Forest Park Review 062823

Austin activist to ll county board seat

Mayor Hoskins won’t run for seat in special election

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The Democratic Party selection committee chose union activist and for mer Chicago aldermanic candidate Tara Stamps to succeed Brandon Johnson on the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

The meeting, held June 20 at The Carleton Hotel in Oak Park, 1110 Pleasant St., lasted a little over three hours, with about half of it involving interviews of the six finalists chosen from among applicants. According to the committee chair, Illinois Sen. President Don Harmon (D-39th), one candidate was eliminated quickly, but it took five rounds of voting before the committee agreed to support Stamps. She was sworn in immediately and will serve until at least the end of 2024. If she wins the March 2024 Democratic primary and that year’s general election, Stamps will be able to serve out the remaining half of Johnson’s term.

Rory Hoskins, Forest Park’s mayor, was the only elected official to throw his hat in the ring. He said that, if se-

See TARA STAMPS on pa ge 6

Grove residents urge more public input on Altenheim plans

Commissioners sympathetic to concerns about lack of info on site, open to more input

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Concerned Van Buren Citizens, a commission of board members from the Grove Midrise Condominium Association, urged the village council to get more public feedback on the future of the village-owned portion of the historic Altenheim retirement community site before making a final decision.

The Grove development is adjacent to the Altenheim property.

Gene Armstrong, the commission’s president, presented the group’s case during the June 26 meeting of the Forest Park Village Council. On March 6, the Altenheim Advisory Committee issued final recommendations for the site, and Armstrong said that, while his organization supported many of those recommendations, they were dubious about potentially dense development and a seeming shor tage of green space. He also argued that the committee re port overstated how much public input it got.

Commissioners Maria Maxham and Jessica Voogd, who worked together to establish the advisory committee, previously expressed their own concerns about public input falling short. During the June 22 meeting, Commissioner Michelle MelinRo govin ag reed that the Grove residents’ concerns were valid, and Commissioner

Ryan Nero of fered to meet with Armstrong to discuss his concerns. The Review saw the two discuss a potential meeting after the council adjourned.

The Altenheim committee re port called for keeping the triangle-like north section of the property as a public recreational space, building homes that comply with R-2 zoning between the south edge of the current retirement community and the Altenheim cemetery, and adding denser housing at the southeast corner to take advantage of its proximity to the Forest Park CTA and suburban Pace bus terminal. It recommended allowing commercial use, but only if it’s a small business such as a coffee shop or dry cleaner.

While the version approved during the March 6 meeting was text-only, the version shared with the village council on May 22 included two concept drawings of what that might look like. The main difference is that one shows green space along Van Buren Street and at the southeast corner, while the other re places that greenery with denser buildings.

Residents of the Grove condominiums attended all Altenheim Committee meetings, and Armstrong was personally present at most of them. He told the council that his group felt that the renderings didn’t accurately re present the committee’s conclusions, which called for “significant portion of the property to be designated for open public recreational use.” Armstrong pointed out that the renderings weren’ t part of the re port released during its March meeting. In a written version of the presentation, he argued that the renderings “have created confusion and suspicion,” which was “an unfortunate and probably unnecessary outcome.”

Armstrong also said Grove residents don’t support active recreation on the site– something that the re port leaves a possibility –and argued that the private developers who purchase the property shouldn’t be required to pay to maintain the public areas.

“This should be a public space. and we would support the use of public funds,” he said

But most notably, Armstrong argued the committee got less public input than the re port suggested and urged the village council to remedy that.

“I can say with certainty that the committee held no discussions with the members of the community from the Grove,” he said.

While Armstrong did give a presentation to the committee, he argued that it didn’t count as a discussion. And he pointed to the fact that the copy of his presentation, as well as the presentations made by other groups to the committee, were not available on the village website.

Melin-Rogovin said she ag reed those presentations should be posted. Voogd said she shared Armstrong’s concerns.

“I look forward to the village, because the onus is now on us now to figure it out, soliciting feedback,” she said. “Hopefully, we will invite more people to share their input, so we can get a better idea of how the community feels about it, and that we make a meaningful attempt to eng age the public as we move forward.”

In an interview after the meeting, Maxham ag reed the renderings created un-

necessary confusion, and said she expects there to be “several ste ps” before the council adopts anything. The village is cu rrently considering hiring a consultant to flesh out the re port, and Maxham said she would like the village to discuss with Armstrong the best ways to get public input.

Armstrong told the Review that he was hopeful that the village council will listen.

“Hopefully, some of the things we say and some of the positions we take will be reflected in the final product,” he said.

SCREENSHOT

WeConnect essential news. essential voices.

District 91 retirees will be hard to replace

educators have dedicated 112 years to Gar eld Elementary

Four

what I have taught them,” Popelka said. “I think I cried for half an hour, in thanks.”

Moy and Gehrke, both reading assistants, like many educators before them, will also be missing their students.

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Four educators retired this year from Garfield Elementary, leaving District 91 with big shoes to fill but years of memories for the community they served with such dedication, as together, the educators have a cumulative 112 years of service.

This year, Garfield said goodbye to Barb Popelka, Lotus Moy, Nancy Gehrke, and Terry Wawzenek.

Jamie Stauder, principal at Garfield Elementary, 543 Hannah Ave., Forest Park, said the women have become pillars in the community throughout their years with the district.

Popelka, who served as the support services assistant, had a 24-year career at Garfield before retiring at the end of the 202223 school year to shift her workload and only work one job.

“Unfortunately, I had to make a decision and because I’m older and it’s closer to my house, it is more suited for my age,” Popelka said.

Popelka said she was “just a mom who lived down the street,” when she began volunteering at Garfield helping serve breakfast 24 years ago. She was later offered a part-time position in the office and eventually a full-time position in support services.

“I couldn’t wait for them to start school so I could be involved,” said Popelka. “We [ex-husband] just really wanted to be a part of it [community.]”

And Popelka really encompassed “support services,” jumping in and helping wherever she was needed, including being a crossing guard, covering the front desk, cooking lunches, and helping in the library amongst anything else that might be needed.

Following her retirement, Popelka said she will miss the kids the most and reading with the students.

“One child gave me back a book that we read together, she went out and bought it with her parents, and they wrote in the margins everything that they loved about

Moy, who had been with the district for 28 years, has been at Garfield for the last 14 years working with first and second graders in reading groups.

“Getting to see the growth they make from the beginning of the year to the end of the year,” Moy said. “They get their ‘ahha’ moment and it’s great to be able to see that.”

Aside from the children, Moy will also be missing her colleagues, who have made Garfield a family to her

“It has been delightful and the staf f there is awesome. They are just great to work with,” Moy said.

Moy said she decided to retire after turning 67 last year and will be trying to spend her time with her husband, who will be retiring at the end of June, traveling, along with more time with her family.

Gehrke, who started her career in education 26 years ago teaching in Florida, moved to the area and said her children attended Garfield Elementary before she took a position with the district.

After working in the special education room, Gehrke eventually became a reading aide, assisting with guided reading groups and having discussions with the children about the books they are reading.

Gehrke, who will be turning 71 this year, joked that she said had hung in there until her friend Lotus Moy was also ready to retire.

Like Moy, Gehrke looks forward to spending more time with her family, especially her six grandchildren.

While she will be surrounded by her grandchildren, for Gehrke, the students of Garfield will always hold a special place, along with the teachers, who Gehrke said all care deeply about their students.

“If there was a message to go out to the families in Forest Park it is that Garfield deeply cares for their children and is constantly trying to come up with the best ways that the children can learn and be happy,” Gehrke said.

Wawzenek, an instructional aide at Garfield, began her career with the district in 1987 when her oldest son was in kindergarten and she was asked to help out in

the classroom. The next year, a position opened up and Wawzenek has been a fulltime employee ever since.

“Getting to know the children, the kids are great, they have always been great,” Wawzenek said.

Wawzenek said all three of her children went through Forest Park schools and now that her children are grown up, she said it was time to retire and have more time to herself.

“Spend more time with my grandchildren, spend more time with my husband, maybe take some trips and just enjoy life ,” Wawzenek said of her retirement plans. “It was just time.”

“She has just been a staple in our school and in the district,” Stauder said. “Everybody knows Mrs. Wawzenek and Mrs. Wawzenek knows everyone.”

Stauder notes that Wawzenek was extremely dedicated to her students and could recall the birthdates of the vast majority, even those who had graduated years prior.

“Students would come back to the school and always wanted to see Mrs. Wawzenek,” Stauder said. “We have for mer students whose children now attend Garfield and they want to connect with [her].”

While District 91 knows they have big shoes to fill, for some of the positions the hiring process has already begun.

Stauder said they are in the process of

finding a re placement for Wawzenek. For the positions left vacant by Moy and Gehrke, the district has decided to forgo hiring and do away with reading assistance as a whole, opting to hire a reading specialist.

“They were exceptional, their help was exceptional, they are hard to re place,” Stauder said. “To find someone at that position that has the background, the knowledge, and the skills to pick up and really do the work that needs to be done to really support students in reading, we felt that we would be better in finding a certified reading specialist that has the training from the get-go. That we would be able to utilize that support in that way.”

Stauder said they filled the position with an internal candidate and now for mer second grade teacher, Michelle Choice.

“We feel very confident,” Stauder said. “We know her and her skill set and that she will be able to support our students in reading.”

The district is also actively looking for a re placement for Popelka.

“All four of them are very dedicated to working with students and helping students grow,” Stauder said. “They all will be greatly missed and definitely ir re placeable, but we will do our best. They really are great, outstanding, dedicated individuals and while they are individuals they worked very well and collaboratively within their group and the entire school.”

Gar eld Elementary said goodbye to four pillars of the educational communit y at the end of the 2022-23 school year. Le to right: Barb Popelka, Terry Wawzenek, Principal Jamie Stauder (not retir ing), Lotus Moy, and Nanc y Gehrke.

June 28-July 5

BIG WEEK

A Marvel-ous Avengers Kit

Wednesday, July 5, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Forest Park Public Library

ve you ever wanted to be an Avenger? Love Spiderman, Groot and the rest of the Avengers? Come pick up your very own Avengers kit. Kits are limited, so please remember to register. Designed for ages 11-13.

Haymarket Mar tyrs Monument & Radical Row Tour

Saturday, July 1, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Haymarket Martyrs ’ Monument

The Historical Society of Forest Park presents an hour-long tour of the Haymarket Martyrs Monument & Radical Row Tour. The Forest Home Cemetery is an active cemeter y; please keep the road clear by parking at the o ce behind the D esplaines entrance. $10 donation is requested. 863 Desplaines Ave., Forest Park.

Double Authors Signing & Discussion With Amy Suiter Clarke & Mia Manansala

Sunday, July 2, 3:30 - 5 p.m., Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore

Clarke will discuss her novel, Lay Your Body Down. Manansala will talk about her book, Blackmail & Bibingka. 7419 Madison St., Forest Park.

Spider-Verse Multi-Verse Appreciation

Frida June 30, 3-4 p.m., Forest Park Public Library

Fourth Of July Festival with the Rockin’ Fenderskirts

Tuesday, July 4, 4 p.m., Forest Park Aquatic Center

Celebrate the day of independence with this renowned oldies quar tet, playing all the past blasts from the ‘50s. 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park.

July 4th Parade

Tuesday, July 4, 10 a.m., Longfellow Center & Park

The diversity of Oak Park will be on display during this joyous procession, which star ts at Longfellow Park and marches north on Ridgeland Avenue to Augusta Boulevard and winds down at Whittier Elementary School on Harvey Avenue. The route o ers many viewing oppor tunities along the way. 610 S. Ridgeland, Oak Park.

Community Ar t Project

Wednesday, June 28, 3:30-4:30 p.m., River Forest Public Library

Feel free to stop by and add your budding ar t talents to a piece of community art that will be displayed at the librar y. This ongoing project occurs every other Wednesday through Aug. 9. For grades K-4. Children age 7 and younger must have a caregiver (age 12 or older) with them at all times. Messy clothing required, since it’s a gloriously messy projec t. 735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest.

One of the nest superheroes from the Marvel comicverse steps into the spotlight, with a special showing of Spiderman: Into The SpiderVerse. You are also invited to make up special stories about Spiderman. Audiences from 8-13 are invited to let their imaginations run wild. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

‘Scopes In The City

Saturday, July 8, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Forest Park Public Library/Park District Adler Planetarium sta and volunteers bring the museum — and the universe — a little closer to you! With ’Scopes in the City, we lead free telescope observing programs and hands-on astronomy activities. What will we be observing? The Sun. Let’s #LookUp together! 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park.

Will a new Brown Street TIF replace the old?

With clock running out for renewal, village starts from scratch

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The village of Forest Park doesn’t expect to have enough time to extend the Brown/Harlem Tax Increment Financing district — so instead, it took the first step toward creating a new, similar TIF.

The Brown Street Station TIF, mostly falls within the area bounded by the Green Line/ Metra line embankment to the north, Brown Street to the west, Franklin Street to the south and Harlem Avenue to the east. It is scheduled to expire at the end of this year, but the village hoped to extend it another 12 years to fund several projects in the northeast corner of Forest Park, including redoing the Harlem Avenue railroad bridge, demolishing the water tower in the nearby CTA railyard and

replacing lead pipes in that area. Illinois General Assembly didn’t vote on the TIF extension during its regular session, and even if it gets approved during the fall veto session, the approval can come as late as November, which wouldn’t give Forest Park enough time to complete the necessary statutory steps to finalize the extension.

Instead, the village decided to let the old Brown/Harlem TIF expire and create a new, similar-looking TIF. The major differences are most residential buildings that are part of the current TIF wouldn’t be part of the new TIF, and it would include a larger portion of the Harlem Avenue commercial corridor, reaching all the way down to Madison Street.

In his memo to the village council, Village Administrator Moses Amidei indicated that this approach would bring more money to the affected taxing bodies. And Village Attorney Brian Baugh said that, while the TIF extension requires the unanimous consent of all the affected taxing bodies, creating a new one only requires a simple majority.

When a TIF is created, the amount of tax revenue that taxing bodies receive is frozen

— in the Brown/Harlem TIF’s case, at 2000 levels. The extra property tax revenue, the “increment,” gets deposited into a TIF fund, where it can be used for development-related costs.

A new TIF would reset the tax revenue amount, freezing it at 2023 levels. Amidei estimated it would more than double the tax revenue. School District 91 would receive $272,528 a year, Proviso Township High School District 209 would receive $166,264, Proviso Township would receive $18,795, Park District of Forest Park would receive $99,035, Forest Park Public Library would receive $32,530, and the village itself would receive $99,035 annually.

During the June 26 village council meeting, Amidei said revenue would most likely be greater, since his calculations didn’t take into account the full tax revenue the taxing bodies would get from the parcels that would no longer be part of a TIF.

The current Harlem/Brown TIF has $4 million in unused funds, and Forest Park would be able to “port” it over to the new TIF.

The council voted unanimously to take

the first few steps toward establishing a new TIF. It contracted Ryan LLC, a Dallas, Texasbased tax services advisory company that acquired Chicago-based economic development consultant Kane, McKenna and Associates, to prepare the TIF eligibility report and a TIF development plan, as well as to help the village set up the hearings and meetings necessary to get a TIF up and running. The contract sets the rate at $290 an hour, which is expected to add up to anywhere between $40,000 and $50,000. The contract also gives the village an option to request a financial analysis of how effective the TIF would be and how it would impact village finances

Phil McKenna, co-founder of Kane, McKenna and Associates, who has worked with the village in the past, told the council he will provide the same kind of service this time The only difference would be that he would do it as a Ryan LLC employee.

Mayor Rory Hoskins said he is confident that the new TIF would be adopted

“No one [among the taxing bodies] is objecting to the extension, so presumably, no one is going to object to a new TIF,” he said.

Progress Center director depar ts for state post

By TOM HOLMES

Contributing

Reporter

Gary Arnold is leaving his post as the program director of the Progress Center for Independent Living.

Finishing his almost six years in that role, he looked back at what might be called the won/lost record of his team at the nonprofit whose offices are in two locations—one in Blue Island and the other at 7521 Madison St here in Forest Park

At the organization’s annual meeting June 22, stakeholders in the organization celebrated the passage of SB121, the Home Modification Funding Program, which went into effect this year. As its name implies the act provides money for adding modifications like grab bars, lifts and ramps to make homes more accessible.

“The funding this program provides,” Arnold said, “allows people to stay in their homes longer. For a long time we’ve been working with limited resources. We did have one grant, but it was limited to Proviso Township and did not cover the full cost of modifications.”

The group’s service area is technically all of Suburban Cook County.

A second win was the passage this year

of Source of Income legislation which was added to the Illinois Human Rights Act. According to the Chicago Association of Realtors, “The new law bans discrimination in housing based on source of income, including housing choice vouchers.”

Arnold said the work done to attain passage of the legislation in the Illinois legislature was done in partnership with other agencies like Action Illinois. “Partnering with other nonprofits is the way we do much of our advocacy work,” he said and added, “passing legislation isn’t the whole battle Making sure that it is implemented and enforced is another part of our advocacy work.

A third action Arnold placed in the win column was the communication the nonprofit did in the disability community during COVID regarding how to obtain PPE and at times the actual distributing of protective gear.

The group led a coalition which was able to convince legislators in Springfield to pass legislation about a year ago that created a Functional Needs Advisory Committee which gives guidance to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the state version of FEMA, on disaster preparedness for people with disabilities.

“We also had a staff person,” he said, “who

took the initiative in a statewide effort to let people with disabilities know about vaccines and protective equipment like masks. At one point when masks were in short supply, we created a coalition which collected and distributed things like masks to thousands and thousands of people. I’m particularly proud of that.”

An action which might produce even more wins in the future was the addition of another staff person as a community org anizer who has been working to increase the nonprofits footprint in the northern suburbs of Cook County

Another development which can be chalked up as a win for people with disabilities is the work the group has done for the state re garding the accessibility of emergency housing assistance centers.

A final source of pride for Arnold is the creation of a support group started early in 2020 as the community was adjusting to the isolation caused by the pandemic. Concerned about the reduction in social connection, the Progress Center began hosting a Zoom check in which is still functioning today

In the loss column, Arnold placed actions which he described as good tries which did not get the desired results

One such loss was the attempt his organization made with yet another coalition to improve protocols in congregate settings like prisons and nursing homes to increase social distancing and provide PPE. Along with that effort was the Progress Center’s participation in the Institutional Rescue and Recovery Coalition which attempted to reduce the density of populations in congregate settings by moving residents into hotels

Those kinds of programs require money which isn’t always there, and sometimes moving people into a better place isn’t enough. They might also require help in the form of training or personal assistants.

The new chapter in Arnold’s career will involve doing training and event work with a state agency called the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. He and his family will continue to live in Oak Park.

When asked why he is making the transition, he replied that it has nothing to do with negative experiences at the Progress Center. “I like disability work,” he said. “I am happy with the work I did here, but now I’m looking for different opportunities and projects.”

“One of the things that makes me sad,” he said, “is leaving the community that is Forest Park

TARA STAMPS

from page 1

lected, he would continue to serve as mayor, but would give up that office if he won the March 2024 primary. After Stamps was selected, Hoskins told the Review that he wished Stamps well, and that he won’t run against her in 2024.

The 1st District spans the city and the suburbs, including all of Austin, Oak Park, Forest Park, Maywood and Bellwood Stamps was born in Cabrini-Green. A daughter of civil rights activist Marion Stamps, she told the committee that taking part in protests was a formative part of her upbringing. Stamps became a Chicago Public Schools language arts teacher in 1996, and, aside from taking two years off to raise her kids, she continued teaching until 2018. Stamps told the committee that she was a “mentor-teacher” to Johnson while he was attending what was then known as the Jenner Elementary Academy of the Arts. She currently works as administrator for new teacher development at the Chicago Teachers Union.

As an adult, Stamps became an activist in her own right. She ran against Austin Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) in 2015 and 2019.

When a Cook County board seat becomes vacant, the committee made up of ward and township committeepersons from their political party get to choose the successor. Each committeeperson’s vote was worth the equivalent of the number of votes Johnson got in their ward or township during the 2022 election. Harmon, who serves as the Oak Park Township committeeperson, and County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, the Proviso Township committeeperson, collectively held 58.72% of the vote. On the city side, 2nd Ward Committeeperson Tim Egan and Alds. Walter Burnett (27th), Jason Ervin (28th), Chris Taliaferro (29th), Scott Waguespack (32nd) and Mitts attended the committee meeting. Ald. Daniel LaSpata (1st) and 26th Ward Committeeperson Angee Gonzalez Rodriguez were absent, but they gave Harmon their proxies.

During the meeting, Mitts said she supported Stamps’ candidacy, and Stamps said she supported Mitts in return.

“Solidarity is our own superpower,” Stamps told Mitts. “I’m here to be in lockste p with you to create a better, stronger, safer West Side.”

Hoskins was re-elected to his second ter m as mayor this April. He had previously

served as a Forest Park village commissioner

He ran unsuccessfully for the Illinois House several years ago. During the committee interview, Hoskins said that he was a social worker in the 1990s, working with organizations in Humboldt Park and Austin. Hoskins said he decided to apply for the seat at the urging of his constituents sometime in midMay, and that he filed the application on the May 30 deadline

Aside from Stamps and Hoskins, the finalists included Rev. Ira J. Acree, co-chair of the Leaders Network, a faith-based West Side social justice group and pastor of Greater St. John Bible Church; for mer 29th Ward aldermanic candidate and Cook County president candidate Zerlina Smith-Members, Managing Deputy Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation Tommie Johnson and activist Claibor ne Wade, who is originally from Austin but moved to Forest Park two years ago.

The Foxboro Room was packed with supporters for all candidates, the majority of whom came from the West Side. Acree, SmithMembers and Stamps got particularly loud applause. The candidates were interviewed one at a time. All were asked whether they felt they would be able to raise the money for their election campaign if they were selected and whether they would run against the selected candidate if they weren’t.

Johnson, Stamps and Smith-Members said that, if they weren’t selected, they would run for the seat, while Wade said that he was so confident in his chances that he wouldn’t even consider what happens if he wasn’t chosen.

“I’m absolutely going to run, because I’m uniquely qualified to continue the progressive measures that [Brandon Johnson pushed for] in the commissioner seat,” Stamps said.

She said she was able to raise nearly $250,000 during her previous campaigns and she expects to be able to surpass that.

“I’m happy to call on the support of the mayor and labor, so that we have a competitive race” Stamps said, adding that she was confident that they’d come through.

Hoskins said that he got “funding commitments” since he expressed interest in the position to raise the necessary funds. He said that, if he wasn’t selected, he would support the appointee in the election.

All finalists were asked how they would balance the interests of Chicago and suburban portions of the district. Stamps said that she was no stranger to the suburbs, saying she volunteered at Proviso Township and spoke at Oak Park’s 19th Century Club. She said she sees herself as “bridge-builder” and she would bring it to all parts of the district.

Hoskins reiterated his experience on the West Side and said he would be willing to lis-

ten and lear n.

“If appointed, I look forward to working with you and other [elected officials] to see where I can be helpful,” he said.

The finalists were asked to describe their two major priorities if selected. Stamps said she would prioritize public safety – something that, based on her experience growing up in Cabrini-Green, required investment in programs. She also wanted to work toward expanding affordable housing in the city and the suburbs, something that, she believed, was especially important for seniors struggling to pay their bills

Hoskins had similar priorities, saying that he would focus on expanding social services, especially when it comes to assisting homeless residents. He would also prioritize economic development, saying that, while Chicago and larger home rule municipalities get federal funding directly, smaller municipalities like Forest Park and Maywood get their funding through the county-driven process. He wanted to make sure the economic developments interests of such communities don’t get overlooked.

“I noted the absence of other suburban mayors seeking appointment, I decided to explore seeking the appointment,” Hoskins said.

Har mon said that, while there is precedent for county commissioners holding other offices at the same time, “I think that practice is going out of favor” and asked Hoskins if he would step down as mayor if selected, whether it was now or “right after the primary election.” Hoskins confirmed that he would, and said that he didn’t believe he would have trouble balancing the duties of two offices in the meantime,

“We have a very able village staf f in Forest

Park,” he said. “[Being a mayor] is essentially a part-time position. I don’t have to be hands on.”

Harmon also quizzed Stamps on her support for a commuter tax during her 2019 campaign. Stamps said she would keep an open mind.

“I’m prepared to analyze what’s in the best interest of our constituents,” she said, adding that, as a for mer teacher, she appreciated the importance of growing and lear ning

After the interviews, the committee went into executive session, which lasted around 90 minutes. According to Crain’s Chicago Business and the Review’s own sources, Hoskins was a leading candidate, but the fact that Stamps had Hoskins’ support ultimately swung the race in his favor.

As Harmon announced Stamps’ selection, a significant part of the remaining crowd erupted in cheers.

When asked what might have put her over the top, Stamps told reporters that it was her record as a “servant leader” and the service to the community.

Maria Maxham who, as the village Commissioner of Accounts & Finance, would’ve filled in for Hoskins on the interim basis when he stepped down as mayor, declined to comment.

Commissioner Jessica Voogd was the only village official who attended the proceedings until the end. She subsequently told the Review that “as a resident of the 1st district, [she] appreciated the opportunity to attend the committee meeting and hear from the finalists.”

“I look forward to working with Commissioner Stamps and congratulate her on her appointment,” she said.

New county commissioner

PROVIDED

1st District nalists for Brandon Johnson’s county board seat, including Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins.

Sawa’s

Dispute over CTA employee’s schedule ends in tussle

Two CTA employees working at the Forest Park CTA terminal got into a fight on the early afternoon of June 16 after one of the employees complained about her work schedule.

The employee re por tedly came into the office at around 1:12 p.m. and complained about her work schedule. The argument escalated, and, according to a CTA employee who witnessed the incident, the employee pushed the other as she was sitting in the chair, and she pushed back. Witnesses separated the two before the fight could escalate.

The officer responding to the incident decided that, since both parties were “mutual combatants,” neither party should be charged. The complainant got upset that the other wasn’t arrested, but she re portedly calmed down, and said she appreciated the of ficers for hearing her out.

Car theft

A red 2021 Kia Sedan was stolen from the parking lot of the Forest Park Walmart, 1300 Desplaines Ave., on the afternoon of June 19.

The vehicle owner arrived at the store around 2:30 p.m. He headed toward the store, briefly returned to grab his credit card, and went inside Walmart. The victim said he wasn’t sure if he locked the vehicle.

When he came back around 20 minutes later, the Kia was gone.

The Oak Park Police Department got a call about reckless driving involving a car matching the Kia’s description in the area south of Garfield Street. It was later spotted on a traffic camera in Chicago, heading north on Harlem Avenue through the Wellington Avenue intersection around 3:02 p.m.

Bicycle thefts

Hannah Avenue saw two separate bicycle thefts on Hannah Avenue — one overnight on June 14-15 and one on the evening of June 18.

In the first incident, the owner left her blue Next Breakpoint Pro brand bicycle in

2nd Annual Classic Car Show and Cook Out

her backyard. On the morning of June 15 around 8 a.m., she noticed that her home’s backyard gate was open, and the bicycle was missing.

In the second incident, the owner’s black Trek 820-brand bicycle was stolen from his garage, and the grey JBL brand speaker was missing from the table in his backyard. The victim noticed that the backyard gate was open around 7 p.m., but didn’t see anything missing until half an hour later.

While his home had front and back security cameras, neither of them captured any intruders.

Attempted theft

A perpetrator alle gedly tried to take cash from a re gister of the Forest Park Walgreens store at 7200 Roosevelt Road, but the cashier slammed the cash re gister shut before the thief could take anything.

On June 16 at 11:35 a.m., the man came into the store and filled a shopping cart with merchandise. At the re gister, he reached across the counter to try to snatch some money out. The cashier closed the re gister, and the man ran out of the store, fleeing south on Harlem Avenue.

The Walgreens security camera wasn’t working, so there’s no recorded footage of the incident.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, June 13-19, and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

Compiled by Igor Studenkov

All

welcome. To register your car for judging please stop by and leave your information with the bartender.

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

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

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

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

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

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Ein Prosit!

Family-friendly German Fest took to The Grove picnic grounds on Friday and Saturday, drawing children, food-lovers, and beer-drinkers in a celebration of German heritage and culture. Fred Leinweber, one of the org anizers, re ported total attendance the two-day fest to be about 2,000 people. The German food hut sold over 700 brats, 600 thuringers, 200 hot dogs, 400 schnitzels, 120 pounds of sauerkraut and 100 pounds of cabbage. Smiling faces were as evident as full bellies, along with live musi activities and local nonprofits, adding up to a wholesome German celebration.

Soup and Bread fundraisers raise money for West Side, west suburban food pantries

Fundraisers held monthly at Forest Park’s Exit Strategy Brewing

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

For Katherine Valleau, a for mer teacher and Forest Park School District 91 board member, and current co-owner of Exit Strategy Brewing, helping to reduce hunger and food insecurity is deeply personal.

“I feel very strongly about food stuff,” she said. “I taught here in town, and, like, seeing a 10-year-old coming in hungry, it would just wreck you.”

Social responsibility, Valleau said, was always an important part of Exit Strategy ethos. And when she was asked if she would be interested in hosting Soup and Bread fund raisers, which raise money for local food pantries by offering all-you-can-eat, home-cooked soups, Valleau embraced it with gusto

The fundraisers kicked off in March, and they have been held every third Tuesday of the month from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. So fa they’ve raised funds for Oak Park’s Beyond Hunger food pantry, 848 Lake St., Forest Park’s Mohr Community Center food pantry, 7640 Jackson Blvd., Elmwood Park Community Food Pantry, 2334 N. 75th Ave., and North Lawndale’s Stone Temple Baptist Church, 3622 W. Douglas Blvd. The July 18 event will raise money for the Westchester Food Pantry, 1938 S. Mannheim Rd

The August event will raise money for the Food Aid Festival, which will take place on Aug. 27 at Oak Park’s Scoville Park, Lake Street and Oak Park Avenue. Beyond that, Valleau said Soup and Bread Forest Park will continue to look for opportunities to raise money for pantries on the West Side and west suburbs. After all, food insecurity exists everywhere, and opportunities to help abound.

Soup and Bread launched in Chicago in 2009 amid the Great Recession. Chefs, caterers, and home cooks were invited to donate soups and bread that could be shared in a

communal meal. For a donation, participants could eat as much as they wanted, and the proceeds went to Chicago food pantries.

The original Soup and Bread events were held at Chicago’s Hideout bar, and they have since expanded to other parts of Illinois and across the country. Forest Park had its first Soup and Bread fundraiser in 2013.

Ironically, the COVID-19 pandemic, which worsened food insecurity, also put a damper

on the events – there was simply no way to hold them amid lockdowns, masking and social distancing.

Last winter, with the pandemic receding, a group of west suburbanites started talking about bringing it back. Valleau said that Brad Knaub, co-owner of Carnivore Oak Park, 1042 Pleasant St., approached her to see if she would be interested in hosting the fundraisers.

“And I said – 100%, absolutely,” she recalled.

Beyond Hunger was a natural first choice, given its history in the area. Valleau was the one who suggested the Forest Park food pantry for April

“We started with Beyond Hunger, for our first month. We raised $1,300,” she said. “It

just went into a giant wad of cash for Beyond Hunger, and they were able to use it for hundreds and hundreds of meals. Next month, we did the Forest Park food pantry. We raised another $1,300. They were able to buy all the shelf stable products.”

Valleau said each fundraiser has an average of “8 to 14 soup makers set up a buffet of all kinds of soups.” They get support and donations from several Oak Park businesses – the aforementioned Carnivore, the Daly Bagel, 130 Chicago Ave., Karl’s Craft Zoup and Zesty Catering. Valleau said attendance fluctuates, and it’s not unusual to have repeat participants.

“I think our highest count has been 90 to 100 people,” she said. “We always clean out the soup We don’t have leftover soup, it’s always gone. It’s wonderful, we want that.”

In addition to the monthly fundraisers, Soup and Bread Forest Park did a fundraiser on May 16 for asylum-seekers who have been arriving in Chicago from Central and South

American countries. This was a supply drive since many of the refugees came with little more than the clothes on their backs.

“That whole shuffleboard table,” Valleau gestured to her left, “it was full of donations for the refugees coming into the police stations, coming into the area. There were toiletries and diapers and feminine products. Someone brought a suitcase and the inside of it was full of socks and underwear If you’re in an unsafe situation, you’re not sticking around to pack. And it took multiple trips, 2 to 3… it ended up going to different churches after police stations guided us to take it [there].”

She said the organizers will sit down and figure out what to fundraise for next. Valleau would like to keep hosting the fundraisers at least through the end of the year, and hopefully beyond. After all, she doesn’t expect the need to go away any time soon.

“The idea that oh, this is only a big city problem, or in this pocket of the city -- absolutely not,” Valleau said. “Food insecurity exists all around us, anywhere. You’re not going to find a community that doesn’t have a need. Every community has a need. And we cannot wear blinders to that. We cannot be so naive as to think that we live in X zip code and therefore we cannot have that ‘problem.”

TODD BANNOR

Soup and bread food bank fundraiser at Exit Strategy Brew ing on June 20. (Above) Brad Knaub from Carnivore in Oak Park ser ves a pantry patron

A TIF we support

Forest Park’s village council on Monday set in motion a plan to craft a new Tax Increment Finance District at Harlem and Circle to replace a TIF that is due to expire at the close of 2023.

This was not the original plan. Village Administrator Moses Amidei has spent much of this year working one-by-one to line up support from the 10 other local taxing bodies impacted by a TIF to extend the existing district for another 12 years. He seems to have lined up that support, but the village fears it might run out of time for the state legislature to sign off on the agreement after it failed to get approved during the recent session.

The next iteration of the TIF will shift a bit, with fewer residential properties included but adding commercial properties heading south on Harlem toward Madison. That is a strong idea as that stretch of Harlem, from the former CVS to the oversized Athletico facility are ripe for redevelopment once the economy turns. Having TIF dollars available to spur such development would be a wise course

Most immediate, says Amidei, is a need to continue to have a source of funding when long-delayed plans to remake the tri-village railroad underpass at Harlem and Circle inevitably reaches the top of the state’s infrastructure list. Forest Park will need to join River Forest and Oak Park in coughing up millions for the rebuild. That is a worthy project.

We remain more than dubious about another project on the TIF to-do list proposed by the village. The hideous, rusted and purposeless water tower tucked into the CTA work yard at the ter minus of the Green Line is a real eyesore. But it is the CTA’s eyesore and the CTA’s problem to solve. While it is hard to look at, it is not the responsibility of Forest Park taxpayers to funnel a nickel to demolish it.

Village does itself proud

Let’s start with the joy of Friday evening’s Forest Park Pride celebration. A big and happy crowd gathered at Constitution Court. Young and old, happily diverse, actively inclusive. The eight fabulous drag performers stole the show, of course

Along a Madison Street lined with simple and vibrant Pride flags and the recently repainted Pride colors on the actual street there is no mistaking Forest Park’s embrace of the LGBTQ+ community.

The joy multiplies in the directness of the political statement that such a celebration reflects in this pitiful moment of anti-gay hate that we see on so many fronts from a sad group of fearful people. Mayor Rory Hoskins has been strong on this front since his election. And his declaration on Friday that Forest Park “is a very progressive community” is resounding. And more than notable.

OPINION

Is Forest Park de- escalating the culture wars?

When I drive down Madison Street, I love the impact the rainbow banners have on me Aesthetically, they are stunning.

Ethically, they affir m one of my values, the value of respecting the humanity of every person. Viewed from my religious perspective, I try to frame everyone I encounter as a child of God

I don’t mind that my tax dollars have been used to purchase and install the banners, paint Madison Street with rainbow colors and provide support for drag queen performances.

I approve of the library using my tax dollars to purchase controversial books like Gender Queer and The Hate U Give

Not only do I feel comfortable with all of the above, but so does the majority of residents in this community, as far as I can tell.

HOLMES

We don’t feel the immediate effects of the culture wars here in Forest Park because events like a Juneteenth Pool Party or flying a rainbow flag on a village flagpole are consistent with the values of the cultural base in this town.

Just like Donald Trump has a MAGA base of voters, we in Forest Park have a core cultural base I will describe as unpretentious, pragmatic, diverse, and blue collar sophisticated Diversity is often defined in terms of race.

Look at the racial/ethnic backgrounds of the field of candidates running against each to become the Republican nominee for president. Indian: Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy; Black: Tim Scott, Larry Elder, Will Hurd; Cuban: Francis Suarez

Racial diversity, sure, but ideological diversity? I don’t think so

Forest Park is diverse racially, but I don’t think we are diverse ideologically. In the last election, over 80% of us voted for Biden, and there is little controversy among library patrons regarding which books are purchased.

In 2020, Louis Cavallo, who was then the District 91 superintendent, told the Review, “We believe that it [teaching about the contributions of LGBTQ people] is not only required by law but the right thing to do.”

When Cavallo used the word “we,” I assume that he meant most Forest Parkers.

If we narrow our focus to only what happens in our village, we have to conclude that no battles in the culture wars are being fought here.

But if Ron DeSantis led a caravan of Republicans from Florida down Madison Street, they would conclude that Forest Park is a community where woke comes to thrive.

I won’t list examples of his anti-progressive words and actions here. I’m assuming that most Review readers are aware of his MAGA world view and understand that his base would bristle at even the thought of using tax money to purchase rainbow banners.

My point is that just as DeSantis gets a positive, affirming response from his base in Florida, so Mayor Hoskins gets “attaboys” from his base, which includes myself, in response to the Juneteenth Pool Party. Local cultural homogeneity breeds unified ideology

To my mind it’s important that we regularly acknowledge that we are living in an ideological bubble, in a relatively homogeneous lifestyle enclave. And second, we need to accept that fact that if we want to make things work on a national basis like they do here locally, we have to not only speak the opposition’s language but, more importantly, be able to see life from their point of view. Not agree with it but at least see it without bias.

An online post by the New York Times pointed out that both Republicans and Democrats have blind spots Republican have struggles with colle ge graduates and Democrats have largely lost the working class.

Regarding the Democrats, the piece concluded, “I don’t think the main problem is with the party’s policies so much as its overall vibe. Dems need to re-lear n how to talk to working-class voters — to sound less condescending and ‘scoldy.’ Too many Democrats radiate an aura of, ‘If only voters understood what was good for them, they would back us.’”

If urban, educated folks need to learn how to communicate with workers, the Times contends that Republicans have to learn to do the same in the opposite direction. They need to dispense with the “craziness and chaos of the Trumpist style” and adopt an approach characterized by a “rigorous reasonability, a studied outreach to suburbanites and a more sober governing style.”

When I imagine myself as the mayor of a purple village, a community with a more even balance between Progressives and Trumpists, I think I would still hang rainbow banners along Main Street but intersperse them with ones featuring Juneteenth, a native American medicine wheel, a Harley motorcycle and a German beer stein.

“I’m taking my son to a hockey game,” said one father to a friend

“I didn’t know that you liked hockey,” the friend replied.

“I don’t,” said the dad, “but I love my son.

Dare we set aside our need to be right and do the uncomfortable work of loving our MAGA “neighbors”?

Sta Reporter Igor Studenkov, Francia Garcia Hernandez, Amaris Rodriguez

Senior Editor Bob Uphues

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

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Big Week Editor James Porter

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Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

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Editor and Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

At L’Arche, community is numero Uno

Rose Mattax wanted a Catholic Church nearby but discovered a different kind of spiritual home when L’Arche purchased the house across the street.

L’Arche is a nonprofit organization that provides homes for adults with intellectual disabilities (known as “Core members”). Their local office is at 7313 Madison St. and they own two houses on Ferdinand.

Rose is a retired energy-medicine psychotherapist and a longtime resident of Forest Park. She discovered L’Arche when she was in her 20s, living on the East Coast. She read the book The Road to Daybreak – A Spiritual Journey by Henry Nouwen. The renowned theologian spent the final 10 years of his life living in the L’Arche Daybreak home near Toronto.

The book recounts Nouwen’s nine-month stay at the L’Arche home in Trosly, France. This is where his friend, Jean Vanier, started the movement in 1964. Vanier’s vision was to create small homes for Core members and their “assistants.”

Forest Park is perfect for L’Arche. It’s a walkable community, close to public transportation. It also has plenty of small houses. These houses must have plenty of outdoor

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.

space and the one on Ferdinand has an outdoor deck and a sizable backyard patio.

Rose has admired the L’Arche movement for years. But the organization’s director of development, Vicki Watts, is elatively new. She started her osition only a few months ago and is involved with fundraising and marketing. L’Arche receives some gover nmental funding but they must raise 28% of their $2.4 million annual budget.

This money is used to purchase and renovate properties. It is also needed to furnish homes, pay staff and provide necessities. L’Arche also maintains a community vehicle for transportation needs. When they requested handicap parking for this vehicle, the village immediately put up signs and painted the curb blue

L’Arche has encountered considerably more red tape while constructing a new home in Oak Park. The two-story house has a modern design and open floor plan. It has a spacious courtyard and deck. It will also have ground floor access for Core members who use wheelchairs and is scheduled to be completed in fall 2024.

Meanwhile, the L’Arche movement continues to grow. They maintain homes in 37 countries and attract assistants from all

over the world. It’s an attractive position for many young people. The pay isn’t great but the work is heart-centered and beneficial to Core members and assistants alike. Plus, L’Arche provides them with housing.

Rose and her husband John have welcomed several assistants to Forest Park. They share meals and act as tour guides of the Chicago area. She has also been a good friend and neighbor to a Core member named Noah. For over a year, Rose has crossed Ferdinand every Wednesday afternoon to play Uno with Noah.

I was invited to a recent game and found the house filled with four Core members and their assistants. There were also inter ns and part-time staff members. Rose and I were among the volunteers playing Uno at the dining room table. Fortunately, we weren’t playing for money. I may know my colors, but I wasn’t accustomed to cards that skip your turn and make you pick up more cards.

It reminded me of living with a big family and for Core members it’s a family for life.

If you’re interested in donating your time or money to L’Arche, you can call Vicki at 708-660-1600, ext. 102. You can also email her at vicki.watts@larchechicago.org. The organization’s website is www larchechicago.org

You can receive the spiritual gifts that Rose Mattax and Henry Nouwen found Making friends at L’Arche homes can be incredibly rewarding.

Vegetable rows on Industrial Drive

Rows of corn, tomatoes, squash and other ve getables were filling 350 community garden plots, 20 x 20 feet, along Industrial Drive in July of 1978. Commissioner Edward Lambke, inspired by a project in Wauconda, brought the Community Garden to the south end of town just three years earlier. Many residents took advantage of the 400-square-foot plots and rented a space for just $10.

Photo: Forest Park Review archives, July 12, 1978. is photo, taken from Industrial Drive looking south to Woodlaw n Cemetery shows a portion of the 350 Community Garden plots that were thriv ing that year.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator in the Health Department/Village Manager’s Office. This position will coordinate disaster response, crisis management and medical countermeasure dispensing/ distribution activities for the Village of Oak Park, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies, hazardous materials spills, biological releases) or disasters. This single class position is also responsible for the complex administrative duties required for state, federal and local response processes and grant management. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website https:// www.oak-park.us/your-government/ human-resources-department.

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. First review of applications will be June 19, 2023.

SYSTEMS ANALYST

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Systems Analyst in the Information Technology Department. The ideal candidate will perform a variety of complex technical duties in design, application programming and development, PC configuration and support, testing and maintenance of the Village’s computer application systems and perform a variety of technical duties as required. Knowledge of a wide variety of computer programming languages and systems, such as, City View Permit, License & Inspection Suite, Laserfiche, ESRI ArcGIS, MS-SQL, Reporting Tools, Java and HTML is wanted. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application by visiting the website https://www.oakpark.us/your-government/human-resources-department. This position is open until filled.

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HELP WANTED

ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN II

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Engineering Technician II in the Public Works Department. The employee performs layout, draft and design drawings from field survey information and field notes for various engineering and planning projects including existing improvements, right-of-way and various utilities and performs a variety of field inspections. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

IT OFFICE COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Office Coordinator in Information Technology. This position will perform a variety of responsible and complex administrative duties for the IT Department; provide information and assistance to Village staff regarding requests for service; and provide administrative support to the IT Director and the IT staff. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website https://www.oakpark.us/your-government/human-resources-department. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. First review of applications will be June 21, 2023.

PART-TIME ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER

Call for more info. 708-738-3848

NOVENAS

General Manager sought by Little Caesars to wk in Chgo, IL to monitor food prep’n methods, portion sizes, & garnishing as well as presentation of food. Hire, train, & supv food & beverage staff. BS in Health Administration or rltd & 6 mo exp as Restaurant Manager Send resume to LCPizza95th, 2024 E. 95th St, Chgo, IL, 60617, Attn: F. Fatehally.

PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Parking Enforcement Officer in the Police Department Field Services Division. This position will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in the enforcement of Village parking regulations; and to provide general information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website https://www.oakpark.us/your-government/human-resources-department. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

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PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS

Public Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) of the Village of River Forest, County of Cook, State of Illinois, on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. in the First Floor Community Room of the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois on the following matter:

The ZBA will consider an application for a major zoning variation submitted by Alfredo Moreno, owner of the property at 7821 Thomas Street, who is proposing to construct a one story addition onto the existing home.

Section 4-8-5 of the Village Code provides the Zoning Board jurisdiction to hold public hearings and offer recommendations to the Village Board concerning variations to Zoning Ordinance.

The applicant is requesting a major variation to Section 10-9-7 of the Zoning Ordinance.

Section 10-9-7 of the Zoning Ordinance (10-8-7-B) requires the primary building to maintain a setback from the rear property line not less than fifteen percent of the depth of the lot or twenty six feet two inches, whichever is greater The proposed addition to the house will have a setback of 5 feet to the western portion of the rear lot line and the roof eave will have a 3 foot setback.

The legal description of the property at 7821 Thomas Street is as follows:

THE EAST 60 FEET OF LOT 22 AND EAST 60 FEET OF THE SOUTH 20 FEET OF LOT 23, THE EAST 80 FEET OF THAT PART OF LOT 23 LYING NORTH OF SOUTH 20 FEET THEREOF AND EAST 80 FEET OF LOT 24 ALL IN HENRY E. GRAVES SUBDIVISION OF BLOCK 10 IN SNOW AND DICKINSON’S ADDITION TO RIVER FOREST BEING A SUBDIVISION OF PARTS OF SECTIONS 1 AND 2, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

A copy of the application will be available to the public at Village Hall and on the Village’s website at www. vrf.us/zoningvariation no less than 15 days prior to the public hearing. The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting packet will also be available at www.vrf.us/meetings no less than 48 hours prior to the public hearing.

All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. For public comments to be considered by the Zoning Board of Appeals and Village Board of Trustees in their decision, they must be included as part of the public hearing record. Interested persons can learn more about how to participate in the hearing by visiting www. vrf.us/zoningvariation.

Sincerely, Clifford Radatz

Secretary, Zoning Board of Appeals

Published in Wednesday Journal June 28, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on 17 July 2023, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, the Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing to consider a conditional use permit to allow the replacement of an existing billboard with a digital billboard in the I-1 Light Industrial District on the following described property:

LOT 1 IN COMMONWEALTH EDISON – FOREST PARK SUBSTATION 57 BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THAT PART OF THE EAST HALF OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 13, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, IL. Commonly known as 723 Des Plaines Ave., Forest Park, IL PIN: 15-13-112-016-0000

The applicant is Thomas S. Moore

Signed:

Marsha East, Chair Planning and Zoning Commission

Published in Forest Park Review June 28, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on 17 July 2023, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, the Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing to consider a conditional use permit to allow the replacement of an existing billboard with a digital billboard in the I-1 Light Industrial District on the following described property:

LOT 1 IN COMMONWEALTH EDISON – FOREST PARK SUBSTATION 57 BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THAT PART OF THE EAST HALF OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 13, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, IL.

Commonly known as 723 Des Plaines Ave., Forest Park, IL PIN: 15-13-112-016-0000

The applicant is Thomas S. Moore

Signed:

Marsha East, Chair Planning and Zoning Commission

Published in Forest Park Review

June 28, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on 17 July 2023, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, the Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing to consider a conditional use permit to allow a cannabis infuser in the I-1 Light Industrial District on the following described property: LOT 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 AND 16 AND ALL OF VACATED ALLEY WEST AND ADJOINING SAID LOTS IN BLOCK 13 IN BRADISH MIZNER’S ADDITION TO RIVERSIDE, A SUBDIVISION OF THE EAST ½ OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 24, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12,

PUBLIC NOTICES

EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Commonly known as 1525 Circle Ave., Forest Park, IL PIN: 15-24-213-008-0000

The applicant is Michael Hart Cardozo VI.

Signed:

Marsha East, Chair Planning and Zoning Commission

Published in Forest Park Review June 28, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on 17 July 2023, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, the Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing to consider a text amendment to Title 9: Zoning Regulations of the Forest Park Code of Ordinances to add performance venue to the list of definitions and to add performance venue as a conditional use in the Downtown Business District (DBD).

The applicant for this petition is the Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois.

Signed:

Marsha East, Chair Planning and Zoning Commission

Published in Forest Park Review

June 28, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on 17 July 2023, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, the Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing to consider a conditional use permit to allow a performance venue in the DBD Downtown Business District on the following described property:

THE EAST HALF OF LOT 4 IN BLOCK 3 IN CARNEY’S ADDITION TO HARLEM IN SECTION 13, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED MARCH

16, 1889 IN BOOK 33 OF PLATS, PAGE 43, AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 1073277, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Commonly known as 7316 Madison Ave., Forest Park, IL PIN: 15-13-205-003-0000

The applicant is Emily Ramirez

Signed:

Marsha East, Chair Planning and Zoning Commission

Published in Forest Park Review June 28, 2023

PUBLIC

LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

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

In re the marriage of Aisha T. Oliver, Petitioner and Terrell Hollins, Respondent, Case No. 2021D002298.

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

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before May 24, 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 June 28, July 5, July 12, 2023

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 Mon thru Fri, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm local time until 11:00 am on Friday, Aug 4, 2023 for the following:

Village of Oak Park Main Fire Station Bunk Room Renovations

Proposal Number: 23-124

Issuance Date: June 28th, 2023

There will be a mandatory pre-bid meeting at the Main Fire Station, 100 N. Euclid, Oak Park, IL on Thurs, July 13, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. Bid documents may be obtained from the Village website at http:// www.oak-park.us/bid. Design drawings and specifications will be available after July 6th. For questions please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700.

Published in Wednesday Journal June 28, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park --Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302-- will receive electronic proposals until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 for Project: 23-6, Pavement Preservation. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, the improvements consist of various sized asphalt patches; cleaning and sealing of any cracks, voids, or joints less than 2” inches in width with asphalt cement reinforced by polypropylene or polyester fibers; micro-surfacing application; petroleum maltene‐based rejuvenator application; thermoplastic pavement marking removal & installation; and all appurtenant work thereto. The work will take place in various locations throughout the Village of Oak Park. Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic

service starting on Thursday, June 29th, at 4:00 p.m. Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www.oak-park.us/yourgovernment/budget-purchasing/ requests-proposals or at www. questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 8567476 for a non-refundable charge of $64.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening. The work to be performed pursuant to this Proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK

Bill McKenna Village Engineer

Published in Wednesday Journal, June 28, 2023

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 Mon thru Fri, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm local time until 11:00 am on Friday, July 28, 2023 for the following:

Village of Oak Park Central Pumping Station Structural Repairs

Proposal Number: 23-122

Issuance Date: June 28th, 2023

There will be a mandatory pre-bid meeting at the Central Pump Station, 102 N. Lombard, Oak Park, IL on Mon., July 17, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. Bid documents may be obtained from the Village website at http://www.oak-park.us/bid

For questions please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700.

Published in Wednesday Journal June 28, 2023

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 Mon thru Fri, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm local time until 11:00 am on Friday, July 28, 2023 for the following:

Village of Oak Park Public Works Center Exterior Door Replacement

Proposal Number: 23-123

Issuance Date: June 28th, 2023

There will be a mandatory pre-bid meeting at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL on Fri., July 14, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. Bid documents may be obtained from the Village website at http:// www.oak-park.us/bid. For questions please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700.

Published in Wednesday Journal June 28, 2023

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park --Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302-- will receive electronic proposals until 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 14, 2023 for Project: 23-3, 2023 Sidewalk Improvements Program. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, this contract includes sidewalk angle-cutting, removal and replacement of public sidewalk, parkway and carrage walks, combination curb and gutter, driveways, and PCC basecourse; pavement adjacent to curbs, adjustment of drainage structures, buffalo boxes and all appurtenant work thereto. Sidewalk sequencing during the work and adherence to the completion date is of emphasis for this project as outlined in the plans and proposal forms. Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Thursday

Published

June 29th, at 4:00 p.m. Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www.oak-park.us/yourgovernment/budget-purchasing/ requests-proposals or at www. questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 8385070 for a non-refundable charge of $64.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening.

This project is financed with local Village funds and federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and thus is subject to all federal rules, regulations and guidelines, including Davis-Bacon and Related Acts, Section 3, and Equal Opportunity requirements.

Bill McKenna Village Engineer

HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS, INC., MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, MANA SERIES 2007-OAR4

Plaintiff, -v.ELLEN C. SCHNACK, RANDALL C. SCHNACK Defendants 19 CH 14891 626 NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE OAK 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 July 31, 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. 16-05-319-008-

0000

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, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours.

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

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 Mon thru Fri, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm local time until 11:00 am on Friday, Aug 4, 2023 for the following:

Village of Oak Park North Fire Station Emergency Egress

Construction

Proposal Number: 23-125

Issuance Date: June 28th, 2023

There will be a mandatory pre-bid meeting at the North Fire Station, 212 Augusta, Oak Park, IL on Thurs, July 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Bid documents may be obtained from the Village website at http:// www.oak-park.us/bid. Design drawings and specifications will be available after July 6th. For questions please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700.

Published in Wednesday Journal June 28, 2023

ducts 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 CORPORA-

TION

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

SALE

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#: 43-2421

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

I3223066

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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.

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 con-

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.

The 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. This 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

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK

OPALGA+ scholarship fund recognizes student leaders

Group honored 8 scholars in program’s most generous year to date

By ELIZABETH SHORT Contributing Reporter

Every spring the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association (OPALGA+) grants scholarships to local student leaders. In the program’s 10-year history, its board has allocated more than $170,000 to student scholarships.

This year, the board awarded the largest cumulative amount of money yet in one year: $40,000 in scholarships in all, or $5,000 to 8 different students. Seven of the recipi-

throughout the year, with its Annual Scholarship Gala held in October. As in this year’s program book, scholarship “amazing student leaders (who) ha commitment to service and a BTQ+ community through the lens of equal opportunity for all.”

One of this year’s scholarship Montes-Williams, a prominent local acti and River Forest High School tivist was more of a necessity than a choice

Student Taylor Montes-Williams led a student walk out at OPRF last year follow ing inappropriate social media post, which students say showcased a toxic culture at the high school that permits sexual harassment.

Taylor Montes

During her time at OPRF, Montes-Williams led and organized protests in response to police violence and racism, gun violence, and sexual harassment and assault. She was a prominent member of the Revolutionary Youth Action League (ROYAL) and Students Advocating for Equity (S.A.F.E.). In the fall, Montes-Williams will be studying Political Science at the University of New Mexico.

In a video released by OPALGA+, Montes-Williams said she chose New Mexico “to further my education and my experience and be able to advocate for people of color, queer people, other people with marginalized identities across the country. … The scholarship means a lot to me because it can help further my education so I can help protect queer people, not just in my community, but those nationwide and those globally.”

Annie Larson, a 2023 Fenwick graduate and scholarship recipient, said she approached her activism in a different y. As a student at the Oak Park-based Catholic school, Larson said she has tried to be a role model for fellow students in the community.

AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ

SARA JANZ

“

Growing up, it was impossible to see the injustice in the world and towards my communities without wanting to change it.”

TAYLO R MONTES-WILLIAMS

Ac tivist and OPRF graduate

“I didn’t experience a lot of outward homophobia, but there’s plenty of little comments,” said Larson. In her activism, she said she focuses on creating a “safe space for others.”

Larson said she makes sure that “if I hear something problematic, I don’t just ignore it and I make sure I say something. Not just because it’s making me uncomfortable, but so that if there’s other people, especially people in the closet, that they know that not everyone is ag reeing with the problematic statement and that there are people on their side defending them.”

Larson came out as bisexual in eighth grade, she said. “I was definitely the only one of my close friends to come out at that time. I think a big role that I’ve played in supporting my community is being that person that it’s easier to come out to.”

As an active member of the Fenwick Pride Alliance, Larson helped to push

the school to relax its dress code with regard to gender lines. She independently organized an annual Easter egg hunt that raised over $20,000 for He pzibah Children’s Association. In the fall, she will be attending Georgetown University. After receiving the scholarship, Larson said she was able to learn about and talk to the other recipients. Larson said she was impressed with her peers’ activism and mentioned Montes-Williams. “She is leading protests and giving speeches and she is amazing,” said Larson.

Larson said she was grateful the OPALGA board reco gnized the importance of “day-to-day” activism as well. To the students, receiving the scholarship was more than a reco gnition of their achievements. It made way for new possibilities and opportunities. “The scholarship opened doors for me,” said Montes-Williams.

“Queer futures matter.”

Forest Park Bank Makes it Possible.

Annie Larson

“If I hear something problematic, I don’t just ignore it and I make sure I say something.”

ANNIE LARSON Fenwick graduate

At Forest Park Bank, we believe that serving the community means giving the best customer service, providing the latest in banking products, and most of all, helping our customers reach their full potential. Whether opening a small business, buying a home, or planning for the future, we’ve been making the journey with customers since 1943.

to march proudly into 26th year

ching band will be back in Oak Park’s 4th of July parade

By ELIZABETH SHORT ontributing Reporter

n the late 1970s, gay pride marching bands emerged across the United States ands that for med during this Chicago Gay Pride Band, ich performed in the 1979 Chicago anizer Jon Dallas officialnsembles riginally under the name esbian and Gay Band and later La ide Pride Freedom Band past decade, the Lakeside

marching band has been a memorable feature of Oak Park’s annual 4th of July parade. Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles, now in its 26th year, boasts over 400 members including members of nity as well as allies

C ally to the occasional Timejardine-Zomeño said that when he firs he was struck vironment.

fort to show that they’re welcome,” he said. “We’re happy to have you.”

The ensembles have no audition process, which means members range in ability from upcoming professionals to “people who haven’t touched their instruments since high school,” said Timejardine-Zomeño.

At the time of its founding in 1997, the organization included only 25 members. In its short history, the organization has grown dramatically. Timejardine-Zomeño said he has seen further growth during his time with the organization. “I think a lot of it had to do with the passing of marriage equality in 2015,” he said. “People are seeing that LGBT people exist and keep our society moving.”

The four most prominent ensembles are the Marching Band, Jazz Orchestra, Symphonic Band, and Pops Ensemble (conducted by drag queen Manic Maxxie). The organization also lists 10 smaller ensembles on its website, ranging from a Latin band to the “Tiny Bubbles ‘Ukulele’ Ensemble.”

Timejardine-Zomeño said the organization offers a sense of belonging to people who might not otherwise find a supportive community. “People, like me, who don’t belong and people who are in the (LGBTQ+) community have found a place where they can be themselves and play music.”

“I hear from a lot of people that (Lakeside Pride) is their safe space,” said Jordan Francisco, Lakeside Pride’s marketing officer.

book out of fear of retaliation from their employers. It’s nice to know that we’re able to provide the space for them and be their friends.”

As states pass legislation attacking LGBTQ+ rights, Lakeside Pride continues to flourish as a safe space for creative expression and marginalized communities. In March, the group’s board released a letter about these laws and included local resources for community members. Lakeside Pride is a member of the Pride Bands Alliance, a network connecting pride bands across the nation and the world. Through this network, musicians in the LGBTQ+ community are able to connect and play with bands and finda supportive community, wherever they may be.

“Especially for those who live in Texas and Florida and places like that, that’s a way for us to say, ‘You can march with us. You have a place,’” said Timejardine-Zomeño Lakeside Pride “is my chosen family,” said Francisco. The organization does more than play music. The musicians “come together to … cause a positive impact to our community,” said Francisco. “It brings me great joy.”

The ensembles’ performances slow after the busy month of June but interested readers should be sure to check out the marching band’s performance in the Village of Oak Park’s annual Fourth of July parade.

“I hear from a lot of people that (Lakeside Pride) is their safe space. It’s nice to know that we’re able to provide the space for them and be their friends.”

JORDAN FRANCISCO

Lakeside Pride’s marketing o cer

Drag story hour welcomes Coco Sho-nell back to RF church

Urban Village hosts

Pride event on church lawn

By STACEY SHERIDAN Senior Reporter

Urban Village Church West had a special guest at its family Pride celebration this past Saturday. Chicago drag performer Coco Sho-nell, in full glam, read stories to the children at the event. Her choice in storybooks share central themes: embrace individuality and diversity.

“Love the skin that you’re in and find the beauty within yourself,” Sho-nell explained.

The church invited Sho-nell to read at the Pride celebration through the Drag Story Hour, a movement begun in 2015 with drag queens reading to children in San Francisco It is now a re gistered 501c3 non-profit. Sho-nell performed at the church once before in 2021 and Rev. Christian Coons was happy to welcome her back again.

“She’s a great performer and she loves children,” said Coons.

Drag Story Hour provides kids an introduction to the LGBTQ+ community to build understanding and acceptance of diversity. Sho-nell’s choice in reading materials reflects that. One of her favorite books is “There’s Only

One You” by Kathryn Helling and Deborah Hembrook, which teaches children that no one person is exactly the same as another

“You may have straight hair. You may need glasses to see or you need to maybe use a wheelchair,” she explained. “It’s OK. That’s just who you are.”

Her other favorite book is Academy Award-winning actor Lupita N’yongo’s “Sulwe,” which tells the story about a little girl whose skin is darker than anyone else’s she knows, including that of her mother. The book explores colorism and self-worth, ultimately leading its young protagonist to embrace and be proud of what makes her unique.

“It’s OK if you don’ t look like everybody else. That’s what makes you, you,” she said. No protestors showed up to the River Forest event, except some uninvited deer that brazenly grazed near the bounce castle Saturday afternoon, but that has not been the case at similar events outside the Chicago area. NBC News reported that a group of masked neo-Nazis disrupted a drag storybook reading two eekends in New Hampshire by chanting homophobic slurs.

Those who purport drag to be an act of the nefarious and im moral lack an understanding of the world and an openness to learn, according to Sho-nell.

“Humans fear what they don’t understand,” she said. “We’re trying to break that stigma.”

Coons echoed her sentiment, adding that he believes many people who oppose drag have never had meaningful re-

lationships or even a conversation with someone who does not fit the mold of being cisgender and heterosexual.

“Once you do, you begin to see the fruit of their lives,” he said. “I just can’t see how you can, in good conscience say, that this is not a child of God.”

Legislation to criminalize drag and reduce the rights of the wider LGBTQ+ community is being pushed – and hallenged – across the country as well, with the most notable ef for ts coming from presidential hopeful and govF lorida, Ron DeSantis. assed in April, the sweeping “Let Kids be Kids” bill prohibits the discussion of gender identity in schools and bars transgender minors from receiving gender affirming medical care. The legislation also makes it ille gal for minors to attend drag performances. F lorida State Rep. Randy Fine, who sponsored the bill, said the law will “protect

PHOTO S BY TODD A. BANNOR

Pastor Christian Coon rallies people for a parade at the Urban Village Church West’s Family Pride Fest on Saturday June 24.

COCO SHO-NELL

our children by ending the gateway propaganda to this evil – ‘Drag Queen Story Time.’”

A Central F lorida federal judge has temporarily blocked the state from enforcing the age restriction at drag performances, ruling June 23 that a drag performer reading to children does not constitute an obscene performance. Within the conservative Christian community, drag performers and their storybook reading have come under fire. Evangelical leader Franklin Graham was quoted in a September issue of “Christianity Today” encouraging parents and grandparents to quit patronizing libraries in protest.

This stance is actively opposed by Coons and Urban Village, which Coons said has always been welcoming of LGBTQ+ worshippers and other groups “pushed to the margins.” Nor does he believe it should be scandalous to invite drag performers to read books with positive messaging to kids

“We are for them; we love them; we believe they are created in the image of God just as anyone else is,” Coons said.

TODD A. BANNOR

Mom’s Demand Action for Gun Sense in America table at the Urban Village Church West’s Family Pride Fest

“

We are for them; we love them; we believe they are created in the image of God just as anyone else is.”

RE V. CHRISTIAN COONS

River Forest struts with Pride during district event

The second annual Pride Walk kicked o the month’s celebrations

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Acceptance, love, and equality was the message shared by those attending River Forest District 90’s Pride Walk, which was held on Thursday, June 1 in partnership with the River Forest community.

Attendees gathered at Village Hall, 400 Park Ave., to enjoy the flag raising. In attendance was Ken Johnson, River Forest trustee and co-chair of the village’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory group, who expressed the importance of the day and the ef for ts to create an inclusive community for everyone to feel accepted and safe.

“Diversity and gay pride are important because they re present the progress we have made as a society of reco gnizing and celebrating the rights of all people re gardless of their sexual orientation,” said Johnson. “We have come a long way in reco gnizing the rights of LGBTQ+ communities.”

Me g an Keskitalo, PTO member who worked on developing the Pride Walk for Lincoln Elementary School, 511 Park Ave., led the cheering crowd in the flag raising, which was followed by the Pride Walk around the block, led by Principal Casey Godfrey

“I am so proud to work in a community, in a district that is so inclusive of everyone,” Godfrey said. “To carry the flag and to re present our district and all of our kids was a special moment.”

While the event was to celebrate Pride, with the message of equality and inclusion, the walk reached out to broader communities in River Forest.

For Britt Gentile, of Rive r Forest, who is on Lincoln’s Belongingness and Inclusion Committee, the event was a way to support and foster inclusion and accep tance for everyone

“It was important for me to pa rt icipate bec ause I have sons who have disabilities and I j ust f eel that there should be inclusion of all levels of all p eople,” Gentile said. “Whatever someone d etermines is their sexuality or their pronouns, they have every right in the wo rl d to do that and who are we to ta ke that aw ay.”

T he walk ended at the Franklin playground where the celebration continued with free Kona Shaved Ice and music as River Forest kicked of f Pride Month.

PHOTO S BY AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ

Principal Casey Godfrey (top) leads the walk wav ing the Pride ag during D90’s event. Residents (le and right) gathered at the River Forest Village Hall to celebrate Pride Month and raise the ag together.

Forest Park’s colorful celebration of Pride

Walk & Roll brings out the best in the community

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Residents of Forest Park who wanted an extra colorful way to celebrate Pride month attended the Rainbow Walk & Roll event on Sat., June 3 to get an early start on the month’s festivities.

The Walk & Roll event was a partnership between the Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Blvd., and Forest Park School District 91.

“The partnership was fairly simple,” said Nurys Uceta-Ramos, family and community engagement manager for District 91. “The library reached out to us with the idea, and we were excited to be a part of it.”

The event started at Garfield Elementary School, 543 Hannah Ave., at 8 a.m.

Shannon Wood, District 91 school board president, attended the event and said it was great to see so many supportive members of the Forest Park community come together to celebrate Pride month.

“There were so many smiles -- families and community members,” Wood said. “This was an event that reminds me how our community can and does come together for one another.”

Woods said the library provided flags and ribbons for participants to carry during the walk and at the end those who wanted to participate could throw colorful powder up in the air, which was a big hit with children.

“It was very exciting to see our community come and support the event in a safe and respectful manner,” UcetaRamos said.

Children celebrated the Walk & Roll and created fun memories throwing color ful powder into the air to celebrate the beginning of Pr ide month.

Prioritizing Inclusion: Girl Scout focuses on LGBTQ+ sex ed in service project

OPRF senior’s website aimed at middle school students

By ELIZABETH SHORT Contributing Re

Fewer than six percent Girl Scouts successfully earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement a scout can complete.

The 80-hour service project high school scouts to complete a “longterm project with sustainable and ongoing impact that addresses a r sue.” One scout who is determined to be pa of this six percent is rising OPRF senior Emma Costello-Wollwage.

As part of her project, “Prioritizing In clusion,” Costello-Wollwage comprehensive guide to sex middle schoolers. Her we com/view/prioritizinginclusion) offers in formation on LGBTQ+ issues and histor as well as her “amended lesson ing LGBTQ+ inclusion for programs in middle schools.” Accompanying her website is an Insta prioritizinginclusion.

In creating the website and page, Costello-Wollwage school students and spent hours ing and writing for the we

“As a queer student, I was ne how to protect myself sexually sexual relationship with another non man, writes Costello-Wollwage

“Since I came out/disco identity in the sixth grade, I was only taught straight sex and viewed a single five-minute video regarding LGBTQ+ sex in my sex ed classroom. This was not enough.”

Lee Chaloemtiarana, Costello-Wollwage’s partner, witnessed similar problems in health class. “We didn’t know how to navigate a queer relationship,” said Chaloemtiarana. “It went by different rules than heterosexual relationships -- and that’s all we learned about in health class. We didn’t know how to be safe (or) how to maintain a healthy relationship.”

According to Chaloemtiarana, the sex education they received in middle school barely covered LGBTQ+ issues, “which is

really ironic considering middle school is a time where a lot of people find out about being gay (and begin that) self-exploration journey.”

Witnessing this imbalance in education, along with peers’ ignorance and hatred toward members of the LGBTQ+ community and in particular toward transgender people, Costello-Wollwage grew more aware of her privilege as well as her duty to fight for herself and others within the community

“We are the ones who have to make chang-

es,” she said.

TODD A. BANNOR

After coming out in sixth grade, CostelloWollwage said her sexuality became an important part of her identity. “I was really happy that I had taken the time and found something that special,” she said. Over the next few years, she participated in Percy Julian Middle School’s Rainbow Tribe and was “very, very out.”

While researching the project, CostelloWollwage went back to Rainbow Tribe to speak with current middle school students

Incoming OPRF freshman Shay Sokolowski, icipated in Rainbow Tribe, deostello-Wollwage as being “highly ” Similarly, Costello-Wollwage said ould see herself in the Rainbow Tribe

he students she spoke to in Rainbow “so, so out,” said Costello-Wolle under the impression that OPRF and Oak Park are going to be as accepting as their peers, their friends, and

But that’s just not true.”

(virtual) freshman year at ostello-Wollwage experienced cyberbullying directed at her sexuality. “We prejudice embedded in us,” said wage. “It’s our responsibility to reteach ourselves.”

wage successfully completed service. As she waits for the ouncil to approve her project, she said she hopes the website reaches a broader I’m hoping it can become a really ccessible education tool.” esearching and compiling the webostello-Wollwage said she was able to expand her knowledge on these issues “I learned a lot during that process,” she said. “It was really enjoyable for me because about stuff that I missed out on. Creating that website, everything’s gowith me. … I really liked learnommunity and helping other kids. It means a lot to me.”

OPRF

Emma Costello-Wollwage working toward top Girl S cout honor.

“

W

e all have prejudice embedded in us. It’s our responsibility to reteach ourselves.”

EMMA COSTELLO-WOLLWAGE

senior

HAIR

Before and after 3 treatments

Courtesy of Romeo & Juliette Laser Hair Removal

HAIR REMOVAL

INJECTABLES:

Before and after 3 treatments Courtesy of R. Saluja, MD

Courtesy of E. Lach, MD

Forest Park Pride celebration notes challenges, draws crowd

Event returns after successful 2022 debut

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

owd, many clad in “Pride Forest Park” T-shirts, gathForest Park’s Constitution Court on Madison Street the eveune 23 to watch the centervillage’s second annual Pride

ent featured 8 drag performers, ineturning performers Angel LeBare, lor and Fox E. Kim. Keri Traid, Mariela Duarte, Moana Lotte and Dymond C. Calloway made their Forest Park Pride debut this year.

As happened last year, the drag queens walked to several Madison Street businesses

beforehand, chatting with customers and posing for pictures. This year’s participants included Brown Cow, Twisted Cookie, Fiore, Team Blonde, Play it Again Sports, MacDaddy Salon, Schauer’s Hardware, NOLA Louisiana Kitchen and Kribi Coffee Air Roastery.

PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), OPALGA+ (Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association), the Howard Brown Health Center and Ener gy Tees custom apparel company set up tables at Constitution Court.

“This is perfect for us [as a business],” said Energy Tees owner Eric Priceman. “Why wouldn’t we be here? We’re part of this village.”

Mayor Rory Hoskins, village commissioners Maria Maxham and Michelle MelinRogovin, Village Clerk Vanessa Moritz and

TODD A. BANNOR

Drag queen Angel Lebare per forms at the Pride event in Constitution Cour t on Friday June 23, 2023.

TODD A. BANNOR

Drag queen Fox E. Kim per forms at the Pride event in Constitution Cour t on Friday June 23, 2023.

TODD A. BANNOR

Drag queen Dymond C. Calloway per forms at the Pride event.

several members of the Forest Park School District 91 Board of Education attended the drag show.

“We’re a very progressive community, and we have a very equitable school board, and we value openness and inclusion,” Hoskins said.

Erich Krumrei, owner of Play it Again Sports, organized the Forest Park Pride Celebration. In his speech before the show, he touched on the challenges the LGBT community, especially the trans community, continues to face

A preservation icon passes on

Remembering Donald Kalec, a founding member of the Wright Home & Studio Foundation

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

Historic preservation in Oak Park lost one of its stalwart supporters in May when Donald Kalec died at the age of 87. One of the founding members of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio Foundation (now the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust), Kalec devoted his life to architecture and historic preservation.

Kalec received his B.A. from Auburn University and his B.Arch. from the University of F lorida. From 1965-69, he apprenticed with the Taliesin Fellowship at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin in Spring

Green, Wisconsin.

He began teaching at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1969 and in the early 1970s was one of a group of preservationists dedicated to saving and restoring Wright’s Home & Studio in Oak Park.

“I met Don the first day I ever got involved with the Home & Studio,” said Jack Lesniak, architect and longtime FLW Trust volunteer. “Don was already involved. He knew a lot about Frank Lloyd Wright, and when he approached the first group of volunteers, they grabbed him with open ar ms.”

Working alongside architects John Thorpe, Bill Dring and Carl Hunter, Kalec developed a master plan that was used as a guide to restore the Home & Studio. The book was adopted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a model for other restoration programs across the country.

In an email recalling his time working alongside Kalec, Dring called him a quiet and modest man, who had “a strong determination to get the project finished and finish it right.”

Dring recounts a moment in the restoration when they were focused on the dining room -- the first major restoration project, which would set a precedent for the rest of their work. The Wright-designed furniture was a key part of the room’s design, and the group considered having reproductions of the high-backed chairs commissioned Kalec remembered that the original chairs were stored in an outbuilding at Taliesin in Wisconsin and suggested contacting Wright’s widow, Olgivanna, about them. Dring says Kalec drafted a letter to the architect’s widow, and to their surprise, she ag reed to donate the chairs.

“She was jealous of any group that tried to take part of FLW’s le gacy,” Dring wrote “Plus, the value of the chairs was very high -- possibly $500,000. The gift was unprecedented. This could not have happened without Don.”

Lesniak states that after much deliberation, Kalec and the early founders decided to return the Home & Studio to what it looked like in 1909, the last year that Frank Lloyd Wright lived and worked in there.

While Kalec was one of the major players involved in making decisions and drafting drawings of the restoration, Lesniak says the quiet man who smiled a lot wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and do dirty

work either

“There was a group of volunteers called the Saturday Strippers, who would go in on weekends and touch up the walls and try to determine the original paint colors. Don was often part of that group doing the hands-on demolition or investigation,” Lesniak recalled.

Kalec became the director of research and restoration for the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust and worked to undo many of the changes that had been made be later owners to Wright’s early design.

Several small apar tments were deconverted to accurately recreate Wright’s studio. The studio restoration gar nered a National Merit Award in 1987 from the American Institute of Architects

At the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Kalec helped develop the interior architecture program and also developed a graduate curriculum for the Master of Science de gree in historic preservation.

Although he retired from the School of the Art Institute in 2012 and assumed professor emeritus status, Kalec continued to teach through the 2018-19 academic year Kalec lived much of his adult life in Chicago, just over the border from Oak Park He died near his family in F lorida on May 26, 2023.

Lloyd Wright Trust, the ‘originals,’ pictured above in 1974.

Donald Kalec