Forest Park Review 031523

Lawsuit claims violations to First Amendment rights by D209, Henderson

Four teachers le lawsuit claiming retaliation a er speaking out

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Four teachers are uniting against alle ged retaliation taken by Proviso Township High School District 209 and Supt. James Henderson after vocalizing their discontent in re gards to issues facing the three schools in the district.

The lawsuit, filed on March 6, names the Plaintiffs as Jenny LaBash, Carissa Gillespie, Nicole O’Connor and Danielle English and state that the district and Henderson have “car ried out a policy or practice of punishing the Plaintif f teachers for both speech and association rights protected by the First Amendment.”

The lawsuit continues claiming that the district and See ALTENHEIM on page 6

Fire ghters union endorses most village council candidates

Endorsements based on candidates’ positions on department funding, sta ng

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Forest Park Firefighters Local 2753, the labor union representing rank-and-file village firefighters, wrapped up its endorsements last week, endorsing incumbent mayor Rory Hoskins, all incumbent village commissioners running for reelection and two out of three new candidates.

The Review previously reported the Hoskins endorsement, as well as the union’s endorsements of incumbent commissioner Ryan Nero and first-time candidate Joe Landgrebe. After the March 8 issue went to print, Travis Myers, who heads Local 2753 political committee, reached out to confir m a few more candidates and talk about the union’s endorsement process

Myers said firefighters surveyed all mayoral and village commissioner candidates and graded them based on the responses. He declined to elaborate on the scoring system and why mayoral challenger John Doss and commissioner candidate Ryan Russ, who previously ran for village commissioner in 2019, weren’t endorsed. But he said that, broadly, they looked at where the candidate stood on staffing, firehouse maintenance, addressing pension backlog “and a few other issues.”

Myers emphasized that the union will work with whoever ends up winning

“We look forward to working with whoever is elected,” he said. “We can work together with everyone.”

The state of the firehouse, as well as staffing pressures amid the growing number of calls, have been ongoing concerns for village firefighters. Last year, the village used $125,000 in American Rescue Plan Act federal stimulus money to repair the fire station roof, and they are planning to use $90,000 in Rebuild Illinois funds to replace the fire station windows.

Under the union contract approved on Jan. 9, which is retroactive to May 1, 2022 and will

expire on April 30, 2026, Forest Park agreed to hire three firefighter/paramedics by May 1, and then one firefighter/paramedic a year until the contract expires.

Hoskins has been taciturn about getting the endorsement, saying that he accepted it and declining to comment further. Doss didn’t have a comment as of this issue’s deadline

On the village council end, aside from Nero and Landgrebe, the firefighters endorsed commissioner Jessica Voogd, first-time candidate Michelle Melin-Rogovin and commissioner Maria Maxham, who was appointed to the council in July 2021 and is running for the seat for the first time. The top four votegetters will get the seats

Russ said he didn’t have anything to say about not getting the endorsement.

“It is what it is,” he said.

Nero got the union endorsement when he first can for village commissioner in 2019, and he told the Review that he was happy and excited to get it again.

Maxham said that she was honored by the endorsement.

“First-responders, both the firefighters and the police, have been an important part

of this town,” she said, adding that she tried to give them the resources they needed since she was appointed commissioner, and that continuig to do so “is a priorty for me.”

When reached by the Review, Melin-Rogovin referred the Review to a statement posted March 5 on her campaign Facebook page. In it, she reflected that first-responders “helped me care for my husband in our darkest days and gave me more time with him.”

“Proud to receive the endorsement of the [Local 2753] Forest Park firefighters and ambulance services as I seek to serve our village as a commissioner in 2023,” Melin-Rogovin wrote. “I am dedicated to addressing our pension obligations to them with our mayor and village council.”

Voogd said she was honored to get the endorsement.

“As a proud union member for 12 years, I understand the importance of having highly skilled, well-trained professionals on the job,” she said. “Forest Park has an amazing fire department. I have been and remain committed to ensuring they have the team and resources that they need to continue providing our community with such exceptional service.”

Forest Park applies for state loan

Public can March 20 meetin

By IGOR STUDENK Staf

Forest Park has applied Environmental Protection Water Supply Program mated $25.088 million cost of service lines in the villa

In 2021, the Illinois the Lead Service Line tion Act, which requires ventory and re place connect to the homes or businesses of local water users Communities have until April 15, 2027 to submit a final inventory. The deadlines for re placement vary de pending on how many lead pipes the community has. Forest Park must replace at least 6% of its lead pipes a year and all of them within no more than 17 years.

The issue is that each municipality must figure out how to fund that. During the March 13 village council meeting, Public Works Director Sal Stella said Forest Park hasn’t been able to obtain any state grants, but they are applying for a loan. The hope is that IEPA would ag ree to forgive some of the loan’s principal – which means that the village wouldn’t have to pay all of that money back – but if Forest Park doesn’t get it, it may seek funding elsewhere.

According to the village lead line inventory, Forest Park currently has 3,399 water lines Of those, 1,100, or about 32.6%, are lead lines Another 1,438, or 42.3%, are par tial lead lines.

village has been trying projects to re place the sewfor the re placement of over the course of five the number of copper 1,556, or about 45.8% of all project into five phasginning in March and ending rest Park would need to make 1.04% interest payhether the loan qualibased on the village’s Median Household Income and ho w much the projould cost residents without the forgiveness.

Stella told the council that, if Forest Park can’t get any principal forgiven, it will consider other funding sources

“Once we know more, we will come [back] in front of you guys,” he said.

Either way, Stella said, it would need some combination of additional grants and low-interest loans to re place the remaining lead service lines

“Early on, there was a couple of grants, one through state and one through federal -- basically, they were for low-income [communities] and they dried up really quick,” Stella said.

As par t of the loan application process, the village is required to hold a public hearing where residents will comment on the loan application documents The hearing will be held at the village hall on March 20 at 4 p.m. The documents are available on the village website, with a link included in the event listing and inside the March 13 meeting council packet.

“Forest Park hasn’t been able to obtain any state grants, but they are applying for a loan. e hope is that IEPA would agree to forgive some of the loan’s principal – which means that the village wouldn’t have to pay all of that money back.”

SAL STELLA Public Works Director

March 15-22

BIG WEEK

Author Discussion & Signing With Michael Raleigh

Wednesday, March 22, 7 - 9 p.m., Centuries & Sleuths

Raleigh is the author of Poe Street, a c tional murder mystery set in the year 1946. This Chicago author will be on hand to sign copies of his book. 7419 Madison St., Forest Park.

Jr. Lego Masters Team Challenge

Sunday, March 20, 4-5:15 p.m.., Forest Park Public Library

Two teams form to build Lego missions. The team with the most points takes home a bag of Lego bricks. Solo builders are welcomed but may be grouped with other builders. Guest judge: community member (and longtime Lego builder) Maui Jones. Recommended for kids. 7419 Madison St., Forest Park.

The Shams Band

Friday, March 17, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Exit Strategy Brewing Company Free St Patrick’s Day concert and Carnivore popup.

7700 Madison Street, Forest Park.

Winter 2023 Ice Show ‘Step Back in Time’

Friday, March 17, 6:30 p.m.,

Saturday, March 18, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p

Sunday, March 19, 1 p.m., Ridgland Common Watch our annual show, wher perform unique routines to popular soundtracks. Tickets: pdop.org/ upcomingevents/iceshow. 415 Lake St., Oak Park

FitzGerald’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

Saturday, March 18, 12 p.m., FitzGerald’s All-day event with bagpipers, dancing kids, corned beef with Guinness and Irish co ees, plus live performances by the Mayer School Stepdancers, the Shannon Rovers, Switchback, Fitz & the Celts, and the Dooley Brothers. $10$20, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.

Ar t Galler y Studio Nez Presents

‘Desarollo:’ An Art Exhibit About Growing Up Chicano In Chicago

Saturday, March 18, 6-10 p.m., Studio Nez “Desarrollo” means “growing up” or “development,” and this exhibit features works from artists dealing with this very topic: Nez, Ramiro Huizar, Frillz, Clue? and Milk Breath. This special exhibition opening features food and drinks courtesy of El Capitan Snacks.

803 Van Buren St., Oak Park

Salvador Dali: The Image Disappears

March 20, 1:15 p.m., ntury Charitable Association

. Onor Ozturk of Columbia College will discuss the life and art of painter Salvador Dali, showing highlights of the Art e, but a suggested donation of $15 at the door for non-members is appreciated. 178 Forest

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

Nez, “La Tiendita,” 2023, acr ylic on canvas, 12x12”

Forest Park opts into second opioid settlement

Village to get its own share of funds, may bene t from state grants

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Forest Park is opting into a settlement with five opioid manufacturers and pharmacies that can net the village a small portion ofmillions of dollars coming to Illinois

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Attorneys General in several other states sued those companies to, as a statement released by Raoul’s office put it, “combat the opioid epidemic and hold accountable companies whose deceptive practices increased opioid prescriptions at the expense of public health.” Late in 2022 the parties ag reed to settle lawsuits with CVS, Walmart and Walgreens, as well as Teva Pharmaceutical Industries opioid manufacturer, and Allergan, which made opioid products before selling them to Teva in 2016.

The five companies ag reed to pay up to around $20 billion, but the percentage each state will get is still being determined. In order to get any portion ofthose funds, Forest Park had to opt in – which the village council unanimously ag reed to do during its March 13 meeting. The village would be able to use funds to address the consequences of opioid addiction — which can include research, counseling programs for first responders and training on how to reverse overdoses, among other uses.

In early 2022, Forest Park opted into an earlier settlement between multiple state and local municipalities and a handful of pharmaceutical companies, including Johnson & Johnson, and three distributors — McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen.

According to the March 3 memo by Chicago law firm Edelson PC, Walgreens ag reed to pay up to $5.7 billion over the next 15 years, Walmart will pay up to $2.75 billion over the next six years, CVS will pay up to $5 billion over the next 10 years, Teva will pay up to $4.25 billion over the

next 13 years and Alle gran will pay up to $2.37 billion over the next seven years. The memo indicated the exact amount Illinois would get was still being calculated.

However, once that question is resolved, Illinois already has a way to divvy up the money thanks to the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement, which covers proceeds from opioid settlements. It dictates that 55% ofthe payments will go into the Illinois Remediation Fund, which will support programs dealing with consequences of opioid abuse in all parts ofthe state.

The Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board decides how the proceeds are spent, but the ag reement specifies that is should “seek to ensure an equitable access to all parts ofthe state,” taking into account the demog raphics, the rate of opioid addiction and deaths, and how many opioids have been shipped to the re gion.

Another 20% will go directly to the state, while 10% will go to the counties that choose to opt in. The remaining 15% will go to municipalities that choose to opt in, with each municipality entitled to a certain percentage – in Forest Park’s case, 0.0453425079%

Whatever the amount ends up being, Forest Park would only be able to use it for purposes related to the consequences of opioid abuse. According to the official list of approved uses, this includes treatment and addiction recovery, helping people who might be at risk of addiction connect to resources, support people who are getting out ofprison while dealing with addiction, help pregnant women who may be dealing with addiction and whose opioid abuse may have affected their children’s health. It can also be used to help healthcare providers prescribe opioids in a way that would reduce the risk ofpatients developing addiction, and generally educating people about dangers of opioids and how to reverse overdoses. It can also be used to help treat trauma in first responders that may lead to opioid abuse, as well as to fund research on things like non-opioid alternatives to pain management and developing better ways to respond to opioid abuse.

For more information about these and other opioid settlements, visit https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/

D209 LAWSUIT

First Amendment claim

from page 1

Henderson, listed as defendants in the case “have unlawfully suspended, discharged, or threatened discharge of the four Plaintif f teachers for re peated public criticism of the serious administrative failings of defendants,” following the two-week strike by District 209 teachers in March 2022.

“We thought long and hard about this lawsuit because we know how it looks,” LaBash said, adding they had tried to go down various other routes including filing complaints with OSHA, with the Civil Rights Division and others to draw attention to “the fire going on.”

In March 2022, 280 members of the Proviso Teachers Union went on strike in hopes of addressing issues such as compensation and class sizes

A second student-led protest occurred in October 2022 by a group called Students for a Better Proviso, who voiced their frustrations over deteriorating conditions in their schools including a teacher shor tage, poor food, and overcrowded classrooms

According to the lawsuit and previous re por ts in the Village Free Press, students had stated that the protest was student-led and did not involve any teachers.

Nicole O’Connor, who be g an with the district in 2006, said Henderson removed her from her role as student counselor at Proviso West, which she held for 12 years, and moved her without her knowledge or approval to a new role as a business teacher at Proviso East.

According to the lawsuit, “by vir tue of this new assignment, Defendants were able to transfer Plaintiff O’Connor out of the Proviso West building where she had served as an on-site union re presentative defending union members.”

“A hundred percent I do,” O’Connor answered, asking if she felt the move in position was direct retaliation.

O’Connor said she had spent years building relationships with her students, fellow faculty, and the community to be able to advocate for working conditions and support for students.

“Them moving me out of my building eliminated any of my power and relationships that I had with the teachers for the last 12 years,” O’Connor said. “Now, no longer am I doing something that I’ ve been training for, professional development,

professional tionships nity org that I’m with and with students…he just ripped the middle demic.”

LaBash O’Connor’ along with lespie’s as a paid school teacher post she held years, have gone to arbitration.

“The teachers involved in the lawsuit, we have never been disciplined, we have never had any disciplinary action in our combined 60 plus years of being with the district,” Gillespie, an English teacher at Proviso West, said. “Not because we have never done anything, not because we are so slick and we know how to get around things but it’s because when we come in, we do our jobs, above and beyond.”

Not all teachers in the lawsuit were able to keep a position with the district, as La-

Bash was ter minated on Dec. 13 alle gedly due to speaking out during a Nov. 15 board meeting. According to the lawsuit, LaBash was fired for “speaking with racial intent in criticizing the Defendants and for disrupting a public meeting.” Gillespie said the district’s portrayal of LaBash as a “Karen,” is inaccurate

“I don’t know any Karen’s that go to board meetings, put their career on the line,

See D209 LAWSUIT on page 7

(Proviso Township High Schools D209/Screenshot)

Jennifer LaBash (center) speaks dur ing the public comment session at the Feb. 14 Prov iso Township High Schools board meeting.

D209 LAWSUIT

Henderson named

to advocate for Black and Brown students, Karen’s don’t do that,” Gillespie said. English, who resigned from her position as a science teacher at Proviso West, did not want to publicly comment on the lawsuit.

Henderson did not respond to any requests for comment and messages left at the school district of fices were not retur ned. When asked for a comment, board secretary Samuel Valtier re z directed all questions to Henderson and Della Patterson, board president.

Patterson, along with Vice President Theresa Kelly and board members Rodney Alexander, Amanda Grant and Ned Wagner were not able to be reached for comment.

true.”

Prior to Henderson’s ar rival, Gillespie said the district, which did have struggles, otherwise was able to maintain a solid foundation that included a booming IT department and a full-staf f.

“We were a pretty well functioning school, test scores not excellent, but we were a functioning school, we were thriving, until Dr. Henderson came on to our district and began to make complete cuts to our district,” Gillespie said. According to Gillespie, faculty at Proviso said they witnessed a shift in open lines of communication between the board, faculty, and families

JAMES HENDERSON Superindendent

When reached for comment re garding the lawsuit, board member Claudia Medina responded by saying, “Yes. It is absolutely

E

No The question comes because incompetence has no color…that is not because of his color, that is because of his action and his record.”

The educators said their goal is to continue to bring attention to the issues that Proviso schools are facing, for retaliation to stop, for people to ask why board members allow a superintendent who does not have the students best interest in mind to continue to lead the district.

Think

Comple te lo cal ne ws cove rage. Breaking news email updates. Expanded photo coverage. Event calendar. Searchable archives. Community links. Check it out!

“It became an authoritative dictatorship where if you are questioning, you are racists,” Gillespie said, adding that the district had always worked hard to push a message of “One Proviso” to help make the schools an inclusive and accepting place for everyone However, Gillespie said that under Henderson, tensions have risen. “There has been a lot of racial divide and that is something that he has used, ‘well you must be attacking this person because he is a Black man.”

The lawsuit seeks to reinstate English and LaBash along with expunging any disciplinary suspensions for O’Connor and Gillespie. The teachers also seek to be granted damages for their loss of income and le gal fees.

With hopes of getting back into the classrooms, the teachers seek to sound the alar m as they believe their duty requires them too

“We are mandated reporters, that means that by law, we can be le gally held if we don’t report abuse The understanding that we are mandated reporters should not change when the abusers are the districts Our voices should be protected and respected,” Gillespie said. “And that is something that this superintendent, backed by this board majority, have not done.”

forestparkreview.com

Knowledge is Power – Beyond Hunger’s Health Ambassador Program

Starting as a grassroots effort in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, the Health Ambassadors are creating a new health paradigm by impacting nutrition security for generations to come, one neighbor at a time.

What we hear time and again from our Health Ambassadors is that they are now able to teach others because they have a more complete understanding of how to manage the symptoms of diabetes and more importantly, they know what questions to ask and how to get answers. It takes individuals beyond a diagnosis, beyond even individual change, to help make a neighborhood-wide powerful impact

mpowered with extensive skills and knowledge of nutrition education and diabetes management, our Health Ambassadors advocate for healthy cooking and eating habits and work to reduce barriers to nutrition education in their community through workshops, farmers markets, health fairs, and more.Markesia, for example, was referred to the program through her pastor, Dorin McIntyre, who leads What About Us Inc., an important partner for Beyond Hunger’s Home Delivery program. Markesia, who has her HiSET diploma, CNA, PCT, and phlebotomy certificate, is now pursuing her education in nursing. She has already used her added nutrition knowledge for patient advocacy. It was exactly what she was looking for,

“I’m thankful to God and my pastor,” she says.

Sponsored Content Learn more about Beyond Hunger programs and impact. Visit GoBeyondHunger.org

In February, Nina Bernacet, programs manager; Markesia Nelson, health ambassador; and Bri Kellogg, nutrition education and health coordinator (left to right above); shared information with Chicago stakeholders about Beyond Hunger’s Health Ambassador program at the 18th Annual Chicago Food Justice Summit. The summit highlights ways to ground policy in community action and seeks to engage community members in reimagining Chicago’s foodscape in areas such as climate change, labor equity, food access, and urban farming.

Was funeral tra c jam really necessar y?

I was one of the thousand or so drivers stuck in traf fic on Thursday, March 9 in Forest Park (and also Berwyn, Oak Park and North Riverside), while the police were attending funeral services for a fallen officer who was shot recently. He was not from Forest Park. The traffic delay was easily the worst I have seen after living here over 25 years. Took me almost two hours to drive three miles home from Cer mak. Waste of time and gas.

North Riverside residents were war ned ahead of time of this funeral. Why weren’t we war ned? (If residents were told, I didn’t get the message).

With respect to the police, there must be another way or route that would ease the aggravating delays. I know that the Forest Park police had only a small part in this, but they do control traffic on village streets. I am not sure that a funeral service justifies having hundreds of confused drivers circle the

streets for 2-3 hours looking for a way home or to work I thought it was a major emergency! Possibly some had urgent problems, serious emergencies or were ill. Fortunately, I got home safely after stopping for a sandwich. It is sad when an officer is killed in the line of duty, but this was one day when these suburban police caused more problems than they resolved.

Merlla Malone Forest Park

Do you have DIABETES?

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

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

How D209 is failing Forest Park ’s future

The education of our young people is one of the most impor tant responsibilities we have as a society. It is through education that we prepare the next generation to take on the challenges of the world and build a better future. This is why it is so concer ning to see the state of District 209, and especially the school board.

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

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

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

The lack of transparency from D209 is an alar ming sign of its leaders’ incompetence It took four months and the intervention of the Illinois Attor ney General’s Of fice for the district to fulfill a simple FOIA request, where I requested the itemized list for the district’s $70K+ credit card bill. This delay is an eg re gious violation of the public’s trust and only fur ther highlights the board’s inadequacies.

Over the past few years, there have been numerous issues that have arisen with the school board that demonstrate a need for change. The most concer ning of these issues is the premature five-year extension of Supt. Henderson’s contract. This decision was made without proper public input or discussion, and it suggests that the school board is more concer ned with protecting its own interests than with serving the needs of the community

Fur ther more, the poor quality of education in D209 has had a ne gative impact on the community Many young families have been leaving Forest Park due to the subpar education provided by the school district. This is not only a loss for the community but also a threat to the future of the town.

It is clear that Supt. Henderson’s leadership has not been ef fective in improving the quality of education in the district. Hiring him and his bagg age has only perpetuated the problems and hindered progress. It is time for the school board to take responsibility and make the necessary changes to ensure that the district is providing a quality education to its students.

We cannot af ford to lose more families or let the education of our young people suf fer any longer It is time for action, accountability, and transparency from the school board. The community must come to gether to demand the changes needed to improve our schools and keep our families here in Forest Park

Jonathan Pirc Forest Park

7351 Lake St. (Just west of Panera Bread)

Dr. Linda Lambert

AARP, Blue Cross PPO, United Healthcare, Healthspring, Humana, Medicare Assignment, Medicare Advantage Plans & most other insurances accepted

FREE PARKING (on street or lot on west side of building)

Where is the leadership?

With the Feb. 27 Forest Park approval to locate a new dispensary in the for mer third of CVS, we the residents and tenants of Forest Oaks Senior Housing, 25 Elgin Ave., feel it is not a good decision and we were simply patronized at the village council meeting.

It was very obvious that the decision was previously decided. At both this planning and the prior Zoning Commission meeting, held Feb. 21, even though many residents and surrounding neighbors voiced their disappointment that a dispensary was being considered at this location, the approval was made quickly.

Even a signed petition by residents against this location did not help. It was apparent that it was a done deal.

Both the Zoning Commission and the village council felt the dispensary is beneficial for Forest Park, and this may be the case financially, but we cer tainly feel it is not the right location for a prime site that should showcase our community This nor theast location of Forest Park, could and should have many alter native possibilities.

Ideally a new city hall or some prestigious business with fountains would make us proud, especially since it has great access and is a gateway to Oak Park, River Forest and Downtown Chicago, via the already established CTA line.

And then on another note, our current mayor, who is running for reelection did not even lead with his decision. He only stated his after all prior village council members had expressed their approval.

One would question if he is a leader or follower, especially since he stated that he was against this location to residents prior to the zoning board vote.

If Forest Park is going to be a leader in this metropolitan community, we have to be able to have leaders with a future vision and responsibility in the decisions that are made affecting all of us for years to come

Gino Pisani & Barbara (BJ) Jackson

D209 teachers endorse Hixson, Barbahen, Ocampo

Proviso teachers are committed to our district promise of Equity-Excellence-Relevance for all. Yet, we alone cannot shoulder this commitment to our students and community as District 209 assigns only 29% of its budget to the instruction of students, far below the state average.

Among the 850 districts reporting to the Illinois State Board of Education we rank near the bottom for instructional spending. Only three school districts in Cook County (the second largest county in the nation) spend less on the instruction of students We are dead last for instructional spending when compared with every neighboring high school and unit district. Morton (HSD 201) allocates 45% of its tax base to student instruction. Lyons Township (HSD 204) contributes a full 55% of its budget to the instruction of students Our spending habits clearly contradict the promise of equitable instruction for Proviso students

As indicated by the Illinois State Board of Education, District 209 has long underfunded student instruction.

Yet, the recent release of ISBE School Report Card data points to a disturbing development: instructional spending decreased over the last fiscal year while overall spending increased, with the plurality of our ballooning budget consumed by other expenditures. No one doubts the need for improved facilities, which partly accounts for this line of spending. Still, the district cannot simultaneously bemoan low achievement at Proviso high schools while prioritizing other spending (at a rate more than double the state average) over instruction of our students

As revealed by the most recent ISBE report, District 209 gutted $6 million from support services This is questionable for a school district where our English Lear ner population increased considerably in recent years. This is problematic for a school district currently under state investigation for non-compliance with special education law. This is unthinkable for a school district suffering from one of the highest chronic truancy rates in the State of Illinois.

The board of education philosophy explicitly states that success is “dependent on the commitment of every member of the Proviso community to the following beliefs . … a progressive education, a compassionate environment, and a financially responsible organiza-

tion.” As members of the Proviso community, in the interest of progressive and compassionate schooling, teachers are obligated to call out questionable management of the D209 tax base.

The district cycles through an absurd number of administrators and outside consultants whose promise of progress often comes with an eye-popping price tag and dubious results With a rubber stamp and minimal regard for critical review, our school board majority perpetuates this broken system. Neighboring districts, like those across the region and state, have prioritized student instruction and support services Why is our tax base increasingly consumed by other priorities? If not for the instruction and support of Proviso students, what is the purpose of District 209 high schools?

We presented these data and questions to our District 209 school board, an elected body responsible for scrutiny and approval of annual budgets that now exceed $100 million. Superintendent [James] Henderson offered this simple reply: “Please review the perfor mance data of students. Thank you so much.” His uninfor med sentiment is echoed by our D209 Board of Education, who demand increased academic perfor mance while simultaneously decreasing student supports and resources necessary for effective instruction.

We need infor med leadership willing to work with Proviso teachers, not against us. We need leadership committed to funding Proviso classrooms, not the false and costly promise of quick-fix solutions. We need leadership to prioritize Proviso students, not the other matters that drain our tax base We need district leadership that upholds its own stated principles, including Equity-Excellence-Relevance for all.

Hoping for positive change at Proviso Township High School District 209, Proviso teachers support Sandra Hixson, Jenny Barbahen, and David Ocampo as they campaign for seats on the board of education. We welcome their promise to empower teachers, students, parents, and the community We look forward to a seat at the table. We value their invitation to honest dialogue for the improvement of D209 schools

Help us help Proviso. Please vote HBO on April 4.

A Mild Winter, an Early Spring—

What Next?

Spring is right around the corner, but this year it feels like winter never really arrived in Chicagoland; most notably, the mild temperatures and continued lack of snowfall contributed to that feeling. What would normally be a transition from snow-covered ground to the first signs of spring warming is instead frost-free soils and the emergence of perennials and bulbs shockingly earlier than expected. I have no recollection of having seen emergence this early in the season.

What does that mean for you?

With the mild winter temperatures, it is probable that we will see a higher insect and disease population that results in more damage to your lawn and landscape. Another consideration is earlier onset of weed growth. To protect against that scenario, I recommend, no later than the end of April, that you add a pre-emergent herbicide to your beds and lawn.

A mild and early start to spring also means that our schedules here at McAdam fill faster. The early bird gets the worm, so if you are thinking about getting work scheduled, act sooner than too much later.

Scott McAdam Jr.

D209 board member pleads for community attention

Supt. Henderson’s $71 million bond purchase proposal would hurt district, says Grant

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

In an op-ed piece submitted to Village Free Press and the Forest Park Review, Amanda Grant, Proviso Township High Schools District 209 board member, urges immediate community response as Supt. Dr James Henderson proposes that the school board issue a $71 million bond measure to pay for future building renovation projects.

“Henderson has a habit of dropping things on the board,” Grant said. “Items that have very little planning, they have no foresight, they have no real structure, there is no accountability plan in place. Of all the things he has dropped on us, by far, this one has the biggest financial consequence, for the long-ter m, for the taxpayers of our district and the students as well.”

According to Grant, the proposition presented was developed by an “outside party,” stating the district’s finance staf f did not have a hand in creating the proposed plan.

During the Feb. 14 school board meeting, Dr. James Cunneen, C & H Educational Consultant, and Mesirow Public Finance presented the “Proviso Township High School District 209 Financing Alter natives for Capital Projects” plan during open session for discussion only. According to Cunneen, the goal of the capital project’s plan is to allow the district to generate $71 million for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal year’s construction projects

According to information presented at the meeting, $41,500,000 would be received through the purchase of bonds and $29,500,000 through anticipated Evidence Based Funding (EBF) money.

The plan presented would use that EBF to cover the majority of the amount borrowed as well as include a tax abatement for the next five years to avoid having taxpayers pay towards the debt for the stated time frame. If approved, the district would be committing to paying back approximately $4.5 million a year.

According to a representative from Mesirow, due to the current 3.5 to 4 percent

rates on borrowing, they recommend the board take advantage of this opportunity to lock in the rates for the bonds as future inflation can be unpredictable, to Cunneen’s ag reement.

“The key is that the work is done, and you know what inflation has been doing to cost,” Cunneen said. “Getting it done now will be a lot cheaper than getting it done three to four years from now.”

The proposal received praise from several members of the board, including Rodney Alexander, who vocalized his approval.

“I don’t think people really grasp the gravity of work that we are doing. We are $12 million under budget on our facility master plan as we speak,” said Alexander, adding that despite obstacles such as COVID and the economy, Henderson and those involved have been able to find ways to provide better services without having the community pay for them.

Alexander was not able to be reached for additional comment.

However, Grant said that due to the alle ged state of education at Proviso, the $4.5 million in repayment is too high of a price to pay when student’s basic needs are not being met at the moment.

“Rather than redirecting $4.5 million each year to repay debt, the board should use that money to get the maximum result by spending it directly on the things proven to lead to student success,” wrote Grant in the op-ed.

Grant also expressed concern on the timeline of the proposal, saying it does not allow for any scrutiny or give adequate time for either board or community members to ask questions, a big departure from their previous master plan.

In 2017, the district initiated the Facility Master Plan (FMP) to provide a “long-ter m framework” for the development of their facilities and “funding needs -- driven by equity, empower ment, and excellence.” The FMP had the goals of reflecting the priorities and values of the community, protecting district assets, creating a timeline for

“proactive initiation and implementation,” as well as maximizing the taxpayers investment.

According to the district’s website the plan was led by architectural fir m Perkins + Will, which identified needs and made recommendations to the board, which had received input from the community through several engagement sessions held by D209.

Grant, who joined the board in 2017, said members took that input seriously and tried to create a plan that would prioritize the needs of the schools. Grant, who was in favor of the FMP, said it also went along with a five-year financial plan, which provided between $4 to $5 million each year in positive revenue that would be put towards the schools

“We did all this polling with teachers and parents and students to see what were the changes that were the most important to them so we could tackle them first with the $70 million that we had,” Grant said. “Anything above and beyond that would be stuf f that could be done over time.”

The Village Free Press previously reported that Phase 1 of the FMP had gotten underway in 2020 and included a total of approximately $5.4 million in renovations at Proviso Math and Science Academy, $47.7 million at Proviso East, and $23.9 million at Proviso West.

The concer n arises for Grant as she believes the district will not be transparent with the allocations of any new funds, as the district has come under scrutiny for financial mismanagement in the past.

“There isn’t currently, and there hasn’t been for over two years, any accountability or transparency in the district’s finances under the superintendent,” Grant said, adding that Henderson dismantled the finance committee in January 2021, which she called the “public’s window” into the district’s finances.

During the presentation on Feb. 14, Cunneen commented on how his involvement in the project would result in accountability.

“We will become fixtures in the finance

department, we will be holding everyone accountable for all the spending,” said Cunneen, adding they will help maximize state and federal grants to help bring more money to the district.

According to Grant, Henderson has “engaged in extreme financial mismanagement with support from board members Theresa Kelly, Della Patterson, Rodney Alexander, Samuel Valtier re z and Ned Wagner,” who she went on to address as the “Henderson 5.”

Under the alle ged financial mismanagement, Grant said there have been thousands of dollars spent on district credit cards with no transparency on the charges.

“They will not disclose what is being spent on those credit cards,” a frustrated Grant said. “The things we are given, the bill list, the fund balances, those things do not match, they do not add up.”

Henderson, along with Wagner and Patterson were not able to be reached for comment. Valtier re z directed all questions to Henderson or Patterson, the board president.

Grant said if the item is not placed on the March 14 board agenda for a vote, she suspects it will be coming up very soon, as she believes Henderson will attempt to get the proposal approved at the risk of losing his majority vote in April’s election.

If Henderson is successful in seeing the bond purchase approved, Grant is confident the taxpayers would witness the spending of the $71 million with no “r eal account” of what it is being spent on.

With three open seats on the district’s school board in the upcoming April 4 election, Grant urges community members to vote as a lot rides on who will be filling those seats.

“I do think that there is time to salvage what we have, re group, and move forward on a better path, I always believe that is possible,” Grant said. “I believe with the right leadership that can happen but the truth is people need to have inte g rity.”

Grant is endorsing the Proviso 209 United slate, composed of Jenny Barbahen, Sandra Hixson and David Ocampo.

“I think they are running for the right reasons,” Grant said. “I think they have a genuine interest in bettering the schools. This election boils down to inte g rity. … if you don’t have inte g rity, it does not matter. We need people who are there for the right reasons and who will make the right decisions to help our students.”

rently, and there hasn’t been for over two years, any accountability or transparency in the district’s nances under the superintendent.”

AMANDA GR ANT D209 board member

Kris Sagan Linda Rooney

Kyra Pych

Patti Sprafka-Wagner Harry Walsh

It ’s time to vote. Here’s what you need to know

All democracy is local

And as Forest Park moves toward the Spring elections for village and school leaders the Forest Park Review is o ering you this Election Guide. That coverage comes in print today and, more expansively at ForestParkReview.com.

This year we have pro led almost every candidate in a contested election. We also partnered with the Chamber of Commerce on a candidate forum -- live and recorded – for mayor and commissioner. Over 200 people turned out.

We’ve also sent detailed questionnaires to ever y candidate in a contested race. The answers to our questions are presented here in this Election Guide, which was designed by Javier Govea, our editorial design manager.

Let’s start with the candidates.

There is something brave and generous, only occasionally ego-driven, that leads a local person to run for local ofce. We’ve been watching for 43 years and our observation

is that with a dud once in a while, with people we have disagreed with on policy, that in our non-partisan elections almost all candidates run because they care about the high school or the parks, have a vision for the librar y, are committed to better village services or holding taxes or growing equity. Or all of the above

As you read these pages of questions and answers from each of these candidates know that there is a lot on the line this year.

Your vote truly matters.

Do you plan to early vote? The details on how to do it are just below.

And don’t miss the digital version of this Election Guide at ForestParkReview.com. The Q&As are there in longer versions. Thanks to Stacy Coleman, our digital manager, for building out that sites.

Finally, this expanded coverage is possible because of a donation to our Growing Community Media nonpro t from the Good Hear t Work Smart Foundation It has

Almost time for early voting

Here’s how and when you can vote

For the April 4 Consolidated Election – school board, village boards, park and library boards -- early voting starts March 20 and continues through April 3.

Courtesy of the Cook County Clerk’s o ce we have all the early voting locations in our area and the hours when you can vote

What do you need to vote early?

Voters do not need to provide an excuse or reason why they cannot vote on Election Day.

Government-issued photo ID is not required but is helpful if there is a question about the voter’s registration, address or signature. Providing an ID can also speed up the process because we have ID card readers at every check-in station.

You can also register to vote at all the early voting sites. However,

any voter who needs to register for the rst time or le an address change must present two forms of ID, one of which shows the voter’s current address.

Voting equipment

Early voting is conducted on touch screens that store every ballot style in the county, permitting any voter in suburban Cook to vote at any location. Your ballot will remain secret and securely stored.

Early voting records

The names of all early voters are available to the public and are updated each day during Early Voting. Please call (312) 603-0900 for early voting information.

In-person voting only

Voters who participate in early voting must vote in person.

allowed us not only to fund our election reporting and create this guide but also to widely increase our circulation for this issue of the Forest Park Review

We are mailing a paper this week to many, many additional Forest Park apar tments, condos and single-family homes. These are people who do not regularly receive the paper. We hope they will be motivated to vote, and, yes, we hope they will consider subscribing to our week ly print edition or become a donor on our digital side.

This election is in your hands. Educate yourselves on the issues and the candidates. And then seize the power of your vote.

Dan Haley EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Growing Community Media

Jessica Mackinnon ELEC TION COORDINATO R Forest Park Review

EARLY VOTING LO CATIONS (APRIL 4, 2023 C ONSOLIDATED GENERAL ELECTION)

OAK PARK VILLAGE HALL 123 MADISON ST OAK PARK, IL 60302

MAYWOOD COURTHOUSE (WHITCOMB BUILDING), ROOM 104 1311 MAYBROOK SQUARE MAYWOOD, IL 60153

ELMWOOD PARK

BERWYN CITY HALL 6700 W. 26TH ST. BERWYN, IL 60402

Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Why we no longer endorse candidates

Since 2020 Growing Community Media has been a nonpro t news organization. Because of that change we operate under regulations set by the Internal Revenue Service. Among those IRS require-

ments is the rule that as a nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonpro t that we are no longer permitted to endorse speci c candidates for o ce

That ended our long-standing process of interviewing all local

candidates and o ering endorsements. In lieu of that we have stepped up our information gathering and reporting on the candidates and are presenting that to voters in this Election Guide.

SEE COMPLETE ELECTION GUIDE ONLINE

The early voting locations listed here are for Suburban Cook County voters only If you live in the City of Chicago please visit chicagoelections.gov for their Early Voting locations.

Do you believe Forest Park should actively pursue acquisition of the former U.S. Army Reserve site on Roosevelt Road? If so, what do you believe would be the best use of this property and what do you think should be the minimum bid for its purchase?

Yes. The next Village Council of Forest Park should pursue the former Army Reserve site. There are a number of potential uses. The president of a local automotive dealership once suggested that his company would want to purchase it from the village if the village were to acquire it. It could also be attractive to residential developers as there continues to be a demand for senior housing.

A reasonable price will be determined upon further study. There may be environmental contaminants present. I would like to see it transferred to the village for a nominal amount. I believe that the village can work with state and federal partners to arrive at a purchase structure that does not involve the “property exchange” scheme that the Army Reserve proposed last summer

I have shared the village’s intention to pursue the former Army Reserve site with the head of the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA). He indicated that the IFA could provide nancing for the acquisition. Senate President Don Harmon’s chief of sta is also fully apprised that the village may pursue the property. She indicated that President Harmon would assist us in obtaining grants to help clean up the site and prepare it for development. Additionally, Illinois House Speaker Welch and I have spoken about the property. He also supports our acquisition of the site. Finally, the village has spoken with Sen. Dick Durbin’s sta about ways to nd an alternative to the Army Corp of Engineers’ preferred “property exchange” scheme. In my second term, I will continue working with Sen. Durbin to help the village acquire the site.

FOREST PARK MAYOR (2 C ANDIDATES FOR 1 OPEN SEAT)

What do you believe is the greatest commercial development opportunity in Forest Park?

The single most signi cant commercial development opportunity for the village is the present opportunity to join the nearby enterprise zone. An enterprise zone is a geographic area that has been granted special tax breaks, regulatory exemptions, or other public assistance in order to encourage private economic development and job creation.

Over the last few months, I have spoken with stakeholders in the nearest enterprise zone to gauge whether they would let Forest Park join the Maywood-Melrose Park Enterprise Zone. They have assured me that their communities will allow us to join the enterprise zone. In order for us to join the enterprise zone, each community’s corporate board must pass a resolution granting Forest Park entry Then, our Village Council would have to pass a resolution stating that Forest Park wants to be part of the enterprise zone. Once all of the required governmental resolutions have been passed, the administrator of the enterprise zone must submit an application to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Our inclusion in the enterprise zone will lower costs associated with the anticipated development of the new automotive dealership to be located at the vacant space at Roosevelt and Desplaines. It will also lower the costs for any developments that may commence at the Altenheim property and at the former Army Reserve site. Finally, inclusion in the enterprise zone may also lower the costs to build out the anticipated cannabis dispensary (to be located on Madison St.) that is projected to generate approximately $400,000 in annual sales tax revenues

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: Fo restparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

Do you believe Forest Park should actively pursue acquisition of the former U.S. Army Reserve site on Roosevelt Road? If so, what do you believe would be the best use of this property and what do you think should be the minimum bid for its purchase?

I believe the Village is not in the nancial position to purchase this property I strongly believe that the Village can use its network to nd a developer for this land, leveraging the resources that come with professional municipal planning companies to ensure this large site, on a major commercial corridor, is developed into retail use space that produces economic bene t, such as retail sales tax, for our Village. In the past the Village developed an introductory plan for this property and I would like to bring this to the attention of the Village Council for a more in-depth, and targeted, discussion.

What do you believe is the minimum portion of the Altenheim property that should be preserved as green space for public use? Is the park district the best option for building out and operating that space or do you believe that there are better options?

Deindustrialization and deeper rural expansion driven by COVID19 pandemic housing ight patterns have left many American cities with thousands of vacant properties In fact, one analysis identi ed 60 cities with at least two vacant properties for every 1,000 residents. More than just an eyesore, vacant or abandoned properties can a ect residents’ physical and mental health conditions, and have been associated with neighborhood gun violence. The “broken window” theory provides a framework for understanding how vacant properties a ect the larger community. Vacant properties weaken social ties and the deterioration of both physical buildings and relationships comes to symbolize a lack of accountability. This theory helps explain why the same

neighborhoods struggling with urban decay and vacant properties often face a higher risk of gun violence.

Forest Park is in a unique position to combat all of this by putting the park back in Forest Park. When other municipalities attempt the remediation of these situations, the landscaping process is called “greening”, which involves clearing debris, planting grass and trees, and adding public places for residents to gather and connect. While I will always believe that “Greener is Better”, and am a strong advocate for green spaces and the e ect such spaces have on a community, I can speak rst-hand to say the Park District of Forest Park is not interested in taking ownership of this space. The Park District would, however, be interested in partnering with the Village of Forest Park to support developing a plan for how we can best use the space. If elected mayor I would strongly encourage a collaboration of this caliber Additionally, and as I’ve noted previously, I rmly believe there is no greater team than the team of residents most directly impacted by a decision of this sort and before I could ever reasonably state a de nitive plan for this Altenheim Property a legitimate, unbiased, and special interest-free series of Town Hall meetings, commissions, and resident information forums would have to be introduced. I believe, and in many ways know, that the social bene ts of connecting with one another through community spaces, such as parks and green space, is a core value of this great Village. This Altenheim property is a once in a generation opportunity for Forest Park to ensure our village’s legacy is solidi ed, but no singular government o cial, mayor or otherwise, should make this decision without the input of the people who call Forest Park home.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: Fo restparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

RORY HOSKINS

JOHN DOSS

FOREST PARK VILL AGE BOARD (6 CANDIDATES FOR 4 OPEN SEATS)

Do you believe Forest Pa should actively pursue acquisition of the former U.S. Army Reserve site on Roosevelt Road? If so, what do you be lieve would be the best use of this property and what do yo think should be the minimum bid for its purchase?

I do believe we should explore our options anywhere in town but especially on Roosevelt Rd I think the site is an asset and as a council see what is the best use. The land should be tested to nd out if there are any contaminants that would then need remediation then a much better cost analysis could be done to gure out a minimum bid

What do you believe is the greatest commercial development oppor tunity in Forest Park?

Our single greatest development in Forest Park is our Downtown Business District. Always has and always will. Harlem and Roosevelt corridors are important also, the DBD is our heart and soul

What do you believe is the minimum portion of the Altenheim property that should be preserved as green space for public use?

Is the park district the best option for building out and operating that space or do you believe that there are better options? Absolutely, green space is key. It would be great to team up with the park district but at the moment they are pretty busy doing great things! So, I believe the village can gure out creative ways to ll the space.

How do you de ne racial equity in municipal government? Do you believe it should be a priority?

Cambridge Dictionary De nes racial equality as a noun: A situation in which people of all races are treated fairly and in the same way

Treating all people fairly should always be a priorit y, that’s just me. In a community that is forever evolving, such as ours, it is

important that our elected ofcials represent all people.

How should Forest Park balance public safety conerns with making policing more equitable and community-engaged?

Public Safety should always be the #1 priority. Being equitable and engaged in the community should also take some priority. I truly believe our Police Depar tment does a stellar job at both.

Do you view as an impediment the fact that Forest Park does not have home rule? Do you think Forest Park should seek home rule authority?

No, I don’t think it impedes Forest Park I don’t think we should seek home rule. The form we use seems to work well in our history.

Do you believe that the commission form of government is preferable for Forest Park in comparison to a city manager form?

In our history, it has served us well as a community. As with anything, if people don’t work together nothing will work. I think for us this system works

What role do you think village commissioners should play in the operations of the village government? Do you believe that the current mayor and commissioners should have active authority in the operations of the departments to which they are assigned?

A commissioner ’s job is to be invested in the community at large while focusing on the department that they oversee. Listening to sta ’s knowledge of their trades and the insights they bring to the village. Being thoroughly informed is key, too. I believe it works if you work it. When things are done with the right intent, it all makes sense.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: Fo restparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

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

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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.

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99% OF OUR CALEDONIA STAFF IS VACCINATED

RYAN R. RUSS

Do you view as an impediment the fact that Forest Park does not have home rule? Do you think Forest Park should seek home rule authority?

Not having home rule cer tainly is an impediment to Forest Park because we are limited in our abilit y to nance the day-to -day operations of the village Home rule would open up new revenue sources. The central issue when it comes to home rule, however, is always trust; opponents of it of ten worr y about, and there is a potential threat of, over taxation and an undue burden placed on residents. But home rule also a ords the opportunity to shift the tax burden away from residents, because other avenues of taxation are opened, including special use taxes and transfer taxes. (In Oak Park, for example, the village makes $8 per $1,000 on all properties sold.) A home rule referendum failed in Forest Park in 2001. But according to the Forest Park R eview, only a small number of voters par ticipated in the process ( just over 2,000). As with changing our form of government, I think it is time to take a hard look at the pros and cons and hold communit y learning sessions and discussion to determine if this is the best way forward for Forest Park .

FOREST PARK VILL AG E BOARD (6 C ANDIDATES FOR 4 OPEN SEATS )

nance, even if that person has never taken a nance class or looked at a spreadsheet. The same holds true for other departments; someone with zero background in building and zoning, for example, can become the boss of Public Health and Safety, with the authority to make day-today decisions on how the department director and employees per form their jobs. Having a commissioner in charge of a department even if they know nothing about the eld can create a toxic environment in which a seasoned and experienced department head is being told what to do by an elected ofcial with potentially no experience in the eld. Department heads and sta are hired and retained based on their ability to per form their jobs, and our department heads are exceptional. They should not have to worr y about getting a new boss ever y four years. Rather, commissioners (or trustees, as we would most likely have if we changed to a di erent form of government) should set policy but not be awarded administrative control over “their ” depar tments.

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

What do you believe is the greatest commercial development opportunity in Forest Park?

It is exceedingly di cult to pick just one. Both the Harlem Avenue and Roosevelt Road sections of Forest Park are key locations for commercial development. Additionally, over the last 4 years Madison Street (DBD) has seen meaningful change and improvement. New businesses have come to Forest Park and have helped to rejuvenate the DBD. Our Chamber of Commerce has been working hard and closely with the depar tment heads and elected o cials to make this happen.

land has been cleaned up and freed from the crumbling abandoned buildings that once occupied the site and provides a unique opportunity for development.

Do you view as an impediment the fact that Forest Park does not have home rule? Do you think Forest Park should seek home rule authority?

Do you believe that the commission form of government is preferable for Forest Park in comparison to a city manager form?

No. The commission form of government inappropriately gives commissioners administrative authority over a depar tment, regardless of their experience in that area. Traditionally, the top vote - getter in a commissioner election is o ered the position of Commissioner of Accounts and Fi-

To say that traditionally commissioners have respected boundaries ignores the fact that the potential for abuse and mismanagement is inherent within this form of government. And the truth is that there are commissioners whose active attempts to manage their departments, though technically allowed, has at times created toxic situations for depar tment heads, sta , and even residents.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: forestparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

Harlem Avenue has seen positive change and we want to continue that trend. Once vacant properties or diminishing business have now seen new life. Taco bell, Mr. Beef and Pizza, and Chipotle have been the most recent additions to Harlem Avenue. Moving forward, the former locations of CVS, Bed Bath & Beyond, as well as the vacant property at Harlem and Harvard will be the new focus. Finding new ways to make Forest Park more attractive to potential buyers will be a priority for the current and newly elected administration. One idea that has been discussed is the opportunity for Forest Park to look at joining other communities and adopting an Enterprise Zone Program. Enterprise Zones are geographic regions that are granted special status to encourage development and economic growth. (“Southland Enterprise Zones — CSEDCWorks.org”) The zones may be subject to favorable tax rates, regulatory exemptions, or other incentives to encourage businesses to stay in Forest Park or Locate to Forest Park.

Roosevelt road is no exception to opportunities for improvement. The former Hobo location also provides an attractive opportunity.

Lastly, the Altenheim property is the most publicized parcel of land in Forest Park and is ready for development. I am excited to digest the ndings and recommendations of the Altenheim Advisory Committee. This parcel of

Home Rule authority often gets bad press because it is associated with raising taxes. Pursuing Home Rule in Forest Park a ords us the opportunity to streamline our operations and be more e cient, while at the same time opening doors to new revenue streams. Communities with fewer than 25,001 residents can become home rule by passing a local referendum. This was attempted in Forest Park once before and failed. Presenting the opportunities Home Rule would provide the Village of Forest Park in a clear and transparent fashion would help to educate the residents of the bene ts. It is important to know all the facts so a decision can be made for the greater good of the Village

What role do you think village commissioners should play in the operations of the village government? Do you believe that the current mayor and commissioners should have active authority in the operations of the departments to which they are assigned?

Elected o cials are policy makers and the voice of the residents. The elected o cials should be actively engaged with the department heads. This is necessary to gain insight into the diverse topics brought before the council members. The elected o cials must be informed on the issues so decisions can be made to move the Village forward. Having open and honest dialogue with each department head Provides the framework for good decision making.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: forestparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

MARIA MAXHAM

RYAN NERO

FOREST PARK VILL AGE BOARD (6 CANDIDATES FOR 4 OPEN SEATS)

Do you believe Forest Pa should actively pursue acquisition of the former U.S. Ar Reser ve site on Roosevelt Road? If so, what do you lieve would be the best use of this property and what do you think should be the minimum bid for its purchase?

I believe the village should continue to monitor the US Army reser ve site as a potential future asset. It is important to thoughtfully consider the opportunity, which includes due diligence as it relates to the environmental condition of the property

It is important to note that the Village has been looking to acquire this property for decades. A grant from the Illinois Depar tment of Commerce and Economic Opportunity helped the Village complete the FP Army Site Redevelopment Planning Study in 2012. That study said, “Forest Park is wise to be pursuing this long-term planning for this important geographic area within the municipality.”

It is also wor th noting that the Forest Park Comprehensive Plan says of the property : “The Village should explore further opportunities for continuing discussions with the federal govt to explore the redevelopment of the army reser ve center...If these properties become available, consideration should be made for pedestrian friendly development, along with the potential to generate additional revenue.”

-Village Comprehensive Plan, pg 83

A TIF district was created around this area with the goal of unifying the look of the Roosevelt Road corridor with streetscape upgrades. Improvements were made with the anticipation of future development of the Army Reserve site. Ultimately, I believe we should continue to monitor the site. There are many unanswered questions, a big one being the environmental state of the land, so it would be premature to speculate on a purchase price. That said, the Village’s acquisition of this property could provide some exciting op-

A

portunities for the future of ForPark. The Village could build a new municipal complex, crepedestrian friendly greense, or lease land to casual dining restaurants. Development must be strategic, with a focus on sustainable uses while maintaining Roosevelt Rd as an economic engine. The Village must nd that ideal balance between pragmatism and innovation.

What do you believe is the greatest commercial development opportunity in Forest Park?

The way folks shop, work, and enjoy their free time has changed dramatically in the last few years. Because of those changes, I don’t think there is a clear “single greatest commercial development” for Forest Park. I believe the greatest commercial development opportunity is to challenge the status quo. The Village must think about the big picture, about market trends and how innovation, equity, and sustainability are integral to successful development in the 21st centur y. We must consider how polic y, infrastructure, and updates to village code and zoning are all vital to commercial development and investment. I t is important we celebrate and protect our “small town charm” while we embrace innovation and development that provides long-term, sustainable growth for Forest Park.

Updating our Comprehensive Plan is crucial to successful commercial developments. In tandem with updating The Plan, the Village should explore creating an Economic Development Opportunity Plan, as recommended in 2014. This would outline goals, strategies, policies, and actions designed to support existing businesses, while attracting new commercial ventures and promoting growth.

JESSIC

VOOGD The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: Fo restparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

What do you believe is the minimum por tion of the Altenheim property that should be preserved as green space for public use? Is the park district the best option for building out and operating that space or do you believe that there are better options?

I believe there is a great opportunity for a balanced approach to developing the Altenheim property. One that marries the natural landscape with the potential for raising tax revenue for the community. With the 11 acres of land available, the majority would be dedicated to a beautiful green space, including walking paths and a garden area.

A bene t that should be incorporated into the design, should be access to the Prairie Path. I often ride my bike on this path to the neighboring western suburbs. The locations along the path become destinations where I spend a good amount of time in their downtown areas. We could integrate the path strategically, so that our local establishments also become destinations for fellow suburban path riders.

Furthermore, I would be interested in looking at developing some of that space to potentially create an arts distric t. We could o er temporary and/or permanent space based on seasonality and needs. This opportunity would o er art fairs, farmer markets, pop up shops, and more to support small and local businesses in our community. The balance of the property would potentially be townhomes and/ or mid-rise condominiums. These units could be done tastefully and resemble the projects already built on Van Buren Street.

FOREST PARK VILL AG E BOARD (6 C ANDIDATES FOR 4 OPEN SEATS )

good example of why the village should not be in the business of purchasing land. Here we are 20 years later, and we are still debating about the best use of this property We are throwing away $300,000 a year of our already limited resources, to decide the future of this property. We could have zoned per our intended use and this land could have been sold to a private developer, where we would have generated an immediate stimulus and secured long term tax revenue.

How should Forest Park balance public safety concerns with making policing more equitable and communityengaged?

What do you believe is the greatest commercial develop ment opportunity in For Park?

I don’t tend to put my eggs in one basket – something always breaks.

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

As an enrollee in the Citizens Police Academy, I am learning about the balance of public safety concerns, while also making policing more equitable and community- engaged in Forest Park. I believe in fostering a community that has meaningful and trusting relationships with the citizens and the police force. Our community has speci c challenges we need address. We must prioritize mental health, drug abuse and homelessness in our community. Our police o cers are acutely aware of these needs. I want to nd innovative and productive ways to support them. Forest Park currently has a mental health professional on sta for two days a week. I propose we increase that to 5 days to relieve some of their duties, and to provide targeted solutions. We also need to encourage relevant training to per form their job e ectively. Let’s ensure our citizens are heard by developing a community oversight committee.

In talking to residents and business owners over the past year, I heard over and over again to heighten the “walkability of Madison Street.” Seeing increased business on Madison street has been incredibly impor tant, especially during the years of the pandemic, when other towns have been losing businesses. Some have wondered how we can bring retailers to increase our uniqueness and small-town charm –unique makers that bring shoppers. Forest Park has many women-owned businesses and businesses owned by people of color, and we could continue to capitalize on that uniqueness.

Building on this, I want to add an innovation hub to Forest Park, where companies would be able to test their products with shoppers (there are pop-up stores like this on the north side and downtown Chicago for elite brands, it would be great to do this with west side brands to make Forest Park a destination). It ’s a taste of what they do in the Fulton market.

How should Forest Park balance public safety concerns with making policing more equitable and community- engaged?

insight into our police o cers’ roles in the community. I want ensure that our community has opportunities to engage with the Forest Park police and e when they can interac t with the public and answer questions – but that means we need to ll vacant spots.

My experience with our rst responders has been exceptional. I contacted the Forest Park police when a young man was wandering on my street who was delusional, unsure where he was. He had heatstroke and had not showered. He was going to people’s doors to determine if he lived there. I gave him a sandwich and water (with a friend) and walked with him until the police came, and I was so impressed with the o cer ’s gentle and caring response.

What role do you think village commissioners should play in the operations of the village government? Do you believe that the current mayor and commissioners should have active authority in the operations of the departments to which they are assigned?

At this time, the park distric t’s resources are spread thin, and I believe they should not be further burdened with the build out and operations of this space.

The Altenheim property provides a

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: Fo restparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

We’re in a time where our rst responders are still recovering their sta ng levels from before the pandemic. This is true for both our police and re department in Forest Park, as well as our ambulance services which have just been brought in-house for the rst time in a long time. These folks are handling a lot across the village and helping other villages. It ’s an important context to keep in mind.

The community policing academy has been very well received. I’ve heard great things about this program and how the participants have appreciated gaining

My understanding of the Illinois statute, which I’ve read that establishes the form of government for villages, towns, etc., speci es the job description for each commissioner; it doesn’t specify how they are to be carried out. In other words, each elected o cial has discretion regarding how they work with the sta in their depar tment. Said another way, there are many ways to be a colleague. One can micromanage, or one can collaborate. Given that Forest Park is a village where the department heads have so much experience, often decades, I would incline to approach the work in a highly collaborative manner with a growth mindset.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: Fo restparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

MICHELLE MELINROGOVIN

JOE LANGREBE

In your opinion, what have been speci c accomplishments made by District 209 over the past two years?

1. The perseverance of the students, teachers, sta , and administrators to maintain student involvement and achievement during a global pandemic. My own son graduated from PMSA in 2021 and I was appreciative of all the e orts that were made to help make his senior year the best it could be under the circumstances

2. The maintaining and enhancing of facilities has been an accomplishment. As a PE alumna, it was a very beautiful moment to attend the new football eld dedication and step on that eld. My pride was heightened!

3. The initiatives to involve parents and community members in the district. As a parent, I appreciate the “open door” that has been presented so when I have the time, I am able to be as active as I choose in my daughter’s high school endeavors

D209 Superintendent Dr. James Henderson has had supporters and critics since his appointment. Please provide your opinion of his performance, including his relationship with faculty, communications with parents and the community, and his management of the district through a pandemic.

I, honestly, do not have an opinion of Dr. Henderson because I have not had an opportunity to get to know him well enough. As a Board Member, it will be a goal to get to know him and work with him to ensure that policies and procedures are equitable and bene cial for students, rst and foremost

As a board member, how would you respond to complaints and protests brought by students concerned with their education?

As a Board member, I am going to encourage students to express themselves in a positive and productive way. We have learned from di erent leaders ways to ght

D209 BOARD OF EDUC ATION (8 C ANDIDATES FOR 3 OPEN SEATS )

and protest so that our voices can be heard. I will respond to respectful complaints and protests with a listening ear and will encourage students, and adults as well, to come to the table not with just complaints and problems, but with feasible solutions.

Do you believe that the strike by teachers last year was unavoidable? How do you believe the district bene ted by the strike’s resolution?

I believe that a strike is always unavoidable. I have been in education contract negotiations and used the Interest Based Bargaining (IBB) method so as a Board Member, I would suggest this format in the future as I saw it yielded positive results. As an Educator for 25 years, I have never been on strike. I was Vice President of my union and always made e or ts to listen, pick the impor tant battles, and be cooperative in all situations. I do not believe anyone bene ted from the strike or its resolution simply because it still bears a heavy weight on our district.

If you are elected to what continues to be a divided school board, what skills would you bring to governing productively?

The most important skill I bring is my ability to e ectively communicate (speaking and listening). I am connected to the di erent stakeholders as I am a parent, educator, community member, administrator, and alumna. I can speak with the voice of all these groups and listen with my ear as well. As a Board Member, I want to be a par t of what is good and working in D209. I am a product and parent of this district and I want to help paint a more positive pic ture for the world to see by working with my fellow Board Members and Superintendent.

In your opinion, what have been speci c accomplishments made by District 209 over the past two years?

They have done a tremendous job cutting expenses--to the detriment of the quality of the education our students have been receiving, and the resources provided to our teachers. To that end, I feel that the most signi cant accomplishment this administration has achieved lies in the unprecedented and utter mismanagement of our school district, funded of course, by us, the taxpayers. I mean to say that the superintendent has successfully alienated our teachers, demoralized both the students and faculty of Proviso, and destroyed, in record time, what took eight years to build. The incompetence of the sitting board majority, as well as of the superintendent himself has left the district in shambles. This must change.

D209 Superintendent Dr. James Henderson has had supporters and critics since his appointment. Please provide your opinion of his performance, including his relationship with faculty, communications with parents and the community, and his management of the district through a pandemic.

In all of my career, I have never seen such blatant ignorance, mismanagement, incompetence, and worst of all such little integrity as exhibited by Dr. James Henderson. This level of corruption and dishonesty is unfamiliar to me. His relationship to the faculty is toxic, he is unresponsive to parents, and misleading to the community at large. His management of the district, through his cutting of student services, doing away with support sta and security, have left the teachers and the students scrambling and vulnerable. This was especially true during the reopening following the pandemic when we saw an unprecedented increase in violence and mayhem in all three schools as only one of the many grave consequences I fear

will plague our community for the years to come. I feel that his emoval of the majority of deans, ounselors, and mental health sta was the main fuel to re this issue with the reopening

Do you believe that the strike teachers last year was avoidable? How do you believe the district bene ted by its resolution?

I don’t believe the strike was unavoidable under the conditions imposed on our faculty by the superintendent, these being the withholding of a fair and equitable o er on the part of the administration from the beginning. The bene ts seen by the district came in the form of tremendous savings stemming from the lowering of educational quality seen in all three schools. Ultimately, I do not believe that the district really bene ted in any way, much less our student body and faculty.

If you are elected to what continues to be a divided school board, what skills would you bring to governing productively?

As a business owner, I have extensive experience in budgeting, accounting, nance, contract negotiations, litigation, amongst many other things. I plan to implement a cost saving strategy that maximizes the quality of the educational environment experienced by our students This strategy would include the increasing of teacher and support sta retention, which would e ectively stabilize the learning environment and give students consistency throughout their day at school. Any cost savings can be used to develop additional extracurricular and educational programs that would enrich the learning experience of all students. Such programs would include areas of study in the arts, music, and even participation in physical activities.

JAYDA JAMES JON KUBRICHT

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: forestparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: forestparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

In your opinion, what have been speci c accomplishments made by D209 over the past two years?

We’ve had several signi cant and, in some cases, historic accomplishments over the past two years, including:

■ We are proud of the fact that this is the first time in ten years Proviso East has been removed from the list of lowest performing high schools in Illinois

■ District 209 will generate $71 million for capital improvements during FY 24/25 at no tax rate impact to our community, no impact to operating funds, and no impact to our fund balance

■ We have a $82 million fund balance at an extremely low 2% tax rate - which is very low compared to many of our neighboring districts

■ The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program will have opportunities on all three campuses

■ Evening school to increase graduation rate and focus on college, careers with the intent to decrease drop-out rates

■ Eight-period day schedule established at all three schools for Academic Equity

■ First phase of facility upgrades - completed $12 million on time and on budget

■ PMSA ranked sixth in the State of Illinois by U.S. News and World Report.

■ Freshmen on track to graduate has increased significantly from 68% to 85%, the biggest jump ever in D209

■ Quality of life and academic environment upgrades targeting our HVAC system to bring air conditioning to all floors of all buildings, townshipwide by the end of 2024.

■ Transportation available for PMSA families for the first time in the school’s history.

■ Advance manufacturing: metals, welding; students receive credentials to work in the industry, giving them necessary hands-on experience

■ Launched “Parents on Patrol,’ an initiative that placed parents in our campus hallways

■ The “Northbound Train to Greatness” newsletter offers insights and information on what ’s happening in and around D209.

■ Robust Summer School Program for credit recovery and graduation goals

■ Communication Internship Program - intro-

DISTRIC T 209 (8 C ANDIDATES FOR 3 OPEN SEATS )

ducing students to the world of public relations

■ New beautiful state-of-the-art football stadium and NCAA-compatible outdoor track at Proviso East.

■ The Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy - presented at graduation in recognition of attaining a high level of proficiency in English and one or more additional languages

As a board member, how would you respond to complaints and protests brought by students concerned with their education?

To me, a students voice is of the utmost importance, this is the reason I am here, so my ultimate goal is to insure that I listen attentively to students and the community. If something is bothering our students I am and have always been approachable and have always had time to talk with a student and/or a parent. Our students know that I also support them. I support them by attending rst day of school, Bring your Parent to School Day, athletic events, plays, NJROTC Ball, NJROTC Inspections and etc. Some even call me Mother Theresa because of my listening ear and compassion for all children. Students and parents have direct access to the board of Education members and they have direct access to the superintendent.

If you are elected to what continues to be a divided school board, what skills would you bring to governing productively?

Let me break the misconception that some people have. A divided board is not necessarily a bad thing. Abraham Lincoln had a team of rivals in his cabinet. Sometimes you need di erentiating opinions to help add balance to the board. In the end, we are working on one accord and we will continue to work for the betterment of the district. We’ve had several accomplishments over the last two years. I believe we can accomplish more as a team working for the community.

As a board member, how would you respond to complaints and protests brought by students concerned with their education?

Students are the voice we need to listen to.  As a long-time educator and advocate, I have always listened to our students, met with them, and heard their concerns They live the policies we enact. As a local school board, we are required to adopt and enforce all policies necessary for the management and governance of the public schools.  Our written policies guide the board, which directs and empowers the superintendent to function as chief executive o cer in managing day-to-day district operations. The current board majority does not follow through on any of the policy violations committed by the superintendent.  Accountability is essential to maintain a studentcentered focus, and credibility. Not in D209. Instead of investing in teachers and relationships which change student learning, we have invested in programs like Epiphany that are owned and operated by a close friend of the superintendent. The program has not addressed student learning needs, or enhanced student per formance, in fact it has dropped. This makes no sense. (Programs I have not voted for.)  Other spending continues to escalate at a rate more than double the state average and it has been prioritized over the instruction of our students!  The policy and spending allocations in the district are directly impacting the future of our students. Students do not get to relive their high school experience, we need to make it the best one, because it is their only one!

The actions the Board majority has

continuously engaged in, speaking to those attending in a condescending tone, accusing others of racial inequity, interrupting, and shouting down speakers, has accelerated and ampli ed the tensions in our district.  The unprofessional tone our board has taken is alarming We need to promote thoughtful policy and compliance, these are the backbones of a well-functioning and e ective board. What we need are returns to forums for the community, the ability for students to voice concerns, listen and engage our community in town halls that promote dialogue, bring empathy and care for our students back to the board room, and focus on actions and policy that directly impact students positively.   This will bring proper functioning of our district What we currently experience is an angry free-for-all, and it is this Board’s actions that are to blame. As board members, we are required to study the needs of students and the community.  Our decisions should be based on those needs.  Equity needs to start rst in the board room, it is hard to have an open mind if you do not have an open heart. Embracing diversity, equity, inclusion, representation, and an overall sense of belonging can signi cantly change perceptions of the world around you and change the student experience quickly. As the rst Latina ever elected to D209, it has meant a lot to the students to see leadership that looks and sounds like them, most importantly that cares about them. Representation matters.

THERESA L. KELLY CLA UDIA MEDINA

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The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: forestparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: forestparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

In your opinion, what have been speci c accomplishments made by D209 over the past two years?

Implementation of the Facility Master Plan (FMP) from prior Superintendent is being implemented. HVAC and improvements across the three campuses. The introduction of the girls’ wrestling program is noteworthy.

D209 Superintendent Dr. James Henderson has had supporters and critics since his appointment. Please provide your opinion of his performance, including his relationship with faculty, communications with parents and the community, and his management of the district through a pandemic.

Dr. Henderson joined the Proviso school district during a period of uncertainty. His leadership and actions, however, have worsened the learning environment. He has gutted the IT department to the point that the skeleton crew is overwhelmed and can barely service our students and faculty with hardware and software needs. Lack of transportation continues to plague the district. The execution of the bus contract with First Student at the last minute did not demonstrate proper planning. To this day, the public hasn’t seen any evaluations on his per formance. As a taxpayer, I am concerned with the management of my tax dollars. His relationship with faculty, students and the community is rocky, at best. I’ve witnessed his Facebook tirades against the community.

As a board member, how would you respond to complaints and protests brought by students concerned with their education?

Responses from students should be treated with the utmost respect and urgency Policies and procedures should be followed when addressing issues and should be respected at all levels – faculty, administration and board. However, assuming all

D209 BOARD OF EDUC ATION (8 C ANDIDATES FOR 3 OPEN SEATS )

issues have the same severity, ould like to document these issues to identify trends. Are we seeing an increase in a particucomplaint? Let’s also allocate time to community workshops better address ongoing issues and increase community engagement. Solutions require all parties at the table. We won’t ow if we’re improving without valuable feedback from our community.

Do you believe that the strike by teachers last year was unavoidable? How do you believe the district bene ted by its resolution?

It could have been avoided with proper, respectful dialog and having a board member present during negotiations. The educators did not want to strike, but it was their last resort to call attention to the lack of a contract. Educators currently face lessthan-ideal working conditions: increased class sizes, lack of resources and support. The stress created by the situation compounded now with an ongoing severe teacher shortage is affecting our students negatively.

If you are elected to what continues to be a divided school board, what skills would you bring to governing productively?

Being productive on the board requires cohesion, unity and strong interpersonal skills. The board must demonstrate trust and maintain respectful dialog with all stakeholders. As a servant leader within my community, I have volunteered in serving the youth from teaching them nancial literacy to life skills in the scouts. I am ready to o er my skills as a data engineer/analyst and lessons from life experiences to improve our district. Sandra, Jenny and I o er a fresh perspective and are con dent that we can help move the district forward.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: forestparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

D209 Superintendent Dr. James Henderson has had supporters and critics since his appointment. Please provide your opinion of his performance, including his relationship with faculty, communications with parents and the community, and his management of the district through a pandemic.

As a Proviso parent and community member, I have not seen any evaluations from the board of education on Dr. Henderson’s work per formance, even though yearly evaluations are required in his contract. No data has been presented from the Board or district regarding success, or lack thereof, of the changes implemented during Dr. Henderson’s tenure in D209. The outside data provided from the Illinois School Report Card and the Illinois 5Essentials Sur vey, shows that Dr. Henderson has not been successful.

The district, under Dr. Henderson’s leadership, has undergone tremendous changes and restructuring with no clear key per formance indicators provided. The community does not have access to the data driven e ects on student per formance under these changes over the last 2 school years. With the changes and restructuring of Dean positions, Special Education services, English Language Learner (ELL) services, College and Career Counselors, the IT department restructured, food service brought in-house and the plan for transportation to be brought in-house, are the students provided the resources they need to succeed?

As an involved parent, I have witnessed the management style of Dr. Henderson through the lens of his employment actions, resource allocation decisions, and contract negotiations. The start to each school year is a public demonstration of the management abilities of each Superintendent and if we look at the start of SY 2223 as an indicator of Dr. Henderson’s ability

to manage our district, there are improvements to be made. Parent engagement with Dr. Henderson star ted on a good path, Dr. Henderson created the Superintendents’ Parent Advisor y Council (SPAC) which met for the rst time on Thursday, October 15, 2020, and then met monthly during the school year. I was a part of that advisory council until it was cancelled inde nitely by Dr. Henderson in December, 2021. The energy of the meetings changed over time when parent advisory members star ted asking questions and wanting transparent answers about the plans to address the issues facing our schools. Dr Henderson eliminated opportunities to communicate and build stronger bonds with parents and as a result parents and community members are not getting positive, accurate and timely information on a consistent basis.

Speaking to Dr. Henderson’s relationship with faculty, we have witnessed the district experiencing unprecedented turnover in educators, counselors, admin, and security. The working environment for our teachers and sta is the learning environment for our students and the working environment right now is not healthy. District 209 is not able to retain and attract quality educators because of the broken relationships with Dr. Henderson. The community has witnessed retaliatory actions against educators, unprofessional attacks on parents and community on social media, violent outbursts, and interac tions with board members with no accountability for those behaviors from the board of education. The lack of positive relationships is contributing to the negative climate in Proviso and is detrimental to the districts mission of Equity, Excellence, Relevance for ALL.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: forestparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

DAVID OC AMPO JENNIFER (JENNY) BARBAHEN

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

In your opinion, what have been speci c accomplishments made by D209 over the past two years?

In my opinion, the District has made some headway in bringing the PMSA programs into East and West. They have continued programs our students are interested in, cosmetology/barber programs. They have also made gains in the areas of construction by following through on the ve-year Master Plan Dr. Rodriquez star ted for all three schools.

D209 Superintendent Dr. James Henderson has had supporters and critics since his appointment. Please provide your opinion of his performance, including his relationship with faculty, communications with parents and the community, and his management of the district through a pandemic.

Dr. Henderson was hired with the hope that he would be able to continue the progress and pathways set by the prior administration. He was hired and then the pandemic hit, not an ideal situation, for anyone. But the pandemic is not an excuse for the failure to create thriving relationships with sta . It is part of the duties he was hired to perform.

Dr. Henderson’s relationships with sta have proven to be di cult and at times contentious. One of the most important things an organization can do for its employees is to make them feel valued. Superintendents must be evaluated properly per board and state policy. Through evaluation and coaching, the board can determine whether our one employee is able to make any needed behavioral changes to ensure we’re able to move relationships and this district forward.

The pandemic would have been an ideal time for him to take the time to establish relationships with all stakeholders and evaluate our processes. Instead, he chose to use that time to “restructure” key areas without proper evaluations and audits. This created

huge gaps in key areas that students needed to be successful like food services, Technology, SPED, ELL services, etc. These areas have continued to su er. We must remember that when systems su er, our students su er. I believe that Dr Henderson has not shown that he has been e ective in the management of our organization through the pandemic and beyond.

As a former employee and through my connections within the community, I began to hear from many disgruntled parents and people in the community. They spoke of the chaos, lack of communication, and divisiveness they were experiencing from the administration. In my opinion, I thought it was perhaps his management style that seemed a bit abrasive, the parents and taxpayers were concerned.

I met with Dr. Henderson in an informal setting, as a taxpayer and a former employee of D209, during his rst year as superintendent. After our conversation, I became concerned about his ability to create a positive and enriching educational and work environment. However, I understood that one conversation is not enough to evaluate someone’s intentions and ability. Gradually as time went on, I noticed that we, as a community, needed to do something, this was not the time to lose communication with our community, it was not the time to cut o our community partners and trusted allies to the district. I didn’t see the organization and attention to student needs that the times demanded Dr. Henderson removed valuable resources from students and made draconian cuts that deeply impacted our students’ access to their education and the school district’s basic functions. Some could say those items could have cost savings but without a rm plan on replacement sources and added pressure to an already pressed sta has proven di cult these last few years.

SANDRA JOSEPH-HIXSON

Customer threatens to shoot O’Sullivan’s bar tender

A regular at O’Sullivan’s Public House bar, 7244 Madison St., threatened a bartender after getting cut of f.

On March 11 at 8:37 p.m., the victim told a customer who had a history of being belligerent toward the staff that they were refusing service and asked him to leave the property. The customer cursed at the bartender and told him that he would shoot the victim. He then left the bar, but not before “violently” kicking the door on the way out.

Police checked state records, which revealed the customer had an expired Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card. The bar manager wanted the matter on record because he was concerned about staff safety, and he said he would call police if the customer retur ns.

Harassment

A 61-year-old Forest Park man who was already charged with battery after allegedly harassing and groping a woman has been charged with disorderly conduct after following another woman around and making her uncomfortable.

On March 1, the alleged offender followed a Forest Park woman and her young daughter as they left the Forest Park Public Library, and touched her buttocks without her consent. He was charged with assault and he was released on bond

Five days later, at around 8:35 a.m., a second victim saw the alleged offender looking at her across the street as she left her apartment on the 400 block of Jackson Boulevard She said the alleged offender previously followed her and her daughter around as they were walking in the neighborhood. The victim drove to the nearby Dunkin Donuts at 7660 Madison St., only to find that the alleged offender was waiting for her. Worried that the alleged offender would harass other women, she called the police

The alleged offender was arrested. Since he was already out on bond, he was not eligible to bond out.

Drag racing accident

A 20-year-old Berwyn man was cited for reckless driving after a race behind Forest Park Walmart Supercenter ended in his crashing his car into the store’s emergency

doors.

Store security footage showed the red 2023 Chevrolet Camaro and another car of unknown make and model racing against each other on a two-lane access road directly south of the store. The man lost control of his car and slammed into the store. When Walmart employees went outside to see what happened, they saw him standing next to the car.

The man admitted to being the driver, but insisted that he was only going 40 miles per hour. The responding officer got the man’s permission to search the car, and the search revealed ‘leafy substance” that turned out to be cannabis

The driver was cited for reckless driving and possession of cannabis while driving. He was released on bond.

Speeding while high

An 18-year-old Chicago man led the police on a chase because, he claimed, he wasn’t feeling well after consuming an edible containing cannabis

On March 10 at 1:20 a.m., the man was driving his grey 2019 Toyota Sienna west on Jackson Boulevard, near the Jackson Boulevard/ Circle Avenue intersection. The driver ignored the stop sign and kept going. A police officer traveling nearby followed in order to try to get the license plate number. The driver turned north on Desplaines Avenue, disregarding the red light and driving more than 10 miles-per-hour over the 25 miles-per-hour speed limit. The driver led them on a chase in the surrounding blocks, eventually coming to a stop at the village-owned parking lot at 7428 Washington Blvd.

The man got out of the car and apologized, saying that he took off because of “an edible he consumed earlier.” He was charged with 1 count of attempting to elude a police officer, one count of speeding, one count of traffic signal violations and two counts of traffic sign violation. He was released on bond.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, March 6-11, 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

OPINION Red ags at D209

In today’s Review we have two lengthy stories that leave us with nothing but misgivings about the deteriorating state of the leadership of Proviso Township High Schools.

Four District 209 teachers — one fired, one resigned, one reassigned, one removed from a summer school post — have filed suit ag ainst the district and its superintendent, James Henderson. The reality is the suit is ag ainst Henderson, with his enabling board majority playing their inexplicable bit part. Henderson’s endless string of hostile actions toward teachers over his two years, inevitably brought this response. His dismantling of so many aspects of a district that had finally begun to make some progress is fully unchecked by the school board.

Amanda Grant, a veteran school board member and a rare rational voice on this board, is also raising her voice loudly and attempting to get the attention of Proviso taxpayers as Henderson has put forward a curious and audacious bor rowing plan for the district. Promoted as a plan to speed funding for future capital improvements, we see it as an ill-considered and unstudied power grab by a superintendent who ag ain tur ns to outside consultants while diminishing all inter nal financial controls and cuts the school board out of its le gitimate financial review responsibilities.

This district is only recently out from under the thumb of a state takeover of its finances that lasted for years. Henderson is setting the stage for a retur n to those hard days

On all fronts this school district is in trouble. Supporting students and teachers seems an after thought as money is diver ted to other uses, teachers are denigrated, and students who protest are castigated.

Something is seriously wrong in this district. How long will the school board allow it to continue?

Make Altenheim greener

We’ve admired the open and public process the village’s Altenheim Committee has taken over past months. A strong group of volunteers and a respected outside consultant have worked intentionally toward final recommendations they have now put forward.

Why such an ef fort could not have been made earlier in the 20-year odyssey of this village-owned 11 acres of open space is quite beyond us. But now the work is done and it is left to the next village council to accept, reject or alter the proposal coming from the committee

Our sense of the proposal is that it is too heavy on residential development and too light on focused, pur poseful green space. Preserving this open land was the initial impulse for the village acquiring the large open parcel two decades back. Tur ning it into predominantly moder n townhouses and other modest for ms of housing has neither the upside of a shar p boost in tax dollars nor the per petual benefit of open space in a landlocked village.

The next iteration of the village council will have an early and profound decision to make as it prepares a Request for Proposal from potential developers. Go green is our strong advice.

A taste of election campaigning

Well here the sacred space between the St. Patrick’ rade and the election. The crocus are blooming, yard signs are bountiful, for have been swinging, meet-and greets have been plenty this issue of the Review is filled with the democracy of tion. Ordinary people ha the plunge to be extraordinary leaders in our local gove

My husband is in school right now and, in his “Human Behavior in the Social Environment” class, he had the assignment to eat for one week on $6.47 a day. Our whole family plunged right in and each took our portion of the assignment for breakfast and lunch, then shared dinner and discussed. We all avoided wasteful purchases, focused on staples and lear ned to appreciate the experience of eating a little more. Since I enjoy cooking, already live with a budget, and have several tricks that are in our re gular rotation, the experience was a practice of mindfulness and connecting my values to what gives me nourishment.

WAGNER

e eating

and reflecting on the homemade been delighting ms that , lemon, oil; the people and industries that packted them; ed and sold them; and the American and dif ferthe value the or and nourishment.

Our future leaders have a world of experiences and backgrounds that make them special, just like our food, and as voters we can reflect on how their unique assets can nudge our community in cer tain directions. So in the coming weeks as you make your final decisions on who you feel most confident in as a leader and whether they are the type to lift up others, or themselves; if they are thankful or need to be thanked; if they seem strong or weak; if they are secretive or open; if they are happy or bitter; and if they have the humanity to nourish our community by their choices

The cost of convenience — the bag of chips from a “convenient store,” a specialty drink, a drive-thru meal, is priced for the ease of use, but not always nutritional value or satisfaction. It’s like a yard sign

With the hope and rebir th that comes with spring we are experiencing the four-year hyper-eng agement style of Forest Park politics. Each standard yard sign costs roughly $10, which is a convenient way to get a message out, but since a sign cannot vote, it is like that bag of chips. It looks good, is pricy, fun to have, but isn’t the most nourishing.

Candidates are in the final stretch of pounding the pavement and reaching out to voters, knocking on doors, and going outside of their comfortable community of familiar faces and reaching out to talk to voters up and down the blocks. This is where the live conversation is the hear t of democracy, the trust that builds a community

The experience of interacting with poten-

Whether or not you are a conscious participant in what you eat, and whether or not you participate in voting, I can assure you there will be food tomorrow, there will be gover nment after the election, and the sun will make its way across the sky, whether or not you are mindful of it.

So maybe you know a candidate because they were your soccer coach, they planted a tree in your parkway, were on the PTO with you or are a member of the Historical Society just like you are, or maybe you’ve never shared a community experience with them, these weeks are special days, so consider saying “hello” to a candidate. If you’ re lucky, one may even show up at your doorste p. Maybe share some hummus, or a cookie, a glass of water. They need to know our community is kind and generous. I bet they already know we can be grouchy and persnickety

The long journey from Patricius to Patrick

St. Patrick’s Day is a religious holiday in Ireland and a pagan festival in this country. I believe St Patrick would have felt at home in both. After all, pagans were his “peeps” and he was their missionary.

I lear ned about Patrick by reading How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill. The book chronicles how the Irish recorded human knowledge at the same time the rest of Europe was sinking into the chaos of the Dark Ages. Patrick was a key figure in nurturing the Irish to become “lovers of lear ning.”

Patricius was born into a well-to-do Roman family that lived in Britain. He led a comfortable life until the age of 16. That’s when Irish pirates kidnapped him and sold him as a slave to an Irish king named Miliucc. This king ruled a hilly re gion of Antrim and used Patrick to watch over his herds. As a shepherd, Patrick was cold, hungry and lonely.

To survive, he tur ned to prayer, saying countless prayers and becoming a religious mystic, who saw visions and heard voices

After six years as a shepherd, Patrick heard a voice that said he was going home and,

“Look, your ship is ready.”

Patrick escaped and walked 200 miles to the sea. There he saw a ship loading a cargo of rish hounds to sell in mainland Europe. When they arrived in Gaul (now France) it had been devastated by invading Ger man ribes. Patrick, the sailors and even the dogs were dying of hunger. The captain taunted Patrick for being a Christian. Patrick’s faith told him God would provide. A herd of pigs mysteriously appeared and provided the nourishment they needed

After these harrowing adventures, Patrick was finally reunited with his family. His parents begged him not to leave them again but he heard a voice. It was the voice of the Irish: “We beg you to come and walk among us once more.”

Patrick felt called to become a missionary to the Irish. He received for mal training at a monastery and was ordained as a missionary bishop.

He was not the first Christian missionary. The Apostle Paul had traveled the Roman Empire, preaching in its major cities. Ireland did not have cities. It also had never been part of the Roman Empire. Though

A league of our own

The Boston Bloomer team was org anized in the 1880s and brought to Forest Park in 1937 by Emery Parichy. The team was part of the National Girls Baseball League (NGBL), which was started in 1944. Though “National” was in the name, the NGBL only played in the Chicago area. The NGBL dif fered from the All American Girls Baseball League, which was featured in the movie A League Their Own. The NGBL annually drew over 500,000 fans by the late-1940s. Parichy Stadium was located at Har rison and Harlem (where U-Haul and Ferrara Pan parking lot are today).

The Historical Society of Forest Park will host a movie matinee of A League of Their Own and a special viewing of Bloomer Girls at the Eagles Hall, 446 Hannah, on Sunday, March 26 at 2 p.m. The event is free (registration is required, as seating is limited, at ForestParkHistory.org)

Jill Wagner

they ruled Britain for 400 years, the Romans did not invade Ireland. The Irish were a rustic people who were branded as savages.

When the Irish met Patrick, they were impressed by his courage. He had retur ned to minister to the people who had enslaved him. Patrick never forgot the horrors of slavery and preached against it. The Irish slave trade came to an end during his lifetime Patrick planted monasteries and convents throughout Ireland. He took the Irish virtues of faithfulness, courage and generosity and tur ned them into the Christian virtues of faith, hope and charity.

In his last years, he could see that Ireland had been transfor med by his teachings. Chaos and violence gripped the rest of Europe, while Ireland had become more civilized. Patrick taught that the sword was not the only way to settle differences. The Irish warriors could instead “seize the everlasting kingdom” of heaven.

Patrick did not drink alcohol, so he would have made an ideal designated driver this Friday. He also did not chase the snakes out of Ireland. We don’t know if he used a shamrock as a teaching tool. It made me proud, though, to lear n about Patrick and how he helped his people save civilization.

So let’s raise a toast to the real St. Patrick. Slainte!

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.

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Get great Mexican at Gringo and Blondie

A treat you’ll want on repeat

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Massa Café Italiano is temporarily closed for renovations, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy delicious food from its sister restaurant, Gringo and Blondie, also conveniently located on Elmwood Park’s Restaurant Row at 7514 W. North Ave.

The two restaurants are owned by husband-and-wife Angelo and Giovanna Lollino, and while Massa specializes in Italian food, Gringo and Blondie offers an array of delicious Mexican fare bursting with flavor, plus brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

Not sure what to order? You can never go wrong with a quesadilla and the ones served at Gringo and Blondie never disappoint. The al pastor quesadilla is a particular favorite, filled with melted chihuahua

cheese and juicy marinated pork. With sour cream and pico de gallo on the side, this is one quesadilla that is sure to satisfy even the pickiest palates. Take your meal to the next level by ordering a side of house-made guacamole.

Vegetarians, or anyone looking to take a break from meat, will delight in the Blondie Burrito, which is positively bursting with poblano and bell peppers, portobello mushrooms and crunchy lettuce with a healthy helping of cotija and queso fresca cheeses. You won’t even miss meat.

No meal is complete without something to drink. The flavors featured in the restaurant’s tacos and quesadillas are complemented by its agua de horchata, a dense and creamy rice drink with hints of cinnamon. The horchata is slightly sweet and incredibly refreshing.

Gringo and Blondie also serves Mexican sodas, including a variety of flavors of Jarritos, but if you’re looking for something a little stronger, the restaurant’s got you covered there too. The bar carries several Mexican and American beers, as well as top-shelf liquor for those who prefer cock-

Gringo & Blondie offers burritos wrapped in a tortilla, as is tradition, but you can also have it unwrapped in a bowl with rice.

tails.

No trip to a Mexican restaurant is complete without a margarita, as the folks at Gringo and Blondie are well aware. Whether you order a classic margarita or opt for something a little more adventurous, such

as the mango frozen margarita or the guava frozen margarita, you will feel instantly transported to the sandy beaches of Mexico – no passport required.

all photos Stacy Sheridan Francia Garcia Hernandez

Wonderful burritos and quesadillas from Gringo & Blondie.

Oak Park Eats positively encourages readers to think about the food and beverages they consume and seek our unique and memorable beer drinking experience while celebrating Kinslagher’s local partnerships with Carnivore, Opportunity Knocks, Daly Bagels, and Darr-B-Q.

Agua de horchata, a dense and creamy rice drink with hits of cinnamon that pairs well with Gringo & Blondie’s amazing quesadillas.

Sip more at Kinslahger.com/

Keep up with Local dining at: Oak Park Eats on OakPark.com

Keith Huizinga, Kinslagher

- Keith Huizinga, Kinslagher

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.

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.

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.

GARAGE/MOVING SALE

Moving Sale!

Saturday March 18th. 8-1 Midcentury Modern Furniture, kitchen, what not 1146 S. Scoville,OP

CARS WANTED

COLLECTIVE IMPACT MANAGER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Collective Impact Manager in the Village Manager’s Office. Under the general direction of the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer, the Collective Impact Manager will be responsible for building and assessing racial equity impact needs and developing a strategic plan to support those needs. This includes driving the initiatives focused on the Racial Equity Action Plan through community assessments, community engagement, data functions, and overall internal and external functions. Applicants are encouraged to apply online at https://secure.entertimeonline. com/ta/6141780.careers?ApplyToJob=537117711 or visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.

Real Estate Acquisitions Associate (Chicago, IL) Conduct demographic analysis of secondary & tertiary mkts to identify potential real properties that meet the Co.’s acquisition criteria. Direct the acquisition process incl fin’l evaluation, negotiation, due diligence, investment structuring & bldg architectural planning. Provide fin’l forecasts & strategic budget plans for prospective acquisitions. Reqd: Master’s in Real Estate or Finance & 1-yr exp as Project Mgr in Real Estate or Architectural Dsgn industry & knowl of real estate capital mkt & proficiency in ARGUS & skilled at reading architectural plans. Mail Resume to: CapRock Management, 65 E Wacker Pl, #820, Chicago, IL 60601.

Operations Product Manager sought by Chowbus, Inc. in Chicago, IL to be end2end owner of operations platform supporting internal tooling. Telecommuting permitted in commutable distance to office. Reqs: MS in Managing Info Tech, Comp Sci or rltd field & 1 yr exp in job offd or rltd role. Must also possess coursework or work exp w/data mining; info system dvlpmt; info security; & project mgmt. Apply online at: https://www.chowbus.com/careers

CLASSICS WANTED

CLASSICS WANTED

Restored or Unrestored

Restored or Unrestored

Cars & Vintage Motorcycles

Cars & Vintage Motorcycles

Domestic / Import Cars:

Domestic / Import Cars:

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

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc.

Collector James • 630-201-8122

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

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc.

CLASSICS WANTED

Collector James

Restored or Unrestored

630-201-8122

Cars & Vintage Motorcycles

Domestic / Import Cars:

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

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc.

Collector James

630-201-8122

BRICKWORK

Maggie Professional Cleaning with 20 years experience, good references. Homes, Apartments, Condos and more.

WOODWORK

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

SUMMONS (Family Law)

CITACIÓN (Derecho familiar)

CASE NUMBER (NÚMERO DE CASO): HF22130927

NOTICE TO RESPONDENT

(Name): AVISO AL DEMANDADO (Nombre): ANGELO C GALLARDO

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.

NOVENAS

PRAYER TO ST. JUDE May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days. By the 8th day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail .Publication must be promised. Thank you Jesus.

Thank You St . Jude. R.R.

Tiene 30 días de calendario después 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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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: Y23010231 on February 23, 2023

Under the Assumed Business Name of BTE MOBILE NOTARY SERVICES with the business located at: 5927 W. CHICAGO AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60651. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ERIN WILLIAMS 5927 W. CHICAGO AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60651

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

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BROOKFIELD NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to call of its directors, a special meeting of stockholders of First National Bank of Brookfield (the “Bank”) will be held at the Bank’s main office located at 9136 Washington Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois, on April 19, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. to consider and vote whether an agreement and plan of reorganization, whereby a holding company, to be named Brookfield Bancshares, Inc., located in Brookfield, Illinois (the “Company”) would be created, making the Bank its wholly-owned subsidiary under the provisions of the laws of the United States, shall be ratified and confirmed, and to vote upon any other matters as may properly come before the meeting. A copy of the agreement and plan of reorganization, approved by a majority of the directors of the Bank and the proposed holding company, is on file at the institution and may be inspected during business hours.

Phillip Richard President and Chief Executive Officer

Published in RB Landmark March 15, 22, 29, April 5, 2023

CALENDAR NUMBER: 03-23-Z

HEARING DATE: April 5, 2023

TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits

LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302

APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) will conduct a public hearing on a special use permit application filed by the Applicant, Mel Garland, on behalf of Think Big Academy, to operate a day care center pursuant to Section 8.3 (Table 8-1: Use Matrix) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance at the property located at 845-847 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Numbers 16-18106-012-0000 (“Subject Property”) in the MS Madison Street Zoning District.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a crossexamination form or by emailing Zoning@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing.

The public hearing may be adjourned by the ZBA to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

Published in Wednesday Journal, March 15, 2023

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed Bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 for the following:

Village of Oak Park

CDBG Water Service Replacement Program - 2023

Bid Number: 23-114

Bid forms may be obtained from the Village of Oak Park website, http:// www.oak-park.us/bid. Bid documents may be viewed at the Public Works Customer Service Center at 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Information is also available from the contact person, Water and Sewer Project Manager, James Eggen, jeggen@oak-park.us. This project has a mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting requirement. The Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at The Public Works Customer Service Center on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 10:30 A.M.

All bidders will be required to submit Bid Security in the form of a Certified Check, a Cashier’s Check or a Bid Bond in the amount of Ten percent (10%) of the Base Bid, payable to the Village of Oak Park.

The successful bidder will be required to post performance security and to provide a certificate of insurance as set forth in the bid package. This contract shall be subject to the provisions of the Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS130/1 et seq.) to the extent required by law. This is a Federally-funded project, funded with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and is thus subject to all applicable Federal rules, regulations and guidelines, including Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. For more information call the Public Works Service Center at 708.358.5700.

Published in Wednesday Journal, March 15, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive bids from qualified pest control service providers for pest management services at Village buildings. Bids will be accepted at the Public Works Service Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, or via e-mail at fgutierrez@oak-park. us until 11:00 a.m. local time on Friday, March 31st, 2023.

Request for Bids

RFB 23-118 - Village of Oak Park Pest Control Services

Issuance Date: 3/15/23

Bid forms may be obtained by calling 708-358-5714 or by e-mailing fgutierrez@oak-park.us between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. M-F. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of proposal opening.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK

Published in Wednesday Journal March 15, 2023

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

CALENDAR NUMBER: 06-23-Z

HEARING DATE: April 5, 2023

TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302

APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on a special use permit application filed by the Applicant, SunFlower/Acupressure Massage Spa, to operate a massage service establishment pursuant to Section 8.3 (“Table 8-1: Use Matrix) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance at the property located at 6340 Roosevelt Road, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-17-324-035-0000, in the RR Roosevelt Road Form-Based Zoning District.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a crossexamination form or by emailing Zoning@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing.

The public hearing may be adjourned by the ZBA to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

Published in Wednesday Journal, March 15, 2023

CALENDAR NUMBER: 07-23-Z

HEARING DATE: April 5, 2023

TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302 APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on a special use permit application filed by the Applicant, Christopher Bell, to operate a live performance venue (Comedy Plex LLC) pursuant to Section 8.3 (Table 8-1: Use Matrix) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance at the property located at 1128 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number16-08-118-0031-0000 (“Subject Property”) in the DT Downtown Zoning District.

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS

VILLAGE OF BROADVIEW

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Broadview, Illinois that bid proposals will be received for the following project:

Right-of-Way Improvements Roosevelt School

The scope of work of the project involves the removal and replacement of barrier curb, sidewalks and parkway asphalt, the installation of a hot-mix asphalt binder course, and hot-mix asphalt surface course, spot restoration of the parkways, and all other appurtenant work thereto.

This project must be completed during the summer season when school is not in session. Construction will be permitted to start after June 5th and must be completed prior to August 15th, 2023.

Electronic copies of the bidding documents are available from the office of the Municipal Engineer, Edwin Hancock Engineering Co., via email request to cbaker@ehancock.com . No bidding documents will be issued after 4:00 P.M. on Friday, the 24th day of March 2023. Bid proposals must be submitted on the forms provided.

Bid Opening will be held at the Broadview Village Hall at 2350 S Roosevelt Road on March 28th at 11 AM.

All bidders wishing to obtain bidding documents must be approved by the Village prior to obtaining bidding documents.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a crossexamination form or by emailing Zoning@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing.

The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

Published in Wednesday Journal, March 15, 2023

No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the proposals without the consent of the President and the Board of Trustees of the Village of Broadview for a period of sixty (60) days after the scheduled time of closing bids.

The Contractor and Subcontractor shall comply with all regulations issued pursuant to Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130), and other applicable Federal Laws and regulations pertaining to labor standards.

The Contractor shall be required to furnish sufficient insurance or guaranty of indemnity to the Village of Broadview, Illinois, the County of Cook, Illinois, and the Engineer against any and all claims which might arise for damages to persons or property due to the negligence of the Contractor or Subcontractors, or their officers, agents, employees or servants, during the construction of said improvement and until the said improvement has been finally accepted as complete by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Broadview, Illinois. The right to reject any and all proposals or bids reserved.

Dated at Broadview, Illinois, this 8th day of March 2023.

By: President and Board of Trustees Village of Broadview, Illinois

Published in Forest Park Review March 15, 2023

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC; Plaintiff, vs. JOHN PRABHAKAR PULUKURI; 929 OAK PARK CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; BANK OF AMERICA, NA; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 22 CH 5256

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 Monday, April 17, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-18-307-034-1008.

Commonly known as 929 South Oak Park Avenue, Unit 2SW, 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 Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 360-9455. W22-0188 ADC

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com

I3215203

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

First National Bank of Brookfield

Under Contract in 5 days!

836 S Maple Ave, #19, Oak Park

2 BD, 1 BA, Beautiful unit, updated vintage building with unique basement room, in-unit laundry & parking included. For great results call Laurie!

Laurie Shapiro | 708-203-3614

Laurie.shapiro@cbrealty.com

Just Sold!

1004 N West St, Naperville

Whether it’s the city or the suburbs, when it comes to your real estate needs, I’ve got you covered.

Shea Kiessling | 708-710-5952 shea@cbexchange.com

Just Sold! 636 Gunderson Ave, Oak Park

Found this gorgeous 4 BR home for buyers before it hit the market. Inventory is low, so it’s important for both buyers and sellers to think outside the box. Need help navigating the market? Call me!

Sue Canepa | 312-203-0848 suecanepahomes@gmail.com

Coming Soon!

1020 Harlem Ave, River Forest

3 BD, 2 BA , Fantastic River Forest Lander House with over 2,000 sq feet of living space. Granite kitchen counters, updated baths, expanded balcony and 2 car garage.

Andrea “Bonnie” Routen | 708-544-8440

Andrea.bonnie@cbexchange.com

Under Contract!

142 Des Plaines Ave, Forest Park

This went FAST...with MULTIPLE OFFERS! The market is active. Inventory is low. Contact me today if you want to talk Real Estate & how I can help YOU.

Lisa Grimes I 708-205-9518 | lisa.grimes@cbrealty.com

Under Contract!

224 Oak Park Ave #1P, Oak Park Bright 1 BD, 1 BA condo with separate living and dining room plus bonus room perfect as home office. Vintage details & hardwood throughout. Ideal central location! $127,500

Stephanie Eiger | 708-557-0779

Stephanie.eiger@cbexchange.com

Sandi Graves | 708-752-6540 sgraves@cbexchange.com

Just secured a home for my clients in a multiple-offer situation! Look no further for an agent who can successfully negotiate for you in

Coming Soon!

1232 N. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park

3 BR 2.5 BA, Updated 3 BR house with lg rooms, WB fireplace, and screened-in back porch. This house checks many boxes— from the gracious living room to the 2 ½ car garage to the spacious primary bedroom. $509,000

Stephanie Eiger | 708-557-0779

Stephanie.eiger@cbexchange.com

Sara Faust 708-772-7910

sara.faust@cbexchange.com

Just Listed!

123 Frank Lloyd Wright Lane, Oak Park 3 BD, 2 BA, Stylish, centrally located townhouse with attached one car garage and great outdoor space. Welldesigned living in the center of Oak Park. $359,000

Sara Faust | 708-772-7910 | sara.faust@cbexchange.com

Deborah Wess

She, Hers 708-212-1122 deborahsellsoakpark4u@gmail.com

HELOC has a 30-year term, with a 10-year draw period and a 20-year repayment period. During the draw period, monthly interest only payments are required. After the draw period, the outstanding balance will be amortized over 20 years and monthly payments of principal and interest will be required. Payments are subject to change based upon changes in the APR. An annual fee of $50 (waived the first year) will be assessed. Closing costs paid by Forest Park Bank are limited to those for appraisal, credit report, flood determination, document recording, tax monitoring, and title insurance. If HELOC is closed within the first 3 years, a cost recovery fee of no greater than $1,500 may apply. Consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of interest.

CLAUDE L’HEUREUX VICE PRESIDENT SANDY WASILIAUSKIS VICE PRESIDENT