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ForestParkReview.com Vol. 107, No. 5

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REVIEW JANUARY 31, 2024

Link Unlimited brings Fellowship to Proviso East Black students

Teen featured in ‘American to Me’ PAGE 5

@ForestParkReview @FP_Review

Tax Hike

Why gas will cost more in Forest Park. Story on page 8

LINK Unlimited Scholars applications due Feb. 2

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

A local Chicago program is taking applications from incoming Black freshman at Proviso East who want to pursue a higher education.

The LINK Unlimited Scholars fellowship has been a mission centered around providing Black high school students in Chicago with resources and support as they pursue a post high school education.

Founded in 1966, Toinette Gunn, president and CEO of LINK, said the founders, John and Carolyn Parmer, were so inspired by Martin Luther King Jr’s speeches that they decided to support a black student at a Catholic school for the four years of high school, and began asking their friends to do the same.

The mission has stayed the same: to ensure that Black students have the resources and opportunities to strengthen their skills to succeed through and beyond college through a four-year fellowship.

See FELLOWSHIP on page 3

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FELLOWSHIP Funding futures from page 1 “There is an educational opportunity gap that exists, particularly here in Chicago,” said Gunn. “When we look at data, we can see that Black students don’t perform in terms of performance, graduation rates from high school and college at the same rate of their White and Latino peers.

The partnership between the LINK fellowship and Proviso East occurred when a scholar transferred from a private school they attended to the Proviso high school, said Gunn.

“We have not had any other students in the program from any of the Proviso school’s but they are welcome to apply,” she said.

According to the 2023 Illinois Report Card, Proviso East’s second largest student demographic is Black students, with 575 enrolled, compared to 916 Hispanic students enrolled out of their total 1,535 enrollments.

Proviso East also has a 33.4 % of low income students- students are eligible to receive free or reduced-price lunches, live in substitute care, or whose families receive public aid.

According to Chicago Public Schools, Black high school students in Chicago are not graduating at the same rates as their peers, with 78% Black students graduating compared to 83% Latino, 83% white and 89% Asian students. Additionally, according to the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s report “Equity Gaps Facing African American Students,” enrollment dropped 34% for African-American students, going from 107,000 enrolled in 2013 to 70,000 students enrolled in 2019.

African-American students also have less access to Advance Placement and dual credit early college experiences. According to IBHE, while African American students made up 15% of the high school graduating class in 2018, only 9% of them were enrolled in dual credit compared to 65% of white students.

Working to help close those gaps, LINK Unlimited Scholars is dedicated to creating a path “to, though, and beyond college.”

Students who participate in the LINK fellowship are paired with a mentor for

PROVIDED BY LINK UNLIMITED

LINK Unlimited Scholars' president and CEO Toinette Gunn (middle) walks with participants during a Saturday workshop. their four years in high school, as well as participate in programming focused on four elements: academic enrichment, college access, leadership development, and career exposure.

Upward economic mobility is also a goal that LINK hopes to help students with, as Gunn said according to research, a college degree is a strong factor that allows for that growth to occur.

“What the data will tell you is that a student who does not graduate from college, there is a potential that they will lose about a million dollars in their earning potential across their lifetime,” Gunn said.

The fellowship is composed of afterschool and weekend programs, workshops, and other events so students can participate outside of school hours. They also host a few “Saturday Academy” days throughout the year. Students can also participate in career panels,

social engagement opportunities, and will have opportunities for cultural exposure – what experts say is a great way to build community with their mentors and their peers.

The fellowship has been successful, Gunn said.

According to Gunn, 52% of students who participate in LINK are graduating from college: two-and-a-half times the national average.

“We know it sets them apart from their peers but it also sets them on a trajectory to really truly increase their economic mobility,” Gunn said. “All of our programming is helping to prepare them for careers and roles of leadership. We know those things will help them have a more successful future.”

Students who will be incoming freshmen at Proviso East can apply online for the fellowship.

To be eligible, students must be a Black

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eighth grader who demonstrated financial need, plan to attend a LINK Unlimited Scholars partner school or other CPS Selective Enrollment High School, and have a strong academic record.

“That isn’t necessarily that they have the best grades,” Gunn said. “We do want to look at grades, look at test scores, but we know that can be demonstrated in a number of ways but we do look for students who are committed to their academic futures and have a desire to attend college.”

Gunn also encourages incoming freshmen who are set to attend a different high school to reach out for more information as she said they are always working on increasing their partnerships with local high schools.

“There is a huge need for more support. It’s not a lack of talent or ambition, it is a lack of resources and opportunities,” Gunn said.

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Forest Park Review, January 31, 2024

January 31-February 7

BIG WEEK

Bollywood 101 Family Dance Class Saturday, Feb. 3, 3- 4 p.m., Forest Park Public Library Learn some simple Bollywood moves and grooves for this high energy and fun class for beginners. Multi-age for dancers 6 and up. Register at www.fppl.org. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

School of Rock Elmhurst, Hinsdale and Naperville Adult Program Concert Saturday, Feb. 3, 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Robert’s Westside Join the students from the Adult Performance Program from School of Rock Elmhurst, Hinsdale and Naperville for a fun afternoon of music at this free concert featuring well known rock n’ roll hits. 7321 Madison St., Forest Park.

Social Circle: Explore Hula Dance with June Tanoue Squares made by community members during Black History Month in 2021

Black History Month Community Quilt Sunday, Feb. 4, 2- 3:30 p.m., Forest Park Public Library Join the Forest Park Public Library and the Historical Society of Forest Park in creating the fourth Black History Community Quilt. Participants will create their own block that will then be collected and sewn into the community quilt which quilt be displayed at future events. Register for the event at www.fppl.org. 7555 Jackson Blvd., 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

Arriver with Stomatopod & Numerical Control Society Saturday, Feb 3, 6:30 – 10:30 p.m., Robert’s Westside Robert’s Westside presents an event featuring Arriver with special performances by Stomatopod, Numerical Control Society, and Underhand. This gathering serves as a fundraiser for PING!, a 25-year-old community nonprofit organization.

7321 Madison St., Forest Park.

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Forest Park Public Library All older adults (55+) are invited to join in for some special community time each week. You will talk and share interests, enjoy guest speakers, and keep yourselves active, engaged, and well-informed. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

February Trivia Tuesday Tuesday, Feb. 6, 7- 10 p.m., Kribi Coffee Trivia Tuesday is back for the February round of trivia goodness. No specific theme this month, just good old fashioned general trivia and, as always, a chance to win big with your team. Buy your tickets: www.facebook.com/kribicoffee.

7324 Madison St., Forest Park.

Self-Love Inspirational Paintings Monday, Feb. 5, 4- 5 p.m., Forest Park Public Library Create a painting to celebrate what self-love is to you. Celebrate what brings you love, hope, and joy this month. Designed for ages 11-13. Register at www.fppl.org. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

Forest Park Review, January 31, 2024

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Teen featured in ‘America to Me’ is now behind the camera Jada Buford, whose mother lives in Forest Park, is seeking donations to defray costs of master’s degree project

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Jada Buford got a lot of screen time in America to Me, the multipart documentary made by local filmmaker Steve James about Oak Park and River Forest High School that aired on Starz in 2018.

But even then, Buford preferred being behind the camera to be on-screen. Now 25, Buford is finishing up a master of fine arts degree in film at Columbia University in New York City. She is working on her thesis film, titled Sing a Black Girl Song. The film is the last requirement she must fulfill to receive her degree in May. Buford’s mother, Telisa Felder, now lives in Forest Park.

Sing a Black Girl Song will be a short film, about 10 minutes long, is about three preteen Black girls who have a sleepover.

“It’s a story that was inspired by my girlhood,” Buford told the Wednesday Journal in a telephone interview.

Buford, who grew up in Galewood neighborhood and River Forest, said that sleepovers are important events for preteen girls.

“For most preteen girls, sleepovers represent a significant aspect of growing up,” Buford said, adding that sleepovers can be a safe haven for girls where they can laugh, cry, sing and dance. “Sleepovers for me, I felt like, were pivotal safe havens for girlhood,” Buford said.

The movie, which will be filmed in Harlem, will feature three girls, ages 11 and 12.

Buford said that the film will focus on the sometimes-awkward transition from young girl to young woman.

Buford is the writer and the producer of the film that will feature both documentary and narrative elements. The film will be

FILE

Jada Buford directed by Danielle Therese Dougé, a 2022 graduate of the Columbia film school, who also grew up in Galewood and met Buford at Columbia.

Buford plans to shoot the film in February and expects to complete the movie in time to graduate in May. But producing a movie, even a short one, is not cheap. She needs money to pay her director, film crew and other production and post-production costs. She is trying to raise $12,000 toward the estimated $15,000 cost of making the film.

To raise funds, Buford has turned to Seeds&Spark, a crowd funding platform that focuses on film and storytelling. Those interested in making a donation to support the making of Sing a Black Girl Song can donate at https://seedsandspark.com/fund/ sing-a-black-girls-song#story. You can follow the progress of the film on Instagram at @ singablackgirlsong.

After the film is completed, Buford plans to show the film in Oak Park or River Forest, perhaps this summer.

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NEWS FLASH!

Buford was a senior at OPRF during the 2015-16 school year and was one of the students that the filmmakers followed and chronicled. She made her first film as a senior at OPRF and has made four other short films, including one about hair.

After graduating from OPRF in 2016, Buford attended Columbia College in Chicago for one year before transferring to Howard University. At Howard, she majored in media, journalism and film communication and received her bachelor of arts degree in 2020.

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Forest Park Review, January 31, 2024

Find your pleasure at Piacere Mio The Italian restaurant celebrates its one-year anniversary

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR The Italian restaurant Piacere Mio celebrates its one-year anniversary on February 13. But Chef Jose Marquez’s connection to the location at 7636 Madison in Forest goes back more than two decades.

Marquez worked with Chef Gaetano DiBenedetto first at La Piazza and then at Gaetano’s, which is in the same location as Piacere Mio. After Gaetano turned his restaurant into a deli during the early days of COVID-19, he decided to sell. His first call was to Marquez, who quickly took him up on the opportunity.

7636 Madison, Forest Park “I was so happy here in this area,” he piaceremiorestaurant.com said. “It was like my home. I’m so happy to come home again.”

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Monday-Thursday 4-9 p.m.

Marquez and two partners, including Friday 4 -10 p.m.

Above: Owners Francisco Perez Francisco Perez, who works the front of Saturday 11 a.m. -10 p.m. and Jose Marquez the house, wanted to bring their years of Sunday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Right: Banana flan restaurant experience to a new level at their own place.

“I always had a dream about opening a restaurant. I spent my last 25 years working at Italian restauDrinks get their due as well. It is a point of pride for rants,” Perez said, adding that he feels this location is “more Francisco Perez. “I enjoy wine. We have some from than a restaurant, more than the food. More like a family. California, but 80% of the wines are from Italy. And we There are a lot of good memories here.” like to offer really good quality wine and pair it with Marquez said seeing customers again has been a delight, food.”

“Hey, remember this kid? My God, they are already like, 20 “A good dish needs a good wine to pair with it, to years old now. The same customers, they still come in here.” enjoy the night. So when people ask me about recomThe food brings customers back again and again. Not sur- mendations for wines, I like to get involved, to go over prisingly, all the pasta, bread and desserts are house made. about in details. Who’s the producer where it comes The menu is an expression love for Italian food that tran- from, the region vintages.” scends any one region. Hands down, the most popular appeIt’s easy to see that both Perez and Marquez are pastizer is fried zucchini blossoms filled with a pecorino mousse sionate about their offerings. and served with sundried tomato coulis. Carpaccio di Tonno After dinner, you can have a glass of limoncello, a is a favorite too: sliced seared tuna, topped with chipotle aio- traditional Italian digestive. Chef Jose and his team li, crystalized garlic, serrano pepper and soy. make the drink in-house in a cornucopia of everMain courses include fresh fish and a variety of meats, changing flavors. Recent options have been passion fruit, pisbut pastas are what Marquez loves the most. Conchiglie alla tachio, caramel, coconut and coffee.

Pugliese combines shell pasta, rapini, sausage with a touch The finishing touch is dessert. An offering that makes a of chili flakes and pecorino cheese. Marquez feels it’s the per- cold winter night feel cozy and warm is chianti panna cotta. fect combination rapini, garlic, Italian sausage and pecorino, “It has different spices and it’s not just chianti. It’s cloves, “You can eat this pasta every day I think.” cinnamon. This this is one of my favorites,” Marquez said.

It doesn’t take long for him to call out another item on the Banana flan with caramel sauce is another. There is a semenu, “I really love the wild boar ragu. It’s like over two days lection of cheesecakes every day. Mocha and pineapple are to marinate with a lot of spices, red wine. I really care about regular customers favorites. Tiramisu, gelato, sorbet, and the quality. Better quality than quantity.” crème brulée, too, make it hard to resist when the dessert There are seasonal specials every day. Duck braised in chi- menu is passed around. anti with wild mushrooms and shaved parmesan is a current In the summer, a patio out front offers al fresco dining. And option along with halibut con antra, which is halibut with a private room in back can hold up to 36 people. That room is grapefruit wedges, white wine and broccolini. often used for special events that are often open to customers.

“If I know a wine maker is in town, we like to bring them in. We like to pair food with the wine, and we invite customers on our email list,” Perez said.

It’s this community-building and customer-experience focus that lead Perez and Marquez, not only to try their hand as restauranteurs, but also as they brainstormed a name for their venture.

What does a chef say when you compliment a meal? “My pleasure,” is what Marquez says. He said it is a joy to have the opportunity to make food that makes customers happy.

And that’s what the name of their restaurant means. Piacere Mio is the Italian expression that means, “my pleasure.”

Forest Park Review, January 31, 2024

Shopping for potato chips at Dollar Tree

D

By DAVID HAMMOND Oak Park Eats Blogger

riving along Madison Street, I sometimes swing into Dollar Tree with just one objective in mind: potato chips. Dollar Tree has 2-ounce bags of Cape Cod, Zapp’s, Kettle and other brands for a buck and a quarter a pop, much less than I’ve paid elsewhere.

When I was a kid, I used to go to the Little Big Dollar Store in Portage Park, Chicago, because in those days, it was amazing how far a dollar could go (read: lots of candy).

At the Dollar Tree in Oak Park, it’s no longer the case that everything is under a dollar — some of the frozen foods, like Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, are around $5 — but the prices are still very competitive.

Now admittedly, Dollar Tree and others of its ilk are rather, um, down-market. Who cares? My 2-ounce bags of chips, bought in bulk, are around half the price of what they’d be elsewhere and, just as importantly, small bags make portion control quite easy.

Dollar stores have always been a good place to shop for deeply discounted cleaning products, sponges, paper plates, and towels, everyday stuff like that. The stores are also a gateway to strange and perversely intriguing merch that some purchasing agent got for a song. For instance, you might find Tapatio Ramen, the perennially popular Japanese noodles seasoned with hot Mexican red sauce; Scooby Doo doggy cleanup bags; holographic duct tape; a raygun-looking toy that makes fart and burp sounds; and a rubberized sea creature that, when you put it in water, grows 600%. Find that at Target!

I’m not buying any of that crazy stuff, but for potato chips, I’m all in.

Dollar Tree is not without critics. Local treasure Charlie Meyerson’s Chicago

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Public Square newsletter — if you don’t subscribe, do so right now! — recently linked to some downtown critics of Dollar Tree. Those critics include the notoriously righteous Chicago City Council, one of whose members said, “I wouldn’t trust them to serve me a fruit, a vegetable and nothing else because their stores are filthy.”

It is very unlikely that Dollar Tree will start selling fresh fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items, but if you’re concerned about the cleanliness of stores, which to me seem on par with other grocery stores in the area, you can have Dollar Tree goods delivered

right to your home.

I counted around a dozen Dollar Tree stores in the Chicago area, many serving communities that don’t have a lot of other options. Those who inveigh against such retail outlets seem insensitive to the concerns of folks who rely on such places for the essentials, which go way beyond the urge for the occasional potato chip.

It’s good to have a store like Dollar Tree in Oak Park, particularly for those on a limited income.

But who doesn’t want a good deal?

Rant over.

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Forest Park Review, January 31, 2024

A Forest Park tradition since 1990.

Chicagoland’s most authentic Creole restaurant

your place to celebrate

MarDi Gras!

Forest Park raises gas tax by 1 cent Another tax increase on food establishments is expected

By AMINA SERGAZINA

32 years of the best creole food!

Staff Reporter

All Weekend • Feb. 9-13

The Forest Park village council voted Monday to approve an additional 1 cent per gallon motor fuel tax, raising the total local tax to 3 cents per gallon.

It is unclear yet the amount of annual revenue that the tax will bring for the village, but it is one of the few revenue sources the village has, according to the commissioner of accounts and finance Maria Maxham.

Maxham said that Forest Park’s non-home rule structure it makes it difficult to introduce new revenue sources.

As a non-home rule municipality, Forest Park is limited in its ability to impose taxes without voter approval.

This structure often leads to a reliance on property taxes and other existing sources of revenue, making it challenging to diversify income streams and respond to financial needs.

“The gas prices will probably increase as a result,” Maxham said.

“But what it allows us to do is collect pass-through taxes that aren’t on the residents’ back. It’s a way to bring in some revenue from anybody who visits gas stations in our town.”

The last time the village raised the tax was in 2019. The village adopted the ordinance on Aug. 26, 2019, which authorized a motor fuel tax at the rate of two cents per gallon.

However, Maxham said the village’s revenue from fuel has been declining, partly because of lower gas consumption

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and partly because of competition from nearby retailers.

“Our overall revenue from gas in general has gone down because a lot of people are going to Costco for example, cause the prices there are lower,” Maxham said.

She added that the village is capped out on other revenue sources, such as property taxes, sales taxes and utility taxes, and cannot control new revenue sources.

Forest Park is one of the few municipalities in Illinois that does not have home rule, because municipalities with fewer than 25,000 people must pass a referendum to become one. Forest Park’s population is fewer than 15,000 people.

The village rejected home rule in a referendum more than 20 years ago, according to village administrator Rachell Entler, and it has not attempted to seek it again since then.

Maxham said the village is planning to introduce another small tax for places of eating, which would apply to restaurants, cafes, bars and other food establishments.

She said the village is not sure yet about the exact amount, but the plans are for a 1% tax that would affect Forest Park restaurant goers.

“It’s hard to predict exactly how much that will bring in,” Maxham said. “But even a $500,000 annual revenue for us is pretty high.”

The village’s budget for fiscal year 2024, which begins on May 1, is projected to be about $23 million, with a deficit of about $1.2 million, according to the village officials.

Forest Park Review, January 31, 2024

Entler gets nod as permanent village administrator Two commissioners criticize lack of open process in promotion

ability to balance her job as an assistant to the mayor while also serving as interim administrator. “She regularly sends detailed explanations of agenda items in an easy-to-understand way. She understands the importance of transparency and communication,” Maxham said.

By AMINA SERGAZINA However, commissioners Michele MelinStaff Reporter Rogovin and Jessica Voogd criticized the lack of transparency and process in hiring The interim title was removed Monday for the village administrator role. The role night as the Forest Park village council was never posted publicly and no search voted to name Rachell Entler as the perprocess took place. manent village adminis“It’s the process that trator. we commit to every sinWhile two commisgle time. We lost some sioners criticized the information while we lack of an open process were considering how to or wider search for a new evaluate and offer and top staff member other examine our options,” commissioners heaped Melin-Rogovin said. praise on Entler for her Voogd expressed disaptransparency and effecpointment in the appointtive communication. ment process, which she Entler was initially learned about last Thurshired by Mayor Rory day via text message. She Hoskins as his assistant highlighted that this is and was promoted to innot the first time the vilterim administrator last lage has not gone through August after the village a proper process. Now fired Moses Amidei from Forest Park has the post the post. Amidei held the of assistant to the mayor post only since May 2021.

AMINA SERGAZINA available and for Voogd, Entler is a Forest Park it raised concerns about native and the daughter Rachell Entler has been how this hiring will take of a former fire chief. announced as the permanent place.

She moved back to the village administrator.

Voogd abstained from village 19 years ago. She the vote. All other comhas been involved in vilmissioners voted in favor of the move. lage life since her teenage years and later “It’s sort of easy to talk about abstract worked at the park district. ideas or buzzwords, it can be a lot more dif“I’m excited. It’s nice to know I have ficult to actually follow through on those the support of our village council and commitments to the public like transparour department heads. I can really start ency and an open, fair hiring process,” focusing on moving the village forward,” Voogd said.

Entler said.

When asked about these concerns, Entler Commissioner Ryan Nero praised said she is grateful to be in the position of Entler’s participation in council meetings the village administrator and encourages and her effective communication. “Since people to speak their minds freely.

Rachell has been part of the village here in “People should have the opportunity to terms of her interim administrator posisay how they feel,” Entler said. “I can’t tion, it’s really been a breath of fresh air,” control how people feel. I’m just grateful Nero said. that majority of the council and the deCommissioner Maria Maxham echoed partment heads, that I work with, felt conNero’s comments, highlighting Entler’s fident that I could do the job.”

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Forest Park Review, January 31, 2024

C R I M E

Homicide suspects die in fiery crash

Two suspects in a Bellwood homicide died in a fiery crash at the intersection of Randolph and Desplaines Avenue early Saturday morning, according to police reports. Bellwood police chased the duo who fled from the scene of a shooting in that suburb. Forest Park police were called to assist.

Before the pursuit, authorities said police had been called to the 200 block of 32nd Avenue in Bellwood just after 3 a.m. and found a 32-year-old man who had been shot multiple times in a car. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Authorities identified the man as Daven McKenzie of Glendale Heights.

According to reports, while police were investigating, they saw a car speeding away from the scene and followed it into Forest Park. The car crashed into a tree and burst into flames. The two people in the car were pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation is ongoing.

Man who skipped out on bar tab kicks lock off jail cell door A drunk man who tried to dine-and-dash from Angelo

O’Leary’s bar last Tuesday was charged with criminal damage to government property and other offenses after he kicked loose the lock on his detention cell door.

According to Forest Park police, a bar employee noticed how intoxicated the man became and, near the end of the night, asked him to pay his $66.50 bar tab. He had been buying drinks for himself and other patrons most of the night.

He put an ID on the counter and said he was going to use Apple Pay to take care of the bill, then left without paying.

Another man tried to stop him from leaving the bar and a fight ensued. Both suffered injuries from the scuffle.

Police found the suspect outside, witnessed his “belligerent” behavior, and ordered him to stop, but he refused to do so despite warnings that he would be charged with obstructing. They were able to detain him and cuff him and bring him to the station.

At the police department, officers said he was “acting violently” and would not obey their commands. After he was placed in a cell, he began to kick and strike the door repeatedly, damaging the door. He then turned his back to the door, pushed his hands into the wall in front of him and back-kicked the door, refusing to stop.

He bent the metal door and knocked a piece of the handle’s locking mechanism to the floor. The door could not

be used, police said.

All the while, the man demanded to be released, saying he would pay for damage to the door. Later he yelled at officers, saying they should be focused on other, more serious issues. When police then asked about his actions, the man refused to answer.

He was charged with theft of services, obstructing a peace officer, and criminal damage to government property. The estimated damage to the cell door is $2,300. He is expected to appear in court on the charges later in January.

Unregistered violent offender arrested with MDMA in his car A Melrose Park man, and registered violent offender, was arrested last Wednesday during a traffic stop after police found a substance believed to be the drug MDMA in the car.

Officers said they saw him driving southbound on Harlem Avenue so slowly that he came nearly to a complete stop.

They pulled him over, ran a check, and found that he had a suspended driver’s license and had not registered as a violent offender since October 2022, despite state requirements.

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Forest Park Review, January 31, 2024

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C R I M E

According to police, the man had spent more than 20 years in prison for murder of a child or teen. He initially registered as a violent offender in Forest Park, but moved to Chicago and registered there. He told police that as Chicago began changing the locations of registration, he gave up because he was not going to continue to “chase” different locations to register.

He complied with police requests to exit the car. After a search, officers found a black zip-lock bag containing a pink, chalky substance they suspected was MDMA. He was arrested on charges of driving on a revoked license, failing to register as a violent offender and carrying a controlled substance. He was not eligible for bond, police said, and was scheduled for a hearing the next morning.

Outstanding warrant A Northlake man, whom Forest Park police pulled over last Monday, was taken into custody because he had an outstanding warrant for arrest.

The man was driving southbound on Harlem Avenue from Randolph Street when police ran a check on his registration. They found it was expired and suspended. Further

investigation showed he was not wearing his seat belt.

Another check determined he had an outstanding warrant filed by Metra police. He was taken into custody. The man posted bail on a $500-bond.

Driving on suspended license leads to car seizure

and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Police caught a 43-year-old man with a revoked drivers’ license after he tried to drive away in his 2020 Kia. Police said they ran the plates on the parked car and determined that the driver’s license had been revoked for a DUI. The man got into his car and tried to drive away, but officers stopped him.

The man was taken into custody and his car, impounded.

He is expected to appear in court in May on criminal charges for driving on a revoked license, and later in January for the car seizure.

These items were obtained from the Forest Park Police Department reports, dated Jan. 22-29, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime

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What Illinoisans Are Paying for Homeowners Insurance Let’s take a look at what Illinoisians are paying for their homeowners insurance right now. Kristine Lee at insurance comparison site The Zebra shows that the average Illinois homeowner pays about $1,443 a year, or $120 a month, which is slightly higher than the national average of $1,406.

What’s Affecting Home Insurance Costs?

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How Homeowners Are Responding The situation is serious enough that some homeowners are deciding to go without insurance. According to reinsurance company Swiss Re, the number of insured homeowners has dropped from 95% to around 88% recently, usually due to financial strain.

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Look into the FAIR Plan FAIR stands for Fair Access to Insurance Requirements.

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But reducing risk isn’t just about protecting against natural disaster: you can also take steps to help avoid burglary, such as installing burgler alarms, surveillance systems, automatic lights, smart-home features, and other safety measures.

12

Forest Park Review, January 31, 2024

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Jackie would have loved it Thank you to all who joined us to celebrate the wonderful life of Jackie Schulz. Friends and family came from near and far on a frigid Saturday afternoon, Jan. 13, to share stories of the impact Jackie had on our lives. Stories were shared by neighbors, students, fellow teachers, colleagues, travel partners, tenants, friends and family. A common thread was Jackie’s amazing ability to make people feel like we were uniquely special to her.

Thank you to the Park District of Forest Park for providing the perfect venue to host this special event as their gift to Jackie, who spent many years swimming laps at the Forest Park Pool back in the day. The physical venue was lovely and the park district staff worked tirelessly to meet all of our needs from set-up to clean-up and all of the snow management in between. Many thanks. Thanks to Jimmy’s Place for the delicious pasta/ pizza spread enjoyed by all.

Another shout-out to the village of Forest Park for the awesome billboard tribute to Jackie’s life. That was a sight to behold along the Eisenhower Expressway.

Jackie will live on in our hearts and may she rest in peace with her many beloved pets!

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As other newsrooms shrink, we’re investing in ours It was a tough week in journalism.

The L.A. Times announced the layoffs of 115 people from its newsroom. With last year’s layoffs — 80 positions — their newsroom has shrunk by one-third.

Time and National Geographic magazine also announced layoffs. Sports Illustrated just eliminated its entire editorial staff. And staffers at Conde Nast held a one-day strike over planned cuts So what lessons do we take from this grim news? Well, being owned by billionaires, as is the case at the L.A. Times and Washington Post, does not protect the news industry. Corporate ownership hasn’t been the solution in local journalism for 30 years.

But we’re here. And we’re building the local journalism of the future. Our model is one that works: A community-owned nonprofit with wide support from readers who value what we do. Readers like you. Readers in the thousands who donate to us, who subscribe to our print editions and who advertise in our digital and print platforms.

We are growing, not shrinking. We are investing in our newsroom, not slicing and dicing it.

And we need your help to continue to do that. I’m asking you to join us with an investment in local news.

Support us today. It’s easy. Hit the donate button at GrowingCommunityMedia.org.

Dan Haley Publisher Growing Community Media NFP

O U R

V I E W

Inside appointment

W

e’ll start here.

Congratulations, Rachell Entler, on being named village administrator of Forest Park. In the months since you became interim administrator, you’ve done a good job and proven popular with most members of the village council and your department heads.

It is entirely possible that Entler will hold this post for many years to come and do a better-than-credible job. If she does, she will earn comparisons to Tim Gillian as the village’s longestlasting administrator.

They would also share in common being natives of Forest Park, rising up in local public service since they were youngsters and having close attachments to the different mayors who appointed them to the top job.

This is simply the Forest Park way. Since the late mayor Lorraine Popelka finally gave in and created the village administrator post in the 1980s, it has been a revolving door for every man hired who wasn’t born in town. Many of those people had better city management credentials. Mostly they have gone on to good careers in some facet of local government or politics.

But the strengths they brought with them never outweighed the lack of inside connections, shared history, or Forest Park bonhomie that makes locals comfortable.

This parochial approach results in the village’s touted “small town charm.” But it also limits the skillset and the problem-solving experience that can hold the town back.

A final point: Mayor Rory Hoskins talks often about transparency. But the process last summer of firing Moses Amidei, the last outsider administrator, and promoting Entler, at that time the mayor’s assistant, to an interim leadership post, has been a charade. It was clear from last August that Entler would be the next administrator and yet there were hints of an actual search that was certain to never happen.

This would all have been better and more honest if Hoskins had just pushed her appointment through when Amidei turned in his keys.

We wish Entler well. She has the capacity to be a fine administrator.

Raising the gas tax

Forest Park’s financial challenges are chronic. Not a big surprise for a small town without the home rule authority to raise taxes and fees as necessary to pay its bills and invest in the community.

So the village council last week took one of the few actions it has available and raised the local tax per gallon on gasoline from 2 cents to 3 cents. A new local tax on local restaurants is also being contemplated. Both of these taxes are specifically allowed under state law.

There is no argument from us that hiking the gas tax isn’t the proper step to take, as actual revenues from the current 2 cent tax have already peaked.

We’d like to see a serious consideration of putting home rule back on the ballot in town. It is inevitably controversial but worthy of discussion.

Forest Park Review, January 31, 2024

OPINION

I

13

What a wonderful world

had just parked my car in Constitution Court when I saw a mom said to her 3- and 4-year-old, “Look, a garbage truck.”

Remember when seeing a big garbage truck up close was exciting? The two kids did get excited and waved to the driver who responded by blasting his air horn several times to their great delight.

The truck had stopped at the crosswalk for a family who got big smiles on their faces as they watched that little scene unfold.

And along with Satchmo I sang to myself, The colors of the rainbow So pretty in the sky Are also on the faces Of people going by I see friends shaking hands Saying, “How do you do?” …

And I think to myself What a wonderful world.

Then I walked into Schauer’s Hardware, and when Rich saw me he said, “Here comes trouble.” I responded by teasing him about his hair getting gray, and he came back with, “At least I have hair.”

As I walked out of the store with my purchase I thought to myself, “It’s a wonderful world.”

At the Chamber of Commerce Holiday Luncheon I was sitting at a table waiting for the buffet line to go down, and Mayor Hoskins saw me, came over and chatted for five minutes. I chose to believe that he did so out of friendship and not to get another vote.

Before that, I said a two-sentence prayer before the meal as I always do. My speech is slurred because of my neurological disorder so the Chamber members have to work hard to understand me, but when I ask them, they always say, “I could understand every word.”

And I thought to myself as I stood with my walker in the buffet line, “It’s a wonderful world.”

When I want their input for an article, Fire Chief Phil Chiappatta, Police Chief Ken Gross, Steve Glinke from the Department of Health and Safety, and Skye Lavin at the library, they get back to me asap. Remembering days when I had to go through a series of corporate gatekeepers to get what I need, on this day I think to myself, “It’s a wonderful world.”

I write my articles at my desk at home, so I turn up the heat at 4:00. After my wife gets home from work and unpacks what she has taken there, we often sit on the couch for 15 minutes and unpack how the day has gone for each us.

We are not a power couple and most of what we share would not be of interest to anyone else but us, but it’s a

small, intimate reconnection that makes me say out loud sometimes, “It’s a wonderful world.”

Life, of course, doesn’t allow us to live permanently in Disney World.

The other day we asked ourselves, “What if Trump wins the election in November? How will we survive the chaos?”

At 6:00 we usually watch the Newshour which is mostly full of bad news. At 7:00 we sometimes catch up on the struggles her sisters and nephews and my grandchildren and adult children are going through, and I notice that my heart starts feeling heavy.

After those brief interactions, the world doesn’t feel wonderful. Sometimes it feels like it’s going to hell.

Tom Skilling often warns us that whatever the weather is at broadcast time, it might — no, it probably will — change by the end of the day.

And so it goes.

Here in the Midwest it can feel like winter in the early fall and springtime in January. In The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck’s opening sentence is, “Life is hard.”

Which is it then, “life is hard” or “it’s a wonderful world”?

As I go through my day in this “village with small town charm” it usually feels like the pendulum is swinging toward wonderful. When I watch the news, I often feel like it’s swinging toward “life is hard.”

It’s tempting to think, “OK then, don’t watch the news.”

But we all recognize that avoiding annual visits to our dermatologist cheats us out of the chance to get rid of those precancerous growths before they become malignant. Avoiding small doses of bad news sets us up for handling bigger bad news down the road.

You all know the socially scripted exchange when you bump into someone you know.

“Hey, how you doin’?”

“Great! How are you?”

“Livin’ the dream!”

Instead of telling a white lie, I choose to comment on the weather.

“Hey. Cold out today. Winter’s finally here.”

“Sure is. Have a nice day.”

Some days I recite my lines with authentic enthusiasm. On other days, well, you know how it feels.

The commentators I respect predict that 2024 is going to have more than its share of stormy political weather.

Let’s make sure we take our spiritual umbrellas with us and cherish what one friend calls “God winks” when they happen.

TOM HOLMES

14

Forest Park Review, January 31, 2024 F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW Editor Erika Hobbs Staff Reporter Amina Sergazina, 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 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

Accentuating the positive

wise person told me it’s always good to focus on the positives and overlook the negatives. So I will focus on two positives that happened to us this January. The first involved our car, a 2013 Kia Sportage. I had grown to loathe this car and couldn’t wait to get rid of it. I even warned my wife the car was unsafe because it didn’t have sensors to help us change lanes. One day, the Kia wouldn’t start. I had it towed to Forest Automotive.

Scott Posson’s family has been operating the repair shop since 1921 and he had always given me a fair shake. Scotty ran a number of diagnostic tests on the Kia for free and told me the car needed a new engine, which would cost us $8,000. My wife wanted a second opinion, so we had it towed to the dealership.

The dealership ran its own diagnostics before Luis called us. The bad news was the car needed a new engine. The good news was that a recall on the engine had extended our warranty. Even though the car was 10 years old and had over 100,000 miles on it, we

would get a new engine for free!

I’m driving a brand-new car now, though it’s still a bit scary changing lanes.

The second good fortune involved my computer. I had an ancient Hewlett Packard desktop that was still using Word 2010. It took forever on every function.

I could fix breakfast or do a load of wash while waiting for it to boot up. It was so creaky, I was never sure it would make it.

It was also vulnerable to malware and attack by viruses.

When I clicked on something innocent like a recipe, it almost crashed. I was even hacked recently and sent out a luncheon invitation to 150 of my closest friends.

Plus, I’m a technophobe. Technology freaks me out. If I encountered the slightest glitch, my wife made me leave the room. She didn’t want me distracting her, if she had to deal with a password problem, wanted to download tickets, or open a student’s assignment using Gmail.

So I was in state of panic when I brought my tower to a friend’s house, who had offered to fix it. He has a passion for fixing computers. He even fixes computers he

JOHN RICE

A

P

L O O K

B A C K

I N

finds abandoned on the street. Instead of pursuing a career with computers, though, he became an MD. When I showed him my computer, he spoke like a doctor. “This is a quality-of-life issue,” he said gravely.

“You mean my computer is a DNR?” Yes, he replied. It would be a waste of time for him to try and fix my decrepit computer. Instead, he had an extra computer he wasn’t using that he could donate to me. For the next several hours, he transferred everything on my computer into a sleek modern computer that was twice the size of my old one. I poked my head in now and then to see if he needed help. Finally, he had the new one up and running with all my programs intact.

But he wasn’t through. He offered to bring the computer to my Forest Park home to make sure it was properly installed. A doctor who didn’t charge for house calls! I’ve been grateful ever since. I have a computer that does what I want in seconds, instead of hours.

My wife and I could never repay him for his generosity. We plan to take him and his wife out for dinner.

As soon as Parky’s reopens.

T I M E

Buying now, paying later

ublic Service Company of Illinois sold appliances from 19261958 at 7418 Madison St., now part of Louie’s Grill. Their ad in a January 1926 Forest Park Review encouraged folks to make their home electric “Little by Little.” This payment plan enabled customers to take the sewing machine, cleaners, irons, toasters and grills home and pay by installments. This “buy now, pay later” approach was popular in the 1920s and American consumer debt doubled between 1920 and 1930 as the American middle class grew and enjoyed the conveniences of electricity.

Jill Wagner

Forest Park Review, January 31, 2024 15

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PUBLIC NOTICES

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:

to make an award that in the Board’s sole opinion is in the best interest of the District.

PUBLIC NOTICE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE PUBLIC HEARING

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.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield will hold a public hearing at 6:30 P.M. on February 12, 2024, at the Village Board Room in the Municipal Building of the Village of Brookfield, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 on the Village’s proposed appropriation ordinance, which will serve as the basis for the Village’s 2024 Annual Appropriation Ordinance.

OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 97 SD97 – JULIAN MS GENDER NEUTRAL TOILET ROOMS OAK PARK, IL 60302 BID GROUP 1 – GENERAL TRADES, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m.

CST on Thursday, February 8, 2024, 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 – JULIAN MS GENDER NEUTRAL TOILET ROOMS Bid Opening will be held at 2:15pm CST within the board room: Scope of work for Bid Group 1 generally includes: GENERAL TRADES, ELECTRICAL, MECHANCIAL, AND PLUMBING 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 Friday January 19, 2024 and are available for viewing/ download online without cost or purchase on the Bulley & Andrews, LLC Google Drive, located at the following link. No username or password is required. https://drive.google.com/ drive/folders/19k -upj1_k5Y_Qo2IvAw VDuSHWladZCdZ The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof, or waive any irregularities or informalities, and

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.

The proposed appropriation ordinance will be on file in the Village Clerk’s Office for at least ten (10) days prior to February 12, 2024, and copies thereof will be conveniently available for public examination and copying.

Brigid Weber, Village Clerk .

Published in the RB Landmark, January 31, 2024

Dated: 1/19/24 Michael Damato Bulley & Andrews, LLC Published in Wednesday Journal January 24, 31, February 7, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of Dana Louise McKinzie Case Number 2023 CONC 001444 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Dana Louise McKinzie tto the new name of: Dana Louise Allen.

The court date will be held: On March 8, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.at in Courtroom # 12, Zoom link: https://circuitcourtofcookcounty. zoom.us/j/95894921843?pwd=S1RCcmlCZjFpRnVIQUpZU25lRzJFUT09 Meeting ID: 958 9492 1843 Passcode: 226532 Published in Wednesday Journal January 24, 31, February 7, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified mechanical contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 Mon thru Fri, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm local time until 11:00 am on Fri, Feb 23, 2024 for the following: Village of Oak Park Main Fire Station HVAC Replacement Proposal Number: 24-116 Issuance Date: Jan 31, 2024 There will be a mandatory prebid meeting at the Main Fire Station, 100 N. Euclid, Oak Park, IL on Wed Feb 7, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. Bid documents may be obtained from the Village website at http://www.oak-park. us/bid. Design drawings and specifications will be available at the pre-bid meeting. For questions please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700.

Published in Wednesday Journal January 31, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from authorized vendors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 for the following: Village of Oak Park ABB Variable Frequency Drives Purchase Project Number: 24-112 Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified electrical contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 for the following: Village of Oak Park Variable Frequency Drive Electrician Hourly Rates Project Number: 24-111

Published in Wednesday Journal January 31, 2024

Published in Wednesday Journal January 31, 2024

Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oak-park. us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 3585700 during the above hours.

Notice to Prospective Village of Oak Park Federal Grants Applicants The Program Year (PY) 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) process will begin February 8, 2024 with a mandatory Application Workshop. The application will then be open from February 9, 2024 to March 1, 2024 and will be due no later than 5:00pm on March 1, 2024. PY 2024 runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025.

Applications for PY 2024 CDBG funds will be available for Public Services and Public Facilities Improvements. Other PY 2024 CDBG funds will be set aside for Village-run activities.

Applications for PY 2024 CDBG funds must be completed online and will be available February 9, 2024 on the Village’s website at www.oak-park.us/cdbg.

The federal CDBG program is a source of funding that addresses local housing and community development needs.

These funds are available to 501(c) (3) non-profit organizations that serve primarily low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons residing in Oak Park. Each proposed activity must meet the CDBG Program National Objective of primarily serving LMI persons and be eligible.

Grant funds are for non-profit agencies, not individuals.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for non-English speaking persons and for people with disabilities. For more information, write to Vanessa Matheny, Grants Manager: vmatheny@oak-park.us

Published in Wednesday Journal, January 31, 2024

Our Community Needs Community Journalism It’s not just about crime reports and board meetings.

We also need inspiring, funny, heartwarming and, at times, heartbreaking stories about our friends, neighbors and children.

Perhaps now, more than ever.

Partner with us.

Donate at GrowingCommunityMedia.org Growing Community Media NFP is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby

informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

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

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of the SCIG Series III Trust; Plaintiff, vs.

GAD IKEANUMBA AKA GAD C. IKEANUMBA; 1030-32 NORTH AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION AKA 1030 -32 N. AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION AND HENRY SILVERMAN LIVING TRUST U/A/D AUGUST 26, 1996; Defendants, 11 CH 33740 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, March 5, 2024 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. 16-05-314-031-1001.

Commonly known as 1032 N. Austin Blvd., Unit 1N, 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 Ms. Mary E. Spitz at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Sottile & Barile, LLC, 7530 LUCERNE DRIVE, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OHIO 44130.

(440) 572-1511. ILF1810025 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3237038

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. 7020194122 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3236657

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION; Plaintiff, vs.

DONNA EUDOVIQUE AKA DONNA D. EUDOVIQUE; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 23 CH 7029 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 27, 2024 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. 15-08-409-001-0000.

Commonly known as 501 48th Avenue, Bellwood, IL 60104.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 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.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR CABANA SERIES V TRUST; Plaintiff, vs.

FORREST K. JOHNSON; WYANETTA JOHNSON; 929 OAK PARK CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 23 CH 317 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, March 5, 2024 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. 16-18-307-034-1002.

Commonly known as 929 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60304.

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 Ms. Mary E. Spitz at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Sottile & Barile, LLC, 7530 LUCERNE DRIVE, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OHIO 44130.

(440) 572-1511. ILF2203044 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3237044

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16

Forest Park Review, January 31, 2024

Oak Park Dentist Now Offers Gentle Care To Patients Without Dental Insurance.

Family Dental Care of Oak Park: Where Insurance is Optional, Quality Care is Not!

While there’s no lack of dental practices in Oak Park, River A variety of plans are available based on the degree of Forest, or Forest Park, there is a notable scarcity of practices dental care you want. that provide patients with alternative ways to access quality Our Customized Dental Care Program gives patients dental care. Dentistry is a field of precise measurements and without insurance greater access to care. procedures, yet each patient is unique, as are their financial “We were paying out-of-pocket for dental and it became quite difficult for circumstances. It raises the question: why must all patients us. When Dr. Scapillato told us about his conform to a flawed dental financial model that depends plan we immediately said we we’re in. It has on having dental insurance? This doesn’t imply that those helped us get the preventative care we need.” without dental insurance don’t deserve excellent dental Linda K. - Patient for 50 years. care. However, it does mean they are expected to cover “There isn’t all the hassle like with 100% of the costs themselves, which is unjust. Regrettably, dental insurance. I get what I need... this system often leads people to make suboptimal health it works! And it’s cost effective! I could pay for it annually, but I prefer monthly decisions based on their ability to afford dental care, rather because it fits into my budget. Jim C. than on what is best for their health.

As costs continue to climb, it’s unsurprising that half of Chicago’s population lacks dental insurance. Yet, despite this significant figure, the value of excellent dental care, especially preventative measures, remains undiminished.

The importance of preventive dental care goes beyond brushing and flossing daily. Good oral hygiene and regular dental practices are widely recognized for their role in reducing the risk of severe health issues. For example, it can significantly lower risk of: • Gum Disease • Heart Disease & Stroke When you arrive at a hospital emergency room with a • Diabetes Complications medical emergency, the law ensures you receive treatment • Respiratory Infections regardless of your ability to pay. Why don’t more dentists • Pregnancy Complications provide specialized programs for those lacking dental “Unlike other medical professionals like insurance? Simple. Insurance companies have made podiatrists, dermatologists, immunologists, and treatment more about numbers than care. physical therapists who are directly connected to Dr. Scapillato, founder of Family Dental Care of Oak Park, bodily health, we dentists have traditionally been deeply understands the reasons patients remain loyal: not restricted from discussing the health benefits of only for the consistent, high-quality care and treatment he dental care. This hadn’t changed until recently,” has provided for over half a century, but also for his keen explains Dr. Jim Scapillato, the founder of Family Dental Care awareness of the evolving financial situations of families. He of Oak Park. stands out as an innovator, both in the field of dentistry and Nonetheless, despite the substantial health advantages of in making dental care more affordable, ensuring patients proper oral care, it is not covered by medical insurance. It receive the necessary care to maintain happiness and health. has traditionally been classified as an elective or cosmetic procedure, including even the most fundamental checkups Introducing the Customized Dental Care Program and cleanings.

After 50 years in practice and having treated 4 generations of families, Dr. Scapillato created an in-office People buy insurance products in the hopes they never dental plan for his patients and now offers it to have to use it and the insurance companies sell it in the anyone without dental insurance. hopes you will never use it. Premiums for dental benefits have increased continually over the 70 years since its introduction, The Customized Dental Care Program is not insurance, but not the benefits. This is why 50% of Chicagoans do not rather a program to make preventive care dentistry have some form of basic annual dental care plan. If this is available to anyone who does not have dental insurance. If you, you will be hapy to find out that... you currently do not have dental insurance, this program is for you. If you do have dental insurance, you are not eligible ll entAl Are An e ADe fforDABle for this program, though you likely know someone who would When it comes to your oral health, cost and fees shouldn’t qualify. be your primary concern. Indeed, the financial aspect of Request the free booklet on quality dental treatment matters, but more important is the our Custom Dental Care Program. relationship and partnership you establish with a dentist and Anyone without dental insurance their practice. Your goal should be to identify a dentist and qualifies. Choose from 5 plans. practice to entrust with your care. They become your trusted Gold Plans start as low as $28.75/ ‘go-to’ professional. Likewise, look for a dentist who values a month and include 2 annual long-term relationship with you, rather than just the financial cleanings & exams, 1 emergency aspect. It should be a relationship that benefits both parties. exam, flouride treatment (for kids under 12), and X-rays.

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The Custom Dental Care Program is available from and for use only at Family Dental Care of Oak Park. Members must be a patient in the practice. Membership in the plan is for 12 consecutive months. This is not an insurance product. Only patients without dental insurance eligible.Free bonus gifted at first dental visit.

This content is made possible by our sponsor and is independent of GCM’s editorial staff.