from the Austin exit. Several Forest Park units and other departments successfully pulled the car over on Maybrook Drive in Maywood. The man was placed into custody and taken to a Chicago police station, where he was held pending investigation.

Cannabis possession

While police were on patrol Nov. 30, they pulled over a car near Harlem and Washington for not having a front registration plate and having expired registration. The driver told police she was unable to renew her registration because her car is unable to pass the Illinois emissions test. Police reported the smell of cannabis in the car, but the woman said she didn’t have any. They requested to search the vehicle and found a Ziploc bag of cannabis between the seat and center console, plus a half-smoked cigar wrapper containing suspect cannabis in the center console. The woman was cited for not having a front plate, expired registration, and possession of cannabis in a vehicle outside an approved container

Motor vehicle theft

On Dec. 1, a woman came to the police station to report that, on Nov. 26 while staying with family, she parked behind a property in the 1000 block of Des Plaines Avenue and left her keys in the car. She saw her car the following day, but not afterwards, so she called several tow yards with negative results. She went to make a stolen car report with the Chicago Police Department and learned the car was towed after it was involved in an accident and abandoned on the highway. According to the police report, the woman filed a report with her insurance company.

Burglary

Around 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 1, an unknown man entered a Harlem Avenue garage and stole over $250 worth of tools. Police have video of the incident and are attempting to get serial numbers for the stolen items

Battery

On Dec. 2, police responded to the 1200 block of Harlem Avenue for a delayed battery report. A woman who works at Elite Staffing told police that, when her boyfriend was dropping her off at work, he struck her coworker’s car. A woman walking by started yelling that they’d hit another car, and the woman told her she was going to inform her coworker. But when the employee approached the business’ entrance, the woman attacked her, pulled her hair, scratched her face and hit her. The woman who was attacked had a photo she took of the offender and said she’d sign complaints if she was located

Police responded to the 100 block of Harlem Avenue on Dec. 3 around 3:30 a.m. for a fire alarm. Outside the church, the fire department found an empty camp, where it looked like unhoused people were sleeping, and put out a fire there. They said that smoke made its way inside the building. The church’s pastor told police that the camp was new, and its occupants didn’t have permission to be on the property. There was no one at the camp, and the church’s outside paneling was slightly damaged from the fire.

Village ordinance violation

Past 2 a.m. on Dec. 3, police noticed that O’Sullivan’s was still open. Police reported that patrons were leaving the business, and employees were drinking alcohol. According to the general manager and other employees, Mayor Rory Hoskins allowed the bar to be open late for a Fenwick football watch party, but they couldn’t show proof of the authorization. Hoskins told the Review that he didn’t give O’Sullivan’s permission to stay open late. The general manager was given a village ordinance violation for serving drinks past 1 a.m.

‘These items were obtained from Forest Park Police Department reports dated Nov. 30 - Dec. 3 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.

Pioneering woman journalist penned

‘What Can a Woman Do?’

Interview with Mary Todd Lincoln led to release from sanitarium

By AMY BINNS-CALVEY Contributing Reporter

AOUR QUIETEST NEIGHB OR S Local News

t a time when women had limited rights and career options, Martha Louise Rayne (1836-1911) was a determined and prolific writer with an impressive legacy. Rayne wrote for several papers including The Chicago Tribune (where she used the penname “Vic”), The Chicago Record-Herold and The Detroit Free Press. She penned several novels and many short stories.

She was the editor of Chicago Magazine of Fashion, Music and Home Reading. An 1870 review of her Chicago Magazine of Fashion stated, “It is not alone that her magazine is fully up in the fashionable intelligence of the period, but there is a vein of common sense running through it, and a distinctive literary character to it which none of the other magazines possess, while, in addition to these qualities, there is a daintiness and neatness about its outside appearance which reflect the highest credit upon the good taste of Mrs. Rayne.”

While not what we would consider a feminist, Rayne was interested in helping women advance in the professional world. In 1883 she authored What Can a Woman Do: Or Her Position in the Business and Literary Worlds The book was a guide for women looking for occupations that were available and suitable for females at that time. The book influenced many including photographer Frances Benjamin Johnston. Following the publication of this popular book, others played with variations on Rayne’s title including: What a Woman Can do – a subtle but telling alteration. Rayne also penned etiquette books that reflected her sense of humor along with her ability to give every-day advice.

In 1886, Rayne founded a school of jour nal-

ism (reportedly the first such institution in the world) dedicated to training women in the skills needed to establish literary careers. This was at a time when higher education was difficult, if not impossible, for most women to obtain.

Being a female journalist did occasionally have its advantage – when Mary Lincoln was confined to a sanitarium in west suburban Batavia she refused to speak to male reporters. Consequently, Rayne was the only reporter permitted to interview President Lincoln’s widow. Rayne’s subsequent article was instrumental in securing Mrs. Lincoln’s release from that mental institution.

AMY BINNS-CALVE Y

Mrs. Lincoln was not the only celebrity Rayne covered, she also reported on the

wedding of Ulysses S. Grant’s son, and interviewed President Grover Cleveland, and the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Rayne was posthumously inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Michigan’s Women’s Hall of Fame in 2002.

. At the end of her life, Rayne moved in with one of her two remaining daughters in Oak Park, where she died in 1911. Rayne, though, continued to write up until her death – showing quite eloquently “what a woman can do.” Rayne is buried at Forest Home Cemetery.

(References: Archival Chicago Tribune, Michigan Women Forward, Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame, Graphics Collection of Firestone Library – Princeton University)

Scams are on the rise. You need to Pause/Re ect/Protect

By AMY BINNS-CALVEY Contributing Reporter

Here’s what happened to me: one of the TV channels I stream stopped working. I went to the website and couldn’t find answers. I was frustrated and wanted to talk to a live person to help me. When I couldn’t find a phone number on the website, I did an online search. I typed in: “How do I talk to a real person at XXX.” I called the first number that came up in the results

You guessed it, that was not a number for my streaming service, but a direct line to a scammer. (Scammers often pay to have a “sponsored” link appear at the top of search results.) I followed the instructions the kind woman on the phone gave me: I confirmed the credit card they ‘had on file,’ and I agreed to giving her remote access to my computer It wasn’t until my computer screen blacked out so I couldn’t see what she was doing and she asked me to read her a code I received in a text that it dawned on me it was a scam. I lied and said I had to use my computer immediately because my husband had an accident, and luckily she ended the remote access, giving me back control of my computer.

In those short 10 minutes, the scammer opened an account in my name at Home Depot and ordered $500 worth of gift certificates. I believe the numbers she was telling me to read to her were codes to authorize money transfers. If I hadn’t cut off access, it was probably only minutes until she found all the bank information stored on my computer They could have wiped out all of my accounts.

So, who gets scammed (besides me?) A report from the Pew Research Center in 2025 found that 73% of Americans have experienced an online scam or attack. That’s three quarters of us

You might be thinking, “It’s mostly seniors, right?” Nope. Another Pew Research Center report broke down Americans who had experienced at least one online scam by age, and the group with the most scams were the 3049 age group at 73%. But it was a close race -- ages 18-29 were at 73%, ages 50-64 at 76%, and folks 65+ came in at 66%. (While seniors weren’t the “winners” here – this report looked at online attacks -- it’s possible that seniors are more apt to be scammed over the phone or by other methods.)

We all know it’s getting worse. In particu-

lar, scam calls/texts are increasing exponentially because new technology can dial phone numbers automatically. Artificial intelligence (AI) is also facilitating hacking personal information at an alar ming rate.

Unfortunately for us, it’s getting tougher to identify scams. Not only is technology advancing, but scammers spend all day figuring out how to separate us from our money Scammers are getting better and better at camouflaging their attacks -- AI can clean up bad grammar and generate audio and visuals that are difficult to tell from reality. It has become extraordinarily challenging to figure out what is and isn’ t a scam.

Here are some common tactics scammers use that have been identified by the AARP Fraud Watch Network: Unexpected Contact (a message out of the blue), Surge of Emotion (fear, guilt, joy), Sense of Urgency (do this now!), Gaining Trust (being chummy, using info about you that is public -- your name and address) and, of course, Sounds too Good to be True (you have a big inheritance!)

All of these tactics are designed to overwhelm the logical part of our brain. It’s challenging to think things through sensibly when you’re surprised by a call and on

the line is someone who seems to know a lot about you saying you’re about to lose $499, or a sheriff is going to be at your door with a warrant, or a loved one is in trouble, or you’ve won a million dollars or met the love of your life

What can we do? The folks at the AARP Fraud Watch have come up with a catchphrase (much like, Stop/Drop/Roll), to help us when we suspect we might be in the middle of a scam: Pause/Reflect/Protect.

Pause – take a break, breathe, slow down, hang-up, disengage. The scammers are counting on you rushing and panicking. Reflect – think it through or even better, talk to someone you trust: “Does this make sense to you?” Protect – if, like me, you do fall victim to a scam, call your bank and your credit card companies, make sure your computer isn’t infected with malware, and report the scam. (The Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau have websites with instructions on what to do after a scam.)

Before my scam, I prided myself on being “scam aware.” I thought I could spot a scam a mile away This near miss woke me up. You can bet that from here on out, l am going to pause, reflect and protect.

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Contributing Reporter

Donny G’s Italian restaurante and bar is a mainstay just west of Harlem at 7308 W North Ave. in Elmwood Park.

The old school, elegant vibe carries through not only to the menu, but to entertainment on weekends and weekly specials.

New general manager Michael Mirza was immediately impressed when he joined the team four months ago. “Coming from the corporate world, everything comes out of a bag,” he said. “Here it’s different. It’s actually made from scratch, literally. Chef Alberto dices the tomatoes; he makes the sauce; he puts the salt; he does the pepper. He’s got his own recipe in his mind.”

Chef Alberto Pedina arrived at Donny G’s six years ago from La Scarola in the city.

“Whatever you get, you’re going to enjoy. That’s without a doubt,” Mirza said. “The bruschetta is probably our most popular. The second would be the fried calamari. Chicken Vesuvio is a very excellent choice

Buon Appetito at Donny G’s

Christmastime is special here, but the specials last year round

as well.”

Chicken Vesuvio is a Chicago-born dish. It is said to have originated at Vesuvio Restaurant, downtown during the 1930s – an echo of similar chicken dishes originating in southern Italy.

The rest of the menu reflects that deep flavor ethos too.

“It’s just old-school Italian, great food, and then Friday, Saturdays, great entertainment, too,” Mirza said.

On Friday and Saturday nights music adds additional ambiance. Acts such as the Anthony Cassano Quartet fill the air with the sights and sounds of Frank Sinatra. Stella Raimondi sings Italian and American pop hits. Weekend valet service

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Donny G’s general manager, Michael Mirza.

Chicago’s own Chicken Vesuvio.

Shrimp and Mushroom Risotto.

makes parking easier too.

as well as rotating seasonal selections. In December it’s an eggnog martini. The wine list is Italian, but ready for all tastes and budgets.

steakhouse, but it is much more, according to Mirza.

“We do have steaks for sure, without a doubt. But our home is Italian food,” he said. “We have rotating specials. Every single week it’s going to be something different. It’s seasonal, or honestly, if the chef gets ideas that comes in mind, we’ll try it, say it’s phenomenal. We’ll just put it on a special for the next week.”

Catering is always offered, but on Christmas eve, it goes into overdrive.

“We set up a table and have everything planned out. Food comes out, we tray it up, put them in the boxes, label it and then we just dish it out. Honestly, so it’s very seamless” Mirza said.

Bread pudding (top) and locally baked Cannoli (bottom).

get your order in at least two days prior to the holiday.

G’s is up to par with the rest of the menu. Cannoli come from a local bakery. Bread pudding tempts many.

going to lie,” Mirza said. “But our tiramisu is phenomenal. It’s fresh. It’s amazing. It’s a whole different ball game.”

Donny G’s continues to bring you home, on a trip down memory lane or simply remind your tastebuds why you wish you grew up Italian.

Mangiamo:

Address:

7308 W North Ave., Elmwood Park Website: donnygsristorante.com

Hours: Sunday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday Closed Tues–Thurs 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Fri-Sat 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.

Walkin’ in a winter wonderland

Forest Park Holiday Walk brings storefronts to life

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Though the weather was cold and snow lined the ground, hundreds of Forest Parkers hit Madison Street the evening of Dec. 5 for the annual holiday walk.

The Forest Park Review had a window inside Grand Appliance, where we decorated a table fit for a tea pa to go with our “Alice in Wonderland” theme. I was the Cheshire Cat, our editor Dan Haley was the Mad Hatter, our circulation manager Jill Wagner donned blac and red as the Queen of Hearts, Landmark Reporter Stella Brown dressed as the rabbit, and salespeople Lourdes Nicholls and Emma Cullnan were a card and the titular Alice.

It was such a treat to see how much children enjoyed the decked-out scene, pointing through the window at their favorite character. And I had a lot of fun brainstor ming which decorations I could most imagine in Wonderland and bringing them to our window display

As the holiday season unfolds, stay warm and gra ful you haven’t fallen down the rabbit hole! Though you may get to enjoy lots of tea and cookies if you do.

Above: Growing Commuit y Media sta re-enact the tea party from ‘Alice in Wonderland’ at Grand Appliance

Right: Library Turtles at Suite Spotte Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus at Forest Park Bank

OLYMPICS

Special recognition

from page 1

blazers logo, designed by third-grader Ryan O’Connell. Each athlete was accompanied by a special escort, including officers from the Forest Park Police Department, administrators and staff from Forest Park Middle School, and Mayor Rory Hoskins. Forest Park Middle School cheerleaders energized the crowd, rooting for the athletes as they entered the balloon-filled gym with their escorts.

Students who were recognized included Gigi Mason, Kayden Berry, Richard Bundy, Caroline Bundy, Katerina Espino, Wynter Fuller, Wendria Fuller, Grace Lindstrom, Emmanuel McCoy, Ivan Nhial, Chase Horvath, Karter Travis, Zoey Simmons and Carter Stewart.

District 91’s collaboration with the Special Olympics organization began in the spring of 2024. That’s when Amy Mills, a special education teacher at Field-Stevenson Elementary, launched the D91 Trailblazer program. During that first spring season, 4 D91 students participated in the Special Olympics Illinois Spring Games track and field competition. Since then, the program has grown to 14 stud

whelmingly positive,” Mills said. “I think they have felt more included in the community and the schools as a result of being a part of this.”

Mills said the recognition ceremony gave the community an opportunity to applaud the commitment and achievements of the district’s Special Olympics athletes

“In two years, we’ve gone from 4 to 14 athletes and we’ve won 40 medals,” she said. “That’s a pretty big accomplishment in such a short time.”

Fifth-grader Gigi Mason, who was escorted by Mayor Hoskins, was among the first four athletes to join the program.

“Watching her and her teammates being

Terriyaka Watson (principal of Forest Park Middle School) and Kevin Bacon (assistant pr incipal of Forest Park Middle School) pose with Ivan Nhial and Emmanuel McCoy.

elle Mason, Gigi’s mother. “This pr kind of indescribable. It’s just so gr Another fifth grader who was reco yden Berry, said he was looking icipating in the upcoming skills competition.

“Seeing him get honored was andra Berry, Kayden’s mother. “I thought it was beautiful.”

According to Terriyaka Watson, principa Park Middle School, the Trailb am has helped participants build ence and created meaningful opportunities eneral education students to suppo encourage them.

“Tonight was special because it was an op portunity to get all of our students included,” tson.

Rachelle Ernst, director of engagement D91, said the name Trailblazers reflects ry it takes to try activities that may unfamiliar or intimidating, and the strength and resilience D91’s Special Olympics athletes show each time they tak

“The program recognizes our a who they are: talented, dedicated nspiring,” Ernst said. “The Trailblazers name serves as both an introduction and elebration, highlighting their willingness to forge new paths and honoring the athletes they continue to become.”

Forest Park Middle School cheerleaders root for Chase Horvath as he enters D91’s Special Olympics recognition ceremony.

RACHELLE ERNST

Forest Park Police Chief Kenneth Gross escor ts Grace Lindstrom.

RACHELLE ERNST

Members of the Forest Park Police Department applaud athletes.

RACHELLE ERNST

SHOPE WITH A COP

Making connections

from page 1

est, Riverside and North Riverside. Together, they all journeyed to the Walmart on Roosevelt and Des Plaines for a shopping spree.

Pairs of students and officers were given a

Department asked Gross if Forest Park police wanted to participate in the Shop with a Cop event at the Walmart in Northlake.

“I was talking to a few officers here and said, ‘You know what, I’d like to do it in Forest Park since we have a Walmart,’” Gross said. He then asked the other police departments if they wanted to join

Shop with a Cop launched to foster positive relationships between local young people and law enforcement, while improving a child’s

for my mom, I want to get something for my sister, I want to get something for my grandma.’” Gross said.

When the Grosses encouraged the child to pick out a toy for himself, he wanted a wrestling ring and figures that were sold out. So a few days later, the Grosses bought the toy from a different place and gave it to his mom, dding that she could tell the boy it was from herself or Santa. But the mom told her son the wrestling toy was from Gross. A ouple

days later, the child sent Gross a gift in return.

(Right) Forest Park

O cer Wade kids with a kid.

funded by Walmart and each municipality’s Fraternal Order of Police. After shopping, participants were treated to a donated lunch from Portillo’s.

Forest Park, River Forest, Riverside and North Riverside police departments work with their school districts and administrators, who identify students who would benefit from Shop with a Cop.

Forest Park Police Chief Ken Gross said, in past years, the FOP has spearheaded Shop with a Cop, and Forest Park has participated with various surrounding municipalities This year, someone from the Maywood Police

In the years that the Forest Park Police Department has done Shop with a Cop, Gross said participating children seem to enjoy the event, along with their parents. He added that it’s also a heartwar ming day for his officers.

“It’s just a feel-good time because you’re doing something nice for the kids in the community,” Gross said.

Gross’ personal biggest takeaway from Shop with a Cop happened a few years ago, when he and his wife were paired with a young man from Forest Park.

“A lot of times, it’s been my experience that the kids get stuff for themselves. And this little guy was like, ‘I want to get something

“Events like Shop with a Cop are about more than just buying presents; they are about building trust and showing our young residents that we are here to help and support them,” Gross said in a statement. “Collaborating with our neighboring departments in North Riverside, River Forest and Riverside allows us to pool our resources and make a eater impact on the wider community.”

TODD BANNOR

(Above) Riverside O cer Johnson helps a child pick out a toy.

TODD BANNOR

River Forest O cers Drake and Barcenas get to know the kids .

TODD BANNOR

North Riverside Village President Joseph Mengoni, Forest Park Lt. Dan Miller, and North Riverside Deputy Chief Christopher Boenzi share a laugh.

OUR VIEW

Things we like

There’s a lot to like in Forest Park. Here are four things the Review is re porting on this week.

The Trailblazers is a growing new club in District 91. The group of students who use special education resources are focused on taking part in Special Olympics competitions. It has grown from four students to 14 in just a year.

Last weekend, the community gathered for a pep rally in advance of the coming events. Police officers, including the chief, tur ned out, as did many D91 teachers and administrators, and, of course, Mayor Rory Hoskins. Each of them escorted one of the Trailblazers onto the court for recognition. The cheerleaders from the middle school added to the excitement.

As the Review’s Hope Baker re ported, it would be hard to decide who was more moved and excited about this happy reco gnition – the students or the parents of the Trailblazers. A good day in District 91.

Shop With a Cop was back this year. In a program sponsored by Walmart and, this year, joined by neighboring police departments, Forest Park police spearheaded this feel- good shopping spree for some local kids.

It creates a positive bond between officers and youngsters, and it sends the young people home with holiday presents for their family and themselves.

The annual Holiday Walk captured Madison Street last Friday evening. This Chamber of Commerce event has all the good vibes. Small-town charm, indeed, with horse-drawn carriages plying the street, fun and inventive live window displays (The Review went all in on “Alice in Wonderland” this year), our small businesses selling their goods in a critical season, and hundreds of people enjoying what’s best about Forest Park

Finally, and yes, this is somewhat self-serving, we ’re bragging a bit about a great new Review feature: Penned by Amy Binns-Calvey, Our Quietest Neighbors is a near-weekly piece on a single person spending their eternity in a Forest Park cemetery.

This week, Binns-Calvey tells the life story of Martha Louise Raynes, a journalist from the late 1800s who pushed the strict limits on the role a woman could play in journalism. While she wrote for the Trib under a pen name, she also published her own magazine, Chicago Magazine of Fashion, Music and Home Reading, and authored books, including one titled, “What Can a Woman Do?”

Our favorite note, though, was that Mary Todd Lincoln, Abraham’s widow, refused to be interviewed by male journalists while she was confined to a sanitarium in Batavia. She gave an interview to Raynes instead. That interview is credited, wrote Binns-Calvey, with securing Mrs. Lincoln’s release from the institution.

OPINION

Move Christmas to March

Remember when somebody sensible suggested that maybe just maybe, we should stop pretending that December’s early darkness, credit-card remorse and glorified tinsel panic are the pinnacle of human ritual? Oh wait — that was me. The point is simple: Why cram all the joy, stress, parties and ar tificial pine into the shortest, gloomiest corner of the calendar when we could instead spread it over two more months that could surely use some brightening?

ALAN BROUILETTE

Here’s the updated pitch, polished for 2025: Let’s shift the official date of Christmas from late December to sometime in March (I’m partial to the first weekend after the ver nal equinox — call it “Marchmas,” or, for the traditionalists, “Spring-gle”). Why? Because the reasons that made this a mildly charming thought experiment back when I first scribbled it remain — and have only become more practical, urgent, and, frankly, deliciously inconvenient for the calendarmakers who will have to lucratively de putize me as their consultant.

Late December in our latitudes is short on sunlight. Moving the big day to March buys us later sunsets, more daylight, and — this is the impor tant part — light, which actually helps people’s brains not feel like wet stockings. More daylight = better circadian rhythms = fewer we epy carols from people who really need a therapist, not Mariah.

Now the somewhat-less-boring-but-still-tr ue depar tment: relocate Christmas to March and we get two more full months of festive lighting, sweaters, parties and brie platters. Want to have “Christmas lights through spring training”? Fine. Want the Super Bowl to be a natural warm-up party to the Big Day instead of a sad spike in cholesterol before hibernation? Push the holiday out and you get longer after noons, fewer plunges into seasonal gloom, and a whole new economic calendar for bakers, electricians, and tree far ms (they adapt — they ’re good at hustling).

Tax season and gift season could converge into one joyful ritual of proving to the IRS that you indeed donated seven fruitcakes and three ceramic Santas. Imagine filing your taxes while sipping eg gnog that is technically a Christmas beverage. Efficiency! Assuming anyone is bothering to send a check to what’s left of the IRS Accounts Receivable Enforcement Division, that is. (His name’s Mor ty

Real overworked. The odds you make his Naughty list are real low.)

ch Madness + Marchmas is an tising bonanza

ou think Prime Day is aggressive? et up just before the unwrap-a-thon and watch accounting departments weep into their spreadsheets

Spring break for Christmas! Some families (mine) already celebrate Christmas with margaritas. Let’s make it of ficial. (Just don’ t ride those hoverboards in the house after knocking a few back. We lear ned the hard way. Feliz Navidad, Gottlieb ER — I assume you all still think of that incident from time to time too.)

We need this now more than ever. Beyond the morbidity of short winter afternoons and the perennial cruelty of mall Muzak, consider the cultural climat e. We live in an era of calendar bloat. Everyone wants a “season”: 30 Days of Gratitude be gins at Halloween and someone starts playing Jingle Bells before you’ve finished your kids’ candy). By moving Christmas later, we accomplish two things at once — we shorten the ridiculous early-onset commercialization and we restore a sensible rhythm to the year

Also: people are exhausted. A later date gives breathing space between end-of-year deadlines and the tobogg an of expectations that is “the holidays.” Evidence? Look, psychiatry and public-health sources have long pointed to the link between light exposure and mood, and spring’s longer after noons are restorative. If the calendar served human health instead of de par tment store cycles, wouldn’ t you call that an improvement?

Practical objections I expect, and their answers:

“But then what do we do with New Year’s?” You keep New Year’s. It’s a time for resolutions, bad champagne and the ancient human ritual of pretending we’ ll stop eating nachos on a Wednesday. Christmas and New Year’s are emotionally distinct; they can survive living in different months

“Religion!” I hear you. Lots of faith communities observe the Nativity liturgically; moving secular, civic celebration dates doesn’t change theolo gy one whit. Think of it as scheduling the giant municipal party, not rewriting doctrine. All those who tut

OB ITUARIES

Jean Zelinske, 99

Longtime Forest Park resident

Jean Zelinske, 99, died on Dec. 1, 2025. She turned 99 on Nov. 2. Jean was the mother of Kim Wiorski, Kathy Collins and Kirk Zelinske. She maintained a residence in Forest Park for about 77 years. She was known by many and loved by all who knew her. She passed surrounded by her twin daughters, who have cared for her for many years.

Mar y Bennett, 95 Hair stylist

Mary Carolyn Bennett died peacefully in the night on Nov. 24, 2025, following a short battle with colon cancer. She leaves us after 95 fulfilling years. Born on March 3, 1930

ALAN BROUILETTE

Christmas in March?

from page 16

about the commercialization of the Baby Jesus’ birthday should be mollified by se parating the two. Get a smash cake for Midnight Mass to ke ep it real and let the gold, frankincense, and myrrh shine on their own a couple months down the road. Everybody ’s happy. Schedule-wise, if we r un into Easter, so be it. Bor n, rebo rn; potato, potahto. Eggn og is a million times

in Kansas City, Missouri, to her mother, Jennie Marolt and Father August Marolt, she was the eldest of 3. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Melrose Park She attended Immaculate Conception High School in Elmhurst. The family bought their first home in Elmhurst where she lived with her two younger brothers, Gary and Michael.

She met Gerald (Jerry) Bennett in her early 20’s and, following a brief courtship, they were married on June 14, 1952, then settled down in Forest Park, which they called home for over 73 years and raised their three children.

For the last 47 years you could find Mary working alongside her best friend, Cynthia Czosnyka, shampooing and socializing with customers before Cindy would style them. Whether it was at Fresh Image or Always in Style, Mary was loved for her “magic hands” and endearing personality. Our family will forever be grateful to Cindy for the friendship she gave to Mary.

Mary found peace, strength and guidance through her Catholic faith and it was a cornerstone of her life.

When she wasn’t working or practicing her faith, she found joy in reading, the

better than eg g salad, and it’s more ef ficient for most of you to go to church once a year instead of twice anyway

“Retail chaos!” Puh-leaze. Retail loves opportunity. They will invent Valentine’sAdjacent Sales and call it a “Post-Equinox Clearance.” Economists will describe this as “calendar optimization.” Or maybe they’ ll just call it Tuesday. America is already set up to maximize revenue extraction from a captive population, so absorbing this shouldn’ t be an issue

Look, this is not a manifesto meant to topple time itself. It’s a gentle plea to match our rituals to rhythms that make us less cranky and more coherent

theater, trying new cuisines, and quality time spent with loved ones. She was always willing to try something new if it meant a shared experience with her grand- and great-grandchildren.

Mary was the wife of the late Gerald Bennett; the mother of Dale Bennett (Shelia), Gale Garces (late Paul) and Tina Sweda (Jeff); sister Gary Marolt (Bunny) and the late Michael Marolt (Susie); grandmother of 7 and great-grandmother of 3, Joey Sweda, Hallie Dingman (Michael), Peter Garces (Katrina), Eddie Sweda, Taylor Bennett (Margaret), Andy Garces, Colin Bennett, Addie Dingman, Ronin Garces and Meadow Garces; and the aunt and great-aunt of many nieces and ne phews.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church, 528 Lathrop Ave., River Forest, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a donation made in Mary’s honor to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Arrangements were handled by Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home.

humans. I’ve been nudging at this idea for years; the logic hasn’t aged badly because it’s built on sunlight, sanity and the small joy of seeing family po rtraits taken when it’s still light out. Try it on for size. If nothing else, Marchmas gives the trees of Oak Park (and their decorations) a second chance to wear tinsel with dignity. If you’ re ready to lobby the calendar, I’ ll start a petition, draft a press release, and find a senator with a sense of humor (or a reindeer in their back yard). If not, at least try leaving the lights up a little longer next winter. Your neighbors — and your serotonin — will thank you.

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.

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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST Plaintiff

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF WILLIE G. HENRY; FLORENCETTA HENRY; TCF NATIONAL BANK; ANITA HENRY; COURTNEY HENRY; EBONEE HENRY; MERCEDES HENRY; TIARA HENRY; JACK LYDON, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF WILLIE G. HENRY; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF FLORENCETTA HENRY, IF ANY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendant 17 CH 13529 Calendar 61 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 13, 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. 15-09-315-063-0000. Commonly known as 635 Rice Avenue, Bellwood, IL 60104. 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: 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 Intercounty 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. 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¬© OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Codilis & Associates, P.C., 15W030 North Frontage Road, Suite 100, Burr Ridge, IL 60527. (630) 794-5300. 14-23-01315 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3277542

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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).

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff,

-v.-

CHARLES S TRNKA, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES OF GEORGIANA M. TRNKA, DECEASED, UNKNOWN CLAIMANTS AND LIENHOLDERS AGAINST THE ESTATE OF GEORGIANA M. TRNKA, DECEASED, UNKNOWN CLAIMANTS AND LIENHOLDERS AGAINST THE UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES OF GEORGIANA M. TRNKA, DECEASED, SUSAN R WEAVER, SHERYL L TRNKA, ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, CARY ROSENTHAL, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF GEORGIANA M. TRNKA, DECEASED Defendants 25 CH 04295 1811 DOWNING AVE. WESTCHESTER, IL 60154

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 5, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 6, 2026, 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 1811 DOWNING AVE., WESTCHESTER, IL 60154

Property Index No. 15-20-403016-0000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $206,676.20.

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

INVITATION TO BID

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 HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 601 E. William St., DECATUR, IL, 62523 (217) 4221719. Please refer to file number 2044189.

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. 2044189

Attorney Code. 40387

Case Number: 25 CH 04295

TJSC#: 45-2279

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 # 25 CH 04295

I3277709

PUBLIC NOTICES

MECHANIC’S LIEN

Mechanic’s Lien Notice is hereby given to Phillip Medina (owner), that on January 10, 2025 at 8:00am, a sale will be held at: 109 S 11th. Maywood, IL 60153 to sell the following vehicle: 2005 Honda Civic IHGEM21965L017962 for labor, services, skill or material expended upon or storage furnished for such vehicle is/are redeemed within 30 days of the publication of the notice. As of 12/2/2025 the vehicle mentioned above has an outstanding balance of $1,980 and storage fees will be calculated in the ﬁnal lien amount assessed against the vehicle under 770 ILCS 95/1. This notice indicates the intent to enforce a Mechanics Lien under chapter 770 ILCS 95/1 et seq.

Published in Forest Park Review December 10, 2025

The Park District of Forest Park (“Park District” or “Owner”) will receive bids for the Aquatic Center – Main Pool Painting and Repairs Project, located at 7501 West Harrison Street, Forest Park, Illinois 60130. Bid Documents, including Instructions to Bidders, Drawings, Technical Specifications, General and any Special Conditions, and Bid Forms, including required Contractor Certifications and Prevailing Wage Determination and Supersedes Notice, are available at Park District of Forest Park Administration Building, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park, Illinois 60130 commencing on Wednesday December 10, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

A Pre-bid Meeting will be held at Administration Building, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park, Illinois, at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Bidders can use this meeting to review the Specifications and allow any Bidders an opportunity to discuss any concerns with the Owner. Attendance at this meeting by all persons desiring to bid on this Project is recommended.

Each bid shall be placed in an opaque sealed envelope and clearly marked “Park District of Forest Park, Aquatic Center –Main Pool Painting and Repairs Project.” The envelope shall be addressed and delivered to and received by the Park District at the following location: Administration Building, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park, Illinois 60130. No responsibility shall be attached to any person for the premature opening of a bid not correctly identified.

Bids will be received until 9:00 a.m., Thursday, January 8, 2026. Immediately thereafter, the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids received after that time or at a different location will be rejected and returned to the Bidder unopened.

The Park District of Forest Park reserves the right to waive technicalities, to accept or reject any or all bids, and/or accept only portions of a bid and reject the remainder. The owner will award the Contract to the lowest, most responsible and responsive Bidder, as determined by Owner. In considering the Bidder’s responsibility, the Owner may evaluate, among other factors, the ability of the Bidder to provide experienced labor sufficient in numbers to timely and properly complete the services, the financial capability of the Bidder, and the performance of the Bidder on other projects.

Bids shall not include federal excise tax or state sales tax for materials to be incorporated in, or totally consumed in, the prosecution of the Work. The Park District will furnish a tax exemption certificate at the Bidder’s request. The Park District’s tax exemption number shall only be used by the successful Bidder for the Work of this Project.

After the bid opening time, no bid shall be withdrawn or canceled for a period of sixty (60) calendar days.

The Work of this Project is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq. A prevailing wage determination has been made by the Park District, which is the same as that deter-

mined by the Illinois Department of Labor for public works projects in Cook County. The Contract entered into for the Work will be drawn in compliance with said law, and proposals should be prepared accordingly and provide for payment of all laborers, workmen, and mechanics needed to perform the Work at no less than the prevailing rate of wages (or the prevailing rate for legal holiday and overtime work) for each craft, type of worker, or mechanic.

The Contractor(s) selected will also be required to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, and executive orders, including but not limited to those pertaining to equal employment opportunity.

Direct questions to Jackie Iovinelli, Executive Director, Park District of Forest Park, jiovinelli@pdofpstaff. org, 708-366-7500 x 121.

Published in Forest Park Review December 10, 2025

INVITATION TO BID

The Park District of Forest Park (“Park District” or “Owner”) will receive bids for the Aquatic Center – Replacement of Sand in Paddock Sand Filters and Laterals, located at 7501 West Harrison Street, Forest Park, Illinois 60130. Bid Documents, including Instructions to Bidders, Drawings, Technical Specifications, General and any Special Conditions, and Bid Forms, including required Contractor Certifications and Prevailing Wage Determination and Supersedes Notice, are available at Park District of Forest Park Administration Building, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park, Illinois 60130 commencing on December 10, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

A Pre-bid Meeting will be held at Administration Building, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park, Illinois, at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Bidders can use this meeting to review the Specifications and allow any Bidders an opportunity to discuss any concerns with the Owner. Attendance at this meeting by all persons desiring to bid on this Project is recommended.

Each bid shall be placed in an opaque sealed envelope and clearly marked “Park District of Forest Park, Aquatic Center – Replacement of Sand in Paddock Sand Filters and Laterals.” The envelope shall be addressed and delivered to and received by the Park District at the following location: Administration Building, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park, Illinois 60130. No responsibility shall be attached to any person for the premature opening of a bid not correctly identified.

Bids will be received until 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 8, 2026. Immediately thereafter, the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids received after that time or at a different location will be rejected and returned to the Bidder unopened.

der, as determined by Owner. In considering the Bidder’s responsibility, the Owner may evaluate, among other factors, the ability of the Bidder to provide experienced labor sufficient in numbers to timely and properly complete the services, the financial capability of the Bidder, and the performance of the Bidder on other projects.

After the bid opening time, no bid shall be withdrawn or canceled for a period of sixty (60) calendar days.

The Work of this Project is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq. A prevailing wage determination has been made by the Park District, which is the same as that determined by the Illinois Department of Labor for public works projects in Cook County. The Contract entered into for the Work will be drawn in compliance with said law, and proposals should be prepared accordingly and provide for payment of all laborers, workmen, and mechanics needed to perform the Work at no less than the prevailing rate of wages (or the prevailing rate for legal holiday and overtime work) for each craft, type of worker, or mechanic.

Direct questions to Jackie Iovinelli, Executive Director, Park District of Forest Park, jiovinelli@pdofpstaff. org, 708-366-7500 x 121.

Published in Forest Park Review December 10, 2025

DBE/WBE SUBCONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES

Five Star Energy Services, 1581 E. Racine Ave, Waukesha, WI 53186 262-706-3260 is seeking disadvantaged businesses (DBE/ MDE/WBE/BEPD) for the Bid Lead Service Line Replacement Project Phase III in Forest Park, IL for subcontracting opportunities in the following areas: Trucking/Hauling, Plumbing, and restoration. Subcontracts will be awarded based on price and ability to perform the work. All disadvantaged businesses should contact, IN WRITING (certified letter, return receipt requested) to our Estimating Department estimating@fivestarenergyservices.com, to discuss the subcontracting opportunities. All negotiations must be completed prior to bid opening on January 7, 2026.

10, 2025

forestparkreview.com/events

Dear Readers:

Your community. Your news. Now more than ever.

Growing Community Media Year End Fundraiser 2025

As Growing Community Media [GCM] volunteers and also longtime residents of Oak Park/River Forest, we come together to support GCM because its newspapers report on — and help advance — the causes we care about most. Separately we donate our time and resources to education, homelessness, housing, hunger, literacy, public safety and other issues, and we understand that all of these issues rely on accurate, independent information to communicate what’s happening and how we can help. GCM provides that clarity every single week.

GCM’s publications -- Wednesday Journal, Forest Park Review, Austin Weekly News, and the Riverside-Brookﬁeld Landmark are portals to stronger community engagement. They connect us to local leaders, show us how our government works, highlight small businesses, and tell the stories of the people who make Oak Park and River Forest, as well as Brookﬁeld, Riverside, Forest Park, and Austin vibrant places to live. They also keep us informed about everyday topics — real estate, restaurants, schools, youth sports, public works, and the local arts and entertainment scenes — that shape our daily lives. They connect us with each other and to our communities.

Strong, fact-based reporting doesn’t just inform a community; it strengthens it. Independent local news protects democracy, counters misinformation, holds power accountable, and preserves the culture and identity of our towns. When local journalism fades, so does civic health. Across the country, hundreds of newspapers have closed, creating “news deserts” where there are fewer watchdogs, less transparency, more room for corruption, and weaker connections among neighbors. Research shows that towns without strong local news experience higher government costs, lower voter turnout, and deeper political divides.

Local news will only be as strong as the support we offer. We donate our time and expertise, as well as our dollars, because we believe deeply in GCM’s mission — and we invite you to join us. Your generous and sustained contributions ensure these nonproﬁt publications continue to serve our communities with trustworthy, timely and essential reporting.

Local news isn’t just information. It’s democracy in action.

The Development and Events Committees of Growing Community Media:

• Deb Abrahamson

• Paul Beckwith

• Chris Hauri

• Jessica MacKinnon