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GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA, NFP ForestParkReview.com Vol. 104, No. 12

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REVIEW MARCH 24, 2021

Forest Park police awarded for valor and merit PAGE 6

Brown Cow reopening in April PAGE 10

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More D91 students returning for hybrid learning on April 7 Some parents demand answers on slow approach to reopening

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

On April 7, 107 District 91 students currently participating only in remote education will join the 247 students who are in the classrooms three mornings a week.

Supt. Lou Cavallo announced March 22 that additional D91 students will be joining hybrid learning.

In total, 54 percent of D91 students will be back in the classrooms receiving hybrid instruction on April 7, while 47 percent will remain completely remote.

Cavallo said in a letter to parents that the district has been working hard to ensure social distancing can be maintained in the classrooms and that all health and safety protocols will be followed.

Cavallo mentioned that although the CDC changed some guidelines, and now allows only three feet of distance in classrooms instead of six feet, D91 will adhere to the six-foot distance.

“With three feet of distance, we would have to quarSee D91 REOPENING on page 5

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

COMBATTING COVID: Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins (right) as Governor J. B. Pritzker (left) speaks at the press conference on March 22 announcing the new vaccine site at 7630 Roosevelt Rd.

COVID vaccination site to open this week Thousands of shots will be given Monday through Saturday

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

The site of the former Hobo store, 7630 Roosevelt Rd., will be turned into the one of the biggest COVID-19 vaccina-

IN Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 THIS Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 ISSUE Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

tion sites in the state on March 26, offering 1,000 shots per day to start, Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The site will be operated by the Cook County Department of Public Health and staffed by the Illinois Guard.

Gov. J. B. Pritzker, Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County board president, Chris Welch, speaker of the Illinois house, State Sen. Kimberly Lightford and othSee VACCINATION SITE on page 8

Creativita moves out of Forest Park

D209 board member apologizes for misspeaking

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Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

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Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

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Getting the hang of hangovers

ou would think that, with bars and restaurants operating at less than capacity, parades and festivals being canceled and sporting events with empty seats, our alcohol consumption would have decreased. Events that promote drinking, like concerts, have been canceled. Even cocktail parties have become remote.

Despite all these restrictions on public drinking, alcohol consumption has increased 14% since the pandemic began.

People are using alcohol to deal with depression, anxiety and just plain boredom.

Heavy drinking has soared, particularly among women. This is understandable, because many women are working from home and home-schooling their kids, while keeping up with housework, doing the laundry and cooking meals. They need something to take the edge off.

Those glasses of wine in the evening may be helpful in the short term but harmful to our health in the long run. There can be even more immediate consequences, if we do too much “closet drinking” to relax. We could wake up with a hangover.

Hangovers are never worth it. They cause physical discomfort as well as emotional pain. While we gobble aspirin, we’re feeling deep remorse about overdoing it the night before. At a minimum, they make us feel

sluggish. It’s an effort just to drag our way through the day.

I just finished reading an exhaustive study of hangovers written by Joan Acocella in her article “A Few to Many.”

Hangovers are completely preventable but have been plaguing mankind since the Stone Age. Early humans manufactured beer even before they invented agriculture. In fact, Egyptians brewed a selection of 17 different beers — enough to make a sports bar envious.

Some of the Egyptians scarfed down too many brews and described their condition the next day as “still drunk.”

Every country developed a pet term for hangovers: the French call it “hair ache,” Salvadorans feel like they’re “made of rubber,” and Danes are tormented by “carpenters in the forehead.”

There are many ways to prevent a hangover — abstinence seems to work pretty well. For those who insist on imbibing, though, eating a heavy meal beforehand and drinking water before each drink lessens the pain. If the hangover does take hold, there are many pharmaceutical products on the market that promise relief.

The most extreme cure for a hangover is drinking the next morning. Acocella explains that the “hair of the dog” returns the body to the light work of processing ethanol, instead of the heavy lifting of

JOHN RICE

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F O R E S T PA R K

breaking down methanol. Methanol gives us those flu-like symptoms that include overall body ache.

Hangovers are not just the result of too much alcohol but drinking the wrong kind.

Some drinks contain more toxins than others, with vodka being the lowest in impurities. So far, there haven’t been any scientific breakthroughs in hangover cures because it’s difficult to get grant money for getting a group of people drunk. Yet hangovers are a serious public health issue. It’s estimated that they cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars in poor, or non-existent, job performance.

I would not volunteer to be a subject of a hangover experiment. Especially if it meant joining the control group that stops at Denny’s at 3 a.m. The “Grand Slam” cure works, by the way, because it gets the body off methanol processing and focuses it on hash browns.

I think the best way to avoid a hangover is not to get caught up in the false thinking that, “I feel so good, another one will make me feel even better.” We must always look ahead to the next day, because we don’t want to wake up with “carpenters in the forehead.”

■ John Rice is a columnist/private detective, who has seen his business and family thrive in Forest Park. He thoroughly enjoys life in the village and still gets a thrill smelling Red Hots, watching softball and strolling through cemeteries. Jrice1038@aol.com

T I M E . . .

THRONE OF HONOR

REVIEW Editor Maria Maxham Senior Editor Bob Uphues Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Lifka Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Debbie Becker, Mark Moroney Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA Board of Directors Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, 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 TWITTER @FP_Review 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: $28 per year. $42 for two years, $58 for three years.

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REVIEW To honor their family matriarch’s 86th birthday, and for many years after, Providenza Imburgia’s relatives displayed messages on a bench at the corner of Jackson Boulevard and Desplaines Avenue. As thousands of people passed the landmark over the years, with messages like “Happy Birthday,” “Super 88, Mille di questi giorni, Providenza,” and “89 and Doing Fine,” it became a salute to a legendary mother in Forest Park. The tributes lasted for a decade starting in 1982 and changing every year as a public birthday celebration for Providenza.

–Jill Wagner

Share photos on Instagram using #fpreview or email alexa@oakpark.com.

All photos become property of Forest Park Review for possible future use in print or digital capacities.

@ForestParkReview

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Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

All outside Chicago will be vaccine eligible April 12; reopening changes announced ‘Bridge’ phase raising capacity limits will take effect when 70% of seniors vaccinated

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – All Illinoisans 16 years of age and older outside of Chicago will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations beginning April 12, and the state announced a “metric-based” phase-in to greater reopening Thursday.

The so-called “bridge phase” to reopening can begin when 70 percent of seniors 65 years of age and older have received at least their first dose of the vaccine, according to the governor. As of Thursday, that number stood at 58 percent.

It is also dependent on at least 20 percent of intensive care beds being available. Other metrics, such as COVID-like illness hospital admissions, mortality rate and case positivity rate over a 28-day monitoring period, must “hold steady.”

Gov. JB Pritzker said all regions of the

** Alex Rogals, Staff Photographer

EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY: Governor J. B. Pritzer, pictured here at a March 22 press conference in Forest Park, announced last week that beginning April 12, all Illinoisians 16 year of age and older outside of Chicago will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. state will move to the bridge phase and beyond as one, rather than individually.

“Unfortunately, COVID-19 has not gone away,” Pritzker said at a news conference in Chicago, noting the virus is still killing

COVID-19 cases up in Forest Park over past two weeks

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Since the pandemic began, Forest Park has seen 1,103 cases of COVID-19 among residents. Twelve new cases were reported last week, and the percent increase in cases in the past two weeks, based on data accessed March 23, is 41.2 percent. Learn more at https:// ccdphcd.shinyapps.io/covid19/.

Illinoisans daily and safety precautions such as masking and social distancing are still necessary.

“And I’m more optimistic today than I have been at any time over the last year, and more importantly the doctors and scientists are too,” he added. “It’s time to begin to cautiously move toward normalcy.”

The state also updated current Phase 4 mitigations so that anyone with proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test 1-3 days prior to an event or outing do not count against capacity limits.

The bridge phase will include higher capacity limits at places like museums, zoos and spectator events and increased business operations, according to the governor’s office.

The largest increase is to social events, which can allow 250 people indoors and 500 outdoors. Previously those were capped at 50 people.

Recreation activities are allowed with groups up to 100 or 50 percent of capacity indoors, while outdoor recreation is limited to groups of 100, with multiple groups allowed at the same site.

Ticketed recreation events are allowed to hold 60 percent of the facility’s capacity.

In the bridge phase, restaurants and bars can increase capacity from 25 percent to 30 percent, and outdoor capacity is allowed up to 50 percent for standing areas. In seating areas, parties of up to 10 are allowed to sit six feet apart.

For businesses, offices, retail stores and fitness centers, capacity will increase from 50 percent to 60 percent. Amusement parks and museums can increase from 25 percent to 60 percent. Theaters and zoos can have up to 60 percent capacity as well.

But the state can revert back to an earlier phase if it “experiences an increasing

trend” in COVID-19 transmission rates and hospitalizations over a 10-day period.

If the numbers hold steady for 28 days in the bridge phase, the state must reach a 50 percent vaccination rate for residents age 16 and over in order to enter Phase 5. Currently, about 28 percent of that population is vaccinated.

The announcement came Thursday as the state’s rolling seven day average case positivity rate hit 2.4 percent, or three-tenths of a percentage point above the all-time low.

As of Wednesday night, there were 1,120 individuals in Illinois hospitalized with COVID-19, including 252 in the ICU and 100 on ventilators. All of those numbers were close to pandemic lows.

“Combining these decreasing trends and cases and hospitalizations and deaths, with increasing vaccinations,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said at the news conference. “That is clearly a recipe for ending this pandemic.

We cannot lose our momentum. To do this, we will continue to wear our masks.”

Masks will continue to be mandatory in the state until the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determine that they are no longer needed, the governor said.

As of Thursday, the state was averaging 99,210 vaccine doses administered daily on a seven-day rolling average. Vaccine information and locations can be found at coronavirus.illinois.gov, and Ezike noted the state has a hotline to make appointments for those without internet access at 833-621-1280.

“Deliveries continue to rise and are expected to increase by millions more this spring,” Pritzker said. “With the increased supply, Illinois is now averaging 100,000 vaccinations a day. That’s about 1 percent of all adults in Illinois getting a shot each day, and I expect that number to continue to grow in the weeks ahead.”

Pritzker said the state received 109,000 doses in its first vaccine shipment in December, while this week the state received more than 800,000 doses.

“Based on current projections we expect that that number will surpass 1 million doses in April,” he said, crediting President Joe Biden’s administration.

Pritzker also said there will be “additional announcements to come” regarding other populations that will be eligible for the vaccine ahead of the April 12 expansion.

Chicago, the governor said, received separate shipments from the state and can make their own determinations as to when eligibility can expand.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

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D91 REOPENING

Parents have questions from page 1 antine an entire class if we have a positive case of COVID,” wrote Cavallo in his letter. Additionally, he said, “Six feet of distance is recommended for staff that have not yet been vaccinated.” According to Cavallo, only about half of the teachers in the district are currently vaccinated.

A group of D91 parents, however, have been pressing Cavallo and the district to answer questions about why the school isn’t opening for longer periods or more days a week.

An open letter to the board of education and to Cavallo, penned by D91 parents Rachelle Ernst, Lindsey Monroe and Jen Gold, thanked the school board, teachers and support staff for hard work and acknowledged the year has been difficult.

“As COVID cases decline, and vaccination rates increase, we feel it is time to relook at options to bring students back to school as soon as possible,” states the letter. “After polling other local area school districts it has come to light that D91 has the lowest hourly weekly rate of in-person learning than most, if not all, surrounding districts, many with much larger student bodies.”

The letter suggests that if D91 remains at the current level/amount of in-person instruction while other districts expand their in-person offerings, other districts “will see improved test scores and academic performance while our district will continue to lag behind.”

“We are asking the board and district leadership to take a critical look at the options available to extend inperson learning for D91,” states the letter in bold.

Some specific questions the parents want answered were addressed in Cavallo’s March 22 letter, such as why the district isn’t spacing kids at three feet, as allowed by the CDC and how many teachers have been vaccinated.

Other questions include the exact metrics or data being used by the district to determine the reopening guidelines and why children aren’t allowed to return five days a week instead of three.

“We believe that the initial roll out of phase 2 has been successful and yielded positive outcomes for our youth both academically and social/emotionally,” states the letter. “We implore the district to reconsider when and how the district can move to phase 3 for in-person learning.”

The letter can be found online at https://tinyurl.com/ bhms8479 and had been signed by over two dozen parents by March 22.

In a March 17 communication from Cavallo regarding the district reopening full time as a solution to the problem of daytime childcare ending at the park district, he said that opening for full day instruction isn’t an option at this point.

Cavallo said the current reopening plan was developed with input from different groups of stakeholders, including parents, the teachers’ association, and the school board. A committee, said Cavallo, comprised of administration, teachers and board members, after surveying parents, makes decisions about the reopening plan and when to move to the next phase.

“I cannot unilaterally decide to reopen without collaborating with the others on the committee,” Cavallo said. “At this point, the committee is not recommending moving to the next phase of the reopening plan.”

He pointed out that in the last three surveys of parents, it was pretty much an even split between parents wanting their kids back in school and those choosing remote-only.

File photo by Alex Rogals

FOND FAREWELL: Massimo and Jessica Luciano, pictured here in February 2020, are moving Creativita from Forest Park to Chicago.

Farewell to Creativita Popular art studio moving out of town

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

COVID-19 did not kill Jessica Luciano’s business, Creativita, which has been located at 7512 Madison St. for the last six and a half years. What it did was force the shop into a new business model which then became an opportunity to expand her business.

Like many of the businesses along Madison Street Luciano closed down her in person operation last winter.

Part of the motivation was that her husband Massimo has family in Florence, Italy and Italy had become something of an epicenter of the pandemic even before it did in the U.S. The news from that Mediterranean country forced them to take the virus seriously and close before most of their neighbors.

“When we first closed,” she said, “we took a couple of weeks to buckle down and make the shift to an online platform with our “art to-go” kits. We shifted towards online events instead of in-person paint parties, and local customers were so supportive.”

Experimenting with shifting to do-

ing business mainly online became one more “necessity is the mother of invention” stories we’ve heard from business owners in Forest Park over the last 12 months.

“Shifting to online,” she said, “allowed us to reach a larger audience and many customers who may never have stumbled upon our studio as they lived in different states. Doing online classes and working with groups from near and far, alongside our new addition of shipping products or delivering locally, we were forced to question how to continue expanding this digital platform while also offering in-studio painting.

“Due to our small studio size, we knew it was not possible to continue with both endeavors, and we decided now was as good of a time as ever to make the change.”

When asked to describe her new studio, Luciano replied, “Oh my! Our new space is amazing!”

It is large, over 2,300 square feet, and is located in a remodeled warehouse located at 5333 W. Lake St. in Chicago and is full of working artist studios. It has a loading dock and elevator which will allow her to order larger quantities without having to unload a pallet onto the sidewalk and offload it from there into the store.

Another benefit from the move is

personal. “I am also so excited,” she said, “about having a space of my own to paint in again. Painting and making art simply for the sake of making art is something I have deeply missed. It is something I never got around to doing since we opened in 2014. Now that I have the space, I am excited to rediscover this.”

Along with the gains which accrue from the move there will be losses. She said that she will miss the “hustle and bustle” along Madison Street and people dropping in to say hi or waving as they drive by.

“Forest Park has been a wonderful place to do business,” said Luciano, “and moving was a tough decision.”

She is not, however, cutting all ties with Forest Park, saying that she hopes to remain present in this community through pop-ups.

“We are forever grateful,” she said, “to have called Forest Park our business home for the past 6 ½ years. While we won’t have a storefront any longer, we look forward to seeing our customers, many of whom have become dear friends, in new spaces and places to make art their afternoon or night out.”

The last day Creativita was open on Madison Street was March 20. Contact info: 312-848-4364, customercare@creativitaco.com, www.creativitaco.com,

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Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

Police honored for peaceful ending to armed standoff Chief cites teamwork, trust and training for positive outcome

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

“It wasn’t because of luck that the situation ended peacefully,” said Police Chief Tom Aftanas on March 16 during a ceremony recognizing officers of the Forest Park Police Department (FPPD) for their performance during a Jan. 14 armed stand-off.

The standoff between police and a man inside an apartment on the corner of Marengo Avenue and Harvard Street lasted over two hours.

“It was the longest two hours of my life,” Aftanas said. But he said he was proud that the police on the scene “worked as a team, trusted in each other, and relied on their training to end the situation peacefully.”

“It made me extremely proud, as your chief, and you should be proud of yourselves,” Aftanas said, addressing the officers gathered in the room.

Sergeant Nick Defors and Officer Benito Marti were presented with the Award of Valor, which is granted “for an act of outstanding bravery or heroism by which a member has demonstrated in great degree the characteristics of selflessness, per-

AWARD OF VALOR: Officer Benito Marti (left) and Sergeant Nick Defors (center) were given the Award of Valor by Police Chief Tom Aftanas during a ceremony on March 16. sonal courage and devotion to duty,” said Aftanas.

Defors was involved in speaking directly to the armed subject for over two hours via a bullhorn, often with the subject’s gun pointed directly at him. He was “calm as can be,” said Aftanas.

Marti was on watch, armed with a rifle for two hours straight.

Other members of the FPPD received an Award of Merit for their handling of the situation, including Deputy Chief of Police Ken Gross, Lieutenant Chris Chin, Detectives Jarlath Heveran and Michael O’Connor, and officers Brendan Reilly, Lauren Battistoni, Tom Cannon and Mohammad Awad.

Village Administrator Tim Gillian also received an Award of Merit. He was on the scene of the stand-off as well, speaking with a family member of the armed subject, at times with the subject’s gun pointed directly at him.

AWARD OF MERIT: Officer Lauren Battistoni (left) received the Award of Merit from Police Chief Tom Aftanas during a ceremony on March 16.

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VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR AWARDED: Village Administrator Tim Gillian (left) received an Award of Merit during a ceremony on March 16.

Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

Tinted windows stop leads to arrest on murder warrant

On March 17 at 4:48 p.m., officers observed a vehicle on the 7600 block of Madison Street with windows tinted in obvious violation of the law.

Officers curbed the vehicle and spoke with the front seat passenger, who said the vehicle was hers, and that her vehicle has “limousine tints,” which refer to window film that blocks 90 percent of visible light.

Using the “Tint Meter Enforcer II Model 1000,” officers checked the tint levels and found a reading of 00, which means that the window film allows 0 percent visible light transmission, according to the police report.

The driver of the vehicle had an active arrest warrant out of Maywood for homicide with a gun. He was placed into custody. The passenger, who owns the car, was issued a citation for the improper window tinting.

Car thief apprehended On March 15 around 7:24 a.m., police ob-

served a car drive past, the driver not wearing a seatbelt. The officer attempted to curb the vehicle on the 7600 block of Madison Street, but the car fled away at a high rate of speed, according to the police report. The vehicle struck the curb at Circle Avenue and Madison Street, causing damage to the front passenger side tire, before continuing on.

Police followed and discovered the car abandoned and the driver gone.

A witness said the driver had fled eastbound toward Oak Park Hospital, and officers learned that the car had been reported stolen from a gas station in Bellwood.

Officers proceeded to the hospital, where they observed the driver in the vestibule. He denied doing anything wrong, according to the report, and provided a fictitious name to the officers. He was placed into custody and taken to the station. Video from the Bellwood gas station confirmed the man was the same one who’d stolen the car.

Engage Christian Church invites you to a

FAMILY DRIVE-IN MOVIE NIGHT featuring Disney’s Newest version of Footprints found on damaged car The owner of a car parked in Municipal Lot #6 at 7325 Madison Street reported damage to his vehicle on March 15 at 9:24 a.m.

He’d left the vehicle parked there since March 12, and when he returned to it he discovered the roof of the vehicle was caved in and there were footprints on the trunk.

CTA train cars defaced Two CTA trains were defaced with graffiti, which was discovered on March 15 at 3:30 a.m. by a CTA employee.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, March 15-21, 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 Maria Maxham

25-year-old man killed in shooting near Green Line station ‘Incident does not appear to be random,’ say police

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

A 25-year-old man identified as Israel Mendez of Maywood was killed in a shooting near Harlem Avenue and Circle Avenue on March 20.

Police responded to the location for a report of shots fired, according to a press release from the Forest Park Police Department (FPPD).

Once there, they discovered that an oc-

cupant of a vehicle parked outside the CTA Green Line station at Harlem Avenue and Circle Avenue had suffered a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to Loyola Hospital and pronounced dead.

FPPD’s Criminal Investigations Division is investigating, assisted by the West Suburban Major Crimes Task Force.

“At this time this incident does not appear to be random and there is no reason to believe there is an imminent threat to the community,” states a press release from the FPPD. Anyone with information that might help with the investigation is asked to contact the FPPD at 708-366-2425 or detectives@forestpark.net.

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March 27, 2021 at 7pm Broadview Missionary Baptist Church 2100 S. 25th Ave, Broadview, IL

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Text “RSVPMOVIE” to 708-435-2214

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708-405-9695 • engagecc.org

8

Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

VACCINATION SITE

FIGHTING THE VIRUS: Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch spoke during the press conference for the opening of the Forest Park vaccine site on March 22.

Opening Friday from page 1

er state and local leaders, including Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins, spoke at a press conference Monday morning in Forest Park at the new vaccination site.

“Starting Friday, this location which will be able to administer up to 1,000 doses per day at launch, and then over 2,000 soon after, and it will serve as yet another mass vaccination site open to all eligible residents, no matter their zip code, with ample parking and close proximity to communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Pritzker said during the press conference.

“This site will play a critical role in our continued efforts to vaccinate our most vulnerable residents, such as those with preexisting conditions.”

Pritzker said the state is putting “laser focus on equity and accessibility, prioritizing locations and communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. With this location in Forest Park, we have now strategically established three of our largest mass vaccination sites open to all eligible Illinoisians at Tinley Park in the southwest, this location in the western suburbs and Desplaines in the northwest.”

Giving a special shout-out to Welch, Pritzker called him a “critical partner in advocating for this location.”

Welch talked about the impact COVID-19 has had on families over the past year, separating people from family and friends,

Alex Rogals, Staff Photographe

causing loss of jobs and affecting children’s education.

“And we know that, unfortunately, the compounded disparities across our healthcare system have meant Black and Brown communities have borne the brunt of this,” Welch said. “But despite the struggles, we are on the verge of putting this virus in check.”

“We are excited to do our part in the effort to crush this virus,” Hoskins said during

the press conference.

The site, which opens on Friday, will have private armed security around the clock.

Forest Park will provide a firefighter during hours of operation to ensure communications for emergency medical aid can be made promptly. Forest Park police will provide extra security. Although the village will pay for these personnel to staff and monitor the vaccine site, Hoskins said “county officials have strongly suggested

that the village will be reimbursed for the cost.”

Village Administrator Tim Gillian said the site will be a convenient location for Forest Park residents to get vaccinated.

Appointments will be required; no walkups will be permitted. It is uncertain at this time which manufacturer’s vaccine will be administered at this site.

Appointments can be made at vaccine. cookcountyil.gov or by calling 833-308-1988.

Economic daffodils poke through COVID snow Local business authorities talk about the current situation

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

David King is excited about the economic future of Forest Park. As both a commercial real estate broker and an over 30-year resident of Forest Park, he is seeing signs that the business sector in town is heating up as the weather warms.

The closing of the Chipotle deal and the signing of the Play it Again Sports lease were, of course, two huge economic coups, but King insists it’s more than that.

“Our activity level since the first of the year,” he said, “has dramatically increased, whether it’s phone calls or internet referrals. The whole world has been on hold for the past year, and now we are clearly back in business.”

King said his enthusiasm comes partly from the fact that activity in his field is often a harbinger of things to come.

“My industry,” he said, “tends to be 4-6 months ahead of the real economy. We are a leading economic indicator.”

April Baker, a residential realtor with the Gillian-Baker Team, sees the same signs in the housing market, which has become a seller’s market.

“Last year at this time, we had 29 detached single-family homes on the market, and 27 attached (condo/townhomes),” said Baker.

“This year, we are suffering from a lack of inventory. We only have a quarter of the number of single-family detached homes and half the number of attached homes for sale as we did at this time last year. Meanwhile, we have buyers actively searching for homes in our neighborhood.”

Laurie Kokenes, executive director of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce, added, “People are beginning to feel comfortable venturing out again, and that has to be good for business.”

“What excites me most,” she said, “is the renewed desire to support local businesses.

Consumers are shifting dollars from big-box stores to local small businesses, and more shoppers are going out of their way to do so.”

Likewise, Steve Glinke, director of Building Planning & Zoning, said, “Recent developments are encouraging, and the village development group is pleased that these and other projects are getting done despite current conditions.”

King added that Chipotle and Play it Again are more important than they might seem at first glance.

“When I’m trying to recruit new businesses to Forest Park,” he said, “I need to be able to drop some names people recognize like Starbucks and Chipotle, which make people who don’t personally know Forest Park think, ‘If businesses like those are committed to locating in the town, it must be a good town to do business in.’”

That is what initially attracts them to check the village out, he said, and once they get here, they see the diversity of independently-owned restaurants and shops that give the town its character.

What King is observing in the business community is that belief in the future is growing. It’s obviously been an extremely challenging year. Madison Street lost businesses like Healy’s, Francesca’s and Bertu-

ca Salon, but now business owners are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

“In order for a business, whether it be big or small, to invest time and money in a location,” King said, “they have to believe in the future. In the last 90 days, I’ve seen an increasing belief that we’re going to get out of this downturn. Fear is gone from their voices. Now the question is the right location at the right price.”

The reason people say there is light at the end of the tunnel but not quite here yet is that there seems to be a kind of domino effect that follows from a business like Play it Again locating on Madison Street. Erich Krumrei signed on March 5. Then a lender and architect will need to be found. Then a contractor to do the remodel and after that he has to acquire inventory.

It might be June before Krumrei has hired a staff. The net effect, King noted, is a process in which one step leads to another and jobs are created.

“Forest Park is well positioned as a community to take advantage of the increased activity of businesses looking to open up,” he said.

Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

‘It’s vehicle sticker season’ Residents must display sticker by April 1

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

Vehicle stickers must be purchased and displayed on resident vehicles by April 1.

During the March 8 village council meeting, Commissioner Dan Novak reminded residents to get their stickers.

“It’s vehicle sticker season,” said Novak.

“All those listening out there, it’s that time to purchase your vehicle sticker.”

Not only are stickers required, but residents purchasing them helps the village’s revenue, Novak said.

“We definitely were down tremendous amounts of revenue in comparison to previous historical data,” Novak said, adding that vehicle stickers and their enforcement are a “definite revenue” source for the village.

Stickers are $35 per vehicle and can be purchased in person at village hall, 517 Desplaines Ave., or online at forestpark.net.

Holy Week Virtual Worship

Palm Sunday

March 28, 9:00a

Good Friday Stations of the Cross April 2, 7:00p

Easter Celebration April 4, 9:00a

Photo by Maria Maxham

‘TIS THE SEASON: Residents must purchase and display vehicle stickers by April 1.

Forest Park expected to receive $1.69M through American Rescue Plan Once exact dollar amount determined, village will discuss details

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

The village of Forest Park will be receiving approximately $1.69M through the federal American Rescue Plan (ARP), according to Mayor Rory Hoskins.

The COVID relief bill, signed by President Joe Biden earlier this month, is a $1.9 trillion plan will provide COVID-19 related relief to municipalities and, separately, to school districts, transportation providers, and COVID-19 testing and vaccination ef-

forts as well as direct checks to Americans and small businesses.

In municipalities such as Forest Park, COVID relief funds can be spent on eligible costs and include, generally: ■ Assistance to households, small businesses, nonprofits or industries impacted economically by COVID-19, ■ Support to essential workers, ■ Covering municipal revenue loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and ■ Making necessary infrastructure improvements, including water and sewer.

The criteria for using funds are fairly vague, though further instruction from the Department of the Treasury is possible.

In Forest Park, said Village Administrator Tim Gillian, “Once we are sure of the funding we will begin to work through the details.”

Join us on Facebook or YouTube. More at: goodshepherdlc.org

Holy Week at Pilgrim Good Friday, April 2 Indoor Stations of the Cross 10:00am–7:00pm web pre-registration required Online service 7:00 pm

Easter Sunday, April 4 Oak Park, IL | 708-848-4741 Online worship 10:00 am Easter egg hunt on the lawn 11:30 am

www.pilgrimoakpark.org

Holy Week Virtual Worship

Palm Sunday

March 28, 9:00a

Good Friday Stations of the Cross April 2, 7:00p

Easter Celebration April 4, 9:00a

Oak Park, IL | 708-848-4741

Join us on Facebook or YouTube.

More at: goodshepherdlc.org

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Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

Bold renovations bring Brown Cow back to life In house creamery set to excite local ice cream lovers

By MELISSA ELSMO Food Editor

“I am just so excited to serve ice cream again,” said Connie Brown, owner of The Brown Cow, 7347 Madison St. “And I am so excited to see actual customers again.”

After a six-month closure, the beloved ice cream parlor, known for churning up nostalgia with every scoop, is set to re-open after the completion of renovations supported

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

CREATIVE IN THE CREAMERY: Connie Brown, who is bringing an in-house creamery to her ice cream shop on Madison Street, is eager to introduce new flavors, like marzipan-cherry and salted pretzel.

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by the community. A staged re-opening will start with the bakery opening next week followed by a grand re-opening on April 17. The celebration will reveal The Brown Cow’s new in-house creamery and reinstate ice cream service.

After COVID-related supply chain interruptions forced Brown to close her shop last August the community rallied around her to raise $62,000 to assist in the construction of an in-house creamery. Though the project went $80,000 over budget the community donations helped Brown purchase both the blast freezer and batch freezer essential to producing ice cream on site.

“Thankfully, I had savings I could put into the project,” said Brown. “We wanted to do it right and I really look forward to everyone in the community experiencing what they made happen. I am so grateful for their generosity and support.”

Though the “behemoth project” yielded new floors, remodeled bathrooms, and even reimagined mop closets, the shiny new creamery is the most exciting aspect of the new and improved Brown Cow. A big view window will allow guests, young and old, to witness the ice cream making process while moving the counter will help service in the shop become more efficient.

The property improvements also generated five new jobs within the combination soda fountain, boutique bakery and creamery. In addition to welcoming back the entire team of 23 employees who have worked at the shop over the last two summers, Brown will now employee a manufacturing

manager, two creamery assistants, a bakery assistant, and an office manager. The Brown Cow is currently hiring.

The shop’s menu has been streamlined to offer 16 house-made ice cream flavors daily.

Brown Cow’s beloved peanut butter-chocolate and cookies and cream flavors will be available daily along with traditional chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Novelty flavors will rotate on and off the menu.

“I can introduce new flavors more frequently because we can make smaller batches on-site,” said Brown. “We are focused on using locally sourced ingredients.”

Brown is eager to get creative in the creamery and is considering adding flavors like marzipan-cherry, pina colada, and salted pretzel to her ice cream arsenal. Visions for a “crunch cream” would make use of French creams from La Maison de Bonbon, at 7353 Madison St. Some final flavor decisions will come as result of the interactive New Flavor Madness contest being hosted on the shop’s Facebook page during March.

“We anticipated reopening in January,” said Brown. “This creamery has been six months in the making and I know how patient everyone has been.”

When the shop opens ice cream sundaes, malts and sodas will be offered in the shop for carryout only and single scoops will be offered through the diminutive walk-up window. The Brown Cow is offering VIP memberships to give loyal customers early access to new flavors and yearlong discounts.

Brown Cow will be accepting cake orders in time for Easter.

Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

D209 students receive STEM awards Outstanding work in science, technology, engineering and math recognized

By MARIA MAXHAM

Proviso Math and Science Awardees Jayla Singleton, Marilyn Sanchez, Yamileth Patino, Elena Montalvo, Josephine Kryczka, Eunice Ho, Wendy Gomora, Yirenny Cordero, Sherlyn Cebro, Elyssa Barba, Delijha Arias, Malik Wells, Brandon Rogers, Brandon Metcalf, Milo Gittings, Schandy Lambero, Franz Cabillo

Editor

Earlier this month, 60 Proviso High School District 209 students were recognized for outstanding achievement in science, technology, engineering and math and received STEM awards.

Math and science teachers nominated students who have shown high achievement in the STEM subjects. The names of nominated students were then submitted to the Society of Women Engineers and the American Association of Physic Teachers for recognition.

This year’s D209 awardees are:

O PE N IN G

SP RI N G

20 21

Proviso East Awardees Genessis Zaragoza, Angelina Paliferro, Amber Jimenez, Madisen Haynes, Jocelyn Arroyo, Juan Perez, Erika Favela, Dion Beene, Yahiry Trujillo, Katia Rojas-V., Demetria Ramsey, Saffron Hurt, Selena Cruz, Kimberly Alvarado, Jose Ocegueda - Z., Noe Carmona

Proviso West Awardees Mia Taylor, Alexsandria Sanchez, Guadalupe Rosas, Alejandra Rios, Gisselle Ramos, Tania Puentas, Briana Pop, Jacqueline Moreno, Jazmin Mendoza, Isabella Mauricio, Jacqueline Lizama, Amari Jackson, Brenda Guerrero, Andrea Guerrero Mia Garibay, Yanali Garcia, Serenity Duckins, Leilani Candelaria, Kennedy Bolden, Alejandra Banuelos-R., Jennifer Ayala, Ivan Trejo, Edgar Madrid, Terrance Holmes, Adrian Hernandez, Mia Villanueva, Guadalupe Zuno

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Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

Learn about Jane Goodall at the Trailside Museum

March 24 – 31

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave. in River Forest, is hosting a story trail featuring the life and work of Jane Goodall. The program runs through March 27, and after walking the story trail, participants are invited to pick up a bag with related crafts and activities from the museum. All participants are required to wear masks and practice physical distancing. Contact 708-366-6530 or https://fpdcc.com/event/childrens-story-trail-the-watcher/ to learn more about this free program.

BIG WEEK The Park District of Forest Park is hosting Easter egg hunts for kids up to age 14. On Friday, March 26 at 8 p.m., children aged 9 through 14 are invited to a flashlight egg hunt at the park district, 7501 Harrison St. On Saturday, March 27, children up to 9 years old are invited to egg hunts at 10 a.m. and at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit https://www.pdofp.org

Jeekc

Easter Egg Hunts at the Park District

Reading Awake Book Group Discusses “Luster” Join the Reading Awake Book Group of the Forest Park Public Library on March 31 from 7 to 8 p.m. for a virtual discussion of the book “Luster” by Raven Leilani. Contact Sky at slavin@fppl. org to register. The group will meet over Zoom and you will receive a link to participate by email one day prior to the event.

Sidewalk Obstacle Course On March 28 from 1 to 4 p.m., join the Forest Park Public Library for an outdoor obstacle course. Follow instructions and arrows on the sidewalk around the block. No registration is necessary, and families are invited to share photos to ys@ fppl.org. For more information, visit fppl.org/events.

Free COVID-19 Testing Free COVID-19 testing is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Forest Park’s village hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. See forestpark.net for more information.

Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

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D209 board member walks back statement regarding supt. audit Wagner said he forgot he’d received copy during board retreat

By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

On March 17, Ned Wagner, Proviso Township High School District 209 board member, reached out to the Review to correct an inadvertent untruth he had told the paper. He was quoted in a March 16 article as saying that he didn’t receive a copy of Superintendent James Henderson’s audit report on Jan. 30, though Henderson said he had provided it to all board members on that date.

Wagner said Henderson reached out to him after reading his original statement saying he had not received the audit, and when Wagner went through the board retreat materials once again, he found the audit report.

“I am terribly embarrassed and appalled, actually, over my misunderstanding of Dr. Henderson’s presentation of his introductory audit,” wrote Wagner to the Review. “In our conversation I stated that I did not recall receiving the audit report.”

“It suddenly hit me that the report WAS included in the retreat packet,” Wagner said in his email. “Dr. Henderson did not go through the report page by page but instead addressed the sections in separate presentations throughout the day.

That’s why I said that most NED WAGNER of the information was presented to the board at the retreat. Why I didn’t directly connect those presentations to the audit report, I do not know.”

Wagner added: “I feel I have egregiously misrepresented Dr. Henderson in my answer to your question and inadvertently added to the cloud of suspicion that has enveloped him ever since he came to Proviso. Frankly, I feel horrible about it.”

Wagner also included photos of the board retreat packet showing the audit report contained within it and submitted a letter to the editor.

WAGNER’S LETTER TO THE EDITOR I want to publicly apologize for my misunderstanding of the presentation of the introductory audit report given to the board during our retreat on Jan. 30, 2021. It was pointed out to the board that the report was in the very first tab of the retreat binder and then discussion proceeded explaining the findings in subsequent presentations over the course of the day. During these presentations the board wasn’t explicitly reminded that we were going over the various sections of the report, probably assuming that we, as intelligent and seasoned board members would make that connection on our own. Why did I not make that connection? Who knows? And under normal circumstances, I would imagine...who would care.

But ever since even before Dr. Henderson was hired he has been subject to a relentless attack on his character. It is not my modus operandi to engage in public discourse about board business, but now that I inadvertently added to the cloud of suspicion that has been cast over his very brief tenure I feel that it is my duty to speak out.

It was well into the evening of the final interviews of our superintendent search (a search that I chaired and that was in its second iteration, we having decided as a board that the first round of candidates was not strong enough) that the board tallied the scores of the two finalists. Dr. Henderson came out on top. It was close because the other finalist was also a tremendous candidate, but all 7 board members agreed that we should contact him immediately to begin contract negotiations. That meeting ended at around 9:30 p.m. By 11:00 p.m. my phone was ringing. It was our superintendent search representative calling me to say that Ms. (Claudia) Medina called her insisting that the search process had been compromised; that the offer needed to be taken off the table and

g n a H e r e h t n i k r a P t s e For

the search started over from scratch.

What happened in that intervening 90 minutes? (less than that because Ms. Medina had been on the phone for quite a while with our search rep before I was notified.) What happened in those few minutes well after business hours? What information could have possibly been unearthed in those few minutes that had not already been presented to us?

And why would Ms. Medina suddenly pivot on the superintendent candidate at such an hour just moments after hugging our search rep thanking her for bringing Dr. Henderson to our attention and guiding us through an intense and passionate search process?

I have kept quiet because that is my nature.

I do not believe that arguing in public, outside the context of the board meeting, is good or productive governance behavior. However, the regret I feel over having contributed to the negativity surrounding Dr. Henderson compels me to speak out on his behalf. During these 8 months Dr. Henderson has demonstrated that he will implement the will of the board, picking up right where our previous superintendent left off. The facility master plan is moving forward ahead of schedule; the 5-year financial plan is intact; administrative costs are being reduced and the funds reallocated towards instruction; very difficult decisions are being made that are designed to bring a more equitable educational environment for all students at all three schools.

Is Dr. Henderson perfect? Of course not. Is he human? Very much so. Is he an expert at traversing the treacherous waters of the local politics, passionate parents and skeptical educational advocates of Proviso Township? Not yet. But let’s give this man a chance.

Ned Wagner Member Proviso Township High Schools District 209 Board of Education

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Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

OPINION O U R

S

V I E W

Together and apart

o let’s review the problems looking for a solution.

Chicago’s Catholic archdiocese has an aging and therefore dwindling number of priests. (It is also committed to not allowing women to become priests or, generally, to allow priests to marry.) Attendance at Sunday Mass is also slumping as younger people start leaving the church soon after confirmation. Financial support drops along with church attendance. Catholic school enrollment has long diminished though has picked up a few converts by staying open during the COVID pandemic. It operates large, ornate and perpetually aging church buildings, including some on campuses with vacant schools, convents and underused rectories.

Hence the multi-year Renew My Church initiative instituted by Cardinal Blase Cupich. The process is intended to merge parishes to bring the supply of priests into balance with the number of churches. It should also lower costs by decommissioning old church buildings and potentially selling property off for new uses or development.

That makes the recent decision by the archdiocese to merge St. Luke Parish in River Forest with St. Bernardine Parish in Forest Park somewhat baffling. Yes, the announcement that Rev. Stan Kuca, longtime pastor at St. Bernardine’s, will now oversee both parishes and that Rev. John Szmyd, St. Luke pastor, will be reassigned does free up one priest. But keeping both churches open and active would seem to maintain costly maintenance and operations of the two campuses while also allowing parishioners who inevitably love their worship homes to stay in their church silos. And that makes unifying the two parishes into one seem unlikely.

The 2021 announcement comes with the promise that in 2024 the whole One Parish- Two Churches model will be reassessed. That may be when the real — and likely inevitable — pain will be felt.

The two campuses will soon be united under one new name. The shared pastor will appoint a blended parish council. There could be a fascinating sociological study done over these next years as parishes with little shared history and quite varied demographics seek unity. History would traditionally connect St. B’s with Oak Park’s south end Ascension more readily than St. Luke.

We wish these two congregations grace as they seek common ground in faith. We hope there is shared growth to be found and not merely a gradual slippage of two proud parishes.

HOBO’s shot in the arm From Venture to Kmart to HOBO, the big box at the end the Forest Park Mall has always offered practical goods and a little aspiration.

Starting Friday the vacant store will offer life-saving vaccines when it opens as a massive — 1,000 shots a day to start — COVID vaccination site. It will be operated by an array of government bodies, including the state and Cook County government. The Illinois National Guard will administer the program.

Forest Parkers do not get precedence for shots but they have an equal shot and great convenience. This is the moment.

Y

How the sausage is made

ou’ve heard the aphorism, “You don’t want to know how the sausage is made.”

Many years ago when I lived in Madison, Wisconsin, some of my friends worked at Oscar Mayer — you know, bologna, wieners. In other words, sausage, and they used to joke that the ingredients in the sausage were the three Ts — tongue, t*ts and tails.

Is ignorance bliss? I didn’t stop eating hot dogs, but no longer with as much enthusiasm as before I knew how they were made.

After I received my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, they gave me an information sheet which included a list of the ingredients.

Hydroxybutl azanediyl, hexane-6, hexylecanote, plyethylene glycol N-ditetradecylacetamide, Distearoyl-sn-glycero 3, phosphocholine, postassium chloride, monobasic potassium phosphate, sodium chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, and sucrose? I was glad I got the shot before I knew how that sausage was made.

Twenty years ago I switched from butter to margarine, because dairy products raise your cholesterol levels. That is, until a friend told me to read the list of ingredients in very small print on the back of the package which included: distilled monoglycerides, lecithin, potassium sorbate, calcium disodium and artificial flavors.

I switched again. This time to Irish butter made from milk from grass-fed cows.

I used to automatically take the side of the police when charges of police brutality were made. Chief Aftanas had always been transparent and responsive when I would ask for an interview. But the phone videos of the George Floyd tragedy revealed that the sausage isn’t made the same way in every police department.

The latest survey I read revealed that only 19% of those polled said they trusted the federal government.

I become more and more disillusioned the more I see how that sausage is put together.

Here’s the conclusion I’ve come up with: It’s not the ingredients that make a sausage great. It’s how the butcher who puts them together in just the right proportions and with just the right added spices.

I grew up in northeastern Wisconsin where we took great summer sausage and wonderful bratwurst for granted. Those German butchers knew what they were doing.

Three decades ago, my son played sax in the Forest Park Middle School jazz band. That group of early adolescents was not high on talent, but Mr. Weinstein, the middle school band director, knew how to pick music that fit their abilities and get the most of the ability each kid had, and the end result was pretty good. Not ready for prime time, but I did find myself tapping my toes.

I admire coaches who take a mediocre bunch of players and mold them into a team that finishes in fourth place in the standings. What we call soul food — chitlins, collard greens, beans, pigs feet, corn bread — is in most cases made from the cheapest of ingredi-

ents, which in the hands of millions of Black women over centuries has been transformed into comfort food. There’s nothing so divine as ribs right out of the smoker. We even say that the food has “soul.”

If we compare political leaders to chefs, what we should pray for are not leaders who create the perfect gourmet meal every time, but women and men of character who work the magic of combining the sometimes cheapest ingredients, mixing them together in the right proportions, adding just the right spices and knowing how long to keep them in the oven.

I’m not sure what to make of the fact that all of the races next month for board members in District 91 and District 209 only have one person running for each seat. Maybe it’s because Forest Parkers are satisfied with the performance in the districts. Maybe it’s because not many of us care enough to run.

Here’s where D91 stands in terms of the Illinois Assessment of Readiness:

TOM HOLMES

Did not meet Partially met Approached Met Exceeded

D91 15% 22% 29% 29% 5%

State 16% 29% 26% 32% 6%

The data seem to suggest that students who come out of D91 are pretty much average when it comes to how they perform academically. If academic achievement of our students is measured by scores on tests, that’s one piece of data that’s relevant to assessing how well our schools are doing.

Other ingredients, if you will, include the quality of the schools from which our students came, poverty, family stability, and, of course, the competence of the men and women who teach in our schools.

I taught school for three years, was the pastor of a church in town for 25 and now I’m the president of a condominium association. Going back to the sausage metaphor, in each case the students, parishioners and condo owners I have tried to lead reflected the whole range of the population — psychologically, economically, racially, regarding IQ, spiritually, in terms of family functionality, etc., etc.

I was no Mr. Chips, I was no Billy Graham, and I’m not transforming the 51 owners in my building into a beloved community. If you watch how I tried to make the sausage, in each case you would see a messy process. Sometimes I’d be proud of the results. Sometimes not.

That’s the challenge of the sausage maker. That’s the challenge of Emmanuel Chris Welch and Fr. Kuca and Rob McAdam, the new president of the Chamber of Commerce.

I would tell seminary students who came to do their field work with me, “If you want to become disillusioned with the church, become a pastor.”

I would add that though the process is messy, “Sometimes what you experience will feel for a moment or two like heaven on earth.”

Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

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Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

The Year that Wasn’t:

Young Adults and the Pandemic Thursday, April 8, 2021 7:30-8:30 pm CDT

Guest speaker Elizabeth Earnshaw, LMFT, CGT The pandemic has changed life for all of us, no matter our age. The losses of one group - young adults in their late 20s to early 40s - have largely gone unnoticed in the media. Milestones that before provided meaning, such as dating, starting a family, and taking on a new career opportunity, have all been put on hold. Their sense of loss is real and depression a too frequent outcome.

This Thrive Talk will focus on young adults. We’ll discuss how to honor grief without guilt, cope in real time and create meaning, even during this challenging time.

Together, we will explore how to rebuild a sense of hope and look toward the future.

Please use the link below to join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/92648044564 Elizabeth Earnshaw, LMFT, CGT founded A Better Life Therapy in Philadelphia in 2013. She earned her Master’s in Marriage and Couples Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University and her Bachelor’s in Organizational Development from Temple University. In her practice, she focuses on primarily on relationships on the individual, couple, and workplace levels.

HOPE

RESILIENCE

R EC OV E RY

120 South Marion Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 383-7500 www.thrivecc.org

When life throws you a financial challenge, you’ve proven you have When life throws you a financial challenge, you’ve proven you have what it takes to ace it. Now it’s time to tackle your retirement savings at AceYourRetirement.org what it takes to ace it. Now it’s time to tackle your retirement savings at AceYourRetirement.org

Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021 New local ads this week

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HELP WANTED

CUSTOMER SERVICE & EQUIPMENT SUPPORT PART TIME

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

SERVER WANTED

Manufacturer of commercial food service equipment in McCook seeks an experienced customer service professional with a mechanical, gas & electrical technical support background.

Please email resume to: marketing@keatingofchicago.com

The Riverside Department of Public Works is seeking energetic and motivated applicants who enjoy working outdoors. This is a parttime, seasonal position lasting from approximately April-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, general facilities maintenance, flushing hydrants, reading meters, assisting full-time employees, and other duties as assigned.

PART TIME TUTOR POSITION Flexible hours, afternoons and evenings. Monday through Thursday and possibly Saturday. Preferred background in math. Background check required.

708-447-8200 Or skillstutoringcenter@gmail.com Village of Brookfield

UTILITY BILLING CLERK

Career Opportunity:

The Village of Brookfield’s Finance Department is seeking qualified applicants for the full-time position of Utility Billing Clerk. Under the direction of the Accounting Manager, this position is responsible for the preparation and processing of monthly utility bills for the Village.

General Responsibilities:

Some of the essential responsibilities include ensuring accurate and timely utility billing; working with a third-party billing processor; collection and maintenance of residential and commercial accounts; and working closely and professionally with Village residents.

A more detailed job description can be found at https://brookfieldil.gov/ careers/.

Qualifications:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent, a valid driver’s license, a minimum of three years of general office experience, proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite, specifically Excel, and exemplary customer service skills are required. Two years of previous experience in utility billing, accounting or related activities and experience utilizing enterprise systems in a municipal setting are preferred.

An offer for this position is contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of a criminal background check and a drug screen with results acceptable to the Village.

Salary and Benefits:

The minimum of the hiring range for this position is $48,445.60 ($23.29 per hour) and includes insurance, participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) and all Village benefits available to full-time non-bargaining employees.

How to apply:

All interested applicants should submit a cover letter, current resume, and completed job application to the Human Resources office at the Village of Brookfield via email by the end of the day on Friday March 26th to sdumanovic@brookfieldil. gov. Career posting to remain open until filled.

URGENT HIRE: The Village would like to have someone start in this position by April 12th

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 $15/hr.

The Village of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Village of Brookfield

Department of Public Works Position Available Seasonal Public Works Employment May - September

Applications are now being accepted from qualified individuals for seasonal public works employment.

Employment period will be from May through September. The position requires physical labor and will be in the Streets, Forestry, Water, Sewer, and Public Buildings Divisions.

Work hours are 7:00 am to 4:00 pm five days per week, with one weekend day required as part of the five day work schedule. Starting pay rate is $11.00 per hour.

Applicants must be 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license.

Candidates must be self-motivated and possess strong communication skills. Selected candidates will be required to pass a post-offer criminal background check, driver abstract record search, physical and drug screen with results acceptable to the Village.

Interested applicants should submit a completed employment application to the Human Resources office.

Email submissions are preferred: sdumanovic@brookfieldil.gov. You may drop off or mail your completed job application to Human Resources office, Village of Brookfield, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield IL 60513 Fillable job applications may be found online at https://brookfieldil. gov/careers/.

The Village of Brookfield is an Equal Opportunity Employer

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION FOREST PARK HIGHLY VISIBLE OFFICE/STORE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE 1350 SF w/ AC & HIGHLY VISIBLE MADISON STREET EXPOSURE. 7607 Madison Street. Village parking lot next door. Bright, clean office.

Great Madison Street exposure!

Call Francis 708-383-8574.

PAPASPIROS RESTAURANT 708-358-1700

SUBURBAN RENTALS

ITEMS FOR SALE

STUDIO APARTMENTS BROADVIEW Studio apartments for rent. $600/mo and up, all utilities incl. $25 credit application fee.

9200 W. Cermak Broadview 708-715-7292

ANTIQUE HALL TREE Antique American Hall Tree, solid oak. Excellent condition. 29”w x 78”h x 11”d, with covered shelf and mirror. $159.00.

708-488-8755

OAK PARK: ROOSEVELT/ OAK PARK AVE. CORRIDOR 2BR 4RMS close to blue line. On site laundry, parking, heat & water incl. $1200/ month 708-383-9223

MUSIC Music: piano scores, concertos, piano trios, flute music violin music.

Variety of composers. $3.00 each.

708-488-8755 TYPEWRITER TABLE Metal with light grain wood finish top. 2 drop leaf sides each 8”d. 26”h x 16”w x 16”d. $29.00.

708-488-8755

OFFICE & RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft.

OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011

CEMETERY LOT WOODLAWN CEMETERY LOT 1 lot for sale. Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

CALL 727-688-7209 Lost & Found, Items for Sale, and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified.

To place your ad, call 708-613-3342

SUBURBAN RENTALS

SUBURBAN RENTALS

STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR Best Selection & Service

OAK PARK & FOREST PARK

708-386-7355

MMpropMgmt.com

Apartment listings updated daily at:

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue.

Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.

CEMENT

CEMENT

MAGANA

C O N C R E T E C O N S T RU C T I O N “QUALITY IS OUR FOUNDATION” ESTABLISHED IN 1987

COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL

708.442.7720 '5,9(:$<6 )281'$7,216 3$7,26 67(36 &85% *877(56 6,'(:$/.6 612: 3/2:,1* 67$03(' &2/25(' $**5(*$7( &21&5(7( FREE ESTIMATES LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

ELECTRICAL

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors • Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added • New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est.

708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area

• Electric • Heating • Air Conditioning

John Giatras Licensed, EPA Certified

Phone: 708-556-5540 Email: adinstubc@yahoo.com Reasonable Pricing!

WANTED TO BUY

HANDYMAN

WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

Mike’s Home Repair

FLOORS

708-296-2060

KLIS FLOORING INC.

New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured.

Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do

Attention! Homeimprovement pros!

Reach the people making decisions–your target market.

Advertise in Wednesday Classified. Call 708/613-3342

HANDYMAN CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

HANDYMAN Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates

773-637-0692 Ask for John

HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery.

708-848-9404

HEATING/ AIR CONDITIONING HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

LANDSCAPING BRUCE LAWN SERVICE Spring Clean-Up Aerating, Slit Seeding Bush Trimming, Lawn Maintenance brucelawns.com

708-243-0571

18

Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

PAINTING & DECORATING

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF COOK VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE

PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice is hereby given that the Board of Education of Riverside School District 96 in Riverside, Illinois will receive sealed bids for:

PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice is hereby given that the Board of Education of Riverside School District 96 in Riverside, Illinois will receive sealed bids for:

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF VIRTUAL NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING

Notice Of A Public Hearing

By The Joint Plan Commission/ Zoning Board Of Appeals Of The Village Of North Riverside

Central Elementary Hauser Middle School Sprinkler Replacement Project

Hollywood Elementary Addition and Playground Project

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: Y21006185 on March 5, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of TWISTED SOU’LS CATERING with the business located at:139 HARRISON ST APT 2N, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ANTHONY BOWMAN 139 HARRISON ST APT 2N, OAK PARK, IL 60304, USA

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME

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: Y21006062 on February 24, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of FIRST FINANCIAL PLUS with the business located at: 4232 EDGEWATER AVENUE, HILLSIDE, IL 60162. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: STEEVE KIDD 4232 EDGEWATER AVENUE, HILLSIDE, IL 60162

Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years

Published in Forest Park Review 3/10, 3/17, 3/24/2021

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

CLASSIC PAINTING Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

708.749.0011

PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

Small & big work. Free estimates.

Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services Work Guaranteed

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified licensed roofing contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 9, 2021 for the following: Village of Oak Park South Pumping Station Roof Replacement Project Number: 21-107 Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/bid.

For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

Published in Wednesday Journal March 24, 2021

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified consultants at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 for the following: Village of Oak Park 2021 Landscape Design and Inspection Consulting Services Proposal Number: 21-122 Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

Published in Wednesday Journal March 24, 2021

Starting A New Business?

Call the Experts Before You Place Your Legal Ad! Publish Your Assumed Name Legal Notice in Journal/Review/ Landmark/Austin CLASSIFIED! Call 708/613-3342

Request of Maeve Madeleine Kennedy Riordan Case Number 2021CONC000230 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Maeve Madeleine Kennedy Riordan to the new name of: Rory Quinn Kennedy Riordan The court date will be held: On May 13, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Cook County Court Calendar 6.

Published in Wednesday Journal 3/10, 3/17, 3/24/2021

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: Y21006206 on March 11, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of AMERICAN DREAMS CLEANING COMPANY with the business located at:1025 PLEASANT PLACE, APT. 2G, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: JEFFREY RUSSELL COLLINS 1025 PLEASANT PLACE APT. 2G OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA. Published in Wednesday Journal 3/17, 3/24, 3/31/2021

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: Y21006244 on March 12, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of CHAMBERS ADVERTISING with the business located at: 414 GENEVA AVE, BELLWOOD, IL 60104. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: FOSTER CHAMBERS, 414 GENEVA AVE, BELLWOOD, IL 60104, USA. Published in Forest Park Review 3/17, 3/24, 3/31/2021

Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of North Riverside on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 6:00 P.M., in the Village Commons, 2401 S. Desplaines Avenue, North Riverside, Illinois.

At such time and place, the Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will consider a request to approve a Planned Development to accommodate the expansion of the Komarek School facilities located at 8940 W. 24th Street. The requested Planned Development application contains several departures from the Village’s Zoning Ordinance including: O Title 17 Chapter 6.02.D Floor Area Ratio.

O Title 17 Chapter 6.02.G Front Building Setback.

O Title 17 Chapter 6.02.H – Side Yard Setback.

O Title 17 Chapter 6.02.I – Rear Yard Setback.

O Title 17 Chapter 10.06. – Parking.

O Title 16 Chapter 12.08 – Landscaping.

Applicant: Komarek School District 94 8940 W. 24th Street North Riverside, IL 60546 All persons desiring to appear and be heard for or against said petitions may attend the Public Hearing.

Village of North Riverside Pat Ferriter, Chairman of the Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals Published in RB Landmark March 24, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of Mercedes De La PazBuck Case Number 20214000895 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Mercedes De La Paz-Buck to the new name of: Cedes Delapaz Buck.

The court date will be held: On April 27th, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. at 1500 Maybrook Drive, Maywood, Cook County, IL in Courtroom #0111.

Published in RB Landmark 3/17, 3/24, 3/31/2021

Copies of the Bid Documents including plans and specifications will be available starting March 22, 2021.

Bidders can download electronic Drawings and Specifications from the BHFX Plan Room, www.bhfxplanroom.com.

Printed sets may be ordered and paid for by the contractor.

Copies of the Bid Documents including plans and specifications will be available starting March 22, 2021.

Bidders can download electronic Drawings and Specifications from the BHFX Plan Room, www.bhfxplanroom.com.

Printed sets may be ordered and paid for by the contractor.

All bids offered must be accompanied by bid security in the form of certified check or bid bond made payable to the Owner in the amount of not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount of the aggregate of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured. The successful bidder for the project is required to furnish Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the bid amount, with sureties to be approved by the Owner, and in the form required by the Bidding Documents.

All bids offered must be accompanied by bid security in the form of certified check or bid bond made payable to the Owner in the amount of not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount of the aggregate of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured. The successful bidder for the project is required to furnish Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the bid amount, with sureties to be approved by the Owner, and in the form required by the Bidding Documents.

The successful bidder is required to pay the general prevailing wage for work under this Contract as ascertained by the Illinois Department of Labor, and shall submit certified payroll records, in compliance with the Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130) and the requirements of the Bidding Documents.

The successful bidder is required to pay the general prevailing wage for work under this Contract as ascertained by the Illinois Department of Labor, and shall submit certified payroll records, in compliance with the Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130) and the requirements of the Bidding Documents.

A pre-bid meeting will be held on March 26 at 10:00 AM at Hauser Middle School, 65 Woodside Road, Riverside, IL 60546 in the Hauser Auditorium. Bidders must allow sufficient time to register at the building prior to being permitted to proceed to the meeting location.

Bids will be received until 1:30 PM, April 5, 2021, at the District office at 3440 S. Harlem Ave, Riverside, IL 60546. A public bid opening will take place via Zoom meeting immediately thereafter.

Join Bid Opening Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom. us/j/87836577880 Meeting ID: 878 3657 7880 One tap mobile +13126266799,,87836577880# US (Chicago) +13017158592,,87836577880# US (Washington DC) Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

A pre-bid meeting will be held on March 26 at 10:00 AM at Hauser Middle School, 65 Woodside Road, Riverside, IL 60546 in the Hauser Auditorium. Bidders must allow sufficient time to register at the building prior to being permitted to proceed to the meeting location.

Bids will be received until 1:30 PM, April 5, 2021, at the District office at 3440 S. Harlem Ave, Riverside, IL 60546. A public bid opening will take place via Zoom meeting immediately thereafter.

Date: Tuesday - April 2021 Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

13,

Virtual Location: This virtual meeting will be conducted via Zoom.

Zoom is an application that allows you to view and participate in meetings from anywhere using your phone, tablet, or computer. Zoom meetings are free for you to view, either live or as a recording at a later date. You may also dial in to listen to the meeting (like a conference call). To participate in the meeting via Zoom, please use the following link (also available on our website at www.oakparkrc.com): https://us02web.zoom.us/ j/82960038400?pwd=cWt5Nmt2czNPQVN5MWV3SWFoazlaQT09

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Meeting ID: 829 6003 8400 Passcode: welcome Alternatively, you may dial in like a conference call: Simply call 1-312-626-6799 at the time of the meeting and then enter: Meeting ID: 829 6003 8400 Passcode: 0604631 Subject Property Address(es): 7 Van Buren Street, Oak Park IL 60304 Proposed Development: Oak Park Residence Corporation is proposing to replace its existing multifamily apartment building with another multifamily apartment building on the 7 Van Buren site. Join us at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13th, to see a virtual public presentation regarding how plans for the site are progressing.

Purpose of Meeting: Pre-Planned Development Submittal Discussion To submit comments, please call or email Contact: Beth Swaggerty Oak Park Residence Corporation bswaggerty@oakparkrc.com 708-386-6061 x123

Find your local number: https:// us02web.zoom.us/u/k3Amvy7WT

Join Bid Opening Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom. us/j/87836577880 Meeting ID: 878 3657 7880 One tap mobile +13126266799,,87836577880# US (Chicago) +13017158592,,87836577880# US (Washington DC) Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) Meeting ID: 878 3657 7880 Find your local number: https:// us02web.zoom.us/u/k3Amvy7WT

The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids or any part thereof.

The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids or any part thereof.

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: Y21006278 on March 15, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of H & C RENTALS with the business located at:705 W 115TH ST., CHICAGO, IL 60628. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ANDREA COLLINS 705 W 115TH ST., CHICAGO, IL 60628, USA

Published in RB Landmark March 24, 2021

Published in RB Landmark March 24, 2021

Published in Wednesday Journal 3/24, 3/31, 4/7/2021

Meeting ID: 878 3657 7880

Published in Wednesday Journal 3/10, 3/17, 3/24/2021

Published in Wednesday Journal March 24, 2021

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for: 2021 Sewer Lining Improvements (Various Locations) This project consists of the installation of approximately 3,265 lineal feet of Cured-in-Place Piping (CIPP) as a sewer lining as well as other miscellaneous work required to install the aforementioned CIPP, including some manhole bench repairs.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Monday, March 22, 2021 at: www.vrf.us/bids Bids must be submitted by Monday, April 12, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at: Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305 The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work.

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

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

Published in Wednesday Journal March 24, 2021

local employees, happy employees!

Hire Local. Place an ad on FPR’s Local Online Job Board.

Go to ForestParkReview.com/classified today!

Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information.

(708) 613-3342 Classifieds@ForestParkReview.com

Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

INC., REALTOR

(708) 366-8989 7342 MADISON ST, FOREST PARK, ILLINOIS 60130

SOLD!

928 S. Kenilworth Ave. Oak Park ....................$275,000

1028 Beloit Forest Park ....................$289,000

SOLD!

Property has been owner occupied by the same family for 50+ years. 1st fl has spacious living rm and dining rm, kitchen and 1/2 bath. 2nd floor has three bedrooms and full bath. Stucco exterior and 2 car detached garage.

Great location in south west Oak Park. Needs some updating but livable as-is.

935 Elgin Avenue, Forest Park ........................$489,000 This is a money maker! This early 1970s brick four flat houses two one bedroom apartments on the top floor, a large three bedroom two bath apartment on the first floor, and a large two bedroom two bathroom apartment in the lower level. Tandem parking for 8 cars.

Meticulously maintained by the current owner for several decades.

The numbers work! This one really won't last long.

SOLD!

CELEBRATE INTELLECTUAL/ DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH As COVID-19 emerged in March 2020, Amanda, resident of a UCP Seguin group home in Oak Park, was presented with a major dilemma.

With a dual diagnosis of intellectual disabilities and bipolar disorder, she asked the question: how would she cope with challenges brought on by the pandemic?

Initially UCP Seguin was ordered to close its day services sites, including the Levinson Center in Oak Park where Amanda received life skills training and other services to promote community integration. She had to “shelter-in-place” in her group home.

Amanda faced social isolation and the potential of worsening mental and physical health. UCP Seguin deployed day services staff to her group home to ensure around-the-clock provision of enrichment activities, therapy, and other interventions.

CONTACT US

UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago 3100 South Central Avenue Cicero, IL 60804 708.863.3803

This 3 BR, 2.1 BA home has not been available in over 55 years.

It has been meticulously maintained within the same family for that time. This home offers two first floor good sized bedrooms and a large second floor master. Each floor has a full updated bathroom. The first floor living room, with it's vaulted ceilings, fill with sunlight pouring from the front foyer windows.

1117 Marengo Avenue, Forest Park .......................$263,500 What a great opportunity to get into Forest Park at an affordable price! This home offers four total bedrooms, two on the second floor and two on the first floor. The home is in perfect condition!

Living room, dining room, and eat in kitchen, plus a finished basement. Huge deck off the back of the house and a very large two car garage!

337 Marengo Avenue, Forest Park ......................$275,000 Fantastic location alert!! Just a stones throw from Madison Street shopping, restaurants, and night life makes this a very desirable piece of real estate! This is two flat is ready for some love and attention. Just stuck in time is all. Or a fantastic de-conversion to single family! So bring your decorating ideas, and be prepared to fall in love!

OVERCOMING SOCIAL ISOLATION DURING THE PANDEMIC... with Help From UCP Seguin

I/DD CONSORTIUM

SOLD!

UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago believes that all people, regardless of ability, deserve to achieve their potential, advance their independence and act as full members of the

Community Support Services cssservices.org Oak Leyden Developmental Services oak-leyden.org

Using her iPad, Amanda has participated in remote Zoom video activities, such as cooking and fitness classes, conducted by day services staff. With assistance from Board Certified Behavior Analyst Dana Pavlik, Amanda has helped conduct a weekly class for other participants called “Fun Times With Dana: Let’s Get Social!”

In these classes, participants are presented with a basic understanding of the new norm and how best to cope with it.

With UCP Seguin support, Amanda has been “Alone Together” with the community, succeeding in overcoming the challenges of her dual disabilities and the COVID-19 pandemic.

SOLD!

Oak Park Township Senior Services oakparktownship.org/senior-services Opportunity Knocks opportunityknocksnow.org PACTT Learning Center pactt.org Progress Center for Independent Living progresscil.org Riveredge Hospital riveredgehospital.com community. So we stop at nothing to provide life skills training, assistive technology, meaningful employment and a place to call home for people with disabilities, as well as specialized foster care for children. Our goal: life without limits for people with disabilities.

Suburban Access, Inc. subacc.org The Answer, Inc. theanswerinc.org UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago ucpseguin.org West Suburban Special Recreation wssra.net

info@seguin.org ucpseguin.org facebook.com/UCPSeguin twitter.com/UCPSeguin

You can show your support for our Consortium members and the great work they do by visiting their websites – learn more, donate, volunteer, and follow them on social media. We appreciate your support!

19

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Forest Park Review, March 24, 2021

REGISTER TODAY

SPRING INTO

SUMMER As you plan for this spring and summer, consider registering your child for summer day camp and swim lessons at the Y. Our children are ready...ready for fun and adventure and at the Y, we are ready to ensure your family can enjoy a safe and positive day camp and aquatic experience.

WHAT YOUR Y OFFERS FOR SWIM LESSONS » Monthly Enrollment » Progressive Curriculum » Caring & Qualified Instructors FOR DAY CAMP » Register by the Week » Spend Outdoors with Friends » Trusted & Experienced Counselor Plus, register by May 1 & recieve $25 off each week per camper

NOT A MEMBER? JOIN THE Y TODAY. » » » »

No Joiner's Fee $50 Program Credit Reduced Program Pricing Access to the Y and Virtual Y Expires 4.30.21

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS » Small Class Sizes » Social Distancing » Facemask and Hygiene Protocols » Positive Environments

FOR A BETTER US. | WESTCOOKYMCA.ORG