Forest Park Review 122221

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No agreement between Proviso district, union

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ForestParkReview.com Vol. 104, No. 51

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REVIEW

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Pizza Puffs at Mr. Beef Page 4

DECEMBER 22, 2021

Woman rescued after car plunges into river

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Driver careened off Roosevelt Road into Des Plaines River; police officers, bystander swam to pull woman out

By ANDY VIANO Editor

At least three people jumped into the “cold and murky” Des Plaines River on the morning of Dec. 16 and swam to a sinking car where they pulled the driver safely to shore after she suffered a medical emergency and lost control of her vehicle on Roosevelt Road.

Members of the Forest Park police and fire departments arrived at the scene around 9:35 a.m. and saw the car, a 2017 Toyota Corolla, “in the middle of the cold and murky river,” according to Chief of Police Ken Gross.

Gross said two police officers and a bystander made the decision to swim to the car, which Fire Chief Phil Chiappetta estimated was at least 50 feet from the shore, and reached the Corolla as it was becoming fully submerged. The trio then broke the car’s windows and an officer reached into the car and pulled the woman out.

The woman “began gasping for air as soon as she was pulled from the water,” Gross wrote in an email.

The rescuers and members of the fire department, at least one of whom also jumped into the water to assist, then brought the woman back to shore and up a steep riverbank. She was then transported by ambulance to a See RESCUE on page 7

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

A Forest Park home is decorated for Christmas, as seen on Dec. 20, 2021.

Omicron arrives as COVID cases skyrocket 69-year-old woman is the latest Forest Park casualty of the virus IN Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 THIS Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 ISSUE Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

By ANDY VIANO Editor

The fast-spreading omicron variant of COVID-19 reached suburban Cook County last week, according to a top

public health official, who warned that the detection comes as cases were already on the rise and that omicron was likely to become the dominant local strain of the virus in short order, as it See COVID on page 4

John Rice: Here’s to Christmas coyotes

Tom Holmes: The stages of belief

PAGE 13

PAGE 14

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Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021 JILL WAGNER/Contributor

Scenes from homes decorated for the holidays around Forest Park.

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Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

Scholarship fund launches end-of-year campaign Nonprofit benefits Proviso students seeking higher education

By ANDY VIANO Editor

A community-led scholarship fund benefitting students in Proviso Township High Schools District 209 is looking to raise an additional $3,000 before the end of the year and is partnering with a Forest Park insurance agent to try to do it.

The nonprofit group, 209 Scholarship, announced it is working with Mark Hanson, who owns and operates a State Farm Insurance agency in Forest Park. Anyone who requests a quote from Hanson and mentions 209 Scholarship will trigger a $10 donation to the fund as part of State Farm’s Quotes for Good program. There is no commitment required beyond the initial quote.

April Baker of 209 Scholarship said the $3,000 fundraising target, if reached, would allow the group to offer three additional first-time scholarships on behalf of the growing organization that recently added two new members to its nonprofit board.

In six years since its founding in 2015, 209

Scholarship has awarded more than $70,000 to alums of the Proviso high schools to help students attend more than 20 colleges, universities and trade schools across the country, Baker said. Those amounts include 51 first-time scholarships ($1,000 each) and 43 renewal scholarships ($500 each).

Baker and Ken Snyder, both Forest Park residents, have grown the nonprofit with the aim of highlighting Proviso’s scholars similar, Snyder said, to the way residents in other districts support their students.

“People understood that in Proviso, there wasn’t the kind of community support for getting our kids to college that there is in surrounding communities,” Snyder, one of the group’s founders, said. “While there are other scholarship programs in Proviso, it was just clear that there could be more, that the community had to step up and provide more support to our kids.”

The nonprofit grew from “basically nothing,” Snyder said, to raise $6,000 for six scholarships in 2015. Each year, the schol-

arship recipients represent all three of the district’s high schools, and winners are chosen by a selection committee that conducts blind reviews of about 10 applicants per school, per year.

In 2021, 209 Scholarship awarded four new scholarships per school (a total of $12,000) for the first time, and both Baker and Snyder said their goal is to continue to award more scholarships and more money as the donor-funded nonprofit continues to grow.

“The community response has always been good and the more scholars they see, and the more graduates they see, the better their response gets,” Snyder said. “It’s pretty remarkable that there are 30 scholarships [new and renewal] that got awarded last year entirely from community donations. …

The fact that it keeps growing every year is a pretty remarkable testament to how much people in this community want their kids to succeed.”

For more information or to make a donation, visit 209scholarship.com.

Proviso, union remain at odds over contract Teachers have been working without a contract since previous 1-year deal expired

By ANDY VIANO Editor

The head of the Proviso Teachers Union said no agreement has been reached between the union and Proviso High School District 209, pouring cold water on a claim by superintendent James Henderson at a recent board meeting that the two sides were meeting next month “in hopes to ratify or solidify their contract.”

Maggie Riley, a teacher at Proviso West High School and the union’s president for the last six years, said the union is “awaiting a counter from the district” ahead of the next set of scheduled meetings between the two sides.

“The union has not scheduled a ratification meeting for [Jan. 12] as stated by the superintendent … because we do not have a tentative agreement at this time,” Riley wrote in a statement to the Review. “The union will schedule a ratification meeting when there is a complete, signed tentative agreement between the parties.”

The union and the school district have been bargaining with the aid of a mediator since late July but will go into the new year without a contract in place. Last school year, teachers worked without a contract until Dec. 8, when an agreement was reached that included a 3.4% raise for teachers, retroac-

of security and frequency of tive to the start of the 2020-21 fighting within the buildings, isschool year. sues with inadequate staffing, That agreement expired particularly in information techon June 30 at the end of the nology and counseling departacademic year, Riley said, and ments, and general complaints negotiations for a new deal beabout a lack of responsiveness gan with a request to bargain from the board. on March 10, 2021. The two Earlier this year, board Presisides have been meeting virtudent Rodney Alexander abruptly ally since that time, with Riley recounting 11 meeting dates halted the practice of livestreamso far this year. The two sides ing board meetings, saying at the JAMES HENDERSON have not met since Nov. 17, Ritime that he did so in response to ley said. the union.

At the Dec. 14 school board “We knew the crowd was commeeting at Proviso West, Henderson briefly ing. We knew that the teachers union was addressed the union negotiations in a set putting together these theatrics or whatof remarks, claiming that teachers he had ever,” Alexander told the Review on Oct. 13. spoken with at a recent community engageRiley, for her part, said the union remains ment event “want us to move forward and undeterred. wrap this thing up.”

“We’re going to continue, the teachers, to The negotiations are taking place at a do what’s best for our students and fight for complicated time for the district and partic- our students,” Riley said. “We will continue ularly the board, which has held a series of to go to board meetings and speak out about contentious meetings this school year and what is going on in these buildings so the has seen two board members hold their own public is made aware. We will continue to do listening sessions to address concerns that that and hopefully the board and the superthe public, including many teachers, felt intendent will start not only hearing us but were not being given serious consideration taking action.” by the board at large.

The union and district are next scheduled Complaints lodged at recent board meet- to meet for mediation sessions on Jan. 12 ings have included concerns over the level and 19.

F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW Editor Andy Viano Senior Editor Bob Uphues Equity Editor/Ombudsman Michael Romain Digital Publishing & Technology Manager Briana Higgins Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Lifka Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Development & Sales Coordinator Stacy Coleman Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich

Board of Directors Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-366-0600 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 EMAIL forestpark@wjinc.com CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.com ONLINE ForestParkReview.com TWITTER @FP_Review Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Forest Park Review,141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302-2901. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS No 0205-160) In-county subscriptions: $30 per year. $44 for two years, $60 for three years.

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Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

Mr. Beef & Pizza opens for made-in-Chicago chow New Harlem Avenue restaurant features staples like Maxwell Street polish, Chicago hot dog and pizza puffs

By DAVID HAMMOND Contributor

Mr. Beef & Pizza, recently opened at 123 Harlem Ave., has a menu of many foods originally made in Chicago and some of which, like the Italian beef, have even started moving into markets outside the Midwest to places like Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York City.

This new Mr. Beef location in Forest Park features the world-famous Chicago hot dog (also offered in Paris and Hong Kong; they’re international), the Maxwell Street Polish, rib tips (which gained local popularity thanks to places like Lem’s Bar-B-Q on the southside), Pizza Puffs and Italian beef.

On a recent lunch-time expedition to this new Mr. Beef & Pizza location (related to the other store of the same name further north on Harlem, but not to the Mr. Beef on Orleans), I had the Pizza Puffs and Italian beef.

Pizza Puffs are one of those foods I’d long been aware of but had hardly ever eaten.

Pizza Puffs are a brand name for the fried pockets of tasty meat and cheese produced

by Italco (Illinois Taco Company) — and they should not be confused with pizza rolls, the tiny dough bullets about the size of an adult thumb, filled with sauce, meat and cheese. The classic Pizza Puff is much tastier than the pizza roll, and it benefits from its

COVID

Cases rising from page 1 has throughout the nation.

Dr. Rachel Rubin, Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) senior medical officer, held a press conference on Dec. 15 to announce that the first positive detection of the omicron variant in suburban Cook County had been confirmed one day prior. The unidentified woman was tested because she was a close contact of another person in whom the variant had been identified. Rubin declined to reveal specific details about the woman, including where she resides.

The woman was vaccinated and asymptomatic, according to Rubin, who again used the press conference to renew her plea that all eligible people receive one of the COVID-19 vaccines and that those who are eligible receive a booster shot.

The vaccines have proven highly effective at limiting both the spread of the virus and the health risks to those who do become infected. The rate of severe illness and death in vaccinated individuals is significantly lower than in the unvaccinated, according

quick trip to the deep fryer before serving.

The one I had at Mr. Beef was very good, the outer dough wrapper crisp and crunchy, the filling pleasantly spicy, and the whole thing just a delightful bite.

The week before last, I was asked by the New York Times (bragging) to pose for photos at Al’s #1 Italian Beef in Little Italy. Once again, I was reminded of how much I enjoy Al’s beef: the meat — seasoned, cooked, and sliced in house – has a most excellent gravy, and the giardiniera is fantastic, full of dimension with spices like garlic and cardamom. Last year, I interviewed Chris Pacelli, whose Uncle Al was behind the original restaurant. Pacelli told me some amusing tales about the Chicago origins of this sandwich: “Italians, in the Thirties, late Twenties, there were all kinds of gamblers … Mafia guys and stuff,” Pacelli said. “My uncle Al was involved in all that, a gambler … Well, he gets in trouble, has to go to jail, comes out of jail and starts driving a truck. A friend says, ‘let’s open up a bookie place.’ So, my uncle says, ‘Why don’t I do beef sandwiches? I’ll sell them as a front.’ So, this went on until the late Fifties, and a lot of these beef places — like Carm’s and Mr. Beef — they all started out because of gambling.”

More about Pizza Puffs, Italian beef, and 28 other Chicago-invented foods will be included in a book — tentatively titled

condiment served at places like Al’s and Johnnie’s, both of which head up most lists of best beef places in the city.

The pizza puff, however, was way worth a stop, and I would heartily recommend it from Mr. Beef, especially if you’ve never had this Chicago original creation (not damning with faint praise).

Gravy bread is another Chicago food that Mr. Beef serves. Also referred to as an Italian soaker, gravy bread is simply the bread used for DAN HAMMOND/Contributor the Italian beef sans meat but soaked in jus, strangely Mr. Beef & Pizza at 123 Harlem Ave. in Forest Park. satisfying if admittedly insubstantial. This is food of desperation, food of the Great Depression, much “Made in Chicago” — that I’m co-authoring like the French fry sandwich one sees at with Monica Eng, due out next Christmas some Chicago BBQ joints, it’s what you eat when you have no money for meat. Still, to(shameless plug).

About the Italian beef at Mr. Beef. Well, it day, if you order a quantity of Italian beef was not very awesome. The meat was kind and bread to make the sandwiches at home, of bland, not very flavorful or juicy (though you’ll probably have some jus and bread left I did have the sandwich dipped), and the over and there’s no shame in enjoying gravy giardiniera failed to deliver the perk and bread; it’s tasty, and a bite of Chicago food pop of spicy flavor that I appreciate with the history.

to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the vaccines appear to offer similarly robust protection against the omicron variant.

In the month of October, the most recent period in which data is available, the CDC reported that unvaccinated people were five times more likely to become infected with COVID-19 and 14 times more likely to die from the virus. Those fully vaccinated who had also received a booster shot were even less likely to get sick or die.

Vaccine boosters are available to all Americans age 16 and older, provided it has been at least six months from their last vaccine dose. Booster doses are available at most local pharmacies, and residents can also use the website myshotcookcounty.com to find community health centers that are offering immunizations.

Rubin, of CCDPH, said it wouldn’t be long before omicron was dominant in her jurisdiction as well.

“It’s much more contagious, meaning it’s more easily spread even than the Delta variant, which is more easily spread than prior variants that were the most prominent,” she said last week.

As of Dec. 21, CCDPH was still reporting just the single omicron case, although Rubin said that person’s close contacts were being tested and their results genotyped to attempt and identify the variant.

There has been some initial speculation that the omicron variant causes less severe symptoms but, according to Reuters, the World Health Organization said earlier this week that it was too early to declare the variant milder than past iterations and cautioned that even if it is not as severe, any increase in hospitalizations would place a strain on health care systems that have been overburdened in battling the virus for nearly two years.

In response to the spread of the omicron variant, President Joe Biden was expected to announce a plan to bolster support for hospitals (including the deployment of 1,000 U.S. military service members), create new COVID-19 testing sites nationwide, and establish a program to distribute 500 million at-home tests to Americans who want them.

Omicron arrives The omicron variant was first discovered in South Africa in mid-November and by the end of last month it had spread to much of the world, including the United States.

Just weeks later, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, omicron became the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the country, representing 73.2% of all new cases reported between Dec. 12 and 18.

Biden was set to announce the initiatives Tuesday afternoon, after the Review went to print, but the details of the plan were released by the White House earlier Tuesday.

Case numbers continue to rise Even before the detection of the omicron variant, the communities encompassing CCDPH (much of Cook County excluding Chicago, Oak Park and a handful of other towns) were experiencing a surge in cases not seen since last November and December, the period that has so far marked the peak of the pandemic.

Rubin reported on Dec. 15 that the department was detecting more than 1,000 new cases per day at that time, and as of Dec. 18 the seven-day rolling average of new cases had climbed to 1,936, the highest level since Nov. 18, 2020 (1,947). The case positivity rate reported by CCDPH was nearly as unprecedented, reaching 9.2% on Dec. 15, the highest level since mid-January.

Forest Park, meanwhile, continues to more than double its output of new positive tests, with a 114% growth in confirmed cases during the 14-day period ending Dec. 20. The village has now seen 1,730 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the start of the panSee COVID on page 7

Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

Dear readers, donors and those of you thinking about becoming donors, A week ago we told you we were two-thirds of the way to our $125,000 goal for the annual end-of year NewsMatch fundraiser.

And we announced a new $10,000 match from the Monroe and Fran Sullivan Charitable Fund.

Here’s the good news. We met and beat the Sullivan’s match. Now we are knocking at $100,000. That leaves $25,000 we need to raise by Dec. 31. And we now have a new challenge we’re offering to get us to goal.

The board of directors of Growing Community Media have combined on a $25,000 challenge. No gimmicks here. This is not a match. We have this money already banked thanks to the generosity and passion of our terrific board.

I want to call them out by name. Judy Greffin is our chair. Nile Wendorf is our treasurer. Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon and Eric Weinheimer are board members.

Now they are asking you to join them in investing in nonprofit community journalism across our seven neighborhoods. Your money goes straight into our newsroom. It pays the salaries of our reporters, our photographer, our dedicated freelancers.

If you believe, as I do, that Forest Park, Austin, River Forest, Brookfield, North Riverside, Riverside and Oak Park are better places to live because of the work of our reporters on the Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark and Wednesday Journal of Oak Park & River Forest, then now is the moment to become an active part of this newsroom.

Give at a level that works for you and your family. A $10 donation, $5 a month, $250 or $500. Each donation has great value to us.

Each new partner has our genuine gratitude as we pioneer this new model for nonprofit community journalism.

Be part of this. Enjoy your holidays. Stay safe.

Dan Haley Editor and Publisher Growing Community Media

www.forestparkreview.com/donate or make your check payable to Growing Community Media at 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302

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Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST

Community Foundation present

Season of

Giving Your Local Guide to a Better World

Make an impact in your own community this year by supporting local nonprofits. Go to OakPark.com and check out the 2021 Season of Giving (you’ll find it on the homepage).

Read articles, personal stories and detailed descriptions of these local organizations: Animal Care League Austin Coming Together Beyond Hunger BUILD The Collaboration for Early Childhood Compound Yellow Concordia University The Day Nursery Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park Frank Lloyd Wright Trust Friends of Oak Park Conservatory Hephzibah Children’s Association Growing Community Media

Historical Society of Forest Park Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest Housing Forward IWS Children’s Clinic L’Arche Chicago Maywood Fine Arts Maywood Youth Mentoring Program Nehemiah Community Project New Moms The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association Oak Park Art League Oak Park Festival Theatre

Oak Park Public Library Oak Park Regional Housing Center The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation One Earth Collective Opportunity Knocks D97 PTO Council P.A.X.A. PeopleCare,Inc. PING! Pro Bono Network The Quinn Center of St. Eulalia Race Conscious Dialogues River Forest Public Library Foundation

Sarah’s Inn Sister House St. Angela School Sweet Rest The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest Thrive Counseling Center UCP Seguin Way Back Inn Welcome to Fatherhood West Suburban Special Recreation Association Wonder Works Youth Outreach Services

If you missed the Season of Giving special section in the newspaper, you can request a free copy by emailing your name and address to marc@oakpark.com and we’ll mail you a copy.

Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

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C R I M E

Knife-wielding man accidentally stabs himself

A 26-year-old Oak Park man apparently stabbed himself in the thigh after being removed from a Madison Street bar, according to the Forest Park Police Department.

Officers first arrived outside the bar in the 7500 block of Madison Street a little after 10:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 13, to investigate a stabbing. Witnesses told police a man and his girlfriend had just left the scene in a vehicle and were headed to the hospital.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a man and his girlfriend had been kicked out of the bar earlier that evening since the man had previously been banned from the same location. The man refused to leave and allegedly pulled out a pocket knife to threaten the bartender. He was eventually escorted from the bar with the help of his girlfriend, but a scuffle ensued outside, and the man stabbed himself with the pocket knife in his upper thigh.

Other officers continued the investigation at Rush Oak Park Hospital where the stabbing victim told police he was walking toward the bar exit when someone pushed him from behind because he was walking too slowly. At that point, he became angry and “blacked out.” He did not remember how he had been stabbed but claimed he did not stab himself.

The man was given a citation for trespassing.

that “multiple subjects” were attempting to steal two Chargers. When the first officer arrived, a silver sedan with “multiple occupants” sped away from the scene but one person was unable to get into the car as it drove away.

Officers pursued that person, later identified as 19-year-old Alontae Miller, of Chicago, on foot and deployed a Taser to subdue him. Miller was eventually taken into custody.

Miller later admitted to police that he was hired as “security” for the group, and that he knew they intended to steal the cars. He has been charged with one count of felony burglary.

Burglary charges filed after attempted car thefts

Alleged thief tries ‘Fifth Amendment’ with cops

One man was arrested after a group of people attempted to steal two Dodge Chargers from the lot of a car dealership in the 7900 block of Roosevelt Road, early on Friday, Dec. 17.

Forest Park police were called to the dealership around 4 a.m. after they were alerted by a security monitoring company

A 21-year-old Chicago man accused of stealing several items from a Thorntons Gas Station was charged with resisting arrest after refusing to comply with a police officer early on the morning of Dec. 16.

Forest Park police were directed to the alleged thief who was walking away from the gas station in the 600 block of Harlem Ave-

RESCUE

Car drove into river from page 1

local hospital where she was being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Chiappetta, who arrived on scene shortly after the woman was pulled to safety, said that in his more than two decades as a member of the fire department, he’d never experienced that type of water rescue in Forest Park.

“Between the police department and fire department, I can’t say enough about

the guys,” Chiappetta said. “Public safety is our job and they risked their lives today to save that woman.”

Gross said the officers and the bystander who went into the water as part of the initial rescue “will be receiving lifesaving awards” at a later date.

The precise cause of the accident is unknown, but according to a crash report the woman was driving westbound on Roosevelt between Desplaines and First avenues when she experienced a “medical emergency” and the car veered across the roadway, through a Pace bus shelter, into some trees and eventually into the river, just south of the Roosevelt Road bridge.

The car was later pulled from the water.

nue just before 2 a.m. The suspect was taken to the ground by officers after allegedly ignoring multiple commands to stop.

Once he was handcuffed, the man was combative. When asked for his name and date of birth, the man replied “Fifth Amendment” numerous times. None of the items allegedly stolen from the gas station were located in the man’s possession.

A fingerprint analysis at the Forest Park Police Department revealed the man’s identity. He was charged with resisting a police officer.

Road on Friday, Dec. 17.

Forest Park police were alerted to the thefts by the cab company’s general manager, who relayed that surveillance footage showed up to four people enter the lot early that morning, remove the catalytic converters from 17 vehicles, and move them under a fence and into the alley. The suspects were described as wearing dark clothing and face masks.

No one was arrested.

A woman believes her apartment was ransacked by a man who was upset about their breakup because the intruder also left behind a crude message.

Forest Park police responded to the woman’s apartment a little after midnight on Dec. 16 where she showed police an open window and said that when she returned home, she looked in the window and saw that someone had been in the apartment.

Officers went inside and found “clothing strewn about, broken mirrors, bedsheets on the floor, food and dishes emptied from cabinets, drawers from the dresser pulled out [and] all the items from the closet emptied,” according to a police report. A wall-mounted TV had also been smashed and the words “now we done” were written with shea butter in the living room.

The suspect was not immediately located.

controller from an unwitting seller using $750 in counterfeit bills, according to the Forest Park police.

The seller contacted police on Dec. 16 and told them they had arranged to meet the buyer in the parking lot of the police department to complete the transaction. The buyer asked to see the PlayStation to verify its authenticity, then handed over the cash in $50 increments and left the scene with their purchase.

Shortly after the transaction, the buyer noticed that the bills were fake and all had identical serial numbers.

The Facebook page used by the buyer disappeared after the bogus sale was completed.

Man buys PlayStation with phony cash Angry ex leaves message in shea A buyer from Facebook Marketplace albutter legedly scored a PlayStation 5 console and

Catalytic converter thieves target cab company Several people allegedly stole the catalytic converters from 17 vehicles parked in a taxi company lot in the 7400 block of Roosevelt

COVID

Cases rising from page 4

demic.

The village also lost another resident to the virus, bringing the total number of deaths from COVID-19 up to 32 Forest Parkers. A 69-year-old woman died on Dec. 14 after contracting the virus, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner.

Forest Park does, however, continue to boast a relatively high vaccination rate, with now 82% of residents receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 62.3% with what is described as a complete vaccine series. Those numbers outpace the

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, Dec. 13-19, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

Compiled by Andy Viano

CCDPH rates, which are at 76.8% and 59.2%, respectively.

The CCDPH vaccine totals also reveal a geographic disparity in vaccination rates, with the percentage of people with at least one vaccine dose at 84.5% in the CCDPH’s north district, 76.6% in the west, 68.6% in the southwest, and 66.2% in the south.

In addition to the vaccines and boosters, Rubin also offered guidance for those planning to gather for the holidays.

For those who are vaccinated, she recommended everyone wear masks inside private homes if they are gathering with people not from their household, and that party attendees test three days in advance of the event and again the morning of the gathering.

For those who are unvaccinated, her guidance was unambiguous, recommending they “do not celebrate with others outside of your immediate household.”

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Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

December 22-29

BIG WEEK Senior New Year’s Eve party The Howard Mohr Community Center’s annual senior New Year’s Eve party is right around the corner, and registration is still open for those looking to attend.

Senior citizens are invited to enjoy an “elegant meal” along with raffles, dancing, a champagne toast and party poppers at “pretend midnight,” which is 3 p.m. The party begins at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 31.

Tickets are $50 for Forest Park residents and $55 for nonresidents.

The center is offering door-to-door bus service to the party for $1, but only by appointment, and only for Forest Park’s senior citizens and disabled residents.

The reserve a ticket or a bus ride, call the center at 708-771-7737.

The Howard Mohr Community Center is located at 7640 Jackson Blvd. in Forest Park.

Winter Break Camp Even though school’s out of session, Forest Park’s youngsters still have a chance to get together and enjoy some quality time together at the Park District of Forest Park’s Winter Break Camp, Monday, Dec. 27 to Thursday, Dec. 30.

The camp features sports, crafts and more, and runs from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Pre-registration is required and can be made by visiting bit.ly/WinterBreakCamp2021. Registration is $25 per day for Forest Park residents and $35 per day for nonresidents.

The Park District of Forest Park is located at 7501 W. Harrison St. in Forest Park.

Story trail Kick off the Christmas holiday with a short walk at the Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave. in River Forest., on Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A children’s book, The Snowy Day, accompanies the walk, and afterward guests are encouraged to pick up an activity bag at the museum to start their own adventure with custom crafts and activities. All guests age 2 and older are required to wear a mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status. There is no cost to attend.

Senior movie: The Man who Invented Christmas Join fellow seniors at the Forest Park Public Library, 7556 Jackson Blvd., on Wednesday, Dec. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. to take in the 2017 biopic that follows the journey Charles Dickens took to create his iconic story, A Christmas Carol.

To register for the screening, visit fppl.evanced.info/signup/ Calendar. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status. There is no cost to attend.

Proviso West basketball tournament One of Chicagoland’s most prestigious prep basketball tournaments returns Monday, Dec. 27 to Thursday, Dec. 30 at Proviso West High School in Hillside.

The four-day event features some of the area’s top teams, and this year includes both Proviso schools along with schools throughout the city, suburbs and Northwest Indiana, among them Fenwick, Morton, Whitney Young and Kenwood.

The West tournament is marking its 60th anniversary this year and concludes with Thursday’s consolation championship at 2 p.m., fifth-place game at 4 p.m., third-place game at 5:30 p.m. and the title game at 7 p.m.

Proviso West High School is located at 4701 Harrison St. in Hillside.

A complete tournament bracket and more information is available at pwholidaytournament.com.

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT ■ Have an event we should feature in the Big Week? Email event

details (photo, time, place, cost & a brief description) to Andy@forestparkreview.com.

The deadline for submissions is Friday at noon.

CHRISTMAS CHURCH GUIDE

Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

Special Advertising Section

Christmas 2021

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Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

CHRISTMAS CHURCH GUIDE

First United Church of Oak Park wishes you

Tidings of Comfort & Joy Friday, December 24

Christmas Eve 5 p.m. Family-friendly worship with children's Christmas pageant 8 p.m. Traditional service of lessons and carols

Sundays, December 26 & January 2

Simple Service of Prayer 11 a.m. A simple Sunday worship service for a time of rest and rejuventation after the busy holiday season

848 Lake Street, Oak Park firstunitedoakpark.com facebook.com/f / irstunitedoakpark /f

holiday services at

If you are seeking a place to call home this holiday, we are right in your neighborhood. Join us as we sing, worship and celebrate Christ’s birth.

Holy Communion Christmas Eve (December 24) at 5:00 p.m.

United Lutheran Church 409 Greenfield St. (at Ridgeland), Oak Park www.unitedlutheranchurch.org This is Christ’s church, and there is a place for you here.

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation Christmas Eve Services Friday, December 24, 2021 3pm Christmas Pageant & Worship for All Ages 7pm Candlelight Service Services will be lived streamed with limited in-person seating. To learn more go to: www.unitytemple.org

CHRISTMAS CHURCH GUIDE

Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

First Presbyterian Church of River Forest

s a m t s Chri Come share in the joy of our first Christmas as the newly unified St. Luke and St. Bernardine Parish Christmas Eve 4:00 pm Family Mass - St. Luke Church preceded at 3:30 pm by a program of carols from around the world by our Children’s Choir

6:00 pm - St. Luke Church preceded by sounds of the season at 5:45 pm featuring traditional carols with brass

Pastor Paul Detterman

Christmas Eve Worship 8:00 pm Candlelight Service 10:30 pm Candlelight Communion

Carol Sing Service December 26 at 10:15 am In-person at Quick & Lathrop in River Forest, wheelchair and hearing accessible, or live stream at firstpresrf.org

Christmas Eve Services Family Candlelight - 5:00pm Lessons & Carols - 10:00pm

Christmas Day Service - 9:30am New Year’s Eve Service - 7:00pm

Pastor Leonard R. Payton • Wheelchair Access to Sanctuary

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church 305 Circle Avenue, Forest Park (708) 366-3226 • www.stjohnforestpark.org

10:30 pm - St. Bernardine Church preceded by program of beloved carols at 10:00 pm presented by our Adult Choir accompanied by organ and brass

Christmas Day 8:00 am - St. Bernardine Church Traditional Christmas liturgy accompanied by organ and brass

611 Randolph St, Oak Park, IL 60302

Embracing the diversity of God’s creation and celebrating our oneness in Christ.

9:30 am - St. Luke Church with modern sounds of the season accompanied by our Contemporary Choir with guitar, flute and brass

11:00 am - St. Luke Church with seasonal music by our Adult Choir accompanied by organ and brass

Join us this Christmas Season!

Candlelight Worship Dec. 24 | 7 p.m.

www.stlstbparish.org

St. Luke Church 7600 W. Lake Street River Forest

St. Bernardine Church 7246 Harrison Street Forest Park

May the peace & joy of Christmas live in your heart all year long.

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Lessons and Carols Dec. 26 | 10:30 a.m.

Worship in-person or via livestream.

Visit goodshepherdlc.org for links.

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CHRISTMAS CHURCH GUIDE

Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

Come home for Christmas!

Make yourself at home and celebrate the joy of the holiday season with us.

December 24 at 6 pm

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Candlelight worship service will include music from our historic, beautifully maintained Skinner Pipe Organ, as well as a harp.

December 26 at 10 am

Worship with a message and music of the season! Wishing you continued Christmas blessings!

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

John 1:5

Join us for worship Christmas Eve, December 24 Children’s service, 4:15 and 6 pm this Christmas Lessons and carols led by the In person and live-streamed children of Grace Live-streamed at 4:15 pm on the Grace River Forest YouTube channel Holy Communion, 8 pm

January 2 at 10 am

Candlelight Holy Communion, 10:45 pm Music begins at 10:30 pm Live-streamed at 10:30 pm

Start the new year with Worship with us as we celebrate Jesus, the light of the world!

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” John 1:5

Christmas Day, December 25 Holy Communion, 10 am Live-streamed at 10 am

First United Methodist Church 324 N Oak Park Ave. Oak Park

Rev. Adonna Davis Reid, Pastor

FirstUMCOakPark.org

7300 Division St.▪︎ River Forest ▪︎ 708-366-6900 ▪︎ GraceRiverForest.org David R. Lyle, Senior Pastor ▪︎ Troy Medlin, Associate Pastor

Come Celebrate the Season of Christmas with the Catholic Parishes of Oak Park and Chicago St. Catherine of Siena–St. Lucy Parish Cਧ਱ਨਲਲ਼ਬਠਲ Eਵਤ: Friday, December 24 Mass at 3:00 pm

Tਧਤ Nਠਲ਼ਨਵਨਲ਼ਸ ਮਥ ਲ਼ਧਤ Lਮ਱ਣ, Cਧ਱ਨਲਲ਼ਬਠਲ Dਠਸ: Saturday, December 25 Mass at 9:00 am Please note that there is no 5:00 pm Mass on Saturday, December 25.

St. Edmund Church Cਧ਱ਨਲਲ਼ਬਠਲ Eਵਤ: Friday, December 24

Mass at 4:30 pm (Carols begin at 4:10 pm) This Mass will be livestreamed. (https://www.youtube.com/stedmund) Mass at 10:30 pm (Carols begin at 10:10 pm.)

Tਧਤ Nਠਲ਼ਨਵਨਲ਼ਸ ਮਥ ਲ਼ਧਤ Lਮ਱ਣ, Cਧ਱ਨਲਲ਼ਬਠਲ Dਠਸ: Saturday, December 25

Tਧਤ Hਮਫਸ Fਠਬਨਫਸ ਮਥ Jਤਲ਴ਲ, Mਠ਱ਸ ਠਭਣ Jਮਲਤਯਧ: Sunday, December 26

Mass at 11:00 am Please note that there is no 5:30 pm Mass on Saturday, December 25

Sਮਫਤਬਭਨਲ਼ਸ ਮਥ Mਠ਱ਸ, ਲ਼ਧਤ Hਮਫਸ Mਮਲ਼ਧਤ਱ ਮਥ Gਮਣ (Nਤਸ਼ Yਤਠ਱’ਲ Dਠਸ): Saturday, January 1

Tਧਤ Hਮਫਸ Fਠਬਨਫਸ ਮਥ Jਤਲ਴ਲ, Mਠ਱ਸ ਠਭਣ Jਮਲਤਯਧ: Sunday, December 26

Mass at 9:00 am

Not a holy day of obligation this year.

No Mass is scheduled.

Please note that there is no 5:00 pm Mass on Saturday, January 1.

All are welcome to the 5:30 pm Mass at St. Edmund Church.

Tਧਤ Eਯਨਯਧਠਭਸ ਮਥ ਲ਼ਧਤ Lਮ਱ਣ: Sunday, January 2 Mass at 9:00 am

Tਧਤ Bਠਯਲ਼ਨਲਬ ਮਥ ਲ਼ਧਤ Lਮ਱ਣ

Masses on Saturday, January 8, at 5:00 pm and Sunday, January 9, at 9:00 am

Mass at 11:00 am

Sਮਫਤਬਭਨਲ਼ਸ ਮਥ Mਠ਱ਸ, ਲ਼ਧਤ Hਮਫਸ Mਮਲ਼ਧਤ਱ ਮਥ Gਮਣ (Nਤਸ਼ Yਤਠ਱’ਲ Dਠਸ): Saturday, January 1 Not a holy day of obligation this year.

No Mass is scheduled.

Tਧਤ Eਯਨਯਧਠਭਸ ਮਥ ਲ਼ਧਤ Lਮ਱ਣ

Masses on Saturday, January 1, at 5:30 pm and Sunday January 2, at 11:00 am

Tਧਤ Bਠਯਲ਼ਨਲਬ ਮਥ ਲ਼ਧਤ Lਮ਱ਣ

Masses on Saturday, January 8, at 5:30 pm and Sunday, January 9, at 11:00 am

St. Giles Parish Cਧ਱ਨਲਲ਼ਬਠਲ Eਵਤ: Friday, December 24

Ascension Oak Park Cਧ਱ਨਲਲ਼ਬਠਲ Eਵਤ: Friday, December 24 Masses at 3:30, 5:30 and 11:00 pm

Tਧਤ Nਠਲ਼ਨਵਨਲ਼ਸ ਮਥ ਲ਼ਧਤ Lਮ਱ਣ, Cਧ਱ਨਲਲ਼ਬਠਲ Dਠਸ: Saturday, December 25 Masses at 8:00 and 10:30 am Please note that there is no 5:00 pm Mass on Saturday, December 25

Tਧਤ Hਮਫਸ Fਠਬਨਫਸ ਮਥ Jਤਲ਴ਲ, Mਠ਱ਸ ਠਭਣ Jਮਲਤਯਧ: Sunday, December 26 Mass at 10:30 am

Sਮਫਤਬਭਨਲ਼ਸ ਮਥ Mਠ਱ਸ, ਲ਼ਧਤ Hਮਫਸ Mਮਲ਼ਧਤ਱ ਮਥ Gਮਣ (Nਤਸ਼ Yਤਠ਱’ਲ Dਠਸ): Saturday, January 1 Mass at 9:00 am Please note there is no 5:00 pm Mass on Saturday, January 1

P਱ਠਸਤ਱ ਨਭ ਲ਼ਧਤ Sਯਨ਱ਨਲ਼ ਮਥ Tਠਨਹ੉ Saturday, January 1, at 7:30 pm

Tਧਤ Eਯਨਯਧਠਭਸ ਮਥ ਲ਼ਧਤ Lਮ਱ਣ: Sunday, January 2 Masses at 8:00 and 10:30 am

Tਧਤ Bਠਯਲ਼ਨਲਬ ਮਥ ਲ਼ਧਤ Lਮ਱ਣ

Masses on Saturday, January 8, at 5:00 pm and Sunday, January 9, at 8:00 and 10:00 am

Mass at 3:00 pm in Church Mass at 3:15 pm in St. Giles School Gym Mass at 5:00 pm* in Church (livestreamed) Distribution of Communion from 6:15 to 6:30 pm on Columbian Avenue in front of outdoor Nativity Scene Family Mass in St. Giles School Gym at 7:30 pm (Carols begin at 7:00 pm) Mass at 10:30 pm* in Church (livestreamed) (Carols begin at 10:00 pm)

Tਧਤ Nਠਲ਼ਨਵਨਲ਼ਸ ਮਥ ਲ਼ਧਤ Lਮ਱ਣ, Cਧ਱ਨਲਲ਼ਬਠਲ Dਠਸ: Saturday, December 25 Masses at 9:00 and 11:00 am

Tਧਤ Hਮਫਸ Fਠਬਨਫਸ ਮਥ Jਤਲ਴ਲ, Mਠ਱ਸ ਠਭਣ Jਮਲਤਯਧ: Sunday, December 26 Mass at 9:00 am* (livestreamed)

Sਮਫਤਬਭਨਲ਼ਸ ਮਥ Mਠ਱ਸ, ਲ਼ਧਤ Hਮਫਸ Mਮਲ਼ਧਤ਱ ਮਥ Gਮਣ (Nਤਸ਼ Yਤਠ਱’ਲ Dਠਸ): Saturday, January 1 Masses on Friday, December 31, at 4:30 pm* (livestreamed) and Saturday, January 1, at 9:00 am

Tਧਤ Eਯਨਯਧਠਭਸ ਮਥ ਲ਼ਧਤ Lਮ਱ਣ: Sunday, January 2

Masses at 8:00 am and 10:30 am* (livestreamed)

Tਧਤ Bਠਯਲ਼ਨਲਬ ਮਥ ਲ਼ਧਤ Lਮ਱ਣ

Masses on Saturday, January 8, at 4:30 pm and Sunday, January 9, at 8:00 and 10:30 am *Masses to be livestreamed.

Please see our website, stgilesparish.org, to find links to livestream events.

Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

Here’s to Christmas coyotes and wassailing

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heavenly, with the choir soaring, strings rising and parishioners singing their all-time favorite carols. Midnight Mass ended at 2 a.m., but we were just getting the party started.

We’d go back to Bob’s house to exchange presents. We first drank glasses of Christmas cheer and cranked up the carols.

We called it wassailing. When Bob’s daughters were young true believers, we unwrapped their presents. They knew that Santa, like most guys, would never wrap presents. As for our own presents, we were generous to the extreme. But it was the simple gifts that meant the most.

In 1993, for example, I got Frank Sinatra’s Duets album.

I didn’t get home until 4 a.m. but couldn’t wait to play it. I was a bit apprehensive because Frank’s pipes had gotten rusty.

His voice was strong, though, as he sang standards with international stars. I went to sleep thinking, “Frank still has it.”

Not that I slept long. We had three young kids who were so excited about opening their presents, they were up at 5. I watched them bleary-eyed as they ripped open their packages. The presents I gave them were

ostalgia is something I avoid. It suggests the good old days were better than today. Sure, we’re all facing difficult times, but I believe our best days lie ahead. This Christmas, though, I can’t help missing how things used to be.

My best Christmases were spent with my boyhood friends, Bob and Ed. We began our festivities on Dec. 21 by celebrating Ed’s birthday. You must have a party for a dude who was born on the shortest day of the year. The three of us then went Christmas shopping. We searched for bargains right up until Christmas Eve. That night, we’d go to Midnight Mass at Ascension Church in Oak Park. As Mass began, it was daunting to leaf through the program and see just how many songs and religious rites we were going to perform. Midnight Mass was part glorious spectacle and part endurance contest.

The priest preached the same sermon every year but it was a good one. He talked about how we all had the baby Jesus inside us, waiting to be born. The music was

JOHN RICE

“They knew that Santa, like most guys, would never wrap presents.”

A

L O O K

B A C K

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well-intentioned but not always wellreceived. Books did not thrill them, nor the Christmas I bought them all musical instruments. They’re still recovering from that.

We had already held our annual cocoa party to celebrate the decorating of our real tree. When the last ornament was hung, we turned off all the lights in the house and lit every candle we could find. We’d sip Frango Mint hot chocolate and listen to Christmas albums. We bought a new one every year. We could also gaze at our Christmas village, which grew year by year with new buildings.

It wasn’t all sweetness and light. I remember getting ready to snuggle on the couch to watch It’s a Wonderful Life. I tripped over a wire that sent candles and decorations flying. It kind of ruined the mood.

Out of respect for Christmas, we kept the screaming and yelling to a minimum. Now, my daughters have their own kids to drink cocoa with.

I don’t hang out with my boyhood friends like I used to. There’s no hard feelings. Our circumstances have simply changed. We’re no longer young coyotes, as we called ourselves, keeping nocturnal hours on Christmas. We have families and significant others to party with at Christmas. When I look back, though, those Christmases with close friends and young kids were the best.

So, here’s to the coyotes and all who love wassailing at Christmas time!

T I M E

Last minute gifts in 1999

By JILL WAGNER Contributor

In 1999, the last-minute gift guide from local businesses in Forest Park included a gift certificate to Goldyburgers, which had been named one of the best burgers in the area by Chicago Magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times.

Rosann’s Hallmark had a line of CDs and cassettes with titles like “Relaxing Soak in the Tub,” and the current crop of Beanie Babies were available.

Cellular Advantage at 7535 Roosevelt Rd. had phones, pagers, calling plans and accessories to choose from.

Cornerstone Bookstore, near the east entrance to the Forest Park Village Center offered study bibles, videos, CDs, and that year’s best-selling book, “Prayers That Avail Much.”

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L E T T E R S

Speak out for our police In Our View, entitled, “Police department mourns” [Dec. 15], you stated that Chief “Gross has been critical of media and politicians for allegedly poisoning the public against police officers. We urge him to turn down the rhetoric.” Why? And more significantly, why the use of “allegedly”? You must believe that the poisoning of the public against the police is unproven because it is clearly true. Some politicians and media have unjustly characterized the police based on the criminal actions of an exceedingly small number of officers out of the nearly 700,000 who serve in our country.

Many politicians and media sources have been silent or misrepresented, accepted, rationalized or justified the verbal and physical abuse of police officers, giving rise to nonsense like “defund the police” and “police free zones.” We should all be speaking out against the mistreatment and mischaracterization of the police.

Chief Gross has the right to criticize politicians and media in support of his department and in support of police officers everywhere. There can be no meaningful debate about policing in America without facing the truth.

It is ironic that your newspaper is urging our chief to “turn down the rhetoric” supporting police in the same edition containing news of a $600,000 settlement to the estate of a parolee who was killed after trying to run over one of our officers while attempting to flee in a stolen car.

Perhaps insurance carriers would be less willing to settle with criminals if the public attitude toward our police was based on facts and not on lies from politicians and media with an agenda.

Marty Tellalian

Former village council commissioner

Forest Park Review archives

George Rodriquez displays a potential last minute gift at Cellular Advantage on Roosevelt Road.

READ RECYCLE

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Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

OPINION O U R

V I E W

Policing in Forest Park

“T

he insurance company made us do it.”

That lame response has become part of the seemingly acceptable excusemaking and blind-eye turning that Forest Park elected and appointed officials trot out every time a settlement is made in a suit alleging that Forest Park police officers use excessive force on the job.

The most recent case has just been settled with a price tag of $600,000 going to the estate of Marco Gomez who was shot and killed by a Forest Park officer who alleged that the victim was attempting to run him over at the time of the shooting.

As in all such cases, the settlement avoids a jury trial, makes no admission of guilt by the village or its officers, and binds all parties to silence going forward.

Forest Park has become an easy target for lawyers and clients ready to allege excessive force because the insurance carrier always caves and demands the cases be settled out of court. That’s what we’ve heard for years from the former mayor, the former administrator and various other public officials.

We don’t hear this drumbeat of excuses in other towns we cover. Yes, excessive force suits are filed in other places. Sometimes insurance carriers push hard for settlements rather than trials. But there isn’t the culture of denial that we see too often in Forest Park.

These are days of challenge and opportunity for this small, critical institution. Two recent deaths of officers have added to an already stretched staff. There is a new chief and deputy chief, a new village administrator, a still new mayor. This isn’t the moment for hunkering down. It is a moment to actively open conversations with the community, to acknowledge where improvements can be made, bars raised.

We are struck this week, as we are so often, by the compassion and courage it takes to be a police officer.

Two Forest Park cops and a civilian dove into the cold waters of the Des Plaines River last week to successfully rescue a woman who had lost control of her car on Roosevelt Road and plunged into the water.

Utterly astounding to have the presence and the nerve to risk your life in such a circumstance for a stranger.

That is, we are certain, part of every officer on this force. And it is what the department can build on, grow on, even as it works to change a culture that has its darkness.

This is not a job for the police department in isolation. Change will only come in concert between our police and our community, with honest leadership and expectation-setting from the mayor and the village council.

The opportunity is right here to build a great and connected small-town, big-city police department.

I

The stages of belief

used to believe in Santa Claus.

I believed when I was 4 years old; when I was part of a two-parent family in the green house on MacArthur Drive; when I studied hard and got a good report card; when I got my first job at a fast food joint at $1.10/hour because my pastor gave the manager a good recommendation.

When I would go up to Santa, who was receiving children at the mall, the first question he would ask me was, “Have you been a good boy?” And I would answer, “Yes.” Because I had truly been what people back then called a “good boy.”

When I was little, I believed in Santa in the sense that he existed, lived at the North Pole and slid down chimneys with at least some of the presents I had asked for. It did not dawn on me to question how he could slide down a chimney that did not exist in our house. Back then, fantasy and reality all mushed together, and I swallowed all of it — hook, line and sinker.

Then somewhere in my grade school years, I stopped believing that Santa was a real person who lived at the North Pole and somehow knew whether I had been a good boy or not. But I still believed in the myth. I believed that there was a moral order in the universe, for which Santa was simply a metaphor — and good boys would get rewarded and bad boys would get punished.

I had been a good boy, Pastor Anderson had noticed, and I got my first job at Henry’s Hamburgers.

Then I went to college and my innocent, naïve bubble burst. My Newtonian picture of the universe which made it seem like a predictable, dependable machine was destroyed. The destruction began when I was a high school sophomore sitting in Mr. Kanzelberger’s English class and the principal came on the PA system and told us that President Kennedy had been assassinated.

Then I read about the Holocaust and the war in Vietnam. Then my father died at 50 years old because of a botched surgery.

Kafka’s story, “Metamorphosis,” began to make a lot of sense as a new myth to replace the one about the Jolly Old Elf. It’s the story about a young man who goes to bed and when he wakes up the next morning, he’s a beetle lying on his back with his little legs flailing in the air. No reason given. No logic. Just random absurdity.

As I grew older, I found that the Kafka absurdity myth didn’t work in real life either. Sure, my dad’s death made no sense at all, but on the other hand, my hard work in college earned me the President’s Prize scholarship with a free ride in seminary.

Life after all did make sense. Some of the time.

At 74 years old, I find myself telling my grandchildren the Santa Claus story I no longer believe. Maybe

it’s what psychologists refer to as cognitive dissonance, but I think there is a healthier explanation.

Reason is not capable of figuring out how life works. Not completely. Neither does cynicism.

Dr. King did not say that he had the latest data on human nature and they lead to the logical conclusion that “one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.”

He said, “I have a dream.” And the dream came from his imagination. It was not empirically verifiable but at the same time it was not just a fantasy that mature adults let go of around the age of 6 or 8 or 10.

James Fowler in Stages of Faith said that some of us as we get near the end of our lives, enter into what he called “a second naivete.” For example, I once believed that Jonah really was swallowed by a whale, lived inside its belly and was thrown up onto land. Then, as I grow more “sophisticated,” I put that on my mental shelf along with Santa Claus.

Now I again believe that Jonah was swallowed by a whale and to me it doesn’t matter whether it “really” happened or not. If you ask me how I can believe it, I will answer, “Because it has happened to me. I have tried to run away from what God was calling me to do, I paid for it, and after three days — you catch the image?

— I returned to life chastened and with my soul in a better place.

And I find that fantasy sometimes reveals truth in ways that reason cannot. That explains, at least in part, the popularity of Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings. Quote: “Pessimistic about the future of MiddleEarth, Elrond claims that the time of the elves is over, the dwarves are too selfish to help, and men are weak.”

Fantasy?

I’m a fan of the Chronicles of Narnia. In one chapter the children are hiding from the wicked witch in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, when Mr. Beaver comes home all excited. “What’s up?” ask the children.

“Aslan has returned.”

“Who is Aslan?” ask the children.

“Aslan is a lion.”

“A lion?” ask the children. “Is he safe?”

“No,” replies Mr. Beaver, “he’s not safe, but he’s good.”

Wow! Find me a book of non-fiction that reveals truth better than that little scene.

There are other stories to be told this Christmas than the one about Santa or the one by Kafka or the one portrayed on TV commercials. Some may sound like fantasies, but then again, they may be true in very profound ways.

TOM HOLMES

Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

O B I T U A R Y

Sandra Ericksen, 79 Office manager and paralegal Sandra L. Ericksen, 79, of Vandalia, Illinois, formerly of Forest Park, died on Dec. 7, 2021, in her home. Born on Oct. 6, 1942, in Chicago, the daughter of Erling and Dorothy (Kolofa) Johnson, she married John Ericksen on Aug. 29, 1964 in Chicago. She was an office manager and paralegal for over 25 years for a Chicago law firm.

She was a member of the Vandalia YMCA, the Soroptimist International Club, and the Vandalia Country and Golf Club.

SANDRA ERICKSEN Sandra is survived by her husband, John Ericksen; her son, Chad Ericksen; her daughter, Traci Stewart and Stacy; her brother, Jeffrey Johnson and Denise; and four grandchildren, Shelbi and Cody Stewart, Taylor and Tiffanie Ericksen. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Ginger Rasmussen; and her brother, Michael Johnson.

An Open House and Celebration of Life was held on Dec. 12 at Vandalia Country Club, Vandalia, with Pastor Robert Weaver officiating.

Memorials may be made to Fayette County Hospice. Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, is in charge of arrangements. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.millerfh.net.

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16 Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

Growing Community Media

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

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

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED • NETWORK SPECIALIST Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class.

Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION To perform various network/system administration, computer support, and operational activities for the Village including computer system setup, configuration, and testing.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Reports directly to the Information Technology Services Director.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES: Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following: Essential duties and responsibilities 1. Ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the Village’s core values, beliefs and culture.

2. Configure, test, and deploy network systems, such as, firewalls, routers, switches, wireless equipment, network servers and storage arrays.

3. Configure, test, and deploy system servers, such as, file, print, Internet, e-mail, database, and application servers.

4. Configure, test, and monitor server and end-user systems for security, such as, user accounts, login scripts, file access privileges, and group policy management.

5. Configure, test, and deploy end-user systems, such as, workstations, laptops, mobile devices, printers, and software.

6. Test, configure, deploy, and support security systems, such as, facility access system, video & audio system.

7. Monitor and auditing of networks, systems, and user activities to ensure security and efficiency of systems. Create scripts and reports of detail activities for regular review.

8. Perform and participate in disaster recovery activities, such as, backup procedures, data recovery, and system recovery planning.

9. Assist end-users with computer problems or queries. Troubleshoot systems as needed and meet with users to analyze specific system needs.

10. Ensure the uniformity, reliability and security of system resources including network, hardware,

software and other forms of systems and data.

11. Prepare, create and update user/technical procedure documentations and provide computer training.

12. Assemble, test, and install network, telecommunication and data equipment and cabling.

13. Participate in research and recommendation of technology solutions.

Other important responsibilities and duties 1. Train users in the area of existing, new or modified computer systems and procedures.

2. Participate in the preparation of various activity reports.

3. Travel and support remote facilities and partner agencies.

4. Operate, administer and manage the Village and Public Safety computer systems, including E-911 center, in-vehicle computer systems.

5. Prepare clear and logical reports and program documentation of procedures, processes, and configurations.

6. Complete projects on a timely and efficient manner.

7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

9. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Principals and procedures of computer systems, such as, data communication, hierarchical structure, backups, testing and critical analysis.

Hardware and software configuration of. computers, servers and mobile devices, including computing environment of Windows Server and Desktop OS and applications, Unix/Linux OS, VMware, iOS/Android.

Network protocols, security, configuration and administration, including firewalls, routers, switches and wireless technology.

Cabling and wiring, including CAT5/6, fiber network, telephone, serial communication, termination, and punch-down.

Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, analog, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant.

Principles and methods of computer programming, coding and testing, including power shell, command scripting, macros, and

VB scripts.

Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Technical writing, office productivity tools and database packages.

Ability to: Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following: - Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time - Operating assigned equipment - Lift 50 pounds of equipment, supplies, and materials without assistance - Working in and around computer equipped vehicles Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for: - Making observations - Communicating with others - Reading and writing - Operating assigned equipment and vehicles Maintain mental capacity allowing for effective interaction and communication with others.

Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance.

Work overtime as operations require.

Experience and Training Guidelines Experience: Three years of network/system administration in the public or private sector, maintaining a minimum of 75 Client Workstation computers. AND Training: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science or a related field. Certifications in Microsoft Server Administration, Networking, Applications and Cisco Networking.

Possession of a valid Illinois Driver License is required at the time of appointment.

Vaccination against COVID-19 strongly preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS Work in a computer environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; continuous exposure to computer screens; work in and around computerized vehicles outdoor and garage facility; lifting heavy equipment, communication cabling and wiring into walls and ceilings.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HR AND RACIAL EQUITY The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Assistant Director of HR and Racial Equity in the Human Resources Department. This newly created position supports the management of activities and operations of the Human Resources Department and collaboratively develops and drives an organization-wide racial equity and social justice strategy, ensuring timely execution of objectives, and continuously monitoring the progress towards reaching milestones.

The incumbent will lead and provide subject matter expertise to the leadership team in the development and implementation of equity initiatives, both internal and external. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http:// www.oak-park.us/jobs.

Position opened until filled.

MEDICAL RECEPTIONIST Part time or Fulltime Medical Receptionist for an OB Gyne Office in River Forest Nye Partners in Women’s Health Please email resume to: yvonne@ nyepartners.com POLICE RECORDS CLERK The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Police Records Clerk in the Police Department. This position will perform a wide variety of specialized clerical duties in support of the Police Department including processing and maintaining documents, correspondence and coding reports; and to provide information and assistance to the public.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs.

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

Tired or bored of clicking away on a keyboard working at home? Manufacturing Keep your hands and mind busy with a fun, safe, clean assembly job. You’d have your own large assembly zone, at least 15-20 feet away from others, so we’re really safe here. Top rated firm Alpina Manufacturing LLC founded in 1992, Oak Park resident owner. Beautiful campus in Galewood, near Mars candy, 3 blocks north of Oak Park. We build and sell display framing systems to customers nationwide including Wal-Mart, Verizon, Circle K gas stations, Hospitals. Full time, Part time, Flex hours for working parents or students. We train, no travel, work in Galewood. Open to any backgrounds. Excellent pay, friendly caring management. Stop in anytime between 7am and 4pm M-F ask for Izzy to apply and check us out. Alpina Manufacturing 6460 W Cortland St Chicago IL 60707

River Forest Public Schools District 90 River Forest Public Schools District 90 is seeking to hire a School Psychologist for a full-time position for grades PreK-4th starting in December 2021. To qualify, candidates must have a valid Illinois Professional Education License with endorsement in School Psychology (PreK-4). A Master’s Degree is preferred as well as 5 years of successful educational experience in both general and special education; and at least five years of successful experience in evaluating students, collaborating, and problem-solving with school and District teams. The right candidate will facilitate MTSS meetings, including individual and grade-level planning meetings.

Integrate D90 practices around equity and inclusivity into daily work and relationships with students, families and colleagues.

Duties include: Completing appropriate psychoeducational assessments for children who have or are suspected of having a disability. Identifying and assessing the learning, development, and adjustment characteristics and needs of individuals and groups, as well as, the environmental factors that affect learning and adjustment. Using assessment data about the student and his/her environment(s) in developing appropriate interventions and programs. Responding to parent and teacher requests for evaluations in accordance with Illinois law and maintaining compliance in accordance with Illinois special education law.

Application Procedure: Interested candidates should complete the online application availableat district90.org.

Starting a New Business?

SANITARIAN The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Sanitarian in the Health Department. This position will perform a variety of duties including education and enforcement activities for the promotion and protection of the public health environment.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak- park.us/jobs.

Seasonal Farmers’ Market Manager The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmers’ Market Manager in the Health Department.

This position manages the Oak Park Farmer’s Market including the vendors that sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This is a part-time seasonal position with work from January-mid November and work required on Saturday’s from May through October. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs.

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.

A&A ELECTRIC PART-TIME ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER



Fun, Clean, Picture Frame Assembly JOB

Call for more info.

708-738-3848

Publish Your Assumed Name Legal Notice in • Austin Weekly News • Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review • Riverside/Brookfield Landmark

Call the Experts Before You Place Your Legal Ad!

Call Stacy for details:

773-626-6332

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

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.

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777.

Wednesday Journal • Landmark • Forest Park Review

Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

CLASSIFIED

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

RENTALS & REAL ESTATE

MARKETPLACE

CARS WANTED

WANTED TO BUY

CLASSICS WANTED CLASSICS Restored or Restored or Unrestored Unrestored

Cars Motorcycles Cars & & Vintage Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Import Cars: Cars: Mercedes, Corvette, Mercedes,Porsche, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang && Mopars Mopars Mustang

SUBURBAN RENTALS

WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR Best Selection & Service

708-386-7355

CICERO 3724 S 53RD CT

CEMETARY PLOTS

A beautiful 2 flat in South Cicero off 35th st. Features include 3 bedrooms, central air, garage parking.

Modern appliances include dishwasher. Utilities separate. $1,700 per month plus security. Lease with option to buy possible.

708-383-9223 or 773-676-6805

FOUR PLOTS AT FOREST HOME CEMETERY IN FOREST PARK Located in Garden of the Chapel section. Lot 120-B, section 61, spaces 1,2,3,4. Bronze flush type markers only, per the contract. $600.00 or best offer.

DMCK2740@ATT.NET

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT

Collector James Collector James 630-201-8122 630-201-8122

RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft.

OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011

CLASSICS WANTED

Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles HOME SERVICES Domestic / Import Cars: HANDYMAN LANDSCAPING ELECTRICAL Mercedes, Porsche,ELECTRICAL Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, A&A ELECTRIC Mopars Let anMustang American & Veteran do your work

Ceiling Fans Installed

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc.

We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors • Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added • New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est.

Collector James

630-201-8122

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

KLIS FLOORING INC.

New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured.

Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

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

773-637-0692 Ask for John

HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING

HANDYMAN Mike’s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do

708-296-2060

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery.

708-848-9404

OAK PARK & FOREST PARK

MMpropMgmt.com

Top $$ Etc. $$$$Top $$allallmakes, makes, Etc.

FLOORS

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BRUCE LAWN SERVICE Fall Yard Clean-Up Slit Seeding Bush Trimming Fall Leaf Clean-Up Senior Discount Snow Removal

brucelawns.com

708-243-0571

PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/ Plaster Repair Low Cost 708.749.0011

PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

Small & big work. Free estimates.

Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed

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

WOODWORK Terry's

ROOMS FOR RENT

Large Sunny Room with fridge, microwave.

Near Green line, bus, Oak Park, 24 hour desk, parking lot. $125.00. New Mgmt.

312-212-1212

CITY RENTALS AUSTIN RENAISSANCE APARTMENTS

A HUD subsidized affordable Apartment property announces the opening of its waiting list for both One and Two Bedroom Apartments! Resident rent is approximately 30% of gross household income, some restrictions apply. Our property is located on Washington Blvd in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.

Apartments offered with an occupancy of one to four persons. Properties feature modern kitchens, include appliances, and offer onsite maintenance. Austin Renaissance will accept requests for application packages by U.S. Mail postmarked no later than , September 15, 2021. Send or email a written request for an application package that includes your name, mailing address. Daytime telephone number, Email address, and the number of persons in your household to: Town Center Realty Group LLC, PO Box 64, Huntley IL 60142-0064 or Email requests to mrpaul.tcrg@gmail.com Application packages available by mail or email delivery only. No walk-ins accepted.

Town Center Realty Group LLC

Woodwork Restoration On-site refinishing of wood

and fiberglass since 1977.

Includes doors, woodwork, windows, staircases and new woodwork etc. All work done by hand. NO sanders. Your unfinished project my specialty!

References available.

Contact Terry Seamans at 630-379-7148 or terryseamans@yahoo.com

Reach the people making the decisions.

Place an ad in GCM Classified!

Call 773/626-6332

18

Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed separate bids will be received by the Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (the “Board”) for the following project: OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 97 SD97 - SUMMER 2022 LIFE SAFETY WORK IRVING, HATCH, WHITTIER OAK PARK, IL 60302 BID GROUP 1 – Early Mechanical Equipment Release Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. CST on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at the Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Administrative offices, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, and will be publicly opened and read at 2:30 p.m.

CST on that date. Bids shall be submitted in an opaque sealed envelope clearly marked: Oak Park Elementary School District 97 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 Attention: Bulley & Andrews Project: SD97 - SUMMER 2022 LIFE SAFETY WORK Scope of work for Bid Group 1 generally includes, furnish mechanical equipment.

All bids must be submitted in accordance with the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project. Bid security in the form of a bid bond in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the base bid amount shall be submitted with the bid. Should a bid bond be submitted, the bond shall be payable to the Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302. All documents and information required by the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project shall be submitted with the bid. Incomplete, late or non-conforming bids may not be accepted.

No bids shall be withdrawn, cancelled or modified after the time for opening of bids without the Board’s consent for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled time of bid opening.

The Bidding Documents for the project (which include the bidding instructions for the project and other related documents) will be available Wednesday December 15th, 2021 and are available for viewing/download online without cost or purchase on the Bulley & Andrews, LLC One Drive, located at the following link. No username or password is required. https://tinyurl.com/fuy5eare The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof, or waive any irregularities or informalities, and to make an award that in the Board’s sole opinion is in the best interest of the District.

The site will be available for visits by appointment to be coordinated with Bulley & Andrews, LLC. Interested parties may inspect the existing conditions. Schedule an appointment with Alex Mantel of Bulley & Andrews in advance if you wish to visit the sites.

All bidders must comply with applicable Illinois Law requiring the payment of prevailing wages by all Contractors working on public works. If during the time period of work, the prevailing wage rates change, the contractor shall be responsible for additional costs without any change to the contract amount.

All bidders must comply with the Illinois Statutory requirements regarding labor, including Equal Employment Opportunity Laws.

For additional information on the project, contact Alex Mantel of Bulley & Andrews, LLC at amantel@bulley.com or 219-6788383.

Dated: 12/13/21 Alex Mantel Bulley & Andrews, LLC Published in Wednesday Journal December 15, 22, 2021

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION DOCKET NUMBER: PC 22-01 HEARING DATE: January 6, 2022 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits LOCATION OF HEARING: The Plan Commission will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video.

The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/ commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT Uverse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7( e ) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an inperson public hearing is not practical due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Written testimony or comments regarding the application may be provided prior to the start of the public hearing by email to planning@oak-park.us. The individual’s name and a reasonable part of their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. If email is not an option, written testimony or comment can be dropped off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the south entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, to be received no later than 5:00 PM on January 6, 2022. All written testimony and comments will be distributed to the Plan Commission and made a part of the official hearing record. Those wishing to provide public testimony at the hearing must contact the Village Planner at planning@oak-park.us for instructions on attending the hearing live via Zoom by 5:00 PM the day of the hearing. Interested persons may also participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by emailing a completed cross-examination form to clerk@oakpark.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up.

Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner will receive an email from Village staff with information

about how to join the hearing online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone. Questions regarding written testimony, comment or cross examination may be directed by phone to 708-358.5420 or email planning@oak-park.us SUBJECT PROPERTY ADDRESSES: 201 Scoville Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: East Avenue: THAT PART OF EAST AVENUE LYING BETWEEN LAKE STREET AND ERIE STREET AND EAST OF LOTS 1 TO 6, BOTH INCLUSIVE, IN BLOCK 21 OF THE SUBDIVISION OF LOT 21 IN JAMES W. SCOVILLE’S SUBDIVISION RECORDED AS DOCUMENT NO. 450231 AND EAST OF VACATED ONTARIO STREET AND EAST OF LOTS 33 TO 43, BOTH INCLUSIVE, IN BLOCK 22 OF C.B. SCOVILLE’S SUBDIVISION OF LOT 22 IN JAMES W. SCOVILLE’S SUBDIVISION RECORDED AS DOCUMENT NO. 4779607, BOUNDED AND DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID LOT 33, ALSO BEING THE INTERSECTION OF THE WEST LINE OF LINDEN AVENUE WITH THE NORTHERLY LINE OF LAKE STREET; THENCE NORTH 01 DEGREE 32 MINUTES 34 SECONDS WEST, ON THE WEST LINE OF SAID EAST AVENUE, 1073.60 FEET TO THE SOUTH LINE OF ERIE STREET; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 18 MINUTES 52 SECONDS EAST ON THE EASTERLY EXTENSION OF THE SOUTH LINE OF ERIE STREET 40.00 FEET TO THE CENTER LINE OF EAST AVENUE; THENCE SOUTH 01 DEGREE 32 MINUTES 34 SECONDS EAST 930.00 FEET ON SAID CENTER LINE TO THE WESTERLY EXTENSION OF THE SOUTH LINE OF LOT 17 IN BLOCK 28 OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGELAND SUBDIVISION RECORDED MARCH 2, 1872 AS DOCUMENT NO. 16125; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 18 MINUTES 53 SECONDS EAST 40.00 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE EAST LINE OF EAST AVENUE; THENCE SOUTH 01 DEGREE 32 MINUTES 34 SECONDS EAST, ON SAID EAST LINE, 150.50 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE NORTHERLY LINE OF LAKE STREET;

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: Y21008380 on December 16, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of LOFTON SNOW REMOVAL with the business located at: 6127 S. UNIVERSITY SUITE 1058 CHICAGO, IL 60637. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: DARRONTE LOFTON 6947 S. NORMAL AVE CHICAGO, IL 60621, USA

at via Zoom: Meeting ID: 923 0250 9713 Password: 709022 Cook County in Courtroom # Cal. 6/ 1707

Published in Wednesday Journal December 22, 29 2021, January 5 2022

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of BABY GRAULAU 2021CONC001674.

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: BABY GRAULAU to the new name of: RICARDO LONGORIA The court date will be held: On February 2, 2022 at 10:30am

THENCE NORTH 86 DEGREES 45 MINUTES 18 SECONDS WEST ON SAID EXTENSION, 80.28 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, ALL IN THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. CONTAINING 48964 SQUARE FEET OR 1.124 ACRES, MORE OR LESS Linden Avenue: THAT PART OF EAST HALF OF LINDEN AVENUE LYING BETWEEN LAKE STREET AND ERIE STREET AND WEST OF LOTS 22 TO 32, BOTH INCLUSIVE, IN BLOCK 22 OF C.B. SCOVILLE’S SUBDIVISION OF LOT 22 IN JAMES W. SCOVILLE’S SUBDIVISION RECORDED AS DOCUMENT NO. 4779607 AND WEST OF LOTS 7 TO 12, BOTH INCLUSIVE, IN BLOCK 21 SUBDIVISION OF LOT 21 IN JAMES W. SCOVILLE’S SUBDIVISION RECORDED AS DOCUMENT NO. 450231 AND WEST OF ONTARIO STREET VACATED PER DOCUMENT NO. 18679926, BOUNDED AND DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SAID LOT 32, ALSO BEING THE INTERSECTION OF THE EAST LINE OF LINDEN AVENUE WITH THE NORTHERLY LINE OF LAKE STREET; THENCE NORTH 87 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 21 SECONDS WEST, BEING AN ASSUMED BEARING ON THE WESTERLY EXTENSION OF THE NORTHERLY LINE OF LAKE STREET, 17.03 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION WITH A LINE 17.0 FEET WEST OF AND PARALLEL WITH THE EAST LINE OF LINDEN AVENUE; THENCE NORTH 01 DEGREE 29 MINUTES 52 SECONDS WEST, ON SAID PARALLEL LINE, 62.76 FEET; THENCE NORTH 25 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 16.59 FEET; THENCE NORTH 01 DEGREE 32 MINUTES 22 SECONDS WEST 198.50 FEET; THENCE NORTH 20 DEGREES 24 MINUTES 23 SECONDS EAST 18.16 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION WITH A LINE 17.0 FEET WEST OF AND PARALLEL WITH THE EAST LINE OF LINDEN AVENUE; THENCE NORTH 01 DEGREE 29 MINUTES 52 SECONDS WEST, ON SAID PARALLEL LINE, 756.27 FEET TO THE INTERSECTION WITH THE

WESTERLY EXTENSION OF THE SOUTH LINE OF ERIE STREET; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 18 MINUTES 52 SECONDS WEST, ON SAID EXTENSION, 17.00 FEET TO THE EAST LINE OF LINDEN AVENUE; THENCE SOUTH 01 DEGREE 29 MINUTES 52 SECONDS EAST, ON SAID EAST LINE, 1050.70 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, ALL IN THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. CONTAINING 19290 SQUARE FEET OR 0.443 ACRES, MORE OR LESS PROPERTY OWNER: Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 PETITIONER(S): Fred Preuss, Director of Building and Grounds for Oak Park River Forest High School, School District #200; 201 Scoville Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 The Petitioner is REQUEST: requesting the vacation of the parcels described above along East Avenue between Lake Street and Ontario Street and along Linden Avenue between Lake Street and Ontario Street for existing use by the Oak Park River Forest School, School District #200 which includes general school use and various sports fields and tennis court use.

A copy of the application and each of the applicable documents are on the Village Website at www.oak-park.us and also on file and available for inspection at the Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during current business hours, Monday through Thursday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Plan Commission may continue the hearing to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

Anyone with questions about the application may contact the Village by phone at 708-358.5420 or by email at planning@oak-park.us.

ALL INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION Oak Park, Illinois 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal, December 22, 2021

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

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: Y21008331 on December 10, 2021. Under the Assumed Business Name of WORLD TRAVELER EXPERT with the business located at: 1009 FLORENCE AVE, EVANSTON, IL 60202. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: CHAN RICHARDSON 1009 FLORENCE AVE EVANSTON, IL 60202, USA. Published in Wednesday Journal December 22, 29, 2021, January 5, 2022

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF CSMC 2019-RPL11 TRUST Plaintiff, -v.THOMAS P. QUINN, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF VANESSA FUDGE (DECEASED), JOSEPH BERNARDI, VILLA OAKS CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF VANESSA FUDGE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2021 CH 00225 426 N. HARVEY AVENUE, UNIT #1SE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 18, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 20, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 030R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 426 N. HARVEY AVENUE, UNIT #1SE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-102-0201008 The real estate is improved with a condominium.

The judgment amount was $29,183.68.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, Alexander Potestivo, POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 263-0003.

Please refer to file number 313858.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610 Chicago IL, 60606 312-263-0003 E-Mail: ilpleadings@potestivolaw. com Attorney File No. 313858 Attorney Code. 43932 Case Number: 2021 CH 00225 TJSC#: 41-2661 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 # 2021 CH 00225 I3183852

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $417,344.71.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 291-1717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm..

Please refer to file number 19092500.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

LOGS Legal Group LLP 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301 Bannockburn IL, 60015 847-291-1717 E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com Attorney File No. 19-092500 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 19 CH 14891 TJSC#: 41-2041 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 # 19 CH 14891 I3182691

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS, INC., MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, MANA SERIES 2007-OAR4 Plaintiff, -v.ELLEN C. SCHNACK, RANDALL C. SCHNACK Defendants 19 CH 14891 626 NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 4, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 5, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 030R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 626 NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-319-0080000

Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

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(708) 366-8989 INC., REALTOR

7342 MADISON ST, FOREST PARK, ILLINOIS 60130

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Forest Park Review, December 22, 2021

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