Forest Park Review 032024

Dave Novak, former park district director, dies at 73 Novak worked for the park district for 33 years and played an instrumental role in th e village’s annual No Glove Nationals

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Dave Novak, Forest Park resident and longtime employee of the Park District of Forest Park, died Tuesday at age 73. Novak was on a Cayman Islands cruise, snorkeling over a shipwreck, when he had a fatal accident, according to his son, Dan Novak.

Novak is survived by his wife, Carol, sons Dan and Nicholas Novak, and six grandchildren. He was a beloved member of the Forest Park community.

Novak grew up in Riverside and attended RiversideBrookfield High School. He graduated from Southern Illinois University with a de gree in recreation administration. A year after graduating, he became the softball league supervisor at Forest Park’s park district.

From 1975 to 1983, Novak was the park district’s superintendent of recreation. He then became director.

See DAVE NOVAK on pa ge 16

Forest Park joi

e network will assist the village in emergencies and disasters, and will do the same for other towns

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

In the western suburbs June 2022, there was a microburst, a column of air with high wind speeds that occurs during intense thunderstorms. The microburst, which Sal Stella, Forest Park’s director of public works, calls a “mini tornado,” hit surrounding villages, but missed Forest Park

“Every town around us got destroyed There were trees down everywhere. People lost power for days. It was overwhelming for a lot of communities that didn’t have the manpower and the equipment to take care of the trees,” Stella said.

So Stella lent the village’s chipper truck to North Riverside for more than a month after the village asked for help in clearing fallen trees.

“If I had the manpower, I would have also lent them that, too,” he added. “And in turn, if God forbid anything were to ever happen in our area, the same thing would happen, especially now that we’re part of IPWMAN.”

The Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network – IPWMAN – founded in 2009, exists for situations like this. Although Forest Park wasn’t a part of IPWMAN during the microburst, it acted like it was. Officially joining the network facilitates the process of getting help during these emergencies, and gives Forest Park a wider network of aid when they need it

Monday, the village council voted to become a part of IPWMAN. The $100 annual membership fee allows Forest Park to receive help from other members during emergencies or disasters, and assist others the same way.

When a village experiences an emergency, they call an IPWMAN number for their region, one of the eight in Illinois. The IPWMAN board of directors for that region contact area public works departments to evaluate their capabilities, prioritize help, then dispatch resources.

T he board of directors re gularly up-

dates procedures

tance, adds Rachell Entler, Forest Park’s village administrator

Earlier this year, Stella, Entler, and Mark Maylath, Forest Park’s deputy fire chief, were in Melrose Park for Cook County’s emergency management planning training. They were revising Forest Park’s plan for catastro-

states of emergency, and learning how to upload the plan online to Cook County’s new portal, when the IPWMAN came up “I’m like, ‘let me see if we’re part of this. I swear we’re part of this thing,’” said Stella, who became the public works director in 2021. When he discovered that Forest Park

wasn’t involved, he got the ball rolling

“It’s a really good thing for us to be part of and something that the Cook County emerency operations plan highly recommends that we do,” Entler said.

Stella estimates that about 90% of surounding towns and villages are a part of IPWMAN, including Maywood, Oak Park, ver Forest, Riverside and Brookfield

Under IPWMAN, there is no obligation to espond, considering that in the event of a storm or natural disaster, neighboring communities are likely to be similarly affected llages or towns that do request help are uaranteed aid in a minimum of 12 hours. If they’re helping give assistance, they can reall their resources at any time after 12 hours.

“It can only benefit because, when you need something, you are part of this and they can help you out,” Stella said.

“The communities around here have been known to lean on each other and call each other when they might need equipment to use,” Entler said. “It was kind of a no brainer.”

JILL WAGNER

Public Works cleans up trees a er an August 2020 storm

March 20-27

BIG WEEK

Egg Hunt

Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m., Park District of Forest Park Hunt for candy ... meet the Easter Bunny ... and much, much more. It ’s that time of year once again when the Easter Bunny make its annual visit to the Park District of Forest Park. There will be ve separate hunts for toddlers through 4th graders. All hunts begin at 10 a.m. After the hunt, line up to meet the Easter Bunny. Registration not necessary just show up.

7501 Harrison St., Forest Park.

Fla shlight Egg Hunt

Friday, March 22, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Park District of Forest Park, Soccer Field Bring your ashlights and baskets and get ready for an “egg-citing” late night egg hunt. Eggs lled with special treats and prizes will be hidden throughout the Park Distric t. Find the golden egg and receive an ex tra cool prize. Register at fppl.org.

Create Your Own Self-Portrait

Thursday, March 21, 4 - 5 p.m., Forest Park Public Library - YS Program Room

Join to create a fun self-por trait using paint, words and other images. Designed for grades 5th, 6th and 7th. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

Robert ’s Westside - Cover Roulette

Thursday, March 21, 8 p.m., Rober t’s Westside

Come Spin The Wheel and listen to 6 local singer/songwriters — acoustic guitars in hand — as they dig into the catalogs of their (and your) favorite musicians. Part game show ... part intimate listening experience. 7321 Madison St.,Forest Park.

worms Storytime

y, March 22, 11 - 11:30 a.m., rest Park Public Library - YS Program Room

A lapsit storytime featuring activities that encourage learning and bonding, for babies and pre-walkers. Every storytime will include songs, rhymes, and music. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

Expo ‘76 & The Total Horn Pros

Saturday, March 23, 6:30 p.m., Rober t’s Westside

Rober t’s Westside presents Expo ‘76 & The Total Horn Pros. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the music star ting at 8 p.m. 7321 Madison St.,Forest Park.

Teen Cooking Class: Smash Burgers

Wednesday, March 27, 6:15 - 8:15 p.m., Park District of Forest Park, Administrative Building Get ready for the smash burger experience – where sizzling beef meets a hot grill and a swift smack transforms it into a golden-brown delight. With melty cheese, crisp veggies, and a pillowy bun, each bite is a avor explosion that’ll leave you craving more. This event is free. Register at https://bit.ly/ TeenCooking2024. 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park.

LIST YOUR EVENT: S ubmit by Wednesday, one week before your news needs to be in the newspaper. S end details to Wednesday Journal at: 141 S. Oak Park Ave ., Oak Park, 60302 or email calendar@wjinc.com

7501 Harrison St., Forest Park.

Arts Alliance holds 2nd paint Circle Avenue Bridge event

Brushes on the Bridge will redo murals that have seen wear and tear dur ing the past 7 years

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

In 2017, S ally Co dy, a long-time employee for the Vi llage of Fo rest Pa rk , proposed the event Cove r Our Rust. T he idea, a ccording to Karen Ro zmus, president of the Arts A lliance Fo rest Pa rk , was to “beautify the r usty bridge that was an eye sore in the c enter of the c ommunity,” she said of the Circle Avenue B ridg e, wh ich stretches over Interstate 290.

Th at May, around 300 p eople showe d up to paint over 100 p anels of the bridg e. Gi rl and boy scout troops, the Fo rest Pa rk Public L ibrary, the Kiwanis C lub of Fo rest Pa rk , Pa rk District of Fo rest Pa rk , District 91 schools, p lus local businesses and f amilies showe d up to pain t images of l ife in Fo rest Pa rk , fl owers and artwork of civic movements. Ro zmus said one person even hosted their birthd ay pa rt y on the bridg e, inviting friends to join in contributing to a mural.

“My f amily and I painted a p anel in 2017, and it was one of the b est events we ’ve ever experienced in Fo rest Pa rk ,” Maria Maxham, the village ’s c ommissioner of acc ounts and finance and an Arts Alliance board member, said in a statement.

“The event was such a success that the org anizers went on to become ‘founding members’ of the Arts Allianc e, ” Ro zmus said. In October of that year, the Arts A lliance of ficially became a nonprofit org anization.

Because the paint from 2017 has started to fade, and the r ust that the murals we re o riginally meant to cove r is seeping through, Fo rest Pa rk Public Wo rks will powe r wash and prime the bridge’s p anels to create a clean p alette for pa rt icipants to once ag ain paint the bridg e.

Now, seven years later, the Arts A lliance is hosting the event that sparke d its existenc e. On May 18, another group of locals will c ong re gate on the bridge to pain t i ts 100-plus p anels. T hose wishing to pa rt icipate should submit sketches or brie f d escriptions of their f amilyfriendly d esign s, p lus a $40 re gistration f ee to cove r the c ost of paint and brushes, by March 29.

Ro zmus said that the Arts A lliance d oesn’t anticipate turning any applicants aw ay but wants to ensure that the proposed c ontent is appropriate and avo ids b old adve rt i sements, aside from the event’s sponsors: the village and pa rk district, p lus the Fe rr ara C andy C ompany, Chris Everett Wealth Solutions, the Fo rest Park Historic al Society and Fo rest Pa rk Bank.

On May 18, the public wo rks department will shut down Circle B ridg e. S mokey Joel’s, wh ich was open from 2015 to 2017 across from the pa rk district, will sell hot dogs during the event. T he Arts A lliance will also reach out to local restaurants to ask for their pa rt icipation and is looking for volunteers to help with check-in.

Sign up for Brushes on the B ridge at https://forestparkarts.org/brushes-on-the-bridg e

Volunteers can paint their marks on the Circle Avenue Br idge

KATE WEBSTER

WILLIAM CAMARGO

Two Dads Defending Democracy marks return of GCM Conversations

Growing Community Media is bringing back its Conversations series with two men who hold quite different political views but have come together with the shared message that American democracy is in peril this year and we need to face that reality.

“Two Dads Defending Democracy: Bridging the Gap During Divisive Times” features for mer Illinois Cong ressman Joe Walsh and gun safety activist Fred Guttenberg.

The GCM event will be April 9 at 7 p.m. at Dominican University in River Forest. Tickets will be on sale by mid-week. Visit AustinWeeklyNews.com for details

Through their visits to colleges and universities during this election season, they are modeling how to eng age in respectful dialogue with people with whom they vehemently disag ree. The greatest threat to democracy right now is the tendency to de-

monize and want to destroy the “other.”

The immediate political environment is a part of the presentation, but the moderated conversation is framed more broadly. They ag ree, “Our democracy is preserved if we can eng age, listen to, and understand those with whom we disagree. If we can no longer do this our democracy fails.”

Growing Community Media is the nonprofit parent company of Wednesday Journal of Oak Park & River Forest, Austin Weekly News, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark

and the Forest Park Review, as part of ts “Conversations” series. Previous uests have included Peter Sagal of “Wait, Wait, Don’t ell Me,” Democratstrategist David Axelrod, filmmaker Steve James, and broadcast executive Candi Carter

According to Guttenberg’s LinkedIn post: “… Joe and I disagree on a lot, but once we started listening to each other, we developed a friendship. Now, we hope we can show America that it is okay to disagree and talk and to get out and vote for democracy.”

Here’s how they describe the Two Dads tour:

“As we look forward to the 2024 election, the story of how gun safety activist Fred Guttenberg and for mer congressman Joe Walsh learned to engage in civil discourse rather than rancor shows a way forward. They went from fighting on TV and social media to talking with each other and listening to one another. Through meaningful dialogue, Guttenberg and Walsh have for med a true friendship and have demonstrated how people from opposite ends of the political spectrum can find common ground on contentious issues such as gun safety and, with many issues, agree to disagree.”

For tick ets to the GCM Conversation, visit: bit.ly/GCMTwoDads

JOE WALSH Former Congressman FRED GUT TENBERG Ac tivist

IDistrict 209’s scholarship keeps giving back

Applications are now open for 2024 Proviso D209 graduates

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

A nonprofit scholarship benefiting graduates from the Proviso High School Township D209 is now accepting applications for the 2024 scholarships — awards that can continue to benefit recipients for years to come.

A total of six scholarships will be awarded, two per school, each for $1,000 per student.

Founded in 2016, the 209 Scholarship’s mission is to provide support to graduates from Proviso High School Township District 209, said Michelle Woehrle, board president of the 209 Scholarship.

“We were inspired to see the work done in other communities, around scholarships for their graduates,” Woehrle said. “And it is just a way that we can encourage connection between our community and the high school, who have had a very fraught relationship over the decades.”

students who may not have the best academic record but have shown determination to succeed in a 2- or 4-year college,” the scholarship website said.

The persistence pays scholarship requires students to have a 3.5 GPA or higher and have consistent academic excellence during their high school career

This scholarship is to show suppo rt to students who have shown “continuous excellence. ”

To be eligible for the scholarships, students also need to be 2024 graduates of Proviso West, Proviso East, or Proviso Math and Science Academy, meet the required GPA, and plan to attend a two- or four-year college or any accredited post-secondary education program, including trade school.

Woehrle said a quality that she loves about the 209 Scholarship is that it not only focuses on the students who have been academically successful while in high school, but also offers students who did not have the highest GPA a chance to also pursue an education following their high school graduation.

those who attended to help the nonprofit raise funds the scholarships.

According to Woehrle, the nonprofit raised $20,000 event through ticket sales, si lent auction and with help from sponsors.

The event featured special guest speakers: students who had been awarded the scholarship in past year The students spoke how the scholarship had impacted the ability to pursue an education, underlining the need to support students, Woehrle said.

Woehrle added that in 2023, the nonprofit awarded 12 new graduate awards and 22 renewal scholarships.

Renewal scholarships give previously awarded students a chance to continue to fund their education needs.

that can be a make-or-break situation for some people.”

f you do, you should know how important foot care is. Over time, diabetics risk developing foot complications. When the nerves are damaged from chronic high blood sugar, feet can become numb or painful with burning or tingling. is is called diabetic neuropathy. When diabetes a ects the arteries, circulation to the legs and feet may be compromised. Either of these conditions may lead to serious problems including ulceration, even amputation.

This year’s graduates from all three high schools in the district — Proviso East, Proviso West, and Proviso Math and Science Academy — can apply for one of the two scholarships through the program. The categories are overcoming adversity or persistence pays

To apply for the overcoming adversity scholarship, students will need a minimum GPA of 2.0 and have demonstrated academic improvement during their high school years.

“The purpose of this award is to support

e key to prevention is early diagnosis of diabetes, and regular foot exams from a podiatrist. Diabetics who receive regular foot care, including paring of calluses and debridement of thick fungal toenails, are almost four times less likely

to undergo an amputation than those who do not seek treatment.

“Maybe they are going to T riton, or they are going somewhere else, but they are on a path,” Woehrle said. “What we know now as adults, which I don’ t think is always apparent as youth, is that you have a long road ahead of you and your potential is not limited by where you are at the end of high school.”

“We want to give a hand to a whole spectrum of individuals,” she said. “High school is not where everyone’s p otential is realized.”

“If you have won a past award, we try to give you some money, sometimes it’s $500, sometimes it’s $1,000, but we are always trying to continue to support our youth throughout their college journey,” Woehrle said.

To receive a renewal scholarship, students need to provide an essay describing where they are in their education and how the funds would be used

Medicare and some private insurances cover 1 pair of diabetic shoes and 3 pair of protective insoles each calendar year. Dr. Lambert has been a supplier of diabetic shoes since 2002. e shoes come in 30 di erent styles each for men and women. ese include boots, lightweight colorful athletic shoes, and dress shoes. Even patients who are not diabetic love the look and comfort of the footwear. Diabetic socks, slippers and compression hosiery are also available.

To rally community support around the scholarship program, the 209 Scholarship organization held its annual Great Chefs fundraiser this past October, where local restaurants were invited and provided meals to

Protecting your feet with appropriate footgear is an important aspect of preventive care for diabetics.

“We know that not all of their expenses will be accrued right at the beginning,” Woehrle said. “They are going to have rent, transportation, books, technology, and we just want to be a supportive system. As someone who did not grow up with access to unlimited funds, I knew how hard it be to get support. If you need a $500 laptop

Part of how they aim to help students is by awarding the $1,000 directly to the youth for them to pay whatever comes up including books, transportation, or for technology

Woehrle said the scholarship nonprofit is also b lessed to have gr eat c ommunity members who r un a proper, g ood , and fair selection process, wh ich is comp letely anonymous.

“We cannot see who is playing, they can’t see who is applying. We have a redactor who is not on the selection committee, so it is a very fair process,” Woehrle said. “It is a treat to see the youth that are applying, and it is really fun to see who gets selected.”

Applications must be submitted through the online application or turned into the student’s guidance counselor by Friday,

Prov iso Math and Science Academy (PMSA) student So a Lecina receives her diploma in 2022.

First United Methodist Church of Oak Park 324 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 www.firstumcoakpark.org

Sat., March 23, 2024 –Children’s “Eggstravaganza”: 11 am – 1 pm

Refreshments, crafts, and the story of Easter with an Easter Egg Hunt to follow on the playground. Please register on our website. Space is limited to provide an intimate an d low-stress experience.

Sun., March 24, 2024 – Palm Sunday: 10 am Worship Service .

Fri., March 29, 2024 – Good Friday: 7 pm Worship Service. This remembrance featuresour historic Skinner organas we reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cro ss.

Sun., March 31, 2024 – Easter Sunday

7 am The first service of Easter, outside in the Memorial Garden. Recount God’s saving grace in the quiet of the morning. In the event of rain, we will be in the Chapel (ring Tower doorbell for entry).

8 am – 9:30 am Potluck Brea kfast

10 am A festive Easter Celebration of Resurrection with our diverse music ministry and special activities for children.

Service times at stchristophersoakpark.org

EASTER CHURCH GUIDE

Saturday • March 23rd

Vigil Mass 5:30pm

Palm Sunday • March 24th

7:30am, 9:00am, 11:00am with Solemn

Procession, and 5:30pm

March 28th • Holy ursday

7:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper - Adoration until 11:00pm, Kyte Hall

March 29th • Good Friday

8:00am Morning Prayer with the Friars 3:00pm Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion

March 30th • Holy Saturday

8:00am Morning Prayer with the Friars 12:00pm Blessing of Easter Baskets in Church 8:00pm Easter Vigil Mass 1530

March 31st • Easter Sunday 7:30am, 9:00am, and 11:00am Masses

EASTER CHURCH GUIDE

Come and

See: the Catholic

Community

of

Oak

Park

invites you to celebrate Holy Week with us!

The Parish of Ascension and St. Edmund www.ascensionoakpark.com · 708 -848-2703 or 708-848-4417

Ascension Church

808 S. East Avenue, Oak Park

St. Edmund Church 188 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park

The Parish of St. Catherine of Siena -St. Lucy and St. Giles www.stgilesparish.org · 708-383-3430

St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church 38 N. Austin Boulevard, Oak Park

St. Giles Church 1045 Columbian Avenue, Oak Park

with the St. Edmund Choir (with the Ascension Schola) (with the Ascension Choir) with the Adult Choir) with the Praise Choir

Mass of the Lord's Supper -*7:30 pm with the Ascension and St. Edmund Choirs

TRIDUUM

Mass of the Lord's Supper -*7:00 pm with the Adult Choir and the Handbell Choir

Taizé Prayer Around the Cross *3:00 pm – 7:30 pm with the St. Edmund Choir and the Ascension Schola

Celebration of the Lord s Passion *3:00 pm with the Adult Choir

Celebration of the Lord s Passion – 7:00 pm with the Praise Choir

Living Stations of the Cross – 7:00 pm with the Teen Choir

with Silent Passion – 7:30 pm

- 8:00 pm with the Ascension and St. Edmund Choirs

Initiation of New Members

(No 5:00 pm Mass at St. Edmund Church )

- 7:00 pm

Initiation of New Members

(No

*Marked service times will be livestreamed. Please see our websites, ascensionoakpark.com or stgilesparish.org,

More green alleys coming to Forest Park

A bid for construction contractors will come with repatched alleyways and permeable pavers to mitigate ooding

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

The Village of Forest Park will soon break ground on its fourth and fifth green alleyways, located between the 800 and 900 blocks of Marengo Avenue and Circle Avenue

Construction on these two blocks of alleys, bound to the North and South by Harrison Street and Harvard Street, is intended to reduce flooding in the area.

When it rains, the alleyway between Marengo Avenue and Circle Avenue collects water. Sal Stella, director of public works for the village, chalks this up to the way the ground is pitched and has settled over the last several years, creating pools of water throughout the alley when it rains.

“With the way that the alleys are not pitched properly to drain, you’ll often get water that sits after a heavy storm,” said Rachell Entler, Forest Park’s village administrator

When it comes time for construction, con-

tractors will rip up the alley’s asphalt, then lay a base layer of concrete. They will fix the pitch of the alley so that water flows to the center, toward permeable pavers made of crushed stone that run the length of the alley These allow water to seep into the ground, instead of collecting in puddles

Just like it has with the village’s three other green alleys, this construction will improve the deterioration of the alley’s asphalt, eliminate potholes and prevent flooding after storms — at least 47,000 gallons of it during “any given rain event,” according to the village’s agreement with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), which has helped fund these green alleys.

In 2018, the village won a grant to create a green alley and, the following year, repaved the Elgin-Marengo alley between Lexington and Harvard. Under the MWRD’s Green Infrastructure Partnership Opportunity program, the organization covered nearly half the cost of the alley, or up to $123,830 of the estimated $275,000.

The Elgin-Marengo stretch was the third green alley in the village, following the 500 block Thomas-Beloit alley and the 100 block Harlem-Elgin alley

Years ago, Christopher Burke Engineering, the village’s usual construction engineering contractor, performed a study of the village’s alleys and their statuses. The ones with the worst flooding, like the stretch that’s next in line between Circle Avenue and Marengo Av-

enue, became green alleys.

The next green alley will cost the $353,000, paid out of the Village Improv Plan fund. The MWRD will cover the the cost of $494,000.

The cost of a green alley is almost double that of a standard concrete one, according to Stella, but green alleys don’t come without perks.

“The benefits are that you’re conservin water. You’re allowing more water to infil trate into the ground and waterways, is a good thing for the environment,” Stella said. Groundwater benefits animals and biodiversity in the environment, plus keeps rivers flowing, like the nearby Des Plaines River.

Stella added, “It’s a good thing for MWRD because you’re getting less water going into their system to get treated.”

At a village council meeting Monday, all five commissioners and Mayor Rory Hoskins voted to start advertising for bids to construct the most recent green alley project.

In the past, the village was required to post requests for bids in a newspaper, in addition to at Village Hall, Entler said. The village has since passed an ordinance allowing bids to be posted online. This way, construction companies can submit applications through a portal set up by Christopher Burke Engineering, instead of mailing them or submitting them in-person.

This process will make it easier to find and choose a contractor for village projects like

the most-recent green alley, plus the rest of the village’s alleyways

“We’ve gone through about 85% of the alleys in town, and they’re all complete,” Stella said of the village’s progress over the last several years, mostly on the North side of Forest Park “There’s half or more alleys on the South side that need to be done.”

After the fifth green alley is complete, Stella said the village wants to create at least one more in the next couple of years, in addition to redoing around 10 other alleys with concrete

Entler said, “We can’t do every alley green, but we do try to get green alleys interspersed throughout the village as we get grant funding to do so.”

CTA to remove Forest Park eyesore

e rusty water tank should be gone by summer

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

Forest Park residents looking out their windows will not have to see the rusted and unused water tower on CTA property much longer.

Village Administrator Rachell Entler confirmed that CTA officials will start the project to remove the water tower in the Harlem Avenue railyard either this month or in April,

and they anticipate concluding the project in late May or early June.

Located at the northeast corner of Forest Park, 1 S. Harlem Ave., the Harlem Avenue railyard is used to store and service the CTA trains at the west end of the Green Line. Complaints about the rusted water tower from Forest Park and neighboring River Forest go back to the early 2000s, but while the CTA officials indicated over the years that they intended to remove it, there has been little progress until now.

According to Entler, the project has moved to the construction phase with Granite Construction, the contractor, being issued a notice-to-proceed effective Jan. 25.

According to the high-level schedule, some preparatory work will begin this month or

in April for staging in the north parking lot and the main parking lot and some preliminary utility work at track level within the yard vicinity will also take place. CTA officials are currently projecting the 16day yard shutdown for heavy construction work starting in early or mid-May through end of May or early June, she added, noting that the schedule is pending approval of some construction process plans and other submittal items.

Although CTA officials said previously that the agency did not have sufficient funds to cover the cost of the project, Entler said the CTA has since received funding to remove the water tower. She said the project cost had been estimated to be $175,000 but could be higher

The transit agency had wanted to remove the tower as part of the larger renovation of the Harlem yard, which hasn’t seen significant modifications since it was completed in 1967. The Harlem railyard was built in 19631967, after CTA raised the suburban portion of what is now the Green Line onto the current embankment. The water tower was initially used to supply water to fire suppression sprinklers and railcar-washing equipment. But, as the decades wore on, the tower rusted and fell into disuse

During the past two decades, Forest Park businesses and residents have increasingly complained about the rusty eyesore as have those in River Forest, which is located immediately north of the train embankment.

JESSICA MOR DACQ Elgin-Marengo green alley between Lexing ton and Har vard

CRIME Police encounter man wielding two machetes

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

On March 14, police were dispatched to Lathrop Avenue for a domestic disturbance. When police knocked on the apartment door, then opened it, they saw a man holding two machete knives, screaming at a woman. The two officers respectively drew their gun and taser, asking the man to drop his weapons and the woman to leave the apartment, though she refused. The man didn’t drop the knives, approached the officers and was tased. He was put in handcuffs and, when he continued threatening and attempting to fight officers, leg shackles too

the meeting wasn’t being transparent with financial documents and, as she approached her threateningly, pulled out her pocket knife in self defense. The woman received citations for battery and assault.

Stolen rearm

On March 13, a man on Des Plaines Avenue reported that, between Feb. 28 and March 4, someone had stolen his Smith and Wesson M&P 9 millimeter handgun with a 12-round magazine in the gun, plus one round in the chamber. He kept the gun in the glove box of his 2017 Mercedes-Benz. Although he said his car was not tampered with, he noticed the gun missing around the time he valeted the car at Chicago’s Old Post Office Building.

Resisting an o cer

After talking with the woman, police discovered that the couple lived together at the apartment with their three daughters. The man learned his mother only had a few days to live, drank more than usual, and threatened his own life by planning for police to kill him. The man was arrested for aggravated assault and, when he was released from custody, transported to Rush Oak Park Hospital for a mental health evaluation.

Battery

■ On March 12, police were dispatched to a disturbance at the CTA Green Line stop. A man was on top of his girlfriend, holding her down because he claimed she was swinging at him, although he appeared to be heavily intoxicated. The man and the woman refused medical services. Both signed a complaint refusal form and were provided with information for domestic violence victims. As the woman waited for the Green Line train into the city and the man left to get a bus to Maywood, he continued yelling obscenities at her. ■ Police were dispatched to the 500 block of Circle Avenue March 17 for a woman threatening people with a knife. At a union meeting for United States Postal Service workers, two women got into a verbal argument over work documents before one of them took out a knife and held it in an aggressive manner When another meeting attendee tried to grab the knife, the woman poked him in the chest with it. When police arrived at the scene, multiple subjects identified the car that the woman with the knife was leaving in. Police pulled over the vehicle in the 600 block of Harlem Avenue and took her to the police department for questioning. There, she relayed that she thought the other woman at

While on patrol March 16, police heard about a stolen vehicle on the move They followed the car to the corner of Harlem Avenue and Madison Street, where they boxed the vehicle in a parking lot and approached it with a drawn gun, ordering occupants to put their hands out the windows. The driver was told to turn off and exit the car, then was handcuffed. The two other occupants were also taken into custody. Officers found open liquor in the car, along with a printed agreement stating that the driver had rented the car in Lombard on Feb. 2 and was past due to return the vehicle because, he said, he didn’t have anyone to drive him from the rental car location.

When an officer realized the driver still had possession of the keys, he ordered him out of the back of the police car and noticed he had slipped off his handcuffs. The driver attempted to run, and the officer body slammed him to the ground before other officers helped detain the man again. He was arrested for possession of a stolen motor vehicle, escape and aggravated resisting.

These items were obtained from Forest Park Police Department reports dated March 11 through March 17 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest

•

•

•

•

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DAVE NOVAK

Revered public servant from page 1

While working at the park district, Novak met his wife, who taught dance, also at the park district.

During his time as director, Novak supervised projects like the construction of the $3.1 million Forest Park Aquatic Center in 1995, plus softball and soccer field renovations. But perhaps one of his most wellknown le gacies is his work on No Gloves Nationals, the annual 16-inch softball invitational tournament in Forest Park.

Softball started in Chicago in 1887. The first game was played at the Farragut Boat Club with “softballs” made out of boxing gloves. Though those later became the 16inch softballs used today, players continued to not wear gloves, unless they opted to play with a smaller softball.

Jim Sarno, the park district’s director before Novak, started No Glove Nationals in 1968, and it remains the only national tournament played without gloves. Though Sarno launched the invitational, Novak started running it when he became super-

intendent of recreation.

“Dave was the guy who pretty much ran it all the time,” said Larry Piekarz, who was the park district’s director after Novak.

“My dad took it over and blew it up to make it iconic,” said Dan Novak, who was a Forest Park village commissioner and is now the director of athletics and facilities at the Wheaton Park District. His brother, Nic, also works for the Wheaton Park District, following in their father’s footsteps in public recreation.

DAVE NOVAK

At 16, the Novak brothers started working as grounds crew staf f for No Glove Nationals and playing 16-inch softball. Dan Novak has countless fond memories of experiencing the tour nament with his father.

“Family, every single friend, we all went,” Dan Novak said.

In 1997, Dave Novak was inducted into the Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame, the year after it was founded. The 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame Museum opened in the Park in Forest Park in 2014.

Piekarz’s favo rite memory about Dave from the No Glove Nationals tournament was “how many p eople knew Dave,”

OB ITUAR Y

James McElligott, 76 vice union president

James Francis McElligott, 76, of Forest Park, died unexpectedly on March 15, 2024.

Born on Oct. 7, 1947 to John J. McElligott and Marguerite Dasso in Chicago, Jim graduated from Fenwick High School in 1965, entered the ar my, and was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War.

When he returned from Europe, he joined the U.S. Postal Service and worked as a loyal post office employee for over three decades, serving as the union president.

Jim and Kristine Hammond, high school sweethearts, married in 1971, and had two children, Daniel and Kerry. For many years, they lived near a special area of Oak Park, lovingly called Monkey Island,

Piekarz said. “It would j ust amaze me, the r espect and the admiration p eople had for him. ”

When Novak stepped down as park district director in Jan. 2007, he had worked in the position for 23 years, and was with the park district for around 33.

Piekarz took over as director before retiring in 2018. Before he became director, Piekarz started as the park district’s superintendent of recreation then, just like Novak, moved up to assistant director.

“Everything about the park district, you could ask Dave, and he knew. He was a true mentor to me,” Piekarz said, adding that Novak continued to give him advice, even after he retired. “He made doing the job a lot of fun.”

In a ddition to his c ontribution to the pa rk district, Nov ak ser ve d on the board for b oth the C hamber of C ommerce and the Main Street Re development A ssociation. He was also on the District 91 school board.

“Having k ids in the school district, he really saw the needs and the wants,” Piekarz said.

Novak was also a pa rt of the Fo rest

where they found many close neighbors and friends.

When he retired, he was able to do the things he loved most. A talented and diligent golfer, he spent his days in golf leagues and on golf outings. When he wasn’t golfing, he was watching the Chicago Cubs. Known as Grandpa Mustache, he was always with his grandchildren, telling them wildly creative stories and playing silly games.

Jim was predeceased by Edward McElligott, John McElligott, Gail McElligott, Ellen McElligott, and Kristine Jamison.

He leaves behind his children, Daniel (Katherine) McElligott and Kerry (Ryan) Hanko, and four grandchildren, River Hanko, and Margaret, James, and Graham McElligott.

His calm demeanor, sharp sense of humor, and kind heart will not be forgotten.

Visitation will be held at Zimmerman-Hartnett Funeral Home, 7319 Madison St., Forest Park, on March 21 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., when a short service will begin.

Donations can be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in his name

Pa rk C ommunity Education C ouncil , wh ich is no longer in existenc e. Th e c ouncil included the village, the school district and the pa rk district, wh ich c ollaborated toward community goals.

“To me, that’s one of the nicest thing s about Fo rest Pa rk T here’s no c ompetition or anything,” Piekarz said. “E ve rybo dy wants to wo rk to g ether to make a great c ommunity, and Dave was a big pa rt of that.”

“He cared about everyone. Th at ’s why he got involved,” Dan Novak said.

After Novak retired from the park district, he and Carol, who still lives in Forest Park, spent over 20 years leisurely traveling.

“He enjoyed l ife to the f ullest,” Dan Novak said. “E ve ry [St. Patrick’s Day] parade, every pa rt y, he was the life of it.”

One of the things that Piekarz will remember most about Novak is his sense of humor

“He was a great guy to wo rk fo r, and he was a great teacher to me,” Piekar z said. “He became not j ust my b oss, bu t a friend. And to me, that was j ust everything.” He a dded, “He really was a pillar in that c ommunity. And I know a lot of p eople say that, but he was

“He touched so many g enerations,” Dan Novak said. “Forest Pa rk will neve r be the same.”

NEWS FLASH!

OUR VIEW

Tear down that water tower!

It is an eyesore for the ages. Now the rusted-out water tower polluting the views of Forest Parkers and River Foresters for decades in the CTA yard at Harlem and the Green Line terminus is finally coming down.

The tower dates back to construction of the end-of-line railyard in the mid-1960s. But it hasn’t been in use for a long, long time as other water sources were brought online to wash el cars and supply sprinklers.

The CTA has long cried poor about the shabby condition of its highly visible water tower. Finally, though, funding has been secured for the estimated $175,000 cost of removal.

Cranky locals and their re gular complaints hopefully had some impact. Now those same people can focus full-time on the freight trains parked in the same locale and polluting the same neighborhoods with endless noise

Remembering Dave Novak

Dave Novak, the longtime chief at the Forest Park park district, died last week while on vacation with his family. He was 73.

Novak spent his entire work career at the park district. He started there just out of college as the softball league supervisor. He later moved up to the post of recreation superintendent. And then he began a long stint as the park’s executive director

There are multiple achievements that came from his leadership. The remaking of the pool

into the much more ambitious, and fun, Aquatic Center came on his watch. As did upgrades to softball and soccer fields.

But Novak will be most remembered for his decades-long involvement in growing the No Gloves Nationals 16-inch softball tournament into a blockbuster event each summer. While the tourney began before his ar rival at the park district, everyone agrees it was Novak who had the love and the passion for the game and saw its potential to become a signature event for the local parks.

“My dad took it over and blew it up to make it iconic,” said Dan Novak, one of Dave’s sons and a for mer village commissioner. Rightful pride for a man who made Forest Park a better place.

Where credit was due

How procrastinating aids spring cleaning

Itook the hour-long walk over to the Economy Shop this weekend, and had a strong case of the “return-trip effect.” It is just amazing to me that a return trip can feel so much shorter than the initial journey to a destination. Just like a jack-in-the-box, the surprise of this ordinary, everyday phenomenon catches me off guard.

In an editorial in last week’s Review, we made an unfair comment about the status of village gover nment’s effor ts to assess the conditions of its public buildings. Such a review, by a third-par ty expert, was completed last summer

As a result of that study, issues discussed in our editorial were discovered and actions, including closing the playground atop the village’s main water reservoir, resulted

Our view that the village gover nment has, over decades, deferred maintenance and updates to its critical buildings and infrastructure remains the same. And finding a way to fund immediate and long-term repairs will be extremely challenging.

That said, the village deserves credit for the assessment it has undertaken and the dif ficult discussions it has be gun. We re gret not offering that credit.

Conventional wisdom and science have identified the return-trip effect as a subjecti tion where time appears to slow down when having an unfamiliar experience, like an

et as I think about kicking of f my jour ney of spring cleaning and the lessons from Mari Kondo, I do not find the process of returning to the time capsules rden, my closets, and my basement as a faster ney than my first voyage to each of these spaces. velatory return-trip effect does not seem to exist

fodils star t showing of f and the crocuses begin to fade, I will devote the energy to make the slow return trip of order and cleanliness to the spaces that need a touch of spring decluttering.

To do thi s, I use my go-to tool — procrastination. A misunderstood technique in spring cleaning, procrastination will be how I get the list of tasks a ccomplished

Just like the return-trip effect is a shift of perception, so is using procrastination as a productive means of successful cleaning. Since I luckily have such a long list, I have a bounty of projects that I can procrastinate on while I busy myself with one spring-cleaning task at a time.

In the meantime, if you see me around town in the next few weeks, know that whatever you see me doing, I am simultaneously working on springcleaning projects. To the untrained, it might seem that I am shopping, walking or driving somewhere, but I am actually very busily, actively procrastinating on my spring cleaning.

If you are also experiencing the joy of procrastinating and want to share your successful process and tips to a clean spring, please consider stopping by the Community Center at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month when a small group of crafters meet.

We each bring our own craft project and share tips on the very valuable lessons and techniques we have picked up that make us so successful.

JILL WAGNER

Editor Erika Hobbs

Sta Repor ter Jessica Mordacq

Amaris Rodriguez

Digital Manager Stacy Coleman

Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan

Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Li a

Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

Sales and Marketing Representatives

Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe

Business & Development Manager

Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projec ts Manager Susan Walker

Board of Directors

Chair Judy Gre n

Treasurer Nile Wendorf

Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, 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

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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: $38 per year.

$70 for two years, $93 for three years.

Out-of-county subscriptions: $58 per year.

Forest Park Review is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP.

© 2024 Growing Community Media NFP.

Maintaining the forest in Forest Park

The 3,335 trees growing on the village-owned parkways in Forest Park are an element in the community’s infrastructure as important as the town’s streets and sewers.

That is a belief held by both Jessica Voogd, Forest Park’s commissioner of public property, and Sal Stella, director of public works, and it is the reason both work to diligently follow up on the town’s Urban Forest Management Plan adopted in 2022.

Voogd said that, after the 2019 election, she met with John Doss, who was the public works director at the time, and worked to become a member of Tree City, USA because the designation helps the village qualify for grants, one of which helped Forest Park pay for the survey upon which the management plan was based.

As a result, Stella now knows the location of every tree in Forest Park, its approximate age, its species and its health.

The two officials maintain that a healthy urban forest decreases energy costs for business and home owners by reducing what is known as the “urban heat island effect.”

“On a summer day while driving on Circle Avenue,” Stella suggested, “look up and you will see that the street is completely covered by the canopy created by leaves of the trees. I’m sure the canopy is lowering the temperature on the street by 10 degrees.”

Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air and create oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis. They help to capture storm water and decrease runoff. Trees improve our physical and mental well-being, create habitat for wildlife and increase property values

One of the goals of the management plan is to increase the diversity of species in the inventory.

“Right now,” he said, “70% of our trees are maples. If, God forbid, a disease appears that affects maples, like the Dutch Elm Disease affected elms, we could lose almost threequarters of our trees.

Among the 71 different species present in Forest Park’s inventory, the top five are Maple (1,716), Linden (393), Honey Locust (262), Elm (163) and Callery Pear (111). In order to achieve a healthier mix, Stella will

A LOOK BACK IN TIME

Field Stevenson grad in beauty pageant

Nancy Carol Rudd was 24 when she competed for the title of Miss Illinois/Universe in 1979. She was a graduate of Field Stevenson and Proviso East and worked as a professional model. She was honored as the third runner-up in 1978 and was the fifth runner up and selected as best in swimsuit in 1977. While she was not crowned with the title, she would go on to be one of Chicago’s “10” at Zorine’s a private disco club. With this title she appeared on several TV shows and radio programs and screen tested for movie-maker Zev Braun. She accidentally fell into modeling when she accompanied a friend who was auditioning and didn’t want to be alone.

Jill Wagner

not plant Maples on an available space on a parkway even if a resident requests one

Another mandate in the management plan is to keep up with tree trimming. Stella has deter mined that it is more cost efficient to hire Davis Tree Care to do the trimming on an ongoing basis

Every Monday and Friday, residents can observe a red De partment of Public Works (DPW) truck pulling a wood chipper and cruising the streets to pick up fallen branches or branches that residents have moved from their yards to the parkway in front of their homes. They will even pick up and chip discarded Christmas trees after the holidays.

Another part of the plan is to replace dead trees with new plantings and fill in empty spaces on the parkways with new trees Stella said his crew plants 20-25 trees in both the spring and the fall.

“We’re doing a touch-up on Madison Street,” Stella noted, “including the removal of the Locust trees, which have grown so big that their trunks are popping out of the metal grates and replacing them with decorative or namental trees which don’t grow so large.”

Urban forest maintenance is an often overlooked element in our village’s curb appeal, even downtown.

RIVER FOREST TOWNSHIP

NOTICE OF ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

CONDUCTED IN PERSON AND ELECTRONICALLY

TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN to the legal voters, residents of the Village of River Forest in the County of Cook and State of Illinois, that the Annual Town Meeting of the RIVER FOREST TOWNSHIP will take place on Tuesday, April 9, 2023, being the second Tuesday of said month, at 6:00 P.M. at the River Forest Community Center at 8020 Madison Street, Room 202, River Forest, Illinois. See www.RiverForestTownship.org for virtual Zoom meeting sign-in, to be posted in advance of the APRIL 11, 2023 meeting.

The Electors present at the Annual Town Meeting, are meeting for the transaction of the miscellaneous business of the said township; and after a Moderator having been elected, will proceed to hear and consider reports of officers, and decide on such measures as may, in pursuance of law, come before the meeting; and especially to consider and decide the following agenda:

1. Call to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Clerk to Note Public Notice and Availability of Financial Statements and Posting Thereof

4. Execution of Affidavits of Standing as Electors

5. Selection of Moderator and Administration of Moderator Oath by Township Clerk

6. Approval of the Minutes of last Annual Town Meeting on April 11, 2023

7. Reports of Township Year In Review

a. General Assistance Administrator

b. Township Youth and Family Services

c. Township Senior Services

d. River Forest Senior Outreach Coordinator

e. River Forest Mental Health Administrator

f. Township Supervisor

g. Township Assessor

h. River Forest Civic Center Authority Building Manager

i. River Forest Community Center Executive Director

8. Resolutions to come before the Electors - None

Submitted

9. Public Comments

10. Proposed Date, Hour, and Place of 2025 Annual Town Meeting:

a. April 8, 2025, being the second Tuesday, at 6:00 P.M.

b. River Forest Community Center 2nd Floor - 8020 Madison Street, River Forest

11. Adjournment

All interested citizens, groups and organizations representing the interests of senior citizens, youth & family services, mental health, and intellectual/developmental disabilities are encouraged to attend. River Forest Township does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status; those needing special accommodations are asked to provide 48 hours notice to Clerk@RiverForestTownship.org.

Given under my hand in the Village of River Forest, County of Cook, State of Illinois, this 19th day of March, 2024.

JOHN BECVAR, River Forest Township Clerk

Published in Wednesday Journal, March 20, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE

The OPRF Infant Welfare Society is soliciting bids for a HVAC CONTRACTOR to install three rooftop units at our clinic and headquarters located in the Village of Oak Park, Illinois.

Complete Bid Packet can be obtained by contacting Peggy LaFleur at: plafleur@oprfiws.org.

IL 60614, USA.

Published in Wednesday Journal March 6, 13, 20, 2024

Pre-bid site inspection is mandatory, and is scheduled to occur by appointment only. Please contact Peggy LaFleur at (708) 406-8652 to schedule an appointment.

Bid Deadline is 10 am on 4/4/2024

This is a Federally-Funded (Community Development Block Grant) Project and is subject to all applicable Federal rules, regulations and guidelines, including but not limited to payment of Prevailing Wage.

MBE and WBE contractors are encouraged to bid on this project

Published in Wednesday Journal March 20, 2024

2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 10, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED

REAL ESTATE: UNIT 4-N TOGETHER WITH ITS UNDIVIDED PERCENTAGE INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS IN 300 CHICAGO CONDOMINIUM AS DELINEATED AND DEFINED IN THE DECLARATION RECORDED AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 25110568, IN THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 5, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Commonly known as 300 CHICAGO AVE., 4N, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-05-321-0341007

The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

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

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

dominium 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, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

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.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C.

15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527

630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-03237

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2022 CH 04036

TJSC#: 44-527

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 # 2022 CH 04036

I3239636

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK

COUNTY, ILLINOIS

COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION MATRIX FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION

Plaintiff, -v.-

RONALD CAILLOUET, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD

CLAIMANTS, UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

agent for The Judicial Sales Corpo-

will at 10:30 AM on April 10, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 31 LE MOYNE PKWY, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-05-112-0070000

The real estate is improved with a residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

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

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN 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, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

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.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C.

15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527

630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-09308

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 22 CH 04542

TJSC#: 44-491

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 # 22 CH 04542 I3239998

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.-

ANTONIO A. BRAVO, THE TREMONT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Defendants

2023 CH 00031

227 W. CHICAGO #3 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 June 6, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 17, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

UNIT 227-3 TOGETHER WITH ITS UNDIVIDED PERCENTAGE INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS IN THE TREMONT CONDOMINIUM, AS DELINEATED AND DEFINED IN THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM RECORDED AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 0021260423, IN THE EAST 1/2 OF SECTION 7 AND THE NORTHWEST 1/4 AND THE WEST 1/2 OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 8, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Commonly known as 227 W. CHICAGO #3, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-08-102-0211009

The real estate is improved with a residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is

further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

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

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN 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, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C.

Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 7949876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORA-

TION 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.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C.

15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100

BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-09619

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2023 CH 00031

TJSC#: 44-611

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 # 2023 CH 00031

I3240571

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