Forest Park Review 030823

The great debate

Vocational charter school proposed for Proviso

Claudia Medina, D209 board member seeking reelection, pushes plan

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Altenheim Committee urges housing with some green space

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The village government’s Altenheim Committee recommends turning the village-owned portion of the historic Altenheim property into a largely residential development with some green space on the north and south portions of the property.

The document, which was finalized and approved

on pa ge 8

In the middle of a run for re-election to District 209’s school board, Claudia Medina is endorsing the creation a charter high school in hopes of elevating the public education system through healthy competition.

“I want to be part of the rebuilding of the district,” Medina said. “How do we make sure that happens? If there is competition, there is accountability.”

Medina said she was approached last fall by Patrick Degnan, a native of Chicago and current Oak Park resident.

Degnan began his involvement in charter schools in 2001. He has served on the board of six schools, including Chicago International Charter School’s Northtown Academy and St. Basil, Christ the King Jesuit Colle ge Prep, and The Montessori School of Englewood.

To move ahead the $40 million proposal would need four votes from the Proviso Township High School District 209

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.

IS

A proud West Sider, Brandon Johnson advances to runoff in a historic election night

Johnson will face Paul Vallas who secured 33.73% of the vote

By FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Staff Reporter

Brandon Johnson, a son of the West Side, defeated incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot in advancing to the runoff election for mayor of the city of Chicago. Lightfoot is only the second incumbent mayor in the last 40 years that has been denied a second ter m; the city’s first female mayor Jane Byr ne lost her primary race in 1983.

Now, on April 4 Johnson will face Paul Vallas, the for mer CEO of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Vallas led the ninecandidate field winning 33.73% of the vote according to the latest data from the Chicago Board of Elections.

Johnson, a for mer Chicago Public Schools teacher and current Cook County Commissioner for the 1st District, came out on top of longtime political figure Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia in a contentious runoff. The night of the election, Johnson, who lives in Austin with his family, secured 20.27 percent of the vote, an advantage of 3.18 percentage points over Lightfoot’s 17.09 percent and 6.57 percentage points ahead of Garcia.

Speaking at a Feb. 4 mayoral candidates forum organized by West Side community groups, Johnson took pride in his West Side roots Yet, the latest election results show West Side residents favored Lightfoot. In the 29th, 37th and 24th Wards which cover Austin and Garfield Park, Lightfoot obtained at least 30% of the vote while Johnson averaged 17% of the vote. Runoff contender Vallas only obtained a slight advantage on Johnson in the 29th Ward with a difference of 191 votes

in his favor accounting for 19.63 percent of the vote versus Johnson’s 17.64 percent. In the 24th and 37th wards, Vallas trailed behind Johnson obtaining only 5.71 and 7.63 percent respectively.

As Johnson seeks to defeat Vallas, gaining the support of the majority-Black wards on the West and South sides of Chicago will be key as both candidates try to persuade voters who favored Lightfoot and businessman Willie Wilson who also ran in the Feb. 28 primary.

Richard Boykin knows Johnson well having been defeated by him in a race for Cook County Commissioner in the 1st District which includes the West Side and near west suburbs. Boykin believes the Black community will be pivotal in the run-off and that Black voters will have to decide between two different agendas

While Johnson and Vallas are both Democrats, the two have decidedly different visions for the city on key issues including public safety, economic development and taxes Vallas boasts the support of the Frater nal Order of Police and has vowed to retur n the Chicago Police Department to “its core mission to protect and serve the people of Chicago.” His proposals

include increasing police presence in the city’s mass transit system, hiring more police officers and building a Forensic Crime Lab. He has expressed his disapproval of increasing taxes for businesses such as airlines and hotels, measures proposed by Johnson.

Johnson has moved his progressive agenda forward by expressing his support for the Treatment not Trauma ordinance seeking to reopen mental health clinics and have health professionals respond to crisis calls rather than police officers. Johnson’s approach to public safety lays on support initiatives that invest in community development to increase public safety rather than investing in police. To fund these initiatives and the city’s budget, he has proposed a budget plan that includes reinstating a business head tax, a tax on airlines known as the Chicago Jet Fuel Tax and a tax ranging from $1 to $2 on securities trading contracts known as the Big Banks Securities and Speculation Tax.

A moderate stance on policing and taxes could benefit one candidate over the other, as it is “more appealing to a broad base of people who live in the city,” Boykin said. “But I mean, there are 33 days to go before the election, so we’ll know soon.”

COLIN BOYLE/Block Club Chicago Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson greets supporters a er he announced his run for Mayor of Chicago at Seward Park on Oct. 27, 2022.

COLIN BOYLE/Block Club Chicago Johnson faces Vallas in the runo election on April 4.

The great debate

Candidates for mayor and commissioner sound o on economic development, diversity, Home Rule referendum possibilities

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Around 200 people showed up to the Feb. 28 Forest Park mayoral and village council candidate debate, which was held in the Grant-White Elementary School building auditorium, 147 Circle Ave.

The debate was org anized by the Forest Park Review and the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce, with the Review

publisher and editor Dan Haley serving as moderator. The two mayoral candidates – incumbent Rory Hoskins and John Doss, current Park District of Forest Park Board of Commissioners president – faced of f in the first portion. Incumbent village commissioners Maria Maxham, Ryan Nero and Jessica Voogd, and challengers Joe Landgrebe, Michelle Melin-Rogovin and Ryan Russ faced of f in the second par t of the debate

There were cer tain common themes across the board

– most candidates were at least open to the idea of revisiting a referendum that would make Forest Park a Home Rule municipality There is also a general ag reement that any revenue from cannabis dispensaries that might open in the village should go toward addressing pension obligations. Economic development was a priority for many candidates, and several expressed the idea that the village hall was too cramped and outdated, even if they weren’ t necessarily sure what should re place it

Commissioner debate

Incumbents and challengers agree and disagree

While much of the debate was cordial and focused on issues, the candidates’ opening remarks had some jabs.

John Doss, who is running under the slogan of “Put the ‘Park’ back in ‘Forest Park,’” noted that, the village leased out most of its pocket parks to the park district in 2021 because “the village was not in the business of parks.” He argued the village could lear n from the park district, which, he said, was able to get more done in the past four years than the village has. Doss pointed to the park district securing funds to rehab the pocket parks, as well as acquiring and demolishing the Oak Leaf property on Har rison Street to pave the way for a new indoor facility

“While Altenheim [property] sits vacant at Van Buren, the park distinct purchased the Oak Leaf building,” he said. “While Roosevelt Road sees vacancies continue to stack up, your park district underwent a splash pad update project. […] In fact, I would almost say with certainty — if any village residents were to look around the village of Forest Park and saw this as important, it would likely to be done by the park district, not your village mayor.”

Mayor Rory Hoskins defended his record, pointing to the fact that, during his first ter m, the village was able to secure grants to demolish multiple buildings on the aforementioned village-owned portion of the Altenheim property He also noted

how the village responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the fact that the civil unrest that swept through Chicago in lateMay/early June 2022 in the wake of the killing of George Floyd didn’t reach Forest Park He also touted the “many new businesses” that opened on Madison Street over the past few years, and the fact that the most recent approved village non-union employee salary schedules brought female department heads’ salaries closer to what their male counter parts were ear ning.

“As the result of this council’s bold action, these women now make salaries on par with their male counter parts,” Hoskins said.

The incumbent mayor concluded his remarks by saying the new park district splashpads were supposed to open last year, but currently remain under construction.

“And, by the way — the splash pad doesn’t work,” Hoskins said.

Forest Park is currently a non-Home Rule municipality, which limits how much it can levy in property taxes and restricts other sources of revenue. A referendum to change the village’s status failed in 2001. Both candidates said they supported another referendum – though Doss added that he believed that there is likely still opposition because of the lack of trust towards the mayor and village commissioners.

Some of the questions overlapped with the mayoral candidate questions – such as whether they would support another Home Rule referendum. Commissioner Jessica Voogd said she would be open to it so long as there are community meetings about it, with residents getting a good look at pros and cons Commissioners Ryan Nero and Maria Maxham said Home Rule should be considered because it would allow for other revenue sources that could be used to fund pensions.

Candidates Joe Landgrebe and Ryan Russ struck a more neutral tone, with Russ saying that it would ultimately be up to the voters and Landgrebe saying that he hasn’t made up his mind about it yet.

Candidate Michelle Melin-Rogovin said she would be “very, very hesitant to adopt Home Rule,” because she believed that higher property taxes Home Rule municipalities “under mine equity and fair ness” because it would hurt “people of fixed and limited income to live in Forest Park.”

This portion of the debate also touched on the diversity question, with candidates asked to define equity. Maxham demur red, saying that, just as she wouldn’t want a man to speak for her as a woman, she wouldn’t want to speak for minority groups she isn’t part of But she said that she would like to revive the currently dor mant Forest Park Diversity Commission.

Nero said that, while there is always

room for improvement, he believes that “we’re making the right strides,” saying that “at the end of the day, it’s about putting people in the right positions” and having diverse perspectives is better for the village’s decision-making. Landgrebe said he “absolutely believe[s] that equity should be a priority in municipal gover nment” and that removing bar riers in hiring and opportunities for minority business owners “can create better outcomes for everyone.”

Voogd said she would like to see the village tackle the issue as part of a strategic planning process, describing it as “a good way to start to apply that equity lens and apply it to all policy decisions.” She also believed the village should do more to encourage minorities to apply for village jobs and run for of fice, “so we can start to see our representation and staf f reflective of people we will re present.”

Russ defined equity as “treating everyone with respect and dignity.” While he said that he hasn’t experienced prejudice growing up in Forest Park, he agreed that there was room for improvement.

“Diversity, inclusion — to me, this is Forest Park,” he said. “Of course, we still have further to go, because we don’t have everyone on the same page.”

When asked what role, if any, village commissioners should have in supporting

See COMMISSIONER on pa ge 5

MAYOR Pros and cons of commission government

from page 4

When asked how they felt about the commissioner form of village gover nment, Doss said he had no issue with it, adding that, when he was the village’s Director of Public Works, he never felt that any commissioners interfered with his job.

“Commissioners also have ideas — they should he involved, but the day to day should be [handled] by the directors and the village administrator,” he said.

Hoskins said he was open to having a referendum on whether the commissioner form should be kept

Both candidates said they support the existence of advisory commissions, committees and boards Many of them quietly faded away in recent years, and Hoskins brought back two of them – the Environmental Control Commission and the Board of Health. Doss said that he would make sure that the

advisory bodies’ input would be more re gularly taken into account.

When asked what they would like to see on the villageowned portion of the Altenheim property, Doss said he would like to get more public input and take more time to figure out the property’s future. The village appointed Altenheim Committee is currently expected to put together a final report this week.

“Why are we making a decision a month before the election, when we might have 3-4 new elected of ficials?” Doss asked. “I would like to have more public comment. The public, they should have say-so, and right now, I don’t think that’s happening.”

Hoskins said he would like to sell a “maximum of three acres” of the 11-acre site to a developer and use the proceeds to shore up pensions. The rest can be used for public green space, he said. He defended the pro-

cess, saying all meetings were open to the public and many residents – most notably, a contingent from the Grove condominiums - took advantage of it.

Hoskins insisted that, even if the report is finished in March, “nothing is going to happen before the election.”

The candidates were also asked their thoughts about the future of the U.S. Ar med Forces Reserve Center, 7402 Roosevelt Rd. Hoskins, who previously proposed moving the village hall and other municipal facilities to the site, said that, in the long run, he would like the village to move to a larger building, but he insisted that it wouldn’t have to be that site in particular. Hoskins also said that he would like the village to have a say in what happens to the property, which the Pentagon currently owns, and he would like to partner with a private business – but that isn’t his top priority at the

moment.

Doss said he would like to move the village hall to the currently underutilized CTA commuter parking lot west of the Forest Park CTA train ter minal. As for the Ar my Reserve property, he would like to see retail, because it would bring in sales tax revenue.

Both candidates said that they supported cannabis dispensaries opening in Forest Park, and both generally agreed that, while bars have their place, they support more restaurants coming to Madison Street.

Both candidates said they supported the work the village police department is doing. Doss said the only thing he would change was to have more community meetings, while Hoskins touted the department’s increasing diversity, and his push to hire Spanish-speaking of ficers. If someone needs help and doesn’t speak English, Hoskins said, having officers who speak another language is an asset.

“Today, we have the most diverse police force we ever had,” he said. “We have a deputy chief who’s Chinese-American,” he said. “Until recently, we had an Arab-American police of ficer We have Polish-speaking [of ficers], more than one.”

from page 4

public schools, Maxham, who currently has a daughter attending Proviso Math and Science Academy and has been outspoken in her support for candidates that would shift the balance of power on the Proviso Township High School District 209 Board of Education, didn’t mince words, saying that, by taking a hands-of f approach, “we’re not only wasting our taxpayer dollars, but we’re complicit in failing thousands of students every day, and I will not be complicit.”

Melin-Rogovin and Voogd argued that what happens in District 209 hurts property values and pushes families out of Forest Park – but they all stopped short of saying that the village should do anything about it other than keep the lines of communication open. Russ argued that, when it comes to District 209, “people focus too much on the ne gative,” while Landgrebe said that, much as he shared other candidates’ concer ns, he didn’t believe it would be appropriate for village gover nment to get involved in another taxing body’s business.

The debate ended with all candidates be-

ing asked to share what their top priorities would be if elected

Landgrebe said he would focus on public safety, finding more ways to bring in revenue and ensuring everyone in Forest Park has a chance to give input. Russ said he would try to figure out the alter native to the current village hall, because he agreed that Forest Park has outg rown it, as well as to engage residents. Nero said he would continue to advocate for infrastructure improvements and economic development, especially outside Madison Street.

“Once vacant properties sitting on Harlem Avenue are now thriving businesses. Once-thriving businesses in Oak Park are thriving businesses in Forest Park,” he said, ear ning chuckles from the audience.

Melin-Rogovin said she would priori-

tize collaboration between village taxing bodies, improving access to mental health resources, and diversifying the village’s revenue sources. Voogd said that, in addition to the push for the strategic plan she mentioned earlier in the debate, she would want to update the village code, especially the zoning provisions, working to make the village more sustainable and finding more funding resources.

Maxham agreed about the importance of the zoning code rewrite, tackling pension obligations and getting public input on important issues. She said that she wants to continue working on improving mental health services.

“I want to continue working on that,” Maxham said. “I hope to have your support on April 4 so I can continue this important work.”

Watch the candidate forum

If you weren’ t able to attend last week’s Review/Chamber candidate forum at Grant-White School, we’ve just posted a recording of the event. You can find it at ForestParkReview.com under “Forums” on our Election Guide page It is in two parts. First a conversation between the two candidates for mayor, incumbent Rory Hoskins and challenger John Doss. In part two we interview the six candidates for four spots on the village council.

MARIA MAXHAM RYAN NERO

JESSIC A VOOGD

JOE LANDGREBE RYAN RUSS MICHELLE MELIN-ROGOVIN

JOHN DOSS RORY HOSKINS

Firefighters union endorses incumbent Mayor Hoskins, 2 village council candidates

Newcomer Joe Landgrebe promises to prioritize funding for rst responders

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Forest Park Firefighters Local 2753, the labor union re presenting rank-and-file village firefighters, endorsed incumbent mayor Rory Hoskins, incumbent commissioner Ryan Nero and first-time candidate Joe Landgrebe in the upcoming April 4 municipal election.

The endorsements come after the village recently approved a union contract that included bringing paramedics back in house – something the union fought for since the

village decided to privatize paramedic services in 1989. The village council approved the contract unanimously, but only Nero got the endorsement so far. Landgrebe made investing in the police and fire depar tments, including addressing pension obligations, one of the major planks of his campaign platfor m.

Local 2753 didn’t elaborate on why they made their endorsements on their social media accounts They did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.

When asked how he feels about the endorsement, Hoskins said that he acce pted their endorsement and declined to elaborate any fur ther. Nero didn’t respond to a request for comment by deadline.

Landg rebe announced his endorsement during his Feb. 8 campaign kickof f fundraiser, which was held at Shanahan’s Bar, 7353 Madison St. He told the Review that he was honored to be endorsed, because first responders are “a very impor tant aspect of

our community.”

Landg rebe said he was endorsed because “they believe that I have a vision for the future.”

“I’m going to help them to secure the resources for the future of the firefighters,” he said, adding that it would include making sure they have “resources and equipment to do their jobs successfully, as well as tackling the pension funding shortfall.

“The firefighters are the first line of defense,” Landg rebe said. “They get people in the community on the worst days of their lives. I believe they need resources to do their jobs successfully, and I will endeavor to provide them with equipment, and the security of a pension.”

The state of the firefighter pensions, as well as equipment and staf fing shor tages, has been an ongoing concer n for the union.

During the Dec. 3, 2022 meeting of the Altenheim Committee, which was assembled to advise the village on the future uses of

the village-owned portion of the historic retirement community property, a group of firefighters argued that any future use should generate revenue to help address the staf fing shor tfalls and deferred maintenance backlog.

Under the union contract approved on Jan. 9, which is retroactive to May 1, 2022 and will expire on April 30, 2026, Forest Park ag reed to hire three firefighter/paramedics by May 1, and then one firefighter/ paramedic a year until April 30, 2026. Village Administrator Moses Amidei told the Review at the time that their ambulance staf fing contractor, Metro Paramedic Services, had trouble recruiting enough personal to fill all the shifts in recent years, forcing the union firefighters, most of whom are already trained as either paramedics or emergency medical technicians, to work over time to pick up the slack.

March 8-15

BIG WEEK

Dark Side Of The Moon Cosmic Light Show - 50th Anniversar y

Saturday, March 11, 8:30 p.m., Triton College Cernan Earth and Space Center

From 1973 to 2023, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon continues to be the quintessential soundtrack for a planetarium light show. Audiences of all ages are invited to sit back, relax, and enjoy this timeless classic accompanied by brilliant lasers, digital e ec ts and thousands of stars. Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove.

13th Annual Oscar thon

Saturday, March 11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y

The Oscar thon movie marathon is back for the 13th year. Popcorn, ra e prizes, and Oscar-nominated lms from the past year will be shown all day at the Main Librar y. Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park. This year ’s movie lineup:

• Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, 9:30-11:15 a.m.

• The Fabelmans, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, 2:15-4:10 p.m.

Teller ’s Night

Forest Park Community Garden Seed Swap

S unday, March 12, 2-4 p.m., Forest Park Public Librar y

Special event for all the gardeners in the Forest Park community. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park

Vanessa Collier with Li’l Ed

Friday, March 10, 8:30 p.m., FitzGerald’s Collier is a multi-instrumentalist, but is best-known as a vocalist and sax player on the blues scene. She will be joined by Chicago blues veteran Li’l Ed, who is billed for this show as a “one -man band.” 6615 Roosevelt Road, Ber w yn.

Stor y Strides Stroller

Workout & Storytime

Saturday, March 11, 9:30-11 a.m., Forest Park Public Librar y

Great ideas for moms to get a physical workout while kids listen to their favorite stories and songs and play games. For safety reasons, kids must stay buckled inside the strollers at all times. Per fec t for moms six weeks postpar tum (with doc tor clearance) and beyond. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park

Tuesday, March 14, 6:30 p.m., Exit Strategy Brewing Company

Five or six stor ytellers will relate their personal narratives. $15/$10 for FPAA members. 7700 Madison St., Forest Park.

Listing your event

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

■ Send details to Wednesday Jour nal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 60302

■ Email calendar@wjinc.com

ALTENHEIM Calls for housing, public space

from page 1

during the committee’s March 6 meeting, recommends what the village should include in a Request For Proposal document for would-be developers. Committee chair Mar ty Tellalian emphasized re peatedly that it would be up to the village council to decide whether it would follow through on these recommendations. During the Feb. 28 mayoral candidate debate held at Grant-White elementary school, Mayor Rory Hoskins said he wouldn’t approve anything Altenheim-related until after the April 4 election.

The recommendations echo some of the stakeholders and committee member proposals presented on Dec. 3, 2022 and Jan. 9, respectively It calls for kee ping the triangle-like nor th section of the property as a public recreational space, building homes that comply with R-2 zoning between the south edge of the current retirement community and the Altenheim cemetery, adding denser housing at the southeast corner to take advantage of its proximity to the Forest Park CTA and suburban Pace bus

ter minal. It recommends allowing commercial use, but only if it’s a small business such as a cof fee shop or drycleaners.

The Altenheim Committee was created last June to suggest the best uses for the site based on a review of past proposals, conversations with local stakeholders and public feedback. The committee was scheduled to complete its work in February – in fact, the Feb. 6 meeting was originally supposed to be its last meeting, but the committee decided to do another round of revisions and review them on Feb. 20. That meeting was cancelled because the village hall was closed due to Presidents Day.

Tellalian told the Review that he made a number of revisions – which were marked in red on the document shared during the March 6 meeting – with input from other committee members All committee members got paper copies. The village set up a large TV monitor to display the document, which was meant to allow members of the public to follow along as the committee made final changes. Toward the end of the meeting, some committee members gave their paper copies to members of the public in attendance, and Tellalian shared a copy with the Review.

Kindy Kruller, an urban planning consultant working with the committee, told the Review that the final version of the plan will be available online by March 20. Tellalian said that it would be up to the

OB ITU AR Y

Tim Mellin, 77

OSHA eld agent and instruc tor

Lester Timothy “Tim” Mellin, 77, a resident of Forest Park for more than 50 years, died peacefully on Feb. 13, 2023. Bor n on Nov. 3, 1945 in Terre Haute, Indiana to Lester and Mary Lou Mellin (nee McKenna), he grew up in Maywood and graduated from Proviso East High School in 1963. There he met the love of his life, Margie. After graduating from St. Jose ph Colle ge in Rensselaer, Indiana, he worked as a microbiologist at Keebler for more than a decade Deciding to switch careers in the early 1980s, he ear ned a master’s de gree in Industrial Hygiene from Nor ther n Illinois University in

village to decide whether they want to disseminate the document, and whether the public would get any fur ther input before the village puts out an RFP

For the most part, the changes adopted during the March 6 meeting either strengthened or clarified the existing language or corrected some er rors.

While the entire property is currently zoned R-3, the restrictive covenant the property is under calls for less dense R-2 zoning. The document recommends re zoning the property as a Planned Unit Development, which allows deviation from the existing zoning, but would also give the village more control over what goes on the property, and would require the Altenheim retirement facility’s board of directors to approve anything that doesn’t follow the restrictive covenant. The committee still recommended kee ping any housing except on the “extreme south and southeast” of the property within R-2 parameters – in other words, building either townhomes, row houses, two-flats or single-family homes on most of the property and taller, denser buildings closer to the Forest Park Blue Line ter minal.

The documents recommended requiring the developer to mitigate the climate impacts of their proposals by adopting environmentally friendly and energy-efficient design features. The developer would be asked to take the multi-use bike/walking

DeKalb and went to work in the field of industrial safety, culminating with a career at OSHA as a field agent and training instructor.

An avid tool collector and barg ain hunter, he was rarely able to pass by a garage sale or flea market looking for the next great deal. He also had a passion for collecting New York Central Railroad antiques, having had a grandfather who worked at the Terre Haute roundhouse on the beautiful old steam locomotives.

Tim Mellin was the husband of Margie (nee Hovorka) for 54 years; the father of Timmy (Michelle), Lara, and Alice Enochs (Rober t); the brother of John (Mari-Ann); the grandfather of Sean, Robin, Ryan and Kyle; and the uncle of 10 nieces and ne phews.

Memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, March 11, from 1-4 p.m., followed by a memorial service at Zimmer man-Har nett Funeral Home, 7319 Madison St., Forest Park, IL 60130.

In lieu of flowers, donation to the American Hear t Association are appreciated (www.hear t.org)

path planned for the east edge of the proper ty, as well as the three existing Pace bus routes and CTA trains into account.

The committee recommended leaving a “significant por tion of the property” open for public use For the south cor ner of the property, the document recommended “walking paths and pollinator gardening.” The document also asks the developer to leave the door open for the Park District of Forest Park to manage the public spaces While the park district indicated that it was too busy with its own projects over the next couple of years to participate in the near ter m, it left the door open for future par ticipation.

Committee member Kurt Hansen said that, while he was satisfied with the work the committee did, he was leery of what might happen next.

“I think everybody did a great job,” he said. “This doesn’t mean anything is going to happen based of f of anything we talked about.”

For mer village commissioner Chris Har ris attended the meeting. He told the Review that he was disappointed with the document, because he felt it went against residents’ wishes for the property to become a public space

“Their outcome is they want to see some kind of development -- to me, that’s a slap in the face to the residents,” he said.

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.

Read and Support the Forest Park Review.

Asbestos discover y halts demolition of Madison Street building

Neighbors concerned they were put at risk of exposure

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

Discovery ofpreviously hidden asbestos has led River Forest officials to interrupt demolition of the Lutheran Child and Family Services (LCFS) Building at 7612-20 Madison St.

The discovery in February ofthe asbestos prompted four people who reside near the building, including Debbie Borman, who re presents the neighborhood organization Lathrop, Ashland, Franklin Neighbors, to express their concerns about the asbestos to village officials at the Feb. 27 village board meeting.

Demolition ofthe LCFS Building and single-family homes at 11 Ashland Ave. and 10 Lathrop Ave. was approved by the village board last September when officials awarded a contract to Anthem Excavation and Demolition of Itasca for $284,000.

The demolition costs will be covered by a grant for up to $350,000 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development. The properties are in the Madison Street Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District.

According to village officials, removal of known asbestos was completed in November. Demolition did not begin until January due to delays for utility cutoffs, but work was stopped in February when the previously hidden asbestos was discovered.

In a letter to Borman dated March 2, Village Attorney Lance Malina explained that United Analytical Services Inc. ofDowners Grove performed an asbestos inspection in October 2017 and issued a re port in November ofthat year that showed the presence of asbestos but was “preliminary in nature with no partial demolition to find hidden asbestos.”

The three buildings to be demolished have sat empty since they were purchased

by the village, the LCFS building in 2017, 10 Lathrop Ave. in 2018 and 11 Ashland Ave. in 2019.

The village actively marketed the site for redevelopment, but officials did not receive any viable proposals, leading to the decision to demolish the buildings in the hopes developers would be drawn to the site once it is cleared.

Malina said when village officials decided to bid with the known data, bid documents provided all available asbestos reporting and stated that there was clearly asbestos in the LCFS building and that the testing was limited in scope. All bids received included line items for asbestos removal, using the existing re port, he added.

“Unbeknownst to the village, the contractor and asbestos subcontractor apparently made no provision for additional asbestos removal, notwithstanding the statements in the 2017 re port,” Malina said in the letter.

Village officials hired an additional asbestos consultant, Northern Environmental Development of Chicago, to conduct an independent inspection and review ofthe asbestos at the site, he added.

Based on the results ofthat inspection, village officials are seeking proposals to remove all remaining asbestos with the hope to award a contract at the March 13 village board meeting.

Husar Abatement, the asbestos subcontractor, and Northern Environmental Development indicated no interim interaction with the remaining asbestos was needed, which was supported by the Illinois Department ofPublic Health, according to Malina.

However, after discussion with the Cook County Department ofEnvironment and Sustainability, village officials hired Husar Abatement to remove approximately 30 feet oflinear pipe at the opening ofthe building, which was completed March 3.

Neighbors who spoke at the Feb. 27 meeting said they felt they and the workers on the site were at put at risk by the presence ofthe asbestos, in particular the 30-foot drainage pipe

PHOTO S BY JILL WAGNER & IGOR STUDENKOV

Park district wins long-awaited state grant for Remembrance Park Project must be completed

within two years

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The Park District of Forest Park received a long-awaited Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) state grant to renovate Remembrance Park, 7341 Randolph St

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) grants can be used for property acquisition for new parks, as well as for renovations and redevelopment of existing parks. The renovation projects can get up to $600,000 or half of the project costs, whichever is lower.

The park district received $424,200, enough to pay for half of the $848,400 budgeted for

the project. Jackie Iovinelli, park district executive director, said since OSLAD projects must follow timetables and meet benchmarks set by the state, she couldn’t speak to the project timeline, but the district must finish it up within two years of receiving the grant.

Forest Park has six pocket parks, with the village retaining control of two of them — Veterans Park, 631 Circle Ave., and the village dog park at 632 Circle Ave. The remaining four, including Remembrance Park, have been leased to the park district for a symbolic $1 a year, with the park district responsible for maintaining and improving them.

Since 2021, the park district has been working with Naperville-based Hitchcock Design Group to figure out how to spruce up and improve the parks it leases. According to the preliminary design rendering posted on the park district website, Remembrance Park will get a new playground with a new play structure and a bocce ball court on the west end,

new swings in the middle and two ne splash pads at the east end. T wood chips would give way to a in-place rubber surfacing

American flag incorporated into it

The park features memorials tha honor Forest Park police and firefighters who have died in the line of and Richard E. Drane, a for mer police chief. There is also a memorial for those impacted by suicide. Iovinelli said that the memorials won’t be affected by the renovations

Rendering of pl anned improvements for Remembrance Park.

municipalities throughout Illinois.

While the park district applied for the $600,000 maximum, with the budget estimated to be around $850,000, they didn’t expect to get the full amount. In 2022, it received a $400,000 OSLAD grant for improvements at Reiger Park, another of the pocket parks. Reiger Park is at 1526 Circle Ave.

The state announced the winners on March 1. This year, it gave around $60 million in OSLAD funding to park districts and

In a statement to the media, IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie touted the grants as an investment in residents’ well-being.

“An investment in the outdoors is an investment in the health and well-being of the people of Illinois,” she said. “We know that 83% of Illinoisans consider access to outdoor recreational opportunities important for them and their families. We also know that getting outside leads to better overall health.”

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Man arrested for allegedly groping woman

A 61-year-old Forest Park man was arrested for allegedly groping a woman after begging her for money and following her

The victim and her young daughter visited the Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Blvd., on March 1. As they left the building at around 2 p.m., the alleged offender approached the victim, asking her for money. The victim ignored him and headed east on Jackson. The alleged offender followed her The victim picked up the pace, but the alleged offender caught up with her and kept asking her questions. At some point, the alleged offender touched her buttocks without her consent.

The victim tried to put some distance between herself and the alleged offender. She ended up hiding out inside Kribi Coffee, 7324 Madison St., until the alleged offender left the area.

The man was caught on a security camera. He was subsequently arrested and charged with one count of battery.

Nuisance proper ty

Forest Park police shut down a house party at a two-flat on the 1100 block of Troost Avenue after an attendee called to say that someone stuck a gun to her head.

The call came in on March 4 at 12:46 a.m. The dispatcher heard screaming in the background. The caller hung up, and the dispatcher tried to reach her without success.

The police drove to the property and tried to get inside. “Numerous female occupants” denied that there were any problems and tried to keep the officers out. After Forest Park officers couldn’t reach the property owner, a Brookfield man who has been renting it out on the Airbnb short-term rental booking platform, they reached out to their Brookfield counterparts. The Brookfield police were able to reach the owner

The owner arrived at the building within 20 minutes. By that point, many guests had left, but about 60 to 70 people remained inside. The owner told them to leave. It took until 1:50 a.m. for the officers to clear everyone out.

The property has a record of multiple complaints about rowdy parties from Dec 23, 2022 onward. There have been several instances of guests refusing to leave the premises when officers arrived to shut parties down. The owner said he was trying to screen the renters.

Attempted motor vehicle burglary

The owner of a white 2022 Kia Sportage chased off a would-be burglar after getting an alert of a theft in progress on his phone

On March 2, at 6:59 p.m., the victim got an alert on his phone after his home’s doorbell Ring camera at the back gate was activated His car was parked in the rear of his house on the 7700 block of Wilcox Street. The camera was activated when the suspect opened the back gate. It captured him trying to pull on all the door handles

The victim ran out and pushed the suspect away from the vehicle. The suspect ran south on Jackson Boulevard. The victim got into his car and followed the suspect as he ran toward Desplaines Avenue and headed to the Forest Park Blue Line CTA terminal. Once the suspect was inside the station, the victim called the police.

Bar open past closing

The Panda Café bar, 7600 Madison St., was cited twice in less than a week for being open and serving alcohol after the 1 a.m. closing time.

The first incident occurred on Feb. 27. An officer was driving past the bar at around 1:29 a.m. when he saw two patrons with open alcoholic beverages sitting inside. Under Forest Park liquor regulations, all bars are required to close no later than 1 a.m. The officer spoke to the employee on the premises, and the customers left the bar without incident.

The second incident occurred on March 5 at 1:05 a.m. This time, around 30-40 patrons were inside, music was playing, several employees were “actively working” and many people were drinking

In both cases, the bar was cited for staying open and serving alcohol after the cutoff. The hearing on the citation is currently scheduled for April 12 at 5 p.m. at the Forest Park Village Hall.

These items were obtained from reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, Feb. 27 to March 3, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

Compiled by Igor Studenkov

CHARTER Medina’s new proposal

from page 1

Board of Education, along with filling out a charter application, and holding a town meeting before a location could be scouted. If approved, De gnan said the group would purchase a facility in Proviso Township and work to open in August 2024.

Opposition from D209 board president Arbdella Patterson has already arisen.

“We have absolutely no interest in a

with approximately 10 programs. De gnan has approximately $40,000 invested in the project and would serve on the board of directors for the nonprofit school.

The funding would be raised mostly through philanthropic ef for ts and grants, said Medina.

The proposal is expected to receive pushback from those who believe the charter would go against public education, said Medina. Politically, she said it can be “misrepresented” in what it can do for community growth.

“I have a feeling that if votes (on the school board) don’t go our way, we will be back in two years,” De gnan said. “We will see.”

said the new charter school would force accountability, essentially driving up the quality of education and therefore the interest of the community

“It’s a public school, it’s not run by the District 209 board,” Medina said. “Now the district stops being a power play as far as I am concer ned, in re gards to the school board. The school board has to elect competent people who are going to come on board who are really wanting to work, who really want to address the student issues They have to have competent school board members, not politically connected school board members because now they have to function. It forces the schools to be accountable.”

In recent years, Proviso Township has experienced student protests as well as criticism over Superintendent Dr James Henderson’s leadership. Previous re por ts from the Village Free Press re por ted concer ns from families of students at Proviso East High School in Maywood and Proviso West High School in Hillside at a listening session hosted by board member Amanda Grant in November 2021, mostly re garding student safety.

Despite these concer ns, Medina is adamant the district can tur n this around and be a model in public education, moving away from previous experiences.

“One of the things that people fear in coming to this area is that there isn’t a good high school but there is and there are great teachers, and we are not being able to address the needs,” Medina said. “This last strike wreaked havoc on the district.”

LET TER Why we need to suppor t Proviso 209 United

Folks following the challenges of our local high schools know that we have an administration and board majority that has done incredible har m. Well respected teachers and administrators have been fired, entire operational areas have been outsourced without a solid plan and the nepotism that looked to be fading has slowly crept back.

Watching this, I understand if you feel hopeless. Until 2015 I felt the same way. That year community members from across Proviso took control of the board away from those only concer ned with their own gain For a few years it looked like we may have finally tur ned a cor ner But we got complacent and again lost control. We have a choice — go back to hiding our heads in the sand or fight. 2015 showed that, against all odds, change is possible.

charter high school at D209,” Patterson said Monday in response to a request for comment.

The proposed school would have a career and technical focus, using Minuteman High School, a charter in Lexington, Mass., as a model for the structure of education of fered. Along with vocational trades, an Inter national Baccalaureate track would also be of fered to meet the various needs of students

By providing a vocational path, De gnan said they can bridge connections betw een students and future potential employers

The project would cost approximately $40 million dollars to launch from be ginning to opening, de pending on how many vocational tracks are initially of fered, said De gnan. He said they would hope to open

While some might see the charter as potential competition, De gnan said past charter school studies have shown that districts where a charter school was introduced showcased an improvement in their public education.

A concer n at the Proviso schools has been decreasing enrollment.

“If you look at the size of the two schools, East and West, their enrollment, slowly but surely, has been in decline, for a long time,” De gnan said.

According to Medina, West has seen a decline from 2,600 students to 1,700 from 2015 and East cur rently has 1,400 enrolled down from 2,100 students. The charter school would seek to enroll 800 students.

Medina, who is seeking reelection to the board of education in the April 4 election,

“We are out of compliance with Special Ed, we are out of compliance with our ESL students, we are now a Latino majority district, and we have no Latino leaders,” Medina said, adding that the concer ns spread across various immi grant communities. “In general, all of the immigrant communities that have been moving into the area all want good education.”

Despite her involvement to this point, Medina said she would not be involved if the charter school is approved.

“I am not involved in the charter,” Medina said. “I am involved in ensuring there is the oppor tunity of the charter for the community. I think that the community wants this, and my focus is on Proviso and that Proviso rises My work is in Proviso.”

In an ef fort to discuss how a potential charter high school could help create “educational stability” in the community, a town hall meeting is to be held on Thursday, March 23 with a location to be announced at a later date

This year another group of folks are willing to try to make that change happen. Sandra Joseph-Hixson, Jenny Barbahen and David Ocampo, the Proviso 209 United slate (HBO) are those people In addition to community members like us from across Proviso, they are supported by the teachers of District 209 who are risking their jobs by officially endorsing HBO to support what is best for their students

There are other candidates led by Teresa Kelly running against them. You haven’t heard much from them in Forest Park because they don’t need us We are split. A third slate is running with just two Forest Park candidates — Proviso Excels. They also care about our students and Claudia Medina has been fighting the status quo in 209 for eight years. They are good people but because they are running our vote is split and Kelly’s slate has a strong chance of winning. Even if, through some mathematical miracle, Jon Kubricht and Claudia win, they are only two people, not enough to change the board majority. This will leave us with two more years of the dysfunction we have. Our students and teachers deserve better. For that reason, I support HBO and change NOW. United we can make that happen.

Rafael Rosa Forest Park

Prov iso Math and Science Academy in Forest Park.

OPINION

Open to Home Rule

In questionnaires sent by the Review to candidates for mayor and commissioner, we asked a question — really, we thought, a throwaway question — about views on Home Rule

Home Rule is a status within state gover nment that is granted automatically to any town with a population greater than 25,000. Towns under that threshold can achieve Home Rule status only if its residents approve it by referendum vote. In the le g al lexicon, Home Rule allows a municipal gover nment to exercise any power or function unless it is expressly prohibited by state gover nment. In the more common view, Home Rule expands local gover nment authority and specifically allows a town to increase taxes through various means

Two decades ago, when Mayor Tony Calderone was new and at the height of his popularity, he put Home Rule on the ballot, presumably thinking he had a shot at passing it and making a per petually cash-strapped Forest Park somewhat more financially stable. That referendum went down in absolute flames, gar nering about 20 percent of the vote.

We keep asking the question because Home Rule has merit in addition to le gitimate concer ns. Typically the responses we receive from candidates are definitive “no way” and “I’m not going to be the one to touch the third rail.”

This year though, candidates expressed an openness to actively support a Home Rule vote or to at least consider such a vote. At the well-attended candidate forum we hosted last week with our par tners at the Chamber, responses were a bit more cautious than in the questionnaires but still open-minded.

Where there was concer n, it was rightly stated that voter wariness is tied to questions of trust in local of ficials. No one wants their taxes to rise shar ply. On the other hand, Home Rule provides a lot of tools to find new revenue streams that are not property tax based.

We see this discussion as progress. It’s a sign that Forest Park is getting more thoughtful and secure in how it approaches governing. We don’t expect a referendum vote to happen tomor row. We are far from certain it has a chance to pass. But we are encouraged that almost all candidates for mayor and commissioner are, at least, open to a pro-active discussion.

A boost for Remembrance Park

Cong ratulations, again, to the Park District of Forest Park for ear ning a notable grant from the state of Illinois to substantially fund the remaking of Remembrance Park on Randolph Street. This $424,000 OSLAD grant will pay half of the cost of the renovations that will bring a new playground and other amenities to this small park on the village’s nor th side

It is another win for a park district that has been ambitious and innovative in growing and improving its facilities. More progress ahead.

I’ve been taking yo ga classes regularly for about a year now. The initial allure was that I got to lie on a mat and breathe for an hour and could credit myself with having exercised, but I’ve been sur prised by how much I’ve come to enjoy it. A few lear nings to share:

Pilates is not yo ga, and adherents on both sides of that equation have very strong feelings, so try not to confess that they don’t seem that different out loud. (I think the dif ference is that Pilates calls the positions different things and doesn’t care about your innerselfness.) Yo ga poses also feel slightly less like doing calisthenics in slow motion, and yo ga teachers are much more laid back about their mat-based exercise than Pilates teachers are about theirs

Yo ga people are very genuine about their love of yo ga and their enthusiasm for your own spiritual well-being is often both readily apparent and sincere. This leads the more active to occasional frustration with me when they want to tell me to stop looking so frustrated and relax at the same time that they also are redlining with fr ustration at my complete inability to remember to breathe evenly while doing all kinds of unaccustomed contor tions. I have one especially fond memory of being unable to hold an upsidedown-ish pose successfully and loudly but involuntarily expressing my frustration with one of the lesser swears. The teacher, who sounded like the tur tle in Finding Nemo, burst out laughing and said, “That is SOOOOOOO not OK!”

Restorative yo ga is the best of yo ga. It’s meditating plus stretching, and, again, totally counts as exercise despite being the next house over from a nap. My favorite part restorative yo ga is when my teacher asks at the be ginning of class if anyone has any requests. I like to ask for the dee p cuts, the yo ga poses that she rarely gets to pull out. My favorite of the deep cuts so far was “yogi pedicure,” wherein you interlace your fingers of one hand with the toes of the opposite foot, which seems Cirque de Soleil-ish but produces the most spectacular feeling.

Restorative yo ga urges you to “suppor t” yourself in poses because you hold them for 3-4 minutes at a time. This means you have to collect a whole bunch of props before the class so as to have them at the ready. There are two hard pillows, two shoebox-sized blocks, a few blankets for padding, a strap for a crazy stretch where you use the weight of your le gs and head to stretch your neck and hamstrings simultaneously, a small neck support pillow, and a sandbag. Most people have a nearly org anized layout. I wind up with the props strewn around me like the debris field that accompanies small children in restaurants and cars, and in all cases I don’t know how we got there but I feel compelled to apolo gize

Generally, though, I’m grateful for yo ga

Past the age of about 25, the discovery of a new physical sensation that one enjoys is not an everyday occurrence.

Yoga turns out to be surprisingly enjoyable

ALAN BROUILET TE

I confess: I miss Confession

Idon’t know about you but I really miss Confession. Here are some sins I want to get of f my chest:

I call people back without first listening to their voice mails

I’m too lazy to change the subject lines on emails I’m still using “Mer ry Christmas!” with one of my friends.

I have forgotten the names of everyone I know, including some members of my immediate family I block intersections, even when the sign says “Do Not Block Intersection.”

I use alleys to avoid main streets, even when the sign says “No Thru Traffic.”

I have been seen in public car rying groceries in a plastic bag.

I am single-handedly killing forests by using an excessive number of paper towels.

I sometimes read newspapers online, thus causing their financial ruin.

When someone lets me into traf fic, I don’t always wave I received a speeding ticket for going 30 mph in a school zone. It was dark out and I didn’t see any students but the of ficer claimed that some preschoolers are taking night classes

I have gotten into the express checkout lane with as many as 27 items.

I have thrown gum on the sidewalk, expecting the Gum Fairies

Parichy pitcher bloomed in the 1947 season

Gwen Wong was a left-handed pitcher for the Parichy Bloomer Girls softball team in the summer of 1947. The stadium, located at the nor thwest cor ner of Harlem and Har rison, was par t of the All-American Girls Softball League and also featured a great restaurant and Emery Parichy’s museum of baseball memorabilia. Wong, a second-generation Chinese American, was a fierce pitcher In her only season, she faced 282 batters in 22 g ames She pitched six no-hit g ames, 10 one-hit g ames and six two-hit g ames League records give her 14 wins After winning the National Girls League Championship with the Bloomer Girls, she retired her glove and went on to University of California Berkeley where she followed her true calling — to become a minister in the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

Jill Wagner

to scrape it up

I have honked at people to tur n right, even when the sign says “Right Tur n on Ar row.”

I have failed to fill out customer service surveys, even after I told the clerk I would do so I have marked “Yes” to lengthy Ag reements, without reading them.

I have filled free plastic water cups with iced tea. I smile and nod, when I have no idea what the person just said.

When the server is describing that night’s specials, I only pretend to listen.

My inter nal dialo gue is mostly profanity I call people when I should have emailed them. I email people when I should have texted them. I have Facebook “friends,” but have no idea who they are.

I have beaten several jokes to death.

I have never watered a plant.

Sometimes I can’t wait for someone to finish their story, so I can tell mine.

Even when the sign says “2 Hour Parking This Block” I have parked for more than two hours.

When people ask me how I’m doin’, I ne glect to ask them back. There. I feel much better For my Penance, I will make three right-tur n on reds at Harlem & Cer mak.

Staff Repor ter Igor Studenkov, Francia Garcia Hernandez, Amaris Rodriguez

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

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Board of Directors

Chair Judy Gre n

Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

HOW TO REACH US

ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-366-0600 ■ FAX 708-467-9066

EMAIL forestpark@wjinc.com

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.

© 2023 Growing Community Media NFP

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

HELP WANTED ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

HELP WANTED

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Human Resources Generalist in the Human Resources Department. This position will perform a variety of professional and technical functions in support human resource management including orientation, hiring, employee testing, classification analysis, compensation analysis and benefits administration. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. Position opened until filled.

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.

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.

IT OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of IT Operations Specialist. The ideal candidate is responsible for the effective operation of information technology services and support across the organization. The IT Operations Specialist serves as a technical expert for the implementation, maintenance and support of systems and networks. The IT Operations Specialist plans and carries out various complex assignments and develops new methods and approaches in a wide variety of IT specialties. Evaluates new and enhanced approaches to deliver IT services; test and optimize the functionality of systems, networks, and data; and define technical requirements. The IT Operations Specialist is responsible for providing various forms of computer-related technical assistance and improving the efficiency of the work of the staff through the use of technology. Interested and qualified applicants can visit our website at http://www.oakpark.us/ for more details.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago will be accepting applications for the following classification(s):

Associate Structural Engineer (Original)

Additional information regarding salary, job description, requirements, etc. can be found on the District’s website at www.districtjobs.org or call 312-751-5100.

An Equal Opportunity EmployerM/F/D

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Riverside Department of Public Works is seeking energetic, responsible, and motivated applicants who enjoy working outdoors. This is a part-time, seasonal position lasting from approximately May through September. Applicants will be expected to work up to 40 hrs. per week or as scheduled by staff. Primary tasks will include, but not limited to: cutting grass, maintaining athletic fields, general facilities maintenance, flushing hydrants, reading water meters, installing water meters, cleaning/televising sewers, assisting full-time employees, and other duties as assigned.

Applicants must be 18 years old, possess a valid Illinois driver’s license and high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check, pre-employment physical and drug/ alcohol screening.

Applications can be downloaded from the Village website at www. riverside.il.us or picked up at the Riverside Village Hall located at 27 Riverside Rd, Riverside, IL 60546. Completed applications should be submitted to the Riverside Village Hall or the Riverside Public Works Department, 3860 Columbus Blvd, Riverside, IL 60546. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Pay rate is $18/hr.

The Village of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

FARMERS’ MARKET MANAGER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Farmers’ Market Manager in the Health Department. This position manages the strategic planning and operation of the Oak Park Farmers’ Market; develops sustainable food strategies; and provides health and nutrition education, programming and promotion for the Village. During the Market season, this position would manage the internal staff and contractors needed to operate the Market, provides staff level support to the Farmers’ Market Commission, and manages vendor relations. The Market season runs from May through October, with the Market itself held outdoors each Saturday. During this time, the work week for this position is Tuesday through Saturday. Year-round, this position will provide nutrition education programming for the community in collaboration with the Health Education and Nursing divisions. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at https://www.oakpark.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.

River Forest Public Schools

River Forest Public Schools District 90 currently seeking three paraprofessionals/ teacher aides to start immediately for the following roles:

• Special Education Teacher Aide - Full-time

• Special Education Teacher Aide - Part-time, 1:30pm - 3:15pm, Monday - Friday

•Early Childhood Special Education Teacher AidePart-time, 11:30am - 3:10pm, Monday - Friday

Qualifications: a) Current Illinois Paraprofessional License, Professional Educator License or Substitute License, b) Successful teacher assistant experience is preferred in regular education or special education.

Job Duties: The instructional assistant in Special Education will work with both general education and special education staff members to support learning for identified child(ren) with special needs. Responsibilities include instructing students in small groups and one-on-

River Forest Public Schools

one settings. This will also encompass helping students to develop positive interpersonal relationships with peers and adults: utilizing and modeling school behavior management programs: and assist in communications between students, teachers and parents as requested.

As an equal opportunity employer, it is the policy of the River Forest Public Schools, District 90, to not discriminate against any employee or any applicant for employment. District 90 values a talented and diverse workforce, and will attempt to recruit and hire minority employees.

Application Procedure: Interested candidates should complete the online application available at district90.org

River Forest Public Schools, D90 is seeking a temporary Summer School Nurse for Willard Elementary School.

• Start Date: June 20th – July 21st (No school July 4th)

Hours: 8:15am-3:15pm

Qualifications: (a) Registered Nurse License, (b) CPR certified; (c) experience working with children is preferred

Job Duties: The summer school nurse will provide direct professional nursing services, first aid, illness and emergency care to students and staff in response to the nursing assessment and in accordance with professional standards, school policy and procedures, and state and local mandates. He/she will administer or supervise the administration and proper storage of medication with

appropriate documentation. The nurse will review and evaluate records of students with medical conditions; maintain communication with parents and staff regarding children’s medical issues in accordance with procedural protocols as specified by the Illinois Department of Public Health. He/she will also perform other duties as assigned by the school principal.

Application Procedure: Interested candidates should complete the online application available at district90.org

MARKETPLACE

ESTATE SALE

CARS WANTED

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

de haber recibido la entrega legal de esta Citación y Petición para presentar una Respuesta (formulario FL-120) ante la corte y efectuar la entrega legal de una copia al demandante. Una carta o llamada telefónica o una audiencia de la corte no basta para protegerlo.

Si no presenta su Respuesta a tiempo, la corte puede dar órdenes que afecten su matrimonio o pareja de hecho, sus bienes y la custodia de sus hijos. La corte también le puede ordenar que pague manutención, y honorarios y costos legales.

WOODWORK

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: Y23010237 on February 27, 2023

Under the Assumed Business Name of DOUG MCGOLDRICK PHOTOGRAPHY with the business located at: 1034 WISCONSIN AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: DOUG MCGOLDRICK 1034 WISCONSIN AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304.

Published in Wednesday Journal March 1, 8, 15, 2023

CLASSICS WANTED

CLASSICS WANTED

Restored or Unrestored

Cars & Vintage Motorcycles

Domestic / Import Cars:

Terry's Woodwork

Para asesoramiento legal, póngase en contacto de inmediato con un abogado. Puede obtener información para encontrar un abogado en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en el sitio web de los Servicios Legales de California (www.lawhelpca.org) o poniéndose en contacto con el colegio de abogados de su condado.

NOTICE—RESTRAINING ORDERS

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission March 23, 2023 at 7:00 PM

Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars

Collector James • 630-201-8122

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc.

CLASSICS WANTED

Collector James 630-201-8122

of wood and fiberglass since 1977. Includes doors, woodwork, windows, staircases and new woodwork etc. All work done by hand. NO sanders. Your unfinished project my specialty! References available. Contact Terry Seamans at 630-379-7148 or terryseamans@yahoo.com

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE SUMMONS (Family Law) CITACIÓN (Derecho familiar)

ARE ON PAGE 2: These restraining orders are effective against both spouses or domestic partners until the petition is dismissed, a judgment is entered, or the court makes further orders. They are enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of them.

AVISO—LAS ÓRDENES DE RESTRICCIÓN SE ENCUENTRAN EN LA PÁGINA 2: Las órdenes de restricción están en vigencia en cuanto a ambos cónyuges o miembros de la pareja de hecho hasta que se despida la petición, se emita un fallo o la corte dé otras órdenes. Cualquier agencia del orden público que haya recibido o visto una copia de estas órdenes puede hacerlas acatar en cualquier lugar de California.

NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lower Level of Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois for the purpose of considering a request for variations from §62-75 Bulk, yard and space requirements and §62290 Required parking spaces of the Village Code for property located at 4512 Grove Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 (PINs 18-03-422-0320000 and 18-03-422-033-0000).

Domestic /

Cars: Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars

CASE NUMBER (NÚMERO DE CASO): HF22130927

NOTICE TO RESPONDENT (Name): AVISO AL DEMANDADO (Nombre): ANGELO C GALLARDO

FEE WAIVER: If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form. The court may order you to pay back all or part of the fees and costs that the court waived for you or the other party.

Legal Description: Lot 2 (Except the North 30 Feet and Except the South 30 Feet Thereof) in Block 2, in Pinkert’s State Road Addition, Being a Subdivision of the East ½ of the Southeast ¼ of Section 3, Township 38 North, Range 12, East of the Third Principal Meridian, In Cook County, Illinois.

OFFICE/RETAIL FOR RENT

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc.

Collector James 630-201-8122

& Commercial 40 yrs. experience Fully insured (including Workmans Comp) 708-354-2501

Ritewaybrickglobal.net

You have been sued. Read the information below and on the next page.

Lo han demandado. Lea la información a continuación y en la página siguiente.

Petitioner’s name is: Nombre del demandante: MERCEDITA M. GALLARDO

You have 30 calendar days after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-120) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner. A letter, phone call, or court appearance will not protect you.

If you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting your marriage or domestic partnership, your property, and custody of your children. You may be ordered to pay support and attorney fees and costs.

For legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. Get help finding a lawyer at the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courts.ca.gov/ selfhelp), at the California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpca.org), or by contacting your local county bar association.

Tiene 30 días de calendario después

EXENCIÓN DE CUOTAS: Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario un formulario de exención de cuotas. La corte puede ordenar que usted pague, ya sea en parte o por completo, las cuotas y costos de la corte previamente exentos a petición de usted o de la otra parte.

1. The name and address of the court are (El nombre y dirección de la corte son): SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, 24405 AMADOR STREET, HAYWARD, CA 94544 - FAMILY LAW DIVISION

2. The name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner’s attorney, or the petitioner without an attorney, are: (El nombre, dirección y número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante si no tiene abogado, son): SATNESH S. PRASAD, 607 LONGWOOD AVE., HAYWARD, CA 94541

Date (Fecha): OCT 21, 2022

CHAD FINKE, Clerk, by (Secretario, por) SARAH GOUVEIA, Deputy (Asistente)

[SEAL]

Published in the Wednesday Journal March 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kate Portillo, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513, kportillo@brookfieldil.gov, or 708-485-1113. Oral or written testimony may be given during the public hearing.

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 23-05. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

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

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

All furniture, china, crystal, housewares, small electrics, lamps, artwork, picture frames, costumes, clothes, shoes, CDs,DVDs, books.

is: ERIN WILLIAMS 5927 W. CHICAGO AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60651

Published in Wednesday Journal March 8, 15, 22, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE of PUBLIC HEARING (PEID)

Notice is hereby given to all residents and property owners in the Village of Forest Park, Illinois and all users of the water system that a Public Hearing will be held at Forest Park Village Hall on Monday March 20,2023 at 4:00 P.M. The Village plans to construct the lead service line replacement project. This Public Notice is to provide an opportunity for the public to provide comments on the Village’s proposed construction. A project summary and Preliminary Environmental Impacts Determination (PEID) document provided by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) is available for review at Village Hall, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130. The document contains information including the project costs, location, user rate impacts and potential environment impacts.

This Notice is to provide access to the documents and to satisfy Section 662.330 of the Illinois Procedures for Issuing Loans from the Public Water Supply Program from the Illinois EPA. These documents will be on file at the Village Hall after the Public Hearing to allow for public comment.

Written comments can be submitted up to 10-days following the public hearing to the Village or directly to Chad Rice at the Illinois EPA, Infrastructure Financial Assistance Section, P.O. Box 19276, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276.

Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk Forest Park 517 Des Plaines Avenue Forest Park, Illinois 60130

Published in Forest Park Review

March 8, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park --Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302-will receive electronic proposals until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2023 for Project: 23-1, Sewer and Water Improvements. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below.

In general, the improvements consist of water main replacement, fire hydrants, valves, water service replacements, sewer replacement, HMA pavement, curb & gutter removal and replacement, PCC sidewalk removal and replacement, pavement markings, and all appurtenant work thereto.

Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Thursday, March 9, 2023

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.

e 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.

is 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

at 10:00 a.m. Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www. oak-park.us/your-government/ budget-purchasing/requestsproposals or at www.questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 8302906 for a non-refundable charge of $30.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening.

The work to be performed pursuant to this proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.

Published in Wednesday Journal, March 8, 2023

A Public Notice is hereby given that the Village of Oak Park Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee (CDCAC) will be meeting for applicant presentations, a funding recommendations determination meeting and a public comment for the upcoming Program Year (PY) 2023 project proposals submitted to the Village for federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant funds. PY 2023 will run from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. All meetings will be held at Village Hall—123 Madison—room 101 and are as follows: Presentations, 5:30 -9:00pm on April 18, April 20 and April 25; Meeting to determine funding recommendations and receive public comments on proposed funding recommendations, 6:00pm on May 9, 2023. All meetings are open to the public and reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking persons as needed. Meeting specifics are subject to change; please send a message to grants@oak-park.us to confirm details.

Published in Wednesday Journal March 8, 2023

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer