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ForestParkReview.com Vol. 104, No. 52
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REVIEW
Forest Park Eats: Looking back on 2021 Page 10
DECEMBER 29, 2021
2021
Forest Park falls under Cook County mandate for vax proof
YEAR IN REVIEW
New rule applies to restaurants, bars, gyms, entertainment venues and more; measure takes effect Jan. 3
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Steve Rummel, left, and his son Owen Rummel, hang the Juneteenth flag on Monday, June 7, 2021, during a Juneteenth celebration at Village Hall in Forest Park.
By ANDY VIANO Editor
Beginning Jan. 3, anyone age 5 and older looking to dine, drink, work out or gather indoors in large groups in suburban Cook County must first show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, per a new order issued by the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) on Dec. 23. The order goes into effect the same day as a nearly identical order covering the city of Chicago. Four suburban Cook County townships with their own health departments — including Oak Park — are not impacted by the CCDPH order. Oak Park, however, indicated last week that it was likely to follow suit if the CCDPH took this action. The new order comes amid a dramatic increase in newly detected COVID-19 cases believed to be related to the arrival of the omicron variant, which has caused what CCDPH Co-Lead and Senior Medical OfSee COVID on page 5
2021: A fleeting return to normal The year began with optimism about a remarkable vaccine and the return of cherished local events, but ended with the worst COVID-19 surge yet By ANDY VIANO Editor
There was hope, overdue and long deserved, when the calendar turned from 2020 to 2021 and the world left behind one
IN Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 THIS Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 ISSUE Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
of the most turbulent, traumatic years in recent memory, something illustrated in this very space last December. Last year’s bitter and fraught political season was exacerbated by a pandemic that claimed hundreds of thousands of
Educator, redeveloper Don Offermann dies at 84 PAGE 4
American lives and stressed some of the country’s most vital institutions to their breaking point But December 2020 was a welcome See YEAR IN REVIEW on page 6
The Year in Photos PAGE 8
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Forest Park Review, December 29, 2021
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Forest Park Review, December 29, 2021
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A year that will go down in memory
he year 2021 began in grim fashion when Forest Park firefighter John Van Petten suddenly passed away on January 1st. The year also ended on a tragic note with the deaths of two of our police officers, Nicholas Kozak and Jose Flores. During sad times like these, we took lots of long walks. Walking is a way of gathering news. I stumbled on Tia Etu, an Oak Park artist, painting a surreal mural at 810 Beloit. I walked to Duffy’s Tavern, where I discovered the pleasures of day drinking. While I was there, I gathered information about Duffy’s late founder, Mike Trant. I wrote tributes to other fallen Forest Parkers, like Sarah Nutley. She was the wife of Ed’s Way owner, Ed Nutley and they were happily married for 65 years. Magdy Elpayaa, a longtime youth soccer coach in Forest Park, also touched many lives in town. A commemorative quilt was donated to Garfield School, honoring former principal, Ed Phillips, who passed away at 86. There were people to mourn but many others who had achievements to celebrate. Coast Guard Cadet Maeve Roach was commissioned by her father, Navy Captain Paul Roach, with an assist from President Joe Biden.
Retired Coast Guard Captain Thomas Marhevko had previously given Maeve and her class an assist by donating his gold Coast Guard ring to be melted down for the Class of 2021 rings. The Forest Parker also gave them a memorable speech about what life was like when he was a cadet in 1971. Brian Bell, who trained at the Roos Center, helped the U.S. Wheelchair Basketball Team capture gold at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Schauer’s Hardware was honored as the state’s “2021 Hardware All Star.” Al Maag, co-founder of the 16” Softball Hall of Fame, published The Greatest Game on Dirt, chronicling the game’s history from 1887 to 2021. He sold copies at our revived No Gloves Tournament. I published a detective book titled The Doll with the Sad Face. After it came out, I found a chapter was missing but readers assured me they didn’t miss the missing chapter. I also helped launch the San Miguel Messenger newspaper at a South Side Chicago middle school. While I was volunteering there, I was prompted to write a column of haikus to show I’m as creative as the San Miguel sixth-graders. I adopted the pseudonym, Katakana Gohan, which means “John Rice” in Japanese.
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Closer to home, I had the privilege of leading eighth-graders from Forest Park Middle School on a tour of Forest Home Cemetery. One student thanked me for, “telling me all about Forest Park and the people who changed the world.” I had another gig at Forest Home, when I portrayed millionaire William C. Grunow during the “Tale of the Tombstones” tour. Grunow wasn’t available to be interviewed but somehow wrote a column about his exploits. Speaking of exploits, I interviewed Mayor Rory Hoskins and his wife, Monique, about their epic journey to Mauritania. Mayor Hoskins later presided at the village’s first public menorah lighting, to mark the start of Hanukkah. Commissioner Joe Byrnes attended the lighting ceremony. Byrnes had previously visited the Healing Field in Oak Brook to honor FDNY firefighter Christopher Santora, who fell on 9/11. By complete coincidence, retired Forest Park firefighter Tom Matousek visited the Healing Field to honor Santora. Byrnes later donated a flag commemorating the young firefighter to our fire department. I also interviewed a dog named Scout who told me he needs vaccines to lead a normal life. Lastly, I learned from Ted Lasso to be curious, not judgmental. Good advice for the coming year.
T I M E
Spreading holiday cheer
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
By JILL WAGNER Contributor
The Forest Park Kiwanis and Forest Park Lions Club joined up to distribute 87 baskets to families on Christmas back in 1973, extending a tradition that started years earlier. The distributions included delivering food the week before Christmas and delivering wrapped toys on Christmas morning to families who needed the holiday boost. This tradition is still a north star practice in town.
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Deny Moran, Mayor Howard Mohr and Village Clerk Bill Mc Kenzie are shown loading up one of the trucks to distribute Kiwanis and Lions baskets in 1973.
Forest Park Review is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. © 2021 Growing Community Media NFP.
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Forest Park Review, December 29, 2021
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M E M O R I A M
Renowned educator, banker, community pillar dead at 84
Don Offermann went from track coach to superintendent at OPRF, later was instrumental in Forest Park redevelopment By ANDY VIANO
Forest High School in 1999, doing so by dropping a business card in front of Offermann at a restaurant and telling him, “Call me, I’ll Don Offermann, a revered and steady plan your future.” Offermann did just that and hand in River Forest, Forest went on to work at the bank for Park and Oak Park whose commore than two decades, eventumitment to service reverberated ally holding the title of vice presthrough the worlds of education, ident. Jones said he and Offerbanking, running and economic mann’s similar, if unorthodox, development, died Dec. 26 after a backgrounds, combined with the brief illness. He was 84 years old. small, local bank’s commitment Offermann’s two professional to its hometown, made for an careers — the first 41 as an edueasy transition from one career cator and the next 22 as a banker to another. — ran parallel to decades spent “People like Don and I looked grounded in his community, inDON OFFERMANN at banking not as bankers but as cluding the founding of a now a responsibility to be of service 53-year-old running club and his crucial role in a quiet but vital redevelop- to others,” Jones said. “From education ment effort that revived downtown Forest to the bank, we were both very conscious Park’s flagging business district in the early about who our customers were and what they expected.” 2000s. That mentality manifested as Windmill “He was someone who was admired and respected by a wide range of people,” Art Enterprises in the early 2000s, an effort Jones, one of Offermann’s former co-work- helmed by Jones, Offermann and a handful ers and development partners, said. “He of others who saw Forest Park’s once thrivwas a caring individual, he was admired by ing Madison Street in decline and decided to many and I feel grateful, frankly, that I did “walk our talk.” “We came to the conclusion that we were have an opportunity to work with him.” Jones, an educator turned banker like Of- asking others to invest in Forest Park’s fermann, said he was the one who recruited business district but we (as individuals) Offermann to Forest Park Bank just days af- haven’t,” Jones said. “We did all of that ter his retirement from Oak Park and River work outside of the bank and determined Editor
PHOTO BY JERRY VAINISI
Don and Verna Offermann raise a glass to the memory of Ernie, permanently preserved on his favorite stool at La Floridita in Havana.
COURTESY OF DOMINICAN UNIVERSIT
Don Offermann, Senior VP at Forest Park National Bank, and Sophia Lloyd, Executive Director of the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation that if we wanted others to come, we had to invest as well.” The men created Windmill and began to buy up key but underutilized properties in the business district, vet potential new owners, do some minor renovations and hand over the keys, all with the primary aim of helping Forest Park become a better place to live, work and do business. “What’s best for the community and how we can serve others,” Jones said of the Windmill ethos. “The fact that our [bank] ownership was so tied to the community also really made a difference.” Offermann himself explained the project’s mission in an interview with the Forest Park Review in 2012. “We bought up a number of underdeveloped properties,” he said. “We cleaned them up, fixed them up and got the right tenants.” Before his forays into banking and business, Offermann was an esteemed coach and educator who began his career at Chicago’s Luther High School in the late 1950s after graduating from Concordia University in River Forest. He would go on to earn masters and doctoral degrees from Loyola University in Chicago. Offermann arrived at Oak Park and River Forest High School as an English teacher in 1964, then replaced the legendary Roy Gummerson as head coach of the school’s track program in 1968. Offermann would later become chair of the school’s English department and go on to hold the joint roles of superintendent and principal before his retirement. The jobs were separated after Offermann left. One of his earliest pupils at OPRF was a precocious runner named Rich Brooks who would enjoy an acclaimed track career at the University of Illinois in the 1970s. It was Brooks and Offermann who unofficially began what was then the OW running group in
1968, when Brooks was a freshman in high school, as what started as a way for the two to run to-and-from the school and nearby Concordia University to train. The group derived its name from the spot where they would meet, outside Offermann’s house at the corner of Oak Avenue and William Street in River Forest. They became, jokingly at first, the OWies a few years later. After his career at Illinois, Brooks returned to the area where he and Offermann nurtured a lifelong friendship anchored by athletics, both in running and as doubles tennis partners. The pair, and later the growing roster of OWies, would meet in the early mornings for their thrice-weekly runs and Brooks said Offermann, even into his 80s, had the best attendance record of the group. “It’s a discipline and Don has always been a disciplined guy,” Brooks said. “The other thing that this running group had is conversation and camaraderie of purpose … once a runner, always a runner.” “I’m going to really miss him,” Brooks added. “They’re not that much older but [Offermann and his wife, Verna] became a second set of parents. We’d confide in them about stuff. We had a very special relationship and [my wife and I] are profoundly sad.” Paul Oppenheim is a member of the OWies and said that as he and Offermann aged, they ended up drifting toward the back of the running pack where they developed a close bond. Oppenheim said he and Offermann joked that “the caliber of the conversation in back was better than the riff-raff up front.” “He was an inspiration to all of us,” Oppenheim said. “A highly ethical, moral guy with a good sense of humor who didn’t pat himself on the back. He wanted to know about you but he didn’t want to talk about himself.” Offermann is survived by his wife Verna, their four children, Dan, Nancy, David and Monika, and 10 grandchildren.
Forest Park Review, December 29, 2021
COVID
Vax rule coming Jan. 3 from page 1 ficer Dr. Kiran Joshi called “a surge on top of a surge” that began with the arrival of the delta variant earlier this year and never fully receded. A staggering increase in infections in the last week-plus includes more than 3,500 new cases for three straight days Dec. 21-23, each one marking the highest single-day total since the start of the pandemic, which now stands at 3,974 (Dec. 22). “These numbers are beginning to mirror what we were seeing a year ago,” Joshi said, referencing what had been the virus’ peak of prevalence in November and December 2020. “We really are in the midst of a surge that compares to that last winter surge.” The rolling seven-day average for new cases recorded by the CCPDH was 3,237 as of Dec. 25, easily eclipsing last winter’s peak of 2,228 on Nov. 11, 2020, and the county. Joshi also said there was concern about how the surge in cases could impact hospital capacity, and a CCDPH press release said as of Dec. 23, just 10.8% of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds were available. In Forest Park, the village recorded 78 new COVID-19 cases during the week ending Dec. 27, part of a reported 163% increase in new infections in the last 14 days. Zip code specific data compiled by Northwestern Medicine also illustrates the rapid spread of
Free COVID-19 tests available in Forest Park At least two organizations are offering free COVID-19 testing in Forest Park with no appointment or insurance necessary. Northshore Clinical has two open locations, one at 321A S. Harlem Ave. and another at the former CVS Pharmacy, 7216 Circle Ave. Those clinics offer rapid tests and the more reliable PCR tests, which take up to several days to return results and are in short supply across the country. Northshore’s locations are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Another free clinic has been set up at 1527 S. Harlem Ave. and is operated by the Center for COVID Control, which also offers rapid and PCR testing, albeit the latter on a somewhat limited basis. That facility is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Center for COVID Control clinic recommends calling ahead at 224-269-2397 to confirm PCR tests are available.
COVID-19 in recent days, with the village’s seven-day average infection rate spiking to 9.7% as of Dec. 26, a nearly three-fold increase from just one week prior. A total of 1,870 Forest Parkers have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic and 34 have died, including three since Dec. 14, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. Vaccinated individuals, however, continue to enjoy robust protection against all variants of the virus. Omicron now represents more than 73% of new cases nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but there is no evidence that vaccinated individuals are any more susceptible to serious health complications caused by the new variant. CDC data continues to show that, overall, vaccinated individuals are five times less likely to become seriously ill due to COVID-19 and 14 times less likely to die. All three of the approved COVID-19 vaccines are widely available through pharmacies and medical providers in Cook County, and the vaccine is available free to anyone who wants one throughout the United States. All individuals age 5 and older are currently eligible for the vaccine. The new mitigation measures, which were announced by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the CCDPH’s two lead officials at a press conference, Joshi and Dr. Rachel Rubin, apply to “customers of indoor settings where food or drink are served for on-premises consumption, like restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues, and in fitness facilities.” Rubin read off a litany of locations where proof of full vaccination rules will apply, but in general the rule applies to any indoor space where people would be unmasked for anything other than a very brief period of time. A person is fully vaccinated, as defined by the CDC, when they are at least two weeks beyond the date they received the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Full vaccination does not include a booster shot as of Dec. 28, but Rubin said that if CDC guidance changes to require a booster, the local measure would change as well. There are some facility exceptions to the new rule, including houses of worship, schools (which set their own mitigation policies) and charitable locations like soup kitchens. Carry-out and delivery dining establishments are also not included in the new measure. The rule will take effect Jan. 3 to allow businesses time to organize their enforcement efforts. Employees of those establishments should also be vaccinated, according
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to the CCDPH, but any employee who is unvaccinated can continue to work provided they show proof of a negative COVID-19 test on at least a weekly basis. And while the order does not take effect until after the Christmas and New Year’s
they will enforce the new rules. The CCDPH will enforce the new policy using its on-staff health inspectors, called sanitarians, for routine compliance checks, and by responding to complaints. As the CCDPH is doing to enforce the statewide
holidays, Joshi said businesses could put their own rules in place sooner and “we encourage businesses to do that.” “We are definitely encouraging businesses to reconsider large New Year’s Eve and other events during the holiday season,” Rubin added. “We do not encourage large gatherings over the holidays, especially with unvaccinated individuals.” In order to comply with the new rule, customers do not necessarily need to show their physical CDC COVID-19 vaccine card. Digital photos of the card, a copy of another immunization record or an app that shows proof of vaccination are all acceptable. All forms of proof of the vaccine must be accompanied by a second form of identification, however, to verify the person’s identity. Businesses, for their part, must post signage at every entrance informing customers of the policy. Those businesses are also mandated to create a written policy for how
mask mandate, Rubin said businesses would first be contacted directly and given guidance on how to comply, but that information on repeat offenders would be shared with the state attorney’s office. Asked if she was concerned that businesses would be reluctant to comply with the new measures, Preckwinkle said it was in everyone’s best interest to do their part to push through the latest surge in cases. “We’re in the midst of a healthcare crisis and everyone has to row,” she said, adding that the county did not want to force businesses to close temporarily, as it had during pre-vaccine spikes. “We hope that people will comply,” she added later. “It’s in their interest, it’s in the interest of their customers … I’m hopeful that the overwhelming majority of those businesses that are in these categories will comply.”
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Forest Park Review, December 29, 2021
YEAR IN REVIEW
Some normalcy returns
if it never does, the year in our rearview mirror is a reminder that Forest Parkers are resilient, responsible and determined to make the best of whatever is to come.
from page 1
COVID ebbs, then flows
breath of fresh air. The election came and went, mostly without major incident (the Jan. 6 attack, despite how it might feel, actually happened in 2021), and the scientific breakthroughs that led to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine months earlier than predicted gave us all a sense that the end was in sight. And for a while, it felt like it was (the deadly U.S. Capitol riot notwithstanding). Businesses reopened in full, many schools did too, and as more and more friends and neighbors signed up for the jab, and later booster shots, hospitalizations went down and months of isolation IN lifted. It was to be the summer of COVID-free love and celebration. In Forest Park, things did, to some degree, return to normal. There were hiccups along the way, of course, but it was hard to argue that things weren’t better, at least, than they were a year earlier. As detailed in this very newspaper, however, the end of 2021 has brought with it the roaring and unwelcome return of COVID-19, along with another round of onerous but necessary safety restrictions. Hospitals are filling up again. Tragically, people are
New COVID-19 infections had already declined precipitously from their then-pandemic peak in November and December 2020 by the time the calendar rolled over to January 2021. By mid-summer, the virus had nearly stopped circulating altogether in the area, with the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) reporting as few as 23 cases in a single day in early July. Then the highly contagious delta variant, first discovered in the United States in March and by far the dominant variant by late summer, started to spread widely in Forest Park and the surrounding area. By the end of August, Gov. JB Pritzker had reinstituted a statewide mask mandate and cases began increasing, albeit nowhere near the levels experienced late last year. Then the omicron variant took hold and sparked what is thus far the worst outbreak of COVID-19 in Cook County and which likely has not peaked yet. Those 20-some cases in a single day in June and July have been replaced by more than 4,000 cases in a single day last week in the county. Forest Parkers have started to feel the painful impact, too. After reporting just four deaths attributed to COVID-19 between Jan. 4 and Dec. 13, three Forest Park residents have died since then, including a 28-year-old woman who died on Dec. 26. The silver lining, if there is one, for Forest Park is that the village has been at the forefront of vaccinating its residents since the vaccines first became widely available. In March, the county’s health department operated a massive vaccine clinic ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer at the site of the former HOBO Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins listens to Gov. JB store, 7630 Roosevelt Rd., that Pritzker speak on Monday, March 22, 2021, during a helped residents get a leg up, and when the vaccine was appress conference at the mass COVID-19 vaccination proved for kids, the village site at the former HOBO building on Roosevelt Road in and School District 91 quickly Forest Park. set up two more clinics at D91 schools to vaccinate children. The American Legion got into the act too, dying again. And as the calendar turns to hosting its own vaccine clinic in mid-No2022, optimism has been broadly replaced vember. by a renewed sense of dread and mounting By Dec. 28, Forest Park’s overall vaccinafrustration. tion rate was 83.6% with at least one dose And perhaps it’s helpful, then, to look and 63% with a full vaccine series. Both back at all that did happen in 2021, the good numbers are better than the county, state and the bad, and remind ourselves that and national averages. something like normal is possible, perhaps even likely, in the year to come, words written with full awareness that they could Major events return come back to haunt their author at this time in 2022. A year after some of Forest Park’s biggest Normal is coming, probably, and even events went on COVID hiatus, most of them
2021 YEAR REVIEW
managed to return this year, even if they didn’t always feel the way they did before 2020. The Park District of Forest Park’s popular pool opened for guests again in late May and crowds flocked to dive into some summer fun, along with the return of the annual Juneteenth Pool Party. The park dis-
point, either, coming out in record numbers, crowding together shoulder-to-shoulder on Beloit Avenue as the caskets raced by. Then this month, the chamber brought its other signature event back, too, resuming the Holiday Walk to a strong if slightly muted and somewhat masked turnout. Other returning events included Ribfest firing up the grills after a year away and the popular Garage Galleries back in the garages where it belongs.
Renewed hope for old plans There was plenty of non-pandemic news in Forest Park, too, especially during the spring, summer and early fall, before the delta ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer and omicron variants sounded alarm Kids line up to ride the waterslides on Saturday, June 19, 2021, bells. during the annual Juneteenth Pool Party at the Park District of For Forest Park’s Forest Park pool. leaders, that included a chance to dust trict’s spray pad opened too, a remnant of off plans for two long-awaited projects. 2020, and inspired a major renovation that Twenty or so years after the village first is scheduled to be ready by the summer of bought the property, the wrecking balls fi2022. nally came for the derelict buildings on the And the park district’s biggest event of land that once included the sprawling Althe summer, the No Glove Nationals softtenheim retirement community. Altenheim ball tournament returned to huge crowds continues to operate as an assisted living in July. facility on an adjacent parcel. Meanwhile, the Forest Park Chamber of The demolition was possible thanks to Commerce arrived back on the event scene a grant awarded to the village in 2020 and, with the 2021 Casket Races billed as a comwhile encouraging, the buildings coming ing out party for residents who had stayed down is still a very early step in the process generally safe and separate for the prior of creating whatever the future looks like 18 months. Forest Parkers did not disapand determining who is going to make those
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Thunder third basemen Anthony Stacey (8) catches a throw to third on Friday, July 23, 2021, during a game against Chicago Dynasty at the No Glove Nationals 16-inch softball tournament at the Park District of Forest Park.
Forest Park Review, December 29, 2021 had previously served in municipal government in rural Wadsworth in Lake County. Gillian, a fixture in Forest Park, didn’t stay out of public service for long, however. He was appointed to the park district board in late 2021 to fill a seat vacated by Matt Walsh, who made news when he was elected to the board in 2013 at just 20 years old. The village also swore in a new public works director, Sal Stella, and a new commissioner, former Review editor Maria Maxham, who was tabbed to replace Dan Novak in July.
‘Raucous’ behavior on Madison Street
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Construction crew members remove the Altenheim chapel spire on April 26. decisions. A consultant on retainer with the village strongly recommended the council engage the public in the process at a meeting late this year but, as of now, no public discussions are on the calendar. And speaking of long-awaited projects, the passage of a $1 trillion federal infrastructure package has given renewed hope to local leaders, including Mayor Rory Hoskins, who have been pushing for a major renovation of the Eisenhower Expressway for decades. There may be more clarity coming in 2022 once those federal funds are dispersed to the states and the Illinois Department of Transportation IN decides what projects to priori-
YEAR REVIEW
tize, but a long-tabled proposal to reimagine commuter travel on and around the Ike — including the Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line and its terminal in Forest Park — is as likely now as it has ever been, including in the eyes of several local leaders who held a press conference in November to push the plan ahead.
New faces in lots of new places Retirements and resignations of longserving public officials has been somewhat of a trend in recent years in Forest Park, as new blood in the mayor’s office, park district, library and elsewhere is still relatively fresh, albeit not new in 2021. This year did, however, see plenty of its own new hires. In School District 91, Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez was plucked from Chicago Public Schools to take the helm of Forest Park’s elementary and middle schools and has been an honest and enthusiastic leader in less than a year on the job. Alvarez has helped the district navigate this year’s pandemic challenges while also outlining a multi-year
the Proviso Math and Science Academy, parental complaints have been raised about everything from school safety — there has been a rash of violent confrontations on school grounds — to mental health staff, facility concerns and tech support, all while the Proviso Teachers Union works without a contract in place for the 2021-22 school year. On the school board, member Claudia Medina took the dramatic step of filing a lawsuit against Henderson and her fellow board members after she claims they defamed her in a mailer sent out to district parents. The lawsuit alleges the mailer was authored by board president Rodney Alexander and paid
It was only early March when Forest Park’s mayor bemoaned a “raucous Saturday night” on Madison Street that included underage drinking, public urination and multiple noise and capacity violations. By the summer, with law enforcement routinely called to crack down on unruly behavior, Hoskins and the village council were striking back. In May, the council forced bars to close early and put restrictions on live enterALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer tainment that have only been rolled back in recent weeks, and police have been vig- Newly appointed deputy police chief Chris ilant in controlling behavior on the street Chin stands in front of other officers on on a nightly basis. The mayor, in his capacity as liquor Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, during a swearing in commissioner, also revoked the liquor ceremony at the Village of Forest Park. licenses of several establishments, including Forest Park Tap Room, which for by district funds. currently has an appeal pending in front of Alexander, meanwhile, was embroiled the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. Another bar, at the center of another controversy late Lantern Haus, had its li- this year when he made the unilateral decense temporarily suspend- cision to stop livestreaming school board ed, and a third, Pioneer Tap, meetings. That action led two board memwas brought before the vil- bers — Medina and Amanda Grant — to lage liquor commission be- hold listening sessions where parents fore being cleared of wrong- and staff aired an array of grievances. Alexander later reversed that decision doing. The village also revoked and livestreaming has since resumed.
plan to turn around flagging test scores and enrollment in the district with the support of an active school board. Meanwhile, the Forest Park Police Department still has many of the same names on the roster but with new titles for those in leadership. Former Chief Tom Aftanas retired in the fall and suggested his deputy, Ken Gross, replace him. The mayor and village council obliged, without an external search, and promoted Gross, a veteran of more than 20 years in the department, to the top job late this year. In his first act, Gross c h o s e C h r i s Chin as the liquor license of the his deputy chief, the Urban Pioneer Group, first Asian-American which at the time operto ascend to the posiated a private event space. tion in department history. Another glass ceiling Internal conflict riles was shattered down District 209 board, staff the hall at the Forest Park Fire Department where Lindsay HanA new superintendent, kus, a decorated triJames Henderson, arrived athlete in addition to at Proviso Township School being a 16-year veteran District 209 in 2020 and his ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer of the department, was second year on the job has promoted to lieuten- Lt. Lindsey Hankus shakes hands been marred by very pubant. Hankus is believed with Mayor Rory Hoskins at her lic and highly contentious to be the highest-rankfights that have played out swearing-in at the Forest Park ing woman the departFire Department Friday, Oct. 15, at a series of lengthy school ment has ever had. board meetings. At village hall, long- 2021 Henderson and the school time administrator board authorized a major Tim Gillian retired staff reorganization that ruffled feathers from his post in the spring after sticking among staff and some families at the start around longer than first anticipated as the of this school year, and since the doors have search for his successor dragged on. Even- opened at Proviso East, Proviso West and tually, the village hired Moses Amidei, who
2021
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Police rocked by sudden losses Newly appointed Chief of Police Ken Gross had been preparing for his new job for 20 years but nothing could have prepared him for a tragic first few months on the job. After going years without losing an active police officer, Nick Kozak died suddenly the weekend after Thanksgiving, just days after he was diagnosed with COVID-19. Then, on the same day Kozak was laid to rest, Jose “Pepe” Flores was found dead at his home when he didn’t arrive for an overnight work shift. No details have been released on the cause of either death as of Dec. 29 but foul play is not suspected in either case. Nonetheless, the losses rocked the small department and left both logistical and emotional challenges for the officers who remained on the job. Gross, in an understatement, called it “a very hard time” for Forest Park’s police.
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Forest Park Review, December 29, 2021
1 2 ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Remember this? 1. Village workers plant a tree near the sidewalk on Friday, April 30, 2021, during a tree planting for Arbor Day outside of Field Stevenson Elementary School. 2. Twins Jason and Jaxon Epps, of Maywood, hunt for candy and Easter eggs together on Saturday, March 27, 2021, during the park district’s annual Easter egg hunt. 3. A skateboarder performs a trick on the new equipment on Friday, June 4, 2021, at the Forest Park Skatepark
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Forest Park Review, December 29, 2021
December 29-January 5
BIG WEEK Noon Year’s Eve Ring in the (almost) new year with a kid-centric virtual celebration hosted by the River Forest Public Library, 735 Lathrop Ave., during one of three 30-minute sessions on Friday, Dec. 31. Babies, toddlers and little ones up to fourth grade, along with their caregivers, regivers, are invited to celebrate the end of 2021 by taking part in activities and crafts with a festive flair. Sessions begin at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 2:30 p.m. A video countdown will be available on YouTube. ry.librarymarket.com. Pre-registration is requested at riverforestlibrary.librarymarket.com. Kids and their adults are asked to register for one session only. ry beginning Dec. 30. Supplies can be picked up at the library
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New Year’s Resolution Walk Get outdoors to start the new year with a guided walk stepping off from the Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave. in River Forest, on Sunday, Jan. 2 at 1:30 p.m. Take advantage of one of your first chances to fulfill that 2022 resolution to be more active by exploring Thatcher Woods on what the museum bills as a brisk walk on the nearby trails. This event is only for adults age 18 and older and pre-registration is required by calling 708-366-6530. All visitors must wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status, when indoors.
Creative Open Gym Join “artists, dabblers, creators, crafters or just someone who wants to chill, chat and explore art” at this event hosted by The Outta Space, 6840 S. 32nd St. in Berwyn, on Tuesday, Jan. 4 from 7 p.m. to midnight. Attendees can bring their own arts and crafts supplies for a personal project, or just drop in and mess around with the supplies provided. And if being hands-on isn’t your thing, there’s always an open bar. A $5 donation is suggested.
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.
Thank you for being a friend! Wednesday Journal is celebrating
Betty White's 100th Birthday She was born in Oak Park on January 17, 1922. Advertise your business and your "Betty Birthday Specials" in this commemorative section which will be in print on January 12, 2022. Contact: Lourdes@oakpark.com 708-613-3329 or Marc@oakpark.com 708-613-3330
“It’s you girl and you should know it!”
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Forest Park Review, December 29, 2021
YEAR IN REVIEW 2021
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Courtesy Melissa Elsmo
Forest Park Eats: Looking back on 2021’s delicious moments
N
o doubt about it, 2021 was a year of resilience and perseverance for our collection of local eateries. Despite rising food costs, significant labor shortages and customer hesitancy, restaurants in our Eats communities have proven to be adaptive and nimble in the face of extended challenges. Thanks to passionate community members, resourceful owners, and collaborative efforts we have rallied around our restaurants. In response they have kept thing things downright delicious in our little food-focused alcove. We know the struggles are not over for our independent eateries, but showing our support is the best way to help them through the long winter. Let’s look ahead with anticipa-
MELISSA ELSMO Food Editor
tion as we enjoy this look back at eight of our favorite bites this year.
1) Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich from Gaetano’s, Forest Park: We have become
deeply obsessed with this artisan sandwich from Chef Gaetano’s Artisan Foods, 7636 Madison St. Layers and layers of thinly sliced eggplant, slathered in tomato sauce, and garnished with fresh basil leaves are nestled on house-made artisan bread. The hearty vegetarian sandwich is served cold and should be eaten with two hands. This lunch delivers in a big way.
Made Award. Despite the accolades, Jacques Shalo, owner of the flagship shop at 7324 Madison St., remains focused on his Cameroonian coffee farm and serving the communities he loves. Every sip of Kribi coffee is sublime and a conversation with Jacques makes it even more enjoyable.
4) Hummus from Petra Falafel, Forest Park:
2) Duck Confit from Babygold Barbecue, Berwyn: Popular pork belly, smoked turkey
Hummus has become a grocery store convenience purchase for most people, but fans of Petra Falafel, 7314 Madison St., clamor for their version of the chickpea puree. The super smooth appetizer is drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with spices—it is the best the area has to offer.
and brisket are always on the menu at Babygold Barbecue, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd., but plated specials are only available in the dining room. The smoked duck confit over dirty couscous we savored during the restaurant’s soft opening brought a refined energy to the regular offerings and was easily a top three dish of 2021. Dine in at the music venue and the menu is sure to take you by surprise.
sion restaurant, arrived in late summer. Bee and Sinchai Suptaveeying, the husbandand-wife duo behind the restaurant, 819 S. Harlem Ave., are serving dishes born out of family ties and decades spent working in the culinary industry. Their colorful crudo is elevated by wakame and black salt.
named among the ten best coffee shops by Chicago Social and earned a coveted Illinois
of Starship Restaurant, tastes every batch of soup that goes into the freezers at Star-
3) Coffee and conversation at Kribi Coffee, Forest Park: In 2021 alone Kribi Coffee was
5) Crudo from White Crane Creative Thai and Sushi, Forest Park: This Thai-Japanese fu-
6) Soups from the freezer at Starship Restaurant, Forest Park: Henry Laskowski, co-owner
ship, 7618 Madison St. In addition to offering a rotating menu of 5-6 hot soups daily, Laskowski’s freezer cases hold 80 varieties of grab-and-go soup at all times. While the soups are available in the summer months, they are especially popular when the weather turns cold. Be sure to keep some of his Resurrection Chicken Soup on hand.
7) Chive Dumplings from Habraé’, Forest Park:
Habraé’ has a rotating arsenal of more than 50 Thai sweets that keep adventurous dessert lovers happy, but dabbling on the savory side of the menu has big rewards. HabGuichai Tod are garlic chive dumplings prized for their chewy interior and crunch exterior.
8) Valentine’s Day Cake Pops from Twisted Cookie, Forest Park: Twisted Cookie, 7401
Madison St., presented generously sized cake sticks decorated to honor Valentine’s Day. We couldn’t get enough of chocolate cake slices topped with decadent whipped chocolate ganache and dipped in a chocolate coating emblazoned with messages of love or sprinkled with red candy hearts. Let’s be honest though—every day feels like a holiday at the Forest Park sweet shop!
Forest Park Review, December 29, 2021
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OPINION O U R
V I E W
Don Offermann’s legacy
R
iver Forest, Forest Park and Oak Park have lost a true gentleman with the death over Christmas of Don Offermann. Where do you know Don Offermann
from? Maybe you were in his English class at Oak Park and River Forest High School starting in the 1960s or on a track team that he coached with passion and empathy. He rose up the ranks at OPRF serving as English Division Chair, principal and then, because he was a healer, he was named superintendent to replace a deeply unpopular and controversial leader who was pushed out the door. You might know Offermann if you have any ties to Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest where he was an elder of welcoming and abiding faith. He served on the boards of local nonprofits too numerous to list but including West Suburban Hospital during one of its perilous ownership transitions. He was the casual cofounder of a local group of runners, the OWies, which marked its 50th anniversary not long ago. Why OWies? Because it started when Offermann and a former track team member started running together in the early mornings and began each run just outside Offermann’s house at Oak and William in River Forest. After his retirement from OPRF, Offermann was snapped up for a second career in community banking by Art Jones, another gentlemanly retired superintendent, who had landed as a community connector at locally owned Forest Park Bank. Jones, Offermann and one or two other Forest Parkers played a quiet but vital role in the rejuvenation of Madison Street when they formed the Windmills, a small LLC which began to acquire key but long vacant parcels along the street. To say they were patient investors is an understatement. They held retail spaces open by the months and years waiting for the right tenant, almost always independent, local and female led. Gracious, smart, kind, loyal. You could go on for a while listing Don Offermann’s virtues. He lived with intention and purpose. He made these three towns, his hometowns, better places. And he will be deeply missed.
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Ten top religion stories in 2021
he pandemic affected religion in Forest Park as much as it changed the way we relate to friends, family and work. Faith communities in town experimented with services, going hybrid, i.e. partly in person and partly online. As far as I know, all congregations have opened their doors to in-person worship and have tried to mitigate the risk of becoming a super-spreader by mandating social distancing, and/or mask-wearing, and/or registering in advance to enable a limited number of people in the pews, and/or broadcasting the service online. It looks like most meetings and Bible studies are stilling happening on platforms like Zoom. What is amazing to me is that attendance — virtual plus in-person — for some congregations has not gone down. Church leaders are asking, “Is virtual worship, at least for some members, here to stay?” The temptation to “go to church” in your pajamas can be attractive. Is there something, however, essential to faith that requires face-to-face participation in a worshiping community?
TOM HOLMES
St. Bernardine partners with St. Luke Faced with declining worship attendance and money in the offering basket, the Archdiocese of Chicago has paired St. Bernardine Catholic Church here in Forest Park with St. Luke in River Forest to form one parish. Fr. Stan, who was the pastor of St. B, has been named the pastor of the new organizational structure. St. Bernardine has retained a Saturday evening Mass, but has gone from two to one on Sunday morning. The Catholic Church, it should be noted, has what is called an ecclesiastical polity, i.e. a decision-making structure which is top-down, as opposed to most Protestant churches which have a congregation polity, bottom-up.
Big transition at St. Paul Thai The Rev. Dr. Pongsak Limthongviratn, the pastor of the Thai congregation that moved to the white stucco church on Dixon Street in 1992, is retiring after leading the immigrant faith community for 30 years. Succeeding Rev. Pongsak is a team of two part-time pastors. Rev. David Mercurio, a Caucasian, and Pongtep Chutimapongrat, a Thai, will share the spiritual leadership of the congregation. Mercurio’s day job is an investment banker and Pongtep will work half-time with a ministry in Thailand and half his time in Forest Park.
Rev. Dr. Timothy Hein After something like a two-year wait, Forest Park Baptist Church finally greeted a new pastor. Rev. Hein is hard to put in a box. He has one degree from a conservative seminary in the South and a PhD from the University of Edinburgh. And his wife is from a family from India who were missionaries in Africa!
Decline of corporate franchise churches, increase of mom-andpop congregations If you think of faith denominations as corporate franchises, they are on the decline. Gone are two ELCA, one Presby-
terian, one Methodist, and one UCC congregations. And the two remaining — St. Bernardine Catholic and St. John Lutheran, LCMS — have both had to close their schools and shrunk significantly in membership. Forest Park Baptist never had a school but is also smaller than it was 50 years ago. Replacing them have been what I’ll call “mom-and-pop” churches, which, like many businesses on Madison Street, are independent and small. All have been led or even owned by ministers who are Black or Brown. The exception is Rev. Bill Winston who pastors two mega-churches, one in Forest Park and one in Tuskegee, Alabama, and owns malls in both towns.
Rev. Bill Teague’s involvement in the community
Since his retirement several years ago, Rev. Bill Teague, the pastor of Hope Tabernacle, has become very active in the community. His biggest commitment is being executive director of the PTMAN (Proviso Township Ministerial Alliance Network), an organization of Proviso Black pastors “committed to leveraging our influence to bring about rectification to the systemic issues, and to bridge the communications gap between the community, elected officials and those appointed to serve the community by securing resources for the prosperity of the community.”
Out-of-the-box ministers Lendell Richardson is a medical doctor who is also a parttime minister at St. Bernardine called a permanent lay deacon. David Mercurio is a banker who serves part-time as the Thai church’s pastor. Ron Riley didn’t go to seminary until he retired as a Cook County public guardian. Jeff Russell is a barber by trade who is now going to seminary.
Systemic secularism The Christian Church is growing south of the equator, but in Europe and North America it is experiencing a steep decline, as Western culture becomes increasing secular. The decline in attendance and giving in area churches explains in part the increase in out-of-the-box ministries and the decrease in denominational franchises.
Housing Forward changes models Housing Forward isn’t a church organization per se, but if it weren’t for the thousand volunteers who come mostly from area churches, the nonprofit would cease to exist. The old model, which worked for decades, included churches and a synagogue rotating as overnight sites and volunteers from faith communities serving meals and setting up the sites. Now with a single site model, Housing Forward needs volunteers to reframe how they serve.
Justice, prosperity, and a personal relationship with God Granted, this is an oversimplification, but conservative churches tend to focus on a person’s personal relationship with God, liberal churches tend to emphasize a concern for justice, and Living Word Christian Center is known for emphasizing prosperity. In practice it’s more complicated than that, of course, but still the distinctions are helpful.
12 Forest Park Review, December 29, 2021
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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. 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.
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. PART-TIME COMMUNITY SERVICE COORDINATOR The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Part-Time Community Service Coordinator (up to 10-15 hrs./week) in the Adjudication Department. Thisperson monitors individuals who have been ordered to provide community service in the Village, coordinates with organizations that provide community service opportunities, etc. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park. us/jobs. Open until filled. Civil Engineer 2 - TranSystems, Chicago, IL. Work as a Senior Drainage Engineer in roadway, highway, structural, and transit engineering projects. Professional Engineer License required. Travel required 10% of the time. Apply at www.transystems.com, Job Code# 1155. EOE
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.
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.
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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
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HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING
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Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery. 708-848-9404
OAK PARK & FOREST PARK
MMpropMgmt.com
Restored or Restored or Unrestored Unrestored
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.
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
A 1,635 Sq. Ft. Retail Space for Lease (END CAP) Recently Updated/remodeled. Heavy traffic area. **Discounted Rate-Limited Time! If Leave message, Include: Your Name, Number & Type of Business. TEXT or CALL: (708)828-6491
Small & big work. Free estimates. Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services
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Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years
WOODWORK Terry's
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
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Forest Park Review, December 29, 2021
CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICES 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 Published in Wednesday Journal December 22, 29 2021, January 5 2022
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
PUBLIC NOTICE BID NOTICE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP Youth Services Electronic Health Records System The Township of Oak Park does hereby invite bids for the furnishing of (1) Electronic Health Records System for the Youth Services Department that is HIPPA compliant For details and specifications, please see www.oakparktownship. org or call Megan Traficano, Youth Services Director at 708-445-2727 ext. 130. Published in Wednesday Journal December 29, 2021
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield, Illinois that bid proposals will be received for the following projects: 2022 SEWER CLEANING AND TELEVISING PROGRAM The services for this contract shall consist of work necessary to thoroughly clean and televise approximately 110,000’ of the sewer system in various locations throughout the Village of Brookfield. The services shall include sewer cleaning, television inspection, removal of waste and other necessary work to properly complete this project in accordance with the specifications and bidding documents. Sealed bids will be received up to the hour of 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, the 12th day of January, 2022, in the office of the Village Manager in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. All sealed bids received will be publicly opened and read at 10:00 A.M. on the same day,
BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG
PUBLIC NOTICES Wednesday, the 12th day of January, 2022, at the Village Hall. All bid proposals offered must be accompanied by a bid bond in an amount not be less than Five Percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid or a cashier’s check or certified check, made payable to the Order of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield and in an amount not less than Five Percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid, as a guarantee that if the bid proposal is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured. No bid proposal shall be considered unless accompanied by such bid bond or check. Any bidder in doubt as to the true meaning of any part of the bidding documents may request an interpretation thereof from the Village. The bidder requesting the interpretation shall be responsible for its prompt delivery. At the request of the bidder, or in the event that the Village deems the interpretation to be substantive, the interpretation will be made by written addendum duly issued by the Village. In the event that a written addendum is issued, either as a result of a request for interpretation or the result of a change in the bidding documents issued by the Village, a copy of such addendum will be mailed to all prospective bidders. The Village will not assume responsibility for receipt of such addendum. In all cases it will be the bidders’ responsibility to obtain all addenda issued. The Contractor and Subcontractor shall comply with all regulations issued pursuant to Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130), and other applicable Federal Laws and regulations pertaining to labor standards. The Village of Brookfield reserves the rights to determine the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, to waive irregularities, and to reject any or all bid proposals. BY ORDER THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS Published in RB Landmark December 29, 2021
PUBLIC NOTICE BINA Notice The President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois will hold a public hearing on January 10, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. The hearing will be held in the Community Room of the Municipal Center, 400 Park Avenue, in River Forest, Illinois. The purpose of the hearing will be to receive public comments on the proposal to sell general obligation limited tax bonds, in an amount not to exceed $550,000, to pay for public infrastructure projects within the Village, payable from non referendum bond proceeds in accordance with provisions of Section 8-5-16 of the Municipal Code, which will not exceed one half of one percent of the assessed value of all taxable property located within the Village. By: /s/ Jonathan Keller Title: Village Clerk Published in Wednesday Journal December 29, 2021
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
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 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 or-
der 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 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. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 2005419IL_615363 Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 12 CH 25204 TJSC#: 41-3006 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 # 12 CH 25204 I3184301
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.RASHINDA PLUMP, WAVERLY CLARK, JR, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, WAVERLY CLARK, JR., INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATOR Defendants 12 CH 25204 1187 SOUTH HIGHLAND PARK OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 11, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 28, 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 1187 SOUTH HIGHLAND PARK, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-325-0470000 The real estate is improved with a one story two unit brick building with no garage. 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.
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Forest Park Review, December 29, 2021
O B I T U A R I E S
(708) 366-8989 INC., REALTOR
7342 MADISON ST, FOREST PARK, ILLINOIS 60130
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Happy Holidays Your Friends at Forest Park Review
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Forest Park Review, December 29, 2021
WE’RE BY YOUR SIDE 310 N Cuyler Ave Oak Park | $649,900 Patricia McGowan
428 S Grove Ave Oak Park | $599,000 Hannah Gillespie
1133 Elgin Ave Forest Park | $599,000 Roman Lewis
631 Marengo Ave Forest Park | $525,000 Cathy Yanda
830 N Euclid Ave Oak Park | $519,000 Jack Lane
2521 Nelson Sq Westchester | $490,000 Bethanny Alexander
738 Woodbine Ave Oak Park | $479,000 Hannah Gillespie
934 Thomas Ave Forest Park | $419,000 Bethanny Alexander
2536 Clinton Ave Berwyn | $405,000 The Dita Group
101 N Euclid Ave #19 Oak Park | $379,000 Ann Keeney
812 Lathrop Ave Forest Park | $365,000 Swati Saxena
130 Frank Lloyd Wright Ln Oak Park | $344,000 Bobbi Eastman
909 Marengo Ave Forest Park | $329,900 Roman Lewis
1176 S Harvey Ave Oak Park | $240,000 Amy Harris
1128 N Harlem Ave Unit C River Forest | $235,900 Patricia McGowan
3001 N Oriole Ave #102 Chicago | $209,000 Bobbi Eastman
1435 Harlem Ave Forest Park | $199,000 Swati Saxena
1040 Ontario St #2G Oak Park | $175,000 Catherine Simon-Vobornik
844 Harvard St #3 Oak Park | $170,000 Bobbi Eastman
417 Wisconsin Ave #2W Oak Park | $125,000 Elizabeth O’Connell
Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest | 1037 Chicago Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302 | 708.697.5900 | oakpark.bairdwarner.com Source: BrokerMetrics® LLC, 1/1/2019 - 12/ 31/2019Detached and Attached only. Chicagoland PMSA