Forest Park Review 040523

Librar y social worker job a new addition to budget

Exact description of duties still being developed

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

While the Forest Park Public Library is planning to spend less money during the upcoming 2023-2024 fiscal year, the budget includes several notable new expenditures.

The library’s fiscal year begins on May 1 and ends on April 30 of the following year. The FY2023-2024 budget, which was unanimously approved by the library’s Board of Trustees during a March 27 special meeting, includes funding for a new staf f member responsible for helping patrons who need social services. It also sets aside $10,000 for projects staf f comes up with, so that, if there are good ideas, the library doesn’t have to wait until the next fiscal year to implement them.

This was the first budget developed by new library director Vicki Rakowski, who started working at the Forest Park library in January. She said that, between the fact that she has experience developing a budget as the executive director of the Barrington Area Library District, as well as the fact that much of the budget came from department head requests, she didn’t have much

See SOCIAL WORKER on page 15

RORY HOSKINS JOHN DOSS

D209’s quer y on St. Joe’s campus raises concern

Survey ‘just another PR stunt’ by superintendent, says school board member

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

In a survey sent out to district families, Proviso Township High School District 209 asked a simple “yes or no” question in an attempt to gain feedback on a quickly proposed plan to possibly purchase the shuttered St. Jose ph High School campus in Westchester.

However, more information is needed before residents can ar rive at a proper answer, said board members.

St. Jose ph High closed its doors at the end of the 2021-22 school year due to a decrease in enrollment and financial issues that worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The high school had served the community for 61 years.

According to the survey, if purchased, the building would be renovated to serve as the new home to Proviso Math and Science Academy with the current building being sold to outside investors.

“Your input is crucial, valued, and appreciated,” read the survey, which asked “Should PTHS purchase the for mer St. Jose ph High School building,” and solicited optional additional feedback.

According to school board member Amanda Grant, Superintendent James L. Henderson brought up the idea during an executive session meeting in March.

“This is a pure political stunt,” Grant said. “There was no board discussion, it was an idea that was mentioned and nothing more That is how it was treated to us Then a few days later the survey went out, which was a complete sur prise to me.”

Posted to the district’s Facebook page on March 16 and then again on March 24, the survey, available in English and Spanish, gave the option to provide additional feedback as well.

“Dr Henderson is incapable of managing the three buildings he has, and to think that he could purchase another one without any kind of research or planning or community feedback and move an entire school community into another building is laughable,” said Grant. “He can’t even open up a re gular school building during the school year properly.”

Henderson did not respond to all requests for comment.

In a se parate letter to the community dated March 23, Henderson stated that the district was considering the purchase of St. Jose ph in a list of “amazing points happening in District 209.”

The idea of the district possibly purchasing St. Jose ph in the future has “some merit,” said Grant, who added that surveying the community would not be the proper first ste p in addressing it.

“I am not saying that the idea is not

wor th examining at some point in the future, but it has to be done the right way and it has to be done with the right administration,” said Grant said, who added she does not have faith in the current administration to pull of f the suggested move

D209 school board President Arbdella “Della” Patterson did not respond to requests for comment.

Grant said the idea was presented to the board without a feasibility study, without any prior discussion, without information about why the district would need a new school building, and without information on what it would take to get the St. Jose ph campus up to par to be able to house PMSA.

“Henderson just throws things out. He has done this on several occasions,” said board member Claudia Medina. “With no infor mation items with no study, he just throws out ideas, kind of like the $70 million bond. With him I could not tell you why or how this is coming out.”

According to Medina, the district would have to invest a hefty sum to be able to tur n St. Jose ph into a viable option to house PMSA.

“I don’t know how we can do that,” Medina said. “My understanding is that it would take at least $80 million to bring the property up to code. It is a large property and there is a lot of work that has to be done We don’t have a budget; we don’t have the money for this.”

Medina added that the district currently owns the PMSA building.

“That would have to be something that

the board has a vision for, a plan, to save money,” Medina said, adding there are multiple ste ps that should have been taken before the idea was presented to the public, including a feasibility study and prior board discussion. “There are a lot of ste ps before this could be, even possibly, of f the ground.”

With declining enrollment across the district’s campuses, Grant said there is a lack of need for additional space.

Questions have been raised re garding the possibility of allowing students to transfer into PMSA.

In its March 24 Facebook post, the district indicated it would consider allowing Proviso sophomores through seniors, if eligible, to transfer into the academy. PMSA cur rently does not acce pt transfers, only enrolling freshman students.

The results of the April 4 election will give an insight into the seriousness of Henderson’s inquiry, said Grant. Throughout the campaign in the three-seat race, many candidates, including Medina, who is seeking re-election, have addressed the “need” to break up the current board majority of Patterson, Theresa Kelly, Samuel Valtierre z, Rodney Alexander and Nathan Wagner, dubbed the “Henderson Five.” Kelly is also seeing re-election.

“If his people don’t win and he never brings it up again then you have your answer, it was a political stunt,” Grant said. “I don’t trust him with the students in the building he has, so to give him more would be frankly ir responsible.

Forest Park to OK more funds for bike racks at CTA stations

State covering the majority of the project costs

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Forest Park Village Council tentatively ag reed to pay an extra $3,814 for the new bike parking facilities at the two CTA Blue Line stations that serve the village – though it will need to vote se parately to

make it of ficial.

In late October 2021, Forest Park received an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) grant to erect bike racks near the Harlem Avenue and Desplaines Avenue stations. ITEP grants use federal and state funds, with 80% of the funding coming from the state and 10% coming from the federal gover nment. The village is required to cover the remaining 10%.

Illinois De par tment of Transportation is handling the bids and the lo gistics. The lowest bid, which was submitted by Bridgeview-based Vixen Construction, came in at $139,900 – more than $38,000 higher than

the originally estimated $101,250. While IDOT ag reed to pay 90% of the increase with state and federal funds, it asked the village if it was interested in covering the 10%.

While the commissioners at their March 27 council meeting raised no objections to it, they will still need to vote on it. Administrator Moses Amidei Amidei said that it would most likely be on the April 10 meeting agenda.

Amidei told the council that if the village wasn’t willing to pay its share, IDOT wouldn’t proceed with the project. Amidei wanted to get the council ag reement so

that IDOT can award the contract.

Both bike racks will include benches and extra lighting. The Desplaines Avenue terminal bike rack will be built at the south end of the village-owned commuter parking lot at Van Buren Street. The Harlem Avenue bike racks will be built near the nor thwest cor ner of the Har rison Street/ Harlem Avenue intersection. The idea behind the project is to provide safe places for CTA riders to park their bikes, instead of having them resort to chaining their bikes to trees and light poles.

BIG WEEK April 5-12

Judy Steed Ar t Exhibit

Entire month of April, River Forest Public Librar y Judy Steed’s stained glass mosaic show will run in the second oor galler y. Half of all proceeds will go to Mercy Corps. 735 Lathrop, River Forest.

Create your own escape room kit

Monday, April 10, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Forest Park Public Librar y Design and create your own simple escape room using the supplies and suggestions provided in this kit. Ages 8 to 10. This is a kit event. Register to guarantee yourself a bag. Make sure you register for all the bags you are requesting. https://fppl.evanced.info/signup/Calendar 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park

Social Circle: Tai Chi

Wednesday, April 12, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Forest Park Public Librar y Austin Room

All seniors (55+) are invited to join in for some special community time each week. Today’s topic: Tai Chi with Tom Wilkens. https://fppl evanced.info/signup/Calendar 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

Listing your event in the calendar

Forest Park Review welcomes notices about events that Forest Park community groups and businesses are planning. We’ll work to get the word out if you let us know what’s happening by noon Wednesday a

High Hat Second Line

Saturday, April 8, 12 p.m., FitzGerald’s New Orleans-styled brass band boogie during the lunch hour. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berw yn.

Jonita Lattimore & Allan Glassman

Wednesday, April 12, 7-8:30 p.m., Nineteenth Century Charitable Association

Jonita Lattimore (soprano) and Allan Glassman (tenor) are veterans of operatic and concert stages, and will be singing duets. This return engagement is by popular demand. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park

Chair Yoga

Thursday, April 6, 12 - 12:30 p.m., Forest Park Public Librar y Austin Room Join this 30 minute Chair Yoga class with DuShaun Branch that will be accessible and open to all bodies. Chair Yoga is a great introduc tion to Yoga. https://fppl.evanced.info/signup/

Calendar 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park

Trivia Night

Thursday, April 6, 7 - 9 p.m., Exit Strategy Brewing Company Are you tired of sitting at home answering ever y question correc t on Jeopardy with nothing to show for it? Come out for our General Knowledge Trivia Night and join your host as they quiz your teams through two full hours of general knowledge trivia, including awesome themed bonus rounds and music rounds! While we’re testing your wit, Exit Strategy will be keeping you fueled up with fresh, delicious craft beer. 7700 Madison St., Forest Park.

Tr y It! Rainbow Science Experiment

Thursday, April 6, 3:30-5 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y

week before your news needs to be in the newspaper

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

■ Email calendar@wjinc.com

For National Find a Rainbow Day, science and fun collide joyously, with a rainbow of exploding colors! We’ll explore acids and bases in this classic science experiment. Best for ages 6-11. Register now at oppl.org/calendar.

834 Lake St., Oak Park

Mohr Community Center playground to get new equipment, drainage improvements

New playground is a small portion of project costs

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The Mohr Community Center playground is getting new equipment, a new rubberized surface to replace wood chips, new fencing, and drainage improvements

The village council voted unanimously to go out to bid on the project during its March 27 meeting. The bid doesn’t include the purchase of the new playground equipment itself – that is something the village is buying separately – but the winning bidder will be required to remove the old playground equipment and install the new paly structures. The renderings included in the meeting packet show a larger, more elaborate structure than what’s currently there, with four slides and multiple features for kids to swing from and climb.

The playground is located at the southwest side of the community center, atop of the village’s water reservoirs. Improving the drainage and upgrading the playground has been a long-term priority for Mayor Rory Hoskins.

Village Administrator Moses Amidei previously told the Review that Forest Park was interested in putting in a rubberized surface, which would be easier to maintain and make it more accessible to kids with mobility issues. They also wanted to replace the chainlink fence with something more solid to provide better separation from the nearby CSX Transportation freight railroad line and the Public Works property to the west. The village was also interested in removing a light pole – a holdover from when the space was used as a parking lot.

On Feb. 27, the village council authorized Christopher Burke Engineering, Forest Park’s engineering and project planning contractor, to develop specific parameters for

what those improvements would look like

During the March 27 meeting, Amidei told the council that several companies submitted proposals, and they went with the option the community center staff preferred -- a proposal from Downers Grove-based Play Illinois Park & Playground Solutions because. The costs are capped at $40,000 – below the threshold for village council approval requirement – but the village won’t order the equipment until the council selects a bidder for the rest of the project.

Burke previously estimated that the remaining parts of the project would cost $150,000, and Amidei proposed using American Rescue Plan Act funds to cover that. However, he told the council that, based on its recent experience in Forest Park and other municipalities it works for, the fir m revised its estimates up to at least $250,000.

Amidei said that, if the bids are “significantly” over the original estimate, Forest Park would look into applying for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant or Park and Recreational Facilities Construction Program (PARC) grants. According to the IDNR website, the PARC grant program is currently inactive OSLAD grants can be used to, among other things, redevelop public land, with IDNR funding half of the project or $60,000, whichever is smaller.

Commissioner of Public Property Jessica Voogd, those areas of oversight includes the community center, asked Amidei to elaborate on the reasons behind the estimate increases. He replied that inflation was a factor, and so was the fact that preparing the bid documents led Burke to take a much more detailed look at all the expenses that would go into a project like this.

“So, when, obviously, you put more thought into it, have an engineer prepare specifications, use these specifications on the bids [for other projects] that recently came out, that’s why the cost is more money versus asking a playground company -- hey, this is what I’m thinking, give me a quote for that,” he said.

Hometown bites of foods you’ve probably never tried

in Chicago’ may, and may not, whet your appetite

By DAVID HAMMOND Oak Park Eats Blogger

March 21 was the launch date for Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites. In the book, my co-author, Monica Eng, and I examine the origin stories of foods that were first found on Chicagoland menus.

Odds are good you’ve eaten a Chicagostyle hot dog, deep-dish pizza, and Italian beef. In our book, we cover these three, plus 27(!) other Chicago original foods, many of which you probably haven’t eaten. For each of these sometimes-eccentric edibles, we provide color photos and a backstory, a list of local restaurants where each food can be found and, whenever possible, recipes.

Here are six local foods you’ve probably never eaten, and these aren’t just daily

specials: they’ re on the re gular menus at Chicago restaurants.

Akutagawa is hamburger meat with chopped onions, green peppers, bean sprouts and scrambled eggs, with a side of rice and gravy. Akutagawa was first served at Hamburger King in Wrigleyville, where owner Tom Yamauchi made it for his friend, George Akutagawa, who had asked for “something special.” The resulting dish is hearty, with the beef and gravy balanced by fresh ve ggies.

Gam Pong Chicken Wings are bathed in a slightly hot/sweet sauce, with meat pulled to the end of the bone, which becomes a kind of handle that allows for less messy eating of the saucy meat.

Mother-in-Law is a Chicago corn roll tamale, in a poppy-seed hot dog bun, covered in chili and dressed with sport peppers, on-

ions, mustard, and sometimes pickles, cucumber and/or blue-green relish.

Anthony Bourdain pronounced it “perhaps the greatest, most uniquely Chicago food invention,” but he also called it the “evil stepbrother of the hot dog.”

Taffy Grapes are sometimes spotted at places like Baba’s Steak & Lemonade on Laramie near Madison. These grab-andgo confections are simply fresh green grapes, dipped in frosting or chocolate, sprinkled with nuts. We like these treats so much we’ve made dozens at home.

Jim Shoe is a sandwich of corned beef, roast beef, and gyros meat, in a submarine roll, with giardiniera, lettuc matoes, mayonnaise and cheese, splashed with a sauce that’s something li

Breaded Steak Sand

bene’s in Bridgeport, is a pounded steak, breaded and fried, ladled with red gravy, laid into Gonnella bread, with mozzarella, sweet peppers and/or giardiniera — a huge mouthful of food. About the sandwich, a friend of mine said, “There were moments when I was absolutely convinced I was eating breaded carpet padding.” Still, in 2015, a writer in USA Today dubbed it “the best sandwich in the world.” You decide. There are many more foods and their backstories in Made in Chicago, and what many of these foods demonstrate is that even with relatively limited resources, human creativity will shape simple ingredients into dishes that reflect local tastes and become beloved in local communities, even when — and perhaps because — they are largely unknown to the outside world. Our book is available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble … and we encourage you to buy local at Book Table. If about some of the present in the book, Monica and I Public Library

7 Month Certificate of Deposit

7 Month Certificate of Deposit

5.10%

‘Made

Last-minute negative mailers hit Forest Park just before election

Campaign pieces disparage v illage commissioner, Proviso United slate

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The 2023 election campaigns weren’t without some traditional Forest Park last-minute drama.

Negative campaign mailers against village council incumbent Maria Maxham and several Proviso Township High School District 209 Board of Education candidates in mailboxes across Forest Park on March 31 and April 1. The mailer attacked incumbent Teresa Kelly and the three challengers that are part of Proviso United candidate slate

In response, all six village commissioner candidates released a joint statement denouncing all for ms of negative campaigning. The Forest Park Review also reached out

to other District 209 candidates, but they did not respond as of the print deadline

Election results were not available prior to the Review’s print deadline. There were three incumbents running for the village council — Maxham, Ryan Nero and Jessica Voogd – and three challengers — Joe Landgrebe, Michelle Melin-Rogovin and Ryan Russ.

While there were no for mal slates in this race, Maxham, Melin-Rogovin and Landgrebe have supported each other, attending each other’s fundraisers.

The District 209 election was more complex, with three candidate slates competing for three spots on the board. Sandra JosephHixson, Jenny Barbahen and David Ocampo are running as the Proviso 209 United slate, which has also been refer ring to themselves as HBO (after the candidates’ surnames).

Incumbent Claudia Medina and new candidate Jon Kubricht ran as the Proviso Excels slate. Kelly and new candidates Jayda James and Maribel Aguirre ran as the D209 Together slate

The front of the mailer stated that Max-

ham and “United Hobo’s” [sic] “can’t stowaway on [Supt.] Dr [James] Henderson’s Northbound train to greatness anymore.”

It showed an edited photo of Maxham holding a palm card for the 2019 Proviso Together slate, with images of the candidates replaced by images of Kelly and current board President Della Patterson and board member Nathan Wagner.

Proviso Together is no longer a political committee However, on March 26 eight former members of Proviso Together endorsed the Proviso United slate.

The mailer stated that “Maxham and her hitchhikers are deplorable and they will further destroy Forest Park if left in power.”

Maxham didn’t support any of the candidates in the edited image, and no one on the HBO slate has served on the D209 Board of Education before The mailer urged voters to vote for four candidates — Medina, James, Kubricht and Maribel Aguirre — although there are only three seats up for election.

In addition, the mailer endorsed Voogd, Russ, Nero and Landgrebe for the Forest Park commissioner race.

The back of the emailer features a screenshot from a Feb. 15, 2022 video Medina recorded showing Kelly give her a middle finger. At the time, Kelly denied that she intentionally made an obscene gesture.

The mailer also accused Maxham and unnamed village staff members of giving Voogd an obscene nickname, accused her of being racist, and urged voters to “vote them out.”

No one has taken responsibility for the mailer Unlike typical campaign mailers, which are mailed en masse to all addresses within a specific voting district or a municipality, this one was hand-stamped and mailed to specific addresses within Forest Park

In a joint statement released on April 1, all six village council candidates denounced the mailer

“We have all led positive campaigns and have supported each other’s efforts in our community,” it stated. “We wholeheartedly denounce all negative campaigning, including anonymous mailers. No matter the outcome of this election, we all believe in each candidate’s commitment to Forest Park.”

Truck briefly catches fi e as driver tries to flee officers

A 21-year-old Schiller Park man was charged with a litany of offenses after his black 2021 Chevrolet pick-up was spotted driving down Madison Street with a missing tire, sending sparks everywhere and briefly catching fire.

An officer on patrol spotted the truck heading east on Madison on March 27 at 12:56 a.m. as it drove into Forest Park. It was traveling at 50 miles-per-hour – twice the speed limit – and sparks were flying from the front wheels. The officer tried to pull the driver over as the truck approached Desplaines Avenue, but the vehicle took of f, turning south on Harlem Avenue. With just three tires, the driver had trouble controlling the truck. It was briefly “engulfed in flames” as it passed over the Eisenhower Expressway, and sparks continued flying as it headed east on Garfield Street.

At this point, the officers stopped the pursuit. The truck was subsequently found abandoned in Oak Park, at the intersection of Garfield Street and Oak Park Avenue, with the owner’s wallet inside. Oak Park

police officers searched the area and found building

The man told the officers that he was at the building to visit his girlfriend, and that he abandoned the truck due to “car troubles.” He insisted that he had no idea Forest Park officers were trying to pull him over.

Officers discovered that the man didn’t have a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance or any re gistration for the abandoned truck.

The Office of Cook County State’s Attorney declined to charge the man with aggra-

vated fleeing. He was charged with fleeing a police officer, improper use of vehicle re gistration, driving without insurance, driving without a driver’s license, speeding and unlawful possession of a firearm. The man was released on bail.

Retail theft

A 45-year-old Chicago man tried to steal a backpack from the Forest Park Walmart location, 1300 Desplaines Ave., sneaking it under a jacket and filling it with other stolen goods.

On March 27 at 5:13 p.m., a store employee was looking at the security camera feed when he spotted a man wearing two jackets in the electronics section, taking the tags of f the items using a boxcutter. The employee called the police, who detained the thief. The officers searched the man, discovering that the top jacket concealed a backpack that was also stolen from the store. A total of 10 items were found valued at a total of $448.31.

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Area School Kids Help End Hunger

This April, schools across our community are participating in Beyond Hunger’s CAN DO Community Challenge - a hunger relief campaign designed to heighten awareness about local food and nutrition security. The Challenge encourages schools, organizations, and individuals to become more involved with Beyond Hunger by participating in a fun, community-wide competition. Schools and organizations get points for participating in advocacy activities, collecting food items from Beyond Hungers’ top 10 most needed items, fundraising, and volunteering.

In March, Holmes Elementary School’s “Community Cares” leadership club students started preparing for the challenge. They discussed ways to get their whole school to contribute and even created a bulletin board to help the school keep track of its fundraising goals.  Holmes 4th grader Alayna J. is part of the leadership club and has been happy to be involved, “You’re having fun. You know you are donating. You know you are competing for the

trophy. But at the same time, you are helping a lot of people - I’ve felt really happy and really proud.”

“The school competition is a fun way for our entire community to get involved in a grassroots effort to raise awareness about hunger that isn’t far from home. Last year we served 8,000 individuals from Oak Park and River Forest. Importantly, we want people to know where they can come to get food when they need it - our youth have powerful voices,“ says Teri Miller, Director of Development at Beyond Hunger.

Anyone can double their impact by contributing to a school’s fundraising efforts and helping Beyond Hunger at a time of year when donations are typically at their lowest. For the first time, Beyond Hunger has a $100,000 matching challenge for donations received in the month of April. This matching challenge enormously impacts local families as every dollar donated is doubled.

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The man told officers he didn’t have any money, and he was planning to trade the items he stole for drugs. He was charged with misdemeanor retail theft and was released on an I-bond.

Catalytic converter theft

A catalytic converter was stolen from a white 2010 Toyota Prius parked at an apartment building on the 1000 block of Desplaines Avenue. On March 27, at 3:17 a.m., a tenant observed two men sawing off the converter and fleeing in a dark grey Infiniti SUV. A search of the area turned up negative

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, March 28 to April 1, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

Compiled by Igor Studenkov

SPRING 2023

Join us for Holy Week and

Easter Worship

Maundy Thursday Holy Communion

April 6, 7:00 p.m.

Good Friday Liturgy

April 7, 7:00 p.m.

The Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter Vigil Holy Communion

April 8, 7:00 p.m.

The Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter Day Holy Communion

April 9, 9:30 a.m.

Children, all ages, welcome to Easter Sunday!

United Lutheran Church

409 Greenfield Street (at Ridgeland) Oak Park, Illinois www.unitedlutheranchurch.org

HOLY WEEK AT PILGRIM

Worship, 7:00-Chapel

Easter Sunday, April 9

Good Friday, April 7 Egg Hunt, 9:30-Lawn

Continental Brunch, 9:00 Worship, 10:30-Sanctuary and Online www.PilgrimOakPark.org

Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC, 460 Lake St

Come journey through Holy Week with the Catholic Parishes of Oak Park and Chicago

ASCENSION AND ST. EDMUND PARISH

St. Edmund Church • 188 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park Ascension Church • 808 S. East Avenue, Oak Park

TRIDUUM

Holy Thursday, April 6

Mass of the Lord's Supper – 7:30 pm at Ascension Church

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 9:30 pm to midnight, with Night Prayer at 11:45 pm

Good Friday, April 7

Family Stations of the Cross ** – 12:00 pm at St. Edmund Church

** Please note that the noon service on Good Friday will be geared towards families with children K-12. It is not intended for infants and toddlers.

Taizé Prayer around the Cross – 3:00 pm at Ascension Church

The Passion of the Lord – 7:30 pm at Ascension Church

Holy Saturday, April 8

Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter – 8:00 pm at St. Edmund Church

Easter Sunday, April 9: The Resurrection of the Lord

8:00 and 10:30 am at Ascension Church

9:00 and 11:00 am at St. Edmund Church (No 5:00 pm Mass at St. Edmund Church)

ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA-ST. LUCY AND ST. GILES PARISH

St. Catherine of Siena -St. Lucy Church • 38 N. Austin Boulevard, Oak Park St. Giles Church • 1045 Columbian Avenue, Oak Park

TRIDUUM

Holy Thursday, April 6 Mass of the Lord's Supper – 7:00 pm at St. Giles Church

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until Midnight, with Night Prayer at 11:45 pm

Good Friday, April 7

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion – 3:00 pm at St. Giles Church

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion – 7:00 pm at St. Catherine of Siena -St. Lucy Church Living Stations of the Cross – 7:00 pm at St. Giles Church

Family Mass Community Good Friday Prayer Service with Silent Passion – 7:30 pm in the St. Giles School Gym

Holy Saturday, April 8

Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter – 7:00 pm at St. Giles Church

Easter Sunday, April 9: The Resurrection of the Lord

Sunrise - 6:00 am in the St. Giles Church Courtyard (Weather Permitting)

8:00 and 10:30 am at St. Giles Church

9:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena -St. Lucy Church with the combined Celebration and St. Giles Choirs

10:00 am Family Mass Community in the St. Giles School Gym

*Please see the website, ascensionoakpark.com, for further information.

Please see the website, stgilesparish.org, for further information.

OPINION

y the time this editorial is published, the election will be over and some version of a new school board will have been selected for the Proviso Township District 209 high schools.

More Henderson antics B

And depending on which candidates were chosen by voters the out-of-the-blue proposal/trial balloon/distraction to have the district purchase a vacant school campus in Westchester will either move ahead or just dissipate like so many oddities from the fevered administration of Supt. James Henderson.

Where, when and why the idea surfaced that D209 should actively consider selling of f the Proviso Math and Science Academy campus in Forest Park while buying the shuttered St. Joseph High School in Westchester as its replacement is typically murky

Two current school board members interviewed by Amaris Rodriguez, our education reporter, said the notion came out of nowhere from Henderson during an executive session of a March school board meeting. There was no feasibility study, no financial estimates, no explanation of where funding would come from or what exactly would be the motivation for such a drastic and risky plan, said school board members Amanda Grant and Claudia Medina.

“This is a pure political stunt,” said Grant.

And yet without any basic information and without any genuine board discussion of the vague but radical notion, within days of the closed board meeting, the Henderson administration pushed out an online community survey asking Proviso residents to chime in on the issue.

“Your input is crucial, valued and appreciated. Should PTHS purchase the for mer St. Joseph High School?” read the survey. This, of course, is all absurd and abnor mal. Just as a superintendent can’t drop a concept like swapping out one recently improved campus for an aging Catholic high school facility on his school board without more detail, surveying the community on this pie-in-the-sky, made-up nonsense is ridiculous.

We’re troubled by the total incompetence this reflects. But since it involves Supt. Henderson we’re more focused on trying to figure out what devious angle he is trying to play. Nothing is ever straight when James Henderson is driving the train. “Northbound to greatness” is unlikely. Off the rails is the most certain outcome of his suspect actions

The late campaign mailer

In a town of great traditions, last-minute election mailers are not among them. True to the form of every recent election season, mean, divisive and, dishonestly confusing flyers began arriving in local mailboxes late last week. The piece was what? An attack on Maria Maxham and Jessica Voogd, candidates for village council? An attack on Teresa Kelly, candidate for the D209 school board?

Mainly though, it felt like an effort to further split the local vote for the high school board in an effort to deny a reform slate a majority on the board.

It was crude in its name-calling and in its intent. But the mailer reflects that there is still an undercurrent of fear in our local politics. Good for the six candidates for village council to unite with a joint repudiating statement over the weekend

Netanyahu, anti-Semitism and Holy Week

‘I’m so frustrated with Benjamin Netanyahu.” Judaism was Michael Rosenthal’s religion, but it was not his tribe.

“You mean because of trying to remove the Israeli Supreme Court as a check on his power?” Pastor Walter Mitty appreciated his friend’s ability to distinguish between political power and the kind of power religion offers.

“Yeah. I mean Israel doesn’t really have an executive branch and now he’s trying to override the check the Supreme Court has.”

“The way we do it in this country,” said Mitty pressing the button for his speaker phone, “is to pack the court with political appointees. Basically the same thing, isn’t it?”

HOLMES

“I guess so, Walt, but here’s what worries me. Passover is coming up. During that holy time we remember how God liberated us from slavery in Egypt, right?”

“Right.”

“So we were powerless, and it wasn’t our military might that freed us.”

“Are you saying that Israel should trust God to protect them from Hamas, Michael?”

“No, no, but here’s my problem, Walt. Arabs were living in what we call the Holy Land until World War I, and then the UN in 1947 decided that the Jews should have a homeland without really asking the Arabs already living there what they thought about the idea.”

“Sort of like the European immigrants to America not asking the folks already here for permission?”

“Sort of like that. The Europeans had guns and diseases against which the natives had no defense. They called it Manifest Destiny.”

“Come to think of it, Michael, when the people of Israel took over the Holy Land, didn’t they think of the invasion as a kind of Manifest Destiny?”

“Sure, but here’s the conundrum, Walt. We Jews have been oppressed, marginalized, segregated and during World War II were the victims of genocide.”

“So the longing for a homeland, a return to the Promised Land is understandable, right?”

“Understandable, sure, and Hamas doesn’t want a two-state solution. They want the Jews out of their land just like Ukrainians want Putin’s ar my out of their homeland. Understandable, but what Netanyahu is doing is squandering any moral authority the leaders of that Jewish state had.”

Mitty thought for a minute and then said, “I heard on the news that anti-Semitism is on the rise along with hate crimes perpetrated against other minorities.”

“And the connection with Netanyahu is …”

“The connection? Well, I’m not sure,” Michael’s friend admitted. “Something to do with justice, I guess. Except … except Netanyahu represents victims and at the same time has enor mous power. Nuclear weapons even. He is surrounded by nations who hate Israel.”

“So his neighbors both hate and fear Israel.”

Mitty sighed as he often does when trying to unravel knotty problems during conversations with his neighbor and finally said, “Complicated, isn’t it?”

Michael nodded, “Excuse me for speaking for Christians, Walt, but Holy Week is coming up and Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion is one of the most blatant acts of injustice ever, but he didn’t lift a finger, much less a sword to resist. The soldiers who mocked him caught the irony, didn’t they? He claimed to be the Son of God, omnipotent, almighty, but as he hung there dying, he sure didn’t look very powerful.”

“And you remember,” added Mitty, “how Ber nie Rolvaag reminded us that Christians were a persecuted minority for almost 300 years until …”

“Until Constantine changed everything and Christians gained political power.”

“And as Fr. Sullivan regularly reminds us, when Christians gain political power, they lose Jesus.”

“And that’s one of the things about Jesus that I just don’t get,” said Michael. “He seemed to be a guy who was into changing hearts and minds, but back in the 1930s there were a lot of good, pious Christians who did nothing significant to stop Hitler. I mean, six million Jews, Walt. Six million Jews just like me.”

Pastor Mitty liked to frame life in this world as being between the Garden of Eden, where the first humans were innocent, and heaven where life will be like it was meant to be “Ambiguity,” he said, taking a deep breath. “Love is the answer, but then again it is not.”

Michael laughed, “Here I go speaking for Christians again, Walt, but it seems to me that Jesus would say that love is the answer, but in the long run.”

“Maybe, Michael, but somehow what you just said doesn’t seem quite right.”

As often happens after talks with his neighbor, Pastor Walt felt more confused than when the conversation started. He was certain that the gover nment should protect minorities and prosecute perpetrators of hate crimes, but he was also sure that enforcing laws would not eliminate hate in society.

He wondered how he was going to connect the dots between the biblical story of the Passion and real life for his members on Good Friday.

Ah, sunny (sometimes) San Antonio REVIEW

Staff Repor ter Igor Studenkov, Francia Garcia

Hernandez, Amaris Rodriguez

Senior Editor Bob Uphues

Digital Manager Stacy Coleman

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

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

Big Week Editor James Porter

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

S ales and Marketing Representatives

Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck, Kamil Brady

Business & Development Manager

Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

We needed to go somewhere where it was war m and sunny. Our son, Mark, chose San Antonio, Texas, because of its famous River Walk. I knew San Antonio had a colorful history but one of us doesn’t care about history, so that was of f our list.

We immediately lear ned you can’t escape history in San Antonio. Our ride-share driver from the airpor t told us San Antonio was founded as a Spanish mission in 1718. He recommended visiting the Pearl Brewery and Rosario’s Mexican restaurant. He also war ned us not to make fun of the Alamo.

“They take it seriously around here,” he said.

San Antonio wasn’t war m and sunny. It was cloudy and 56. Our hotel was located at one end of the city’s 13-mile River Walk. During daily excursions to bars and restaurants, we got to know every inch of the River Walk.

Our second day, we walked six miles in a daylong drizzle to visit historic sites, like the Alamo. The center piece is a church that must have inspired the Taco Bell architecture. The Alamo was founded in 1691 and settled in par t by colonists from

Board of Directors

Chair Judy Gre n

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

HOW TO REACH US

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

EMAIL forestpark@wjinc.com

CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.com

ONLINE ForestParkReview.com

Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Forest Park Review,141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302-2901. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS No 0205-160)

In- county subscriptions: $34 per year.

$55 for two years, $69 for three years

Out- of-county subscriptions: $42 per year.

the Canary Islands

Our guide addressed us as “Ya’ ll”, the universal greeting in San Antonio. The Alamo was a military stronghold, when exas rebelled ag ainst Mexico in 1836. Mexico’s dictator, Santa Anna, led thousands of troops to put down the uprising. The Alamo was defended by Tennessee volunteers, like Davy Crockett. The ragtag group included European immigrants and was commanded by William Travis and Jim Bowie.

Santa Anna raised a red flag on a nearby church that war ned he wouldn’t take any prisoners. The Texans fired a cannon in response. After the defenders were killed, they became mar tyrs for freedom. When Santa Anna was later captured, he signed over Texas to save his skin. The Alamo has an unlikely benefactor. Rock star Phil Collins fell in love with the story when he was 5 and donated his priceless collection of ar tifacts in 2014. We thought we were through with the Alamo but we weren’ t. In the meantime, we visited bars and restaurants along the River Walk. We enjoyed delicious meals — barbecue and Italian cuisine We even made it to Rosario’s.

Mark had booked a three-hour evening tour of San Antonio. I expected a tour bus

to pull up but it was just one guy, Alfred, and his trusty SUV We were the only ones on the tour. Alfred took us to the 750-tall Tower of the Americas, with breathtaking views of the city. He also took us back to the Alamo. By this time, we could have conducted the tour

He also brought us to the Pearl Brewery. They had taken old industrial structures and transfor med them into upscale bars, restaurants and hotels. Alfred then took us to the San Fer nando Cathedral which features a nightly lightshow on its façade

The Sa ga laser show tells the history of San Antonio, accompanied by music. Alfred sees the show every week but still dances to the music. The tour ended at the River Walk, where Alfred placed us aboard one of the countless barges that ply the water. Our river guide was light-hear ted and history-free.

We lear ned more than history in San Antonio. They also have a program we could use in Forest Park. The city hires Ambassador Amigos to keep streets spotless and assist tourists. They give detailed instructions to destinations and even recommend restaurants.

Our last day, it was finally hot and sunny enough to use the rooftop pool. We came home with what we had been seeking all along — sunbur n.

SOCIAL WORKER Job description still to come

from page 1

trouble crafting the proposal.

Rakowski told library trustees that with library renovations recently finished expenditures in the new year would inevitably drop. Overall library expenditures will go from the $2.9 million budgeted for FY2022-2023 to $2.2 million. The budget does set aside money for finishing up the new patio in front of the building, which still needs furniture, as well as landscaping work around the building and adding buttons in restrooms for people with mobility issues, who would otherwise struggle to open doors.

The employee salaries and benefits budget line increased from $1.2 million to $1.3 million. While some of the increase covers re gular 3% merit raises and an increase in insurance premiums, Rakowski said she wanted to have money to fund a new “possible social work or possible community resource manager/coordinator position.” She said she is still trying to figure out exactly what the position would look like.

“We have seen other libraries hire onstaf f social workers, and I think this could be useful for our community,” she told the Review in an interview ahead of the meeting. “There are so many resources in this area, but it can be difficult for people to know how to access them. Those can be resources for families, seniors, children, peo-

Library hires pro to clean Shelly’s tank

Also in the budget is the hiring of a professional fish tank cleaning contractor who has already taken over responsibility for the tank housing Shelly, the library’s mascot. Until now the tank has been cleaned by library staf f.

Hiring The Fish Guy, a Berwyn-based contractor, will hike the cost of care for Shelly from $600 to $1,463 annually. Money well spent said Rakowski. “The main reason for us to use a professional company over staf f is that we do wish to keep staf f safer,” she said. “Salmonella is an issue with pet turtles, and this is an ideal task to outsource to an expert so staf f can spend their time working

ple experiencing housing insecurity, you name it. I’m not sure if a social worker is the exact right fit for our library or if we’re going to try and create a different kind of role for a librarian, but we must budget for the position if we are able to create it in this fiscal year.”

Rakowski said she hopes to create this position “within the first half of the new fiscal year.” – in other words, sometime by September.

Board president Brooke Sievers, who works as an assistant director at the Addison Public Library, warned that it may be easier said than done – her own library has been trying to fill a similar position for months.

Sievers also wondered if the library could do across-the-board salary increases to account for inflation. Rakowski didn’t rule it out, but she said she wanted to first get a sense of how the library normally handles raises.

“We can af ford to do that within the salary line increase that I’ve set,” she said.

Another notable budget item is “Strategic Initiatives.” Rakowski said this was something that Sue Quinn, who served as interim director before her hiring, came up with while serving as the River Forest Public Library executive director. The idea is to have money in place for initiatives that staf f suggests and that would fit in with the library’s strategic plan.

Rakowski said told the board that she supported it because she thought it was a good way to encourage new ideas and because it would give the staf f more of a sense of ownership over the library’s future.

Time to downsize? Need more room?

Spring is a great time to sell

As a third generation Oak Park / River Forest resident, I will use my deep experience to sell your home, nd you the perfect property and help you navigate this life event.

Kevin W. Kirby, MBA Realtor | Coldwell Banker Realty | 114 N. Oak Park Ave | Oak Park 630-669-9374 | kevin.kirby2@cbrealty.com

on programs and helping visitors to the library, as tank cleaning is a very laborintensive process.”

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

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

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

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OF OUR CALEDONIA STAFF IS VACCINATED

Don’t disrespect Claudia Medina

The March 28 opinion piece by for mer members of Proviso To gether voices many frustrations with the current District 209 high school board that are valid and widely shared. But the viewpoints they advance are also highly selective re garding the leadership of that movement starting in 2015 and the reform records of the incumbents in the race. As a for mer participant in the Proviso To gether movement, I take particular exception to the group’s characterization of incumbent Claudia Medina.

When Claudia tells voters that she was among Proviso To gether’s founders, she is not “bragging,” but rather understating her role in driving the success of PT’s successful campaign against the cor rupt power structure that controlled the D209 board in 2015.

As PT’s only Spanish-speaking candidate, she eng aged every community across diverse Proviso Township, and brought an unprecedented number of Latino voters into active political participation. As the group’s only professional educator, she was equally comfortable crossing the district’s rigid racial boundaries, talking with African American and white voters about how the board was failing ALL Proviso students,

and offering a vision for dynamic transformations of instruction and student services. And as a passionate advocate for integrity in government, Claudia has not hesitated to call out corrupt and self-serving board practices, boldly and loudly, whether embodied in the abject cronyism of the 2015 board or the authoritarianism and lack of transparency all too evident in the current policies of Supt. [James] Henderson and his board allies.

In this re gard, the March 28 opinion piece is especially flawed in mis-re presenting Claudia’s record, her consistency in confronting board malfeasance, and the personal price she has paid to secure educational justice for Proviso’s citizens. And let there be no doubt – given the entrenched self-interest driving the current board majority, there is no path forward toward integrity and competence that will not involve conflict and a willingness to root out corrupt practices. Proviso cannot af ford to lose Claudia Medina’s deep knowledge, experience, and fearless voice for refo rm and renewal over the next four years.

Samuel Whalen Forest Park

11 Month Certificate of Deposit 5.36%

11 Month Certificate of Deposit

5.36% APY*

PART-TIME

Call for more info.

708-738-3848

LICENSED ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Licensed Environmental Health Practitioner in the Health Department. This position will perform a variety of duties including education and enforcement activities for the promotion and protection of the public health environment. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website https:// www.oakpark.us/your-government/ human-resources-departments

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

SEASONAL FARMER’S MARKET ASSISTANT

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmer’s Market Assistant in the Health Department. This position will provide administrative support to the Farmer’s Market Manager to allow growers and producers of food to sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This position requires work in inclement weather conditions; some heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds; walking or standing for sustained periods of time. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs.

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.

CARS WANTED

work and AWESOME!

Pay starts at $20/hr.

Must be available for weekends also.

Ready to work? Contact us by email at info@awesomecjs.com.

HUMAN RESOURCE COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Human Resource Coordinator in the Human Resources Department. The ideal candidate will have a high level of customer service skills, Will provide routine to complex office, clerical, and administrative tasks. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is open until filled, first review of applications will be on April 14, 2023.

POLICE RECORDS SUPERVISOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Police Records Supervisor in the Police Department. This position will manage, supervise, plan and coordinate the activities and operations of the Police Records Division Support Services Bureau, within the Police Department including records maintenance and management services; and coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies and the general public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. First review of applications will be April 21, 2023.

LOST & FOUND

Lost Earring

Found: single gold earring for pierced ears. Small, 1/2 inch, possibly a child’s. Found at northeast corner of Harlem and Lake, at curb. Call Barb at 708-771-2575. Must identify with matching earring.

CLASSICS WANTED

CLASSICS WANTED

Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Cars: Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars

Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles

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

CLASSICS

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc. Collector James 630-201-8122

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT

Office space (2-3 office rooms,1 bathroom, 700-900 sq ft,$1650/monthly) Please call 708-485-9224 ask for Linda Sokol-Francis

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: Y23010313 on March 14, 2023

Under the Assumed Business Name of AADEL ISTAMBULE with the business located at: 1500 ROBIN CIRCLE #212, HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL 60169. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: AADEL ABDALMONEAM ISTAMBULE 1500 ROBIN CIRCLE #212, HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL 60169

Published in Wednesday Journal March 22, 29, April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y23010328 on March 16, 2023 Under the Assumed Business Name of MADAM STYLES with the business located at 2545 W. CATALPA AVE. APT 4C, CHICAGO, IL 60625. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: TOTIANNA POLK 2545 W. CATALPA AVE. APT 4C, CHICAGO, IL 60625

Published in Wednesday Journal March 22, 29, April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing

Village of Brookfield

Planning and Zoning Commission

April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider an application from Khalid Habbab for a Special Use Permit to conduct Low-Impact Manufacturing of ice cream associated with a Warehouse and Distribution use at 4620 Forest Avenue (PIN 1803428060).

Legal Description: Lot 27 (EXCEPT THE SOUTH 20 FEET OF THE EAST 100 FEET THEREOF), AND LOTS 28 THROUGH 31 IN AUSPITZ AND OAKES “BROOKFIELD PARK”, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THE WEST HALF OF THE EAST HALF OF THE SOUTH EAST QUARTER, ALSO THE EAST 6.8368 ACRES (EXCEPT ROAD) OF THE SOUTH WEST QUARTER OF THE SOUTH EAST QUARTER IN SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

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

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 23-06. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 4857344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (south) entrance of Village Hall.

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

Published in RB Landmark

April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing

Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission

April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider an application from Michael Fries for a Special Use Permit related to a Transportation Terminal use for Moving Services at 9118 W 47th Street (PIN 1803424021).

Legal Description: THE WEST 275 FEET OF LOTS 15 AND 16 TOGETHER WITH THE NORTH HALF OF THE VACATED ALLEY LYING SOUTH OF AND ADJACENT TO THE SAID WEST 275 FEET OF LOT 16 AND ALSO LOTS 17, 18, 19 AND 20 TOGETHER WITH THE SOUTH HALF OF THE VACATED ALLEY LYING NORTH OF AND ADJACENT TO SAID LOTS 17, 18, 19 AND 20 IN BLOCK 12 IN OLIVER SALINGER AND COMPANY’S BUNGALOW PARK, A SUBDIVISION IN SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH, RANGE 12 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED OCTOBER 18, 1921 AS DOCUMENT 7299660, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

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

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 23-07. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 4857344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (south) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Plan-

ning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission

April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday,

April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider an application from The 1937 Group, Ltd. for a Special Use Permit for a Cannabis Dispensary use at 8863 W Ogden Avenue (PINs 1803221001, 180322102 and 1803221003).

Legal Description: LOTS 8,9 AND 10 BLOCK 86 IN S.E. GROSS’ THIRD ADDITION TO GROSSDALE, BEING THAT PART OF THE WEST HALF OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER AND THE EAST HALF OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER LYING NORTH OF THE ROAD (NOW OGDEN AVENUE), EXCEPTING THE RIGHT OF WAY OF THE C.B.&Q R.R., ALSO EAST HALF OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER LYING SOURTH OF THE ROAD (NOW OGDEN AVENUE), ALL IN SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

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

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours.

Please reference PZC Case 23-08.

Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 4857344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (south) entrance of Village Hall.

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

Published in RB Landmark April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF COOK

VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE

Notice Of A Public Hearing

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

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 20, 2023 at

6:00 P.M., in the Council Chambers located 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 for a variance to Title 17 Village of North Riverside Zoning Ordinance Section 5.08.D(3) Accessory Buildings, Structures and Uses.

Applicant: David and Dina Witken 2417 S. 9th Avenue North Riverside, Illinois 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 April 5, 2023

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

Notice Of A Public Hearing

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

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 20, 2023 at 6:00 P.M., in the Council Chambers located 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 for a variance to Title 14 North Riverside Sign Ordinance.

Applicant: American Real Estate Management and Development Co., LLC 8400 W. 26th Street North Riverside, Illinois 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 April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

Attention: Parents of Homeschooled Students

On Tuesday April 25, 2023 at 1:00pm, Forest Park Schools District 91 will conduct a meeting at the Administration Office, 424 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities and/or students that are eligible to receive Title 1 services who attend private schools and/or home schools within the district boundaries for the 2023-2024 school year. If you are the parent of a homeschooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and/or is eligible to receive Title 1 services and you reside within the boundaries of Forest Park Schools District 91, you are

urged to attend. If you have further questions pertaining to this meeting, please contact David Mekhiel, Director of Student Services, at (708) 3665700 ext 3306.

Published

Time and Place of Opening of Bids:

Sealed proposals for the improvement described below will be received at the office of the Village Clerk, Village Hall, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois 60130, until 10:00 o’clock A.M., April 13, 2023. Bids will be accepted ONLY through QuestCDN.com via their electronic VirtuBid online bid service. A virtual bid opening will be held at the day and time of the bid closing. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/ j/82553807824?pwd=K2huZ1U2V3A1UWhoTUgvL0pXRWlCZz09

Meeting ID: 825 5380 7824

Passcode: 597244

Description of Work:

Name: Community Center Playground Improvements Project Location: 7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park, IL Proposed Improvement: Installation of Playground Equipment, perforated underdrain, poured in place safety surface, concrete ribbon and restoration.

Bidders Instructions:

The Bidding Documents can be downloaded from QuestCDN via the Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. (CBBEL) website http://cbbel. com/bidding-info/ or at www.questcdn.com under Login using QuestCDN #8443100 for a non-refundable charge of $50.00. A QuestCDN login will be required. Contact QuestCDN. com at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com for assistance in membership registration and downloading this digital project information. Contractors must purchase bid documents and be shown on the Bidder’s Planholder List in order to bid. Bids received from contractors who are not in the Bidder’s Planholder List will be rejected.

By Order of: Village of Forest Park, Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, (Awarding Authority)

Published in the Forest Park Review April 5, 2023

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

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:

2023 Public Works Garage Parking Lot ReconstructionBase Bid – Hot Mix Asphalt Alternate Bid #1 – Reinforced Concrete Pavement

45 Forest Avenue, River Forest, IL

This project consists of approximately 10,000 square feet of parking lot reconstruction (Base Bid – Hot Mix Asphalt, Alternate Bid #1 –Reinforced Concrete Pavement) and other work incidental thereto.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Friday, March 31, 2023 at: www.vrf.us/bids

Bids must be submitted by Wednesday, April 19, 2023 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.

Bidders shall be prequalified by IDOT for: HMA Paving, Concrete Construction

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 April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of JORGE PENA, Petitioner and BEYERLY MOORE PENA, Respondent, Case No. 2023D002416.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, Beverly Moore Pena the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, Jorge Pena for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your Appearance and Response electronically to said Petition with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before May 3, 2023, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

IRIS Y. MARTINEZ, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal April 5, 12, 19, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING

New Meeting Date

Date: Thursday, April 20, 2023

Time: 7 pm to 8:30 pm

Location: Dole Branch/Dole Center, Oak Park Library, 255 Augusta St., Oak Park, IL 60302

Subject Property Address(es): 505 N. Ridgeland, Oak Park, IL

Proposed Development: 5-story apartment building with parking

Purpose of Meeting: Pre-Planned Development Submittal Discussion

Contacts:

Ambrosia Homes, Tim Pomaville, 312-437-8292, tim.pomaville@gmail. com

Published in Wednesday Journal April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

Invitation to Bid

PRINTING, XEROGRAPHIC AND CARBONLESS PAPER

Oak Park Elementary School District #97 will receive sealed bids for “PRINTING, XEROGRAPHIC AND CARBONLESS PAPER” at the District’s Administration Offices - 260 West Madison Street - Oak Park, Illinois 60302 until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday April 19th, 2023. At that time the bids will be publically opened.

Bids mailed or delivered shall be marked to the attention of:

Ms. Anne Calvin Oak Park School District 97 260 Madison Street Oak Park, IL 60302

The front of the envelope should be clearly marked “PRINTING, XEROGRAPHIC AND CARBONLESS PAPER”. The bid specifications may be obtained from Anne Calvin, Print Shop Specialist – Administration Building – 260 West Madison Street –Oak Park, IL 60302, (708) 524-7630, commencing on April 12th, 2023.

The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities, qualifications or irregularities, and/or reject any and all Requests for Proposal (RFP), when, in its opinion, such action will serve the best interest of the Board of Education of Oak Park Elementary School District 97.

Lonya Boose Board Secretary

Published in Wednesday Journal April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

VILLAGE OF OAK PARK COMMUNITY DESIGN COMMISSION

HEARING DATE: April 26, 2023

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

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

CALENDAR NUMBER:

01-23-DRC

APPLICANT: Illinois Pain and Therapy Associates

ADDRESS: 836 S Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304

REQUEST: The Community Design Commission will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Khosrow Zarei, on behalf of Illinois Pain and Therapy Associates, seeking variances from the following sections of the Oak Park Sign Code relative to increasing permanent window sign coverage and increasing items of information displayed in a window area, to allow the existing permanent window signage to remain at the premises commonly known as 836 S. Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-18-224-0270000 (“Subject Property”).

1. Section 7-7-15 (C) (1) of the Village of Oak Park Sign Code,

requiring that permanent window signs affixed to or painted on the inside of a window shall occupy no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the surface of each window area. Window area is counted as a continuous surface until divided by an architectural or structural element. The window area north of the entrance door is 100% covered.

2. Section 7-7-9 (H) (1) of the Village of Oak Park Sign Code, requiring all signs to limit the number of items of information to no more than six (6) items of information. The window north of the entrance contains 14 Items of information.

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

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

Published in Wednesday Journal, April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BROOKFIELD

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

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

First National Bank of Brookfield

Phillip Richard President and Chief Executive Officer

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

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

VILLAGE OF OAK PARK COMMUNITY DESIGN COMMISSION

HEARING DATE: April 26, 2023

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

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

CALENDAR NUMBER: 02-23-DRC

APPLICANT: Sugar Beet Food Store Cooperative

ADDRESS: 812 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302

REQUEST: The Community Design Commission will hold a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Sugar Beet Food Store Cooperative, seeking variances from following sections of the Oak Park Sign Code relative to increasing permanent window sign coverage and increasing items of information that can be displayed in a window area at the premises commonly known as 812 Madison Street, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-07-327-041-0000 (“Subject Property”).

1. Section 7-7-15 (C) (1) of the Village of Oak Park Sign Code, requiring that permanent window signs affixed to or painted on the inside of a

window shall occupy no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the surface of each window area. Window area is counted as a continuous surface until divided by an architectural or structural element. There is a total of ten (10) window areas on the building; five (5) of the ten (10) window areas contain more than twenty-five percent (25%) window coverage.

2. Section 7-7-9 (H) (1) of the Village of Oak Park Sign Code requires all signs to limit the number of items of information to no more than six (6) items of information. There is a total of seven (7) window areas along the south elevation of the building; three (3) of the seven (7) window areas contain eight (8) items of information.

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

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

Published in Wednesday Journal, April 5, 2023

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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

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

is newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

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

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

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

PARK, IL 60302

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 4, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 19, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 626 NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-05-319-0080000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $417,344.71.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 291-1717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 19-092500.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. LOGS Legal Group LLP 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301 Bannockburn IL, 60015 847-291-1717

E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com

Attorney File No. 19-092500

Attorney Code. 42168

Case Number: 19 CH 14891

TJSC#: 43-1045

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 19 CH 14891 I3216043

Just hitting your stride.

Susan Bardolph, MD

Access to Duly Health and Care Oak Park for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Medicare members

Now more than ever, it’s important to get the most out of your health care benefits and manage your health. That’s why Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and Duly Health and Care are working together to provide benefits and services centered around patients on Medicare. At Duly Health and Care Oak Park, adults on Medicare will experience personalized relationships with Duly providers who deliver care tailored especially to their health needs, like maintaining healthy blood pressure, managing diabetes, and keeping physically strong.

Oak Park 1121 South Blvd.

Begin your journey to a healthier, happier you, call 708-745-5744 or visit: dulyhealthandcare.com/OakPark