Forest Park Review 011024

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REVIEW JANUARY 10, 2024

D209 roundtable aims to empower student voices Supt. Karvelas is emphasizing the importance of listening to student needs

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Hearing what students have to say about their experiences at Proviso Township High School District 209 is front and center among the district’s priorities and officials believe a Superintendent Student Roundtable will help.

“They are the ones that tell us what is really going on, they are the ones that are going to help us meet their needs,” said acting superintendent Bessie Karvelas.

“What better to ask students and let them have a voice and let us know what they feel they need, what is lacking and what is not.”

The Superintendent Student Roundtable was formed in 2020 under the leadership of former superintendent, James L. Henderson, who wished to recruit students to help develop their plans of success and advise him on See ROUNDTABLE on page 8

Hoskins in the running for DNC delegate PAGE 7

@ForestParkReview @FP_Review

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Forest Park Review, January 10, 2024 Note from the Publisher

Our readers step up as GCM beats $250K goal As 2024 begins, all of us at Growing Community Media have nothing but gratitude to our readers who helped us reach and exceed our ambitious year-end fundraising goal of $250,000. This is, by far, our largest campaign ever and it sets the stage for a strong 2024 in our nonprofit newsroom.

Nearly 900 of our neighbors made an investment in GCM during our three-month effort. Here is the list.

Deb & Tom Abrahamson* Jim & Rose Adamec Kimberly Adami-Hasegawa Jahred Adelman Susan Adler Paul Aeschleman Jeffrey Weissglass & Jeanne Affelder Skyler Aikerson Jill & erson Leland & erson Mamie & ry Doris Angell Ann & Gene Armstrong Michelle Arnold Laverne Arp Roberta Asher Associated Bank N.A. Fund, a fund of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation Babou Fund at Schwab Charitable Cecelia Bacom Carolyn Baird Nick Baker Karen & Mike Baldwin Kathryn Balk Judy Banks-Johnson Timothy Bannon Todd Bannor David Barker Brad Bartels Katherine Bateman Jean Baugh James Baum Sandra Baumgardner Marion & Jonathan Baumgarten Mary Beach Susan Beach Debbie Becker Paul & Leah Beckwith Jordis Bednar Stephan Benzkofer Jean Berg Lin Beribak Linda Bernat Nancy Bernhardt Ruth Bernhardt Annie Berni

James Berton Margaret Bertucco B Best Family Fund Vicki Bielanski Mary Bird Hilda Birney Jack Bizot Sara Blair Marc & Dorie Blesoff* Sharon Bloyd-Peshkin William Bobco loretta bober Marcin Bogacz Linda Bonner Alice Boomhower Karen Borgstadt Barbara Boril Mark Boroughf Elizabeth Botts David Boulanger Melissa Bowen John Bowes Anne Bowhay Gary Boxell Mary Boyaris Tom Braam Martin Bracco Thomas Brean Mark Breen Glenn Brewer & Karen Haskins-Brewer Richard Brey John Brofman Patrick Brown Kevin Brubaker Craig Brumund Kathleen Bucholtz Cedes Buck Sara Buehler Daniel Burke T.J. & B.J. Burke Miriam Burkland Denise Burns James Burns RJ Busky Megan Butman John Byrne Joyce Callahan Susan Campbell Felicia Cannon Patrick Cannon Charles & Verna Capouch Mary Carol Carey Mark Carroll

Siusan Cartland-Bode Michael Cassin Marilee Castaneda Javier Castro Jette Castro Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore Joyce Champelli Emile Charest John Chase Noel Chavez ALK Snow Fund, Chicago Community Trust Nancy Chmell Judy Chrisman Lauretta Christensen Lesley W. Christien Thom Clark Amanda Clark Nancy Clark* Ellen Cleary Kelly Clissold Barbara Coats Mary Beth Cobleigh-Beal Donald & Frances Coe Kristen & Mark Coe Midge Cogan Joseph Coglianese Marty Colchamiro Bonnie Coleman Michelle Collins Roy & Michele Collins Gary Collins* LaVerne Collins* Judith Compton Kathleen Corcos Michelle Cordogan Therese Cormack Catherine Costello Alice Cottingham Jon Coughlin Ann Courter Jolyn Crawford Brian Crawford* Mary Ellen Creighton Stephen Crilly Jack Crowe Joyce & Kevin Cullinane Timothy Cunningham John & Susan Curran Jeff & Ann Currie M/M Curtin Norma Cutsforth Ellen Cutter

*These are GCM boardmembers and 2023 Matchmakers

David Cwik Wendy & Al Daniels Katherine Danko Diane Dannenfeldt Jack & Mary Darnall Nancy Darnall Judy Das Gupta Rupa Datta David King & Associates Dan Davidson MJ Davidson Joshua Davison Judy Davy Pam & Pat Deady Mary Ann DeBruin Melinda Degucz John Dempsey Janel Dennen* Ted Denning William Depriest Richard Deptuch Peter Devlin John Dickens Paul Dickerson James Dickert Mary Dickie Joshua Ditelberg Timothy Divis Collete & Douglas Dixon Mary Dodd-Lieberman Greg Domanowski Mavis Donahue Clara D’Onofrio Mark Donovan & Mary Ludgin Andrew Doten Mary Dowling Jay & Katie Doyle Susan Doyle Jan Dressel Suzanne Dubin Carol Dudzik John Duffy Mary Duffy Pelzer John Dumas Margo Dumelle John Dwyer William Dwyer Ella Eastman Matthew Ebbing Judith Eckberg Erika Edmonson Jenni Edsell Culvin Edwards Steve & Andrea Edwards* Pat Eichenold Christine Eichinger Ardyth J Eisenberg Susan Elfant James Elsener Craig Endicott Victoria Engelhardt Louise Engert Wendy Epstein Heidi Ewell Deborah Fallahay Angela Farnham Karen Faust Carrie Felix Margaret Ferroli Lane Kim Fideler Robinson Yolanda Fields John Filipkowski Geoffrey Fingerhut Elizabeth Fischer

Lynne Fisher Liz Fitzgerald Caitlin Fitzharris Michelle Fitz-Henry Heather Fitzpatrick Kristin Flanders Michael Fleisher Cheryl Flinn Allan Flynn Deirdre Flynn John F. Flynn Jennifer Ford Maureen Ford Melissa Ford Michael Fortman Jeffery Foster Chris Frantisak Kim Freeark Elizabeth Freeland Leslie Fulton John Gagliano Judith Gaietto-Grace Thomas Gallagher* Judith Galleazzi Agustina Gandarilla Elizabeth Gardner John Garofalo Marian Garrigan Mark Gartland Jim & Louise Gates Christine Gavlin Paul Gegenheimer Tony-O Georgeson Mina Gerall Eric & Angela Gershenson Jake Gerstein Bettina Getz Joan Gibbons Elaine Petkovsek & Jim Gill Michael Gill Bradley Ginn Dale Glowacki Monica Glowinski Jeanne Goedert Alan Goldberg Katie Frankle & David Goldman Craig Goldwyn Brian Gomoll Good Heart Work Smart Allen Goodcase Michael & Peggy Goodman Norma Goose Kantor Gregory Gordon Erika Gosker Sudhanva Govindarajan Joyce Gradel Anthony Graefe Kathleen Graffam Beverly Graham John Grant Bruno Graziano Beryl Greenberg Susan Greenberg Marjorie Greenwald Bill & Judy Greffin* Chris & Kori Grumboski Anthony Grzeskowiak Michael Guerin Joan Gumbel William Haddad Carol Hafeman Dan Haley John & Julia Haley* Mary Haley*

Kathleen Hall Matthew Hall Josephine Halpin Kristen Halverson Brian Hameiser Judith Hamje Nancy Hammond Michael & Janet Hanley Bruce & Kathy Hansen Suzanne Haraburd* Scott Hardesty Mathew Hargrave Carolyn Harris Roberta Harris Steven & Lenore Harris Nancy Hartman Robert Havey Richard Hay Carolyn Hayes Thomas Healey MaryAnn Heard Eilene Heckman Robert & Nancy Heezen Linda Heffernan Mary Heidkamp Beth Heiferman Philip & Patricia Heil Joel Heinz Ray Heise Frank Heitzman Gordon Hellwig Anne Hennessy Joan Henzl Rosemary Hepner Tom Herbstritt Meg Herman Stephen Herseth Nancy Hess Diane Hettasch Edgar Hiestand Lisa Higgins Lynne & Bill Higgins David Hilbert Ellen Hildner Katherin Hillmann Jerry Hills Carolyn Hobaugh Charles Hoch Leslie Hodes Lynn & Alan Hoffstadter* Barbara Hofmaier & David Heim Thomas Hogan Lilian Hohmann Deborah Holdstein Tom & Nancy Holmes Dean Holub Chee-Young Kim & Andrew Hoog Case & Pat Hoogendoorn* Stephen Hopkins Colleen Horrigan Allison Houha Judith Frei & Lawrence Howe Gary Howell Kimberly Hoyt Janice Huang Marge Hubacek Marsha Hubbuch Kristen Huber Michael Hughes Ruth Huston Bonnie Hutchison Kathy Hymson

Mary Ann Irvine Amy Jacksic James Jackson Erik Jacobsen Daina Jakofsky Stuart Jamieson & Brenda Barnes Edward Jepson* Jason & Tina Johns Elaine Johnson Erik Johnson Steve Johnson Janis Johnston Marcile Jones Mary Ann Jorfan Bernice (B.C.) Juettner Barbara Kahn Kara & Robert Kalnitz Sophie Kaluziak Jon Hale & Lynn Kamenitsa Sandra Kanak Bob Kane Robert Karrow Sandra Karuschak Art Kazar James Keen Keitel Bouman Family Fund of the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation Colleen Keleher Margaret Kell Randall Kelso John Kelty Susan Kelty Pam Kenney Donna Kenyon Kathy Kernan Janice Kieckhefer Jeffery Kiel Therese Kielp Philip & CarolJean Kier Geralyn Kilcoyne Cynthia Kleidon Jonathan Klem Susan Klock Troy Klyber Dennis Kmiec Ken Knasiak Dan Knight Pauline Koch Paul & Patricia Koko Michael Kolkebeck Mindy Kolodziej Barbara Kolowski Wendy Kopala Alice Kopan Rich Kordesh* Michael Koss Nancy Kovach Jay Kozie Lorraine Kozon Alan Krause Renata Krempl Daniela Krivak James Krohe Michael Kruley Marie Kruse Ellen Kuner Laurian Kyritz Claude L’Heureux Linda Labelle Terri Lackey Hans Lagoni Mary Lally Mary Lambke

Forest Park Review, January 10, 2024

Amy Landefeld Neil Lane Kathy Lareau Leslie Lauderdale Karl Lauger Lucas Laurel Dennis Lavelle Nancy Leavy Ralph Lee John W. Lee III Ginny Lee-Herrmann Madonna Leen Lynn Leinartas Patrick Leone Dan Lesser Deborah Levine Deborah Levine & Kimberly Becker David Lewis Lydia Lewis-Brandt Daniel Lheureux* Arthur Lifshin Gloria & Gerald Lindaur Elizabeth Lippitt* Ross Lissuzzo Thomas Litwiler Jane Llewellyn Phil & Zan Lofgren Elan Long Lois Thiessen Love Martin & Cathleen Lucas Carlotta Lucchesi Kathryn Lucht Sandra Luckins Cathy & Larry Lund John & Nell Lurain James Lynch Marjorie Lyon Daniel MacDade Denise Mackey Klancic Jessica Mackinnon Karrick Major Michelle Major Alicia Malloy Mary Anne Manley James Mann Sharon Manuel James Marciniak Kate Marek Catherine Marienau Mark Maroney Aida Marranzini Suzanne Marshall Richard & Linda Martens David Martin Mildred Martin Marylen Marty Elaine Marzal Myrtle & R.G Mason M Massarello Roger Masson Ann Masur* Frank & Patricia Matousek Alex Matthews Laura Maychruk

Jane McClelland Anna Clare McDermott Judith McDevitt Joseph McDonald Sheila McDonnell Mary McEnery Laurene McHatton John McIlwain Donna McKune Richard McLeese Bob Mead Christopher Meglan Jean & John Meister Joan Meister Teresa Melcher David Mendell Patricia Menges Alan Meyer Veronica Meyer Ben Meyerson Charles & Pamela Meyerson Mike Michaelsen Melissa Mickelberry John Mihelic Bart Miller Dorothy Misleh Carole & Larry Mitchener Mohr Oil Co. Patricia Montroy Betty Moore Maurice & Toni Moore D. Morawski Candice Moretti Leigh Morgan Mary Morgan Lucinda Moriarity Lindsay Morrison Gloria Morrissey Robert Moser Woody Mosgers Mary Movrich Sharon Moyer Elisabeth Muhlenberg Karen Mullarkey Kerrins Maria Mungai Karen Muriello Anne Murphy Dennis & Bunny Murphy* Margaret Murtagh Donna Myers* Zachary Nauth Donald Nekrosius* Brendan Nelligan Mary Ellen Nelligan* Alison Nelson Diane Nelson John Neu Eugene & Louisa Newberry Carolyn Newberry Schwartz Michelle Newman Bill Niro Robert Novalich Donald O’Brien Adekunle & Kathy Onayemi Thomas & Christine Ondrla

Paul Oppenheim Bridget Optholt Karen Osborne Donna Oswald Jewel Otten Elizabeth Overland Kathryn Owens Lorraine Owles Jennifer Packheiser Barbara Pagniucci Lynne Palmore John-Paul Paonessa Allen & Georga Parchem Dan Parker Steven Parker Susan Parker Robert & Susan Parks Elizabeth Parsons Barbara Paterick John Patrick Julie Patterson Libbey Paul Beth Pecenka Mary Pellegrini Pamela Penney Jeanne Peppler Priscilla Perkins Janet Perryman William Peterman David Peterson Lauren Peterson Joan & Jeffery Petertil Edward Petrick James Petrzilka Sharon Phillips Diane Pickard-Richardson Liz Picone Danielle Pierro Susan Piha Thomas Pivarski Mary Plunkett James Podraza Mike & Lynette Poirier Mike Poleski Frank Pond Al Popowits Joyce Porter Mary Ann Porucznik Deborah Postlewait Teresa Powell* Aldona Prackaila Margaret Prechel James Prescott Allison Price Marvin Price Paul Price Margaret Provost-Fyfe James Pryor Lorelei Przybylski Susan Purdie Susan Quinn The Quinn Pasin Family Philanthropic Fund R.P. Fox & Associates Inc. Joan Radovich

N. Raftery Brenda Rakers Carol Rao Constance S. Rapps Diane Ratekin & Tom Yates Edward Rausch Shirley Redmond Nancy Reed Vicky Rehill David Reisberg Frederick Reklau Ruth Reko Mary Reynolds Lisa Ridolfi Gayle Riedmann Peter Rijks Elizabeth Ritzenthaler John & Katie Roberts Susan Roberts Cyndi Robinson Patrice Roche Andy Rodriguez George Rogers Katharine Roller Ron Roman Anne Rooney Alice Rose Lindsey Roseen Diana Rosenbrock Amy Rosenthal Barbara Rossa Jennifer Royer Karen Rozmus Mark Ruda Dolores Ruffolo Kathy Russell Ann Marie Ryan Michael & Linda Ryan Steven Spiewak & Beradette Ryan Paul Sakol Susan Saliny Glenn Sameshima Silvana Santilli Marian & Bob Sassetti-Kent Steve Saylors Meredith Schacht Carol Schaffer Mike Schech Lynn Scheir James Scherrer Marianne & David Schiavone Abby Schmelling Tyler Schofield Thomas Schouten Robert W. Schramek Janet Schroeder Jeff & Linda Schroeder Kathleen Schroer Dale Schuette Rich Schuler James Schwartz Laurie Schwartz Sylvie Schwartz

Schwarzbach Family Foundation Mark Scott Norah Scott Judith Scully Sear’s Pharmacy G R Segal Sandra Seim Benjamin Sells Dorothy Seman Clancy Senechalle Robert Senechalle Lisa & Jason Sensat Lynda & Paul Shadrake Rupa Shah Matthew Shanahan Joel Sherr Darnell Shields* Louis Shorr Brendan Short Renee Sichlau Nancy Sidman Mary Pat Sieck Brooke Sievers Kimberly Silver Dawne Simmons Peggy Sinko Victor Skade Renee Slade Joan Slanina Diane Slezak Helene Slowik Adrienne Smith Barbara Smith Chris Smith Leslie Smith Mary Kate Smith Mike Smolarek Louise Snyder Edward Solan James Soldat Joan Soldwisch Jacqueline Solfronk Sheila Solomon* Alec Harris & Carollina Song Gisela Sonka Doug & Martha Sorensen Sharon Spooner Susan Sporte* Rachel Stark Amy Stearns Michael Stefanik Ruth Stefl Heather Stelnicki Louise Stevens Jill & Dave Stewart Linda Stewart Max Stewart Gary & Maura Stockmann Laurie Stokes Isaac Stopeck Joni Strand Riverside Strategies Maureen Stratton Kirsten Straughan

Pamela Strauss Robert Streit M/M Strohl Catheve & Gary Strokosch David Strom David & Elisabeth Strong Meghan Strubel Daniel Sullivan Mark Sullivan Fran Sullivan* Carrie Summy Michael Surratt Richard Swanson Theodore Tamul Christine Tanner Pamela Tate Melissa Taub John Taylor Martin Tellalian Glena Temple Cheryl Terhorst Margaret Thayer The Conroy Family The Jaklevic-Schuster Fund The Maura O’Hara & Robert Wielgos Charitable Fund The Sachem Company The Smylie Family Charitable Fund at Schwab Charitable The Wilkinson Mango Family Fund Mary Thomason Judy Thompson Kaia Thompson Laura Thompson Mark Thompson Cecelia Thornton Dana Todd Marne Trevisano Campbell Robert Trezevant* Rogene Tubman Beverly Tuck Robert Tucker J. Turko Anne Kelly Turner David Ubogy Carol Ungaretti Linda Valentine Van Deurson/Iseli Fund Laurie Van Wieren John Vander Laan Doug Varn Jane Verry-Hastings Cristine Vesely Lorene Vickery Donald & Mary Vogel* Kathleen Vogt Laurie & Karl Volz Sandy Vomacka Janice Von Arb Mary Sue Voth Walter Wahlfeldt Mark Walden Gordon Waldron

Mary Walke William Wallace Marietta Walsh Pam Walsh Margaret Walsh* Debra Walters Joan Monica Wanat Brandon-Dawson Warner Barbara Watkins* Deborah Watrach Vicki Watts Theresa Wawzenek Rosemary Weber Susan Weber Zarine Weil Eric & Tina Weinheimer* Terrie Weir Marc Weiss Nile Wendorf* Norah West Michele Wheeler Patrick White Jonathan Wilder Dina Wilensky Deborah Wilhelm William C. Brauneis Fund Carolyn Williams Suzanne Williams Timothy Wilson Camille Wilson White Jim Wisuri Mark & Victoria Witt Jerry & Betty Wojtak Susan Wolfe Kenneth Woods Mark & Randi Woodworth Nancy Woulfe Donald & Celine Woznica Kathy Wyant Kevin Wyderka David Yamashita R. Yankow Dean Yannias Catherine Yen* Victor Yipp Stephen Yogya Cosmas Zachos Margaret Zak Karen Zaremba Julie Zeller Steven Zeller Mary Ziegler Claudia & Leo Zinanni Maureen Zinsmeister Michele Zurakowski

Thanks to our donors who helped us make our Dec. 31st goal!

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Forest Park Review, January 10, 2024

January 10-17

BIG WEEK Duck Dip

e g od

D e v i d

Youth Dodgeball Friday, Jan. 12 to Feb. 16, 6:15 to 7 p.m., RRC Gym A Duck, dodge, dive and throw. Join us every Friday as we will split up into different teams and play some dodgeball. Plus we’ll be teaching different ways to play the classic game. And don’t worry there won’t be any wrenches. All the balls are soft and safe to use and every game will be supervised. Please bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. Register at www.pdofp.org. 7329 Harrison St., Forest Park.

Listing your event Forest Park Review welcomes notices about events that Forest Park groups and businesses are planning. We’ll work to get the word out if you let us know what’s happening by noon Wednesday a week before your news needs to be in the newspaper.

■ Send details to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 60302 ■ Email calendar@wjinc.com

ASL (American Sign Language) Storytime Series with Language Labs Wednesday, Jan. 17, 11 - 11:30 a.m., Forest Park Public Library Enjoy a weekly storytime series with ASL interpretation from our partner, Language Labs. Designed for ages 6 and under. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

Big Art Night Friday, Jan. 12, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Forest Park Public Library Join the library for a fun, all ages, after-hours event. We will have hands-on art to make and share, along with snacks.

Nadeau will also do an ice sculpture demonstration beginning at 6:30 p.m. Register at fppl.org. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

Bullet Journaling Basics Monday, Jan. 15, 4- 5 p.m., Forest Park Public Library Young Adult Lounge Start the new year off on the right foot.

Bullet journaling is a creative way to organize your thoughts, schedule and anything else you want to keep track of.

Learn tips, tricks, and decorate your own notebook. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

Teen Cooking Class: Build Your Own Pizza Wednesday, Jan. 10, 6:15 to 8:15 p.m., Forest Park Park District, Second Floor Meeting Room Not to be cheesy, but we’re getting lost in the sauce.

Ryan and Andre are making a pizza and we need your help. Join us to make the fan favorite that everyone knows and loves. Register at www.pdofp.org. 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park.

Early To Bed Afternoon Mixer Sunday, Jan. 14, 3 p.m., Robert’s Westside Join us for an epic winter’s afternoon. Music, drinks, and great company will give you just the boost you need to make it through January. For our inaugural event, Early to Bed Events will donate all proceeds after fees to Brave Space Alliance, the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center located on the South Side of Chicago, dedicated to creating and providing affirming, culturally competent, for-us by-us resources, programming, and services for LGBTQ+ individuals on the South and West sides of the city. www.robertswestside.com. 7321 Madison St., Forest Park.

Forest Park Review, January 10, 2024

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New infrastructure plan includes Madison Street refresh

The three-year guide also calls for a multi-use path and green alleys

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Forest Park’s new three-year infrastructure plan calls for the completion of several long-discussed projects, green alley improvements and lead service line removal – and some major projects could be on deck as soon as this year.

The plan, which was prepared by long-time village engineering consultant, Rosemont-based Christopher B. Burke Engineering, is more of a guideline than a binding document. The village council has to approve every single project on a case-by-case basis, and the timing of the projects may change based on funding available.

This year is packed with projects – most notably, the long-discussed multi-use bike and walking path along the section of Van Buren Street that runs along the historic Altenheim property, bike racks at Forest Park’s two Blue Line ‘L’ stations, Madison Street corridor improvements and redoing new, green alleys. One major question mark hanging over the plan is the repairs of the village reservoir under Mohr Community Center playground. Until the inspection is completed, the village won’t know how much money it will need to spend.

Burke representative Jim Amelio told the village council that the firm and the village staff decided to do a threeyear plan because the five-year plan for 2018 through 2022 ended up being too far out and got disrupted by the pandemic. The firm put together a one-year plan for 2023 as a stopgap measure. The three-year span is far enough along to plan ahead, but short enough to reduce the risk of things going off the rails.

Amelio said that he put together the list after discussing potential projects with interim village administrator Rachell Entler, Department of Public Works director Sal Stella and commissioner of streets and public improvements Michelle Melin-Rogovin. He added that 2024 is packed with projects because it’s the closest year and thus easier to predict.

The long-discussed Van Buren multi-use path would run on the west side of Van Buren Street, between Madison Street and the start of the Illinois Prairie Path trail. In the long run, it would link to the proposed south extension of the Des Plaines River Trail, which would run along Thatcher Avenue in River Forest and along Madison Street in Forest Park. The project has stalled because the Altenheim retirement community still owns some of the parcels that the path would be built over, and they are negotiating with the village for a possible land swap in order to straighten out some of the awkward borders it was left with after the village bought a significant portion of the property back in 2001.

The village already received a $247,500 Invest in Cook grant to cover the project costs. Burke Engineering estimated that the project will cost $616,000, and the infrastructure plan indicated that the remaining $368.500 will come from the village’s VIP Fund.

PROVIDED BY BURKE ENGINEERING

The bike racks project is another carryover. In late October 2021, Forest Park received an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant, which uses a combination of state and federal funds, to cover 90% of the costs of putting up bike racks at Blue Line’s Forest Park terminal and Harlem/Eisenhower stations. When the bids for the project came back higher than expected, the state agreed to proportionately increase its share – and the village agreed to raise its share. According to the plan, ITEP will cover $146,364 and the village will use the VIP Fund to pay the remaining $16,263, Madison Street project will represent the corridor’s biggest refresh in over two decades. The village will put a new gateway sign at the northeast corner of Madison Street and Harlem Avenue. Burke is currently developing sign designs, and the council will still need to approve the final one. Contractors will also repaint the light poles, bollards and cabinet, redo the pavement markers, and replace damaged benches, bike racks and garbage cans. They will also be repaving sidewalks and redoing tree wells, the holes in the ground the trees were planted in, because the trees have grown since they were planted back in 1999.

The plan allocates $300,000 for the VIP fund to cover the project costs.

The plan assumes that the village will receive a $2.66 million forgivable loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to help cover the costs of replacing lead service lines on private property. The Illinois Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act, which took effect at the start of 2022, requires Forest Park to replace all of its service lines, including the parts that are on private prop-

erty, by at least 2040. In November, the village applied for the IEPA loan to help cover the costs of lead line replacement in the area between Harrison Street, Harlem Avenue, Roosevelt Road and Cricle Avenue. The remaining $264,000 will come from the village’s water fund, which uses money from water bill payments.

Most of the items planned for 2025 and 2026 are routine street maintenance. For 2026, Burke recommended repaving the section of Jackson Boulevard between Desplaines Avenue and Harlem Avenue, replacing the existing water main with higher-capacity, separate water and sewer lines in the process. Forest Park already took on a similar project on the section of Jackson Boulevard between Desplaines Avenue and Madison Street. The project is expected to cost $2.4 million, with $800,000 coming from federal grants, $400,000 coming from the motor fuel tax revenue and $1.2 million coming from the water fund.

The reservoir under the community center is one of the two reservoirs the village uses to store drinking water it receives from Chicago before sending it out throughout Forest Park. The village’s long-term goal is to completely redo the playground on top of it. But until the inspection is complete and the repairs are made, the project is paused.

The infrastructure plan doesn’t include the playground project – just a line item for whatever repairs the village will need to make.

“We are currently doing a structural assessment of the reservoir,” Amelio said. “We’ll be coming back to the board with recommendations.”

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Forest Park Review, January 10, 2024

Traffic commission eyes improvements near Roosevelt Road

Potential long-term solutions may be proposed further down the line

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The Forest Park traffic and safety commission issued several recommendations for improving pedestrian crossings and addressing traffic issues throughout the village.

The commission recommended several improvements for the residential blocks north of Roosevelt Road that are impacted by the customers leaving the nearby shopping plazas. Other major recommendations include adding the “yield to pedestrians” sign at the Madison Street/Elgin Avenue intersection and painting a dedicated pickup/drop-off area for parents who send their kids to the Mohr Community Center.

The village council has historically has followed up on many traffic commission recommendations. The commissioners appeared receptive to the latest round of suggestions, with several commenting that they appreciated that the solutions were inexpensive and easy to implement.

The Dec. 18 presentation was the first presentation commission chairman Jordan Kuehn had given since October 2022. He told the council that he was hoping to give more frequent updates in the future.

For the Madison Street corridor, the commission recommended adding “yield to pedestrians” signs at all crosswalks. Kuehn said that they would especially recommend adding one at the spot where Beloit Avenue stops and northbound traffic sometimes continues onto Burkhart Court. He described it “almost a mirror image” of the complex Madison Street/Elgin Avenue intersection near the east end of the village – a spot where, at the commission’s recommendation, the village put in a “yield to pedestrians” sign last winter.

Many of the recommendations dealt with areas south of Eisenhower Expressway. Most notably, several residents of the 1000 block of Lathrop Avenue signed a petition requesting traffic calming measures as they grapple with traffic from the Forest Park Mall.

Resident Will Carpenter spoke during the

meeting, saying that many mall customers use Lathrop Avenue as a shortcut to reach Des Plaines Avenue.

“A lot of the times, they just disregard the stop sign right there and speed right through,” he said. “There have been times when me and my son have been almost hit [by cars] speeding down Lathrop. There have been accidents, thousand dollars’ worth of damage.”

Carpenter said that this is especially problematic given the growing number of families with kids on the block, and the fact that the Bilingual Montessori Lab Academy private school is located nearby on Dunlop Avenue.

“There are people who regularly disregard the school bus that stops there at Lathrop [Avenue] and Filmore [Street],” he said.

“I’ve even seen residents get into confrontations with people.”

Kuehn said that the commission is considering several different long-term solutions, but in the meantime, it’s recommending painting parking lanes on both sides of the road, saying that there’s been multiple studies showing that narrowing the road reduces spending.

Elsewhere south of the expressway, the commission recommended adding yellow curbs on all sides of the intersection of Circle Avenue and Lexington Street and repainting the existing traffic lines. To reduce traffic issues around the Dollar Tree location on Roosevelt Road., it proposed making the section of Troost Avenue between Roosevelt Road and the east-west alley behind the store two-way. The commission also recommended adding a deer crossing warning on the section of Des Plaines Avenue south of Walmart – a suggestion that surprised Commissioner Maria Maxham.

“I had no idea deer were such a problem in Desplaines,” she said. “Does it happen often?”

Kuehn responded that while it wasn’t “too often,” it was enough of an issue to warrant a sign. “[Deer] kind of cross from one cemetery to another,” he said.

On the north side of town, the commission considered the issue of trucks that travel west on Washington Boulevard getting stuck as they try to turn south onto Marengo Avenue. It recommends putting up a sign directing trucks to turn north onto Elgin Avenue instead. It recommends repainting crosswalks and adding pedestrian signs at the intersection of Randolph Street and Marengo Avenue. It recommended painting

PROVIDED

Recommend painting a designated pick-up/drop- off area and adding signage at community center. a designated pick-up/drop off area in front of the Mohr Community Center entrance, to make it more convenient for parents to pick up and drop off their kids.

A major recurring issue facing Forest Park are the funeral processions that make their way down Jackson Boulevard to reach near Desplaines Avenue. The commission explored using drones to help monitor the processions, but ultimately decided to recommend putting in traffic cameras instead.

Commissioners Ryan Nero and Maxham said that they appreciated that the suggestions were inexpensive.

“What jumps off the page is that they’re all relatively low-cost solutions,” Nero said.

The advisory commission meets at least once a month to hear resident complaints and suggestions and recommends ways the village can address them.

Kuehn presented the latest batch of recommendations during the December 2023 village council meeting.

PROVIDED

Sample pedestrian crosswalk signage.

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Forest Park Review, January 10, 2024

Hoskins is in the running to be DNC delegate The mayor served as a Biden delegate for 7th Congressional district in 2020

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Hoskins was elected as Biden campaign delegate for the 7th District in 2020. He told the Review that he volunteered for the Biden campaign during that election, just like he did in 2024.

Hoskins was first elected village mayor in 2019. He has served as a village commissioner, and he ran for Illinois House of Representatives 7th District seat in 2012.

When Brandon Johnson was elected mayor of Chicago, he had to give up his seat

When the Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago in late August 2024, a face familiar to Forest Parkers may be among the delegates.

Mayor Rory Hoskins is one of the six candidates, and the only suburban candidate, in the running to serve as incumbent Pres. Joe Biden delegate for the 7th congressional district. The delegates are part of the official process parties use to select their nominees for president. For district-level delegates, the vote is a little more than a formality, since it reflects whichever candidate got the most votes in the primary.

Voters who are registered as Democrats will choose the delegates during the March 19 primary election.

The other five candidates are all Chicago FILE elected officials who live in various parts Rory Hoskins and his family pose with Karen Yarbrough. of the 7th District.

The race pits Hoskins on the Cook County Board of Commissionagainst Illinois State Rep. La Shawn Ford ers. The selection committee was made up (9th), who lives in the Austin neighborhood of Democratic Party committeepersons and whose district includes Oak Park and who represented Johnson’s 1st District was Forest Park. Ald. Emma Mitts (37th), who put together to fill the vacancy until the represents portions of Austin and West November 2024 election. The committee Humboldt Park neighborhoods and is an included Burnett and Mitts. Hoskins was influential figure in West Side Democratic one of the six finalists who got to go before politics, threw her hat in the ring as well. the committee, but the committee chose Ald. Walter Burnett (27th), another West Chicago labor activist Tara Stamps.

Sider, serves as a Chicago vice mayor. OthMore recently, in October 2023, Hoskins er candidates include Chicago City Clerk was among the Tribal, state and local govAnna Valencia, Ald. Nicole Lee (11th), cur- ernment officials have been appointed by rently the only Asian-American alderman the Office of the United States Trade Repon the Chicago City Council, fellow South resentative to a spot on the IntergovernSide Ald. Patt Dowell (3rd), and State Rep. mental Policy Committee.

Kam Buckner (26th).

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Forest Park Review, January 10, 2024

ROUNDTABLE Deep listening from page 1 student aspirations and goals.

Henderson resigned from his position on Aug. 9, 2023 following a contentious three years with the district.

Karvelas, a longtime district administrator, was chosen by the board of education to serve as acting superintendent.

Since stepping up into the role, Karvelas has expressed her desire to “put the pieces back together,” rebuilding a district that had been fractured under previous leadership.

This is why she never misses a roundtable meeting.

“Through the superintendent, they know they can speak and they can be heard and their voice has a level of importance,” she said. “They are not just saying something that is not going to be heard.”

That level of attention has reinspired students.

Jarrell David, a sophomore at Proviso Math and Science Academy, is serving as president of the roundtable and has made it his mission to raise the Proviso district in the eyes of the community and his peers.

The roundtable is a way to bring the real student perspective to the attention of administrators.

“The roundtable comes and we provide the diverse experience of different student perspectives: all races, all colors, all gender identities, all sexual identities so that we can truly be a better and more united Proviso,” David said.

David, who participated in last year’s roundtable, said this year, with permission from Karvelas, the roundtable is addressing students directly, going to different club meetings, attending district functions, and trying to hear real and unfiltered student voices.

“We went to visit Proviso East, Proviso West, and we have been more active from last year,” he said.

Ensuring participation from all three schools — Proviso East, Proviso West, and Proviso Math and Science Academy — is crucial because the schools have different cultures and climates, Karvelas said.

“We want to ensure that we meet the needs of every single school and we understand that every single school has very different needs,” she said.

Proviso Math and Science Academy Junior Alyssa Edwards, secretary for the Superintendent Student Roundtable, joined to

JARRELL DAVID

Proviso’s Superintendent Student Roundtable is composed of students from across the three district campuses who meet with the superintendent in partnership to bring positive changes to the district. be a part of an organization that would help reach students and bring positive change to the district.

“I thought it was an amazing program to be a part of to actually make a difference within the schools,” Edwards said. “Our voices are much more heard and we can set up meetings to meet with the superintendent and she is actually listening to us and being proactive about the issues we are voicing.”

And the roundtable has become a safe space for students to unite together for change.

“It creates a stronger bond and makes it an enjoyable environment,” Edwards said. “I look forward to the meetings of the roundtable. I am surrounded by my peers and I can see the superintendent actively listening.”

Working to identify different issues to address, including the rebuilding of relationships within the Proviso community and to continuously grow the student body, David said another goal has been to destigmatize the district and remind the community on what it truly means to be “Proviso Proud.”

“They see us as a violent district, certain fights that have been televised or the strike, I think, also set us back because we were seen as not caring about our education but

we are actively caring about our education every day,” Edwards said. “We have amazing programs within the district that show we are good students and the teachers are just as good. We are just as good as any other school that is in the surrounding areas.”

David agrees.

“We are coming together and we are strengthening those relationships between all three schools because all three schools need to know that they are nothing but the best,” David said. “They are vessels of historic abundance, that these schools are truly the bedrock of the community and that is what a lot of people have forgotten.”

One way to tackle this is by creating subcommittees within the roundtable.

“It is going to be student focused and student lead,” David said. “I want our student body to know that they truly have voices that have not been heard.”

David said it is time for the roundtable to be more present amongst the student body and hopes Proviso students know that they are truly here to help, which they are doing with the help of Karvelas and Janessa Salgado, secretary to the district superintendent.

“We want them to know that they are part, a very important part of the district, and a component that needs to be heard,” she said. “We want them to know that this roundtable is just as important as the school board, if not more.”

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Forest Park Review, January 10, 2024

C R I M E

Shots fired in two Forest Park locations, no injuries reported

During the first week of 2024, area police reports responded to two reports of shots fired, one near the Taco Bell on the northwest corner of Randolph Street and Harlem Avenue.

The first incident took place on Jan. 3 at around 3 p.m. The witnesses who were using a Taco Bell drive-thru said a black 2026 Infiniti SUV pull into the alley to the west.

Three to five people got out of the car, and the driver got out. While they didn’t see anyone firing a gun, they heard a gunshot.

They then saw the car drive north through the alley. At this point, a witness was able to take a picture of the car. The SUV then turned south onto Harlem Avenue, before uturning and heading north.

The Oak Park police officers who responded to the call saw an Infiniti that matched the witnesses’ descriptions speed north on Harlem Avenue. They chased it, losing track of it as it headed into Chicago on Grand Avenue. They found two shell casings in the alley, but no evidence that anyone was injured.

The second incident took place on Jan. 7 at the 300 block of Burkhart Court, sometime after 10:51 p.m. The officers found four shell casings in front one of the homes. The homeowner said that a series of “loud pops” woke her up, but she didn’t see what actually happened.

The closest security cameras are located on the nearby stretch of Madison Street, but the police officers didn’t have access to the footage at the time of the report.

Death threat A former employee of Weinstein Wholesale Meats showed up at her former place of work after telling a former co-worker via text message that she was “about to blow this popsicle stand.”

The ex-employee showed up at the Weinstein plant on the morning of Jan. 2.

When questioned by the police, she said she wanted to pick up her personal belongings from her desk. The police officer and an employee went to check the building but didn’t find anything she was looking for.

According to the police report, the officers tried to tell the ex-employee that

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what she texted was “highly concerning, threatening in nature and require a serious response.” The ex-employee reportedly brushed them off. She left the property without incident.

Motor vehicle thefts Forest Park saw two vehicle thefts – one of which was stolen overnight and one was stolen as the owner went inside the gas station to pay.

The first theft happened Jan. 2. The victim parked her silver 2016 Lexus SUV at Thornton’s gas station. A little after 4:39 p.m., she went inside the gas station to pay.

The gas station security cameras captured a white 2024 Acura MDX and a white 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee pulling into the lot and park. The Acura driver exited the car, went to check the Lexus and, once he realized that the car wasn’t locked, he waved at the Jeep and got into the victim’s car. A man got out of the Jeep’s front passenger side door and went into the driver’s side of the Acura. All three cars then drove off, heading south on Harlem Avenue.

Earlier that day, the Park Ridge Police Department reported the Acura as stolen, and the thieves used the Jeep during the theft, The victim’s purse, which included her phone, credit cards and jewelry, were inside the Lexus when it was stolen. Later that day, the victim was able to sue the phone’s location finder and saw that it last pinged near the spot where Pulaski Road passes over Eisenhower expressway.

The second theft happened overnight at the 7500 block of Jackson Boulevard. The owner of the silver 2016 Chrysler 300 discovered that his car was missing Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. The police officers who responded to the call found broken glass where the car was parked.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, Dec 27, 2023 to Jan. 7, 2024, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

Compiled by Igor Studenkov

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10 Forest Park Review, January 10, 2024 S P O N S O R E D

C O N T E N T

Eggsperience goes beyond egg-spectations Breakfast and lunch spot on The Circle in Elmwood Park

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Eggsperience is a local restaurant with a presence not only in Elmwood Park, but also in the city in Lakeview, on Taylor Street, Irving Park Road and in Wheeling.

The idea for farm to table freshness at breakfast and lunch with locally sourced ingredients hatched in 2004. But it wasn’t until 2018 when the concept came to The Circle in Elmwood Park at 16 Conti Parkway.

The idea of an egg with just about anything has been on trend for a while, but its deliciousness has not faded. The restaurant’s website boasts that, “all egg dishes are made with free range, USDA organic, non-GMO fresh eggs from local farmers.” And the orange juice is fresh squeezed.

The menu ranges from traditional

breakfasts that you can tuck into with gusto, like a variety of omelets and scrambles. There is an option to build your own from a wide variety of ingredients, if one on the menu doesn’t tempt you. Eggs are still the main attraction when you order steak and eggs, corned beef hash and eggs, or a variety of benedicts. Avocado toast with an egg on top is a sure winner.

And an egg and cheese bagel covers all the bases.

What is surprising is the number of flavor profiles that all of these come in.

There is The Ranchero omelet with a mix of chorizo sausage, jalapeños, queso fresco, topped with a cilantro lime sour cream. A Mediterranean pairs eggs with spinach, imported kalamata olives and authentic Greek feta cheese. Greek yogurt parfait lives up to its namesake “perfect.”

The chilaquiles is a sensation bringing rich tortillas, eggs any style, and green salsa together with queso fresco and cilantro lime sour cream.

The menu encompasses many dietary

needs with vegetarian options and even some vegan ones. Berry Berry Oatmeal is made with water, not milk, so vegans can dig in.

Sweet tooth diners aren’t left out either.

Crepes, pancakes, waffles or French toast can cozy up with berries, Nutella,

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Eggsperience in Elmwood Park

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Avacado toast

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Berry Berry oatmeal

Forest Park Review, January 10, 2024 11

S P O N S O R E D

C O N T E N T

WE KNOW EGGSACTLY WHAT YOU WANT All egg dishes are made with free range, USDA organic, non GMO fresh eggs from our local Farmers!

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

(above) Cracked-egg burger & sweet potato fries (left) Bagel egg sandwich or cinnamon. Fried chicken and waffles spans both sides of sweet and savory. For the kids, Oreo cookie pancakes are sure to please. Both pancakes and waffles can be ordered gluten-free.

But wait…there is lunch! The breakfast menu is available all day long but when you start to dream of tacos, salads, soup, and sandwiches, Eggsperience has got you covered there too. The Eggsperience Cracked Egg Burger is a house specialty.

Paired with sweet potato fries no one is going away hungry.

Online review sites give the restaurant an average between 4 to 4.5 out of 5 stars with positive reviews such as: • We got two kids’ meals and two regular ones and it only took like 10 minutes from ordering to get our food. A nice touch is the water carafe at the table and a coffee carafe for refills of both.

• Had the dulce de leche French toast.

They came with fresh strawberries, blueberries, bananas and an amazing sauce. Generous portion and beautiful presentation.

• You’ll need a to go container for most options. Generous portions, fabulous

omelets, and the option for pancakes as a side guarantee a perfect sweet savory breakfast experience.

The restaurant’s website states that this location is under new management, which will surely address any negatives that might have accumulated in the past.

Eggsperience offers catering and delivery, as well as pick up service. And specials rotate throughout the month.

Once you decide that this place is everything it’s cracked up to be, there’s a rewards program for repeat eaters. Earn 1 point for every $1 spent at this location and you’ll get $10 off your next order after every 100 points.

At Eggsperience you can answer the ageold question: which came first, the chicken or the egg? The answer: whichever one you ordered for your meal.

The details eggsperiencecafe.com/locations/elmwood-park 16 Conti Parkway, Elmwood Park (708) 395-5007 Hours: Daily 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Forest Park Review, January 10, 2024

Two buses dropped off migrants — the village was ready

Officials quietly put a plan in place in November

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Two busloads of asylum-seekers were dropped off at the Blue Line Forest Park terminal in December, and the village quietly put a little-known plan of action into place.

Mayor Rory Hoskins told the Review that under the plan, the village is supposed to work with the Salvation Army and Pace suburban bus system to get migrants sheltered. It has no plans to provide shelter themselves.

But as of Jan. 2, he said, there have been two instances of buses dropping off migrants at the Forest Park terminal. On Dec. 15, the migrants got on the ‘L’ and the bus left before the village could respond.

On Dec. 30, Forest Park police officers escorted the bus to the designated city dropoff point.

Hoskins said that in November, the village staff developed a policy for dealing with migrant arrivals. If the migrants are left stranded in Forest Park, the village will contact Pace to transport them to Salvation Army facilities that can provide emergency shelter and other services. On Jan. 8, the village council approved an ordinance requiring the buses wishing to drop off migrants in Forest Park to file an application ahead of time, and putting in fines for the buses that violate the new rules.

Since the summer of 2022, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has been busing asylum-seekers, most of whom come from Central and South American countries, to several cities, including Chicago. As the city began seizing and impounding buses that arrived without warning and outside the specifically designated times and locations, the buses started dropping off migrants in the suburbs and even exurbs like Kankakee, Ill. This, in turn, led many suburbs, including Oak Park, River Forest and Broadview, to impose their own restrictions.

In mid-November, Chicago put in new restrictions, requiring that the drop-offs only happen at the Maxwell Street Market area on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and limited it to two buses per hour. An ordinance approved in early December 2023

gave enforcement some teeth, allowing the city to impound the buses that don’t follow the rules.

Since then, there have been multiple instances of buses dropping off migrants in the suburbs, leading to another wave of restrictions. On Dec. 7, Oak Park adopted a policy stating that buses would not be allowed to drop off passengers – instead, they will be directed to the Chicago dropoff zone. On Dec. 29., River Forest village president Cathy Adduci signed an executive order requiring the buses to apply for a permit to make the drop-off, with the violators fined at $750 per passenger.

On Dec. 16 at around 4 p.m., a bus attempted to drop off migrants in River Forest, at section of Lake Street west of Harlem Avenue. The area is within walking distance of the Harlem/Lake Green Line ‘L’ station and the Oak Park Metra station, the spot where Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park borders converge. Photos shared with the Review coach bus with the logo of the Houston, Texas based Western Motor Coach company stopped on the westbound, Forest Preserve side of Lake Street, with River Forest Police Department cars surrounding them. The police eventually escorted the bus out of the area.

The Forest Park terminal is an attractive

drop-off point because it is one of only two ‘L’ lines that operates around the clock, and it has a turnaround for Pace buses.

Hoskins told the Review that on Dec. 15, 2023, CTA security notified the village that a bus dropped off passengers that “appeared to be migrants.” By the time the police arrived, the passengers had already boarded the ‘L’ and left. The security guards told the police officers that the migrants had Ventra cards.

“They all had Ventra cards -- they went straight to the city,” Hoskins said.

On Dec. 30, another bus tried to drop off “40 to 50” migrants at the terminal, he said, but this time, they didn’t get very far, and the bus was still on the scene. A Texas Division of the Emergency Management staff member was with the bus, and she told the officers that she had Metra passes – which don’t work on the CTA and Pace.

Hoskins said that the officers told the bus driver and the TDEM official where the migrants had to be dropped off. Everyone reboarded the bus without incident, and the police escorted it to the Chicago drop-off site.

The mayor said that he let the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security know about the Dec. 30 incident, and he talked to

the CTA officials about the Dec. 15 incident.

Hoskins said: “In the event a large busload of migrants” gets dropped off and the bus leaves, Forest Park will contact Pace to transport them to the Salvation Army facilities nearby. The village is working with that organization, he said, because it “provides housing on a larger scale to some of the migrant populations.”

The Forest Park terminal is a major hub for Pace bus routes serving the west suburbs and beyond, and there is room to stage multiple buses, if necessary.

The suburban transit agency has several routes operating at night, most of which serve shift workers at USP and Amazon facilities, so it can theoretically send in drivers and buses no matter what time of day the intercity buses arrive.

Pace declined to comment on the matter.

According to Salvation Army website, the closest Salvation Army facility that offers emergency housing is located in Chicago’s West Humboldt Park neighborhood.

Hoskins also said that the village has “pretty close communications with Oak Park and the surrounding villages.”

“I’m happy that the staff is adapting to change in our area, this part of the [Proviso] township and the challenges that we have to face,” he added.

Village restricts transport of asylum seekers Forest Park is requiring any bus operators that plan to drop off asylum-seekers at Forest Park to register ahead of time – otherwise, they will face thousands of dollars in fines.

The ordinance unanimously adopted by the village council Jan. 8 sets for the first time a clear policy for how to respond to bus companies that are being chartered

by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to transport migrants in the United States. With Chicago clamping down on buses, the drop-offs have increasingly been happening in nearby areas. River Forest and Oak Park were among the many neighboring suburbs that adopted similar restrictions.

The new ordinance comes after recent incidents of buses dropping off migrants at the Forest Park terminal. Forest Park mayor Rory Hoskins said that they wanted to put together something that’s consistent

with their neighbors.

The new ordinance requires that any buses that transport passengers but don’t follow a regular schedule must submit the application to the Forest Park Police Chief in order to be able to drop off passengers anywhere in the village. The application must be submitted at least five days ahead of time, and must include “the full name, full address, and telephone numbers” of the applicant – which can be the bus company owner, the operator or the driver – and the entity that paid them to transport passengers. The application also has to include the driver’s cell phone number.

The applicants need to also provide the full names and copies of government identifications of every passenger on the bus. The buses would only be able to drop off passengers on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and the

address of a drop-off point must be included in the application. The application must also include the addresses and locations from which the passengers will be picked up.

Once the police chief gets the application, he has up to four days to either approve or reject it.

Any applicant who doesn’t follow the ordinance, or lies on the application, can be fined anywhere between $300 and $750 per transported passenger per day.

During the Jan. 8 meeting, Hoskins said that the village’s overall goal will be to steer migrants toward Chicago.

“This will allow us to work with our neighboring communities to direct buses dropping off migrants to the City of Chicago’s designated [drop-off] space,” he said.

IGOR STUDENKOV

January 10, 2024 13

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Winter 2024

Education and

Enrichment

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14 January 10, 2024

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River Forest Public Schools Earn Top State Designations

T

he Illinois State Board of Education published the Illinois State Report Card, an annual evaluation of all public schools that provides each school with an individual Summative Designation.

River Forest District 90 public schools earned two Exemplary Designations and a Commendable Designation, the top two of the five leveled Summative Designations.

Willard and Lincoln Elementary Schools earned Exemplary Designations. The Summative Designation index score for Willard indicates performance in the top 3-4% of all public schools throughout the state, and marks the second year in a row that Willard has earned the Exemplary Designation. The Summative Designation index score for Lincoln indicates performance in the top 1% of all schools.

Roosevelt Middle School earned

P

a Commendable Designation, demonstrating improved achievement on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness over last year in both English Language Arts and Math, as well as exceptional performance on the Illinois Science Assessment. Learn more at www.illinoisreportcard.com.

“We celebrate these Summative Designations because of what they represent - extraordinary teaching and learning across our schools,” said Ed Condon, Ph.D., Superintendent.

“Congratulations to the entire community.”

District 90 Schools will hold Kindergarten Information Night on Thurs Feb 8 at 6:30pm, for all River Forest families with children who will be 5 years old on or before 9/1/2024.

The event runs at both Willard School, 1250 Ashland Ave, and Lincoln School, 511 Park Ave.

Art Reinforces Learning and Critical Thinking

hyllis Frick, owner of Frick Kids Art, believes art is an integral part of learning and builds critical thinking skills. Lessons may explore how water and oil don’t mix, observe microscopic organisms that become abstract paintings or collaborate with Mathnasium to turn math concepts such as tessellations and tangrams into art.

Process Art, the exploration of materials, rather than focussing on the outcome, is the underlying method used at Frick Kids Art. Children make their own choices from a buffet of materials to facilitate decision making skills that are key to building self esteem, confidence, and pride in ownership. “Look at my masterpiece!” and “I wonder what would happen if…” are comments frequently overheard during classes at Frick Kids Art. An Oak Parker states “I brought my

grandkids, ages 3 and 5, to a really fun and fascinating art project where Ms. Frick taught them how science and art intersected. They had a blast experiencing how motion and color came together in their art. She is a natural with young children and has good experience with neuro-diverse populations.”

And a mother from Burr Ridge explains, “Mrs. Frick’s art classes are the highlight of our kid’s week! She encourages critical and creative thinking and classes are always well prepared with some insightful background, a bit of art history, practical instruction and very importantly...they're FUN!” If you’re looking for art classes and camps that are individualized and that emphasize curiosity, imagination and unique outcomes, check out Frick Kids Art for Pre-K through sixth graders.

January 10, 2024 15

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

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The St. Luke School Difference

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t. Luke School has been providing families an excellent, Catholic education since 1921. We are proud of our 100-year legacy and look forward to educating children for generations to come.

At St. Luke, we strive to honor our mission of engaging the intellect and nurturing the spirit of our students.

• Rigorous and engaging academic programming resulting in 77.5% of students above proficiency in reading and math, far exceeding the Illinois average of 38%.

• Reading and language arts resources and instruction is driven by evidence based practices with explicit teaching in phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

• A student-teacher ratio of 10:1 fosters a sense of community and allows for a higher impact teaching environment.

• Highly-skilled and dedicated teaching staff with an average of 13 years of teaching experience

• No-cut athletics program begins in 4th grade, creating opportunities for personal growth, teamwork, and leadership • A culture rooted in academic rigor, kindness, and service positions our graduates for success in high school and beyond We focus on the values of faith, hope, love, and community. Teachers bring these values into class each day t0 give children daily opportunities to learn, share, and understand their faith and role in society. Service projects push our students to expand their world view and grow their appreciation of community life and service for others while also being challenged to think critically for real-life problem solving.

We invite you to come and discover the St. Luke Difference.

Visit stlukeschoolrf.org to learn more.

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January 10, 2024 17

River Forest Community Center Open House feonrter Early Childhood LearniEnDgU C C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

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Join the fun in the Early Childhood Program at the River Forest Community Center!

he River Forest Community Center provides an ageappropriate curriculum designed to encourage positive group interaction as well as foster individual growth.

Our teachers thrive on creating a safe and fun learning environment through play in which children are encouraged to explore and develop their cognitive, language, social intellectual and motor skills.

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Every child has a gift to be shared • Pre-K through 12th Grade. Private/Independent school since 1994. Listed by MENSA as a recommended program for gifted students.

• Private Music Lessons

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LMS/ International Mansion: every child has a gift to be shared

ur school can be best described as a ‘Homeschool in School’ style program.

We have a full dynamic Spanish Immersion curriculum and are listed by MENSA as a recommended program for gifted students.

We are a small school with only 30 students total between Preschool and 8th grade.

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- Fluency in Spanish Achieved within one year during Preschool years, or within two years during Elementary School years. The Spanish language is spoken throughout as the target immersion language. Academic classes are all taught in English and/or Spanish and English.

If weather permits, many of our academic classes are done outdoors.

- Student to teacher ratio: some classes are one on one, two to one, with a maximum of six students to one instructor.

- Daily schedule is customized and flexible.

- Professional and passionate instructors.

- Guest tutors with real life experience.

- No test to enter, no traditional testing.

- Students paired by interest, in mixed age setting.

- Weekly reports sent to parents.

Current subjects, but not limited to, are:

• Foreign Language Lessons • Academic Tutoring

The Language & Music School at International Mansion

Our mission is to provide a handson approach to learning which allows the children to explore their environment while enhancing their social, emotional, cognitive and motor development.

The Early Childhood Programs include: • Munchkins & Playschool for Caregivers and Tots • Preschool (Half-Day & Full-Day) • Pre-Kindergarten (Half-Day & Full-Day) • Before & After School Programs • Summer Camps Coming Soon: Full-Day Infant and Toddler Care!

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Special Advertising Section

Since

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• Penmanship • Reading/writing • Math • Science • Geography/history • Logic/coding • Theater (improv, superhero stage combat, musical theatre) • Martial arts

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• Chinese immersion taught in lesson format • Intro to Foreign languages (Hebrew, Italian, chinese, japanese, korean, etc.)

• Physical education: Archery/Ice Skating/ Soccer, and more • Chess and board games • Architectural design

Special Advertising Section

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

Successful in-person learning since 1994!

Open House, Sunday, January 28 • 2-4pm

Call or email us to set up a tour and observation. keystonemontessori1994@gmail.com • Instagram: @ksmontessori94 Parent/infant program • Toddler Class, ages 2-3 Primary Class, ages 3-6 • Elementary and Middle School

A place where children love to learn 7415 W. North Avenue, River Forest, IL 708/366-1080

Ascension School Now Enrolling

A

scension School is celebrating our 113th year as an education institution for children in Oak Park and the surrounding neighborhoods this year. The school provides an education rooted in love, kindness, respect, and inclusion to students from Pre-Kindergarten three- year-olds to eighth grade. The strength and support of our Ascension community is notably present in the students’ academic, social, and spiritual education. Our goal is to create a positive atmosphere where students can grow in a safe, challenging and faith-filled learning environment.

Ascension entered into our third year as a school partner with the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. We are one of only 12 schools in the third year of this program.

Ascension students now learn a science curriculum that is based on hands-on, real world learning thanks to the MSI faculty committee.

With an average student to teacher ratio of 13:1, our faculty recognizes the individuality of each child’s development and has the opportunity to work with our students one on one to help them achieve their academic goals. Our students experience a well-

rounded, Catholic education that enriches their minds, bodies, and souls. Students are given specials each week including Art, Music, Spanish, and Physical Education.

Ascension provides outstanding fine and performing arts programs, extracurricular athletic programs and a number of clubs that promote teamwork, community and inclusion such as: Green Club, Chess Club, Student Council, Robotic/Tech Club, and Drama.

Ascension School also offers an Extended Day Program before and after school hours.

The cost is dependent on usage.

We offer both full and half-day prekindergarten programs. Our littlest learners’ day focuses on independent learning, socialization, reading readiness and literacy skills, and fine motor and gross motor development.

Beginning in Pre-Kindergarten, every classroom has guided access to iPads, chromebooks, interactive smart boards, and students are exposed to comprehensive STEAM opportunities throughout the year.

Learn what Ascension School can offer your child. Visit us on Sunday, January 28 11:30 am- 1:30 pm or schedule a private tour at school.ascensionoakpark.com.

January 10, 2024 19

20

Forest Park Review, January 10, 2024

Jaqueline "Jackie" Schultz "Talk of the Town" columnist 1931-2023

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L E T T E R

Put the brakes on removing Roosevelt’s islands As just about anyone can attest, driver behavior in the pandemic era has only gotten more erratic, and now more than ever we should be investing in ways to keep our streets safer not only for motorists but also for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders too. That’s why I am extremely concerned about Forest Park’s plan to remove some or all of the median islands on Roosevelt Road, as reported in the Jan. 3 issue of the Review.

While more pro-active maintenance to vegetation and landscaping can help with

visibility issues, the islands themselves are an important component of encouraging Roosevelt Road motorists to slow down by visibly narrowing the street without affecting overall roadway capacity.

Removing the islands will make the street feel wider, which encourages faster driving speeds. Additionally, despite marking the edge between residential neighborhoods to the north and commercial uses (including a grocery store, gym, and restaurants) to the south, it is already challenging to cross Roosevelt on foot, with no official cross-

walks for five blocks between Circle and Lathrop avenues. Removing the islands will further decrease pedestrian safety, and if anything the village should be exploring adding an additional island with a proper crosswalk at Beloit rather than removing islands elsewhere along Roosevelt.

One of Forest Park’s greatest strengths is how accessible and walkable our community is, and if the village is serious about creating a more vibrant Roosevelt Road corridor and eventually finding an appropriate use for the Armed Forces Reserve

Center, we need to make the road safer for everyone who uses it, not simply more comfortable for motorists.

I encourage Forest Park and the village’s engineer to find ways to actually make Roosevelt Road safer to travel on and live along, rather than pursue a shortsighted plan that will inevitably encourage higher speeds and more dangerous pedestrian conditions through our community.

Scott Presslak

Forest Park

OPINION O U R

I

V I E W

Practical traffic solutions

n a busy urban/suburban village such as Forest Park, there are endless tugs and tussles as autos, pedestrians and, increasingly, cyclists/scooters plus all manner of two-wheeled gizmos compete for movement and safety.

Each solution is imperfect. But the need for active, ongoing and solutiondriven reviews of specific intersections is critical. The December meeting of the village council was eye-opening as commissioners heard a lengthy and detailed report from the chair of the village’s Traffic Commission, Jordan Kuehn.

It was the first time in a year that the commission had reported to the council, with recommendations related to every area of the village — north to south and east to west.

Commissioners expressed appreciation that so many of the recommendations were actionable and affordable: Restriping streets to narrow traffic flow.

Adding signage to redirect some traffic and upping the preference given to pedestrians along Madison Street. Listening to residents with specific worries, such as traffic exiting the Forest Park Mall and speeding down Lathrop to reach Desplaines Avenue. There was even a request to place a deer crossing warning on Desplaines, south of Roosevelt, where Kuehn said deer cross over at times between cemeteries.

We also appreciate the practicality of the solutions offered. There are broad and shifting traffic patterns that may need a more holistic vision. Communities such as Forest Park are responding to shifting perceptions that automobiles are not the sole users of our roads and that calming auto traffic to provide better and safer options to those who walk and pedal is more important than ever.

Proviso listens to students

Jarrell David, a sophomore at Proviso Math and Science Academy, is president of the reinvigorated Superintendent Student Roundtable in the District 209 public high schools, serving Proviso Township.

Our reporter, Amaris Rodriguez, quotes David this week saying of the three high schools, “They are vessels of historic abundance, that these schools are truly the bedrock of the community, and that is what a lot of people have forgotten.”

David is right. These schools are the bedrock of the community. For all of their self-inflicted failings over decades, Proviso East, West and PMSA are an essential foundation of the possibilities of this district.

Good for Bessie Karvelas, acting D209 superintendent, who recognized the necessity of actively listening to students. A longtime D209 person, Karvelas is in a unique position to engage with students, work toward solutions and seek the help of students to bring better energy and wider engagement in the district.

This district is rightly undertaking a wide search for its next superintendent. We won’t prejudge that process. We do hope that Karvelas will consider applying for the permanent job. New talent and fresh efforts have their appeal. But she is a rare Proviso insider who might use her experience in a deeply flawed school system to bring genuine change.

Her determination to legitimately listen to students is a reflection of that attitude.

M

Forest Park Review, January 10, 2024

Eyeball cancer

y day began with bright sun on my face. This is more or less customary, but the puddle of pillow-fluid that traced directly to my own personal right eye socket was something new. I gingerly and nervously attempted to ensure that the eyeball was still properly installed, and discovered to my immense relief that it was so.

That determined, I initiated further investigation into my current Eyeball Performance Level and discovered that a bit of something was causing all the pain and leakage. Grit or sand or something.

There are a number of tricks to dislodging a pesky bit in one’s eye. I tried them all — upper lid out-and-over the lower, the reverse, opening my eye in a pool of water, showering with my eyes open, flushing the eye with some kind of sterile fluid poured into a grotesque little eyesucker-shaped cup ($11), weeping — nothing worked. Gutted it out until noon when I gave up, went to the doctor. (My reluctance to start there stemmed from my desire not to pay $50 to have a medical professional tell me, “You’ve got something in your eye.”)

The eye doctor — who has, since my last visit, thoughtfully added to her practice a seriously fetching assistant — tells me that I have something in my eye. After dyeing the surface of my eyeball a festive orange, she peered at it through the most amazing upright microscope and said to her lovely assistant something that sounded to me grave. (In fairness, everything any doctor says about me sounds grave.)

I said, “Beg pardon?” and she said, “I said you have an embedded foreign particle.”

I had arrived with two mental lists: Things I Wanted To Hear and Things I Didn’t Want To Hear. Tops on the first list was, “Why don’t I recline the exam chair and leave you and Roxie here alone for an hour or so while the drops take effect.” Number one on the second list was “Eyeball Cancer,” which may or may not exist as a thing but was still worrisome.

“Embedded” was not on the list of Things I Didn’t Want To Hear, but only because it hadn’t occurred to me as a possibility. The notion that something could be “embedded” in my eyeball — still can’t read it without cringing, can ya? — was too out-there for me to have imagined the medically nightmarish consequences, which is an accomplishment indeed.

Then it got better. The doctor put a few drops in my eye, told me to relax, and then pulled out a Q-Tip the size of a cigar. I asked her what she was doing, and she told me she was going to poke my eyeball with the giant Q-Tip until she was able to gouge out the bit, and hopefully the eyeball wouldn’t rupture first, though if it did that wouldn’t be all bad, as she was a payment behind to her dealer and eyeball reinflation surgery is a gold mine, hahaha, so hold still.

She got it out, the bit, and said casually, “Oh, it’s an iron filing.”

That’s when I did something really, really dumb: I asked her how she could tell.

She said, and I quote, “Because there’s a rust-ring on your eyeball.”

Isn’t this a nice story?

True: The hole in my eyeball previously occupied by a sliver of metal now has even tinier bits of pitted and discolored metal in it in a sort of decorative fringe around the original eyeball puncture. I have been given drops for this — presumably Eyeball Formula Rustoleum — and have to go back in two weeks because if the rust ring doesn’t dislodge of its own accord over the weekend, the doc has to “go in and get it.”

I’m so excited about this, I rushed home and hurriedly Googled “French Foreign Legion.”

ALAN

BROUILETTE

21

22

Forest Park Review, January 10, 2024 F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW Editor Erika Hobbs Staff Reporter Igor Studenkov, Amaris Rodriguez Digital Manager Stacy Coleman Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Lifka 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 Projects Manager Susan Walker

Board of Directors

H

Nothing stops Gladys

istory is a hard sell. Many don’t care about the past.

That’s why we treasure people like Gladys Turner. The 88-year-old from Dayton, Ohio, has dedicated herself to honoring Professor Joseph Corbin. Thanks to her efforts, many are celebrating the legacy of a pioneering Black educator who founded the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB).

Gladys had already succeeded in having Corbin’s gravesite in Forest Home Cemetery (FHC) placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The next step was to have a plaque made to show the gravesite is indeed a historic place.

We turned to the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest for guidance. They recommended the business that had produced the plaque for the Haymarket Martyrs Monument (HMM). We spoke with Andrea Zimmerman, at Erie Landmark Co., who provided a mock-up of the plaque. The cost would be $355.

We next met with the manager of FHC, Dan Fitts, about having the plaque placed. Fitts surveyed Corbin’s grave and suggested affixing the plaque to Corbin’s headstone. He said FHC would charge $300 for this. He also gave

us an affidavit to be signed by Corbin’s surviving heirs to allow the cemetery to make this alteration to Corbin’s grave.

In the meantime, Gladys traveled to Pine Bluff to be the moderator for “Professor Joseph Corbin Day.” The celebration marked the 150th Anniversary of the founding of UAPB. There, she met KATV personality Ashley Crockett, a descendant of Corbin’s sister who put Gladys in touch with her mother.

Gladys spoke with Ashley’s mom and learned the family had an oral tradition about Corbin but no documentation of their connection. They did not want be in the limelight or field inquiries about Corbin. They certainly didn’t want to sign the FHC affidavit.

This threatened to derail the whole project. Corbin’s children didn’t have any kids of their own. Like many families, this branch of the Corbin family had simply died out. When faced with an impasse, Gladys has adopted a simple motto: “Find a way, or make a way.”

She proposed to FHC that she sign the affidavit in her capacity as Corbin’s biographer.

Fitts was agreeable to this and the historical society approved an expenditure of $655 to cover all the costs. It was decided the plaque presentation ceremony be held

JOHN RICE

Chair Judy Greffin 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 CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.com ONLINE ForestParkReview.com 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: $34 per year. $55 for two years, $69 for three years.

Out-of-county subscriptions: $42 per year.

Forest Park Review is published digitally and in print

by Growing Community Media NFP. © 2024 Growing Community Media NFP.

A

L O O K

Aaaarrrgh, mateys!

T

he “Pirateers” posed for a team photo in 1966, as the newly organized girls drill team made their first public appearance at the Proviso East Basketball game on Jan. 28, 1966. The 25 team members came from Bellwood, Broadview, Forest Park, Maywood, and Melrose Park. Front row, from left to right: Barbara Nunn, Nancy Gher, Bonnie Bailey, Vickie Johnston, Yasmin Fulton, Kathy Borchert, Christine Vergauwen, Dee Killins, Martha Davis, Rosalind Hedgely, Carol Kurtz. Back row, left to right: Karen Zobel, Joy Frederick, Debbie Wied, Ruthan Koester, Claudia Grimaldi, Patricia Fricke, Jill Zabka, Dana Stingley, Gini Hopkins, Sandy Talton, Mary Tauber, Lisa Badendick, Sandy Oberg.

Jill Wagner

Photo from the Feb. 10, 1966 Forest Park Review

B A C K

I N

T I M E

at Forest Home on May 1, 2024. Mayor Rory Hoskins has agreed to be one of the speakers.

Gladys also wants Dr. David Ware, the Arkansas state historian, to be on the program.

Hoskins had already planned to showcase the cemetery during the Democratic National Convention in August. Many labor leaders want to visit the martyrs monument during the convention. He hopes the monument will put Forest Park on the map, as a centerpiece of the labor movement.

Celebrating Corbin on May Day is also appropriate. It recognizes how he brought higher education to Black residents of Arkansas, just as the Haymarket martyrs championed the rights of workers everywhere. The event will also highlight Forest Park’s rich and important history.

When Gladys was fighting her uphill battle to have Corbin’s grave recognized, the selling point for the National Registry was how active and involved our historical society has been. Local history isn’t a hard sell for us. It’s a passion.

We are blessed to have cemeteries that preserve our past. We are also blessed to have Gladys Turner, who is tireless in keeping the spirit of Joseph Corbin alive.

She is also planning to attend the May Day celebration. If she can come, the mayor could proclaim “Gladys Turner Day” in Forest Park.

Forest Park Review, January 10, 2024 23

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PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

The River Forest Township Board of Trustees approved the following meeting dates for 2024:

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION January 25, 2024 AT 7:00 P.M.

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

RIVER FOREST TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETINGS Tuesday, January 23, 2024 Tuesday, February 13, 2024 Tuesday, March 19, 2024 Tuesday, April 9, 2024 (also Annual Meeting) Tuesday, May 21, 2024 Tuesday, June 18, 2024 Tuesday, July 16, 2024 Tuesday, August 20, 2024 Tuesday, Sept 17, 2024 Tuesday, October 15, 2024 Tuesday, November 19, 2024 Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Meetings will take place in person at 6:00 PM (except January 23 at 5 PM) at the River Forest Civic Center Authority Building 8020 W. Madison Street, River Forest, IL 60305.

The River Forest Civic Center Authority (RFCCA) Board of Managers approved the samemeeting dates.

The meetings of the RFCCA Board of Managers will take place in the same location immediately following the River Forest Township Board of Trustees meetings.

Any changes in time, date or location as well as Zoom remote participation information will be posted in advance on the River Forest Township website (www.riverforesttownship.org), at the RFCCA Building and at the River Forest Library.

Published in Wednesday Journal January 10, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

2024 Sewer Lining Improvements (Various Locations) This project consists of the installation of approximately 1,997 lineal feet of Cured-in-Place Piping (CIPP) as a sewer lining as well as other miscellaneous work required to install the aforementioned CIPP, including some manhole bench repairs, and point repairs.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at: www.vrf.us/bids Bids must be submitted by Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at: Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305 The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work.

No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening.

The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids.

Published in Wednesday Journal January 10, 2024

NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois for the purpose of considering a request for a final planned development application for a property located at 8845 Burlington Ave, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 (PINs 15-34-433-001-0000; 15-34-433-002-0000; 15-34-433003-0000) by Peter Haleas for a proposed 12-unit, 3-story new construction residential condominium building with enclosed parking.

Legal Description: Lots 17, 18, and 19 in Block 29 in the Subdivision of Blocks 27, 29 to 34 Inclusive, in Grossdale, a Subdivision in Section 34, Township 39 North, Range 12 east of the Third Principal Meridian, in Cook County, Illinois.

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments.

The proposed final planned development application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kate Portillo, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 or at kportillo@brookfieldil.gov.

Please reference PZC Case 24-02. Oral or written public testimony may be given during the public hearing.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman..

LEGAL NOTICE

Legal Description: UNIT NUMBER 9211 IN 9207-9213 BROADWAY CONDOMINIUM, AS DELINIATED ON A PLAT OF SURVEY ON THIS FOLLOWING DESCRIBED TRACT OF LAND: LOT B IN MRAZ SUBDIVISION OF LOTS 1 AND 2 IN BLOCK 1 IN PORTIA MANOR, BEING FREDERICK H. BARTLATT’S SUBDIVISION IN THE SOUTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 34 TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH RANGE 12 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM RECORDED MARCH 17, 2009 AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 0907645123.

The full RFQ can be found at: https://www.oak-park.us/yourgovernment/budget-purchasing/requests-proposals. Questions should be emailed to lgriffin@oak-park.us.

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours.

Please reference PZC Case 24-01.

Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

The court date will be held: On January 30, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom at

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Zoom Access Code: 914 3462 0283 Password: 988648

Published in RB Landmark January 10, 2024

To access Zoom by phone call 312626-6799 then enter the Access code and password listed above.

Published in Wednesday Journal January 10, 17, 24, 2024

OPPORTUNITY

The Village of Oak Park -- Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302-- will receive sealed proposals until 4:00 pm. on Friday, January 26, 2024 for Phase I Preliminary Engineering Services & Phase II Design Engineering Services for the Home Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Replacement. In general, The Village of Oak Park, Illinois (the Village) is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit qualifications from interested engineering firms to provide Phase I Preliminary Engineering Services and Phase II Design Engineering Services for the for the replacement of the Home Avenue Pedestrian Bridge (IDOT Structure Number 0162060) over the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) and railroads. These services will be procured in accordance with the Village’s policy on Qualifications Based Selection (QBS).

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kate Portillo, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 and at kportillo@brookfieldil.gov. Oral or written public testimony may be given during the public hearing.

PUBLIC NOTICES EQUAL HOUSING

NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider an application from Li Dong for a Special Use Permit for a Massage Establishment use at 9211 Broadway Avenue (PIN 15-34-307026-1003).

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Robert Thomas Vishneski to the new name of: Robin Titania Vishneski

Published in RB Landmark January 10, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICES

Notice of Public Hearing Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission January 25, 2024, at 7:00 PM

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 4857344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (south) entrance of Village Hall.

Request of Robert Thomas Vishneski Case Number 20234006707.

PUBLIC NOTICES

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer Published in Wednesday Journal, January 10, 2024

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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.

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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.

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