GROWING COMMUNITY WEDNESDAY JOURNAL, INC.
Vol. 100, No. 24
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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
F O R E S T PA R K
REVIEW JUNE 14, 2017
Summer Fun 2017 Special pull out section
Forest Park’s laser expert PAGE11
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Forest Park opts out of wage law Village will forgo two new county ordinances By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing reporter
The Forest Park Village Council unanimously voted June 12 to opt out of two new Cook County earned sick leave and minimum wage ordinances, following about 90 minutes of public comment from dozens of attendees. The Cook County minimum wage ordinance, adopted in October 2016 and effective July 1, 2017, increases the minimum hourly wage to $10, a $1.75 bump from the current $8.25 per hour rate. The ordinance also requires a $1.00 raise for each of the next three years. By summer 2020, then, the Cook County minimum wage will be $13 per hour. The second ordinance provides a way for employees to accrue paid days off for sick leave. By opting out of the ordinances, Forest Park joined a growing list of communities choosing to forgo the new requirements, including neighboring Riverside, River Forest, Bellwood and Maywood, a list estimated by village officials to be over 40 municipalities. According to the Illinois Constitution, if a Cook County and local municipal ordinance conflict, the municipal law wins out. “This is not something any of us take lightly,” Commission Rachel Entler said, referring See MINIMUM WAGE on page 8
SEBASTIAN HIDALGO/Contributor
Prosit!
A festival-goer raises a liter of beer in toast at the German Fest celebration on June 9 at The Grove. The event was hosted by the Harlem Maenner Und Damenchor and D.A.N.K West and featured a weekend’s worth of cultural cheer, including music and food. For more photos, visit online at www.ForestParkReview.com.
Fired Forest Park cop won’t face criminal charges Separate federal civil suit reportedly in settlement talks
BY THOMAS VOGEL Staff Reporter
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Professional Standards Unit (PSU) has
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decided against charging former Forest Park Police Officer Roberto Salas with sexual assault, according to Illinois State Police spokesperson Master Sergeant Jason Bradley.
“PSU found no conduct by the officer which would give rise to criminal charges,” Bradley wrote in a June 7. “The case is closed.”
Forest Park now ‘welcoming’ community
Escape Factor comes to Forest Park
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See LAWSUIT on page 11
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