Forest Park Review 011823

D91 board loosens conflict of interest policy

Doesn’t include extended fa mily, friends but has measures to avoid favoritism

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The District 91 Board of Education approved a package of changes to the conflict-of-interest policy that loosens provisions when it comes to contracts that involve state or federal funds.

The previous policy stated that for any person who has “a close personal relationship” with any board member, getting a contract was a conflict of interest, specifically mentioning “a member of the board member’s immediate family or household.”

The new policy only keeps the “immediate family” section. The new policy does indicate that any kind of partner other than strictly a business partner, who gets the contract, is a conflict of interest. The new policy keeps the provision about conflicts of interest applying to board members’ employers or potential employers intact.

The changes approved during the Jan. 12 meeting are part of the re gular update the board conducts to ac-

Tr y, try again

Ryan Russ’ second campaign for commissioner

Jill Wagner: Simple joy in

John Rice: A ray of hope for District 209

SARA JANZ/Photographer

Altenheim Committee takes turn with project ideas

Proposals include solar farm, pedestrian plaza, and housing

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Members of the village gover nment’s Altenheim Committee got to share their own ideas for what should happen with the village-owned portion of the historic Altenheim site during their Jan. 9 meeting.

Committee chair Mar ty Tellalian said that it was something he asked the members to do as “a last-minute homework assessment” a few days earlier based on the stakeholder presentations and feedback the committee already received. All proposals included some kind of public green space and a housing component, but most committee members went further. Some of their suggestions included a data center, a smaller-scale solar panel farm and senior housing, among other ideas

The village-owned portion of the property includes the land nor th, west and south of the Altenheim retirement community It doesn’t include the Altenheim cemetery at the southwest cor ner of historic property, but it does include the piece of land at the southeast cor ner closest to the Forest Park Blue Line CTA ter minal.

Committee member Rober to Escalante suggested putting in a data center, saying that there is a growing demand for it the Chicagoland area – something that nor thwest suburban Elk Grove Village has been able to take advantage of.

“The great thing about it is that it is a big revenue generator, and it’s low-noise, lowtraf fic,” Escalante said.

He suggested putting in housing in the southeast cor ner of the property, east of the Altenheim Cemetery Given the proximity to the village-owned commuter parking lot and the Blue Line ter minal, it wouldn’t necessarily need a lot of parking. Escalante suggested putting the park on the south section of the property, closer to the street.

Committee member Kurt Hansen said a data center was a “cool idea,” while commission member Scott Presslak said he was wor ried about the size of the building and the ef fect its footprint would have on flooding. Presslak added that a data center could be a good use for the for mer U.S

Ar my Reserve site at 7204 Roosevelt Road Committee member David Gulyas, was recently reappointed to the Fo Park Environmental Control Commission, presented two plans Both versions for a playground and picnic area nor th end of the site, with a parking with electric vehicle chargers to the and a mid-rise building on the southw side of the property. The dif ferences that the first version called for most remaining property to be a public space, with a midrise tower similar calante’s concept at the southeast cor The second concept called for another midrise building directly west of the heim community and more green space the southeast cor ner

Presslak wondered how, in either sion of the concept, people would get Altenheim cemetery. Gulyas said that “didn’t get in the deep end of design cess,” so he didn’t consider that question.

Hansen suggested something that believed was unlikely to actually happen – having the village lease out the proper to build a solar panel farm, so that it recoup some of the money it already on the property while having an option take it back if it wants to use the proper in the future.

“We can tur n it into a community ga in some point – it would be the best soil town,” he said.

Hansen said that if the village does that route, it should aim for “just enough to cover property taxes and make it a bit of money” to make the idea viable smaller solar power companies.

Presslak suggested kee ping the end of the property as public space, while putting in open space west of the retirement community, building smaller housing on the south por tion and taller housing on the southeast cor ner He suggested selling some land back to Altenheim to straighten out the proper ty lines – something that the retirement community expressed interest in.

Presslak also proposed a “Phase 2” which would tur n the commuter parking lot into a residential area with some kind of a public amenity on the west side and extending Jackson Boulevard through the property so that it curves down toward Van Buren Street. Phase 2 would also conver t the section of Van Buren at the nor th end of the property into a “Festival Plaza” similar to the section of Marion Street in downtown

Oak Park

Tellalian also suggested leaving the nor ther n portion an open space and putting in residences in the center – though, in his case, he suggested single-family homes and rowhouses geared toward seniors.

“Senior developments are single-story, not a whole lot of stairs,” he said.

Tellalian also suggested leaving 2-3 acres at the south section of the property, including the southeast cor ner, open as public space. He suggested adding food truck parking and only having it open to events on weekends to avoid overcrowding at the commuter parking lot on weekdays

Committee member Steve Rouse said he drew on his experience as an attor ney who re presented developers. He said developers would be interested in getting as much density as possible, which is why he liked the idea of putting something denser at the southeast cor ner. Rouse proposed kee ping the nor th portion open as a public space, preferably with some stor mwater mitig ation, and putting a “pocket park” somewhere on the south side of the proper ty. He argued that the area west of the retirement community isn’t likely to attract development because of its distance from Van Buren and Madison streets

David Gulyas plan #2.

January 18-25

BIG WEEK

Blackout Poetr y

Tuesday, Jan. 23, 4-5 p.m., Forest Park Public Librar y Blackout poetr y is a mix of ar t and poetr y created by getting any form of printed words and blacking out the unwanted text to make a poem.

Designed for ages 11-13. 7555 Jackson Bl vd., Forest Park .

Bird Painting Workshop:

Black-capped Chickadee

Trailside Museum of Natural History, Friday, Jan. 20, 1 - 3 p.m.

Sketch and paint a black-capped chickadee. For beginners and experienced ar tists. Ages 13 & up, $5. Materials provided. 708366-6530, trailside.museum@cookcountyil.gov, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest.

Henr y Fogel Presents: Susan Nigro, Contrabassoon

Monday, Jan. 25, 7-8:30 p.m.,

Nineteenth Centur y Charitable Organization Susan Nigro has the distinc tion of taking the contrabassoon all over the United States, as well as to areas such as Salzburg, Montevideo and Rome. She is one of the few practitioners of that instrument to make a career of playing solo recitals, a sure sign that she is in full command of her abilities. Nigro will per form a selec tion of pieces accompanied by piano. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park

Movie/Show Challenge

Friday, Jan. 20, 4-5 p.m., Forest Park Public Librar y Test or show o your knowledge of lyrics or lines from family-friendly movies. Ages 8-13.

7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

Louisiana Al

Thursday, Jan. 19, 8:30 p.m., FitzGerald’s

If a person is named Louisiana Al, he’s either a pool shooter or a blues singer. Since FitzGerald’s, at the moment, does not possess a pool table, you can assume that Louisiana Al is a blues singer and you’d be correc t. Hailing from Simmespor t, Al currently resides in the Chicago area, and musically he’s on the soulful end of the blues scale. $15, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berw yn.

Organized Crime In Chicago During Prohibition

Monday, Jan. 23, 1:15-2:15 p.m.,

Nineteenth Centur y Charitable Organization Author and historian John Binder discusses organized crime in Chicago during prohibition, with special emphasis on the bootlegging gangs, par ticularly Al Capone. Free, although $15 donations from non-members are appreciated. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park.

Myster y Discussion Group

Saturday, Jan. 21, 2-4 p.m., Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore

This week, the book under discussion will be Neighborhood Watch by Kevin Patrick Kenealy. 7419 Madison St., Forest Park

Listing your event in the calendar

Forest Park Review welcomes notices about events that Forest Park community 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 Jour nal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 60302

■ Email calendar@wjinc.com

SUSAN NIGRO

Citizen Police Academy gives residents a window

An oppor tunity to see how law enforcement works

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

The Citizen Police Academy is a 10week course for residents of Forest Park, designed to foster collaboration between police and the residents they serve and protect. The first session is scheduled for tomor row, Jan. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the basement council chambers of village hall.

Lt. Nick Petrovic, who coordinates the series, said that in order to promote collaboration, presenters from the Forest Park Police De par tment (FPPD) will provide glimpses into how law enforcement works here, dispel false information, and perhaps most impor tantly, give 20-30 participants oppor tunities to experience cops as human beings. That includes the fourth session on “the use of force,” led by Sgt. Nick Defors on Feb. 9.

Lt. Petrovic noted, “In my almost 25 years as a police of ficer I’ve never been involved in a shooting, never used my firear m — and I never want to get involved in stuf f like that because even if you’ re justified 100% in the use of lethal force, it’s something you have to live with for the rest of your life — 99% of police of ficers don’t want to get involved in a shooting.”

Petrovic explained that action is always faster than reaction. For example, he said, “if I make a traf fic stop for, say, a nonfunctioning tail light, I don’t know if the person driving is an ordinary citizen or a person who has just murdered someone and will do anything to avoid being taken into custody.

“If his hand is in his pocket, I don’t know if he’s holding a gun or looking for his driver’s license If he intends to shoot at me, he will probably get the first shot of f before I can react.”

That’s why re gular training is so important, he says “As our society has become more violent — and the scrutiny on police of ficers more pervasive — the need for judgmental firear ms training has become more crucial.”

To that end, the seventh session will be an introduction to the FATS (Firear ms Training System) machine. According to Petrovic, it’s almost like a video g ame On screen a scene is played out and the of fi-

cer in training has a digital handgun. At some point the person in the scene exhibits movement that could be inter preted as threatening the life of the of ficer — or it could be totally innocent.

And in that role playing exercise, the officers must decide whether or not to shoot. If they take too long to decide, they are virtually dead. If they shoot and the person is unar med, they’ve just vir tually killed an

Trends in crime

Catalytic Conver ters: Criminals cut them out of cars and sell the precious metals used to make them. “Often they are ar med,” said Lt. Petrovic, “so don’t interfere Call 911.”

Rowdy Funeral Processions: When the weather gets war mer, rowdy funeral processions become “tricky.” When the funeral is for a g ang member, four of ficers try to control up to 60 cars with passengers sometimes waving guns out the windows.

Package Thefts: Packages left on the porch are being stolen. Some criminals even follow delivery trucks and watch for when packages are left outside.

Tax Return Checks: Soon criminals will be stealing tax retur n checks. Recently a mail car rier was assaulted and had her key to access mail de posit boxes stolen. “If there is a way to make money,” Petrovic commented, “some people will do it if they are desperate enough.”

Hyundai and Kia cars: Criminals have found a way to star t these vehicles without a key. Petrovic advises owners to install a club on the steering wheel, so even if criminals star t the engine, they won’t be to steer the vehicle.

innocent person.

Even though he knows that it’s a “g ame,” he said, his hear t rate goes through the ceiling.

When police shoot a suspect, the village may be liable to le g al problems A Review ar ticle in December of 2021 stated, “The estate of a Glendale Heights man shot and killed by a Forest Park police of ficer in 2017 will receive nearly $600,000 from the village’s insurer in exchange for dropping a blistering federal civil rights lawsuit that accused the village of, among other things, maintaining an environment that ‘encouraged the extrajudicial shooting of civilians.’

“In the written settlement, the village makes no admission of guilt and “continue[s] to deny any and all fault, wrongdoing or liability,” and that the decision to pay out $599,900 was made “merely to avoid the expenses and burden of further litig ation in this matter.”

In that same session, he added, Sgt. Defors will also outline the sexual harassment training FPPD of ficers receive every year.

For the presentation on finger printing, Lt. Petrovic said a participant will be invited to put their finger on a surface, then given a duster with magnetic ink to “dust” it, then see how the finger print “pops.”

In a real crime scene investigation, he noted, the ink will be pulled of f, af fixed to a white card and sent to a crime lab which can take a couple of weeks to a couple of months to process

In the second session on Jan. 26, Of ficer Mike O’Connor will give pointers on how residents can prevent residential crime.

The incomplete schedule includes:

Jan. 19 Introduction by Chief Ken Gross and Lt. Petrovic

Jan. 26 Residential Crime

Feb. 2 Patrol Operations

Feb. 9 Use of Force

Feb. 16 Major Crash Investigations

Feb. 23 DUI Enforcement

March 2 FATS Machine

March 9 E.T. Workshop

To re gister for the Academy call Lt. Petrovic at 708-615-6226 or email him at NPetrovic@forestpark.net.

TOM HOLMES

A GLIMPSE: Lt. Nick Petrov ic w ill lead the 10-week Citizen Police Academy course beginning Jan. 19.

count for changes in state and/or federal law and new guidance from the Illinois Association of School Boards. Board member Steve Rummel said that, before the changes are improved, he wanted to make sure school district still had measures in place to avoid bias. Supt. Elizabeth Alvare z confir med that it did, and Rummel joined rest of the board in unanimously appr ing the changes

Like other Illinois school boards, the D91 board re gularly gets policy updates from the Policy Reference Education Subscription Service (PRESS), an Illinois Association of School Boards online subscription service Boards don’t necessarily have adopt changes that aren’t based on state/ federal law, but they usually follow PRESS’ lead.

Both the previous version and the date indicate that there is a “financial other interest” to either the board member or individual or businesses that have relationships with them. While the previous

version says there has to be “financial or other interest” from the contract, the update added that it would also include any “tangible benefit.”

As Rummel noted during the Jan. 12 meeting, with the updates, the policy wouldn’t automatically apply to friends and extended family of the board members He said he wanted to avoid the situation where friends and extended family

ber Theresa Kelly, as the head coach at Proviso West. Kelly abstained from the vote, as did board members Sam Valtier re z and Amanda Grant.

many connections out there.”

She added that “we don’t want to tamp down” the growth of local entrepreneurship.

hired Dwon Kelly, son of then-board mem-

Rummel said he wanted to make sure that D91 already has a policy of blind bidding, where board members see qualifications but not any personal identifying information, if a business where a friend or a relative is involved. Alvare z confir med that was the case Board President Kyra Tyler said she suppor ted the change in the policy. The COVID-19 pandemic gued that no sense anyone but family from tunity to get district contracts many entrepreneur who are delive Tyler said. “Ma or your brother there’s a little bit of [connection] where, to some extent, there are so

Rummel said he ag reed — so long as there are mitigating controls.

“I don’t think we should penalize people just because they’ re related to us, or people like us,” he said.

ELIZABETH ALVAREZ KYRA T YLER

Ryan Russ takes another try for village council

He plans to knock on more doors this time

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Ryan Russ, the for mer superintendent of parks at the Park District of Forest Park, didn’t get elected village commissioner in 2019 – and that’s one of the reasons why he decided to try ag ain this year.

“Obviously, I’d like to run and complete the mission of having the seat at the table,” he said, adding that the other major reason is to serve the community that “raised” him

Throughout an interview view, one concept that ke pt the impor tance of having and working collaboratively ised that, as a commissioner accessible to residents, and encourage all Forest Park go ies to meet re gularly and wo He also wants to suppor t the Madison Street and Roosevelt dors and update the 2014 village hensive plan.

Russ previously told the Re attended the park district’s summer growing up He worked as a pool in high school and switched maintenance during the summer graduated. In 2006, after the son, Russ left the park district for a fulltime job elsewhere, but he retur ned to the park district in 2012, this time as a maintenance foreman. Over the next eight years, he worked his way up the ranks, becoming the parks superintendent in August 2020. But Russ was fired from his job in June 2022. At the time, the park district said that it doesn’t comment on employee issues as a matter of policy Russ declined to share the details, saying only that he was “hur t by the situation.”

“At this point, I don’t feel like it has anything to do with me running for village commissioner,” Russ added. “It’s not indicative of who I am and why I’m running for commissioner.

He went on to work as a facilities manager at the Broader Urban Involvement & Leadership Development (BUILD) Chicago, a youth support and development nonprofit based in the city’s Austin neighborhood. In 2019, Russ campaigned for greater col-

laboration, encouraging economic development and supporting the village’s public schools. At the time, he said he would serve as a consensus-builder on the council. Nine candidates competed for four seats, and he ended up finishing sixth.

Looking back, Russ believes where he fell shor t was that he believed that his re putation locally would be enough.

“I was raised in this town, so I assumed I knew a lot of people, and I do know a lot of people, but this time around, I know I’ ll have to hit the pavement a bit harder and knock on a lot of doors,” he said.

In ter ms of his platform, Russ said that economic development would be a major

– it’s tough.”

He believes that, while the village, the library, the park district and the school districts still talk to each other, there used to be a greater sense of collaboration and camaraderie. Russ said he wants to bring it back. He would like to see re presentatives of each body meet “once a month or quarterly” to discuss their needs and how they can help each other “That’s where everything star ts – a conversation,” he said.

The closest thing Forest Park currently has to such an ar rangement is the TIF Joint Review Board where re presentatives of all taxing bodies meet once a year to review how the village’s Tax Increment Financing districts are doing.

uss also believes it will be impor tant Forest Park to update the village’s 2014 Comprehensive Plan.

“We’ re going on [for] almost a decade,” said. “I think that needs to be looked at again and brought back to the forefront. sure that there are things that [still rk], but I’m sure there are things we n’t done and maybe some things we’d to scratch. Ten years is a long gap.”

When it comes to the redevelopment of village-owned portion of the Altenheim property, Russ said he looked forward what the Altenheim Advisory Commitcomes up with – but he noted that he asked about the site four years ago, he would like to sor t the issue out, one y or another, by 2027.

“It’s just – whoever is sitting on [the village council] in the next four years – we need to come to gether and do something,” Russ said.

Dormant Pruning & Prepping for Spring

Earlier this month, temperatures soared into the springlike 50s. Deep down, though, we knew that winter wasn’t done with us. The good news: it’s not here forever, and spring will arrive, more or less on schedule, in two months.

Will your landscape be ready?

Scott McAdam Jr.

Until mid-March, be sure to put your trees and shrubs on a “diet” of dormant pruning. It promotes healthy plant growth when spring shows up.

Pruning is best now because without leaves it’s easier to see what should be removed. Also, wounds from the pruning cuts heal much faster during the dormant season, allowing less time for disease penetration.

Preventive pruning removes wood that is diseased, damaged or dead, as well as unwanted or problem limbs such as those that grow into a house or hang low over a sidewalk.

Corrective pruning redirects the plant’s growth to establish a more natural and healthy growth habit.

priority, adding that, while the Madison Street cor ridor is impor tant, he wanted to see Forest Park invest more in the Roosevelt Road cor ridor, which he described as a “hidden gem.” Russ said he would “suppor t our Chamber of Commerce and make sure they’re able to have the resources that they need. It was impor tant for him to make sure that the Chamber and the village are on the same page, and he wanted to see more collaboration between the village and other taxing bodies

“There’s not a group vision – there are many little visions,” Russ said. “I think if we just get to gether and kind of talk, we can continue to figure it out. But the Chamber of Commerce is a huge piece of the puzzle. Without them being able to bring in businesses

When it comes to another major project, the for mer U.S. Ar my Reserve base, 7402 Roosevelt Road, he would like the village to test the site for soil contamination and other environmental hazards before committing to anything – but if everything checks out, he would like for at least some of the property to be conver ted into a public green space.

Russ said he hopes that all eligible Forest Parkers would vote, even if they don’t vote for him.

“I think the most impor tant thing is that everyone get out and vote,” he said. “That’s the most impor tant thing, in any election, but especially in our election. The people that we vote into the of fice should emulate the people in our community. They should be that voice.”

Rejuvenation pruning is a more drastic approach in which the plant is cut back heavily to thin overgrown plants, to promote new, vigorous growth and to winnow the plant to a more manageable size.

Questions on this or any other landscaping topic? Call us to arrange a one-hour consultation!

2001 Des Plaines Ave. Forest Park • 708-771-2299

www.mcadamlandscape.com

SARA JANZ/Photographer

Ryan Russ, candidate for commissione r.

CRIME

Forest Park stolen car turns up front-ended in Oak Park

The black 2021 Dodge Charger stolen from Forest Park tur ned up heavily damaged in Oak Park a few hours later The victim said he and his son stopped at Thor nton’s g as station on Jan. 8 around 11:30 p.m. He took his son to the restroom and left his car running but took his key fob with him. When the two retur ned, the car was gone

The man re por ted the theft at 1:37 a.m. later that night. He said a friend of his saw the car shor tly after it was stolen “with damage to the body.”

Shor tly after the victim made his re port, Forest Park police got a call from the Oak Park Police De par tment about a car matching the description of the victim’s vehicle parked near the intersection of Jackson Boulevard and Euclid Avenue The car suffered heavy front-end damage, to the point where it had to be towed.

At the time of the re port, the police had no leads about who might have stolen the vehicle.

Two cars parked a few blocks apar t were broken into on the after noon of Jan. 15, but in both cases nothing was stolen.

The first vehicle was a white 2018 Hyundai SUV parked in the 7400 block of Washington Street. Its owner said that around 7 p.m., he found the car’s front window shattered, and the inside was rummaged through.

The second vehicle, a beige 2017 Hyun-

dai Sedan, was parked a few blocks south in the 600 block of Hannah Avenue. It also had a front window broken, and the vehicle was rummaged through, but once again nothing was taken. The owner discovered the break-in at 8:10 p.m.

In both cases, multiple security cameras could have captured the attempted burglaries, but the police of ficers were still trying to get the footage at the time of the re port.

Forest Park terminal attack

A 56-year-old Chicago man punched a woman in the face as he was exiting a Pace bus at the Forest Park Blue Line CTA terminal.

The incident happened on Jan. 8 around 8:28 p.m. According to the bus driver, the alle ged of fender was “acting odd” during the ride As the victim and her daughter went to exit the bus, the alle ged of fender walked right behind her, punched the victim in the face and shoved past her and her daughter and exited the bus.

The of fender was ar rested, charged with one count of battery and released on bail.

Catalytic conver ter theft

A woman staying at an Airbnb in the 600 block of Harlem Avenue had her car’s catalytic conver ter stolen.

She parked her white 2010 Toyota Prius on the building’s rear parking pad on the evening of Jan. 11. After discovering the theft the following mor ning at 10 a.m., she said she would reach out to the unit owner to see if he could provide police with any useful security footage.

These items were obtained from police re ports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, Jan. 8-15, and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

Compiled by Igor Studenkov

Concordia head basketball coach returns following players’ hospitalization

Internal investigation found no evidence of hazing or intent to harm athletes

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Concordia University Chicago has reinstated Steve Kollar as head coach of the men’s basketball team. Kollar had been temporarily removed from the position after a particularly intense Dec. 31 practice caused six players to be hospitalized, but an internal investigation has found no evidence of hazing or intent to harm the student-athletes

“The university and athletic administration has full confidence in Coach Kollar and believes that he has the best interests of our student-athletes in mind,” wrote Concordia athletics director Peter Gnan in a letter to parents students, coaches and training staff.

Kollar resumed hi off-court, administrative duties Jan. 13. As sistant coach Rashaan Surles, who took over head coaching duties in Kollar’s absence, will continue to oversee team practices and games in the near term, according to the letter

“We look forward to Coach Kollar’s retur n in the weeks ahead,” Gnan wrote.

Gnan’s letter confirmed that the intensity of the New Year’s Eve practice was a direct consequence of some players breaking curfew during a late December trip to California, where the team played two games.

“We believe the intensity of the practice contributed to the students’ illness when combined with other factors including, but not limited to, an immediate return to full activity after an extended break, cross-country travel, rest, hydration and nutrition,” Gnan wrote.

During the week of Jan. 2, six players were admitted to local Illinois hospitals with

rhabdomyolysis, a potentially life-threatening syndrome that can be caused by serious physical exertion.

Rhabdomyolysis occurs when damaged muscle tissue releases proteins and electrolytes into the blood, which can hurt the heart and kidneys, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The condition can cause permanent disability and death.

The six players have since been released from care The university is continuing to assess the health of the student-athletes. The team doctor is working alongside professionat Loyola University Medical Center to create care plans for the plays. Once it has been etermined that they are fit to resume physial activity, the players will make a “gradual eturn” over two weeks

The university anticipates the team will could return to playing games by Jan. 17. The men’s basketball team did not play in three regularly scheduled games over the past two weeks due to the incident, nor will they play in a Jan. 14 game against Marian University. Those games will be considered forfeits.

The university declined to disclose additional details regarding Kollar’s absence, citing the situation as a private employment matter. It was stated in the letter, however, that no for mal complaints had been lodged against Kollar prior to or in relation to the six players being hospitalized.

“Overall, Coach Kollar continues to have the overall support of his team and their parents, many of whom have voluntarily provided affirmation of their support during our recent inquiry,” Gnan’s letter states

OB ITUAR Y

Ray Paulin, 89 Worked for General Electric

Ra y mon d (“Ray”) Joseph Paulin, 89, of Forest Park, died on Jan. 9, 2023, at Ascension St. Vincent in Kokomo, Indiana. Born in Montague, Massachusetts, on Nov. 28, 1933, he was the son of the late Isidore and Alice Auroré (Socquet) Paulin. On June 12, 1965, he married Janet Warner.

A graduate of Turners Falls High School, he earned a bachelor’s de gree in Business Administration from Clark University and was employed at Sears, Montgomery Wards, and General Electric. He retired from General Electric after a career in data processing. He served in the U.S. Ar my from 1953-56 and earned the rank Specialist Third Class.

He met his wife, Janet, while ballroom dancing. Though he was a reserved man, he had a great sense of humor. He served as an of ficer for the Civil Air Patrol drill team, which was a civil organization involved with the U.S. Air Force. He prioritized time spent with his family and adored his dogs.

He is survived by his wife, Janet; his children, Rand (Marjo Maisterra) Paulin, Jennifer (Dan) Powell, Juliana (Lee) Fitzgerald, Justin (Sonia) Trottier, and Robert (Jane) Trombi; his grandchildren, CJ, Garet, Brin, Grant, Devin, Michael, Dominic, Ethan, Eva, Zach, and Greg; his brother-in-law, Larry Cadran; his nieces, Anne and Linda; and his ne phew, David.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Irene Cadran; and his aunt, Sister Irene Socquet.

A memorial service will be held in Forest Park later.

Stout & Son Funeral Home arranged the cremation. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson. com.

River Forest taps assistant as interim administrator

Matt Walsh, hired as Brian Murphy’s assistant in April, will step into top role, for now

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

Matt Walsh is expected to be named River Forest’s interim village administrator at the Jan. 23 village board meeting, temporarily filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Brian Mur phy.

The resignation of Murphy, who has served as village administrator since December 2021, was announced at the Jan. 9 village board meeting. He re placed Eric Palm, who left River Fo 2021 after 10 years to accept a similar posi

tion in Hoffman Estates

Walsh has served as assistant to the village manager since April. Prior to his hiring at River Forest, Walsh served the village of Homer Glen for over three years, including a year as interim village manager.

He also served as commissioner of the Park District of Forest Park for eight years.

Walsh graduated from the University of

ee in 2015. He also received a Master Public Administration de gree from the rsity of Illinois at Chicago in 2017.

When announcing Murphy’s resignation village President Cathy Adduci said he was leaving “for personal reasons” effecan. 27. An email newsletter from the Jan. 12 added “health reasons” as a ause for his resignation.

In the email newsletter, Adduci said she is “confident Matt will do a remarkable job.”

Murphy served as Plainfield’s village administrator prior to his hiring in River Forest in December 2021.

Following Palm’s resignation, village officials used GovHR of Northbrook, a public management consulting firm, to conduct a search for his replacement. The firm, which serves local gover nment clients and other public-sector had been used

Think local. forestparkreview.com

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MATT WALSH BRIAN MURPHY

Library censor requests limited to those who live or work here

Changes made at library board, sta requests

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The Forest Park Public Library Board of Trustees voted to nar row who can ask the library to remove books and other materials from circulation.

During the Jan. 16 meeting, the board ag reed to specify that only people who live, own property, and/or work in Forest Park can make such requests. The new policy also spells out what kind of information is subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. As before, the library staf f will decide whether to withdraw the material, and the requestor will be able to appeal the decision to the library board.

The question of what kind of materials libraries can circulate has increasingly become a hotbutton issue.

The American Library Association found that between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, 2022, there have been “681 attempts to ban or restrict library resources, and 1,651 unique titles were targ eted.”

“In 2021, ALA re ported 729 attempts to censor library resources, targeting 1,597 books, which re presented the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling these lists more than 20 years ago,” the association stated in a Sept. 16, 2022 press release.

In the western suburbs, the issue surfaced in Riverside in December 2022, when two residents asked Riverside Public Library Director Janice Foley to remove Gender Queer, a graphic novel memoir chronicling author Maia Kobabe’s struggles to come to grips with their sexuality and gender identity, the requestors alleging that the content was too graphic for teen readers. Foley declined to pull the book, and the Riverside Library Board of Trustees af-

firmed her decision at its Jan. 10 meeting.

Forest Park library board President Brooke Sievers said that both the board’s policy committee and the staf f wanted to review how their own library handles such requests. Interim Director Sue Quinn said all libraries are required to review the policy every two years, so this was something Forest Park library would have had to consider anyway. The previous version of the policy was adopted in January 2021.

For the most part, the policy remained the same. As before, anyone who wants a material removed must fill out a material reconsideration request form. Once the form is filed, the library director puts together a committee, which includes the director and “at least two professional [library] staf f members.”

The committee then makes the decision based on their review of the material, “critical reviews and other relevant professional literature.”

What has changed is who can make the request. The previous policy allowed any patron to do it. That can include both Forest Parkers and non-Forest Parkers who can re gister their library cards through the reciprocal arrangement with most libraries in the Chicago area. The new policy restricts it to “Forest Park residents, property owners, or employees.”

“We wanted to make sure it’s limited to people in our community who have some kind of standing or a personal reason why they would ask for something to be reconsidered,” Sievers said.

The changes explicitly state that anyone can FOIA the reconsideration request forms, and that the requestor’s name and address will be redacted. Sievers said they wanted to make sure this was clearly stated in the policy.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more important.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

99% OF OUR CALEDONIA STAFF IS VACCINATED

Oak Park ’s new palace of protein

Walking into Wild Fork, which opened at the corner of Lake Street and Harlem on Dec. 24, I felt like Robin Williams in Moscow on the Hudson. Playing a newly arrived Russian émigré, Williams walks shyly down the coffee aisle of an American grocery store before dropping to his knees and weeping with disbelief at the incredible range of buying options.

My first experience of Wild Fork was not quite so dramatic, but I must admit to a small sense of awe at their remarkable range of meat, fish and seafood.

HAMMOND

We usually pick up ribeye steaks from Carnivore on New Year’s Eve; this year, I thought it’d be interesting to try a few from this new palace of protein. I was somewhat overwhelmed; there were about a dozen different “kinds” of ribeyes to choose from, from USDA Choice Black Angus through A5 Wagyu.

There were also exotic meats — ostrich, elk, yak, etc. — and a lot of fish and seafood. Overall, an impressive array of protein.

At Wild Fork, everything is frozen. There are certainly some benefits to flash-freezing meat and other proteins at the peak of freshness, though I couldn’t suppress an involuntary side-eye at signage proclaiming, “Fro zen is Fresher” — a touch too Orellian for me

For all the good things that Wild Fork brings to the table, there’s a certain sterility to the walls and aisles lined with refrigerated bins. The perfect local contrast to Wild Fork is, of course, Carnivore, perhaps one-fifth the size of this new meat me ga-mart.

Unlike Wild Fork, which brings in huge quantities of frozen food, Carnivore selects only the best meat and fish, mostly from local sources. The butchers and fishmongers at Carnivore know their proteins, and they’re eager to share their knowledge. Every time I visit Carnivore, it seems I learn something. Going to Car-

nivore is a rich experience.

In the same way, visiting a small family-owned store like Candycopia provides an opportunity to chat with people who are passionate about sweets, who know their stuff and seem genuinely interested in educating customers about their wares. Though one can usually get a better price on Amazon, I much prefer the small-store shopping experience, though like many of us, I frequently default to Amazon because it’s so darn convenient.

Wild Fork is a valuable addition to Oak Park, and I will return, particularly for hard-to-get foods like goat meat and bison, all at decent prices. But for truly fresh, rarely frozen, land and sea protein, sourced and butchered by people I can talk to about products and preparations, Carnivore remains my go-to.

We’re all just getting to know Wild Fork, however, and I’m very open to exploring what they have to offer.

Wild Fork offers online ordering and delivery for a reasonable fee; convenience and good prices are key attributes of any successful commodity retailer, and as we all know, Downtown Oak Park needs all the successful retailers it can get.

David Hammond, a corporate communications consultant and food journalist li ving in Oak Park, is a founder and moderator of LTHForum.com, the 8,500 member Chicago-based culinary chat site.

PHOTO BY DAVID HAMMOND

Inside Wild Fork

PHOTO BY DAVID HAMMOND

Frozen is fresher according to Wild Fork.

Local Dining & Food Blogger

OPINION

New ideas at the Altenheim

Members of the Altenheim Advisory Committee got a homework assignment recently. It came after all the listening and consulting they’ve done over recent months leading up to their pending recommendations to the villa ge council on the future of the village-owned property at the Altenheim. What would they do if they were drawing up the plan personally?

It was interesting. There was consensus that a notable portion of the property must remain green and public. Low- to mid-density residential was on most lists, though its physical positioning varied.

Among the suggestions for commercial use were a data center — low traffic, good revenue — a small solar farm and possibly additional senior housing.

A month from now the committee expects to have its final recommendations to forward. We hope they keep the green and public portion.

CTA owns its rusty water tower

Someday, enough federal and state money will trickle down to finally remake the clo gged intersection of Harlem Avenue and South Boulevard. This is where the morethan-century-old Union Pacific embankment car rying CTA el cars to an outmoded ter minus at Harlem, and Metra trains running east and west, mash up with an auto- and truck-heavy state Route 43 to create a tangle that slows vehicular traf fic, is unfriendly to pedestrians and bikers, and abuts an increasingly dense commercial and residential highrise community.

If ever there is going to be a trickle out of D.C. and/or via Springfield, it will likely be soon as there are billions in infrastructure dollars sloshing around. And so, frankly, why not us? Between Davis and Durbin, Har mon and Welch we ought to have the political oomph to pry free necessary funds

The three towns that mash up at that cor ner — Forest Park, Oak Park and River Forest — also have strong enough working ties to make the case for this fix

This comes to mind because there is currently a distraction to the shared cause. The CTA, which maintains a maintenance and storage yard at the end of the Green Line, also has a butt-ugly and no longer necessary rusting water tower in that facility. Anyone who has to stare at it — and that’s not that many people — would like it disappeared

The CTA, which has a myriad of woes, including a ridership that is highly reluctant to retur n, semi-post-Covid, has of fered to take down the tower but would like some local municipal cash to make that happen. Correctly, the River Forest and Oak Park village presidents, Cathy Adduci and Vicki Scaman, have said, “Really? You’ re kidding.” Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins seems more willing to push a deal as he works to extend an adjacent TIF.

But the full focus here needs to be on the big remake of the intersection. It needs to be wider, the roadway needs to be lowered to stop trucks from shearing off roofs.

A rusty water tower is not ger mane to the discussion.

Simple joy in January

here we are, meeting again. The familiar high hopes and faithful renewal, baked in with reflection and memories. Shades of the resolutions from last year are dusted of f the vely preparing ourselves

s really an attempt to distract from what exper ts pressing time of the year, and hen people are in a funk, they get cranky, ang ry ty laundry that flared up last month er the last decade gets to center

rest Parkers who are trying the light shining and the darkness at bay, I thought I would focus my energ y here on simple joy in January. After all, being positive and being present are two of the simplest ways to spend our time as we wait for the spring planting season.

The month opens with resolutions of hope — weight loss and fitness goals, super-positive mindset goals, financial goals and now in week three, we’re in the zone

So when the going gets tough and you need a pick-me-up, go to the grocery store. Here in Forest Park we live less than three miles from a dozen grocery stores. This is an extraordinary abundance, and the magnificent miracle of a blood orange, grapefruit, or winter squash can take one’s mind of f just about anything.

In addition, our hometown is also within three miles of more than a do zen gyms, fitness studios, and specialized exercise hubs. As a special 2023 bonus, Mother Nature has been gentle to the Midwest, so unleash an endorphin and serotonin boost on a brisk walk. Get outside during the day so you can slee p at night.

The power of a fur ry pal is high on the list, so shed the doldrums of loneliness and head over the Animal Care League’s website (or make an appointment) and see who needs you. Get yourself to the most welcoming place in town, the Forest Park Public Library; it is a gold mine of joy. Visit a small business on Madison Street; the owners are some of the kindest people on Ear th. Stop in to say “hi,” window shop, or score a treasured item for your home or wardrobe. The buzz of positivity along Madison is infectious If crafting is your g ame, break open the supply bin and make a Valentine or Gal-entine or Pal-entine card. Get the love vibe star ted with a handmade craft — it works. Magic happens when we create a craft for someone special. Send a greeting or flowers to a senior in your building or on your block; they will love you back tenfold.

We are lucky to be in 2023 together, let’s shake of f our flaws, fears and misste ps and continue to build up the joy in our neighborhood.

Repor ter Igor Studenkov

Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Michael Romain

Senior Editor Bob Uphues

Digital Manager Stacy Coleman

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

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

Big Week Editor James Porter

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

S ales and Marketing Representatives

Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck, Kamil Brady

Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Donor Relations Manager/Food Editor Melissa Elsmo

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Board of Directors

Chair Judy Gre n

Treasurer Nile Wendor f

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

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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

© 2023 Growing Community Media NFP

A ray of hope for District 209

Jenny Barbahen, a lifelong Forest Parker, described our village as a “fight or flight” community Due to concer ns about their children getting a quality education, many families move out of Forest Park when their children reach high school age. To stay in town, families can send their kids to private schools. This is expensive and only benefits their own kids Jenny is fighting for all the district’s students, staff and teachers by running for the District 209 Board of Education.

She is not alone in this effort but part of a slate of candidates, known as Proviso 209 United. This is a diverse slate that includes Westchester residents Sandra Joseph-Hixson and David Ocampo. Their initials lend themselves to a slogan: “HBO Let’s Go.”

Hixson graduated from Proviso East High School and has been a substitute teacher at Proviso West. She has also served on the District 88 Bellwood School Board. Ocampo is a data engineer, who is expert at analyzing logistics and financial data. Barbahen works full-time for the Jenner & Block Law Firm and has four children. Her oldest, Donovan, is a senior at Proviso East.

Jenny knows firsthand how not having a quality high school tears apart Forest Park She recalls how her eighth-grade graduation

from Forest Park Middle School was devastating.

“We were all crying because we wouldn’t be seeing each other in high school,” she recalled. She sees losing childhood friends as etrimental to a child’s mental health. Jenny was fortunate to have one of her childhood friends attend Trinity High School with her.

Her younger sister had more options and was in the first class to attend Proviso Math and Science Academy. Jenny has never lost her desire to improve Forest Park schools and our under-performing high school. She is on the PTO for District 91 and a member of the Proviso East Parent Advisory Council. She was a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 107.

Jenny was a volunteer for the Proviso Together party, helping Claudia Medina and Ned Wagner win election to the 209 Board in 2015. Proviso Together for med a majority on the board and made great progress in changing the dysfunctional culture at District 209. However, infighting among Proviso Together members caused it to disband in April 2022.

Meanwhile, Jenny and other concerned parents watched the D209 board disintegrate into a “sad circus.” She watched as Superintendent James Henderson made controversial decisions. The district suf fered from

A L OOK BA CK IN TIME

March of Dimes marches on

Sheila Smith, who lived on the 7300 block of Taylor St. in Forest Park, was chosen as Miss March of Dimes in 1958. President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, known as March of Dimes, in 1938, based on the President’s request for everyone to contribute a dime to fight polio. The disease was scary as the virus could cause paralysis or even death and major e pidemics moved around the world. The inactive polio vaccine (IPV), created by Jonas Salk, was licensed in 1955. In just six years, annual cases, nationally, dropped from 58,000 to 161 cases, a profound accomplishment.

Photo: Forest Park Rev iew, Jan. 30, 1958. Miss Sheila Smith, a 19-year-old Prov iso High School Senior who contracted polio when she was 14 years old, was selected as Miss March of Dimes in 1958.

a lack of accountability and transparency. The final straw was when Board President Rodney Alexander decided not to record and live-stream the Oct. 12, 2021 board meeting.

In response, Jenny and Westchester parent Kathleen Franzwa co-founded the Proviso 209 Cooperative Facebook group. The group grew and grew as the district’s problems increased. The “toxic work environment” triggered the longest teacher’s strike in Proviso’s history. Jenny saw “mass resignations” of teachers. Students didn’t have the resources to succeed.

“There were no goggles in science class,” she said. “Spending on instruction was at an all-time low.”

There is no need to dwell on Proviso’s woes. They have been well-documented.

“Schools are the most important element of a community,” says Jenny. She believes Proviso has many good students. But they need the “safety, stability and structure to succeed.” Jenny and her slate hope to restore the district’s “positive trajectory” that it had when Proviso Together first held a majority on the board.

Proviso 209 United will also hold a majority if elected because board member Amanda Grant has promised to support them. Jenny and her slate have different skillsets but share the same goals

“I can’t wait for April 4th,” she said. Let’s hope Forest Park voters are just as eager to support them.

Jill Wagner

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class.

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

DEFINITION

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

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Reports directly to the Information Technology Services Director.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential duties and responsibilities

1. Ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the Village’s core values, beliefs and culture.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED • NETWORK SPECIALIST

software and other forms of systems and data.

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

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

13. Participate in research and recommendation of technology solutions.

Other important responsibilities and duties

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

2. Participate in the preparation of various activity reports.

3. Travel and support remote facilities and partner agencies.

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

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

6. Complete projects on a timely and efficient manner.

7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

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

9. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

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

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

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

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

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

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

VB scripts.

Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Technical writing, office productivity tools and database packages.

Ability to:

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following:

- Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time

- Operating assigned equipment

- Lift 50 pounds of equipment, supplies, and materials without assistance

- Working in and around computer equipped vehicles

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

- Making observations

- Communicating with others

- Reading and writing

- Operating assigned equipment and vehicles

Maintain mental capacity allowing for effective interaction and communication with others.

Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance. Work overtime as operations require.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Experience: Three years of network/system administration in the public or private sector, maintaining a minimum of 75 Client Workstation computers. AND

Training: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science or a related field. Certifications in Microsoft Server Administration, Networking, Applications and Cisco Networking.

Possession of a valid Illinois Driver

License is required at the time of appointment.

Vaccination against COVID-19 strongly preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

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

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Administrative Assistant in the Public Health Department. This position provides a variety of responsible administrative and analytical functions; records and monitors department budget and fiscal requirements of grant-funded programs; oversight of Accounts Payable process; prepares reports and serves as a resource for computerized office applications. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/ jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Parking Enforcement Officer in the Police Department Field Services Division. This position will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in the enforcement of Village parking regulations; and to provide general information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

FINANCE COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Finance Coordinator. The ideal candidate will perform a wide variety of responsible and complex administrative, secretarial and clerical duties for the Finance department; and will provide information and assistance to the public regarding department to which assigned. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/jobs.

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is open until filled.

Shipping Manager

Manufacturing

No weekends, no evening hours, great pay and benefits. $20-$25 per hour

Top rated firm Alpina Manufacturing LLC founded in 1992, locally owned beautiful campus in Galewood, near Mars candy, 3 blocks north of Oak Park. We build and sell display framing systems to customers nationwide including Wal-Mart, Verizon, Circle K, Hospitals, CTA Apply in person M-F 8am to 4pm • Alpina • 6460 W Cortland St Chicago, IL 60707 www.fastchangeframes.com

FULL-TIME POLICE

RECORDS

CLERK FOREST PARK, IL

The Forest Park Police Department, seeks a Full-Time Civilian Information Management Records Clerk reporting to the Lieutenant of the Criminal Investigations Division. Eligible candidates will be required to pass an aptitude test and an extensive background check. Qualifications include excellent organizational skills, computer skills, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, good knowledge of English language, and adherence to all police department policies and procedures.

Responsibilities and duties include subpoena fulfilment, evidence room duties, data entries, general office functions, report creation, and other duties as needed our assigned. Open until filled. Applications are available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. or at www.forestpark. net and should be returned Attn: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130. Email: vmoritz@forestpark.net

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE II

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Customer Service Representative II in the Development Customer Services Department. This position provides customer service to the public by providing a variety of responsible and difficult customer service and receptionist work including high volume telephone traffic; and to perform the more difficult and complex customer service duties depending on the department including but not limited to service requests, permits, parking passes, block party permits, accounts payable processing and vehicle stickers. This position is crosstrained with the other Customer Service Representative IIs in the Village.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online at https://secure.entertimeonline.com/ta/6141780.careers?ApplyToJob=537079168 or visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. First review of applications January 20, 2023.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation is looking for a full-time Director of Finance & Administration, who will manage the administrative and financial matters of the congregation in collaboration with church leadership and board officers. This person will participate on and advise the Executive Team and advise governing board on a wide range of financial matters at both the strategic and operational levels including the operational budget and stewardship planning. They will also oversee and adjust processes and operations as necessary to ensure efficient and effective implementation and creation of policies and procedures, as well as supervise some other staff members.

Core Competencies:

● Organization and Planning: Organize and oversee people, funding, materials, and support to accomplish multiple, concurrent goals and activities. Project management and excellent organizational skills

● Vision and Purpose: Commitment to and knowledge of Unitarian Universalist Principles, values, history and worship.

● Trust and Integrity: Is widely trusted to keep confidences, admit errors, and adhere to a transparent set of personal and professional values that are congruent with the ministry of the congregation

● Conflict Management: Recognize and resolve conflicts effectively, applying principles of active listening, collaboration, and equity for both congregants and staff

● Proficiencies: Working knowledge of business and church related software (Google Drive. Constant Contact and Realm or other church database software). Must have excellent project management and professional communication skills. Working knowledge of HR and accounting practices.

You can find out more information about the position at https://unitytemple.org/job-postings/. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to jobs@ unitytemple.org indicating “Director of Finance & Administration” in the subject line.

Oak Park Residence Corporation is hiring and inviting candidates to apply for:

• Case Manager – HCV Program

• Accounting Clerk (PT)

• Assistant Property Manager

– The Oaks and The FarrellyMuriello Apartments

• Property Assistant/Cleaner –Mills Park Tower

We offer benefits such as 401(k) with employer contribution, Health, Dental, Vision, Life, and Shortterm and Long-Term Disability Insurance, EAP, FSA, Professional Development Assistance as well as these added Benefits:

- PTO, Paid Sick Leave, Paid Vacation, and Paid Holidays

- Tuition Reimbursement

- A Collaborative, Supportive, and Fun Work Environment

For a complete job description please go to our website: Work for OPRC –OPRC (oakparkrc.com) or to apply send cover letter and resume to bswaggerty@oakparkrc.com.

OPRC strives to provide a positive and meaningful work experience, where you can make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Oak Park Residence Corporation is a community-based, non-profit organization. For over 46 years, we have led the way in promoting Oak Park’s housing diversity and economic balance by offering quality apartments at affordable prices.

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Sealed separate bids will be received by the Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (the “Board”) for the following project:

OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 97 SD97 - SUMMER 2023 LIFE SAFETY WORK OAK PARK, IL 60302

BID GROUP 2 – ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING and GENERAL TRADES

Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. CST on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at the Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Administrative offices, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, and will be read at 2:15 p.m. CST on that date. Bids shall be submitted in an opaque sealed envelope clearly marked:

Oak Park Elementary School District 97 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302

Attention: Bulley & Andrews Project: SD97 - SUMMER 2023 LIFE SAFETY WORK – Bid Package 2

Bid Opening will be held at 2:15pm CST within the board room:

Scope of work for Bid Group 1 generally includes: Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing & General Trades

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

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

The Bidding Documents for the project (which include the bidding instructions for the project and other related documents) will be available Tuesday January 3rd, 2023 and are available for viewing/download online without cost or purchase on the Bulley & Andrews, LLC One Drive, located at the following link. No username or password is required.

https://tinyurl.com/ysfudxfr

The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof, or waive any irregularities or informalities, and to make an award that in the Board’s sole opinion is in the best interest of the District.

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

All bidders must comply with applicable Illinois Law requiring the payment of prevailing wages by all

Contractors working on public works. If during the time period of work, the prevailing wage rates change, the contractor shall be responsible for additional costs without any change to the contract amount. All bidders must comply with the Illinois Statutory requirements regarding labor, including Equal Employment Opportunity Laws.

For additional information on the project, contact Michael Damato of Bulley & Andrews, LLC at mdamato@bulley.com or 847-602-9512.

Dated: 1/3/23

Michael Damato

Bulley & Andrews, LLC

Published in Wednesday Journal January 11, 18, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y23010023 on January 9, 2023. Under the Assumed Business Name of DANIELMOKMAD SP with the business located at: 1024 WASHINGTON BLVD, APT 302, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: DANIEL MOKRAUER-MADDEN 1024 WASHINGTON BLVD, APT 302, OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA

Published in Wednesday Journal January 11, 18, 25, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

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

Request of Lindsey Ann Brewer Case Number 2022CONC001598

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Lindsey Ann Brewer to the new name of: Lynzy Ann Bailey

The court date will be held:

On February 3, 2023 at 9:30am at 50 W Washington, Chicago, IL, Cook County in Courtroom #1730

Published in Wednesday Journal January 18, 25, February 1, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Notice

ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDDING

Request of bids for the Park District of Taylor Park Tennis Court Resurfacing, 400 W. Division St., Oak Park.

Owner: Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St, Oak Park, IL 60302. The Park District of Oak Park will accept sealed bids of the Taylor Park Tennis Court Resurfacing, 400 W. Division St., Oak Park. The project consists of patching, crack filling, new acrylic surfacing and striping. The Park District of Oak Park will receive individual sealed Bids until 2:00 p.m. (Central time) on Friday, February 3rd, 2023, at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, IL. The bidding documents and requirements will be available on the link below as of 5:00 pm Wednesday, January 18 th , 2023. Bid bonds will be required by bidding contractors. Copies of the bidding specifications are available via this link: https://www.demandstar.com/app/

PUBLIC NOTICES

buyers/bids/407243/details

For additional information, contact Chris Lindgren at chris.lindgren@ pdop.org or (708) 7252050. Only the bids prepared in compliance with the bidding documents will be considered. This project must adhere to the Prevailing Wage Act of 2022. The Park District of Oak Park strongly encourages minority and women owned business firms to submit bids for this project.

Park District of Oak Park

By: Chris Wollmuth, Secretary Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St. Oak Park, IL 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal January 18, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y22009998 on December 28, 2022. Under the Assumed Business Name of BEYOND THE NUMBERS with the business located at: 855 N PARKSIDE AVE APT 1R, CHICAGO, IL. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: DANAE ROSARIO 855 N PARKSIDE AVE APT 1R, CHICAGO, IL

Published in Wednesday Journal January 11, 18, 25, 2023

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FIFTH THIRD BANK NA; Plaintiff, vs. CITIZENS BANK NA FORMERLY KNOWN AS RBS CITIZENS NA SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO CHARTER ONE BNAK NA; JOEL A. VERHOFF; RAELIN M. VERHOFF; RANDOLPH CROSSING CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; UNKNONW OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 22 CH 6637

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-07-408-026-1012.

Commonly known as 612 RANDOLPH STREET, UNIT #2, OAK PARK, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g) (4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates, P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563. (630) 453-6925. 6722185734

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3211098

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, -v.-

UNKNOWN HEIRS AND/OR LEGATEES OF LAURA RIZZARDINI, DECEASED, DANIEL ROBERT RIZZARDINI, JOHN LOUIS RIZZARDINI, JOAN R. RINELLA, DAMON RITTENHOUSE, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR LAURA RIZZARDINI, DECEASED, OAK PARK PLACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, ALPINE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS LLC, STATE OF ILLINOIS, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS Defendants 20 CH 2480

420 SOUTH HOME AVENUE UNIT 107N OAK PARK, IL 60302

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 26, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 16, 2023, 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 420 SOUTH HOME AVENUE UNIT 107N, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-07-324-0331007

The real estate is improved with a condominium. The judgment amount was $63,816.46.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial

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

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

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

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSES-

SION 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, contact The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 291-1717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 20-093376.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

LOGS Legal Group LLP 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301 Bannockburn IL, 60015 847-291-1717

E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com Attorney File No. 20-093376 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 20 CH 2480 TJSC#: 42-4228

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 # 20 CH 2480 I3210947